drymix.info Newsletter 330/2026; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 1. October 2026

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drymix.info Newsletter 330/2026

1. In just two weeks! The 2nd Egypt Drymix Mortar Meeting, Badr City, Egypt, 15. October 2026
2. The 9th India Drymix Mortar Conference, New Delhi, India, 29OCT2026: Register Now
3.1. El Tercer Encuentro Sudamericana de Morteros Secos, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12NOV26
3.2. The 3rd South American Drymix Mortar Meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12NOV26
Sponsored Content: Omya Webinar on Omyaspheres
4. The 19th Annual SEADMA Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 19. November 2026: Program
5. Heidelberg Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Cementos Inka
6. USG/Knauf Announces Closure of Production Facility in Southard, Oklahoma
7. BASF Has Initiated Talks about a Possible Takeover of Evonik

1. In just two weeks! The 2nd Egypt Drymix Mortar Meeting, Badr City, Egypt, 15. October 2026

Just two more weeks until we meet at Badr University near Cairo, Egypt. Co-hosted by the famous Ain Shams University and in co-operation with the Saxony Egypt University (New Cairo), our extensive program combines academic research and industry expertise to bring to you the most up-to-date developments. Additionally, we will have an Expert Forum on Rebuilding Gaza, with Prof. Dr. Plank, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hashem, Prof. Dr. Gerdes and other experts. Come join us at this seminal discussion on the future of rebuilding and developing.

Admission to the Egypt Drymix Mortar Meeting and University Symposium is EGP 32.000 | 550 Euro per delegate, reduced to EGP 26.000 | 450 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only EGP 11.000 | 190 Euro p.p. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from outside of Egypt. Also staff and faculty enjoy reduced admission prices (Group Rates). Please inquire with us. Registration is open at www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard, paypal).

2. Register now! The 9th India Drymix Mortar Conference, New Delhi, India, 29. October 2026

Come join us in New Delhi on 29. October 2026 for our 9th India Drymix Mortar Conference. End of the month experts from the Indian Subcontinent and beyond will come together to discuss seminal industry topics.

Support for the conference comes from Aayka Waterproofers Pvt Ltd | Avebe | BEUMER India | Bocedi | CCMA India | Celotech | Çimsa | Cimento | DK Finechem | Fairmate Chemicals | Haver & Boecker | Hongshi New Materials (OYH) | Imerys | m-tec | MYK Laticrete | Somani Ecobuild Products LLP | Thrakon | Wacker Chemie. Without this support, a splendid event such as this would not be possible, thanks a lot!

Admission to The 9th India Drymix Mortar Conference is 550 Euro per delegate, reduced to 450 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 190 Euro p.p. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkand and all southern States of India beyond this line. Group Rates (pay one get two) for drymix mortar manufacturers are available, too, please inquire with us. Registration is open at www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard, paypal).

3.1. El Tercer Encuentro Sudamericano de Morteros Secos (Buenos Aires, Argentina – 12 de noviembre de 2026)

El jueves 12 de noviembre de 2026 se llevará a cabo en Buenos Aires, Argentina, El Tercer Encuentro Sudamericano de Morteros Secos. Este evento técnico se enfocará exclusivamente en los intereses de la industria en el Cono Sur, y se espera la asistencia de delegados de Chile, Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brasil y Argentina. El programa ofrecerá conferencias y presentaciones innovadoras sobre los últimos desarrollos de la región y el mundo, siendo una oportunidad ideal para intercambiar ideas y generar contactos durante los espacios de networking. El programa preliminar se publicará en el próximo boletín informativo.

Aviso importante para viajeros: Tenga en cuenta que el Aeropuerto Internacional de Ezeiza (EZE) operará con capacidad reducida del 25 de octubre al 11 de noviembre de 2026 debido a trabajos de mantenimiento en la pista. Aunque las obras concluyen un día antes del encuentro, varias aerolíneas ya han anunciado cancelaciones y reducciones de frecuencia que podrían afectar los traslados en los días previos. Le sugerimos considerar de ser posible vuelos con destino al Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), ubicado en el centro de la ciudad. Asimismo, debido a la visita del Papa XIV a la Argentina en fechas cercanas, le recomendamos realizar sus reservas de alojamiento con suficiente anticipación para asegurar disponibilidad y tarifas óptimas.

Inscripciones y Tarifas: La inscripción para El Tercer Encuentro Sudamericano de Morteros Secos tiene un costo de 550 EUR por delegado. Los miembros y socios de drymix.info disfrutan de una tarifa reducida de 450 EUR, mientras que los fabricantes de morteros secos pagan una tarifa especial de 190 EUR por persona. Estos últimos también disponen de un descuento especial de viaje si provienen de fuera de Argentina, así como de pases grupales (2x1); contáctenos para más información. Las inscripciones ya están abiertas en www.drymix.info (pagos con Visa, Mastercard o PayPal).

3.2. The 3rd South American Drymix Mortar Meeting, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 12NOV26

On Thursday, 12. November 2026 the 3rd South American Drymix Mortar Meeting takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This technical meeting is entirely focussed on the interests of the drymix mortar community in Southern South America - we expect delegates from Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brasil - and of course Argentina itself. Its innovative lectures and presentations will offer insight into new developments in the region and beyond. We are looking forward to seeing you there, exchange ideas and connect with you in the networking breaks. The preliminary program will be published in the next newsletter.

Attention: Due to runway maintenance between October 25th and November 11th, 2026, Buenos Aires' main airport, Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) will operate at reduced capacity. Several major airlines have already announced flight cancellations and reduced frequencies during this period. Delegates coming in by airplane could consider booking their flights into the downtown airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). Also, Pope Leo XIV will visit Argentina shortly before our event, unfortunately traffic congestion and high prices for hotel rooms must be anticipated.

Admission to the 3rd South American Drymix Mortar Meeting is 550 Euro per delegate, reduced to 450 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 190 Euro p.p. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from outside Argentina. Group Rates (pay one get two) for drymix mortar manufacturers are available, too, please inquire with us. Registration is open at www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard, paypal).

4. The 19th Annual SEADMA Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 19. November 2026: Program

For the 19th time, SEADMA, the South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association Ltd, Singapore, invites industry experts to come together. We will meet in Bangkok on 19. November 2026 at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok to discuss and debate newest developments in the industry. Important remark for our delegates: room rates for delegates have been negotiated with the Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside (just around the corner of where we meet), please book your overnight stays there (NOT at Hilton Millennium). Here is a glimpse at our list of confirmed topics (in alphabetical order, subject to change without notice):
Actemium | Nicolas Genevrier | Main Impacts on your Operations and on your Mixing Lines to Comply to Drymix Mortar Standards (PP)
Ardex | Jyh Chyuan Chong | Rethinking Tile Installation Through Circularity
Blue Label Co., Ltd | Nitit Kaveevorasart | REWO Biochar-Cement Technology: Low-Carbon Cement Materials with CO₂ Adsorption Function
Celotech | Gary Xu | How Small Additives Influence the Performance of Drymix Mortar Products (PP)
Çimsa Cement | Maximilian Kew | Lowering Carbon Emissions Through Advanced Calcium Aluminate Technology in Construction (PP)
Haver & Boecker | tbd. | More Efficient and Sustainable Solutions for Your Packing Process (PP)
Imerys | Hongfang Chen | Ready-to-Use Specialty Binders Powering Technical Mortar Applications
Jorakay | Thiti Sriratana | Innovative Approaches to Floor and Road Repair for Enhanced Performance, Speed, and Sustainability
Mapei | Jingjid Sorada | Turning Sustainability into Business Value: From EPD to ZERO Line in APAC
Poraver | Lum Kah Seng | PORAVER-Sustainable Solution for Advanced Drymix Mortar
Saint Gobain | Aninya Junwatthana | LCA as a Product Development Tool for Improving the Sustainability of Mortars
Testing Bluhm & Feuerherdt | Morne Slabbert | State of the Art TESTING Solutions for the Drymix Mortar Lab (PP)
Thai Concrete Association TCA | Assoc Prof. Nattapong Makaratat | Keynote and Greetings to the Assembly
Thrakon | Emanuel Papadakis | Scaling Drymix Through Strategic Licensing (PP)
Wacker | Dr Sujandi Zhou | Installation of Modern Tiles with Polymer Modified Tile Adhesive

Admission to 19th Annual SEADMA Conference is 650 Euro per delegate, reduced to 550 Euro for drymix.info members and partners. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 190 Euro p.p. A special travel rebate is available for drymix mortar manufacturers coming from outside Thailand, Group Rates (pay one get two) for drymix mortar manufacturers are available, too, please inquire with us. Registration is open at www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard, paypal).

5. Heidelberg Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Cementos Inka

Heidelberg Materials, Heidelberg, Germany, has entered into a binding agreement to acquire a 70% majority stake in Cementos Inka (legally known as Caliza Cemento Inca S.A., Lima, Peru). The independently operating cement producer – owned by the Carlos Choy family - operates two grinding units with a combined annual capacity of 1.3 mio tons, as well as two ready-mix concrete plants near Lima and near Pisco. Cementos Inka was founded in 2007 and employs around 270 people. The size of Heidelberg Material’s stake in Cementos Inka and the transaction value were not disclosed by either party, the deal is expected to be completed by end-October 2026.

6. Gypsum Shortage in US Due to the USG Southard, OK, Plant Closure

The decision of United States Gypsum, Chicago Illinois (USG, part of Knauf Group, Iphofen, Germany, since 2019) to close down and mothball its Southard, Oklahoma, USA, mine and plant has a large impact on manufacturers of construction materials, including drymix mortars. USG produced specialty grades there, namely alpha- and beta- hemihydrate gypsum and of course anhydrite (Brand Name "Snow White Filler"). According to USG „escalating complexity and cost to mine and manufacture the specialized products in the portfolio“ were the reason for the closure, which is scheduled for November 2026, leaving 250 unemployed. USG is planning to offer transfer and/or severance packages for affected employees. Already today, according to drymix.info sources, clients in the US feel a shortage of specialty gypsum supply and are scrambling to reformulate or locate and approve other sulfate sources. It seems that there is not enough US capacity to support the current hemihydrate gypsum demand.

7. BASF Has Initiated Talks about a Possible Takeover of Evonik

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany and Evonik Industries AG (and RAG Stiftung), both Essen, Germany have recently confirmed to be in "exploratory discussions" regarding a potential acquisition of Evonik by BASF. This move would combine Germany's two largest chemical companies. Earlier this year, BASF had explored the plans with RAG Stiftung, Evonik’s major shareholder (43%). According to BASF, the acquisition of Evonik would be interesting for the continuation of their strategy of strengthening their European business, widening of product portfolio and, in light of the aggressive competition from China, would bring production synergies and thus lower production cost.

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Sincerely Yours, Ferdinand Leopolder