Last week, we proudly launched Autex Future Lab, our new home of R&D, marking a transformative moment in our journey toward high-performance innovation that respects and preserves our natural world. Held at the immersive Glasshouse in Morningside, Auckland, the evening brought together our key partners, collaborators, architects, designers, and industry leaders to celebrate the unveiling of our first groundbreaking product, Embrace™, to emerge from Autex Future Lab.
From the outset, change and innovation have been core to Autex’s DNA. With Autex Future Lab, we’ve created a space that fosters cutting-edge thinking, collaboration, and material breakthroughs. The launch event’s energy reflected this bold mission, offering a powerful glimpse into the future of sustainable manufacturing.
Guests were welcomed by Managing Director Rob Woolner, who set the tone with an inspiring message about Autex’s evolution—how a legacy business is stepping confidently into a new era of regenerative design, partnerships, and material leadership. This was followed by Director Jonathan Mountfort, who gave us an insight into our journey with wool fibre and how we were able to achieve the first carbon negative, NaturePositive+ Declaration product for the construction industry. We heard from Rubisco’s Guy Willis, who shared an authentic account of our collaboration and the exciting intersections of fibre and manufacturing. Hon. Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister of Agriculture, added valuable insights from the agriculture industry, underscoring the importance of cross-industry partnerships in accelerating meaningful change and the need to support businesses through initiatives such as Sustainable Food and Fibres Futures.
A standout feature of the evening was the interactive installation, a threshold experience into the world of Autex Future Lab. Enveloping people in tactile materials and storytelling, the installation allowed guests to physically connect with the essence of Autex Future Lab and explore Autex Acoustics’ new carbon negative product. Through new products like the one featured in the installation, we’re making a positive start by getting negative. Carbon negative.
The launch of Autex Future Lab is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. It signals a bold step forward as we assemble a team of global trailblazers and partners ready to reshape how we make, build, and regenerate. The future is now—and it begins at Autex Future Lab.
