Translucent GRC and Other New Materials: Unlocking a New Blue Ocean for Architectural Light and Shadow Art Applications

Technology empowers material innovation, and light-transmitting GRC gives building envelopes both aesthetic and functional value. As architectural design develops toward personalization and artistic expression, traditional GRC materials can no longer meet the creative demands of high-end projects, giving rise to new materials such as light-transmitting GRC. As a technology leader in the GRC industry, Qinglong Group has been deeply engaged in new material R&D, holds 58 patented technologies, and has accumulated rich experience in the development and application of light-transmitting GRC and other products, unlocking more possibilities for architectural design.

# Technical Breakthroughs and Performance Advantages of Light-Transmitting GRC Light-transmitting GRC achieves uniform light transmission by embedding light-guiding fibers in the base material or using special light-transmitting aggregates, combining the lightweight, high-strength properties of GRC with artistic light-transmission effects. Qinglong's light-transmitting GRC products achieve a light transmittance of 15%-30% and flexural strength ≥12MPa, with customizable surface textures and colors. Compared with traditional light-transmitting materials, light-transmitting GRC achieves Class A fire resistance, offers strong weather resistance, adapts to extreme environments from -40℃ to 70℃, and has a service life of over 20 years. In the Shanghai New World Nanjing East Road Century Plaza project, Qinglong applied similar light-transmitting technology to UHPC components, achieving artistic light-transmission effects through manually embedded light guide rods, providing valuable experience for the development of light-transmitting GRC.

# Expanding Core Application Scenarios of Light-Transmitting GRC The unique properties of light-transmitting GRC give it broad application prospects across multiple fields. In commercial complexes, it can be used for atrium domes and curtain wall decoration. For example, Guangzhou Dongzhu Shangdu Commercial City adopted light-transmitting GRC cladding panels to create dreamlike light and shadow effects, enhancing the appeal of the commercial space. In the public building sector, the light-transmitting GRC components at the Library and Information Center of Dali University in Yunnan bring natural light indoors, achieving unity of energy saving and aesthetics. In landscape decoration, light-transmitting GRC can be made into landscape pavilions, benches and other components, creating immersive atmospheres with lighting at night—for example, the light-transmitting GRC landscape facilities in the Xinjiang River Ecological Restoration Project in Yiyang County have become popular photo spots. In addition, light-transmitting GRC can also be applied to high-end projects such as hotels, museums and cultural venues, meeting diverse design needs.

# R&D and Application Trends of New GRC Materials Beyond light-transmitting GRC, Qinglong is also committed to developing new products such as antibacterial GRC and integrated thermal insulation GRC. Antibacterial GRC contains nano antibacterial agents that inhibit bacterial growth, making it suitable for hospitals, food processing plants and similar facilities, while integrated thermal insulation GRC incorporates a composite insulation layer, integrating decorative and thermal insulation functions to reduce building energy consumption. In the future, new GRC materials will develop toward multifunctional integration and green, low-carbon directions, such as power-generating GRC components combining photovoltaic technology and eco-friendly GRC products made from recycled materials. With national policy support for green buildings and new building materials, market demand for new GRC materials will continue to grow, with the market size expected to increase at an annual rate of over 15% in the next 5 years.

# Qinglong's Technical Assurance and Project Practice Qinglong has provincial-level R&D centers and engineering technology centers, and has established a comprehensive new GRC material R&D system with full control from raw material selection and formula optimization to process innovation. In the production of light-transmitting GRC, high-precision molds and automated forming processes ensure light transmission uniformity and component precision. During construction, BIM technology simulates installation, combined with 3D laser scanning positioning, to achieve precise installation. To date, Qinglong has undertaken multiple new GRC material application projects, such as the light-transmitting GRC decorative components at Nanning Wuxiang China Resources MixC, which have been highly recognized by owners and designers, setting a benchmark for the industry.

The emergence of new materials such as light-transmitting GRC provides more creative space for architectural design and drives the GRC industry toward high-end, differentiated development. Qinglong Group will continue to invest in R&D, overcome technical bottlenecks in new materials, and expand application scenarios, providing designers and owners with more innovative, high-performance GRC solutions and leading the industry into a new era of material innovation.