Reef mat - Offshore Concrete Mattress for Cable & Pipeline Protection

Low-carbon concrete mattresses that protect subsea infrastructure and create new habitats through Nature-Inclusive Design

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Product Overview

Designed to perform like traditional concrete mattresses, with crucial differences

Reef mat is a low-carbon concrete mattress system engineered as a full-scale subsea protection solution for offshore cable and pipeline protection, seabed stabilisation, and scour prevention. Built to the same functional and handling standards as conventional industry mattresses, it adds a new focus on sustainability and biodiversity enhancement.

Completely plastic-free and made using ARC’s Marine Crete technology, each Reef mat provides the same weight, density and deployment efficiency as standard subsea protection systems – offering added weight and stabilisation, dropped-object resistance, and trawl-board protection. Our Reef mats stand apart through their Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) and 3D-printed surface textures that enhance marine life colonisation.

Reef mat uses steel-wire reinforcement instead of polypropylene rope (with further sustainable alternatives under development) and avoids plastic entirely, even in its coatings. Its proven surface textures attract local species, from fish and crustaceans to corals and kelp, creating consistent, repeatable ecological performance at scale.

The result is reliable subsea asset protection with measurable biodiversity net gain across offshore wind, oil & gas and marine civil projects.

Traditional mattresses cost around $13,000 USD each to remove. Reef mats are designed to stay, meeting in-situ decommissioning requirements for long-term financial and environmental gain.

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Benefits

Product Spec

98% Recycled Materials
100% Plastic Free
Unparalleled Biodiversity Results
Award-Winning Carbon Neutral Construction

Sectors

Reef Mat Applications

Coastal

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Offshore

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Scientific Facts

Reef Mat Spec

2,350kg/m³
Density
6m x 3m
Reef mat size
>91%
Carbon saving over Portland Cement
100%
Plastic-free

Reef mat structure

In more detail

No PLASTICS
Currently the Reef mat replaces all polypropylene ropes with steel wire as we continue researching and testing other environmentally friendly options. This makes the Reef mat completely free of plastics… not even found in the paint.
unique 3d printed textures for impressive net biodiversity gains
Our unique 3D printed textures and design means the Reef mat specifically targets and encourages local fish, crustaceans, corals and kelp/ seaweed species for impressive net biodiversity gains whilst providing effective subsea protection.
bespoke Lifting Frame
To make deployment on location as seamless and sustainable as possible, our Reef mats have a custom-made lifting frame which simplifies and speeds up the installation process .

Talk to us

What our clients are saying

Testimonials

"ARC marine provided an excellent service. They discussed our project knowledgeably and provided constructive recommendations. We will happily work again with ARC marine in the future."
"We’re proud to partner with ARC marine to advance their innovative solutions, which offer a practical and scalable approach to sustainable offshore development. ARC marine’s approach – integrating eco-engineering into marine construction – is both timely and closely aligned with the growing emphasis on environmental stewardship across the industry."
"It's been a real pleasure working with ARC marine's enthusiastic, professional, and passionate team."
"It has been a pleasure to collaborate with ARC marine and our project partners on the Falmouth harbour Reef cube installation and STEM school outreach. ARC marine have nature and biodiversity enhancement at the front and centre of their work, and it is exciting to already be able to see a positive outcome for biodiversity in the region."
"Kier, the Environment Agency, and Atkins have been very impressed with the quality of finish of the units"
"The ARC team provided a seamless transition from deployment study to product supply on a complex project. We are looking forward to the next one."
"These pioneering products have the potential to improve the health of our oceans for generations to come"