Arab Basalt Fiber Company (ABFC), a world-class manufacturer of continuous basalt fiber reinforcements, has announced a strategic partnership with Orlimex, a specialist in engineered composite systems under the UK-based Orlitech Group.
The partnership brings together ABFC’s advanced basalt fiber production capabilities with Orlimex’s composite engineering expertise to accelerate the adoption of high-performance, low-carbon composite solutions across construction, infrastructure, industrial, and advanced manufacturing sectors – particularly within the GCC’s fast-growing megaproject pipeline.
Through this partnership, ABFC will supply continuous basalt fiber rovings to support Orlimex’s engineered composite structures and systems. ABFC is one of only two manufacturers globally outside China and Russia capable of direct continuous extrusion of basalt rock into high-performance fiber, producing both direct and assembled rovings engineered for advanced composite applications.
“Across global engineering and manufacturing sectors, there is growing pressure to reduce structural weight while simultaneously improving mechanical performance and sustainability. Traditional reinforcement materials such as glass and carbon fiber often force difficult trade-offs between strength, cost, and environmental impact,” said Valery Hurynovich, CEO of Arab Basalt Fiber Company (ABFC).
“Through our partnership with Orlimex, ABFC is addressing this challenge by supplying continuous basalt fiber rovings produced using our precision extrusion technologies. Basalt composites are not a niche substitute; they are a strategic industrial material for the next era of construction”, he added.
Across Europe, developers and asset owners are reassessing material choices in response to corrosion, climate change, lifecycle cost pressures, and sustainability mandates. Traditional steel and glass-fiber solutions increasingly struggle to meet the durability and maintenance requirements of long-life infrastructure in marine and chemically aggressive environments.
“From an engineering and delivery standpoint, this partnership allows us to push composite performance further while improving constructability and lifecycle efficiency,” said Chris Hirst National Manager Orlimex.
“ABFC’s continuous basalt fiber offers a rare combination of strength, durability, and consistency, enabling composite manufacturers to design composite systems that are lighter, corrosion-resistant, and better suited to the demanding environmental conditions of large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects.”
Basalt composites are emerging as a next-generation reinforcement system – delivering steel-comparable strength at a fraction of the weight, complete corrosion resistance, and significantly lower lifecycle maintenance requirements.
ABFC’s basalt fibers are produced through tightly controlled melt homogenization and tension-regulated extrusion processes, achieving near-zero catenary and exceptional filament uniformity. A calibrated sizing application of 0.4-0.8% ensures optimal silane coupling and resin compatibility, minimizing surface fuzz while maximizing resin wet-out and interlaminar bonding.
These characteristics translate directly into:
• Improved weaving efficiency and lower production waste
• Flat, defect-free technical textiles and reinforcements
• Enhanced mechanical performance and long-term durability
Performance Advantages
Basalt fibre supplied through this partnership offer clear advantages for regional projects:
| Feature | ABFC Specification | Benefit |
| Fibre Diameter | 9-20 μm | Optimized for targeted tensile performance |
| Tensile Strength | Up to 4,800 MPa | Exceeds conventional E-glass |
| Heat Resistance | Up to 800°C | Suitable for fire-resistant and high-temperature environments |
| Corrosion Resistance | 100% | Ideal for coastal, marine, and saline conditions |
For asset owners and contractors, this translates into extended service life, reduced maintenance cycles, faster installation, and lower total cost of ownership – critical factors in long-term infrastructure investment.
ABFC was established with a vertically integrated vision: to support the full lifecycle of basalt composite development – from fiber production to engineered solutions. Its strategy is built on three pillars:
• Industrial-scale production tailored to GCC infrastructure demand
• Product innovation designed for climate change and corrosive environments
• Engineering collaboration with developers, consultants, and contractors
“In a region where climate change, corrosion, and time test every structure, basalt composites deliver strength without compromise – lighter than steel, immune to rust, and built for generations,” Hurynovich added.
ABFC operates a 40,000-square-meter state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the Al Hail Area (Ihfarah), Fujairah, strategically located near high-quality basalt resources and the Port of Fujairah. The site supports scalable production, efficient logistics, and reliable global supply.