Many forms of synthetic or byproduct gypsum are now available for use and are being produced at rates that are beginning to exceed even the gypsum producers themselves! Some examples of synthetic gypsum forms include FGD or DSG (Flue Gas Desulfogypsum or DeSulfoGypsum) from the scrubbing of SO2 gases from coal-fired power plants, Titanogypsum from the production of TiO2 pigments, Phosphogypsum from the production of phosphate fertilizers and Fluorogypsum from the production of hydrofluoric acid.

Of particular interest is the production of FGD which has changed the North American and European gypsum board markets significantly in the past 25 years. Coal-fired power plants with installed SO2 scrubbers can produce a high purity, high quality gypsum raw material by reacting combustion gases with a lime or limestone slurry and further allowing the intermediate product to become oxidized to calcium sulfate dihydrate or gypsum. This sustainable material is interesting as an averted form of SO2 pollution (the primary cause of acid rain) and also represents a significant supply of usable gypsum for the building products industry that was previously only available through mining.

Innogyps Inc. can provide market information on sources, users, and costs for byproduct gypsum in addition to technical experience regarding its production and potential uses.