Can 3D Printing Save Our Oceans?

In our recent 3D printing White Paper, we discussed how additive manufacturing has taken off in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy, and how the use of 3D-printing to produce on-demand, on-site and customized products - including spare parts and limited production runs - supports sustainable manufacturing by reducing waste and minimizing carbon footprint.

But beyond these applications, 3D printing is also being used in a range of ways to repair, protect and support our marine environments.

In Miami, engineers are tackling coastal erosion and rising sea levels with 3D-printed "Living Seawalls", which combine structural protection with ecological benefits, by using pH-neutral concrete and textured surfaces that support marine life. These seawalls also feature embedded sensors that monitor water quality and turbidity in real time, aiding adaptive environmental management. And at Friedrichsort pier, near Kiel, a new artificial reef comprising CO2-reduced