Umicore Case

Umicore is giving back to the planet by restoring coral reefs in Indonesia, while empowering local communities by active involvement and education.

Project overview

Together with our local field partner Project Laut, the project aims to restore the marine ecosystem in a rubble patch along the coastline of Nusa Penida (270 sqm) by introducing 500 coral spiders with each 16 coral fragments of mixed species. To facilitate transparency and follow-up, some metal coral spiders – the ones at the sides of the rubble patch – will be marked with a Umicore name tag. The placement of the spiders is spread over 12 months in 2024 and can be continued in 2025.

Focus on biodiversity

The placement and monitoring of the coral spiders align with a one-year commitment to regular Hawksbill sea turtle identification activities. With a decline in the Hawksbill sea turtle population in Indonesia, there are fewer sea turtles to control sponge populations, that are in constant competition with corals. The project’s overarching goal is cultivating vibrant and climate-resilient reefs with robust coral varieties, creating an optimal environment for endangered Hawksbill sea turtles in Indonesia’s coral triangle.

Local empowerment

Every month, a community event is organized in which a group of local school children joins in the restoration activities: a beach clean-up, coating spiders in cement, attaching coral fragments on the boat, and so on.

Follow-up

Reports and pictures covering the restoration activities, sea turtle monitoring, and local involvement are exchanged and uploaded onto the impact platform monthly.

Explore the Umicore impact dashboard with live updates by clicking on the button below!