NZ Start-up Founders Named Breakthrough Energy Fellows For Carbon Capture Tech.pdf

Date: 17 October 2023

Aspiring Materials' Co-founders Dr Allan Scott and Dr Christopher Oze Recognized as Breakthrough Energy Fellows

Ōtautahi Christchurch, NZ – Aspiring Materials, a New Zealand-based start-up, has been named among the third cohort of Breakthrough Energy Fellows, an innovation accelerator program founded by Bill Gates. The recognition comes after the company demonstrated its novel approach to carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) using commonly found igneous rocks called olivine.

Key Points:

- Unique CCUS Technology: Aspiring Materials' patent-pending process mineralizes captured CO2 into a solid state carbonate, eliminating potential leakage.
- Regional Recognition: Dr Allan Scott and Dr Christopher Oze are the only two Australasian innovators in the third cohort of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program.
- Global Support: The program provides access to research funding, mentorship, and the extensive global BE network, aiding Aspiring Materials' scale-up efforts.
- Impact: The technology can abate up to 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions for every one tonne of olivine-rich rocks processed.

Background:

New Zealand's emissions are trending downwards, but reducing gross industrial process emissions in hard-to-abate industries remains a challenge. Aspiring Materials' solution is recognized as a "next generation of world-changing ideas" by Breakthrough Energy.

Quotes:

- Dr Christopher Oze and Dr Allan Scott: "It's an incredible opportunity... We're on the brink of something truly groundbreaking."
- Katherine Izumi, Director of Operations, Aspiring Materials: "We're grateful that Breakthrough Energy exists to support people like us to bring our ideas to fruition."

About Aspiring Materials:

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, Aspiring Materials focuses on mineral conversion using olivine-rich rocks. Their technology not only captures carbon dioxide but also produces useful byproducts such as silica, iron, nickel, and hydrogen.