Showcasing climate innovation: Cleantech takes the lead in Christchurch

When Aaron Marshall first heard of the highcost of recycling zinc waste, he didn’t realise that seven years later he’d have co-founded not one but two start-up companies.

A chance conversation in 2018 at a galvanised steel facility alerted Aaron to the huge costs of zinc waste being sent to landfill.

“I mentioned this to Jono Ring (then Masters student, now Zincovery CEO), and fast forward seven years, Zincovery has developed a critical minerals refining process that uses 70% less energy than contemporary zinc recycling methods, and produces up to 95% fewer carbon dioxide emissions.”

Zincovery, along with Aaron’s second start-up Ternary—which is developing a sustainable liquid energy source—are both among the start-ups the Cleantech Trek to Christchurch will visit this month. The Trek, which brings together innovators, venture capitalists, and others from the commercialisation ecosystem,  comes to Ōtautahi Christchurch for the first time this month.

From 16–17 July, 30 cleantech innovators, commercialisation experts, funders and ecosystem leaders will converge on Christchurch, a tour designed to highlight the city’s strengths in industrial cleantech and future fuels, and connect innovators directly with industry, investors and peers.

The visit includes a tour of clean techventures in the region, including Zincovery, Ternary, Fabrum, a global leader in hydrogen production and liquefaction systems; and Aspiring Materials, which has developed a process to efficiently capture carbon dioxide emissions using magnesium. The group will also visit Christchurch Airport’s Kōwhai Park Solar Development, a large-scale renewable energy precinct, and take part in hosted sessions at the University of Canterbury.

“Cleantech is critical to climate mitigation and economic growth,” says Associate Professor Natalie Plank, Deputy Director of Commercialisation and Industry Engagement at the MacDiarmid Institute. “So it’s exciting to have the Cleantech Mission visit Christchurch so soon after its successful trip to Singapore in May, and a great opportunity for funders and others to see up close the cluster of cleantech startups emerging in Christchurch, and the key role cleantech technologies can play in New Zealand’s prosperity.”

“Ōtautahi Christchurch is emerging as a national leader in cleantech, supported by strong infrastructure, research capability and regional collaboration,” says Ali Adams, CEO at ChristchurchNZ.“By bringing together national innovators and showcasing the successes and the commercialisation pathways we’re building here, we’re aiming to support and accelerate the growth of this important sector.”

The trek is part of the wider New Zealand Cleantech Mission group, a national initiative working to accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies that can reduce emissions, drive economic growth, and support regional resilience.

“There’s real momentum building in New Zealand’s cleantech space and we have a strong deep tech pipeline from our universities,” says Michelle Polglase, General Manager of Projects at Are Ake. “There's a real opportunity to not only showcase innovation in the Canterbury region, but also to connect founders and form new partnerships to amplify innovation further.”

Co-led by Ara Ake — New Zealand’s energy innovation centre — and the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, the New Zealand Cleantech Mission group is supported by Auckland Unlimited, New Zealand Growth Capital Partners, Auckland UniServices, ChristchurchNZ and KiwiNet. The group’s aim is to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s clean technology innovators and connect them with global opportunities. The group has another Cleantech Trek planned for Auckland at the end of 2025.

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