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May 1, 2025

Building Adaptable Futures: Natrx Brings Together Regional Changemakers

On April 30, Natrx hosted an inspiring and energizing tour of our Resilience Center of Excellence in Amelia, Louisiana—bringing together a powerhouse group of leaders across government, conservation, and economic development. The event offered a firsthand look at how innovation rooted in Louisiana is being scaled globally to address some of the most urgent challenges facing coastal communities.

We were honored to welcome regional changemakers including Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, representatives from the Pontchartrain Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, and othersr who are actively shaping the future of coastal protection in Louisiana and beyond. Their presence is a testament to the growing recognition that nature-based infrastructure is not just the future—it’s happening now.

Louisiana Innovation, Global Impact

The Amelia facility—now doubled in size since the beginning of

2024—is the production home of our patented ExoForms™, which form a physical backbone of the Natrx platform. These modular, high-performance structures are designed to harness natural systems for erosion control, storm protection, and habitat restoration. Nicknamed “Cajun Coral,” ExoForms are engineered to integrate seamlessly with the marine environment, building resilience that actually grows stronger over time.

And unlike conventional approaches that rely on massive quantities of imported rock and heavy equipment, Natrx solutions:

  • Use up to 90% less material

  • Are 70% faster to install

  • Provide up to 4x the ecological surface area for marine habitat

  • Can be installed in shallow, sensitive, or hard-to-reach environments

  • Keep jobs, materials, and manufacturing right here in Louisiana

A Platform for Action

What sets Natrx apart is our integrated, end-to-end approach. The Natrx Platform includes:

  • Assess – AI-powered remote sensing software that identifies resilience risks and plans smarter interventions—no field visits required.

  • Address – Project-specific infrastructure designed and manufactured using our patented DryForming™ technology.

  • Appraise – Ongoing monitoring, biodiversity tracking, and performance reporting that ensures long-term ecological and permitting success.

Together, these services deliver a full spectrum of planning, implementation, and accountability—helping our partners go from insight to impact, faster.

Momentum Through Partnership

More than anything, this visit reaffirmed a powerful truth: real resilience is collaborative.

We're proud to have hosted such an impressive group, and even more proud of what it represents: forward-thinking leaders who are ready to accelerate better ways to protect our communities and coasts. Every visit like this strengthens the movement we’re building—a future where resilience is smarter, more sustainable, and more accessible than ever before.

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April 16, 2025

Texas-Sized Momentum: Natrx Brings Adaptive Infrastructure to Texas

ExoForm Living Shoreline on Shamrock Island Featured by KIII News and NPR’s KEDT

We’re thrilled to share one of our most exciting milestones yet: one of our first projects in Texas is now live on Shamrock Island, and it’s already making waves—literally and in the media.

This project is a great representation of our approach: deploying technology-first, nature-based solutions to deliver fast, habitat-positive coastal resilience where it matters most. Shamrock Island, located just offshore from Mustang Island in Corpus Christi Bay, is one of the most important bird nesting islands on the Texas coast. But until now, it was losing as much as 14 feet of shoreline every year—a pace that threatened the future of this critical rookery.

That’s where Natrx stepped in.

Photos By Coast & Harbor Engineering, Inc.

Working with our incredible partners—The Nature Conservancy (who funded the project), Coast & Harbor Engineering, and Viking Dredging—we designed and deployed a high-performance living shoreline using 468 custom ExoForms™. These modular, 3D-printed concrete structures were made in Louisiana using our patented Dry Forming™ process, then transported and installed along the shoreline in a rapid, low-impact deployment.

Each ExoForm was tailored to meet the unique environmental and wave conditions of Shamrock Island. We used a custom closed-back Lattice design to promote sand retention, break wave energy, and foster rapid colonization by oysters and other marine life. The result is a low-profile breakwater that mimics a submerged sandbar—softening waves, trapping sediment, and helping restore the beach naturally.

“We’re not just putting something in place to slow erosion,” said Leonard Nelson, Natrx CEO. “We’re building something that gets stronger and more alive over time.”

And the broader community is taking notice.

Photos By Coast & Harbor Engineering, Inc.

This project was recently featured on KIII-TV (story here) in Corpus Christi and on NPR station KEDT FM (story here). The stories highlight how nature and innovation can work together to protect vital coastal habitats while creating living systems that the public can be proud of.

As Tyler Ortego, Natrx GM of Coastal Solutions, shared:

“When you work with nature, she’ll work with you. These aren’t just structures—they’re starting points for ecosystems.”

This project proves what we’ve always known: nature-based solutions are not only viable—they're scalable, efficient, and increasingly essential. From our origins in Louisiana to this new work in Texas, Natrx is showing how a smarter, faster, more ecological approach to shoreline protection can truly reshape what’s possible.

👏 Huge thanks to our partners:

  • The Nature Conservancy

  • Coast & Harbor Engineering

  • Viking Dredging

KIII-TV (story here)

NPR station KEDT FM (story here)

Shamrock Island Case Study Here

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February 11, 2025

Natrx Recognized as a Leading Louisiana Business by LED

We're honored to be featured in a new film series by LOUISIANA INNOVATION, a new division of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), which highlights innovative businesses making an impact in the state. Alongside this exciting recognition, Biz New Orleans has covered our work, showcasing Natrx as a leader in nature-based coastal resilience solutions.

Showcasing Coastal Innovation

At Louisiana Innovation Day, held in conjunction with Super Bowl LIX, LED spotlighted companies that exemplify Louisiana’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to sustainable progress. As part of this initiative, Natrx was selected for a feature film that showcases our journey—from early research at Louisiana State University to the development of our ExoForms™ technology and the establishment of our manufacturing facility in Amelia, Louisiana.

Our work has always been rooted in a mission to protect and restore coastal environments through cutting-edge, habitat-positive solutions. The LED film captures how our Dry Forming™ technology reshapes shoreline protection by creating adaptable, eco-positive infrastructure that grows stronger over time.

A Spotlight in Biz New Orleans

This recognition was further amplified by Biz New Orleans, which covered our participation in the LED initiative and highlighted how Natrx contributes to Louisiana’s thriving innovation landscape. The article details our role in providing sustainable solutions to combat erosion, protect communities, and restore marine habitats—not just in Louisiana, but across the U.S. and beyond.

Watch the Film Series

We're incredibly proud to be part of this initiative and to represent Louisiana’s commitment to coastal resilience and environmental stewardship. You can watch the LED film series featuring Natrx here: LA.IO

Read More

For an in-depth look at our story and our role in Louisiana's innovation ecosystem, check out the full Biz New Orleans article here: LED Showcases Natrx Among Top Louisiana Businesses.

This recognition reinforces our belief that nature-based solutions are the future of infrastructure resilience. We’re grateful to our partners, clients, and supporters who help make this possible.

Follow our journey and stay updated on the latest innovations in coastal resilience by connecting with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

 

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January 29, 2025

REEFrame: A Breakthrough in Coral Restoration

At Natrx, we believe that innovation and nature-based solutions can work hand in hand to restore and protect our coastlines. That’s why we’re honored to be a part of REEFrame, a groundbreaking coral reef restoration project off Waikīkī Beach, Hawai‘i.

Led by Conservation International Hawai‘i and supported by a $9M grant from NOAA, REEFrame is an ambitious initiative designed to restore degraded coral reefs, enhance marine biodiversity, and strengthen coastal resilience in one of the world’s most iconic locations. Through cutting-edge engineering, community collaboration, and respect for Indigenous stewardship, REEFrame represents a powerful step forward in ocean restoration.

Why Waikīkī?

Once a thriving marine ecosystem, the coral reefs of Waikīkī have suffered severe degradation due to urbanization, pollution, climate change, and rising ocean temperatures. Healthy reefs play a vital role in protecting coastlines, providing habitat for marine life, and supporting local communities. Without intervention, these fragile ecosystems face further decline.

REEFrame aims to reverse this trend by building two permanent coral nurseries on the seafloor, about three-quarters of a mile offshore. These structures, constructed from innovative 3D-printed reef modules, will create a foundation for coral growth while attracting essential marine species like parrotfish that help maintain a healthy reef ecosystem.

How Natrx is Contributing

Natrx specializes in adaptive infrastructure solutions that blend technology with nature to enhance coastal resilience. For REEFrame, we’re bringing our advanced DryForming™ technology, a sustainable 3D printing method that creates complex reef structures out of natural materials. These modules are designed to:

  • Mimic natural reef formations, providing ideal habitats for coral and marine life
  • Support "corals of opportunity," which are living coral fragments salvaged from disturbances and nurtured in the nurseries
  • Encourage natural coral settlement, gradually transforming into thriving reef ecosystems
  • Withstand extreme ocean conditions, ensuring long-term stability and resilience

By leveraging this technology, we’re proud to help accelerate coral restoration and showcase how science and engineering can work together to rebuild our natural world.

A Collaborative Effort

REEFrame is a testament to what’s possible when diverse expertise comes together with a shared vision. Alongside Natrx, this project brings together:

  • Conservation International Hawai‘i – Leading project coordination and community engagement
  • University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa – Providing scientific leadership in coral restoration
  • Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources – Ensuring regulatory compliance and conservation strategy
  • Oceanit – Delivering marine engineering expertise
  • ClimbHI – Engaging local communities and workforce development initiatives
  • NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation – Supporting technical and environmental compliance

Restoration Rooted in Culture and Community

Beyond its ecological impact, REEFrame is deeply connected to the cultural heritage and traditions of Hawai‘i. The project embraces the Hawaiian value of kuleana (responsibility) and follows the guiding principle e hāpai wa‘a kākou—"if we all help to lift and carry the canoe, we can move it forward." By integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern science, REEFrame ensures that restoration efforts honor the past while securing the future of Hawai‘i’s ocean resources.

Looking Ahead

The REEFrame project is set to run through 2026, with construction expected to begin in 2025 following environmental studies and permitting. Once deployed, the reef nurseries will become a permanent, self-sustaining habitat—a living example of what’s possible when technology, conservation, and community come together.

At Natrx, we’re proud to bring our expertise to this transformative initiative. Seeing our work extend from the coasts of North Carolina and Louisiana all the way to Hawai‘i underscores the power of scalable, nature-based solutions.

Stay tuned as we continue to share updates on this incredible journey. Together, we’re helping to restore reefs, protect coastlines, and build a more resilient future for our oceans.

➡️ Learn more about REEFrame at reeframehi.org

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September 23, 2024

Behind the Scenes of ExoForm Technology: Louisiana Public Broadcasting

Following the massive interest in the Hotel Sid artificial reef project we recently worked on, Louisiana Public Broadcasting's Karen LeBlanc wanted to know more about what makes this project so innovative.

Here, Karen goes behind the scenes with Natrx CEO Leonard Nelson and Danos Ventures CEO Eric Danos to get an up-close look at how ExoForms are created and what makes them a higher-performance, more cost-effective solution than the traditional methods for creating artificial reefs of the past.

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September 14, 2024

Raising Cane’s Hotel Sid Uses Natrx ExoForms for Artificial Reef Project

Building healthy new ecosystems requires a positive partnership ecosystem. A new artificial reef installed on September 14th in Barataria Bay is the result of an inspiring collaboration between partners, including CCA of Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Shell, Danos, our ExoForm technology, and, very notably, the generous sponsorship of Raising Cane’s.

We had a great turnout to see the ExoForms that will form the nature-based infrastructure of this nearly 10,000-square-foot artificial reef go into the water (each one in under 2 minutes!), and we can look forward to the Raising Cane's Hotel Sid reef becoming a thriving marine ecosystem and a hotspot for the Grand Isle fishing community. Big thanks and congratulations to all of our partners.

Read the story and watch video below:
NOLA.com | WGNO

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June 19, 2024

CCA and Partner Agencies Install 50th Artificial Reef

KATC News was out with us on a recent installation of Natrx ExoForms™ to help build back a healthy and vibrant food chain at a popular fishing location.

Our ExoForms are at the center of this habitat restoration project. ExoForms provide a stable and rough surface for base marine organisms to attach to and make home, helping restore the lost food chain from the bottom up. Healthy natural systems are resilient systems that provide a whole list of ecological benefits including cleaner water, increased biodiversity, and increased storm resilience.

Get more info on our ExoForms here.

And read the KATC story here:
CCA and Partner Agencies Install 50th Artificial Reef

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May 29, 2024

OPEN POSITION: Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Louisiana

Location: South Louisiana

Natrx delivers technologies that enable a harmonious, healthy, and resilient balance between the built environment and the natural world.  Our technology offerings include artificial intelligence-based risk assessments, nature-based advanced manufacturing solutions, and continuous monitoring.  We help practitioners in the infrastructure market build more sustainably, efficiently, and harness the power of natural systems.  Natrx is a rapidly growing Raleigh-based startup looking for top candidates to add to our core team.

Review Job on Linkedin to apply.

Job Overview:

Natrx is seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Process Engineer to lead the ground-up implementation of factory automation within our organization. This pivotal role involves designing, implementing, and optimizing automation processes to enhance efficiency and productivity. The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation of implementing automation from scratch, with strong process optimization and project management skills. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our manufacturing capabilities and drive significant operational improvements.

  • Employment Type: Professional full-time
  • Location: Remote / On-site Hybrid (South Louisiana)
  • Benefits: PTO, Holidays, 401k, Health Reimbursement

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design, development, and implementation of factory automation processes to improve efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Conduct thorough feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed projects, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
  • Manage the complete lifecycle of automation projects, including planning, execution, monitoring, and closure, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate automation solutions seamlessly into existing operations.
  • Develop and maintain project documentation, including specifications, timelines, and budget forecasts.
  • Oversee and manage the engineering budget, ensuring financial targets are met and exceeded.
  • Stay abreast of the latest technologies and methodologies in factory automation and process engineering, proposing innovative solutions to drive continuous improvement.
  • Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Qualifications and Desired Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in process engineering, with a significant focus on automation in a manufacturing environment.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects from inception to completion, including budgeting and financial management.
  • Excellent leadership and team management abilities, with experience leading cross-functional teams.
  • Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, capable of working effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
  • Agile and adaptable, with a hands-on approach to tackling challenges and seizing opportunities.

TO APPLY:

Review the job posting on Linkedin and submit any relevant background, work samples, portfolios, resumes, or anything else you believe helps demonstrate your experience there.

Linkedin: Natrx Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Louisiana

THANK YOU!

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January 5, 2024

ExoForms aim to boost Louisiana’s fish and oyster habitat

An exciting project that we recently completed with Danos and the CCA of Louisiana and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was recently covered by NOLA.com.

Our ExoForms™ were the ideal solution for this project in that they could be designed for the the site's shallow water (still allowing for boat access) while providing 19 square feet of oyster habitat per ExoForm. By creating new oyster habitat this project will support a healthy and productive marine life system which, in turn, will support the local fishing community. It's a great example of the ongoing positive benefits that can be generated by helping restore a system to a harmonious, natural balance. It's also one of the first projects that was serviced by our Louisiana-based Resilience Center of Excellence.

You can download our case study on the project here.
The story from NOLA.com is below (original story here):

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3D-printed 'Cajun coral' project aims to boost Louisiana's fish and oyster habitat

Artificial reefs take shape on a sunken island near Port Fourchon

PORT FOURCHON — It looks like a collection of pale cypress knees, was made with a 3D printer and promises to be a magnet for oysters and fish.

The strange-looking artificial reef taking shape in Terrebonne Bay is a new tool that conservation and fishing groups hope will help ease habitat loss along Louisiana’s rapidly eroding coast.

“Our fish keep disappearing because we’ve lost so much habitat over the last 20 years,” Leeville fishing guide Chad Billiot said just before watching a crane hoist the knobby clusters of concrete from a barge and then plop them into the bay eight miles west of Port Fourchon. “This is habitat we desperately need.”

The reefs, called “Cajun corals,” are one of many designs for the hundreds of underwater barriers the state and nonprofit groups have installed along the coast to counter the land-robbing effects of erosion, sea level rise and stronger storms. Some artificial reefs are made with cement balls or pyramids, while others feature recycled oyster shells crammed into stackable cages.

What sets Cajun corals apart is how quickly they can be customized and manufactured for a range of uses and environments, said Tyler Ortego, a coastal engineer with Natrx, a North Carolina design firm that developed the reefs with Gray-based marine construction and maintenance company Danos.

“We’re able to go from a phone call and a design idea to then start printing within hours,” Ortego said.

Each reef module is made by hundreds of needles injecting concrete into a form. Danos makes the Cajun corals at a 5,000-square-foot plant in Amelia, but the setup is so basic that Danos executive Eric Danos believes they could be made at any modest industrial site and possibly on barges one day.

"These really are designed to be manufactured anywhere," he said.

Backed by the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana and the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the reef project near Port Fourchon sits atop a small island that disappeared under the waves in recent years. It’s now under about 6 feet of water, but old fishermen in the area considered the sliver of sand — one of many Louisiana islands called “Pelican Island” — a prime spot to snag redfish and trout, said Rad Trascher, CCA Louisiana’s vice president.

“When you talk to old-timers about Pelican Island, their eyes light up,” he said.

CCA asked Danos to make the reef no taller than 18 inches to avoid scraping the bottoms of boats. The group also wanted the modules to be shaped “with lots of nooks and crannies so organisms can attach themselves,” Trascher said.

As young oysters latch on and grow, the structure they build will function as both a fishery and habitat for other species, including redfish and blue crab. Oysters also function as natural water filters, cleaning the Gulf of excess nitrogen and sediment. And when storms roll in, oyster reefs act as speed bumps, slowing surges before they strike land.

The bay has been losing many of the marshes, inlets and islands that gave it the varied habitats that allow fish to thrive. Redfish used to gather in “fishing holes” amid the varied seascape during winter, Billiot said.

“But now those holes are gone, and we don’t have any fishing during winter,” he said.

The reef is the 49th the CCA has built on the Louisiana coast. Costing about $300,000 and taking about three days to install, the reef will cover around three underwater acres.

It won’t save the bay by itself, but at least one spot will soon be teeming with life, Trascher predicted.

“It’s amazing how fast the marine life finds these things,” he said. “It’ll soon have a plethora of marine species.”

Danos has spent the past 70 years providing services to the oil and gas industry, but the family-owned company has lately broadened its offerings. Cajun coral is a product of the company branching into the coastal restoration field. Danos has installed a handful of Cajun coral reefs, including one that protects a Shell-owned pipeline south of Houma.

“The canal it’s in was in danger from erosion, so we partly closed it up with a new reef,” Danos said. “It was amazing to watch the oysters almost immediately grow and solidify. The results were fantastic.”

There’s no shortage of other pipelines that may need added protection as the coastline unravels.

“Now we’ve just got to get to the other thousand miles of pipeline in south Louisiana,” he said.

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Story by Tristan Baurick, Photos by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune

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December 21, 2023

Natrx Amelia Facility in the News

KATC News came out to take a look at our new Resilience Center of Excellence and get the details on what this means for our ability to deploy Adaptive Infrastructure solutions globally. For more detail on the facility, you can read this recent post:

Natrx Establishes a Resilience Center of Excellence with Global Reach in Southern Louisiana

And you can read the whole story at KATC.com:

Nature-based coastal resilience solutions facility opens in Amelia

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Resilience Center of Excellence
2546 State Road 662
Morgan City, LA 70380

Enterprise Office
6220 Angus Drive, Suite 101
Raleigh, NC 27617


info@natrx.io
(919) 263-0667