GRP for Marine & Offshore

Marine and offshore environments are among the most demanding in the world for building materials. Constant salt exposure, high humidity, intense UV, mechanical wear and cyclic wave and wind loading rapidly degrade steel and aluminium. GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is one of the few materials that handles this combination without corroding or weakening over time. Byggkomposit supplies GRP solutions to harbours, shipyards, marinas, offshore wind farms and oil & gas platforms across the Nordic region.

Glass reinforced composites are used in marine projects for pontoon decking, quay grating, finger pontoons, walkways, fall-protection handrailing, stairs, ladders and structural platforms. The material is around 30% of steel's weight, easing installation from boat or barge and reducing load on floating pontoons and offshore structures. Because GRP is fully inert to seawater, the cost of rust protection systems, cathodic protection and recurring blasting that comes with steel at sea simply disappears.

Applications across the marine and offshore segment

GRP products are used along the entire coastline — from small marinas and fishing piers to heavy offshore installations miles out at sea. Because the material can be made to measure, it suits both standardised pontoon systems and bespoke projects where every section is tailored to a specific berth or platform.

Pontoons, quay decking and floating systems

GRP grating is the most popular surface for floating pontoons, finger pontoons and quay edges. The high open area lets light and water pass through, keeping daylight on the seabed and reducing ice build-up in winter. The anti-slip profile is permanent and does not lose grip with age — unlike timber, which needs impregnation and replacement every 5–10 years. For larger marinas we also offer solid GRP decking for rolling service trolleys and heavy loads.

Fall protection, handrailing and ladders

Handrailing in marine environments has historically been a maintenance burden — galvanised steel rusts from the inside, painted steel flakes within a few seasons. GRP handrailing solves the whole problem by never corroding. Combined with ladders, bathing steps and access ladders in the same material, the harbour gets a complete safety system that handles both winter and peak summer loading without ongoing attention.

Offshore platforms and offshore wind

On offshore wind, oil & gas platforms and met masts, GRP is specified for service and helideck grating, handrailing, cable ladders and inspection routes. The low weight is decisive when components must be hoisted up a wind turbine tower or shipped out to a platform — a section one person can carry often replaces two crane lifts in steel. Electrical insulation also improves personal safety in environments with high voltages and lightning strikes.

Vessels and on-board fit-out

On board ships, GRP panels and profiles are used for passenger decking, engine room walkways, cable trays and internal stairs. The material contributes to reduced vessel weight — which directly cuts fuel consumption and emissions — while fire-rated grades meet IMO and class requirements.