Avient, ReForm Composites accelerate TPC adoption in construction
ReForm’s pultrusion technology with Avient’s composite materials enables curved continuous fiber TPC profiles demonstrated in the PolyDowel infrastructure project.
Dowel installation. Source | Avient Corp., ReForm Composites Engineering
Avient Corp. (Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.) has successfully collaborated with customer ReForm Engineering Composites LLC (Bangor, Maine, U.S.), a company specializing in engineering and manufacturing continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composite solutions that are cost-effective and adaptable across concrete infrastructure applications in the construction market.
ReForm processes CFRTP laminate materials into continuous profiles with its patented continuous forming machine (CFM), a thermoplastic pultrusion technology. By integrating in-line thermoforming, the CFM enables curves, complex shapes and multi-geometry designs, surpassing traditional pultrusion technology, which is typically limited to producing straight profiles. Building on these capabilities, ReForm is advancing CFRTP applications that leverage the material’s lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties to support the next generation of concrete infrastructure.
A recent success for ReForm is The PolyDowel, a CFRTP dowel for flat slab concrete construction, that was produced by ReForm using CFM and Avient’s Polystrand continuous fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic laminates. The TPC laminates are precision-cut to specific widths by Avient to enable a seamless manufacturing process and minimize scrap. The resulting TPC dowels provide optimal durability and corrosion resistance to improve concrete joint performance compared to traditional steel alternatives.
The first demonstrator installation of The PolyDowel was completed in early 2025 as part of a high-traffic entertainment infrastructure project, validating its field performance. The PolyDowel has also been installed in Port St. Lucie, Florida, at the Mattamy Homes Heart of Tradition plaza, home to the iconic Heart in the Park, the world’s tallest heart sculpture
“Construction has traditionally faced challenges adopting composites due to cost sensitivities for building projects,” says Cody Sheltra, CEO of ReForm. “Through our collaboration with Avient, we have delivered a cost-effective solution that brings the performance of advanced composites to concrete reinforcement, helping accelerate adoption in this market.”
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