First Eco Xbloc produced

The Deltares Institute in The Netherlands, the Dutch Ministry of Public Works, the Technical University of Delft and the Port of Rotterdam recently joined together in a project called the ‘Rich Dike’ project, the aim of which is to enhance the ecological value of hard shore protection schemes.As part of this project, environmentally friendly Eco Xblocs will be tested on the southern breakwater at the Port of IJmuiden. The Eco Xblocs will have different surface roughness levels, which are designed to allow marine organisms to use the surface of the armoured unit.

According to DMC, ‘Environmental features of shore defences have become an important issue. In the past only technical requirements were imposed on marine structures or shore protection works, but it was discovered that flora and fauna do not flourish on smooth slopes. Transitional areas between land and water are of great value to nature, and more recently ecological and environmental aspects have become part of the design regulations for marine structures and shore protection works.’

As DMC also noted, in addition to the use of Xblocs for shore protection or as an armoured layer for breakwaters, Xblocs can also be used to create an artificial reef, which will reduces wave transmission and create a sheltered but open marine environment. A reef can provide a healthy environment for vegetation and animals due to the high porosity of the Xbloc armoured layer, and biodiversity will be enhanced. Research has also demonstrated that coral growth will occur on armoured units.