Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency in Industry and Commerce

Speaker: Frank Hoferecht, Managing Director, Shareholder

Blue Fire develops and supplies catalytic converters for wood- and pellet-fired appliances. Specialised in biomass emission control since 2015, the company supports manufacturers with catalyst selection, technical integration and testing. Its ceramic foam and honeycomb catalysts cover different temperature ranges and are designed to reduce gaseous emissions while improving combustion efficiency.

Speaker: Hilmer Heineke, CEO

enhelios develops Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) systems for direct heat and process heat. Its modular ENHANCER system uses two-axis solar tracking for industrial and commercial facilities, buildings and local heat networks. The technology provides temperatures from 50 to 350 °C and offers a compact, partly mobile solution for decarbonising thermal energy demand.

Speaker: Jaimie Lancaster, Managing Director

Everllence provides technologies and services for energy-intensive industries, power generation and marine applications. Its portfolio includes high-efficiency engines for conventional and alternative fuels, large-scale heat pumps, retrofit solutions, carbon capture technologies and hydrogen-related systems. More than 260 years of engineering tradition are combined with a global service network and an established New Zealand presence.

Speaker: Matthias Gunter, Senior Sales Manager

INTEC Engineering plans, manufactures and supplies tailor-made systems for industrial process heat and regenerative energy applications. The family-owned German company offers thermal-oil and steam systems, waste-heat recovery, biomass firing systems, heat exchangers, complete energy plants and sewage-sludge solutions, complemented by engineering, commissioning, retrofit, after-sales and maintenance services.

Speaker: Christian Deutinger, CEO

Passiv Energie develops decentralised ventilation systems with heat recovery for energy-efficient buildings. Its HOKKAIDO range provides room-by-room ventilation without central ductwork, combining high heat recovery, low electricity consumption, filtration and intelligent controls. Optional functions include humidity, CO2 and radon monitoring as well as summer cooling.

Speaker: Dominik Hammer, Head of International Sales

SUNSET Energietechnik develops renewable energy solutions with a focus on photovoltaics and solar technology. The company offers planning, installation and maintenance of photovoltaic and solar-thermal systems, energy storage and related solutions. SUNSET manufactures solar modules in Germany and brings long-standing experience and international references to commercial and industrial applications.

Speaker: Wolf-Dieter Rausch, Managing Director / Owner

SusTeco develops sustainable environmental and energy solutions focusing on wastewater treatment, biomass and pyrolysis technologies. For New Zealand, the company is particularly interested in wastewater treatment for smaller units, pyrolysis and related heat utilisation. SusTeco combines engineering and project development with a strong sustainability focus throughout all project stages.

New Zealand offers attractive business opportunities for German providers of energy-efficient industrial technologies. Increasing regulatory requirements for industrial decarbonisation are driving demand for innovative solutions and international expertise.

German companies are particularly well positioned to contribute through their technological know-how, integrated energy-efficient system solutions, and extensive industry experience.

The mission is particularly relevant for companies offering solutions in the following areas:

• Electrification of industrial processes: Heat pumps, power-to-heat solutions, and high-temperature technologies.
• Industrial energy efficiency: Energy management systems, waste heat recovery, automation, and high-efficiency cooling and refrigeration technologies.
• Renewable energy and on-site generation: Solar PV, solar thermal, and wind energy, particularly when combined with battery storage. New Zealand is expanding its renewable electricity generation to achieve its climate targets.
• Energy storage technologies: Solutions supporting grid stability, industrial process energy, and the integration of variable renewable energy sources.
• Commercial sector decarbonisation: Hotels, healthcare facilities, cold storage facilities, and business parks are increasingly investing in energy efficiency measures and integrated solar-plus-storage solutions. 

New Zealand presents promising market opportunities for German companies specialising in decarbonisation and energy efficiency solutions for industry and commerce. The country has legally committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with the exception of biogenic methane. Industry is a key focus, as it is New Zealand's second-largest source of emissions and will need to modernise its energy supply, production processes, and energy efficiency over the coming years.

Although some climate programmes have been adjusted since 2024, New Zealand's sector-specific emissions reduction targets remain in place. At the same time, economic forecasts for 2027 point to a recovery following the recent recession, increasing investment activity, and growing demand for cost-effective technologies that reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This creates an attractive business environment for German suppliers of energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies across a range of industries.

Particularly promising sectors include the dairy and food processing industries, which require large amounts of process heat; the timber and construction industries, with significant potential for biomass and advanced drying technologies; the chemical and petrochemical industries; and the wider manufacturing sector. Transport and logistics are also creating new opportunities through fleet electrification, charging infrastructure, and vehicle conversion. Within the commercial sector, hotels, healthcare facilities, cold storage operators, and business parks are increasingly investing in energy efficiency measures, solar PV systems, battery storage, and energy management solutions.

Significant market potential exists in the electrification of industrial processes through technologies such as heat pumps, power-to-heat systems, and high-temperature heating solutions. There is also strong demand for energy management systems, waste heat recovery, industrial automation, high-efficiency cooling and refrigeration technologies, renewable self-generation solutions, and energy storage systems that improve grid stability, support industrial processes, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.