GRP Permanent Formwork

Lightweight, strong, versatile 'Leave-in-Place' formwork solution for a variety of applications

For over 60 years, Permadec has led in manufacturing GRP Permanent Formwork, collaborating with major construction companies and engineering consultants.

 

Illustration showing a Permadec GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) permanent formwork panel installed on steel beams with shear studs and reinforcement mesh for bridge formwork applications.

Standard

Haunched

Haunched

Cantilever

Cantilever

Complete Solution

Complete Solution

Panel advantages

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Lightweight & Strong
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Large Span Capability
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Easy to Handle
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Safe Working Platform
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Bespoke Design
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Quick Manufacturing Times

Cost saving advantages

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Quick Installation TImes
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Reduce Requirement for Heavey Cranage
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Quick and Efficient Installation
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Designed for a 120 Year Lifespan
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Safe Onsite Cutting
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Offsite Installation

Global suppliers of GRP permanent formwork

With a dedicated team of experts, Permadec has supplied GRP permanent formwork for over 6,000 bridge and civil structures worldwide.

As the trusted choice of leading engineering and contracting firms, we deliver innovative and reliable solutions for infrastructure projects.

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Engineered and manufactured to meet your specific project requirements

Our Permadec range of products are bespoke designed and produced to suit project specific criteria.

Permadec provide a working template to size our formwork but ultimately all of our panels are made to order. This gives our clients the peace of mind to know that we have specified the right type of panel for the job in hand.

Our panels can be supplied with a variety of permanent soffit finishes, with standard units coloured Flake Grey (RAL 7035).

Designed to suit standard, skewed, or tapered decks, our formwork minimises cutting and reduces on-site labour time, enhancing efficiency and precision.

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Engineered and manufactured for seamless installation worldwide

Our Permadec range of products are designed and manufactured in house by highly skilled craftsman.

Permadec provide a working template to size our formwork but ultimately all of our panels are made to order. This gives our clients the peace of mind to know that we have specified the right type of panel for the job in hand. – Panels can be supplied with a variety of permanent fi nishes to the soffi t and standard units are coloured grey to British Standard 4800 10--A-03.

Panels are manufactured to suit standard, skewed or tapered decks - minimising cutting, reducing site labour time. The Manufacture and curing period is relatively short - allowing extra panels to be ordered at short notice.

Handling and Lifting Frame

Prior to lifting, the contractor is advised to check the weight of a typical panel against its company policy for the maximum weight any one operative is permitted to lift. This will then indicate the number of general operatives required to lay any one panel.

Formwork is generally palletised and identified for the location on the structure where it is needed. This prevents and reduces the amount of double movement which can save valuable time on installation. – On contracts where formwork dimensions vary, please check the locality of the formwork immediately before applying sealants.

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Handling and lift frame

Prior to lifting, the contractor is advised to check the weight of a typical panel against its company policy for the maximum weight any one operative is permitted to lift. This will then indicate the number of general operatives required to lay any one panel. This is generally limited to 25kg per man lift in the UK.

Formwork is generally palletised as convenient for laying as possible. Pallets should be moved close to the laying area, this will reduce the amount of physical lifting required. On contracts where formwork dimensions vary, please check the locality of the formwork immediately before applying sealants.

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Installation

  • Suitable PPE to be worn
  • Check weight of panel prior to manual lifting
  • EMJ will palletise as convenient for laying as close to the final fixing point
  • Pallets to be moved as close to the final fixing point as possible
  • Lifting Holes can be included in vertical ribs if required
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Cutting & Sealing

  • Standard Stihl saw (or similar)
  • Respiratory Mask, Rigger Gloves
  • Minimum bearing of 30mm should be achieved
  • Easily applied
  • Prevent Grout Loss
  • Sealant test data available
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International transportation

  • Pallets are clearly marked with types and  dimensions
  • Banded and shrink wrapped
  • Can be interlocked to reduce space
  • EMJ use pallets which meet international standard for Phytosanitary Exporting Measures
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"EMJ Plastics Limited were engaged to design, manufacture and deliver permanent formwork panels (Permadec) for a new road bridge in Newhaven, East Sussex. They were superb throughout the procurement, design and manufacturing stage. The Permadec system is extremely fast and easy to install especially when using the lifting frame to load out multiple panels at a time. The system seals really well requiring no additional protection when pouring the concrete deck above, even when working over a live railway. I would happily use this system and EMJ Plastics Ltd again."

Christopher Buckle, Senior Site Agent at BAM Nuttall Ltd

We pride ourselves on producing bespoke panels to suit the clients individual requirements, whether it be size, type or any other preference.

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We pride ourselves on producing bespoke panels to suit the clients individual requirements, whether it be size, type or any other preference.

News

How Permadec Made GRP Formwork History at Majors Road Bridge

By brianminihane | 23rd March 2025

Permadec recently played a key role in the Majors Road Interchange upgrade in South Australia, delivering the state’s first-ever installation of GRP permanent formwork. As part of a bridge widening project led by Acciona, with Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec (WGA) as consulting engineers and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) South Australia as the client.…

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Project Update: Breakfast Creek Green Bridge

By brianminihane | 5th March 2025

Enhancing Infrastructure with Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) Permanent Formwork Permadec is proud to contribute to the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge project, a key initiative in Brisbane designed to improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity. This sustainable infrastructure project enhances access between Brisbane’s inner suburbs while promoting active transport solutions. Learn more about the Breakfast Creek Bridge…

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News Update – February 2023

By Suman Kaur | 22nd February 2023

Engineers can now download our Permadec Panel profile on the Tekla warehouse. Click on the link to access now https://warehouse.tekla.com/#/catalog/details/b221363f-4a14-471d-b453-6196211b6e1d

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News Update – July 2020

By ycsdesign | 13th July 2020

EMJ have had a healthy return to production since early May with a number of projects still to be completed both domestically and with our international client base.  Projects include A13, Widening, Thurrock for Kier Contracting A487 Caernarfon, Gwynedd bypass for Balfour Beatty Construction A4440 Powick Viaduct, Worcestershire for Alun Griffiths Barking Riverside Extension, East…

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