Creating a Platform of Productivity for the Gypsum Market
Clyde
TRANSFORMING PROCESSES NO LIMITS INFINITE POSSIBILITIES Materials Handling
Gypsum is a mineral used prevalently in themanufacture of gypsum wallboard, often
referred to as plasterboard or drywall.
Gypsum wallboard is used as a material in
the construction industry and is being
increasingly regarded as an environmentally
friendly product due to its thermal insulation,
sound insulation and pollutant protection
characteristics. Global production of
wallboard is forecast to continue to grow by
6per cent year-on-year, for the next few
years, with production rising to 8230Mm
2 bythe end of 2007.
In an effort to sustain the growing global demand forwallboard many of the leading operators have extended and
expanded their current production facilities, whilst developing
new production plants.One of the raw materials that is now being more commonlyutilised in the production of gypsum wallboard is
desulphogypsum (DSG). DSG is a synthetic form of gypsum
derived from fossil-fuelled sources and is being used as a
viable substitute to mined gypsum. Of the many new
production facilities being built around the world, most will be
utilising DSG as a raw material.In recent years, Clyde Materials Handling has developed aseries of pneumatic conveying solutions, which have the
ability to transport mineral gypsum, DSG and other materials
and additives used in the manufacture of both wallboard and plaster.
Transforming Processes
Clyde Materials Handling is an established customer-drivensolutions provider, which utilises its knowledge, expertise and
technologies to transform the production processes of itscustomers who operate within the gypsum industry.Clyde Materials Handling has helped their global gypsumcustomer base transform the way in which they operate their
processes, which has enabled them to generate sustainable
economic benefits and maintain their positions as leaders in
their market.Clyde has used its Research, Development and Testing facilityto analyse and test various materials used in the production of
wallboard and plaster. By utilising this approach, Clyde
Materials Handling has been able to identify the most energy
efficient and economically beneficial solution to successfully
conveying materials in the gypsum market.Clyde’s pneumatic conveying solutions have been able totransport various materials in an unrestricted, controlled and
continuous manner at low velocity, consuming low volumes of
air powered.Close customer communication has resulted in the creation ofunique and innovative solutions which have been able to
handle DSG, which is a notoriously difficult material to convey
pneumatically. Clyde developed a pioneering conveying
technology called Autoflow, which is a specially adapted
solution designed to handle abrasive and arduous materials in
the gypsum industry, such as pre calcined DSG, calcined
DSG, oversized stucco, glass reinforced gypsum (GRG) and
heat resistant accelerators (HRA). Clyde’s pneumatic
conveying solutions have also handled materials such as
mineral gypsum, stucco, vermiculite, perlite, edge trim and
lime, which are used in the production of wallboard and plaster. All of Clyde Materials Handling’s conveying solutions areenhanced through the use of the Clyde
Isolation valve, widely
regarded as the best
material handling valve manufacturer in the world. The
Clyde Dome Valve has the ability to cut through static or
moving columns of material through the use of its innovative
inflatable seal ring mechanism, ensuring that a consistent