Undip Turns Industrial Waste Into Artificial Reefs

RRI.CO.ID, Semarang - A multidisciplinary research team from Diponegoro University (Undip) in Semarang has successfully developed a sustainable marine technology that converts industrial waste into functional, eco-friendly artificial coral reefs.

Dubbed the Artificial Fish Apartment (AFA), the technology repurposes Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA), a byproduct of industrial coal combustion, into structured marine habitats designed to rehabilitate damaged underwater ecosystems, boost fishery productivity, and support the coastal blue economy.

The head of the research team, Munasik, highlighted that the innovation addresses both industrial waste accumulation and marine degradation simultaneously.

"The technology is an innovative solution to support ecosystem rehabilitation, increase fisheries productivity, and sustainably strengthen the economy of coastal communities," Munasik said, as quoted by Antara.

The project has achieved a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7–8, meaning the prototypes have already undergone successful testing in real-world coastal environments across Indonesia. Field monitoring data from these test sites revealed a measurable rise in local fish populations, improved marine biodiversity, and the successful establishment of complex, highly productive underwater habitats.

Recognizing its commercial viability and ecological impact, the AFA innovation was officially selected as a participant in the prestigious national Lab2Market 2026 program. The state-backed accelerator focuses entirely on fast-tracking the commercialization and downstream distribution of high-potential university research products into the industrial sector.

Munasik expressed deep gratitude for the national recognition, noting that the accelerator program will bridge the gap between academic labs and market deployment.

"We are grateful that ADA was selected for the Lab2 Market 2026 program. This is an important opportunity to strengthen the downstream innovation process we have developed," he said.

Under the Lab2Market 2026 framework, the Undip research team will receive intensive mentorship covering market validation, business model refinement, intellectual property protection, commercialization strategies, and direct networking opportunities with venture capital impact investors.

Beyond its obvious environmental advantages, the FABA-based structural reef offers a lucrative economic alternative to conventional coastal management. Because it utilizes recycled industrial byproducts as its primary raw material, the production cost of the Artificial Fish Apartment is significantly lower than that of imported artificial reef structures currently available on the market.

The multidisciplinary development team brings together a diverse group of Undip academics and practitioners specializing in marine ecology, fisheries technology, structural construction engineering, production systems, and environmental monitoring networks.

The structural engineering breakthrough aligns directly with Undip’s institutional commitment to fostering the national blue economy and achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 14, which mandates the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.

The research team is scheduled to fly to Jakarta to attend the official Lab2Market 2026 Kick-Off event on June 25–26, 2026, marking the formal launch of the technology’s transition from an academic prototype to a commercially available marine restoration solution.

"We hope that AFA will not only be a research product, but a real solution capable of supporting the recovery of marine ecosystems and the welfare of coastal communities," he conclude.