Strategic Exchange: SSHMC Lab and Dextra Group Deepen Collaboration in Advanced FRP Manufacturing

Professor David Bassir, Director of SSHMC Lab, with Dextra Group’s engineering team in front of the Guangzhou FRP composites facility.

On 25 September 2024 Professor David Bassir, Director of SSHMC Lab and Professor of Structural Mechanics, visited Dextra Building Product (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., located in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. This facility is Dextra Group’s flagship plant specializing in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for the Greater China region.

Established in 1983, Dextra Group has become a global leader in engineered construction products, with manufacturing facilities in Thailand, India, and China, and operations in over 55 countries. The Guangzhou plant, inaugurated in 2012, focuses on producing innovative FRP/GFRP/CFRP solutions for the construction industry.

During the visit, Professor Bassir met with Dextra’s engineering team to discuss the integration of FRP composites in structural mechanics and modern construction applications. Key topics included:

• Advanced Material Testing: Collaborating on evaluating the performance of Dextra’s FRP products under various loading conditions.

• Sustainable Construction Solutions: Exploring GFRP rebar for corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio, and reduced CO₂ emissions compared to traditional steel rebar.

• Innovation in Infrastructure: Potential projects in marine structures, tunnels, and high-rise buildings leveraging FRP advantages.

Dextra Group representative visiting SSHMC Lab, fostering dialogue on FRP innovation and industrial applications

On 11 November 2024, a representative of Dextra Group visited the SSHMC Lab at Dongguan University of Technology’s Institute of Science and Technology Innovation (ISTI). This return visit highlighted the mutual interest in strengthening the partnership between academia and industry, with the shared goal of fostering cutting-edge research, sustainable engineering practices, and real-world applications of advanced materials.

These collaborative exchanges underscore the SSHMC Lab’s commitment to driving industrial innovation and translating advanced structural mechanics research into impactful, future-ready construction solutions.

(Written by Anicet Barrios, first reviewer: Lara Nizet, second reviewer: Li Qianqian)