Diponegoro University Scientists Create Artificial Coral Reefs from Industrial Waste
A research team from Diponegoro University (Undip) Semarang has developed an innovation known as the Artificial Fish Apartment (AFA), a coral reef technology made from Fly Ash Bottom Ash (FABA). This industrial waste is repurposed into eco-friendly structures designed to serve as habitats for marine biota.
The lead researcher, Professor Munasik, stated in Semarang on Thursday that this technology serves as an innovative solution to support ecosystem rehabilitation, increase fishery productivity, and strengthen the sustainable economy of coastal communities.
The innovation has officially been selected as a participant in the Lab2Market 2026 Programme, a national initiative focused on accelerating the downstreaming and commercialisation of university research results in Indonesia.
In its development, he noted that AFA has reached a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7–8 and has been tested in several coastal regions across Indonesia. Monitoring results indicate an increase in fish populations, biodiversity, and the formation of more complex and productive marine habitats.
In addition to providing ecological benefits, the technology is considered more economically efficient due to lower production costs compared to imported artificial reef products.
This support is expected to accelerate the implementation of AFA as a leading technology in the fields of marine ecosystem restoration and the development of the national blue economy. The achievement serves as motivation for the research team to continue driving research results to provide tangible benefits to the wider community.
“We are grateful that AFA has been selected for the Lab2Market 2026 programme. This is an important opportunity to strengthen the downstreaming process of the innovation we have developed,” he said.
The AFA development team consists of multidisciplinary academics and practitioners from Undip, with expertise in marine ecology, fisheries technology, construction engineering, production systems, and environmental monitoring.
The innovation aligns with Undip’s commitment to supporting the development of the Blue Economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 14 regarding the preservation of marine ecosystems.
As part of the programme stages, the AFA team will participate in the Lab2Market 2026 Kick-Off event, scheduled to take place in Jakarta on 25–26 June 2026.