The critically important COP26 Conference is quickly approaching, alongside long-term sustainability goals set by the UK government to be achieved by 2050. It is evident that the outcomes of these will be that innovation and sustainability should be key areas of focus in modern construction, particularly as the sector focuses their efforts into decarbonisation of buildings.

Carbon emitted from existing buildings make a significant contribution to the UK’s total emissions, demonstrating the need for green retrofitting on a massive scale if we are to reach net-zero by 2050.

Innovation and sustainability are two elements that are engrained in C-Probe System’s products and values, as they provide low carbon and smart corrosion protection and monitoring products. These whole life systems are retrofitted in existing buildings, using the technique of cathodic protection to protect a range of existing masonry and concrete structures, whether it be heritage buildings, marine jetties or bridges.

70% of infrastructure damage is due to corrosion, and it is apparent that this issue isn’t discussed enough. The UK, London in particular, is full of ageing buildings made of concrete and stone which all be affected by corrosion one way or the other. Even though the main focus of C-Probe’s technology is to mitigate and prevent corrosion, it simultaneously helps to retain tonnes of embodied carbon which is stored in existing buildings.

This is done via LoCem®, which is the base formulation for a family of low carbon alkali-activated cementitious materials (AACMs), blended from industrial waste by-products with no heat to provide repair mortars and concretes that offer over 90% CO2e reduction compared to CEM 1. The use of low carbon build materials and the sustainable outcomes of C-Probe’s work aligns with vital Environmental Social Governance (ESG) policy, whilst contributing to the principles of a Circular Economy where buildings are constantly reused instead of unnecessary repairs and new construction.

Graeme Jones, CEO of C-Probe Systems Ltd, provides a comment on the sustainable efforts from his company and what they have achieved in past projects:

“We have calculated that at full capacity and applied to the objective of preserving embodied carbon with sustainable corrosion protection, our contribution as a business to Net Zero will be over 10gigatonnes of CO2e reduction by 2050.

“Couple this to the positive impact of repurposing waste without added energy from ambient blending and the reduced use of water in the mix design of AACMs, C-Probe is proud of the potential to significantly impact climate change with sustainably resilient structures.”

LoCem® is a completely unique repair material that not only has low carbon credentials compared to traditional cement, but it also doubles up as an anode material. This helps create effective corrosion protection for a range of structures. C-Probe has multiple products that fit within the restoration market, repairing, and strengthening structures for the long-term. C-Probe’s +point® anode operates as an Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) repointing mortar for heritage stone and brick buildings which have fallen victim to structural corrosion of the internal steel frame. All products can be integrated with C-Probe’s embeddable corrosion monitoring & open network control systems (Achilles Suite of Structural Healthcare Systems). These are managed online offering whole-life performance data and tracking using the data server (AiMS).

C-Probe will be attending the Green Retrofitting and Property Decarbonisation Conference to discuss how they can mitigate and monitor corrosion problems to achieve sustainable and more resilient structures. Ensure you visit C-Probe Systems at Stand 18!