With GRP materials seeing rapid adoption across UK construction, infrastructure, and utilities, the composites sector is facing mounting pressure to maintain rigorous quality standards. Industry stakeholders are calling for stronger commitment to research, development, and certification to avoid performance failures and uphold sector credibility.
R&D Investment is Central to Industry Integrity
The performance of today’s GRP products, whether in structural walkways, fencing systems, or cable support structures, rests on years of sustained research and controlled development. Investment in testing, materials science, and quality assurance has enabled GRP to emerge as a credible alternative to steel, aluminium, and timber in demanding environments.
Without ongoing R&D, product innovation stalls, safety margins narrow, and long-term reliability is compromised.
Under Tested Products Pose Risks Across the Supply Chain
As the market grows, not all GRP entering the supply chain has been developed or validated to recognised British and European standards. Structural components lacking compliance with BS EN 13706 or fire performance verification under BS 476 Part 7 (Class 2) are being used in critical environments, often without sufficient scrutiny.
Such practices present serious risks to project performance, worker safety, and the broader acceptance of composite materials in regulated sectors.
Shortcuts Create Long-Term Industry Consequences
Instances of low-cost GRP products failing prematurely under fire exposure, corrosive conditions, or mechanical stress have become increasingly common. These issues often trace back to poor formulation, lack of test data, or minimal investment in product development.
While budget alternatives may appear attractive during procurement, the absence of certified performance data results in increased liability, project disruption, and reputational damage, both for suppliers and the industry at large.
Shared Responsibility Across Specification, Supply and Installation
To protect the future of composite solutions in UK construction, the sector must ensure that all GRP materials meet appropriate quality thresholds. This requires a joined-up approach:
● Manufacturers must continue investing in full lifecycle testing, structural design validation, and compliance to BS and ISO standards
● Procurement teams should verify technical certifications, fire ratings, and product traceability
● Contractors and consultants are encouraged to question the absence of third-party test data and avoid relying solely on visual or price-based comparisons
Without this diligence, the reliability of GRP in key applications, such as infrastructure walkways, electrical enclosures, fencing systems, or data centre components, will be undermined.
Building Confidence Through Standards and Performance
For GRP to remain a trusted material in construction and infrastructure, sustained investment in quality and performance validation is essential. Products must demonstrate not just strength and durability, but compliance with structural, fire, and environmental benchmarks relevant to their end use.
As the sector evolves, the opportunity is clear: to set a new bar for composites in construction through transparency, accountability, and engineering excellence.
Credible UK GRP suppliers, such as Engineered Composites and others with a proven track record, continue to lead by example, backing their products with robust R&D, third-party certification, and a long-term commitment