Gypsum is one of the oldest building materials in the world. It has been used in the interiors of the great pyramids in Egypt as early as 3700 B.C. Gypsum is found in every continent of the world and is one of the most widely used minerals.

The word “gypsum” is derived from a Greek verb meaning “to cook,” referring to the burnt or calcined material. It is also called plaster of Paris because of the gypsum found in quarries of the Montmartre district of Paris, which has long furnished burnt gypsum. As we know plaster of Paris is used for making molds and surgical splints.

Gypsum is a white to transparent mineral compound. It is generally found underground near deposits of limestone or other minerals formed by evaporation. One of the more popularly known types of gypsum is pure white crystal which is fine-grained gypsum called alabaster, and is highly prized for ornamental work. Another form of unprocessed gypsum forms in deserts with crystals in flower-like formation. This type is referred to as “desert rose.”

Gypsum is deposited in lake, sea water and hot springs from volcanic vapors. It is associated with the minerals halite and sulfur.

Many uses

To many people, gypsum is commonly known as a material used for drywall panels. They are either nailed or screwed in place to form a finished wall. It is resistant to fire and heat and can easily be cut using simple construction tools.

It is abundant, economical, versatile and reasonably strong. It helps to reduce sound.

Gypsum is also an ally in agriculture. It is used as fertilizer and conditioner to strengthen soil that has been weakened by excessive clay. By adding a layer of gypsum, farmers improve weak soil.

Gypsum is also used as a popular ingredient in cement mixtures due to its hardening properties.

In construction, gypsum is used as a plaster ingredient or stucco additive. In many schools, children encounter gypsum in the form of the blackboard chalk.

Another form of gypsum

Unknown to many people, including professionals in the design and building industry, there is another form of gypsum called synthetic gypsum.

Synthetic gypsum is chemically manufactured gypsum and is generally a byproduct that is created during various manufacturing, industrial, or chemical processes, particularly the electric power industry’s sulfur dioxide scrubber system.

This process is the US industry’s response to the government’s call for pollution-reduction incentives of coal-fired electricity generation plants.

Why use synthetic gypsum

There are environmental benefits in using synthetic gypsum. The majority of synthetic gypsum used by the industry is made to keep the air clean. It is also an excess material that normally would be discarded in landfills if not used in the manufacture of wallboard.

Both natural and synthetic gypsum are classified as non-toxic and safe building materials.

Sources of gypsum

In 2001, 90 countries produced gypsum, 8 of which accounted for nearly 67 percent of the total world production. Global gypsum production in 2001 is estimated to be more than 104 MT. More than 110 million metric tons per year of synthetic gypsum is generated worldwide.

Canada, Mexico, Spain and Thailand are major gypsum exporters.

The United States uses gypsum primarily for wallboard products. In developing countries, especially in the Middle East and Asia, most gypsum is used in the production of cement or as a plaster product.

As the country’s growing awareness on green issues develops green building materials like gypsum are gaining more and more attention.