Amid a global shift towards renewable energy and electrification, CarbonScape has developed a world-first sustainable biographite for use in lithium-ion batteries. It’s set to disrupt the global graphite supply chain and cut the carbon footprint of each electric vehicle battery by almost a third.
CarbonScape was founded in 2006 with a vision to pioneer new, sustainable methods to convert waste biomass into carbon products. However, as the world’s focus rapidly shifted to renewable energy and electrification – particularly of transport – CarbonScape pivoted its existing technology and focus to the battery raw materials space.
Drawing on 10 years of deep-tech carbon materials knowledge and innovation culture, CarbonScape pioneered biographite in 2015 through the conversion of by-products sourced from sustainable commercial forestry. The higher-value bio-anode material goes a long way to solving the pressing issue of how to make lithium-ion batteries in a significantly greener, and more affordable way. With S&P Global predicting a 30 per cent annual increase in graphite demand from the battery sector by 2030, the business’ strategic pivot has paid off.
Critically, using CarbonScape’s technology, biographite can be produced locally – both in New Zealand and globally – at a competitive rate and at scale to meet the accelerating demand forEVs, grid-storage and household appliances powering the electrification revolution.
Marketing Director Rajiv Anushan says the world seems to have learnt from the mistakes of the past.
“Alongside electrification, there is a strong focus today on circularity, which is why our solution is so attractive to investors, partners and ultimately customers.
“In addition to repurposing by-products from the timber industry, localising the production process is key to shortening the supply chain and reducing climate impact. We believe our carbon negative footprint offers an advantage as countries wrestle with achieving global climate targets,” he says.
Today, CarbonScape is commercialising its biographite production globally. It joined the FernMark Licence Programme in 2020 to boost its credibility in overseas markets, with a focus on Northern Europe. Anushan says Nordic countries are particularly receptive to New Zealand’s credentials in the deep tech sector, building on a shared background in agricultural economics.
“The New Zealand value of Tiaki, care for people, place and planet, also resonates with Northern Europe. Joining the FernMark Programme provides us with a mark of authenticity, demonstrating our shared values and enabling strong business partnerships,” he says.
As an official trademark that is recognised globally as a New Zealand Government accreditation, Anushan says the FernMark has played an important role in CarbonScape’s conversations surrounding global investment and governmental access.
Recently, CarbonScape announced a US$18 million investment from world-leading companies Stora Enso, a provider of renewable products, and Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), a lithium-ion battery producer and innovator. The business also gained mainstream visibility in February 2024 when appeared on the influential Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Graphite Battery Landscape Map, which indicates where graphite production is being developed and produced, placing CarbonScape on the world stage to help meet the surge in demand for this critical mineral.
“With the support of the FernMark Licence Programme and New Zealand Story, we are proud to pursue our vision of a graphite supply chain that enables a climate-positive and sustainable electrified future.”
Anushan says that despite the significant investment required upfront, there is a growing number of deep-tech companies built around climate-friendly credentials that are thriving around the world. He believes that New Zealand companies have the edge due to our inherent innovative mindset.
“Sustainable, renewable, carbon negative biographite can now be produced locally, almost anywhere on Earth. Importantly, with CarbonScape’s pioneering technology we have the ability to charge the world, without changing it.”