May 1, 2025 · 6 min read
Making concrete structures last: How CP Advice extends the life of buildings and infrastructure
In a construction market facing increasing pressure - from a shortage of new buildings to the aging infrastructure - the smartest investment is often not in something new, but in making the most of what already exists. That’s where CP Advice (CPA) delivers exceptional value for its clients.
Key outcomes
- 20 - 30 years extended lifespan for concrete structures
- Up to 75% lower costs compared to full replacement
- 85% reduced CO₂ emissions by preserving instead of rebuilding
The challenge: aging structures, growing expectations
The Netherlands is facing increasing challenges in maintaining its critical infrastructure. Hundreds of bridges, viaducts, and tunnels - many built decades ago using outdated construction methods - are now showing signs of aging and degradation. Recent reports and incidents have highlighted structural weaknesses and the growing need for more frequent inspections and preventive maintenance to avoid failures and disruptions1.
Completely rebuilding these concrete structures is not only extremely costly but also environmentally taxing. The construction sector accounts for approximately 40% of global CO₂ emissions2, making it one of the most carbon-intensive industries worldwide. Extending the safe and compliant use of existing infrastructure - rather than opting for demolition and replacement- has therefore become a strategic priority for municipalities and infrastructure managers.
The CPA solution: expertise + technology
CP Advice is a trusted advisor to infrastructure managers, building owners, housing corporations, and asset operators. With a unique combination of technical expertise and intelligent hardware solutions, CPA helps clients extend the usable life of concrete buildings, bridges, and road structures across the Netherlands and Belgium.
At the core of CPA’s offering is a proven method for managing corrosion in reinforced concrete. By applying a carefully regulated electric current to the steel embedded in concrete (a technique known as cathodic protection), CPA halts corrosion, helping to preserve structural integrity and avoid repair and maintenance. This process is dynamically adjusted based on real-time and historical data about the health of the concrete, ensuring optimal performance over time.
This is more than a product - it’s a service led by human expertise. CPA’s technical advisors interpret sensor data, guide clients through optimization decisions, and ensure compliance with construction norms and safety regulations.
Tangible client benefits
For CPA’s clients, this translates into real, measurable outcomes:
- Extended lifespan of concrete structures, avoiding premature demolition
- Lower maintenance costs, thanks to early warning signals and preventive action
- Increased safety and compliance, aligned with EU construction standards
- Lower carbon footprint by avoiding waste and emissions from reconstruction
- Smarter asset management, with support from experts who know how to act on the data
Technology with a human touch: CPA × Blockbax
To enable this solution at scale - and to ensure maximum value for clients - CPA partners with Blockbax, a smart platform that connects the physical world to the cloud in real time.
Blockbax enables secure, two-way data exchange between CPA’s field hardware and their advisory team. This makes it possible to monitor structures remotely, visualize long-term trends, and instantly adapt protection levels based on changing conditions.
Most importantly, the system is flexible and user-friendly: clients don’t have to manage complex dashboards. Instead, they get clear advice and concrete results - all powered by clean, real-time data and supported by CPA’s deep technical knowledge.
CP stops corrosion and generates data about the construction's health and exposure. What to do, when to do it and monitoring effectiveness of maintenance with easy-to-understand dashboards. Data Driven Asset Management is now available for concrete constructions as well.
Real-World example
CPA and Blockbax helped a large maintenance service partner, responsible for over 40 cathodic protection installations across the Netherlands, to regain full control over their asset management. The assets included aging apartment buildings and parking garages, many of which had reached the end of their originally intended lifespans.
Faced with growing maintenance needs, the challenge was clear: ensure structural integrity without triggering the need for costly full replacements. CPA’s expertise, powered by Blockbax’s smart platform, allowed the client to extend the lifespan of these assets by an additional 20 - 30 years - safely and cost-effectively.
Importantly, the reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) was a key driver for this strategy:
- Replacement costs would have required investments far exceeding the original construction costs, adjusted for inflation.
- With preventive maintenance costs staying well below 25% of replacement value, extending the structures’ lifespan was by far the smarter and more sustainable option.
The key outcomes include a 20–30-year extension of the lifespan of concrete structures, cost savings of up to 75% compared to full replacement, and an 85% reduction in CO₂ emissions by preserving rather than rebuilding. Today, all critical data is accessible through a simple, user-friendly dashboard, enabling smarter, data-driven asset management at scale.
Longer life for concrete assets
CPA’s mission is simple: help clients get more out of the concrete structures they already own. Whether it’s an apartment block, a viaduct, or a tunnel wall, CPA applies smart corrosion control, remote monitoring, and decades of expertise to maximize safety, sustainability, and value.
With a partner like Blockbax providing the flexible data infrastructure, CPA can deliver a modern, responsive service - one that’s trusted by clients in both public and private sectors across the Netherlands and Belgium.
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