What is eMesh and how it helps?
Watch this short video to learn more about 100% recycled eMesh fibres for concrete reinforcement
Benefits of replacing steel mesh with 100% recycled eMesh fibres
Technical
eMesh is easier, safer and faster to use with no need for steel mesh.
- Flexibility in design and improved workability on site
- Significantly reduces concrete's plastic shrinkage cracking
- Enhanced impact and abrasion resistance.
- Suitable for use in harsh environments such as coastal and marine applications
Project
eMesh can reduce project costs as it arrives on site ready to use.
- Fibres are easily transported and stored for use at batching plant or site
- Reduced engineering inspection and equipment needs
- Reduced health and safety hazards during transportation and on site
- Concrete assets require less repair and maintenance during their lifespan
Environmental
eMesh uses 100% recycled plastic, which saves precious resources.
- Waste plastic diverted from landfill is used as concrete reinforcement
- Up to 94% reduction in CO2 emissions make eMesh fibres an ideal choice
- Up to 94% water saved in manufacturing process as compared to steel mesh
- Reduction in fossil fuel used for transportation
Benefits of replacing steel mesh with 100% recycled eMesh fibres
Technical
eMesh is easier, safer and faster to use with no need for steel mesh.
- Flexibility in design and improved workability on site
- Significantly reduces concrete's plastic shrinkage cracking
- Enhanced impact and abrasion resistance.
- Suitable for use in harsh environments such as coastal and marine applications
Project
eMesh can reduce project costs as it arrives on site ready to use.
- Fibres are easily transported and stored for use at batching plant or site
- Reduced engineering inspection and equipment needs
- Reduced health and safety hazards during transportation and on site
- Concrete assets require less repair and maintenance during their lifespan
Environmental
eMesh uses 100% recycled plastic, which saves precious resources.
- Waste plastic diverted from landfill is used as concrete reinforcement
- Up to 94% reduction in CO2 emissions make eMesh fibres an ideal choice
- Up to 94% water saved in manufacturing process as compared to steel mesh
- Reduction in fossil fuel used for transportation
Specifications
eMesh is made from 100% recycled plastic and serves as a replacement for steel mesh as a reinforcement in concrete. The innovative solution helps divert waste plastic from landfills and is a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternate to steel mesh reinforcement. It is suitable for numerous concrete applications in infrastructure, commercial and land development projects.
Standards and Guidelines
eMesh fibres conform to the provisions of:
- TR65 - Guidance on the Use of Macro Synthetic Fibre Reinforced Concrete
- ASTM – C 1116 03 – Standards for specification for Fibre Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete
- BS EN 14889 - Fibres for concrete – Part 2 – Polymer Fibres
- CO2 reductions of 90% in accordance with ISO 14040
- Tensile Strength:
550 MPa
- Young's Modulus:
8 GPa
- Aspect Ratio:
100
- Dosage:
3 to 6 kg/m³
- Fibres/kg:
59,000 ±
Life Cycle Assessment Rules
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) results (see table) refer to the environmental gains of using 40 kilograms of eMesh in a 100m2 (1500 mm wide) footpath versus steel mesh sheets in the footpath.
The LCA shows impressive savings in water and fossil fuels, as well as vastly reduced production of substances harmful to the environment being produced. These include 90% reduction of carbon dioxide (C02), greenhouse gases causing emissions and a reduction of Chloro Fluoro Carbons (CFC) that deplete the ozone.
Using steel mesh also results in off-cuts and waste. Not only does eMesh eliminate off-cuts but also the product itself uses 100% recycled plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfill – a double benefit to the environment.
The rigorous scientific testing that backs up these results involves all aspects of production and transportation of both materials. For example, in looking at the fossil fuel and emissions involved in transporting each material to a site it should be noted that eMesh fibres are mixed with the concrete in the batch at the concrete plant and then transported to a site, ready for pouring. When using steel mesh, two trucks are needed – one to transport the steel mesh and the other to transport the concrete.
For more and updated information about the environmental impact and increased % saving, refer to our Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). For latest EPD, information or to contact us click here.
Research, Trials and Use
Research, Trials
and Use
As the original product born from full-cycle university research and successfully trialled in infrastructure applications in 2015, eMesh stands apart with a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an up-to-date Australian third-party audited Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), and approved for use in major projects across the Australian landscape.
Partnered with James Cook University and sponsored a PhD Research Program
focused on the use of recycled plastic in fibre reinforced concrete. The collaboration successfully delivered technical proof-of-concept trials using small batches of the recycled product, with in-situ testing validating the material’s performance.
Successfully Trialled at James Cook University (JCU)
after a successful trial in a 100 meter long concrete footpath at JCU, eMesh fibres were used in footpaths and walkways around the JCU’s $80M Science Place Building precinct.
Winner of the Australian Innovation Challenge
(Manufacturing, Construction and Infrastructure category) for the project on “Development of recycled plastic fibre to reinforce concrete”.
1st Environmental Product Declaration Released
Hobsons Bay City Council Successfully Trialled and Used eMesh
Onwards Approved and Widely Used
in major projects by various infrastructure authorities across Australia.
Updated Environmental Product Declaration Released
eMesh LCA independently verified and third-party audited for the 2nd time.
50+ Australian Local Councils
The use of 100% recycled synthetic eMesh fibres allows local councils to specify and purchase sustainable and environmentally beneficial solutions for their footpaths, cycleways and shared user paths.
So Far eMesh Has Been Used in Over 300 Projects
including many large and mega projects across the Australian infrastructure landscape. It has helped reduce the carbon footprint and cost of concrete construction, while contributing to sustainability goals and making construction faster, safer, and easier.
2021
Research Started
Partnered with James Cook University and sponsored a PhD Research Program
focused on the use of recycled plastic in fibre reinforced concrete. The collaboration successfully delivered technical proof-of-concept trials using small batches of the recycled product, with in-situ testing validating the material’s performance.
2015
Successful Trial
Successfully Trialled at James Cook University (JCU)
after a successful trial in a 100 meter long concrete footpath at JCU, eMesh fibres were used in footpaths and walkways around the JCU’s $80M Science Place Building precinct.
2015
Innovation Award
Winner of the Australian Innovation Challenge
(Manufacturing, Construction and Infrastructure category) for the project on “Development of recycled plastic fibre to reinforce concrete”.
2016
Third-party Audited EPD
1st Environmental Product Declaration Released
eMesh LCA independently verified and third-party audited.
2017
Successful Council Trial
Hobsons Bay City Council Successfully Trialled
and Used eMesh
in 2018 to construct a 1500m2 of concrete shared use path
(SUP)without using steel mesh.
2019
Approvals and Specifications
Onwards Approved and Widely Used
in major projects by various infrastructure authorities across Australia.
2022
EPD Renewed
Updated Environmental Product Declaration Released
eMesh LCA independently verified and third-party audited for the 2nd time.
2024
50+ Councils
50+ Australian Local Councils
The use of 100% recycled synthetic eMesh fibres allows local councils to specify and purchase sustainable and environmentally beneficial solutions for their footpaths, cycleways and shared user paths.
2025
300+ Projects
So Far eMesh Has Been Used in Over 300 Projects
including many large and mega projects across the Australian infrastructure landscape. It has helped reduce the carbon footprint and cost of concrete construction, while contributing to sustainability goals and making construction faster, safer, and easier.
Led by our in-house concrete and fibre specialists and with the help of various research partners, a range of research, from micro performance of macro synthetic fibres in concrete to the full scale construction and testing of suspended steel fibre reinforced concrete slabs have been undertaken.
Enviromesh (formerly Fibercon, prior to 2020) has consistently undertaken a wide range of research projects and trials involving both recycled and virgin synthetic fibres. These initiatives have been conducted in collaboration with industry partners, as well as independently by subject matter experts. Comprehensive information about these research activities is available upon request.
Some of our research and development projects over the last few decades include:
- Cryogenic performance of fibre reinforced concrete
- Prediction of structural behaviour using FEM
- Safety guards using blast resistant concrete
- Ecoblock – ICF performance with bar reinforcing and fibre reinforcing
- Shear response of fibre reinforced concrete
- High early strength SFRC
- Flatness of SFRC slabs
- Domestic slabs using SFRC
- Full scale testing of suspended fibre reinforced slab
- Testing of a fibre reinforced slab in one way action
- Developing a test method for high quality concrete
- Storm water pits – full scale testing
- eMesh – 100% Recycled – 13 peer reviewed published papers
- Porous concrete
Led by our in-house concrete and fibre specialists and with the help of various research partners, a range of research, from micro performance of macro synthetic fibres in concrete to the full scale construction and testing of suspended steel fibre reinforced concrete slabs have been undertaken.
Enviromesh (formerly Fibercon, prior to 2020) has consistently undertaken a wide range of research projects and trials involving both recycled and virgin synthetic fibres. These initiatives have been conducted in collaboration with industry partners, as well as independently by subject matter experts. Comprehensive information about these research activities is available upon request.
Some of our research and development projects over the last few decades include:
- Cryogenic performance of fibre reinforced concrete
- Prediction of structural behaviour using FEM
- Safety guards using blast resistant concrete
- Ecoblock – ICF performance with bar reinforcing and fibre reinforcing
- Shear response of fibre reinforced concrete
- High early strength SFRC
- Flatness of SFRC slabs
- Domestic slabs using SFRC
- Full scale testing of suspended fibre reinforced slab
- Testing of a fibre reinforced slab in one way action
- Developing a test method for high quality concrete
- Storm water pits – full scale testing
- eMesh – 100% Recycled – 13 peer reviewed published papers
- Porous concrete
eMesh FAQs
Below are some short answers to frequently asked questions. You can reach out for in depth discussion to find solutions suitable to your application or project.
eMesh fibres are made of 100% recycled materials like polypropylene that are added to concrete to enhance its structural performance. They are used to control cracking, improve toughness, and increase durability.
eMesh fibres are added to concrete to provide several benefits, including:
- Reducing plastic shrinkage cracking.
- Improving impact resistance.
- Increasing toughness and ductility.
- Enhancing durability in aggressive environments.
eMesh fibres can help control cracking and reduce crack widths, but they cannot guarantee a completely crack-free concrete surface. The extent of crack control depends on various factors, including fibre type, dosage, mix design, and curing practices.
The suitability of eMesh fibres depends on the specific project requirements. While they are versatile and used in various applications, there may be situations where other reinforcement methods or materials are more appropriate. It is important to assess the project requirements before determining if the use of eMesh is suited to your project.
The addition of eMesh fibres may require adjustments to the concrete mix design to ensure compatibility and achieve the desired performance. Consultation with a structural engineer or concrete expert is crucial to determining the correct dosage and mix.
Sustainable Concrete Materials
Enviromesh has been committed to Research and Development of the performance of Macro Synthetic Fibres (MSF) as concrete reinforcement for over 26 years now.
With our focus on sustainability and the future, in 2013 we partnered with James Cook University and undertook a full cycle research and development program to develop Recycled MSF (eMesh). This was done as part of a three-year PhD research project overseen by JCU’s College of Science Technology and Engineering and validated the use of the 100% Recycled Propylene Plastic, with both environmental and technical use benefits. It was also an internationally recognised work and awarded the Springer Thesis Prize. After successful trial in 2015, eMesh was introduced to the Australian infrastructure projects. In the same year, eMesh research won the Australian Innovation Challenge Award in the manufacture & infrastructure category.
eMesh is now widely used as a sustainable alternative to steel mesh and steel fibres in concrete construction in infrastructure projects across Australia.
Buoyed by the widespread acceptance and use of eMesh as a sustainable alternative in the construction and infrastructure industry, in 2021 we have partnered with RMIT University. Their research team is developing low-carbon precast concrete using cardboard waste. Research will be conducted by RMIT University and funded through the Recycling Victoria Research and Development Fund – Materials grants from the Victorian Government through Sustainability Victoria.
Given the universal focus on reducing the carbon footprint of the construction and infrastructure development sectors, we envisage that research and development of finding more sustainable and greener solutions in the industry will continue. We completely recognise the need to have more sustainable solutions within our industry and are committed to undertaking future projects with the aim of exploring and developing sustainable construction materials.
Research into new fibres for concrete continues even today as acceptance for MSF as a structural reinforcement grows globally. More recently, several leading institutions around the world have undertaken research in the use of MSF as concrete reinforcement. MSFA report
What is eMesh and how it helps?
Watch this short video to learn more about 100% recycled eMesh fibres for concrete reinforcement