Through its Spanish joint venture company URSSA-Fiberline, Fiberline Composites has supplied GRP profiles and grates for the Cueva de Oñati-Arrikrutz cave attraction in Spain, where a 400 m long walkway made of GRP profiles now takes visitors to a depth of 55 m.

GRP composite is the ideal material for this purpose as it does not become degraded by the humidity in the heavily corrosive atmosphere. At the same time, the strength of the profiles ensures a sturdy, non-slip walking surface for visitors to the impressive surroundings.

As well as enhancing the beauty of the cave the profiles’ pale grey colour constituted a major plus for the project as it made the walkway easier to assemble in what were dark and difficult lighting conditions.

The cramped conditions also ruled out the use of machinery inside the cave. All the profiles therefore had to be conveyed to the bottom of the cave manually, just like on an expedition to the unknown. In this context the low weight of the profiles was therefore a distinct advantage.

Well worth visiting
Thanks to the walkway, this amazing cave, which has yielded sensational finds including the complete skeleton of a prehistoric cave lion, parts of panther skeletons and large numbers of cave bear bones, can now be seen by visitors.

Since its opening in 2007 the cave has become a huge tourist attraction. A visitor centre has been built housing an exhibition, and from here parties of up to 20 visitors at a time can take a one-hour guided tour.

Walking through the cave, visitors have an opportunity to see unique geological formations, view the remains of extinct animal species, and learn about the history of the cave and the legends associated with it.

The cave is part of a 14 km long subterranean complex, only 500 metres of which is accessible to tourists.

• High corrosion resistance
• High strength and low weight
• Minimal maintenance
• Manually assembly possible