Fiberglass reinforcement perfect alternative to steel concrete reinforcement

For now, steel is the most commonly used material in this, but there are alternatives, including fiberglass reinforcement. Why you should choose this and what the advantages are, explains Mr. Verhagen, director of Repra, exclusive distributor of Armastek fiberglass reinforcement in Europe.

Fiberglass versus steel

"Fiberglass reinforcement is currently one of the most advanced materials for use in construction around the world," Verhagen said. "Its popularity is explained by the fact that fiberglass reinforcement has many advantages over steel reinforcement. Steel is subject to rust. Especially where one does not have sufficient coverage, moisture but also salts, for example, get the chance to reach the steel, which in turn leads to corrosion. But not only insufficient coverage can be a cause, also shortcomings in the execution or not using the right spacers, as a result of which the reinforcement gets too close to the outer edges, can lead to accelerated corrosion of the reinforcement. Fiberglass reinforcement cannot rust, is much lighter than steel and has a higher tensile strength."

Popularity increases

In addition to all the benefits, costs are, of course, very important. "Architects and builders therefore choose their materials carefully," continues Verhagen. "Well thought-out structures can lead to beautiful and efficient buildings. For this, they also look at options with certain building materials, including reinforcement. The use of fiberglass reinforcement makes it possible to suffice with smaller diameter reinforcement in some situations. But also with less coverage and therefore less concrete. Less concrete is cost-saving but also significantly reduces the curing time. By saving weight, one can also save in crane costs." All these advantages lead to popularity of the product among professional contractors, but Verhagen notes that it is quite a challenge to convince the sometimes so conservative construction world of a new product. "People have been used to using a certain product in a certain way for decades, so it is important that the advantages and properties of fiberglass reinforcement are clear as well as demonstrably substantiated." 

Not just saying, also demonstrating

"Because there is no NEN standard for fiberglass reinforcement yet, work is currently underway to finalize the ETA (European Technical Assessment). From this, the EAD will then emerge. After that, we can apply for a voluntary CE." Verhagen explains, "CE marking based on the ETA enables Repra bv to market the products freely throughout the European internal market and gives us the opportunity to go European with non-standard products or innovative product features. We are also working on the MRPI certificate (Environmentally Relevant Product Information); based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) which analyzes the environmental impact of building products from extraction to disposal. This can be used for calculations within the framework of the CO₂-performance ladder and MKI, which is already a requirement in some specifications. With these certificates we not only say what our product stands for, but we can also demonstrate it."

New name 

As of May 1, the company name of Armastek Benelux B.V. has changed to the new company name Repra B.V. "We chose this name change because of the expansion of our products and given the fact that we supply not only in the Benelux, but throughout Europe. Repra is an abbreviation of the Latin word Rebus Praesidium, which refers to 'concrete reinforcement'."

Repra supplies not only Armastek fiberglass rods and nets, but also dowels and coupling rods for road construction and, more recently, spacers.