Indus Towers, a global telecom tower company, has partnered with IIT Madras to research Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) structural sections.
GFRP, known for its superior strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and low maintenance, is gaining traction across industries for infrastructure applications. The collaboration aims to explore the structural, economic, and environmental benefits of GFRP as a lightweight, durable alternative to steel. Anil Gupta, CTO at Indus Towers, said, “GFRP offers a transformative opportunity not only structurally sound and cost-effective but also aligned with our sustainability goals.”
The research will cover applications in telecom towers, scaffolding, staircases, and roofing, focusing on durability and sustainable use. This initiative falls under Indus Towers’ CSR program, Pragati, reflecting a commitment to scalable, eco-friendly engineering solutions. IIT Madras Professor Ravindra Gettu added that the project will develop models assessing GFRP’s performance for diverse uses.