Car manufacturer Volvo has partnered with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Reef Design Lab to create an environmentally-friendly 'living' seawall along Sydney harbour, that aims to improve biodiversity and water quality along that stretch of coast.
Designed to imitate the root structure of mangrove trees, a popular habitat for marine life, the seawall consists of 50 3D-printed tiles made from marine-grade concrete and reinforced with recycled plastic fibres.
The tiles, which were attached to an existing sea wall, feature a unique hexagonal shape that is intended to attract wildlife, such as molluscs and oysters, that filters water by feeding on passing particles.
"The Living Seawall adds complexity to the existing seawall structure and provides a habitat for marine life," the company said in a statement.
"This aids biodiversity and attracts filter-feeding organisms that actually absorb and filter our pollutants - such as particulate matter and heavy metals - keeping the water clean. The more organisms we have, the cleaner the water."
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