HAPMarine: HAPtivate Bio-MarineForge

HAPMarine develops more sustainable alternatives to traditional concrete-based marine infrastructure. This is done by developing and testing low-carbon materials from shells and waste concrete, both in the laboratory and in the field. The aim is to investigate whether this material can support coastal protection and whether it can be used in the restoration of marine ecosystems.

Traditional marine infrastructure is largely based on cement and concrete, which have a significant carbon footprint and are not necessarily designed to avoid negative impacts or interact positively with marine ecosystems. At the same time, large amounts of calcium-rich waste, including aquaculture shells and waste concrete, have potential to be reused in more sustainable marine infrastructure.

HAPMarine addresses this by developing and testing low-carbon, biogenic materials based on shells and waste concrete. The project investigates how hydroxyapatite (HAP), material properties, surface structure and design can be combined to create durable and bioreceptive materials for coastal protection and potential marine ecosystem restoration.

The materials will be tested from laboratory scale to field conditions, with a focus on both technical performance and biological colonisation.

Testing will be carried out to assess potential negative impacts associated with material leaching. Testing will first be conducted in the laboratory and at NIVA’s Solbergstrand research facility before experimental plates are deployed at selected locations in the Oslofjord, which will be decided in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

This stepwise approach will allow potential environmental risks to be assessed before field deployment, while also evaluating how the materials perform and interact with marine communities under realistic conditions.