Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 3, ExxonMobil (Houston, Texas, U.S.) has announced the successful completion of an installation demonstration using MST-Bar, a Proxxima system-based glass fiber-reinforced polymer (Proxxima GFRP) rebar, to strengthen and replace sections of heavily used roads at its Mont Belvieu plastics plant in Texas. The project, completed within just three weeks, marks a key advancement in the company’s effort to enhance durability and reduce maintenance in high-traffic industrial areas.
ExxonMobil collaborated with MST Rebar (Ontario, Canada) to develop a new version of Proxxima GFRP rebar tailored for the project’s requirements. Mason Construction (Beaumont, Texas), a long-term ExxonMobil partner, was responsible for carrying out the installation work. The project represents one of the latest in-house applications of Proxxima systems, showcasing the company’s continued confidence in its proprietary product line.
According to ExxonMobil, MST Rebar successfully delivered 40 000 linear feet of material within two weeks. “We had it in the ground a week later,” said Brian Cavaretta, supervisor for the North Packaging and Shipping Unit at the Mont Belvieu plant. “We’re pleased with the product and have no intention of going back to steel.”
The Mont Belvieu site was considered an ideal testing ground due to the constant movement of eighteen-wheel trucks and heavy equipment, which had caused substantial wear on the plant’s existing steel-reinforced concrete and asphalt surfaces. The region’s frequent rainfall also contributed to corrosion issues, leading to increased repair costs and downtime. By switching to Proxxima GFRP rebar, the project aimed to address these challenges through enhanced corrosion resistance and reduced maintenance requirements.
The MST-Bar made with Proxxima resin proved easier to transport and faster to install. It allowed the construction crew to pre-tie the rebar and carry it manually without cranes or hot-work operations, improving efficiency and safety. The material’s lightweight nature—approximately one-quarter the weight of steel—further simplified handling and installation procedures.
“At first, I was skeptical just like anybody else,” said Trey Berry, superintendent at Mason Construction. “But it’s been a very smooth transition going from steel to something new that’s a quarter of the weight. All in all, I think it should be the new standard.”
The project demonstrated both technical and operational advantages, reinforcing ExxonMobil’s ongoing strategy to apply Proxxima-based materials across multiple sectors. The company is expanding use of these resins in coatings for storage tanks, railcars, subsea pipes, and marine vessels. ExxonMobil stated that Proxxima systems offer potential benefits including cost reduction, increased productivity, and improved workplace safety.
Overall, the Mont Belvieu installation underscores ExxonMobil’s initiative to integrate innovative materials within its own facilities, strengthening infrastructure while advancing the use of durable, corrosion-resistant technologies in industrial operations.
