As part of our commitment to delivering world-class partnerships to the New Zealand and Australian construction sectors, SRS Group recently travelled to Zurich, Switzerland. Our team met with long-term partners, Carbo Link, to bridge the gap between global carbon fibre innovation and local project delivery.
In January, Alice and Luke from SRS visited Carbo Link in Zurich for a series of in-depth technical sessions. The goal was simple. Build capability together, validate performance through hands-on testing, and bring stronger, more efficient structural solutions home to our projects in New Zealand and Australia.
Carbo Link is a specialist in high-performance carbon fibre reinforced plastic systems. The visit reinforced how real-world testing and close technical cooperation translate directly into confidence for next-generation structural solutions.
What we focused on
Across the day, Arne and the Carbo Link team shared detailed insight into the development of carbon fibre reinforced plastic systems. We explored performance under fatigue loading, long-term durability, and behaviour under extreme forces. These topics matter for bridges and critical infrastructure, where performance and reliability over many decades are essential.
Beyond bridges: Wider applications and manufacturing
Our discussions went well beyond bridge systems such as CL Bridge and CL Restrap. We looked at marine rigging, where corrosion resistance, low weight, and high tensile strength deliver clear advantages in harsh environments.
We also spent time on manufacturing capability. Carbo Link works with complex geometries and interfaces, including the precision machining of components that connect to carbon systems. This includes producing highly accurate parts from materials such as titanium using advanced multi-axis CNC processes. These capabilities are critical when integrating carbon fibre elements into demanding load paths where tolerances and alignment must be tightly controlled.
CL Bridge: Carbon fibre structural rods for network arch bridges
A key focus was the CL Bridge system. These carbon fibre structural rods are developed for network arch bridges and are increasingly specified on rail and road projects where fatigue performance, weight reduction, and long design life are essential.
Compared to traditional steel hangers, carbon fibre structural rods provide exceptional fatigue resistance and immunity to corrosion. This allows for reduced cross sections, lower self-weight, and greater flexibility in network arch bridge design. The result is a more efficient structural system with reduced maintenance and extended service life.
We reviewed how these rods are designed, tested, and validated for long-term use, including their application on fully suspended network arch bridges already in service internationally.
CL Restrap: Carbon fibre post tensioning for strengthening
We also examined the CL Restrap system. It is an external post-tensioning solution manufactured from carbon fibre reinforced plastic loops for structural strengthening when steel systems are limited by corrosion, access constraints, or weight.
CL Restrap can be used for shear strengthening, confinement, and external post tensioning of beams, silos, tanks, and chimneys. It’s very lightweight, corrosion resistant, and excellent fatigue behaviour make it well suited to retrofit projects where long-term durability is critical.
Strength proven through testing
A highlight of the visit was a hands-on test with Carbo Link. Luke manually tensioned a CL Restrap loop using a hydraulic ram. The tension member ultimately failed at nearly 50 tonnes, significantly above the expected value. This was a clear demonstration of performance, reliability, and safety margins.
Watch the video below:
Experiences like this capture the essence of our partnership. Combining detailed engineering knowledge with practical verification builds clarity and confidence for the complex infrastructure projects we support across New Zealand and Australia.
What this means for our clients
The visit reaffirmed our commitment to bringing advanced, proven technologies to local projects. Carbon fibre structural rods and post tensioning systems offer durability, fatigue resistance, and weight reduction advantages, particularly for bridges and infrastructure in harsh environments. By maintaining close relationships with specialists like Carbo Link, we can support design teams with solutions that align with international best practices and rigorous technical standards.
Thank you
Our thanks to Arne and the Carbo Link team for their time and openness. The knowledge gained will directly inform how we apply carbon fibre solutions across bridge, infrastructure, and structural strengthening projects in the years ahead.
Integrating Carbo Link technology into your next project
At SRS Group, our partnership with Carbo Link allows us to offer end-to-end support for complex builds. We combine these world-leading materials with our core local capabilities:
- Technical Design: We work alongside engineers and architects to integrate carbon fibre systems into bespoke project specifications.
- Structural Rod Systems: Beyond carbon fibre, we provide a full range of high-strength rod solutions for modern infrastructure.
- Custom Cable Manufacture: Our expertise in cable systems ensures that every connection, whether carbon or steel, is manufactured to the highest safety standards.
Want to learn more about our global network? Visit our Partnerships page or contact our technical team today.
