“Codes and specifications are the backbone of the construction industry”, Antonio Nanni, University

Antonio Nanni: First, you make me feel old, which is the undeniable truth! On a personal level, the most signifi cant part of my career has been working at the intersection of two very diff erent materials: concrete and composites. For the industry, my most signifi cant contribution has been the eff ort to
codify innovation through the development of standards and specifications. I firmly believe that this is the most critical tool for advancing technology and ensuring its safe adoption. My team and I have consistently focused on moving groundbreaking research into offi cial standards, which is a process of
fundamental importance.

We now know that GFRP solutions are crucial for the industry. But what initially drew you to work so intensely on these materials, especially at a time when they weren’t as widely developed as they are
today?

A.N.: My journey with Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) began in the early 1990s, during a two-year assignment in Japan. It was there that I truly recognised the pivotal role that composites could play
in the construction industry, particularly in their synergy with concrete. Initially, my work focused on using composites for repair, rehabilitation and strengthening of existing infrastructure, where they were externally bonded to the structures. This was a logical starting point because the repair industry has fewer constraints than new construction. From the beginning of the 21st century, our focus shift ed to new construction and the use of internal reinforcement with GFRP bars. Th is transition was a more diffi cult environment in terms of permitting and regulatory approvals. However, the adoption of GFRP has become a real opportunity, especially in addressing the critical issue of steel corrosion. Th is isn’t
about replacing steel entirely, but about using the right material for the right application. GFRP and steel are tools in a toolbox, each with its own specific use cases. We’re at the beginning of what I believe will be a revolutionary period for the construction industry, where GFRP will become a fundamental part of the future.