First of all, Thibault T. Villette from Saudi Aramco introduced the FLEXBAR product and its key technologies and further highlighted the cost advantages and lower carbon emissions through a real case of heavy duty slab in a maritime yard.

Professor ZHENG Yu from Dongguan University of Technology introduced the use of highly corrosion-resistant FRP rebars, low-carbon solid waste cementitious materials, and seawater and sea sand to prepare self-compacting seawater sea-sand concrete with FRP bars. The presentation detailed material properties, mechanical performance, construction techniques, and implementation methods, culminating in marine engineering.

Associate Professor HU Lili from University of Science and Technology Beijing introduced the advantages and issues of GFRP bars in civil engineering applications. Based on the project funded by NEXCEL, her team developed a new type of GFRP bar with high temperature resistance and anti-creep properties, and achieved the application in coastal industrial buildings.

Addressing the issue that thermosetting FRP rebar cannot be bent on-site or reused after forming, Associate Professor LI Chenggao from Harbin Institute of Technology  successfully developed the preparation process, bending technology and equipment for thermoplastic FRP bars based on the NEXCEL project, and also achieved the demonstration application of thermoplastic FRP stirrups in marine engineering.

In the salon/Q&A session, experts discussed topics such as the CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycle of GFRP, the creep prediction model of GFRP, and costs. This forum was successfully concluded in a lively discussion.

We look forward to meeting you again at NEXCEL Forum on ECC Materials on November 6, 2025.