BPB, now known as Saint-Gobain Gypsum, global supplier of interior building systems products, joined Living Steel as an Associate member, Living Steel announced today. Saint-Gobain Gypsum will combine efforts with the roster of steel manufacturers and organisations that is Living Steel's membership, who are developing the potential for steel towards responsible housing.

"Saint-Gobain Gypsum brings with it expertise in interior systems that can be combined with the steel expertise of our members to build a supply chain for efficient construction and responsible homes," said Scott Chubbs, Living Steel Programme Director. "Their addition to our membership contributes considerably toward our aims to partner with the construction sector." Living Steel seeks construction sector partnerships to deliver more efficient and effective homes that enhance the quality of people's lives and the environment in which they live.

"The residential market presents significant growth opportunities for our systems and products and has been a strategic focus in our group for some years. Steel constructions are of specific high interest, as there is scope for greater demand through faster penetration in emerging markets and broader application of easy-to-install systems in more advanced markets," said Fabrice Neguin, Saint-Gobain Gypsum's Global Residential Market Manager. Fabrice noted that steel construction also contribute to meet the needs of urban communities for active, comfortable and safe interiors, which reflect the positioning of Saint-Gobain Gypsum's systems.

"That is why we believe in this mutually beneficial cooperation with Living Steel to stimulate steel construction growth in major regions of the world, and we expect to actively contribute," Fabrice added.

Saint-Gobain Gypsum is the world leader in the supply of plasterboard and gypsum plasters, and a major supplier of insulation, ceiling tiles and related products for interiors, serving growing markets for building systems in over 50 countries. The company is one of the world's leading fast track lightweight building systems companies.

Living Steel is a worldwide, collaborative programme designed to stimulate innovative and responsible housing design and construction. It was launched in February 2005 by the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI). Three membership levels are possible, each offering its own level of participation in the programme: Full, Associate and Supporting. As an Associate member, Saint-Gobain Gypsum will have the opportunity to actively participate in the programme's projects and have full access to all its outcomes and deliverables. Membership in Living Steel also includes participation in the World Steel Construction Council, which just launched last October with a meeting of its 26 members in Bilbao, Spain. The focus of the WSCC is to enhance the steel construction community worldwide through networking and to create global support for Living Steel as for a leader for steel in housing construction.

Through its global partnerships, Living Steel combines existing best practice across disciplines to create the broadest possible base of knowledge and intellectual insight. This is made possible through the support and intellectual inputs of its members-comprising some of the largest steel-producing companies in the world. To learn more about becoming a member of Living Steel, visit www.livingsteel.org/members.