Korea Biz Wire reported that SK Group’s SK ecoplant will begin producing Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer KEco-Bars as an alternative to steel rebars, to become the first company to produce concrete reinforcing bars made from elements extracted from used plastic bottles reducing carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to manufacturing steel bars. SK ecoplant, in cooperation with local firms KCMT and C&Y, also applied for a patent of their technology to produce an impregnating agent from plastic bottles, an element needed to produce GFRP bars. The trio is aiming to make an annual production of 40,000 tonnes of GFRP bars possible by 2024. They plan to augment production with an extra investment to produce up to 200,000 tonnes per year by 2027. Making 200,000 tons of GFRP bars would require around 300 million recycled plastic bottles annually. GFRP bars do not get rusty when in contact with water, making them fit for use in building dams, marine oil production bases and bridges. They are also two times stronger and 75% lighter than steel bars, meaning that they are easier to work with and transport.
Korea Biz Wire reported that SK Group’s SK ecoplant will begin producing Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer KEco-Bars as an alternative to steel rebars, to become the first company to produce concrete reinforcing bars made from elements extracted from used plastic bottles reducing carbon emissions by more than 50% compared to manufacturing steel bars. SK ecoplant, in cooperation with local firms KCMT and C&Y, also applied for a patent of their technology to produce an impregnating agent from plastic bottles, an element needed to produce GFRP bars. The trio is aiming to make an annual production of 40,000 tonnes of GFRP bars possible by 2024. They plan to augment production with an extra investment to produce up to 200,000 tonnes per year by 2027. Making 200,000 tons of GFRP bars would require around 300 million recycled plastic bottles annually. GFRP bars do not get rusty when in contact with water, making them fit for use in building dams, marine oil production bases and bridges. They are also two times stronger and 75% lighter than steel bars, meaning that they are easier to work with and transport.
