Technofast launches fibre-reinforced rebar

Brisbane-based engineering solutions firm, Technofast Industries, has introduced a new generation of rebar to Australia, with the South Korean-sourced Dong Shin Materials Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebar said to offer weight savings of up to 75 per cent over traditional steel rebar.

Technofast, which is the exclusive Australian distributor for the product, says the new rebar saves money, is faster and safer to work with, and imposes less load burden on buildings and structures.

Said to offer extra versatility for architects, builders and engineers to use on a diverse array of construction projects, including those with Electro-Magnetic Field (EMF) issues, Technofast says the product is sourced from one of the world’s most advanced GFRP plants.

“This GFRP rebar is a proven product in service in a multitude of applications, including precasts, bridges, roads, rail, tunnel, tank, dam, dock, flood mitigation, tetrapod (four-legged) structures, factories, logistics centres, modular construction, civil works, infrastructure, tower base, and other domestic, commercial, and industrial applications, and particularly tower structures,” says Technofast founder and CEO, John Bucknell.

“GFRP rebar used to be more expensive than steel rebar, but new mass production technology in a new plant permits manufacture at a highly competitive price. The 5000sqm plant specialises in advanced technologies including GFRP, nanomaterials, secondary battery material, EMI shielding, and machine R&D.

“Advanced production technology has cut the time involved in manufacturing. Time also equals cost in construction project cycles, where GFRP rebar not only saves material costs, but also transport, fossil fuel pollution, labour at a time of labour shortages, and heavy equipment costs.”

The product is said to meet compliance with the major relevant standards in Europe, the US, and Asia, with guidance on specific projects here in Australia available through Technofast.

The product also stacks up in terms of sustainability, says Technofast, through its reduction of waste caused by traditional reinforced concrete’s vulnerability in some applications to salt, moisture, chemicals, and factors that can produce waste due to frequent maintenance.

Recycled plastic can also be used in some GFRP rebar applications, including recycled PET which can be used as a raw material in GFRP rebar production.

The amount of heat and energy required to produce the product, compared with steel is also substantially reduced, says Bucknell.

“With so many environmental, safety, performance, and cost-saving advantages, this is a future-focused material relevant to a huge range of applications across Australia’s major industries.”