**The overreaching aim of this project is to develop industrial-scale application of cement-free geopolymer concrete composed of recycled aggregate (RA) and paper sludge ash (PSA) and activated with a waste silicate** (extracted from CRT and waste glass) for manufacturing concrete for breakwaters and other non-structural applications. **Virtus is a Liverpool based SME** proposing novel **geopolymer** technology (Geoblock) **that will completely replace the usage of conventional natural virgin aggregate as well as carbon-intensive conventional alkali solution** (which is essential for geopolymer concrete) with three waste streams that otherwise will go to landfill sites, in addition, to complete replacement of cement. **Geopolymer cement, an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC),** is synthesised through the alkali-activation of constituents. Geopolymer concrete (GC) is very resistant to an aggressive environment and considered eco-friendly **(CO2 emissions cut by 80% compared to OPC**). However, the activator solutions that are used for activating alumina-silicate material represent an area of real concern for the use of conventional geopolymer. The activator solutions provide the highest single contribution to geopolymer's embodied carbon dioxide. This project will develop the breakwater using novel cement-free geopolymer cement activated with waste alkali silicate activator and PSA with 100% recycled aggregates, with validated durability characteristics. **Liverpool City Region (LCR) is at the centre of the new government strategy for Freeports, and a worldwide renowned maritime hub, with a clear strategy for climate resilience in place**. The Geoblock is a new unique design for low carbon used to protect shorelines and coastal areas as well as other non-structural applications. Climate action pledges have been made by governments, local authorities and companies and **Geoblock can help and support the reduction of CO2** **emissions** in the atmosphere by using a new recycled concrete mix that works in seawater. **LCR based Virtus and its subsidiaries will be the first and only company globally to offer such technology**, making us the leading company in the sector with a unique new product that will help stakeholders fulfilling their carbon reduction pledge.

To create an innovative low carbon geopolymer concrete utilising 100% recycled material for use in interlocking concrete blocks and other products, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the products.

Although cement is a strong construction material, its manufacture produces the same weight of CO2 as it does cement (this was 5 billion tonnes last year). An alternative eco-friendly setting agent can be produced from sodium and aluminium silicates, that combine to form a geopolymer – a glassy rock-like material that can be made harder and more durable than concrete. We have identified an opportunity to produce geopolymer material in an exceptionally eco- friendly way by utilising waste streams from another recycling process – one developed by our sister company to remove toxic lead from CRT glass screens. Once the lead is removed and prepared for sale, they have a clean output stream of mixed silicates. Our project is to develop the method to prepare this silicate material into the form that it can be used to form a geopolymer. This geopolymer is intended to be stronger, denser, more resistant to chemical attack and more waterproof than concrete. We plan to develop it for use in our 1-tonne ‘Lego’ style interlocking blocks. These blocks provide an easy to install, flexible and re-usable construction system with unparalleled protection from impact, blast and water. It is suitable for temporary, emergency or permanent construction. It is a flexible & low cost construction system that is easy to use, quick & simple to build, dismantle & re-locate. Due to its unique interlocking design it can be dry laid, or it can be laid with mortar for a permanent solution. No maintenance is required. Two men can dry lay a 50-metre long 1.2m high wall in just 1 hour. It can be used for a wide variety of applications such as; • Flood Defence - permanent or mobile as part of Environment Agency’s strategy • Land Defence - landslide protection & erosion control (permanent or mobile) • Security & Construction - walls, compounds, barriers • Transport - road & culvert repairs, railway embankments, barriers • Bulk Storage & Segregation – construction; agriculture; recycling

Virtus Projects specialises in creation & sale of 100% recycled geopolymer block. Geopolymers are synthetic mineral polymers with characteristics suitable for use as fire & heat-resistant coatings and adhesives, high-temperature ceramics, binders for fire-resistant fiber composites, toxic/radioactive waste encapsulation & cements for concrete. We have developed a geopolymer concrete with a much lower carbon footprint than conventional concrete. Ours can be manufactured using waste streams such as recycled sand, fly ash, mining slag or sodium silicate rather than OPC. Our idea is to use recycled sodium silicate, to produce our geopolymer concrete and thus virtually eliminate its carbon burden. We aim to exploit the new technology by licensing to operate plants where recycled sodium silicate is available. Our technology will enable production of construction products that are 100% recycled, are lighter, stronger & more economical than OPC products.