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Marinecrete Mattresses ("Marine Matts")

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Deployed by 2 companies

Carbon Neutral Plastic Free NID Subsea Protection

Page last modified

August 1 2024

Marine Matts are pre-cast eco-friendly carbon-neutral concrete structures that protect man-made subsea assets whilst enhancing the marine environment due to their cavities, pH and surface texture. They are certified non-toxic to the marine environment, contain no Portland cement, zero plastics and are made with 98% recycled materials supporting the circular economy. Standard Marine Matts measure 6mx3m, are 150mm, 300mm or 450mm deep and can be deployed using conventional lifting frames. They can be part of the energy transition to carbon net zero projects and support green recycle, repurpose, reuse strategies. Their use supports UN goal SDG-14 life below water and marine net gain (MNG) objectives by increasing biodiversity and species abundance.

Marine Matts are designed to become the defacto standard for protecting cables, pipelines and monopiles due to their massive carbon footprint saving, the potential life cycle cost saving (if approved to be left in situ) and nature-inclusive design benefits. They are recoverable so they can be moved and reused but designed with the potential to be approved by regulators to be left in situ forever due to their positive marine impact. Every subsea and coastal defence project can now leave a positive marine legacy to help re-wild the oceans and provide hard substrate to regenerate ocean health.

Pros & Limitations

Carbon neutral as standard, contains no Portland cement and hence supports net zero ambitions

Non-toxic to marine environment - passed stringent EU leachate test standards

Zero plastics - contains no polypropylene rope or plastic re-enforcement fibres in the mix, even paint used is polymer free

Made from 98% recycled materials - circular economy solution with verified secondary repurposing potential

Proven eco-system enhancement - nature inclusive design including lobster arches

Supports SDG-14 life below water and marine net gain objectives - corporate CSR win-win

Reduced life cycle costs if not recovered - BVG Report shows a 41% life cycle cost saving if permitted to remain in situ

Eliminates HSE risks if not recovered - recovery of conventional materials considered high risk due to mattress break-up & lifting

Local manufacture possible at ports - support local social economic drivers creating supply chain benefits and reducing transportation costs and carbon footprint.

A limited production capacity - now scaling up and investing in new plant and moulds

OPRED, NSTA, TCE and other stakeholders yet to accept as suitable for long term deployment without recovery liability but evidence base is strengthening.

Specification

Specification Title	Specification Description
Areas of Application	Cable and pipeline protection, scour protection, habitat enhancement
Capabilities	Global deployment strategy through licensing agreements. ARC Marine offer full reef planning, execution, monitoring and stewardship support
Compliance	Meets typical stability, impact and dropped object requirements. Certified non-toxic to the marine environment.
Deployment	Compatible with traditional concrete mattress deployment techniques e.g. lifting frames for 6m x 3m mattresses
Environment	Non-toxic to marine environment, carbon neutral, zero plastics. Supports circular economy and SDG-14 life below water.
Lifespan	Designed to provide permanent hard substrate (500 years+) and a design life of 20 years.
Material	98% recycled materials, zero plastics, carbon-neutral. Densities, surface textures and colour all configurable.
Modular design	Sizes: 6m x 3m as standard with mattress depths of 150mm, 300mm and 450mm
Protection	Protects both man made assets and the surrounding eco-systems. Does not suffer from leading edge flip over unlike traditional subsea mattresses. Stable and effective in shallow and deep water anti-scour service.
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