In last week’s hustle, we realized we failed to report the finalized scrap number for April… Please accept our apologies for our delinquency!!!
April Chicago shredded scrap posted down $20/ton from March at $430/ton. The move was expected, as scrap collections had dramatically improved with the weather, and now collections have outpaced demand from the mills. As such, mills were cancelling unshipped March orders and setting newer lower pricing for April. Despite the decline in scrap, across the country, rebar mills are reporting full backlogs and solid shipments of rebar. We do not expect this current scrap decline to have any impact this month on mill rebar pricing, as mills are quick to point out they did not reap the full benefits of the increases on the way up.
We will continue to keep you posted on events that impact the rebar market. Have a great week!
As the second quarter of 2026 begins, the rebar market remains healthy. Demand continues to be strong in the market, with many reporting solid backlogs to start the construction season. The supply picture continues to improve as imports are starting to emerge that were purchased in the fall of last season and additional capacities come online. Pricing remains high relative to history, but the market demand has been solid enough to absorb most of the increase. Buyers are anxiously looking ahead to determine the direction the market will head for the balance of the year in the face of the larger economic and geopolitical landscape the country is facing.
The domestic mills remain “full” to start the second quarter. They successfully navigated the slower Q1 season without having to reduce prices; however, the last $30/ton increase from February continues to face challenges to “stick” fully in many regions. Any concessions the mills may offer are being more than offset by rising logistics costs due to higher fuel prices and a shortage of drivers. Pricing to the end market remains high to start Q2. The spread between finished pricing and raw materials remains at or near an all-time high as a testimony to how solid demand remains for domestic products. Mills eagerly await an expected strong uptick in demand in the construction months ahead to continue to drive prices and maintain strong backlogs. Mill lead times have reduced to a more manageable level to start April.
On the import front, cargos continue to arrive that were booked late last season. They currently provide pricing value compared to the domestic offerings; however, the tons arriving are limited, and future tons are questionable. New activity/bookings on the import market have come to a halt since the escalation in Iran. The increase in fuel prices and the disruption with the shipping lanes have driven average ocean freight rates $40-$60/ton higher globally. That increase is too much for the US market to accept, and foreign mills have no room to lower pricing to help offset it. The result is basically zero concluded new shipments since the conflict began. Until it is resolved and freight rates go lower, do not expect additional relief from import material, which is limiting the perceived availability of the material that is on the water. Expect that import will be a lessening factor on the rebar market if the tensions continue in the Middle East.
On the scrap front, pricing looks to have peaked and is now expected to come off. With the improved overall weather conditions heading into the spring, collections are improving and supply is increasing. Mills are quick to try and push down pricing that was driven up in the winter months. Most expect that there will be gradual decline in scrap and that product demand is too good to merit a collapse. The early prediction for April is a decline of $10-20/ton. It is doubtful that mills will be pressured by such a decline, as they did not follow the increases fully on the way up. Scrap is expected to post final early next week, and we will report it accordingly.
Comments Off on The Rise of GFRP: When to Swap Steel for Fiberglass Rebar
Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebar, also known as fiberglass rebar, is a type of synthetic rebar made from a polymeric resin and strengthened with continuous glass fibers. While traditional steel rebar has been used for over a century to reinforce concrete structures and improve their structural integrity, fiberglass rebar has become an increasingly popular alternative to steel in recent years due to the numerous advantages it can provide. In particular, GFRP is favored due to its enhanced strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and sustainability.
If you’re unfamiliar with GFRP rebar, you may find yourself wondering when you should swap steel for fiberglass rebar. Keep reading as we explore the advantages GFRP provides over steel, and when you should choose it.
When To Use GFRP
While fiberglass rebar has been around for decades, it has seen a steady rise in popularity over the last few years, particularly due to its corrosion resistance. A few instances where GFRP rebar is preferred include:
High corrosion environments. GFRP rebar is ideal for high corrosion environments such as coastal, marine, and chemical plant applications where saltwater or industrial chemicals would cause steel to rust and expand, destroying the concrete structure.
Non-magnetic/non-conductive material is required. Fiberglass rebar is also ideal for use in areas where non-conductive materials are required, such as MRI rooms, laboratories, and electrical substations.
Weight sensitivity. GFRP rebar should also be used in applications where material weight is a concern. Since fiberglass rebar weighs up to four times less than steel, GFRP is the ideal choice for projects that require lightweight materials. Fiberglass is also preferred when working with smaller crews, as it is easier to handle.
Benefits of GFRP Over Steel
When deciding whether to use steel or GFRP rebar, you’ll have to consider the pros and cons of each option. While steel rebar has traditionally been the product of choice, GFRP has been shown to provide several key benefits over steel rebar, including:
High strength-to-weight ratio. While GFRP is significantly lighter than steel, it also has a higher tensile strength. This makes it an extremely efficient choice that can ensure long-term structural integrity of your building and reduce transportation costs and construction time.
Long-term cost efficiency. Fiberglass rebar requires less maintenance and repairs, and it can last up to three times as long as steel. GFRP is then a better long-term investment than steel rebar.
Low environmental impact. As green building projects become more popular, this has led to an increased demand for fiberglass rebar, as GFRP production has a lower carbon footprint and requires less energy consumption than steel.
Significant Upfront Savings: A Cost-Effective Steel Alternative
One of the most persistent myths in the construction industry is that GFRP is always more expensive than steel. In reality, modern manufacturing advancements have made fiberglass rebar significantly less expensive than steel for many applications. When you factor in the current market volatility of steel prices, GFRP offers a stable, budget-friendly alternative that can lower your initial material spend.
Beyond the price per foot, GFRP delivers immediate upfront savings through:
Reduced Freight Costs: Because GFRP is up to 75% lighter than steel, you can ship significantly more material per load, slashing transportation expenses.
Lower Labor Costs: The lightweight nature of fiberglass allows crews to move, place, and tie the rebar faster and with less specialized heavy equipment.
No Premium for Protection: Unlike epoxy-coated or stainless steel rebar which carry heavy price premiums to fight corrosion. GFRP is naturally corrosion-proof at a fraction of the cost.
For contractors and developers looking to protect their margins without sacrificing performance, swapping to GFRP is often the most fiscally responsible move from day one.
Contact Adelphia Metals To Learn More
Steel rebar has seen a rise in popularity in recent years as contractors discover the unique benefits it provides over steel rebar, particularly in corrosive coastal and marine environments. While the decision of whether to use steel or GFRP rebar will ultimately come down to the unique requirements of your construction project, fiberglass can prove to be a superior option in many instances due to its strength-to-weight ratio, long-term cost benefits, and sustainability.
If you need help choosing between steel and fiberglass rebar, Adelphia Metals is here to assist. With over 30 years of experience in the reinforced concrete industry and an obsession with quality and customer service, our team can help you choose the right materials for your project.
Chicago shredded scrap posted final today for March at $450/ton…. No change from February. The non-movement was expected in recent weeks as scrap flows improved with the weather throughout much of the country. Mills are likely going to try to maintain current pricing moving forward, as they will face some headwind with import arrivals and an improving overall supply picture. The non-movement in scrap will help their argument. Expectations for scrap moving forward are likely downward pressure in the months ahead, and mills will be satisfied if able to hold the line on price for the time being.
We will continue to keep you posted on developments that affect rebar. In the meantime, have a great weekend!
As March begins, the rebar market remains strong in several regions. While terrible weather plagued much of the East Coast in February, that was not enough to deter sentiment throughout the entire country, with most regions reporting solid demand, tight but adequate supply, and a solid backlog moving out of the winter season. Throwing in some pent-up demand from the East Coast after the seasonal stall, most view the rebar market as very bullish heading into the spring months. Recent events in Iran as well as the ruling by the Supreme Court on tariffs earlier this month are expected to have little impact currently on the rebar market, neither positively nor negatively.
On the domestic side, pricing remains high after the January price increases are fully in play. In some regions the price is facing headwinds, especially those where weather has been a factor. As a result of the pressure on the January price increases, mills have yet to increase pricing from the February scrap price bump of $30/ton. Rather, they are looking to create price stability in the face of upcoming import supply pressure as well as domestic capacity increases that are now helping to grow the overall supply picture. In general, lead times have reduced, and mills are now back to more normal lead times on rebar with their rolling despite still being sold out on upcoming rollings.
On the import front, foreign mills are looking to increase pricing from offerings 30-60 days ago. The pressure of 50% tariffs and rising freight costs are pushing the transactional prices up. With domestic mills holding the line on pricing in February, the import increases are failing to garner attraction from US buyers for this go-around. As such, there has been a lull in new bookings in the latter part of February, and expectations are that the summer import arrivals will plateau after an initial bump in import arrival volumes to start the season.
On the scrap front, upward pricing on scrap appears to have paused. The weather that negatively impacted collections is now facing the inevitable improvement with the shift heading into spring. While most do not expect a big change for March, the longer outlook looks to be heading down into spring. This trend is not uncommon in the steel market, with rising scrap in the winter due to tight collections, followed by an easing in the spring. 2026 appears to be following that trend. We will update you when scrap does post the final to start in March.
In the meantime, have a great start to the week and the month!
