Saint-Gobain, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed Interior Products Group, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of an expansion at its Palatka, Fla., gypsum manufacturing facility. 

With an investment of over $240 million, the Palatka Plant is now positioned as the largest gypsum wallboard facility in the world. First announced in 2023, the project has doubled the facility’s production capacity and will create 110 new jobs in the greater Jacksonville area. Equipped with advanced, energy-efficient technology, the expansion enables CertainTeed to meet growing demand across the southeastern United States while advancing sustainable production through recycling and circular economy practices. 

The plant replaces its sister site in Silver Grove, Ky. The additional production volume will help CertainTeed to meet growing demand, especially in the southeastern United States. With advanced, energy-efficient technology, including a new industrial dryer, the plant is equipped to enhance its production efficiency and capacity. With practices already in place to recycle and reuse gypsum material, the plant will continue its efforts to promote circular economy practices in its production, further reducing waste.  

The event, hosted at the facility, included remarks from Saint-Gobain North America President and CEO Mark Rayfield, President of CertainTeed Interior Projects Group Jay Bachmann, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO Laura Pavlus, and JAXUSA Vice President of Business Development John Freeman. In addition to ribbon-cutting celebrations, today’s event included remarks from Greer Horne, vice president of corporate partnerships at Susan G. Komen, to commemorate the strong collaboration between CertainTeed and Susan G. Komen.  

“As a vital part of our operations, the expansion of our production activities in Palatka is a testament to our commitment to serving our customers, especially in the fast-growing southeastern United States market,” said Mark Rayfield, president and CEO of Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed. “Congratulations to the entire team in Palatka and all of our partners who made this project possible. Together, we will work to continue providing high-quality gypsum wallboard solutions that builders and homeowners rely on.”

The project was generously supported with more than $7 million in cash benefits and high-impact investment tax credits, including a State of Florida Capital Investment Tax Credit, a Career Source Florida Quick Response Training Grant, a grant from Putnam County, and a Clay Cooperative Economic Development Rate. The plant, which first began operations in 2001, is one of the largest employers in Palatka and Putnam County. 

The announcement coincides with Saint-Gobain's 360th anniversary.

Last month, Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed Canada celebrated the completion of expansion activities at their gypsum wallboard facility in Sainte-Catherine, Quebec, near Montreal. This project included the complete electrification of the facility, making it the first net-zero gypsum wallboard plant (scopes 1 and 2) in North America and the largest in the world.

In February, Saint-Gobain NorPro announced it would begin a $40 million investment to build a new ceramics facility in Wheatfield, N.Y.

CertainTeed Roofing is nearing completion of two significant projects: a $100 million expansion at its CertainTeed Roofing facility in Peachtree City, GA, and a new glass mat facility in Oxford, NC. Both projects will further support the fast-growing market in the Southeast United States.