Protecting our coastlines: a strategic challenge

Today, more than 40% of the world’s population lives within 100 km of the coast.
With urbanization, tourism, and growing maritime trade, this proportion keeps increasing.

In the face of sea level rise, more frequent storms, and coastal degradation, shoreline infrastructures are increasingly exposed:

ports and maritime terminals,

seaside resorts,

seafront hotels,

coastal roads and defense structures.

👉 Protecting these areas sustainably means safeguarding billions of euros in infrastructure, ensuring the safety of coastal communities, and preserving the attractiveness of territories.

 

 

 

STARBLOCK™: a patented innovation for coastal resilience

The STARBLOCK™ is a new-generation concrete protection block, designed to:
✅ dissipate wave energy,
✅ preserve beaches,
✅ foster marine biodiversity.

As a patented innovation, STARBLOCK™ provides owners and engineers with an exclusive solution, the result of advanced research and development to meet the challenges of our coastlines.

 

An effective response against erosion

  • Its starfish-like shape breaks waves and reduces their impact on the shore.

  • It helps slow down erosion, stabilize banks, and protect exposed infrastructures, even in high-energy environments.

  • Its efficiency has been validated under extreme conditions in independent tests.

 

An artificial reef that restores marine life

Beyond protection, STARBLOCK™ acts as a biological support:

  • Its cavities and shaded areas encourage the settlement of corals, algae, and marine species.

  • It becomes a shelter for biodiversity and supports small-scale local fisheries.

  • It contributes to the restoration of degraded ecosystems.

👉 A solution where engineering and ecology work hand in hand.

 

Simple and fast deployment

  • Local production under process control.

  • Placement without specific orientation, unlike other technical blocks.

  • No need for specialized equipment → reduced installation time and costs.

 

A reversible and adaptable solution

  • STARBLOCK™ can be moved or removed if necessary.

  • It provides flexible, reversible, and discreet protection, ideal for sensitive areas, tourist sites, or evolving developments.

 

Proven efficiency in laboratory testing

Tests conducted at the SeaTech Laboratory, University of Toulon, demonstrated:

  • Exceptional stability, beyond expectations, even under extreme conditions;

  • Absorption of up to 90% of wave energy with blocks fully submerged → an effective, discreet, and landscape-friendly solution.

👉 On sites where STARBLOCK™ breakwaters can emerge above water, wave attenuation can reach 100%.

 

 

On sites where an above-water STARBLOCK™ breakwater is allowed, wave energy absorption is 100%.

 

Multiple applications

The STARBLOCK™ is a versatile solution that can be implemented in various contexts:

  • Submerged breakwaters to dissipate wave energy before reaching the shore,

  • Toe protection for breakwaters, replacing natural rock armor,

  • Artificial reefs for diving areas and biodiversity enhancement,

  • Beach stabilization in tourist areas,

  • Mangrove protection and preservation of threatened coastal ecosystems.

👉 This flexibility allows STARBLOCK™ to adapt to each project and environment.

 

A cost-effective and durable solution

  • Optimized concrete volume: STARBLOCK™’s geometry maximizes efficiency with less material.

  • Reduced transport costs: possible local production near the site.

  • Long lifespan: robust design with stable performance over decades.

  • Low maintenance: once deployed, STARBLOCK™ requires minimal intervention.

 

An environmentally respectful process

  • Special concrete formulation with reduced pH, favoring the settlement of marine organisms.

  • Compatibility with existing ecosystems: STARBLOCK™ can be deployed to avoid seagrass meadows (e.g. Posidonia) or other sensitive areas.

  • Ecological restoration: actively contributes to creating marine habitats.

 

Comprehensive expertise with CLAS

Beyond the block itself, CLAS provides end-to-end support:

  • Preliminary studies and design of deployment plans,

  • Locally supervised production to ensure technical compliance,

  • Training and skills transfer for local teams,

  • Monitoring and certification of works to validate their execution and performance.

👉 Each project benefits from a secure technical and legal framework, while strengthening the autonomy of project owners.