Industrial processes generally produce a number of by-products. If these by-products can be used as materials in the manufacture of building materials, then energy consumption can be reduced. Power station gypsum is such a by-product, with similar properties to natural gypsum. Consequently the re-use of power station gypsum is a viable alternative to natural gypsum in the manufacture of cement and plasterboard. (Berge, 2000)

Plasterboard is generally manufactured of about 95% gypsum, with some reinforcement such as wood savings or fibreglass. The main body is then covered with a layer of paper or thin cardboard. (Berge, 2000)

The amount of energy used to reprocess power station gypsum, or extract natural gypsum is quite low although the latter is a finite resource. Moreover pollution from the manufacture of plasterboard is quite low and it is stable when built into a structure. (Berge, 2000)