The term “sustainability” is derived from the Latin word “sustinere,” meaning to hold up, maintain, or support. Sustainability, in the context of our environment, refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance and preserve natural resources for future generations.
Kerryn Caulfield, Executive Director of Composites Australia, explains why composite technologies are vital in holding up, maintaining, and supporting Australia’s unique environment in a sustainable manner.
Australia’s love for the environment: Australians love our unique and diverse environment, a profound sentiment enshrined in the nation’s anthem, “Advance Australia Fair.” The lyrics vividly depict the country’s natural beauty, celebrating Australia as a land “abounding in nature’s gifts” and praising its “golden soil and wealth for toil.” This reverence for the environment is not merely symbolic; it reflects a collective commitment to preserving these natural wonders. The role of composite technologies, a reassuring sign for the future of our environment, is vital in this preservation, evolving in step with our industrial market.
Green Infrastructure and Fibre Reinforced Polymer: Pioneering environmental feats in fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) green infrastructure, including pedestrian bridges, boardwalks, marine structures, staircases, viewing platforms, and shade structures, are rolling out across our continent. Plant ecology, natural rainfall, and drainage in ultra-sensitive environments are being preserved with proprietary structural glass fibre composite sections manufactured using a pullwinding process, offering sustainable alternative legacy materials such as steel, concrete, aluminium, and wood. These high-technology materials deliver efficient, low-maintenance, and low-carbon emission solutions, future-proofing our biosphere and meeting our complex needs for nature-friendly infrastructure.


Composite technologies in mining: The mining industry, a key driver of economic growth, operates in some of Australia’s harshest and most environmentally sensitive regions. FRP composites stand out in these extreme conditions for their durability and reliability. FRP composites endure corrosive ores and extreme temperatures from storage tanks to mining machinery without compromising structural integrity, preventing the leaching of minerals and chemicals into the soil and water table. This reliability provides a sense of security about the effectiveness of FRP materials and engineering in extreme conditions.

Composite infrastructure protecting electricity networks: Bushfires, acidic soils, termites, and salt-laden environments challenge Australia’s electricity networks, especially in remote bushlands and coastal locations. These conditions pose significant public safety, maintenance, and disaster resilience issues, particularly for timber-based infrastructure. Composite non-conductive, lightweight pultruded utility poles now protect urban areas and environmentally sensitive bushland. These FRP poles have an 80-year design life and require less maintenance and inspection. Using 5-7 times less embodied carbon than concrete, steel, and timber and a better return on investment, FRP utility poles are now a compelling option for asset owners.


Groundwater protection: Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water in the state in which I live. For underground fuel tanks, it took 30 years to fully transition from steel to FRP, with the environmental consequences of leaks from corrosion into our soil and water table driving the change. The catalyst for this shift was the steady introduction of environmental regulations and Australian and international standards. In particular, buried FRP tanks are monitored 24 hours daily, achieved through a complex double-walled design. The terephthalate resin systems were developed to be suitable for Australian soil conditions and durable when in contact with a range of fuels, ensuring our water is safe for human consumption.
Wastewater management and FRP components: Efficiently removing wastewater from communities is equally critical to maintaining public health and environmental quality. FRP pipes, structural shaft liners, and complex components play a vital role in this process due to their exceptional durability, corrosion resistance, and low maintenance requirements. These advanced materials are markedly advantageous in wastewater management systems, which must withstand harsh chemical environments and fluctuating flow conditions. Projects utilising FRP pipes and other FRP components include major civil works. A critical part of Melbourne’s sewer network, transferring around 30% of the city’s wastewater to the Western Treatment Plant, the existing sewer was first constructed in the 1960s and is now reaching the end of its service life and requires rehabilitation.

Maritime patrol for environmental protection
Our national anthem also acknowledges that “Our home is girt by sea.” These waters are both an economic asset and a natural treasure. As the steward of these resources, the government commissions patrol boats to intercept illegal fishing activities, preventing the depletion of indigenous fish stocks and the erosion of sensitive eco-reef systems. With extended fuel ranges, lowered engine emissions, and enhanced living conditions, these robust maritime workspaces are well-equipped for their crucial role in environmental stewardship. They ensure compliance with fisheries regulations, manage marine parks, and perform marine safety, sea search and rescue, shark incident response, and whale disentanglement. By leveraging FRP composites’ durability, low maintenance, and eco-friendly properties, these modern patrol boats minimise their environmental impact while protecting Australia’s coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations.



Composite technologies in the trucking industry: Our country boasts an extensive road system of 877,651 km and 51,984 km of major roads, making the trucking sector a vital part of this infrastructure. A diverse array of trucks, including light rigid, heavy rigid, and articulated vehicles, move urban, inter-urban, and regional freight, playing a crucial role in the import and export supply chain. In response to environmental concerns, the federal government will implement stricter emissions standards, known as Euro 6, for new trucks and buses starting on 1 November 2024. The industry is now adopting composite technologies with recycled content to lighten the fleet, projected to grow by approximately 77% by 2050.
Overcoming environmental challenges
Bridges, piers, trucks, tanks, and industrial products are also made to serve in extreme conditions. Roofs, for example, can endure substantial UV radiation in Australia, around 29,200-43,800 kWh/m² over 20 years. For decades, our materials suppliers and manufacturers have joined forces to blend chemistry, engineering, and materials science to solve environmental challenges from salt-laden marine environments to sun-bleached arid deserts and underground conditions. Durable resin systems and fabrication technologies have been developed and industrialised to withstand these unique conditions. Gel-coats, a protective layer, have been engineered to combat UV degradation and water damage while maintaining colour or translucency for decades in our unique climates. Increasingly, sustainable inputs, like recycled PET and glass, are used. Adaptation has been swift as the science improves and these products enter the market, further greening the Australian composites industry.