Benefits of GRP
Maintenance free, corrosion and impact resistant, our GRP products have considerably low life cycle costs compared to traditional materials. Experience cost savings and faster project timelines with our lightweight, easy-to-install GRP products.Â
Benefits of GRP: Why It's Replacing Steel, Timber and Concrete
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), also known as fibreglass or FRP, is a lightweight composite material increasingly used as an alternative to steel, aluminium, timber and concrete. The benefits of GRP include excellent corrosion resistance, low maintenance requirements, high strength-to-weight ratios, electrical insulation properties and long service life. These advantages make GRP a preferred material for industries including construction, water treatment, rail, power generation and infrastructure. GRP combines the strength of glass fibres with durable polymer resins, creating a material that can last more than 50 years while requiring minimal maintenance.
The long-term cost saving benefits of GRP
Long-term cost savings
Maintenance free, corrosion and impact resistant, our GRP products have considerably low life cycle costs compared to traditional materials. Plus, they hold zero theft value.
Corrosion Resistant
Even in highly aggressive areas, Relinea’s GRP Products offer excellent corrosive resistance.
Maintenance Free
No replacing, re-painting or repairing.
Extended Life Cycle
A life span of 50 years with little or no maintenance expenditure means life cycle cost is vastly reduced.
The safety benefits of GRP
Fire Retardant
Our products can be manufactured to meet specific fire and self-extinguishing requirements. Our Phenolic products meet stringent fire-resistant classifications for the Oil & Gas industry and our plate products can be manufactured with a Class 1 laminate to BS 456.
Slip Resistance
35% of all major injuries at work are caused by slips or trips. Our integral grit finish offers the world’s highest slip resistance for a walk-on surface.
Non-Conductive
Due to their non-conductive nature our products do not have to be earthed.
Non-Sparking
GRP is ideal for installations where there’s a risk of sparking from a tool dropping onto steel grating.
Inert
Our fibreglass products are electronically transparent and do not affect electromagnetic or radio wave frequencies.
The practical benefits of GRP
Lightweight
GRP products are up to 80% lighter than steel, minimising the risks involved with manual handling and reducing installation costs by removing the requirement for heavy lifting gear.
High Strength
Our products have exceptional strength-to-weight ratios.
Ease Of Fabrication
All our products can be easily fabricated using standard hand tools, even on-site if required, without affecting the products’ corrosion resistance characteristics.
Low Installation Costs
It’s a simple formula: Lightweight + Easy Fabrication = Low Installation Cost.
Impact Resistance
The elasticity of our GRP products means that they suffer no damage from a heavy impact.
The environmental benefits of GRP
Lower transport emissions
GRP is significantly lighter than steel, which reduces fuel consumption during transportation and lowers overall carbon emissions across the supply chain.
Long service life
With a lifespan of 50+ years, GRP reduces the need for frequent replacements, helping to conserve raw materials and minimise waste.
Lower carbon footprint than steel
Over its full lifecycle, GRP typically has a lower carbon footprint than steel due to reduced maintenance, longer lifespan, and lower transportation emissions.
Reduced maintenance
GRP requires little to no ongoing maintenance, eliminating the need for repainting, repairs, and protective treatments that contribute to environmental impact over time.
Reduced replacement cycles
Because GRP does not corrode or degrade easily, it remains in service for longer, reducing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and installing replacement materials.
Benefits of GRP vs Steel:
| Feature | GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent – will not rust or degrade in harsh environments | Prone to rust and corrosion, especially in wet or chemical environment |
| Weight | Up to 75–80% lighter than steel | Heavy, requiring more labour and equipment |
| Strength-to-Weight Ratio | High – strong yet lightweight | High strength but significantly heavier |
| Maintenance | Minimal – no painting, coating, or anti-corrosion treatment needed | Requires regular maintenance, painting, and rust protection |
| Lifespan | 50+ years even in aggressive environments | Reduced lifespan in corrosive or outdoor environments |
| Conductivity (Electrical) | Non-conductive – safe for electrical environments | Highly conductive – requires additional safety measures |
| Thermal Conductivity | Low – acts as an insulator | High – transfers heat easily |
| Slip Resistance | Can be manufactured with anti-slip surfaces | Naturally smooth – requires added treatments for slip resistance |
| Fire Performance | Can be fire-retardant with specialised resins | Non-combustible but loses strength at high temperatures |
| Installation | Fast and easy – lightweight, often no heavy machinery needed | Slower – heavy lifting equipment often required |
| Transport Costs | Lower due to lightweight nature | Higher due to weight and bulk |
| Design Flexibility | Highly versatile – can be moulded into complex shapes | Less flexible – requires fabrication and welding |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent – resistant to a wide range of chemicals | Vulnerable to chemical attack depending on environment |
| UV Resistance | Good with proper additives and coatings | Can degrade over time without protective coatings |
| Environmental Impact | Lower lifecycle impact due to durability and low maintenance | Higher due to maintenance, coatings, and replacement cycles |
| Whole-Life Cost | Lower – minimal maintenance and long lifespan | Higher – ongoing maintenance and repairs increase costs |
| Aesthetics | Colour can be built in – no repainting required | Requires painting/coating to maintain appearance |
| Magnetic Properties | Non-magnetic | Magnetic |
| Water Resistance | Impermeable – does not absorb water | Can be affected by moisture leading to corrosion |
| Safety | Safer in electrical and high-risk environments | Can pose safety risks without additional protection |
| Customisation | Easy to tailor for specific applications | More limited and labour-intensive to customise |
When comparing GRP vs steel, GRP consistently offers advantages in corrosion resistance, weight, maintenance, and lifecycle cost. These benefits make GRP a preferred material for industries such as data centres, water treatment, infrastructure, utilities, and construction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The main benefits of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) include corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, low maintenance, long service life, and non-conductive properties. These advantages make it a popular alternative to traditional materials like steel, aluminium, and timber.
GRP is often better than steel in harsh environments because it does not rust or corrode, requires minimal maintenance, and is significantly lighter. This results in lower lifecycle costs and easier installation.
GRP products typically have a lifespan of 50 years or more, even in aggressive environments such as coastal, chemical, or industrial settings.
Yes, GRP is highly corrosion resistant. Unlike steel, it does not react with water, oxygen, or chemicals, making it ideal for use in environments where corrosion is a concern.
GRP is non-conductive, meaning it does not conduct electricity or heat. This makes it a safe choice for electrical installations, substations, and other high-risk environments.
GRP is widely used in industries such as construction, water and wastewater treatment, rail infrastructure, power generation, chemical processing, and data centres due to its durability and performance benefits.
GRP offers environmental benefits including lower transport emissions, reduced maintenance, long service life, and fewer replacement cycles, all of which contribute to a lower overall carbon footprint.
Purpose-driven GRP product design & fabrication
Our GRP innovation challenges construction conventions.
Innovation with purpose.
Our innovative approach to GRP design and fabrication reduces cost and makes installation easier.
Collaborative solutions.
We work with clients to find unique, long-lasting composite solutions.
Use our GRP experience to solve your problems.
15 years GRP experience delivers lighter, lower maintenance alternatives to steel.
We are proud to have built products for
