Demand for infrastructure is growing, as are concerns around the climate, making the need for efficient and sustainable towns, cities and services in Ireland ever more pressing. As government gears up to spend to modernise what materials will support the big push? How can we build wisely, support growth and still meet Ireland's ambitious climate targets?

Despite recent improvements and pressure on government spending, there still remains an exciting opportunity for transformative improvements across the nation. Sectors such as housing, transport, and energy to name but a few are ripe for change, expansion and upgrade.

Modernisation across these areas will be a critical component of economic health and a key factor in reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions and meeting its climate commitments. However, as we undertake this transformation, the materials chosen for construction and maintenance must be resilient and sustainable too, making options such as galvanized steel increasingly relevant. An original green solution, its durability, cost-efficiency, and sustainability make it more suitable than ever. 

Durable, cost-efficient and more

Hot-dip galvanizing creates a metallurgically bonded coating, offering superior corrosion resistance and a remarkably long lifespan.

The coating protects steel from environmental factors that cause corrosion, ensuring important steel components ranging from structural steel sections, balconies, appliances and fasteners remain intact for decades.

It is particularly useful in a maritime climate like Ireland’s, where exposure to moisture can accelerate rust. Infrastructure built with galvanized steel demands no maintenance, leading to significant cost savings over time. More importantly, fewer disruptions to services – often caused by infrastructure repairs –mean greater operational efficiency.

Due to its durability, galvanized steel aligns exceptionally well with the circular economy. Galvanized steel can be reused and repurposed multiple times, offering flexible solutions for future modular construction.

In fact, it can be argued that galvanizing makes steel more reusable, and components that have reached the end of their design life, can be uninstalled, regalvanized and returned to the original use.

See the galvanizing process in action

For those curious about the galvanizing process, there is an opportunity to see it in action. Galvanizing plants across Ireland are hosting an Open Day on September 26, offering a chance to witness hot dip galvanizing first-hand. This is an excellent opportunity for engineers and industry professionals to deepen their understanding of how this process contributes to modern infrastructure.

CPD presentations

Additionally, Galvanizers Association offers free CPD approved seminars for those who want to formalise their knowledge of the process and its applications. Book CPD  – Corrosion Protection of Steel by Hot Dip Galvanizing.

As Ireland embarks on the ambitious task of modernising its built environment, durable and sustainable materials like galvanized steel will be crucial in building an infrastructure that lasts.