When Tech meets Tide: Coastruction’s reef revolution

Coastruction’s reefs are made from natural and recycled materials, including local sand, shells, and concrete, without chemical additives or high-temperature processes. “We instantly saw the opportunity to use this technology for something meaningful, restoring nature,” says founder and CEO Nadia Fani. With a background in computer science, she transitioned into marine innovation after recognising the potential of digital manufacturing to address ecological challenges. 

Rotterdam’s innovation ecosystem has played, and is still playing a vital role in Coastruction’s growth to its current scale-up status. The company is situated at the Innovation Dock at the RDM Rotterdam community, a former shipyard turned hub for sustainable manufacturing and circular economy initiatives. “Rotterdam gave us the space, the talent, and the ecosystem to grow,” Nadia explains. 

Rotterdam Partners was one of the first organisations to spotlight Coastruction, inviting the team to events and talks that helped raise their profile. In 2022, Coastruction won a CityLab010 grant. That, combined with a subsidy project financed by InnovationQuarter, enabled them to develop their large-scale printer, Asterix. “This was a turning point,” says Nadia “It allowed us to scale up and produce reef structures over 250kg, right here in the port of Rotterdam. The support we received here has been crucial,” Nadia reflects. “It has helped us find our footing and grow within a community that shares our values.”

The city’s strategic location and connectivity - especially through Europe’s largest port – add to making it an ideal launchpad for international expansion. The company plans to keep its headquarters in Rotterdam while deploying printers globally to create reef hubs that address local environmental challenges. “We are already producing worldwide, with already 14 installations globally.” Nadia states proudly.

Rotterdam’s collaborative spirit has been central to Coastruction’s success. The company works with local schools, universities, and environmental organisations to engage the next generation of innovators. In one project, students from OSG Hugo de Groot designed reef models that were later printed and installed in the Persoonshaven. “By involving young people, we’re not just building reefs, we’re building awareness,” Nadia says. Coastruction also collaborates with students from Hogeschool Rotterdam and aims to partner with established companies like Van Oord, which are based in the city. 

Coastruction’s reef structures are being deployed in locations as diverse as Hawaii and the North Sea. Yet their roots remain firmly planted in Rotterdam. “This city is more than our base. It’s part of our identity,” Nadia says. 

As Coastruction looks to expand production and find new investment partners, the company remains committed to being in Rotterdam. The city’s unique blend of connectivity, talent, and innovation makes it the ideal place to grow a business that’s both future-focused and environmentally driven. “We’re not just printing reefs here in Rotterdam,” Nadia concludes. “We aim to contribute to a better future.”