The problem

Marine biodiversity is decreasing as a direct result of human activity, e.g. overfishing, habitat removal and global warming. Humans have significantly altered approximately 66% of the marine environment, and some ecosystems have been decimated, e.g. 50% of corals have been lost. Biodiversity loss leads to ecosystem degradation and a decrease in the socio-economic value of the ocean, e.g. reduced fisheries yields, reduced coastal protection and increased pollution/ deoxygenation.

The solution

We have developed a no-heat bioconcrete made from waste oyster shells, collected from local restaurants and fisheries, and natural marine binders. Since our formula does not require heat, it

releases a fraction of the CO2 compared to traditional concrete. In addition, unlike traditional concrete we do not use aggregates mined from other ecosystems, which damages those ecosystems. As our bioconcrete is made from natural marine ingredients it is perfect for use in the ocean. We plan to use our bioconcrete to 3D print artificial reefs to increase marine biodiversity and restore marine ecosystems damaged by human activity.

Target clients

Our target clients are governments aiming to improve the health of their marine environment, private companies aiming to become more environmentally friendly, and offshore wind farms looking for environmentally friendly scour protection.

The business model

We will charge an initial fee for our reefs based on design complexity and size. This will be followed by a subscription service where we will monitor reefs and provide videos and reports documenting their effect on marine biodiversity, which may be used in ESG reporting and marketing.

The team

A – has a BA in Architechtural Technology and a MSc in Architechture. She has over seven years of experience in the building industry and specialises in biodesign and sustainable materials, e.g. seaweed and seagrasses. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, e.g. Forbes and the BBC.

B - has a BSc in Marine Biology and Oceanography, an MSc in Oceanography and a PhD in Biogeochemistry. She has over twelve years of lab and field experience in marine science, specialising in anthropogenic impacts on corals and algae.

Status

We are in the development stage. We developed a prototype at home in our kitchens and are now working in a lab space at CPHLabs, Symbion, optimizing our bioconcrete formula. We aim to have deployed several test reefs in the sea by the end of this year.