Artificial reef off Kiel strengthens ocean health

Holcim is active in pioneering work for the regeneration of oceans. In a pilot project, Holcim installed an artificial reef, approximately 20-m long, in Kiel-Friedrichsort, in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein.

The city of Kiel, as a maritime hub and starting point for the upcoming Ocean Race Europe, offered ideal conditions for the project. On the occasion of this event, Holcim donated the concrete elements and blocks, including their delivery and installation. The company thereby demonstrates how innovative solutions with concrete can make a direct contribution to combating the loss of marine biodiversity caused by the warming of bodies of waters.

The new reef, which covers approximately 24 m² of the seabed, incorporates various innovative coastal protection solutions from Holcim. It comprises around 400 Xblocs, several 3D-printed “Fish Hotels” and a fill of natural stones from Holcim. The Xblocs  used are manufactured with low-CO₂ concrete. Their unusual shape and concrete formula not only create particularly durable hydraulic structures, but also, thanks to their shape and arrangement underwater, provide structures with many small chambers and a particularly large surface area. Algae, aquatic plants, small organisms and ultimately larger species such as fish are given the opportunity to make their home here. The artificial reef in Kiel is designed specifically to strengthen the cod population and also to promote general biodiversity in the Baltic Sea. 

A stroke of luck for marine conservation

Alke Voss, Head of the Environmental Department for the City of Kiel, emphasizes: “The artificial reef at the Friedrichsort mooring site is a stroke of luck for marine conservation. It promotes biodiversity and the natural protection of the marine environment. Innovative projects like this show how sustainable coastal protection and nature conservation can go hand in hand – an important step for the preservation of our marine habitats.”

The aim is to gain valuable insights for marine conservation by comparing various materials in a multi-year monitoring program. “By constructing this artificial reef from our Xblocs, we are extending marine habitats and strengthen coastal protection at the same time. Kiel has proven to be an ideal location for this, and we would like to thank everyone involved for the smooth implementation of this project,” said Dr. Jens Ewert, Project Manager at Holcim Germany.