A 3D printed terracotta tile used in Abu Dhabi, UAE
ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment company, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the region’s largest environmental regulator, and Archireef, a climate technology company based in Hong Kong, have deployed artificial 3D printed terracotta reef tiles to aid coral restoration in the Persian Gulf off the shore of Abu Dhabi.
The tiles were designed by a team of marine biologists and architects and produced through custom 3D clay printing in Archireef’s new production facility.
Natalie Levy works with artificial, terracotta reefs to restore life in the Red Sea.
The partnership between ADQ and Archireef funds research and development of eco-engineering solutions for marine biodiversity restoration – combining scientific research with the use of the latest technologies in 3D printing, IoT, and AI.
Related: Artificial Reefs in the Red Sea
“Our partnership with Archireef brings a unique and innovative coral restoration method to Abu Dhabi to safeguard our Emirate’s natural environment and promote sustainable development. It is a memorable moment for ADQ to be part of this project providing a lifeline to endangered coral reefs, which is the first of its kind in the UAE and the wider region.
Underlining our commitment to adopting practical solutions powered by R&D and innovation to address environmental challenges, this biodiversity restoration initiative aligns with our ESG aspirations, and we believe it will have a positive impact not only on our planet but also on local communities we operate in,” said Anas Jawdat Albarguthi, Chief Operating Officer at ADQ.
In contrast to other types of artificial reefs, the 3D printed terracotta reef tiles are environmentally friendly and engineered to closely mimic the natural pattern of corals and prevent sedimentation build-up, which is a major threat for corals. It basically chokes them.
The plantation site is at Um Khorah Island in the Al Dhafra Region, in Abu Dhabi, housing around 1,200 coral fragments grown in specialized nurseries, owned by EAD.
Abu Dhabi waters are home to 34 different types of hard coral. In 2017 alone, the Emirate lost most of its corak, 73% of its reefs, due to mass coral bleaching, caused by an increase in water temperature due to climate change, manmade coastal disruption and the shipping industry and pollution.
