Why Experience Matters: Protecting Permadec’s GRP Expertise
Permadec has become a trusted name in GRP permanent formwork for major infrastructure and civil engineering projects across Australia, backed by more than 60 years of specialist experience within parent company EMJ Plastics Limited. From the Sydney Gateway Project and METRONET projects in Western Australia to the West Gate Tunnel Project in Melbourne and other significant projects throughout Australia, that experience combines proven GRP technology with specialist design, manufacturing and technical knowledge. It is expertise developed over decades – and expertise that EMJ has acted to protect through recent proceedings in the UK High Court.
More Than 60 Years of GRP Permanent Formwork Expertise
The expertise behind Permadec began in Great Britain more than six decades ago, with EMJ Plastics established in 1964 and becoming closely involved in the early development of reinforced GRP panels as permanent formwork.
Since then, the technology has continued to evolve, with Permadec GRP permanent formwork now supplied for more than 6,000 bridge and civil structures worldwide.
In Australia, Permadec has established a strong position within the infrastructure and civil engineering sector, providing bespoke permanent formwork solutions designed around the requirements of individual projects.
Australian projects include the Sydney Gateway Project, where Permadec designed, detailed, manufactured and supplied more than 14,000 m² of GRP permanent formwork across five structures, as well as Bayswater Station in Western Australia, the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge in Brisbane, the Majors Road Interchange in South Australia, and various bridge projects associated with major transport programmes in Victoria, including the West Gate Tunnel Project and the ongoing North East Link Project.
This track record is supported by specialist knowledge accumulated through decades of product development and practical project delivery. That knowledge has genuine commercial value, which is why EMJ Plastics took the decision to bring proceedings in the UK High Court to protect confidential information developed within the business.
UK High Court Findings Concerning Confidential Information
The High Court of Justice of England and Wales has now handed down its judgment, making significant findings concerning the copying and subsequent use of confidential EMJ information.
The Court found that former EMJ operations manager Ian Baggaley copied 11,579 EMJ files onto a Toshiba drive for use in a new competing business, Mekina Industries Ltd. It found that he acted in breach of confidence and contract, failed to return the material and subsequently used EMJ information at Mekina.
The Court also found former EMJ employee and Mekina co-founder Mark Johnson jointly liable for the use of confidential EMJ material. The judgment contains further findings concerning the subsequent use of EMJ information, including material reflected in marketing to potential customers.
EMJ and Permadec believe it is important to communicate those findings accurately and without embellishment. The evidence has been considered in detail by the UK High Court and the Court has reached its conclusions. The judgment speaks for itself.
Why Proven GRP Permanent Formwork Expertise Matters in Australia
Australia’s major transport and civil infrastructure projects demand solutions that combine safety, efficiency and technical performance. For Permadec, specialist expertise is therefore about much more than supplying a manufactured GRP panel.
Every Permadec permanent formwork solution is designed around project-specific requirements, drawing on knowledge of design, manufacture, application, installation and performance. The lightweight nature of GRP permanent formwork can support efficient installation and reduce requirements for heavy cranage, while bespoke panel design can minimise onsite cutting and labour. Permadec systems can also remove the need for access beneath the formwork during installation, an important consideration on complex bridge and infrastructure projects.
The value of that experience can be seen across Permadec’s Australian project portfolio.
On the Sydney Gateway Project, Permadec designed, detailed, manufactured and supplied more than 14,000 m² of GRP permanent formwork across five structures. At Bayswater Station in Western Australia in Western Australia, bespoke panels were supplied as part of the major METRONET programme. On Breakfast Creek Green Bridge in Brisbane, Permadec permanent formwork was installed from above, helping to reduce installation time and improve safety by removing the requirement to work beneath the bridge deck.
At the Majors Road Interchange in South Australia, Permadec supplied what was the state’s first installation of GRP permanent formwork, while the company’s Australian portfolio also includes various bridge projects associated with major transport programmes in Victoria, including the West Gate Tunnel Project and the ongoing North East Link Project.
These projects differ in scale, location and engineering requirements, but the principle behind them is consistent: specialist permanent formwork is supported by the technical expertise and project experience behind the product.
Protecting Confidential Information, Know-How and Intellectual Property
Businesses that invest in specialist engineering knowledge have a responsibility to protect the confidential information, intellectual property and know-how created through that investment and the work of their people.
For EMJ and Permadec, the UK High Court proceedings were therefore about more than a collection of files. They concerned information developed within a specialist business that has spent more than six decades investing in GRP technology, product development, technical expertise and customer relationships, and which the Court found had subsequently been used at Mekina.
Permadec supports fair competition. It also believes that how specialist businesses conduct themselves matters, particularly in industries where customers, contractors, engineers and infrastructure authorities depend upon technical capability and trusted relationships.
The UK High Court judgment
The High Court judgement is publicly available and its findings can be considered on their own merits. EMJ and Permadec do not need to add labels to those findings, but will continue to be clear about the importance they place on protecting legitimate confidential information and specialist expertise.
Proven Experience Across Australian Infrastructure
Permadec’s position in Australia is supported by a growing portfolio of major infrastructure projects and the wider international experience behind the system.
Permadec GRP permanent formwork is engineered and manufactured to meet project-specific requirements, with solutions available for standard bridge decks as well as haunched, cantilever and composite infill applications.
The system is designed to offer practical benefits during construction, including lightweight handling, reduced requirements for heavy cranage, efficient installation and bespoke manufacture to suit individual structures. Depending on project requirements, panels can also be installed offsite before beams are transported to their final location, providing further opportunities to reduce onsite operations.
This combination of proven technology, specialist engineering knowledge and practical project experience has enabled Permadec to work with major contractors, consultants and infrastructure organisations in Australia and internationally.
For customers, that provenance matters. Choosing a specialist GRP permanent formwork system is not simply a product decision; it means placing confidence in the technical capability, experience and support behind it.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Australia’s Infrastructure Future
Further matters arising from the UK High Court proceedings, including remedies, remain for the Court to determine. EMJ and Permadec will not speculate on those issues while the legal process continues.
In Australia, the focus remains firmly on customers and projects, and on continuing to provide specialist GRP permanent formwork solutions for bridges, transport infrastructure and civil engineering applications.
From more than 60 years of product development to the growing use of Permadec on major Australian infrastructure, the business continues to apply its experience to the practical challenges facing contractors, engineers and project teams.
The UK High Court judgment is an important part of protecting the expertise behind that work. Permadec’s priority is to continue developing it – supporting Australian customers, investing in technical knowledge and innovation, and delivering safe, efficient and proven GRP permanent formwork solutions for the infrastructure projects of the future.
Read the UK High Court judgment:
https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/ch/2026/2163?query=EMJ+plastics
Read the original EMJ Plastics article:
https://www.emjplastics.com/why-experience-matters-protecting-emjs-grp-expertise/
Explore Permadec GRP permanent formwork projects in Australia:
https://www.permadec.com.au/permadec/projects/