Christchurch has emerged as a significant hub for hydrogen energy innovation, attracting both new technology startups and established companies to develop clean energy solutions. Fabrum, a local firm specializing in liquid hydrogen technology, has played a prominent role in this sector. Established in 2004 by Christopher Boyle and Hugh Reynolds, who serve as managing director and technical director respectively, the company has participated in diverse projects spanning Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Fabrum’s international portfolio includes supplying Australia’s largest liquid hydrogen storage and refueling facility for a Fortescue mining operation in Western Australia, as well as developing a hydrogen fueling station for the trucking company HW Richardson in Invercargill, which is expected to become operational before the end of the year. The company is also involved in pilot projects for airlines and airports in the UK, and collaborates with Airbus and Fortescue at Christchurch Airport’s Kōwhai Park energy precinct to produce gaseous or liquid hydrogen on demand for testing purposes.
The increasing global focus on hydrogen attracted significant investment for Fabrum in 2023, allowing the company to secure $23 million in venture capital. The funding round was led by London-based AP Ventures along with contributions from Fortescue and Japan’s Obayashi. The capital injection facilitated expansion in both manufacturing capacity and workforce, with staff numbers doubling to approximately 70 employees.
Boyle and Reynolds credit Christchurch’s strong engineering heritage and access to skilled graduates from the University of Canterbury—where both earned engineering degrees—as foundational to their decision to base the company there. Boyle highlighted the city’s established technology clusters, citing companies such as Hamilton Jet and Tait Communications as examples of an ecosystem supporting innovation and technical expertise.
“We wanted to build a pathway for students to stay local but contribute innovation technology globally,” Boyle said, noting that many peers had sought opportunities overseas after graduation. He emphasized Christchurch’s blend of technical capability, quality of life, and proximity to natural amenities as key factors in anchoring Fabrum in the region.
While Fabrum has attracted interest from international markets like the United States and the United Kingdom, Boyle affirmed that the company intends to maintain its core research and development, as well as primary manufacturing operations, in Christchurch. Some manufacturing may eventually be expanded offshore to support scaling, but the company values its deep connections with the university and local suppliers.
In addition to employing engineering students as summer cadets to provide practical experience for their degrees, Fabrum also engages marketing students to assist with market research and international outreach efforts. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to integrating local talent and fostering industry-academia collaboration in the evolving hydrogen energy sector.