Composite Utility Poles: A Game-Changer for Modern Utility Infrastructure
At the most basic level, a composite is a combination of two or more materials that results in a product with substantially different properties than those of the individual components. GridCore™ composite poles are made by combining high-strength glass fibers with a thermoset polymer resin that is formed using an advanced pultrusion process to shape and cure the pole profile. The result is a highly durable yet lightweight structure that is purpose-built for today’s infrastructure demands.
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Why Choose Avient?
Proven Track Record
Backed by decades of composite innovation in pultruded electrical components, including market-leading Glasforms™ electrical insulator cores
Material Innovators
Avient’s advanced pultrusion processes and materials science expertise enable solutions engineered to meet specific performance demands
Performance Backed by Data
Tested to exceed ANSI benchmarks for strength, durability, and reliability
Technical Expertise and Support
Field support and training to help utilities adopt composite poles with confidence
Key Advantages of Composite Poles
Compared with traditional wood, steel, concrete, or ductile iron pole materials, FRP composites are more resilient, require less maintenance, and provide a long service life. Their lightweight design enables easy installation, even near energized lines and in remote areas.
Durability
Created to last decades with minimal degradation — even in extreme field conditions.
Flame Retardance
Engineered to slow flame spread, protecting infrastructure during wildfire and high-heat exposure.
Grid Resilience
Withstands high winds, ice storms, and environmental stress to help maintain power delivery.
Low Maintenance
Won’t rust, rot, or corrode, reducing ongoing inspection and replacement costs.
Pest Resistance
Naturally resistant to termites, birds, and rodents — no chemical treatments or coatings required.
Weatherability
Performs across hot, cold, wet, and salty environments without structural compromise.
Environmental & Safety Advantages
Made from non-conductive, non-toxic materials that improve field safety and reduce environmental risk during installation and at end-of-life disposal.
Lifecycle Cost
Long service life and minimal upkeep help lower total cost of ownership versus traditional pole materials.
Technology Edge
Composite technology, particularly fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), is transforming modern utility pole construction. Multi-layer FRP construction combines the strength and stiffness of fibers and woven fabrics with the protective properties of a polymer matrix. This results in poles that are not only strong and lightweight but also highly durable and resistant to corrosion.
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Pultruded Composite Poles: Engineered to Perform
The pultrusion manufacturing process is both efficient and customizable. In a continuous process, multiple glass fibers are pulled through a resin bath, heated, and formed to the desired diameter and wall thickness, then cut to the specific length required. Resin formulation and fiber volumes are customized to meet the unique application requirements of the utility pole, providing exceptional strength, durability, and environmental resilience compared to traditional pole materials.
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Investing in the Future: The Case for Composite Utility Poles
Choosing FRP composite utility poles means choosing strength, consistency, and long-term resilience. Unlike wood, steel, concrete, and ductile iron alternatives, fiberglass composite utility poles don’t warp, splinter, or degrade, even under extreme UV exposure, stress from environmental pests, or harsh weather events. For utilities, this translates to fewer replacements, reduced maintenance, and reliable grid dependability.
Featured Case Study
Case Study: Weathering the Storm
Reliability and resilience of electrical transmission & distribution components gets a boost with fiber-reinforced composites
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