Fibre-reinforced concrete offers sustainable alternative

A new innovation in the use of fibre in concrete instead of traditional steel reinforcement is set to move the industry closer to the goals of sustainability and environment protection.

Using fibre-reinforced concrete is said to significantly reduce carbon emissions, energy consumption and construction waste while also enhancing construction efficiency and structural integrity.

Although the strength and durability of steel reinforcement offers advantages, the production of steel involves high levels of energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. According to the World Steel Association, the steel industry accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions, making it a significant contributor to climate change.

CHRYSO Southern Africa BU development manager: concrete aesthetics Michelle Fick explains that fibres are made from synthetic and natural materials and offer a more sustainable alternative with the added advantage of being recyclable for reuse as crushed aggregates.

In addition, the production of fibre materials, particularly synthetic ones, generates considerably less CO₂ compared to steel production and the energy requirements for manufacturing fibres are also significantly lower.

“By substituting steel with fibres, construction companies can markedly decrease their carbon emissions,” Fick says. “Further, unlike steel reinforcement, which often involves cutting and fitting, leading to substantial scrap material which needs to be managed, our Advil fibres can be precisely mixed into concrete, minimising waste on construction sites. This reduction in waste contributes further to the sustainability credentials of fibre-reinforced concrete.”

Fibre-reinforced concrete is also said to offer benefits that enhance construction efficiency. Integrating fibres into concrete is straightforward and can be done during mixing, eliminating the labour-intensive steps of placing and tying steel reinforcement.

This streamlined process accelerates construction timelines and reduces the need for specialised labour typically required for handling and installing steel reinforcement. This helps reduce labour costs while also mitigating the risk of on-site injuries associated with traditional steel handling.

Fick says that while the initial cost of fibres may be close to that of traditional steel reinforcement, the overall savings in labour, time, and reduced waste translate into lower total project costs over the lifecycle of the construction project.

Infrastructure projects such as roadways and bridges have reported enhanced durability and reduced maintenance costs owing to the use of fibres, while residential and commercial buildings also benefit from faster construction times and improved structural performance.

Available from CHRYSO, Adfil’s range of fibre reinforcement solutions is designed to improve concrete durability, reduce cracking and increase its structural integrity. The range includes macro-synthetic fibres, micro-synthetic fibres, and steel fibres.