The continuously growing demand for durable, cost-efficient, and sustainable materials is one of the reasons for the fiberglass rebar market expansion. GFRP rebar adoption for infrastructure projects worldwide makes it an attractive alternative to conventional steel reinforcement and drives further FRP rebar implementation in both rehabilitation and new construction projects.
Seize the moment and invest in GFRP rebar production to stay at the forefront. The future is being built today — innovative materials, modern engineering, and sustainable business — make sure you are part of the modern business landscape.
Why GFRP Rebar?
GFRP, Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer, is a composite material manufactured from fibers, such as glass, carbon, or basalt, embedded in a polymer matrix. Fiberglass reinforcement and GFRP products, such as rebar, mesh, and frame elements, are used in various engineering and construction projects, and the array of applications is continuously expanding, particularly in corrosive environments.
Profitable Business
The global GFRP market is experiencing robust growth driven by the expanding use of composite rebar across industries:
- The FRP Rebar Market – Forecast by Industry ARC forecasts that the FRP rebar market will reach $1.1 billion by 2025 growing 12.1% (CAGR) during 2020-2025.
- The Global FRP Rebar Market Research Report 2024 by Kingpin Market Research predicts that the global FRP rebar market will reach $1209.7 million by 2030 from $770.3 million in 2023.
Reports note the growing demand for composite rebar and consider non-corrosive properties and low lifecycle costs of GFRP rebar as key drivers of the market growth. Case studies show that under full production load, GFRP production businesses return investments in 4 months.
Cost-Efficiency
Despite the higher cost of initial materials (fibers and polymers), lower production (large volumes and less energy-consuming) and lifecycle (low maintenance) costs result in a cost-efficient production process and high profitability of the GFRP manufacturing business.
Sustainability
GFRP manufacturing has a lower carbon footprint because it requires less energy than steel production. The longer lifespan of GFRP products, and their resistance to corrosion and environmental factors, minimize waste and contribute to sustainability and preservation of the environment.
GFRP Rebar vs Steel Rebar
While both GFRP and steel are used for reinforcement of constructions, composite materials outperform steel in many applications because of the following characteristics:
- Strength. The specific resistance of composites is greater compared to steel; the tensile strength of the GFRP rebar is twice that of the steel rebar of the same diameter.
- Lightweight. Composite rebar is 4 times lighter than the equivalent steel bar. Lightweight is one of the aspects explaining the cost-effectiveness of composite products: they are easier to transport and install.
- Corrosion resistance. Resistance to water and chemical corrosion minimizes the need for maintenance and significantly improves the durability of structures.
- Thermal and electrical insulation. These properties are particularly valuable in electrically sensitive applications, such as power plants, rail corridors, construction of medical units with sensitive equipment, etc.
- Durability. GFRP doesn’t corrode or rust like conventional steel bars – that is why composite rebar is the top choice for infrastructure projects (bridges, marine, and coastal structures, roads, etc.) exposed to high humidity, seawater, or any other harsh conditions.
GFRP Rebar Manufacturing Process
GFRP rebar manufacturing involves several key stages to ensure the superior properties of the final product. Typically, the process includes the following steps:
1. Raw materials preparation:
- Fibers: Glass fibers, the reinforcement material, are usually supplied in spools.
- Polymer resin: The resin for binding fibers is typically made of polyester, epoxy, or vinyl ester.
2. Fiber impregnation. At this stage, fibers are unwound and combined into bundles. Then, bundles pass a resin bath to saturate with the resin. This stage is crucial to ensure the durability and strength of the final product.
3. Pultrusion. Saturated fibers are drawn through heated dies shaping the material into the required rebar form — this process is called pultrusion. Heat facilitates the hardening of the thermosetting resin that bonds the fibers into the composite material. The control over the temperature and pultrusion speed ensures proper resin polymerization and formation of a solid GFRP rebar.
4. Surface treatment. Rebars can also pass surface treatment. To enhance the bond between the rebar and concrete, abrasive materials (or sand coating) are typically used.
5. Cutting to the required length. Once the surface treatment is completed, the rebar is cut according to the project specifications.
6. Quality control and testing. To ensure compliance with industry standards, each rebar batch undergoes thorough quality control. The rebars are tested for fiber content consistency, tensile strength, elasticity, and bonding performance.
5 Reasons to Invest in GFRP Rebar Business
- Growing market demand. As more and more studies confirm composite rebar’s superior properties, market players realize the business advantage of using GFRP rebar in various construction projects.
- Expanding applications. The array of FRP products’ applications continuously expands across various industries, from agriculture and marine construction to infrastructure and space projects.
- Durability advantages. The long-term stability of fiberglass rebar extends the lifespan of structures, increases overall structural integrity, and lowers upkeep costs.
- Cost-effectiveness. Given the physical properties of composite materials, the long-term use and maintenance of GFRP rebar is more economically attractive compared to steel rebar.
- Regulatory support. In some regions, building codes include FRP rebar as a recommended option. With more research in progress, the recognition of composite rebar is increasing.
Composite-Tech Is the Go-To GFRP Rebar Production Lines Manufacturer
Composite-Tech has been manufacturing equipment for producing composite rebar, mesh, and bent frame elements since 1998. Many patents for inventions confirm the company’s solid experience in the sector and implementation of advanced technologies.
Benefits of Partnership with Composite-Tech
- Extensive experience in GFRP product manufacturing
- Professional team of dedicated specialists with expertise in the GFRP technology
- Turn-key GFRP rebar manufacturing solutions.
- Professional equipment installation
- Training for the staff
- 1-year warranty on all production line modules
- Impeccable reputation of a reliable partner
- Superior customer service
Place your order and get the top-of-the-art production line in just two months. For any questions, contact Composite-tech representatives for detailed information about the equipment and production process.
