GRP-based design solutions for the chemical industry

Solutions based on fibre composite materials have been successfully used in the chemical industry and plant engineering for many decades. Fibre composite materials are much lighter than metals and do not rust. They are weather-resistant and do not conduct electricity. In addition, they are resistant to many chemicals.

Resistant in corrosive environments

To give one example, steel girders can erode very quickly in chlorine electrolysis systems. Corrosion protection on the required steel girders must be regularly renewed or improved if they are to maintain their load-bearing capacity. This costs time and money.

If, however, structures made of GRP or composites are used in such areas, they will not rust, thus saving a lot of money when it comes to maintaining such systems.

Can be machined and installed without flying sparks

If steel stairways, walkways, handrails and the like need to be adapted on site, flying sparks are inevitable during the grinding process. This is dangerous due to the risk of fire, so the appropriate safety measures need to be observed.

However, if you have installed stairways, walkways, load-bearing structures or handrails made of GRP profiles and then need to adapt them, the process is much safer. Grinding GRP results only in dust that can be vacuumed up, rather than flying sparks. Working with them is thus much safer.

Weather-resistant

Pultrusion profiles made of glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP), which we use for our special designs, are fitted with a highly resinous surface layer and are thus resistant to weathering. We have set up outdoor walkways and staircases 25 years ago that are still in use today. A little faded, perhaps, but still perfectly stable. A handrail made of glass fibre reinforced plastic will feel significantly warmer than one made of steel, especially at minus temperatures.

A selection of our projects
in the chemical industry

GRP ladders

Within the chemical industry, systems can only seldom be optimised using off-the-shelf solutions. Generally speaking, all TC structures are developed in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14122. Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 confirms the excellence of our quality management. The pultruded GRP construction profiles from Exel Composites comply with EN 13706/E23. We advise you on site and can accommodate your wishes in terms of corrosion-resistant access systems. We provide design, manufacture and assembly on site, all from a single source.

5-door housing

A 5-door GRP housing for a pastillation belt was designed and built here. Its surfaces are easy to clean and all of the system components are easily accessible via the many doors.

Electric crane platform

GRP designs meet requirements for high mechanical stability and are also resistant to many chemicals and corrosion. They do not conduct electricity and are easy to assemble. We are always delighted to work on special projects for our customers. The task here was to design a special GRP crane platform with a stainless steel crane unit. This was developed and built by TC and is used to raise battery packs by approx. 1 m. The complete crane platform can be rolled manually to the respective place of use.

Mobile platforms

We can create mobile platforms on request. Discuss your mobile platform requirements with us. For mobile platforms we generally use GRP construction profiles manufactured in accordance with EN 13706 / E23. This ensures that the platform has a minimum load-bearing capacity. These GRP construction profiles typically have an isopolyester resin matrix. For structures that are exposed to higher chemical stress, we can also use profiles with a vinyl ester resin matrix. If profiles need to be connected with angle brackets, we generally use V4A stainless steel connectors. We do not use short GRP remnants for such connections because they are not sturdy enough.

Railings

GRP railings meet requirements for high mechanical stability and are also resistant to many chemicals and corrosion. They do not conduct electricity and are easy to assemble. Our GRP railings meet the requirements of DIN EN ISO 14122. We can provide testable static analysis for your GRP railings from an independent engineering firm. If your GRP railings require a more complicated design, we can also provide a finite element calculation to verify their operational capability.

Cover for a salt spray test facility

The original plexiglass cover of this salt spray test system needed to be replaced by a new, much sturdier cover. This was designed and manufactured by TC on the basis of GRP profiles and GRP sheet material.

Spray and touch protection

We have already designed and built an array of different spray protection systems for indoor and outdoor use at industrial plants on behalf of our customers. These traditionally consist of a load-bearing system made of weather-resistant GRP profiles and transparent, weather-resistant plastic panels. The spray protection system has already been enhanced with e.g. fastener frames for electric distributors, pipe supports, GRP cable bushing systems, GRP doors and ports and special openings for sample extraction. As the GRP spray protection systems for outdoor use are also exposed to high wind loads, we are happy to provide auditable static analysis from an independent structural engineering firm to confirm their stability.

Stairway

The handrail of your GRP stairway won’t ever feel really cold to the touch, even in winter, thanks to the low thermal conductivity of the pultruded GRP profiles. Generally speaking, all TC structures are developed in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14122. Certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 confirms that our quality management is sound. Pultruded GRP construction profiles produced by Exel Composites meet the requirements of EN 13706/E23.

Mobile stairs

Do you need safe and corrosion-resistant access systems for your operations? And do these stairs also need to be movable?
Then get in touch.

We can design and manufacture special solutions as oneoff commissions or small batches, or a standard solution in larger quantities. Made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic profiles, our mobile stairs are suitable for using in corrosive environments or for sites where a stairway needs to have an electrically insulating effect.

Walkways and platforms

GRP walkways and platforms can be individually adapted to your needs in terms of length, width, support distance, etc. It is also possible to absorb higher loads, which can be taken into account in the design phase. Generally speaking, all TC structures are developed in accordance with DIN EN ISO 14122. Pultruded GRP construction profiles produced by Exel Composites meet the requirements of EN 13706/E23. Profiles with an iso-polyester resin mix are typically used. Vinyl ester resin profiles are also available if higher chemical resistance is required.

Are you facing similar challenges?

Let's talk about possible solutions.