Glass Fibre in Construction and Infrastructure
topic
Construction applications: pultruded profiles (I-beams, channels for corrosive environments—chemical plants, wastewater treatment), AR-glass reinforced concrete (thin cement panels, permanent formwork), rebar (bridges, marine structures—corrosion-free alternative to steel), architectural panels, and FRP strengthening systems for structural rehabilitation. Market: $4-5 billion annually, growing 6-8%.
Role
Glass fibre addresses infrastructure durability crisis (steel rebar corrosion costs $100B+ annually in US alone) through corrosion resistance, electromagnetic transparency, and reduced maintenance, though higher initial cost limits adoption.