Fabrum: Powering a Cleaner Future from New Zealand to the World

Founded in 2004 by engineers Christopher Boyle and Hugh Reynolds, Fabrum emerged from New Zealand's South Island with a mission to precision engineer better outcomes for the planet. Today, the company exports liquid hydrogen systems, cryogenic technology, and advanced engineering solutions to markets across the UK, Europe, the United States, India, and Australia.

At the heart of Fabrum's work is a simple but powerful idea: enabling humanity to do more with less and for longer. Their technology makes hydrogen practical for heavy transport, mining operations, marine vessels, and aviation. From hydrogen liquefiers and storage tanks to complete refuelling infrastructure, Fabrum is building the systems needed to replace fossil fuels in some of the world's most challenging applications.

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Recent achievements demonstrate the company's global impact. Fabrum partnered with Australia's AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft to create liquid hydrogen storage and distribution systems for what will be Australasia's first hydrogen-powered flight In Christchurch, they've developed a hydrogen-electric propulsion system for a rigid inflatable boat. The company has also established a hydrogen testing facility at Christchurch Airport, providing a unique R&D facility for global developers of hydrogen technologies.  

This growth reflects New Zealand's unique approach to innovation. Boyle attributes the company's success to values shaped by the country's isolated geography and rugged environment. Growing up in Canterbury, he and Reynolds developed what he calls "an appetite to push the envelope and extend the limits of what is possible." That mindset, combined with engineering talent from the University of Canterbury, has positioned Christchurch as a hub for advanced clean energy technology.

Fabrum's technology journey began with superconducting systems and evolved into cryogenics, composites, and hydrogen solutions. Today, their proprietary vacuum-insulated composite tanks lead the world in performance, drawing on two decades of development. Their technology has travelled as far as NASA's Mars lander project and as deep as 2.5 kilometres underground in a Canadian research mine supporting world-leading research in the observation of sub-atomic particles.

With the development of Canterbury’s Hydrogen Precinct, Fabrum is making locally produced liquid hydrogen a reality at their newly unveiled Hydrogen Testing Facility at Christchurch International Airport. The facility supports the development and testing of hydrogen solutions for both research and commercial applications.

As the world searches for alternatives to fossil fuels, this Christchurch company is showing that transformative clean energy solutions can emerge from anywhere - even a small island nation at the bottom of the world, bringing values of sustainability, innovation, and environmental stewardship to markets worldwide.