For nearly two centuries, steel rebar has been a fundamental component in reinforced concrete construction, providing strength and durability to buildings and infrastructure. However, a new contender is rapidly emerging: Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP). With its superior technical performance and numerous advantages over traditional steel, GFRP is redefining the standards for modern construction and gaining widespread popularity as a durable and innovative alternative. Looking at the key differences between GFRP and steel, by focusing on strength, durability, lifecycle, maintenance, weight, conductivity and sustainability, it is easy to see why GFRP will continue to gain traction in the South African

WASTE material from the construction sector can now be used in an innovative green building block used to build low-cost RDP houses through a Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI)’ Circular Economy Demonstration Fund aimed at demonstrating proven circular economy interventions, such as, technologies, innovative process improvements, social innovations that have not yet achieved scale or impact in South Africa. This milestone was marked on 11 April 2025 in Hammersdale, KwaZulu-Natal by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), who partnered with Use-It  Beneficiation NPC and Key Bricks, to demonstrate the prototype. Attendees were guided through the full lifecycle of