GRP for Automotive & Bodywork
In trucks, buses, trailers and special vehicles every kilo counts. GRP panels and profiles deliver low weight, wear resistance and long service life — without corrosion.
In the automotive industry, weight is one of the most important design parameters. Every kilogram removed from a vehicle translates directly to lower fuel consumption, higher payload and — in electrified vehicles — longer range per charge. At the same time, the material has to handle tough daily duty, salty winters, loading impacts and pressure washing with chemicals. GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) handles this combination better than both sheet metal and plywood.
Byggkomposit supplies GRP panels and profiles to the automotive industry, bodybuilders and special vehicle manufacturers. The material is used as floor and wall panels in load spaces, as cladding on buses, as bodywork on trucks and as structural details in trailers. Because GRP is corrosion-free, rust attacks from salty winters and moisture are eliminated — dramatically extending vehicle life.
Properties suited to the automotive industry
Six reasons to choose fibreglass panels over sheet metal or plywood in your next vehicle project.
Weight saving
GRP panels weigh a fraction of sheet metal and plywood — every kilo saved lowers fuel consumption and increases payload.
Impact- and wear-resistant
Withstands daily loading impacts, scratches and knocks without buckling or cracking like traditional sheet metal.
Corrosion-free
No rust attacks after salty winters, rain or moisture in the load space — outlasts steel and aluminium.
Easy to repair
Local damage is fixed with a composite repair kit — no need to replace the whole panel.
Electrically neutral
Does not affect vehicle EMC or charging infrastructure — important in modern electric and hybrid vehicles.
Design freedom
Pultruded and moulded sections give smooth, clean surfaces that can be colour-matched and branded.
Applications in the automotive sector
Trucks and bodywork
On trucks and bodywork, GRP panels are used for walls, roofs and floors in box and refrigerated bodies. The material delivers a smooth, light and durable interior that withstands daily loading and unloading year after year. Because GRP does not rust, bodybuilders avoid the rust issues that typically appear at the bottom of sheet-metal boxes.
Buses and public transport
In buses, GRP panels are used in floors, walls and ceiling fit-out. The low weight is decisive for modern electric buses where every kilo affects range. Anti-slip composite flooring also provides a safe surface for passengers.
Trailers and special vehicles
Trailers and special vehicles for construction, agriculture and fire and rescue benefit greatly from GRP. Low weight increases payload, while the material resists chemicals, brine and detergents without degradation.
Electrification and future vehicles
The electrification of heavy vehicles drives demand for light, electrically neutral materials. GRP products fit modern battery-driven designs where every kilo counts and metal panels can interfere with electrical systems and charging infrastructure.
Lower weight, longer life, better economy
For vehicle manufacturers, bodybuilders and fleet operators, GRP panels deliver both immediate weight savings and a long-term economic gain. Vehicles use less fuel or energy, load spaces last longer and maintenance needs drop. We help you specify the right panel or profile type for your vehicle project.
Want to explore Dura Composites' global reference projects in automotive? Read more here.
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