Fabrum
Fabrum designs and manufactures cryogenic and composite liquid hydrogen systems—including patented triple-skin LH2 tanks, hydrogen liquefiers, refueling stations, and AFCryocoolers—for aerospace manufacturers, heavy transport operators, industrial gas users, and government research organizations worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersHornby, New Zealand
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Fabrum does
Fabrum is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based engineering company founded in 2004 that designs and manufactures cryogenic systems and composite technologies centered on liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage, liquefaction, and refueling. Its product portfolio spans onboard LH2 tanks for aircraft, hydrogen liquefiers, LH2 refueling stations, polymer-membrane-free electrolysers, AFCryocoolers for onsite nitrogen/oxygen/air production, boil-off-gas management systems, and advanced precision engineering and integrated manufacturing services. The company has patented a triple-skin composite LH2 tank architecture that uses glass fiber with epoxy resin instead of carbon fiber, avoiding matrix cracking under cryogenic thermal cycling while keeping heat leak below 5 watts during rapid refilling; its AFCryocooler was selected by NASA for the Mars Lander project.
Fabrum operates a B2B enterprise sales motion, selling custom-engineered hardware systems and integrated manufacturing solutions directly to aerospace manufacturers, heavy transport operators, industrial gas users, and government/scientific research organizations. Revenue is generated through hardware sales (cryogenic equipment, LH2 tanks), technology licensing of proprietary composite tank IP to contract manufacturers, and professional services including precision machining and custom manufacturing. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; contracts are anchored to specifications, capacity, and integration complexity. Headcount is 51–100 and the company is privately held following a $23M Series A in February 2023 led by AP Ventures, with Fortescue Future Industries, Obayashi Corporation, and K1W1 participating.
The company serves three primary use-case segments — Aviation, Heavy Transport, and Heavy Industry — plus a secondary Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) segment. Notable customers include AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft (hydrogen-electric VTOL/aircraft developers integrating Fabrum LH2 tanks), NASA (AFCryocooler for Mars Lander), H2Ocean (hydrogen-powered RIB boat collaboration), and the U.S. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (20,000A Roebel cable magnet insert). Manufacturing capacity was expanded through the October 2023 acquisition of Christchurch-based foundry Alec Farrar Engineering Limited, and the company launched a hydrogen testing facility at Christchurch Airport in early 2025, anchoring a world-first LH2 refueling demonstration in October 2025.
Fabrum firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fabrum
- Legal name
- Fabrum
- Website
- https://fabrumsolutions.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Fabrum designs and manufactures cryogenic and composite liquid hydrogen systems—including patented triple-skin LH2 tanks, hydrogen liquefiers, refueling stations, and AFCryocoolers—for aerospace manufacturers, heavy transport operators, industrial gas users, and government research organizations worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fabrum industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cryogenic and Hydrogen Systems
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (32512), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerospace Fuel System Components (Tanks, Lines, Valves) (IMABANAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Manufacturing (IMACACAJ)
Keywords
Where Fabrum is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hornby
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Fabrum business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cryogenic systems sales: Sale of cryogenic equipment including AFCryocoolers, hydrogen liquefiers, and related systems for industrial and research applications
- LH2 tank manufacturing: Manufacturing and sale of composite liquid hydrogen storage tanks for aviation and transportation applications
- Technology licensing: Licensing of proprietary composite LH2 tank technology to contract manufacturers as demand for lightweight, affordable tanks grows through 2040-2050
- Engineering and manufacturing services: Advanced engineering services including precision machining, custom manufacturing, and integrated manufacturing solutions for specialized applications
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Fabrum product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fabrum designs, manufactures, and integrates cryogenic and composite technology systems for the zero-emission energy transition. Its core offerings are liquid hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen liquefiers, electrolysers, LH2 refueling stations, and cryocoolers, supported by advanced precision engineering and integrated manufacturing services. Customers include aerospace, heavy transport, heavy industry, and government research organizations across Oceania, North America, and other global markets.
Product overview
Fabrum provides an integrated portfolio of cryogenic and hydrogen technologies spanning liquid hydrogen storage, liquefaction, refueling infrastructure, and green hydrogen production. The core product line includes onboard LH2 tanks for aviation (featuring patented composite triple-skin design), hydrogen liquefiers, electrolysers, and LH2 refueling stations. Supporting capabilities include cryocoolers for liquid nitrogen/oxygen production, boil-off gas management, and advanced engineering services including precision CNC machining, composite manufacturing, and superconducting magnet construction. The portfolio is unified by core expertise in cryogenic systems and composite engineering technologies, serving aviation, heavy transport, and heavy industry applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Onboard Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Storage Patented composite liquid hydrogen storage tanks designed for aircraft integration, using a triple-skin architecture that decouples liquid containment and thermal shock from pressure capability and achieves less than 5 watts of heat leak during rapid refilling. Targeted at hydrogen-electric VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft developers such as AMSL Aero and Stralis Aircraft.
- Hydrogen Liquefiers Self-contained onsite hydrogen liquefaction systems enabling cost-effective and reliable green hydrogen liquefaction for industrial, transport, and aviation applications.
- LH2 Refueling Stations Turnkey liquid hydrogen refueling infrastructure for transportation and aviation applications, including the Christchurch Airport facility used for the world's first LH2 aircraft refueling.
- Hydrogen Fuel Station (gas) Gaseous hydrogen refueling station solutions for transportation and industrial applications, complementing Fabrum's liquid hydrogen refueling offerings.
- Electrolysers Green hydrogen production systems that split water into high-purity hydrogen and medical-grade oxygen without the polymer membranes used in conventional electrolysers, supplying transport, industrial, and medical oxygen needs simultaneously.
- Cryocoolers (AFCryocooler) Self-contained, contamination-free, reliable onsite cryocoolers for liquid nitrogen, oxygen, and air production. The AFCryocooler platform is autonomous and capable of remote operation and has been selected by NASA for use on the Mars Lander project.
- Liquid Nitrogen Systems Precision cryogenic systems for onsite liquid nitrogen production and supply, serving industrial, scientific, and aerospace customers seeking continuous, self-controlled supply without dependence on third-party gas distribution.
- Liquid Oxygen Systems Cryogenic liquid oxygen production and storage systems for medical and industrial use, leveraging Fabrum's self-contained cryocooler technology for onsite supply.
- Bio Liquid Natural Gas Systems Cryogenic systems supporting bio liquid natural gas (Bio LNG) production and handling, extending Fabrum's cryogenic platform into renewable and bioenergy fuel applications.
- Boil-Off-Gas Management (BOGM) Systems to manage, recover, and reliquefy boil-off gas from cryogenic storage, improving the efficiency and safety of liquid hydrogen and other cryogenic fuel storage installations.
- Turnkey LH2 Solutions End-to-end integrated liquid hydrogen solutions that combine liquefaction, stationary storage, and refueling capabilities for industrial and aviation customers.
- LH2 Storage Systems Stationary liquid hydrogen storage solutions for industrial and transportation infrastructure, complementing Fabrum's onboard LH2 tanks and refueling offerings.
- Advanced Engineering Services Precision engineering services including high-tolerance machining of copper and carbon composite materials and the construction of specialized components such as 20,000A Roebel cable magnet inserts for superconducting applications at facilities like the U.S. National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
- Integrated Manufacturing Comprehensive in-house manufacturing services including precision CNC machining, composite manufacturing, and foundry services, enhanced by the acquisition of Alec Farrar Engineering Limited to support cryogenic and hydrogen system production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Less than 5 watts of heat leak during rapid liquid hydrogen refilling demonstrated
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Fabrum
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Fabrum technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Fabrum partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- AMSL AerocoreAustralian hydrogen-electric VTOL aircraft developer integrating Fabrum's LH2 fuel systems into Vertiia aircraft. Expects three aircraft to fly with Fabrum's composite LH2 tanks. Vertiia targets 1,000 km range and commercial service by 2027 with 25+ pre-orders.
- Stralis AircraftcoreAustralian aircraft developer partnering with Fabrum for composite LH2 tank integration into zero-emission aircraft projects. Partner in world-first liquid hydrogen refueling demonstration at Christchurch Airport.
- Monash UniversityminorAustralian university participating in two-year research program focused on liquid hydrogen infrastructure, safety, and regulatory standards for remote and regional aviation routes alongside Fabrum.
- Deakin UniversityminorAustralian university research partner in liquid hydrogen infrastructure program for hydrogen-powered aviation operations in Australia.
- Alec Farrar Engineering LimitedcoreEngineering manufacturing company and foundry based in Christchurch, acquired by Fabrum in October 2023 to expand manufacturing capabilities and support growth in hydrogen systems and cryogenic technologies.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fabrum competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Worthington Industries: Manufacturer of pressure cylinders and cryogenic storage tanks through its consumer products and sustainable energy solutions segments. Comparable to Fabrum in cryogenic storage manufacturing for industrial gases.
- Nel ASA: Large-scale hydrogen production, storage, and refueling equipment supplier. Comparable to Fabrum's electrolyzer and hydrogen refueling station business, with broader geographic reach and listed-company balance sheet.
- Plug Power: Integrated hydrogen solutions provider covering production, storage, and fuel cell systems. Broadly comparable to Fabrum's hydrogen ecosystem play, with significantly larger scale and capital base.
- Linde: Global industrial gas major with extensive hydrogen liquefaction, storage, and distribution infrastructure. Comparable to Fabrum in industrial gas and hydrogen, with established global customer relationships and scale.
- Air Products: Industrial gas and hydrogen infrastructure leader with major green hydrogen project pipeline. Comparable to Fabrum's LH2 production, storage, and refueling capabilities, with global footprint.
Direct peers
- Chart Industries: Global cryogenic equipment manufacturer with deep hydrogen liquefaction and storage capabilities. Directly comparable to Fabrum in cryogenic systems, LH2 tanks, and hydrogen liquefiers serving industrial and mobility customers.
- Hexagon Composites: Manufacturer of composite pressure vessels for hydrogen, CNG, and industrial gas storage. Comparable to Fabrum in lightweight composite tank technology, particularly for hydrogen mobility and distribution applications.
- Universal Hydrogen: Hydrogen aviation fuel systems company developing modular LH2 storage and refueling for regional aircraft. Most direct competitor to Fabrum in LH2 aviation fuel system integration.
Emerging players
- ZeroAvia: Hydrogen-electric aviation propulsion developer using LH2 fuel systems. Comparable customer-side overlap: both target hydrogen-electric regional aircraft and depend on lightweight LH2 tank solutions.
- ITM Power: UK-based electrolyzer manufacturer focused on green hydrogen production. Comparable to Fabrum's polymer-membrane-free electrolysis technology for industrial-scale hydrogen generation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fabrum social profiles
Digital presenceFabrum financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fabrum leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Fabrum subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Fabrum funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fabrum M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fabrum
What does Fabrum do?
Fabrum designs, manufactures, and integrates cryogenic and composite technology systems for the zero-emission energy transition. Its core offerings are liquid hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen liquefiers, electrolysers, LH2 refueling stations, and cryocoolers, supported by advanced precision engineering and integrated manufacturing services. Customers include aerospace, heavy transport, heavy industry, and government research organizations across Oceania, North America, and other global markets.
Is Fabrum a public or private company?
Fabrum is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Fabrum founded?
Fabrum was founded in 2004. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Fabrum based?
Fabrum is headquartered in Hornby, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Fabrum make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cryogenic systems sales are the primary driver. The others are LH2 tank manufacturing, technology licensing and engineering and manufacturing services.
Who are Fabrum's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Worthington Industries, Nel ASA, Plug Power, Linde and Air Products. Direct peers are Chart Industries, Hexagon Composites and Universal Hydrogen. Emerging players are ZeroAvia and ITM Power.
Does Fabrum have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fabrum.
What industry is Fabrum in?
Fabrum's product category is Cryogenic and Hydrogen Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABANAJ, Aerospace Fuel System Components (Tanks, Lines, Valves), with a secondary code of IMACACAJ, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3720.