Allium Engineering Triples Bridge Lifespan with Stainless Steel-Clad Rebar Innovation

Allium Engineering

MIT-founded firm targets 100-year infrastructure with corrosion-resistant technology

Allium Engineering, a startup founded by two MIT PhDs, is transforming infrastructure durability with a patented stainless steel-clad rebar that could triple bridge lifespans from today’s typical 30 years to over 100 years.

The company’s innovation addresses a core vulnerability in reinforced concrete: rusting rebar. When conventional carbon steel rebar corrodes, it expands and cracks the surrounding concrete, leading to structural degradation and costly repairs. Allium’s solution: apply a thin stainless steel layer to traditional rebar, creating a product that is both corrosion-resistant and cost-efficient.

Proven Use in Projects and Carbon-Reduction Benefits

To date, over 100,000 pounds of Allium’s stainless steel-clad rebar have been installed in U.S. infrastructure projects. The company’s technology is compatible with existing steelmaking workflows, allowing mills and fabricators to scale production without significant capital investment.

Aside from extending structural lifespans, the technology also delivers climate benefits. By reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements, the rebar cuts embodied carbon emissions associated with traditional maintenance cycles.

A Scalable Leap Toward Sustainable Infrastructure

Allium’s breakthrough arrives at a critical time. With aging infrastructure across the U.S. and globally, governments are under pressure to build more resilient and sustainable public works. The stainless-clad rebar solution offers a viable alternative to high-maintenance carbon steel and costlier solid stainless rebar.

“Longer-lasting infrastructure means less steel, less concrete, and less carbon over a century,” said one of Allium’s founders. “It’s a win for civil engineers, taxpayers, and the environment.”

As the company expands commercial partnerships, its impact could reshape how bridges, tunnels, and buildings are constructed — with durability built into the foundation.