Webinar: Challenges and Innovations in Coastal Protection

In this webinar, the panel of experts in applied coastal engineering explored challenges and solutions in coastal protection structures by discussing innovation, materials, modeling and design solutions.

Hear their insights and lessons learned from completing successful studies, innovation, designs, and construction of coastal defense projects having faced common challenges in marine construction worldwide.

 

Bas Hofland

Hofland presented on novel measurement techniques in evaluating coastal structures. He discussed developments of new types of units, aligning slope measurements, and sharing knowledge around new innovations. He expounded upon the benefits of regularly placed units and the importance of measuring uplift induced motion, toe sliding, and rocking of single protection units. He emphasized the value of research on different aspects of coastal protection, and the necessity of sharing developments between stakeholders to produce the best outcome (see the coastal and hydraulic engineering journal he started here).

See Bas’ recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

Jeroen van den Bos

Coming from his background as a breakwater designer and an academic, van den Bos presented on a research interest of his in coastal structure design, numerical modelling. He focused on rubble mound structures and using OpenFOAM as the main modelling tool. He affirmed that computer modelling needs to be combined with physical models, but argued that the two complement each other and could improve engineering flow. However, the status of numerical modelling remains largely academic and is not used in everyday engineering workflows. He elaborated on why, and provided a case study about artificial reefs to show the potential of numerical modelling.

See Jeroen’s recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

Bas Reedijk and Pieter Bakker

Pieter gave a presentation, while Bas joined for the Q&A session at the end, on multi functional wave protection. Pieter spoke about the challenges climate change is producing for coastal protection, and highlights ecological, sustainable solutions such as soft or hybrid structures. He shared that his team at DMC now focus on coastal structures that have high resilience and reliability, low maintenance needs, and are economical, aesthetic, as well as ecological.

See Pieter’s recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

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ECOncrete Featured in Solar Impulse Foundation’s ‘Prêt à Voter’ Initiative

The Solar Impulse Foundation chose ECOncrete as the solution to address ‘Water & Biodiversity’ challenges in France.

Our concrete technology was identified as one of 50 clean and efficient solutions presented to newly elected French legislators accompanied by environmental policy recommendations. This initiative is part of Solar Impulse’s larger mission to raise awareness of innovations that simultaneously protect the environment and promote economic growth. Read about the project below and download the full report (in French).

 

 

“The success of the ecological transition no longer depends today on the continuous development of new technological solutions, but rather on the creation of conditions that make it possible to implement these solutions and to take advantage of all the benefits that accompany them.”

-Prêt à Voter website

Visit https://solarimpulse.com/pret-a-voter to learn more.

Q&A with CEO and Co-Founder Ido Sella

Our Co-Founder and CEO, Ido Sella, and late Shimrit Perkol-Finkel were selected as co-finalists for the European Inventor Award 2022. The award is one of Europe’s most prestigious innovation prizes. Launched by the European Patent Office (‘EPO’) in 2006, it honors individuals and teams behind solutions tackling some of the biggest challenges of our times. Here are six questions for Ido regarding his invention of bio-enhancing concrete technology for sustainable marine construction.

1. From what age did you get interested in marine biology?
I was fascinated by nature from an early age … I grew up in Jerusalem with dozens of aquariums and terrariums in my room, and spent every weekend at the sea.

2. When did you start to think your ideas may be worth pursuing?
Our goal from day one was to make an impact. To solve a global problem that we had recognized in our research.
After our first experiments with concrete, it was obvious that a technology could be developed, as a more responsible way to build marine infrastructure.
It took almost 3 years until we had proof of concept and something that had the potential to be accepted by the market.
We then had to decide how to move forward with our innovation: we felt the best way was to make it a viable business case. We also considered implementing it as a non-profit organization. But we decided that a for-profit entity allows us to be more sustainable and efficient.

3. The idea you’ve been nominated for – why this idea now? When we started our research, the negative ecological impact of manmade waterfronts was not a mainstream discussion. 70% of coastal infrastructure is concrete based, and the negative impact of concrete on marine ecology was recognized many years ago. The last year’s massive coastal developments seen worldwide due to rising sea levels and increased storminess made this problem more acute, and our invention even more relevant.

4. What is the biggest difficulty you have had to overcome?
When we were starting out, we were marine biologists, looking to create a product that in itself has very little to do with marine biology – we needed to learn everything about concrete and to become savvy in engineering, construction procedures, materials shipping, and many other new fields that were completely new for us. Stepping into an engineering office as marine biologists – and convincing them to build in a better way – is not an easy task.

5. Have you ever slept in the office?
Considering that part of our work is done on boats – of course.

6. What would winning this award mean to you? And to your colleagues?
This award for me is all about the partnership Shimrit and I had, doing the research, diving head-on into unfamiliar fields, and memorializing her as the ideal partner and a groundbreaking woman and scientist.
So this award, for me, is another testimony of what she achieved – and what a terrible loss it is that she’s not with us anymore.

Official Website ‘European Inventor Award’ >>

Webinar: Nature-Inclusive Design

Three experts speak about landscape architecture projects designed to support and regenerate the surrounding environment. Watch our webinar to gain unique insight into different planning processes focusing on responsible construction initiatives along the water.

 

Fokko van der Goot

Fokko spoke about the principle of building with nature, and an application in Demak, Indonesia where traditional farming methods led to ground subsidence, flooding and erosion. The solution combined mangrove restoration and training of local farmers in sustainable aquaculture of fish and shrimp ponds. The project thus incorporated coastal engineering methods with a social-educational approach in a successful collaboration between local, national and international partners. The result: shoreline stabilization, higher quantity and quality of local sea produce, and a threefold increase in farmers’ income.

Fokko van der Goot, Senior Environmental Engineer at Boskalis, a maritime infrastructure company, and Programme Manager at environmental engineering company EcoShape.

Watch Fokko’s recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

Edmundo Colón Izquierdo

Edmundo presented on advocacy as a tool for raising environmental awareness, building coalitions and implementing responsible design. Two major hurricanes hit Puerto Rico in 2017, releasing funds for the completion of unfinished infrastructure projects. One such project is a decades-old plan of the Río Piedras by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Edmundo partnered with other locals to form the Alianza por la Cuenca del Río Piedras: a network of professionals providing both information and technical assistance to local communities, stakeholders and the USACE project team.

Edmundo Colón Izquierdo is the principal and co-founder of multidisciplinary company Eco, He is an architect, a landscape architect and associate professor at the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico’s Landscape Architecture Graduate Program and Architecture School.

Watch Edmundo’s recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

Gena Wirth

Gena spoke about design for invertebrates. While small and seemingly insignificant, invertebrates are crucial to the survival of human life on Earth. They aid in pivotal biological processes such as pollination, pest control, and medicine and research. Planning and construction projects often overlook invertebrate habitats, putting a vast percentage of their populations at risk. However, landscape design that supports invertebrates is possible. Gena showcased several projects integrating healthy invertebrate environments into the overall design. One such project proposed that landowners devote 30% of their back yard to diverse insect habitats.

Gena Wirth, Design Principal at SCAPE Landscape Architecture, is an advocate for ecological systems design, and the translation of research into practice

Watch Gina’s recorded presentation on YouTube ->

 

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ECOncrete Selected to Present at Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina

We are proud to be among the esteemed group to be presenting at the second annual Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina conference. ECOncrete’s technology will be showcased to a network of entrepreneurs, investors and public authorities. The goal of the initiative and conference is to exhibit innovations, particularly in marina, water management and coastal infrastructure industries.

Last year’s inaugural marina conference was a success, with 55 startups in attendance, hailing from 30 countries. Industry representatives contributed as well, and 160 live virtual meetings took place. This year, Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina will be held again at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco and will host 50 startups, in addition to marina owners and developers.

 

 

As a center of the marina industry, Monaco is emphasizing the innovation of effective, user-friendly and environmentally conscious marinas. This event will allow top designers in the field to present their ideas and inventions.

Along with the conference, ECOncrete will be featured in an exclusive e-catalogue that highlights 50 startups worldwide. The program itself includes lectures, workshops and demonstrations, in addition to an award ceremony.

ECOncrete’s bio-enhancing technology proves itself already in marine infrastructure projects around the world. As a recent example, a vertical breakwater enhanced with ECOncrete technology was installed in the IGY Malaga Marina in Spain. Thanks to ECOncrete, the new marina infrastructure encourages (rather than discourages) aquatic life to thrive and enhances biodiversity, enabling important ecosystem services, while at the same time strengthening the structure.

The Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina conference will be a two-day forum on September 25-26, 2022. We look forward to attending, presenting, and meeting likeminded innovators and project owners sharing our mission: to enable necessary concrete construction in a responsible and sustainable way – in harmony with the environment.

 

Further reading:

Ido Sella and Shimrit Perkol Finkel Nominated For European Inventor Award

We are thrilled to share the news that ECOncrete’s co-founders and co-innovators Ido Sella and the late Shimrit Perkol-Finkel are nominated by the European Patent Office (EPO) for the European Inventor Award 2022.

The award is one of Europe’s most prestigious innovation prizes. Launched by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2006, it honors individuals and teams behind solutions tackling some of the biggest challenges of our times.

Ido and Shimrit’s invention, ‘concrete technology to encourage marine biodiversity,’ was judged by a panel of former award winners based on its contribution toward technical progress, social and sustainable development and economic prosperity.

The EPO’s recognition of ECOncrete®’s invention not only reflects its revolutionary properties among a mission-critical net zero market; importantly, it also evidences growing global awareness about subsea innovations capable of protecting our oceanic ecosystems through nature-inspired, biomimetic design.

“Through research and innovation, Sella and Perkol-Finkel have transformed a standard construction material into a shelter for marine life,” says EPO President António Campinos, announcing the European Inventor Award 2022 finalists. “as marine construction is a growing sector, this invention has the potential to make a wide impact and improve the industry’s environmental footprint on a global scale.”

Ido Sella said in a short statement: “I just wish Shimrit was here with us to see the appreciation our innovation and technology is receiving – especially now in a time when the world needs sustainable marine construction technology more than ever.

Shimrit and I had been studying the impact of coastal infrastructure on the marine ecosystem, and searching for a solution since we were students, and it was her main focus until the last day when she left the office.

The nomination is a great honor. We thank the EPO and the jury for selecting our technology. Congratulations to the other nominees and their groundbreaking work!”

Official Website ‘European Inventor Award’ >>

 

Offshore Concrete Solutions for UK Net Zero

The May issue of the Concrete Journal carries a lead article written by our Dr. Andrew Rella, Coastal and Environmental Engineer.

In the article – A Nature Inspired Approach to Offshore Concrete Solutions for UK Net Zero – Dr. Rella looks at whether UK government pledges to ‘Build Back Greener’ and pursue Net Zero ambitions have overlooked an important engineering opportunity: ecological concrete for offshore infrastructure.

UK Government and corporate spending has focused heavily on growing installed offshore wind capacity and more recently on floating wind projects. However, the concrete subsea structures anchoring Britain’s wind power revolution could be approached more innovatively.

“If UK offshore wind is to be truly sustainable and we are to meet our long-term net-zero goals, ecological materials and nature-inspired design need to come as standard”

‘High-performance ecological concrete technologies can be applied to any concrete marine infrastructure to increase strength and durability while simultaneously transforming them into bases for a thriving marine ecosystem and active carbon sink’ Dr. Rella explains.

‘These technologies are also scalable and cost effective. They are already enhancing marine life in breakwaters, ports and offshore infrastructure … and larger CAPEX offshore project developers are paying attention.

‘The UK is targeting offshore wind expansion towards a goal of 40GW in 2030 and 65-125GW by 2050 … innovative structures using concrete technologies that deliver nature inclusive design and lasting performance ought to become industry standard now.’

The full article is available here Concrete_Journal_May2022

Find out more about ECOncrete Offshore Applications

Webinar: Designing Resilient and Sustainable Marine Infrastructure

On March 8th we started with the first episode of our Technical Webinar Series: Designing Resilient and Sustainable Coastal, Marine & Offshore Infrastructure – High-Profile Experts Discuss Best Practices.

In our first webinar of 2022, hosted by ECOncrete’s Dr. Andrew Rella, Heather Weitzner and Karin O’Brian, expert speakers shared their insights and experiences regarding design, implementation, and maintenance of resilient coastal protection. The presentations and discussion encompassed the social, recreational, and ecological aspects of design. We also discussed techniques for sustainable energy production through responsible offshore infrastructure development.

The discussion reinforced that a resilient and sustainable design is grounded in maintaining structural standards, understanding the function of the marine environment, and the benefits provided to society.

 


Click here to watch the full webinar on YouTube

Expert Speakers

Dr. Todd Bridges / US Army Corps of Engineers
Senior Research Scientist (ST), Environmental ScienceDr. Todd Bridges is a Senior Professional (ST) within the U.S. Army, where his responsibilities include leading research, development and environmental initiatives for the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). He is the National Lead for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineering With Nature® (EWN®) Initiative, which includes a network of research, field-scale applications, collaborations, and communication activities to advance nature-based solutions.

Cole Roberts / ARUP
Americas Energy Business Leader
Cole Roberts leads Energy Business for Arup in North and South America. He is also the energy and sustainability team leader in Arup’s San Francisco office. Specializing in design, planning, and consultation in the new and existing built environment, Cole has contributed to hundreds of projects that are positively shaping the world. His work ranging from individual buildings to climate positive communities, from energy and climate policy to in-the-ground infrastructure, is recognized as unconventional, inspiring, and synergistic.

Joseph Sutkowi / Waterfront Alliance
Waterfront Design Associate Director
Joseph Sutkowi leads the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program, the gold standard for resilient, accessible, and ecologically sound waterfront design. Joseph collaborates with project architects, engineers, and sponsors on waterfront projects and partners with agencies, financial institutions, and municipalities on incentives to encourage resilience. Previously, Joseph was a senior consultant at Karp Strategies, a New York City-based urban planning and economic development consulting firm where he led projects in infrastructure and sustainability.

 

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Study Shows: Urbanization Impairs Biological Rhythms In Coral Holobionts

A new study led by ECOncrete’s Head of Biology, Marine Biologist Dr. Yaeli Rosenberg and Prof. Oren Levy, recently made some waves: it shows that while some urban corals appear healthy, their natural biorhythms are being disrupted by coastal urbanisation. 

The study investigates the impacts of urban proximity on corals and its findings warrant grave concern for their future.

Coral reefs are in global decline due to climate change and those located close to coastal cities or other densely populated areas face a range of additional challenges.

Head of Biology: Yaeli Rosenberg

Marine Biologist Dr. Yaeli Rosenberg

While considerable progress has been made in understanding coral responses to acute individual stressors, the impacts of chronic exposure to a wider range of lesser investigated sensory pollutants remains largely unknown.

In order to address this, the research team conducted an in-natura study while sampling at a daily, monthly, and seasonal cycles to compare biorhythms corals from an urban area to corals from a non-urban area.

Although corals surveyed in urban areas appeared relatively healthy, their natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems were extensively disturbed.

Urban corals: biorhythms are being destroyed

Urban corals: biorhythms are being destroyed

Transcriptomic and physiological data indicated poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles and loss or shifted seasonality of vital biological processes.

The research team also observed altered seasonality patterns in the microbiomes of the urban corals, signifying the impact of urbanization on the holobiont – the host and species living within and not the coral host alone.

The findings from the comprehensive analyses undertaken in this study ought to raise alarm among the marine scientific community at large. The study highlights how much more we have to learn about the long-term impacts of sensory pollution on the resilience and survival of coral reefs close to coastal communities.

Get the full paper on the journal page or reach out to us for more information.

Author credits: Dr. Yaeli Rosenberg with Prof. Oren Levy, Director of the Marine Lab at Bar-Ilan’s Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, led the team, which included Dr. Shahar Alon (Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Engineering); Prof. Aldo Shemesh’s lab (Weizmann Institute of Science), the Bioinformatic Services Unit (University of Haifa), Prof. Chris Voolstra’s lab (University of Konstanz, Germany), and Prof. David Miller’s lab (ARC Centre of Excellence for James Cook University in Queensland, Australia). This research was supported by a grant to Levy from the Israeli Science Foundation.

ECOncrete’s US Team Members Are WEDG Certified

We are proud to announce that ECOncrete® US team members are WEDG certified! WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) is the gold standard for excellence in resilient, accessible, and ecologically sound waterfront design. WEDG is a program developed by the Waterfront Alliance.

The Waterfront Alliance, a New York City-based non-profit organization working to inspire and effect resilient, revitalized, and accessible coastlines for all communities, is improving public and private decision-making at the water’s edge in coastal regions across the nation through WEDG, the first science-based voluntary rating system and set of guidelines of its kind. ECOncrete’s ties to WEDG run deep, being partners in the development of Brooklyn Bridge Park; the first WEDG certified project, as well as being long time participants at the annual Waterfront Alliance conference.

Our US-based team has successfully completed the WEDG Professional Course which includes training in:

  • How WEDG standards can be applied to all types of waterfront projects
  • Using WEDG strategies to adapt waterfront projects from the risks of climate change from a multi-disciplinary approach.
  • Reinforce the value of planning communities with resilient, ecological, and accessible design
Balding man kneeling next to a tidepool on the coast, writing on a clipboard

Monitoring at the Brooklyn Bridge Park ECOncrete installation

As WEDG Associates, we join a growing community of innovators in the fields of waterfront planning, design, engineering, and community development designing for a resilient 2050+.

What is WEDG?

The Waterfront Alliance developed WEDG which stands for the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines. WEDG is a “voluntary rating system and set of guidelines to address these challenges at the project scale“ (https://wedg.waterfrontalliance.org/about/). WEDG’s guidance inspires projects to incorporate eco-conscious materials and resources in order to preserve neighboring habitats and biological integrity. The key pillars and multidisciplinary approach allows WEDG to strategically evaluate a project’s need without compromising any surrounding environmental factors. The organization’s ethos for resilience, ecology, and access fuse the priorities for practical design that complements natural integrity. 

 

How Does It Work?

“LEED” guidelines, – or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – provides a framework to design smarter, energy efficient green buildings. LEED certification achievements are globally recognized as a gold standard for building sustainability. WEDG hopes to apply the same criteria and approach to waterfront projects. WEDG is a tool for developers, local stakeholders and the public to collaborate on early project planning and design. WEDG keeps the project conversation simple, by breaking down the science and design criteria into digestible comprehensive project alternatives. 

 

New York’s WEDG Pledge

New York is known for being a trend setting city whether in fashion, the arts, policy and all things modernization. Post Hurricane Sandy, New York aggressively looked to groups like Waterfront Alliance for innovation and storm prevention ideas to protect against sea level rise. The WEDG projects throughout New York have incorporated progressive design aesthetics that literally pave the way for great success stories such as the Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre park along New York’s East River, with a stunning viewshed and recreational access. The Park’s renovations included sustainably hardening the pier, piles and bulkheads to prolong structural integrity, while also replanting native grasses and plants to encourage ecological health and habitat use for birds and other wildlife. 

Similar momentum through the WEDG Pledge campaign is happening with the Brooklyn Borough Board, who have adopted the WEDG Pledge campaign requiring new waterfront projects to implement WEDG best practices for resilience, ecology, and access. Waterfront Alliance began visiting local community boards and borough boards around the city to demonstrate the WEDG model and Harbor Scorecard. The team explained how WEDG can help communities plan for smarter ecosystem based designs and advocate for more “resilient, equitable, and accessible waterfront development” (https://waterfrontalliance.org/2018/12/13/vote-yes-for-wedg/). 

The Waterfront Alliance started encouraging community boards to take the WEDG Pledge by adopting plans that would require waterfront projects to consider utilizing WEDG early in the design process and acquire the WEDG certification. The community voice is at the heart of this campaign and continues driving momentum to improve waterfront development. The WEDG manual is a free resource which motivates communities to strive for sound waterfront development and better infrastructure planning. The Waterfront Alliance galvanized support by bringing the WEDG Pledge campaign and draft resolutions to both the Brooklyn Borough Board and Bronx Borough Board. Sure enough, Community Boards throughout the region are taking the WEDG Pledge and adopting resolutions to protect and their communities’ rights to access and sustainable waterfront development. Coney Island recently declared its regional plans to vote in favor of the Brooklyn Borough Board resolution on WEDG!

 

Join the Conversation!

ECOncrete is proud to be among the firsts companies to take the WEDG pledge and commit to resilient, accessible, and healthy waterfronts! Using ecological concrete provides equally strong substrate for waterfront restoration, while also providing suitable habitat sources for biota that naturally improve coastal resilience. Having biologically sound structural components allows maritime ports and harbors to have the strength of steel but with all the natural benefits. Learn more about ECOncrete’s impact and how to get involved with WEDG at our website!

More about WEDG here: https://wedg.waterfrontalliance.org/

See ECOncrete’s WEDG certified project: https://econcretetech.com/projects/brooklyn-public-park-renovation/

And in this case study post: https://econcretetech.com/blogcat/case-study-reconciling-urban-spaces-and-natural-habitats-at-brooklyn-bridge-park/

 

WEDG® and the related logo are trademarks owned by the Waterfront Alliance and are used with permission.

Next-Generation Port Infrastructure: “Living Ports” In Vigo

One of our most visible projects in 2022 will be the EU-funded Living Ports project in Vigo (Spain) where ECOncrete leads a consortium developing, installing and monitoring next-generation port infrastructure with eco-friendly concrete.

The construction at the Port of Vigo is scheduled to last pretty much all of 2022, including the casting of the concrete elements and installation. We will keep you up to date with visuals and background information in our blog, in our social media-feeds, and with our dedicated LivingPorts.eu website.

Pioneering Work For Marine Infrastructure At The Port of Vigo

In alignment with the EU Green Deal, Marine Directive, and Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, de-risking and scaling of environmentally-sensitive industrialization projects is an urgent priority. The Living Ports project is designed to catalyze a fundamental change in the coastal and marine  infrastructure industry’s operations, by shifting away from obsolete “grey” construction and towards nature-inclusive infrastructure with structural,  environmental, and socio-economic co-benefits.

ECOncrete Leading “Living Ports” Consortium

The consortium under the lead of ECOncrete won funding from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 funds. It is built of four partners from three countries:

  • ECOncrete, the project coordinator, technology provider for ecological coastal and marine infrastructure solutions.
  • Port of Vigo, one of Europe’s busiest and greenest ports.
  • Cardama Shipyard, a Spanish shipbuilding and ship repair company.
  • Technical University  of Denmark (DTU) Civil Engineering and Aquatic Resources Institutes.

 

Living Ports Steering Committee Meeting in Port of Vigo (Spain)

Two Large-Scale Demonstration Sites At Port Of Vigo

Site 1) – ECOncrete Seawalls of 330 m² or 3,600 sqft – that will quickly develop into a lively ecosystem – with an underwater monitoring and community outreach deck developed by Cardama Shipyard, attracting visitors from near and far building awareness and demonstrating to the community that “blue change” is possible.

Site 2) – 100 ECOncrete Coastalock units provide coastal stabilization as well as habitat creation and ecological uplift in the port.

During the three-year project (2021- 2024), biological, structural and first of a kind noise pollution reduction monitoring will be conducted between the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and ECOncrete.

For up to date information please sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media and visit the Living Ports website:

 

ECOncrete Seawall element

Coastalock units deployed in San Diego (USA)

Sustainability In Offshore Wind Parks Construction – ECOncrete Featured in “Energy Global”

“The use of ecological concrete is essential for solving the problem of renewable energy.”

Climate change has never been more globally recognized than it is today. Concerted efforts to transfer to renewable energy have resulted in a nearly 30% growth in the offshore wind industry over the last 10 years. This growth represents a trend away from fossil fuels and towards meeting goals set by the recent COP26.

However, in an article published in “Energy Global” (Winter 2021), Dr. Ido Sella discusses an emerging problem: The gigantic offshore wind turbines require massive concrete foundations to remain upright and stable, which in turn can pose a serious threat to the marine ecosystem.

ECOncrete is a pioneering start-up delivering high-performance ecological concrete technology: “By incorporating ecological concrete, instead of ordinary concrete, for all anchoring and maintenance procedures, the renewables industry can significantly reduce its overall environmental impact.”

Renewable energy is a crucial factor to reduce carbon emissions, but we cannot do it at the cost of the marine ecosystem, otherwise we will only shift the problem, not solve it.

Click to read the full article in “Energy Global” Winter 2021 issue on page 48ff

Scientific Study: Positive Impact Of Ecological Articulated Concrete Block Mattresses

A new peer-reviewed scientific paper proves the positive impact of ecologically engineered articulated concrete block mattresses (ACBM). The study was published by a team led by Marine Biologist Dr. Ido Sella PhD, ECOncrete Co-Founder and CEO, and Coastal Engineer Dr. Andrew Rella, Technical Business Development Director of ECOncrete, in cooperation with the NOVA University in Florida.

The study found that mattresses designed and manufactured by ECOncrete significantly elevate the ecological value of concrete-based coastal and marine infrastructure due to modifications of the concrete composition, surface texture and macro-design. The results have important implications for promoting a more sustainable and adaptive approach to coastal and marine development in an era of climate resilience building.

In the paper, the team present a structural-economical-biological analysis of ecologically engineered Articulated Concrete Block Mattresses (ACBM) to examine the compliance of new environmentally sensitive technologies with structural requirements and fiscal restraints, whilst providing ecosystem and habitat value. The innovative solution was developed as a joint research and development process between ECOncrete and Besser, the leading manufacturer of production systems and equipment for the concrete industry.  The research was funded in part by the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial R&D Foundation (BIRD).

Monitoring Ecological Concrete Block Mattresses

To evaluate the structural and biological performance of the ACBMs, a pilot project was deployed in April 2017 at Port Everglades, Florida, USA in conjunction with NOVA University and evaluated against controls of adjacent artificial structures and smooth-surface concrete blocks and monitored over a period of two years.  A subsequent multi-year pilot project was later deployed in Neptune, New Jersey, USA in 2018 to offer validation in varying environmental conditions and whose results will be presented separately.

The ecological ACBMs were enhanced through the environmentally sensitive concrete solutions previously developed and validated by ECOncrete, including bio-enhancing concrete additives and biomimicry designs, scientifically proven to enhance the biological and ecological value of urban, coastal, and marine infrastructure.

For a Richer And More Diverse Ecosystem

Following two years of monitoring and analysis, the ACBMs were shown to have a wide range of environmental benefits – significantly increasing optimism amongst industry leaders looking to fight rising climate change concerns.

The surface features of ECOncrete facilitated development of an eco-system significantly different from those recruited on the control blocks, presenting higher values of species richness and diversity. Furthermore, there was a higher presence of calcifying organisms compared to the control blocks, which grew at a faster rate. In addition to habitat value, the chemical process of biocalcification (biogenic build-up) of calcitic skeletons utilises the CO2 molecules from the seawater to generate CaCO3 skeletons, essentially removing atmospheric CO2.

Get the full paper on the journal page or reach out to us for more information.