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The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA, Arlington, Virg., U.S.),  (ACI, Farmington Hills, Mich., U.S.), and NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop and deploy a new plant certification program. The agreement sets the framework of an important partnership to establish a plant certification program for producers of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bars and tendons for use in concrete.   

ACMA, ACI and NEx each agree the program should comply with applicable ANSI, ISO or AASHTO/NTPEP requirements for a plant certification program and should be developed under the auspices of a Standards Developing Organization. This new certification program aims to accelerate the adoption and use of FRP composite bars and tendons. 

“This endeavor challenges our industry to certify manufacturers to standards which future nonmetallic building materials can abide by,” says Jerzy Zemajtis, executive director, NEx: An ACI Center of Excellence for Nonmetallic Building Materials. “NEx, ACMA and ACI are committed to improving the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public at large and to facilitate the needs of the market, and this agreement is a major step in that direction.” 

“The plant certification program will expand opportunities for composites and establish clear standards for producers across the composites manufacturing industry,” adds Cindy L. Squires, Esq., president and CEO, ACMA. 

Learn more about ACMA’s efforts in improving nonmetallic solutions at , or visit  to learn more about ACI’s resources on nonmetallics in concrete.