Next in Motion is our regular snapshot of that progress. It’s centred on our Next cohort, purpose-driven businesses identified through the Sustainable Business Awards. We also share other signs of momentum from businesses and organisations showing what a better economy can look like in practice.
Neocrete raises US$3.5m to take low-carbon concrete global
Neocrete has raised US$3.5 million to expand into Europe and the US and grow its commercial deployment in Southeast Asia. Its technology is already being used commercially in Brunei, replacing 30% of the cement in concrete for major projects while cutting carbon and cost.
Scentian Bio in line for national innovation award
Scentian Bio is a finalist in the 2026 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards for its breakthrough sensing technology, which combines insect smell receptors, electronics and AI. It’s another milestone in the company’s journey from more than 20 years of New Zealand research towards a global product.
CarbonScape takes biographite towards industrial scale
CarbonScape is scaling its New Zealand-developed biographite technology, which turns forestry material into an alternative to mined and synthetic graphite for batteries. Its next phase includes scaling production in China through its partnership with battery manufacturer CATL.
Medsalv grows its impact across the Tasman
Medsalv’s remanufacturing programme is expanding across Northern Adelaide Local Health Network as the health service ramps up its wider push to reduce waste. NALHN recently reported reprocessing more than 23,500 medical devices alongside a range of other reuse and waste reduction initiatives.
Great to see this gaining traction across the Tasman. We’d love to see more of it happening here in Aotearoa New Zealand too.
West Coast businesses put money behind nature
The new Nature Economy Partnership is connecting businesses with conservation, restoration, heritage, recreation and community projects across Te Tai Poutini. Led by 2025 Sustainable Business Awards commendation recipient Zak Shaw, the initiative is already attracting business backing for projects across the region.
Signs of nature recovery across The Forest Bridge
There’s encouraging news from The Forest Bridge Trust. Kiwi are continuing to spread beyond Tāwharanui’s predator-proof fence, while rare matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern have recently been spotted at South Head. Both are hopeful signs of what sustained predator control, habitat restoration and community conservation can achieve.