Despite proven success in rehabilitating infrastructure such as wastewater pipes and stormwater drains, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) liners still face misconceptions.
Channeline positions itself as pioneers in GRP lining technology, and the company has outlined five common misconceptions surrounding the technology below:
GRP liners are only suitable for circular profiles and standard diameters
Reality:
While one of the most persistent misconceptions about GRP liners is that they’re limited to circular profiles and off-the-shelf sizes, Channeline say its liners are custom designed and manufactured to precisely match any shape and size of host structure.
Channeline says its unique multi-segmental liners allow users to rehabilitate infrastructure with spans exceeding several metres.
They are fragile compared to other materials
Reality:
GRP liners are engineered for strength and durability, offering exceptional resistance to physical loads, chemical attack and corrosion.
Their high strength-to-weight ratio allows them to outperform many traditional rehabilitation materials, especially in environments prone to aggressive flows, chemical exposure, or extreme weather conditions.
Channeline said its liners are a fully structural rehabilitation solution, which means they are strong enough to bear 100 per cent of all specified loads without relying on the host structure’s residual strength.
They are too expensive
Reality:
While the initial cost of GRP liners might seem higher than some alternative materials, the long-term cost savings are strong. GRP liners reduce maintenance requirements, offer decades of reliable service, and minimise the risk of catastrophic failures that can lead to expensive emergency repairs.
Factoring in the extended service life, reduced downtime, and lower installation costs (due to trenchless techniques), GRP liners deliver a superior return on investment compared to traditional methods.
Installing GRP liners requires major excavation
Reality:
One of the greatest advantages of GRP liners is that they enable trenchless rehabilitation, reducing the need for excavation. Installation typically involves minimal surface disruption, preserving surrounding infrastructure, reducing traffic interruptions, and saving significant project costs.
This makes the method valuable for projects in urban areas, under railways, or beneath heavily trafficked roads, where traditional dig-and-replace methods would be highly disruptive.
GRP liners aren’t a sustainable solution
Reality:
Sustainability is a growing priority across all industries, and GRP liners are more environmentally responsible than many assume. Unlike traditional materials like concrete and steel, GRP requires significantly less energy to produce — up to 75 per cent less than steel — and generates fewer emissions.
For more information, visit the Channeline website.
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