Creating low-cost, interlocking, relocatable barrier blocks, from 100% recycled materials, using novel geopolymer from recycled CRT glass

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Althoughcement is a strong construction material, its manufacture produces the same weightof CO2 as it does cement (this was 5 billion tonnes last year). An alternative eco-friendlysetting agent can be produced from sodium and aluminium silicates, that combine to form ageopolymer – a glassy rock-like material that can be made harder and more durable thanconcrete.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 byour sister company to remove toxic lead from CRT glass screens. Once the lead is removedand prepared for sale, they have a clean output stream of mixed silicates. Our project is todevelop the method to prepare this silicate material into the form that it can be used to form ageopolymer.This geopolymer is intended to be stronger, denser, more resistant to chemical attack andmore waterproof than concrete. We plan to develop it for use in our 1-tonne ‘Lego’ styleinterlocking blocks.These blocks provide an easy to install, flexible and re-usable construction system withunparalleled protection from impact, blast and water. It is suitable for temporary, emergencyor 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 bedry 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 widevariety 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