What KNAUF does

Knauf is a family-owned, Germany-headquartered global manufacturer of construction materials, founded in 1932 and organised into four operating divisions: Knauf (gypsum-based drywall, plaster, facade and flooring systems), Knauf Insulation (glass, rock and wood wool insulation), Knauf Ceiling Solutions (modular ceiling systems) and Knauf Industries (packaging, protection, insulation and moulded technical components). The group operates 320+ plants across 90+ countries with a workforce of approximately 43,500, and reports turnover of €15.6bn. Knauf UK & Ireland, the regional focus of the available data, is one of the leading UK manufacturers of gypsum plasterboard, operating two factories in Sittingbourne (Kent) and Immingham (North East Lincolnshire), and manufactures plasterboard, plaster, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates and drywall accessories.

The company's product portfolio is built around proprietary engineered systems (ThroughWall, AQUAPANEL cement board, Frameless Fire Encasement, TOPIQ Alpha, OmniFit) that are sold as warranted assemblies with certified fire, acoustic and thermal performance, targeting commercial construction, residential, healthcare, education, high-rise multiple occupancy, leisure and transport end-segments. Underlying technology centres on gypsum-based material science and circular-economy recycling, exemplified by the world's first 100% climate-neutral drywall produced at Chiyoda Ute's Yokkaichi plant from 100% recycled gypsum, and the UK Plasterboard Take Back Scheme operated with Encore Environment and Reconomy Connect.

Knauf makes money primarily through hardware sales of construction materials via a two-pronged go-to-market: enterprise field sales (Project Specification Managers engaging architects, main contractors and specifiers pre-construction through the One CRM system to convert specifications into secured orders) and channel partners (major distributors, merchants and retail stockists across the UK and Ireland). Specification is anchored through the NBS platform, BIM objects on bimobject.com, the Knauf Systemfinder tool, and CITB-approved training at Learning Zones in Sittingbourne and Immingham. Customer concentration is low because end-purchases are mediated by a fragmented merchant/distributor network rather than direct end-customer relationships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Name

KNAUF

Legal name

Knauf Group

Website

https://knauf.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Knauf is a family-owned, Germany-headquartered global manufacturer of gypsum-based construction materials, insulation, ceiling solutions and technical components, operating 320+ plants across 90+ countries and serving commercial, residential, healthcare, education and infrastructure construction markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Materials Manufacturing

NAICS

Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (327)

SIC

Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270)

akta.pro primary industry

Plaster (Gypsum/Lime/Cement) & Basecoat Systems (IMADAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ceiling Boards, Plasterboard Tiles & Suspension-Compatible Gypsum Products (IMADAEAM), Prefabricated Gypsum/Plaster Architectural Elements (Cornices, Ceiling Medallions, Moldings) (IMADAEAL)

Keywords

• Gypsum plasterboard manufacturing
• Drywall systems
• Building insulation products
• Ceiling solutions
• Construction materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Sittingbourne

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Gypsum-based building materials sales: Manufacture and sale of gypsum plasterboard, plaster, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates, drywall accessories and related products through distributor and merchant networks

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Knauf manufactures and distributes gypsum-based construction materials including plasterboard, plasters, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates and drywall accessories, along with insulation (Glass Mineral Wool, Rock Mineral Wool, Wood Wool) and modular ceiling systems. In the UK and Ireland, the company operates factories in Sittingbourne (Kent) and Immingham (North East Lincolnshire) producing plasterboard systems engineered for compliant fire, acoustic and thermal performance. Engineered systems (ThroughWall, AQUAPANEL, Frameless Fire Encasement) and digital specification tools (Systemfinder, BIM objects, acoustic/U-value/Psi-value calculators) support architects, specifiers, contractors, distributors and merchants.

Product overview

Knauf is a leading manufacturer of construction materials organised into four core divisions: Knauf (gypsum-based products including plasterboard, drywall systems, plasters, and façade systems), Knauf Insulation (Glass Mineral Wool, Rock Mineral Wool, and Wood Wool insulation), Knauf Ceiling Solutions (modular ceiling systems in mineral, metal, wood, and wood wool), and Knauf Industries (packaging, protection, insulation and moulded technical components). In the UK & Ireland specifically, Knauf is a leading manufacturer of gypsum-based building materials with factories in Sittingbourne (Kent) and Immingham (North East Lincolnshire). The product portfolio includes plasterboard, plaster, metal sections, flooring, external renders, insulating laminates, and drywall accessories. Key systems include ThroughWall external wall system, AQUAPANEL cement board for wet environments, Frameless Fire Encasement System, and TOPIQ Alpha and OmniFit ceiling/flooring products. The company also offers digital tools including Systemfinder for system selection, BIM objects, and various calculators (acoustic, U-value, Psi-value), along with sustainability services like the Plasterboard Take Back Scheme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knauf: Efficient drywall, plaster, facade and flooring systems made of gypsum for unlimited design options.
• Knauf Insulation
• Knauf Ceiling Solutions
• Knauf Industries
• Knauf ThroughWall
• AQUAPANEL
• TOPIQ Alpha
• OmniFit
• Frameless Fire Encasement

Products and services

• Knauf Gypsum Plasterboard Gypsum-based plasterboard manufactured in the UK at factories in Sittingbourne (Kent) and Immingham (North East Lincolnshire), engineered for compliant fire, acoustic and thermal performance and improved indoor air quality for commercial, residential, healthcare, education and high-rise projects.
• Knauf Insulation Energy-efficient, sustainable insulation solutions made of Glass Mineral Wool, Rock Mineral Wool and Wood Wool, used in building envelope and internal applications for thermal and acoustic performance. Knauf Insulation operates 28 plants across 40 countries with 7,000 employees.
• Knauf Ceiling Solutions Modular ceiling solutions for design and functionality, covering mineral, metal, wood and wood wool ceilings, plus system ceiling solutions. Knauf Ceiling Solutions operates 11 plants across 7 countries with 2,600 employees.
• Knauf Industries High-quality packaging, protection, insulation solutions and moulded technical components serving industrial customers across multiple sectors. Knauf Industries operates 42 plants across 8 countries with 3,000 employees.
• Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Cement board for indoor and outdoor solutions in wet and humid environments, providing moisture resistance for construction projects such as bathrooms, swimming pools, facades and external wall applications.
• Knauf ThroughWall System Integrated external wall system where each component perfectly complements the rest of the system, providing one brand, one system solution for external wall applications with no compromises on performance.
• Knauf Frameless Fire Encasement System Slimline, quick-installation fire protection system for structural elements that maximises floor space in buildings by eliminating the need for traditional framing in fire encasement applications.
• TOPIQ® Alpha Ceiling product line featured within the Knauf product highlights portfolio, used in commercial and residential ceiling applications.
• OmniFit® Product line featured within the Knauf product highlights portfolio, supporting flooring and fit-out applications.
• Rocksilk® RainScreen Slab EE Rain screen insulation slab for external wall applications, providing thermal performance in ventilated rain screen cavity systems.
• Knauf Plasterboard Take Back Scheme Waste-reduction service that diverts plasterboard waste from UK construction sites to trusted gypsum reprocessors, enabling recycled gypsum to be fed back into manufacturing new Knauf plasterboards and supporting circular economy outcomes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Net zero by 2045 with emissions independently verified by Planet Mark
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Reconomy ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Partnership to enhance Knauf's plasterboard take-back service and responsibly manage plasterboard waste across construction projects in the UK and Ireland. Diverts plasterboard waste directly to trusted gypsum reprocessors so recycled gypsum can be fed back into manufacturing to create new Knauf plasterboards, supporting circular outcomes.
• Encore EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Plasterboard Take Back Scheme, enabling responsible management and recycling of plasterboard waste from construction sites across UK.
• Manufacturers' Information Hub (The MIH)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-European manufacturer-led system for standardized, interoperable sharing of construction product information. Proof-of-concept supported by UK Research and Innovation. Participation alongside Tata Steel UK, Kier and other major construction product companies.
• United Mining Industries CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnauf International GmbH received regulatory clearance to acquire 63.2% stake for SR504.49 million ($134.5 million). Jeddah-headquartered target manufactures gypsum and construction materials for Middle East markets. Knauf intends to acquire remaining stake after initial acquisition.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• CSR Limited: Australian building products manufacturer with the Gyprock and Bradford insulation brands, competing in plasterboard and adjacent categories. Most relevant as a regional peer in Australia/New Zealand where Knauf's USG Boral footprint creates a competing presence.
• Boral Limited: Australian-headquartered building materials and construction products company (now part of Seven Group) producing gypsum plasterboard and related wall systems. Comparable in plasterboard manufacturing, with regional strength in Australia/Asia where Knauf also operates via USG Boral.
• Yoshino Gypsum: Japan's largest gypsum board manufacturer, competing directly with Knauf's 75%-owned Chiyoda Ute in Japanese specification-driven sales. Comparable in product portfolio (plasterboard, plaster, specialty boards) and customer segments, but focused primarily on the domestic Japanese market.

Direct peers

• Rockwool International: Danish-listed manufacturer of stone wool insulation products that competes directly with Knauf Insulation's Rock Mineral Wool line in European and global specification-driven sales. Comparable in insulation manufacturing scale and building-segment customers.
• Etex Group: Belgian-headquartered building materials company operating the Siniat brand for gypsum plasterboard and drywall systems across Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Direct competitor to Knauf in European specification-driven gypsum sales and a peer in fire/acoustic-rated systems.
• American Gypsum: US-based gypsum wallboard manufacturer (a subsidiary of Eagle Materials) producing M-Bloc, LightRoc, and similar plasterboard lines. Comparable in core product and US distribution-driven model, though smaller in scale and product breadth than Knauf's North American operations.
• Saint-Gobain: French-listed global building materials leader and Knauf's most direct large-scale competitor, with competing gypsum plasterboard brands (Gyproc, Placoplatre) and significant overlap across insulation, ceilings, and façade systems. Closest comparable by product portfolio, geographic breadth, and customer segments (commercial, residential, infrastructure).
• Continental Building Products: US-based gypsum wallboard manufacturer (now part of CertainTeed/Saint-Gobain) serving residential and commercial construction. Closely comparable in core product and customer base to Knauf's North American plasterboard operations inherited from USG Corporation.
• Georgia-Pacific: US-based privately held manufacturer of building products including DensGlass and ToughRock gypsum wallboard, competing head-to-head with Knauf's USG-acquired brands in North America. Comparable product mix (gypsum panels, building wraps, insulation-adjacent offerings) and similar distribution-driven model.
• National Gypsum: US-focused privately held gypsum board manufacturer producing Gold Bond, ProForm, and PURPLE products. Comparable in core plasterboard manufacturing and similar reliance on US distribution, though narrower in geography and product breadth than Knauf.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KnaufUKI
• Xx.com/knauf_uk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knauf-uk-ireland
• Instagraminstagram.com/knaufuki

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KNAUF