SFTec is a Canadian (QC) based company specialized in the business of the composite rebar. SFT-Bar®: GFRP is a composite material made of a polymer matrix (epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester thermosetting plastic) reinforced with fibers (glass, in fiberglass). GFRP bar has been developed as the best non-corrosive alternative to steel for concrete reinforcement.
The core #SFT branded products are: SFT-Bar® for Concrete reinforcement, SFT-CarbonStraps for Concrete repairs, SFT-ARGlassFiber for Concrete mix, SFT-Connectors, SFT-RockBolt, SFT-Mesh.
Interview with Toufic Traboulsi, Chief Operating Officer at SFTec Inc.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Toufic Traboulsi: #SFT branded products are designed in Canada and are manufactured in China by Shandong Safety Industries Co. Ltd., a Leader in the field of the FRP rebar industry.
SFTec Inc. does its R & D in Canada, cutting edge continuous product improvement and testing is done in collaboration with leading institutions and universities in both Canada & the USA.
E.E: What’s the news about the FRP products?
T.T: The benefits of the FRP products:
- Longer service life
- The advantageous corrosion resistance:
- No weather proofing required
- Improved durability in harsh marine environments
- No corrosion even in harsh chemical environments
- Greater tensile strength than steel
- One quarter to one fifth the density of steel:
- Less concrete covering required
- Neutrality to electrical and magnetic disturbances:
- Breaks thermal bridging
- Sustainable:
- 100% recyclable material: can be crushed, along with the concrete to be mixed & reused in the next batch of concrete (that will even become stronger)
- Pollutes less: 43% less CO2 emissions during manufacturing
- Cost effective:
- Steel prices are regularly on the rise + supply chain issues
- Potential time & labor benefits:
- 20 – 25% savings on installation costs
- Safety & productivity improvements:
- Less fatigue on the job site
- Ability to work during rain and thunder
- Reduction of onsite accidents
Our products go through a continuous and rigorous certification process with ICC (process includes product, quality & processes controls and audits of the manufacturing facility)
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
T.T: Promoting the company & the product all over the world, with a primary major push in Canada & the USA as they are more mature markets with product acceptability and available codes and standards.
Engaging in international promotional & marketing activities such as webinars, trade exhibitions and social media campaigns to improve company & product visibility, mainly in the EU, GCC, MENA & Central American markets.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
T.T: A rapid increase in the use of non-corrosive FRP bars has been observed.
- Clear short- and long-term cost benefits by using FRP products.
Advances in the FRP product development has made them more competitive to steel. They are perfect for the following environments:
- Any concrete members requiring non-ferrous reinforcement due to electro-magnetic considerations (FRP rebars):
- MRI rooms in hospitals.
- Airport radio & compass calibration pads.
- Any projects susceptible to corrosion of steel by chlorine ion or chemical corrosion:
- Pipe lines, chemical distribution facilities or buildings, bridges, roads, parking garages, water or sceptic tanks, etc.
- The best alternative to pricier epoxy, galvanised, or stainless steel rebars
The implementation of building codes that incorporates FRP, allow for a higher comfort level to specify by the engineering community and to use by the concrete contractors, namely:
- TMS 402/602 (2022) “Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures”
- ACI CODE-440.11-22 (2022): “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars”
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
T.T:
- SFT-Bar® for concrete reinforcement: is the ideal GFRP composite material made of a polymer matrix (epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester thermosetting plastic) reinforced with fibers (glass, in fiberglass). GFRP bar has been developed as the non-corrosive alternative solution to steel for any concrete reinforced project, this includes all structural, non-structural or architectural applications in compromising or other environments.
- The new report ESR-5081 has just been published on the ICC-ES website
This ESR-5081 report certifies the SFTec Inc. SFT-Bar® and it also attests to its compliance to the most advanced and stringent requirements, codes and standards applicable in construction, that codify the use of GFRP in concrete structures.
We believe that this certification will boost the marketability and acceptability of our SFT-Bar® and we hope that this boost will have a positive impact on our business, and on the industry.
About ICC-ES
ICC-ES is the leading evaluation service for innovative building materials, components and systems. ICC-ES Evaluation Reports (ESRs), Building Product Listings and PMG Listings provide evidence that products and systems meet requirements of codes and technical standards worldwide, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and the MENA region. ICC-ES is a member of the ICC family of solutions.
- SFT-Connector for ICF walls, slabs & Precast concrete: Evaluated on various criteria such as color, type, tensile strength, compression strength, tensile modulus and shear strength, that fits best any project needs or requirements.
- SFT-CarbonStraps for concrete repairs: Can be applied with epoxy adhesive, they are light, high strength, highly durable and high temperature resistant. Are ideal to repair cracked columns and eliminate infiltrations, reinforcing and increasing the load capacity of a concrete structure such as beams, walls, bridges, and bowed walls or foundations.
- SFT-RockBolt for temporary or permanent face stabilisation: Can be installed with resin cartridges or forced into pre-grouted holes. Their fully threaded profile makes them optimal for mixing and bonding properties. Ideal for mining & tunnel support, slope protection. They can be delivered with GFRP plates & nuts.
- SFT-ARGlassFiber for concrete mix: Alkali Resistant Glass Fibers designed and manufactured to be easily incorporated into concrete such as Premix GFRC and other mortar and general ready-mix concrete and precast mixes and reinforcement applications. Their high tensile strength & modulus properties allow them to reduce/prevent cracks in concrete structures with a greater durability compared to steel.
- SFT-Mesh for structural or walls strengthening: The SFT-ARMesh prevents walls cracking, strengthens and improves the durability of the external wall’s surface. The SFT-Bar®Mesh is the ideal structural strengthening GFRP product that presents a much lighter, sustainable, more durable alternative to the regular, usually corroded Steel mesh products.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
T.T: Our sales and market reach improved between 2021 & 2022, we now have Distributors in all the Canadian provinces and we believe that we will continue in the same trajectory in 2023 and hope to add distributors in more US States.
2023 will see more engineers interested in specifying the products, more contractors wanting to use it and more building managers & owners keen to benefit from the reduced costs (both during construction & for the regular maintenance) of the building or facility.
Replacing steel with FRP is better for the environment, better for the economy and better for the beneficiary’s personal finances.
The steel industry will continue to strive, FRP is not a threat… it is an alternative that adds value to the construction industry by adding a choice of product… a product that is now regulated and codified!
