Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer for Farming

Improving efficiency to save time and labor impacts the bottom line. Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composites offer distinct advantages that enhance cost savings throughout their life cycle and deliver improved sustainable outcomes compared to traditional materials like steel, timber, and aluminum including:

  • corrosion-resistance
  • lightweight (lighter than aluminum)
  • easy to cut and install
  • high chemical resistance
  • high durability (100 years retention of strength in corrosive environments).

When these qualities are matched with customized properties such as high flex and fatigue, or tailored modulus of elasticity or stiffness, we can develop a component fit-for-purpose. 

Replacing Steel and Timber with Pultruded Profiles

GFRP composites can be used in challenging environments where other materials deteriorate. They are ideal in applications that are regularly exposed to water, salt, and chemicals such as:

  • dairy farm washdowns
  • refrigeration and cooling equipment
  • silos
  • fertilizer storage bins
  • fertilizer plants. 

Mateenbar™ Non-metallic Concrete Reinforcement

Mateenbar™ was used for the Carnallite Structure Concrete Replacement at a Potash Plant in Jordan. The Arab Potash Company is one of the largest producers of fertilizer in the world. The process of producing potash is highly corrosive. The early onset of corrosion quickly impacts all concrete structures, steel beams, and structural work. Mateenbar™ provided an ideal reinforcement solution for the concrete slab to provide:

  • high resistance to chemicals and salt. Part of the process of making potash involved pumping high saline water from the Dead Sea.
  • an extended asset life of at least 60 years. This was taking into account the extremely harsh environmental factors including cyclic loading caused by centrifugal vibration.
  • greatly reduced the need for maintenance which can result in expensive production delays.

Developing Fiberglass Components with Custom Finishing

We engineer properties into fiberglass components to deliver the best results for a specific application and environment. In the agriculture sector, some popular finishing technologies we use include:

  • UV resistant coating
  • grinding
  • tapering
  • drilling
  • add-on components.

The Benefits of Lightweight Pultrusion Profiles

GFRP composites are lighter than aluminum and steel (approximately a quarter the weight of steel).

  • Transporting composites to remote locations is more economical.
  • They are easier to handle and faster to install.
  • Less heavy lifting equipment is required which is often time-consuming and expensive.