Primary Industries

AgriSea aims to build Aotearoa New Zealand’s first biorefinery to produce sustainable nanocellulose from seaweed by 2025.

In partnership with Scion, AgriSea is constructing a nanocellulose production plant to transform macroalgae waste into zero-waste cellulose. This innovative biorefinery will advance Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioproducts sector, providing sustainable materials for industries like food and biomedical applications. By establishing a new market for seaweed-based nanocellulose, AgriSea’s project positions Aotearoa New Zealand as a leader in sustainable aquaculture, offering a renewable alternative to conventional materials.

EnviroStrat’s regenerative ocean farming model restores ecosystems and creates a sustainable supply chain for native seaweed and scallops. 

By collaborating with Greenwave Aotearoa, EnviroStrat supports biodiversity and local economies while establishing seaweed-based food and agricultural products. For every tonne of carbon dioxide emitted in seaweed farming, EnviroStrat’s model sequesters 7.5 tonnes by harvest. EnviroStrat’s innovative model exemplifies how aquaculture can drive positive environmental and economic impact.

Good Grub takes food waste and uses the Black Soldier Fly to convert this into protein and fertiliser.

Good Grub is attempting to provide a solution in aid of our broken food chain by drawing on food waste to produce more meaningful outputs. Protein is hard to create, and Black Soldier Fly larvae provide a way of growing protein with lower emissions than other proteins. Good Grub fertiliser is a natural alternative to harmful synthetics.

ŌKU New Zealand is a B Corp-certified, Māori-owned business that produces a range of wellness products from the ngahere (native forests) of Aotearoa New Zealand.

It integrates Māori knowledge with scientific research, creating solutions that address environmental, health and economic challenges. Through a Māori business model that emphasises kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and a ‘quadruple bottom line’ approach, ŌKU New Zealand enables landowners to create income from native regenerated planting. Its environmentally-focused initiatives include the Koi Carp Project that repurposes an invasive fish to create advanced wound care products. Its research into rongoā (traditional Māori healing) as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes showcases its commitment to culturally relevant healthcare solutions.

Spout Milk’s reusable milk kegs have eliminated more than 100,000 plastic milk bottles from Aotearoa New Zealand’s waste stream.

Spout Milk, led by Nick Jackson and Jo Mohan, replaces single-use plastic milk bottles with 100% reusable kegs. Since 2019, Spout Milk calculates this has avoided more than 16,000 kg of emissions. This circular approach, used by cafes, hotels and corporate clients across the South Island, highlights how reusable systems can reduce plastic waste. Spout Milk’s scalable model demonstrates the potential for innovation in the dairy industry, promoting sustainable solutions to plastic pollution in Aotearoa New Zealand.