Irving Wallboard commissions new roller mill to help address Canada’s housing needs

Irving Wallboard has completed a major upgrade to support the plant’s ability to meet Canada’s growing wallboard and housing needs.  

Part of Project Rolling Rock, the successful commissioning of a new roller mill at the Saint John-based plant will result in strengthened production stability, product consistency and long-term capacity by removing a key bottleneck. 

The new roller mill replaces a legacy system designed for synthetic gypsum and is purpose-built for natural quarried gypsum, improving process stability and material efficiency. Commissioning took place from mid-December 2025 through January 2026. 

“This investment gives us the consistency and capacity we need moving forward,” said Peter MacNeill, General Manager of Wallboard. 

Project Rolling Rock brings together the roller mill with earlier upgrades to support Irving Wallboard’s future growth. It was delivered through collaboration with local trades and J.D. Irving, Limited’s Construction & Equipment Division partners: CFM, Gulf Operators and Irving Equipment.  

Safety was a consistent focus throughout the project. In February 2026, Irving Wallboard marked 11 years with no lost‑time incidents, a milestone reflected in the strong planning, communication and coordination that guided installation and commissioning while the plant remained operational.  

“Balancing safety and schedule was a daily challenge,” MacNeill said. “Strong planning and communication allowed the team to stay productive while keeping safety at the forefront.”  

Curious about Phase 1 of Project Rolling Rock? Read more here: https://www.jdirving.com/en/newsroom/Project-Rolling-Rock-A-Major-Milestone-for-Irving-Wallboard/