Uploaded May 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
As over half of the world’s population resides around our coastlines, along with the threats of sea level rise and extreme weather conditions, the need for armoring coastal areas is growing rapidly. These coastal defense systems include breakwaters, seawalls and revetments.
ECOncrete’s articulated concrete mattresses are designed to provide coastline stabilization, erosion control, and protection of offshore infrastructure while supporting growth of rich flora and fauna and enhancing biodiversity. The articulated mattresses, each weighing a few metric tons, are made up of hundreds of individual concrete precast units laced together, designed to comply with strict marine construction standards and achieve targeted biological goals.
As of all other ECOncrete’s products (a FAST-COMPANY 2019 Honoree), The bio enhancing articulated concrete mattresses differ from traditional concrete units in three aspects, that together contribute to its environmental and ecological uplift; Material composition, Surface texture and Macro design. ECOncrete’s patented admix is designed to mitigate the effect of Portland cement and other concrete additives, and to mimic characteristics of natural substrate. ECOncrete technology has been fully tested in both temperate and tropical waters, showing excellent biological and structural results. The rough surface texture of the units as well as the patented macro design support marine life by providing various sized niches and crevices, similar to those found in natural environments.
One of the innovations of the bio-enhancing articulated marine mattress units is in the manufacturing process, as this is the first time ECOncrete’s patented technology has been used in a dry cast system for mass manufacturing, allowing for economically efficient production. Furthermore, this process allows for manufacturing in concrete plants worldwide minimizing transportation costs and CO2 emissions of both the raw materials and the final product.
Pilots of the bio-mats have been placed and monitored in New Jersey and Florida (USA), showing excellent results both in terms of coastal protection and in ecological uplift of subtidal and intertidal areas. As analyzed in these pilot sites, the mats permute the settlement of calcitic depositing organisms such as oysters and tube worms and taking advantage of a natural process called bio protection, these calcitic deposits create a protective layer, strengthening the concrete and lowering maintenance costs.
Following the pilots testing, the units have been released to market in July of 2018. The nature of the product, composed of multiple concrete units, allows for tailor made adjustments to the product size, and orientation that accommodate specific project needs, saving installation time and costs.
ECOncrete’s articulated concrete mattresses were chosen to be a part of the USA pavilion in the 2018 Vince Architectural Biennale, where they were recognized for changing the way we are developing our coastlines, one brick at a time, as they bring concrete to life. The unit design is fully scalable, and the product can be easily manufactured worldwide in a competitive price. Taking its aspiration from nature, this unique product opens a new era of coastal construction, where sustainable infrastructure provides a living solution to one of the world’s greatest challenges.
As over half of the world’s population resides around our coastlines, along with the threats of sea level rise and extreme weather conditions, the need for armoring coastal areas is growing rapidly. These coastal defense systems include breakwaters, seawalls and revetments.
ECOncrete’s articulated concrete mattresses are designed to provide coastline stabilization, erosion control, and protection of offshore infrastructure while supporting growth of rich flora and fauna and enhancing biodiversity. The articulated mattresses, each weighing a few metric tons, are made up of hundreds of individual concrete precast units laced together, designed to comply with strict marine construction standards and achieve targeted biological goals.
As of all other ECOncrete’s products (a FAST-COMPANY 2019 Honoree), The bio enhancing articulated concrete mattresses differ from traditional concrete units in three aspects, that together contribute to its environmental and ecological uplift; Material composition, Surface texture and Macro design. ECOncrete’s patented admix is designed to mitigate the effect of Portland cement and other concrete additives, and to mimic characteristics of natural substrate. ECOncrete technology has been fully tested in both temperate and tropical waters, showing excellent biological and structural results. The rough surface texture of the units as well as the patented macro design support marine life by providing various sized niches and crevices, similar to those found in natural environments.
One of the innovations of the bio-enhancing articulated marine mattress units is in the manufacturing process, as this is the first time ECOncrete’s patented technology has been used in a dry cast system for mass manufacturing, allowing for economically efficient production. Furthermore, this process allows for manufacturing in concrete plants worldwide minimizing transportation costs and CO2 emissions of both the raw materials and the final product.
Pilots of the bio-mats have been placed and monitored in New Jersey and Florida (USA), showing excellent results both in terms of coastal protection and in ecological uplift of subtidal and intertidal areas. As analyzed in these pilot sites, the mats permute the settlement of calcitic depositing organisms such as oysters and tube worms and taking advantage of a natural process called bio protection, these calcitic deposits create a protective layer, strengthening the concrete and lowering maintenance costs.
Following the pilots testing, the units have been released to market in July of 2018. The nature of the product, composed of multiple concrete units, allows for tailor made adjustments to the product size, and orientation that accommodate specific project needs, saving installation time and costs.
ECOncrete’s articulated concrete mattresses were chosen to be a part of the USA pavilion in the 2018 Vince Architectural Biennale, where they were recognized for changing the way we are developing our coastlines, one brick at a time, as they bring concrete to life. The unit design is fully scalable, and the product can be easily manufactured worldwide in a competitive price. Taking its aspiration from nature, this unique product opens a new era of coastal construction, where sustainable infrastructure provides a living solution to one of the world’s greatest challenges.
