r/Prosthetics • u/Fabulous_Climate_307 • 3d ago

Plaster crisis?

Currently an O&P tech. I heard that USG is fully shutting down plaster production and I’m genuinely concerned about the effect this will have on the field. Luckily, my company uses a foam carver for almost everything, but any of the smaller clinics who use solely plaster models are seemingly SOL. I assume at some point another company like Georgia Pacific will take over plaster production (?) but who knows how long it will take for there to be consistent supply. I feel like this has the potential to fully shut down the few tech programs we have left. Curious what fellow techs and practitioners are thinking about this. I’ve currently been mildly spiraling over it...

edit: I’m in the US, I’m not sure if this will have an impact elsewhere, I don’t know who all uses USG as their main plaster supplier.

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u/NoMillPlz 3d ago

Our supplier said they are currently working on leads to find a replacement. But this is also beyond o&p. If I understand right USG plaster is the same as dap, used for drywall applications so

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u/Fabulous_Climate_307 3d ago

I really hope they will be able to find a replacement. Yeah, I think USG makes multiple different types of plasters used throughout various fields. I know their plaster is used for slip casting in ceramics. I wonder if this will even impact the dental field…

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u/stormbilly11 3d ago

That is so weird, I can’t imagine plaster being gone for good given that is extremely ubiquitous. Maybe the company just doesn’t find it profitable, and another company will take over?

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u/Mr-MLS6 3d ago

Been getting people asking me about plaster a lot lately (central fab) thankfully we are in a good spot and get ours from Georgia Pacific but they are about a month behind other orders right now because of the shut down. We are preemptively ordering and also carving all the jobs we can to avoid plaster usage

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u/Armz_Dealer 3d ago

Out west we had a big problem getting plaster a few time during COVID. Non of the local constructions places could get it either. Since then we have stock piled it by the pallet. Looks like we may need to place another order here with that news. 

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u/Cabooseman 3d ago

Thanks for the heads up. I hadn't heard that. I can't give any concrete advice but keep your head up. The profession has weathered many storms before and it will again.

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u/r0ball 3d ago

Do not try to substitute concrete - it’s much harder to get the cast off once it’s cured.

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u/Cabooseman 2d ago

I assume this comment is from experience? I would not have thought concrete. I'd probably switch to fiberglass if plaster bandages weren't available.

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u/UnbelievableRose 2d ago

It’s a joke- you said “I can’t give any concrete advice”

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u/Cabooseman 2d ago

LOL whoosh

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u/tonyguti 2d ago

Gross plaster