A local company on Saturday opened the country’s first manufacturing plant of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)—a lighter, more affordable but stronger substitute for steel, representing a sustainable advancement in the Philippine construction industry.
GFRP Philippines Manufacturing Corp. is the first large-scale producer of GFRP, which is tailored to address a variety of construction needs in the Philippine market. Its flagship product, the Supremo Rebar, is expected to boost mass housing, flood control and infrastructure projects near coastal communities.
GFRP is a composite material comprising glass fibers embedded within a polymer matrix, resulting in a durable, lightweight and adaptable construction material. It is non-corrosive, being immune to salt ions, chemicals and alkalis, which makes it a perfect reinforcement for coastal areas.
It is also eco-friendly, with 43-percent less emissions to manufacture versus steel. Being lightweight, its transportation results in lower labor and logistical costs.
GFRP Philippines Manufacturing Corp. president Michael Maglipon said Supremo Rebar is ideal for flood control projects, resorts, swimming pools, retaining walls, shear wall houses, water tanks, foundations, and stirrups.
“The GFRP business is so wide that any steel component profile — round bar, tubular, beams, etc. — has a counterpart component in GFRP,” Maglipon said.
He said the company has been in talks with several property developers to supply them with sustainable construction materials. “We are focusing not only on horizontal projects but also up to low and mid-rise buildings of up to four floors,” he said.
Maglipon said several developers are already using imported GFRP in their projects, but it’s the first time that a company began local production to ensure its steady supply.
“To be clear, we did not invent this technology,” Maglipon said, adding that GFRP has been in use since the 1930s. “It is not a replacement, but just an alternative to steel,” he said.
Maglipon said the company is optimistic about the increased demand for GFRP in the country. “We are the first company in the Philippines to manufacture at this scale. This is our first factory. We plan to open four, five, six more in the next two years. We also plan to open in Dubai, Indonesia, Guam,” he said.
GFRP Philippines Manufacturing Corp. CEO Indu Badlani said the company’s mission is to provide sustainable construction solutions that help build stronger foundations and make people live better.
“Our vision is that in the next three years, GFRP will be the most reliable source of sustainable construction materials that will amplify strength, efficiency, safety, durability and quality,” Badlani said. Roderick T. dela Cruz