What Dbsorb does

Dbsorb is a New Zealand-based designer and manufacturer of acoustic panels and mounting systems, founded in 2017 and operating from a single Auckland (Penrose) facility that combines design HQ with production. Its core product is Decosorb — a lightweight, semi-rigid panel made from 100% polyester fibre with up to 60% recycled post-consumer content, certified to GRS 4.0 — extended across 17+ SKUs covering wall panels, ceiling tiles, suspended baffles, hanging screens, and modular systems (e.g., dbFin, dbBaffle, QuietKit, dbTiles, dbGroove, dbMesh, dbGrid). The company's central technical differentiator is a family of proprietary glue-free mounting systems — ReadyClip (patent-pending, PCT/NZ2023/050003), FinLock, X-Clip (Australian Design Registered, 202416269), FrameLock, and FinLock+TCR — which enable demountable, reusable, fully recyclable installations and underpin a circular-economy value proposition in an industry traditionally dominated by adhesive-mounted solutions.

The business model is hybrid: direct sales-led engagement with architects, interior designers, and specifiers through an in-house design team for detailing and acoustic strategy; a B2B channel partnership with Comfortech Building Systems for nationwide NZ supply; certified installation partners in major centres; and a self-serve online store (shop.dbsorb.co.nz) for samples and smaller orders. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time product sales, supplemented by installation services via partner network and a custom-print/bespoke-design stream (dbPrint, dbTimber finishes). Customer segments are horizontal and span corporate workspaces, education, healthcare, hospitality, wellness, public/institutional, and residential — with named enterprise projects including Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora (Mason Clinic, ~10,000 sqm, 5 Star Green Star-rated), Fonterra, Daikin NZ HQ, Meridian Energy Wellington HQ (Living Building Challenge), Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Bay Radiology. Geographic footprint is New Zealand and Australia, with NZ as the primary market and Australia as an emerging expansion market. The company holds fire-rating (ISO 9705-2003 Group 1), recycled-content (GRS 4.0), and OEKO-TEX certifications, and has won Best Design Awards 2025 recognition for its sustainable mounting-system innovation.

Name

Dbsorb

Legal name

dbsorb

Website

https://dbsorb.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dbsorb is a New Zealand manufacturer of sustainable PET acoustic panels and proprietary glue-free mounting systems, serving architects, designers, and specifiers across commercial, healthcare, education, hospitality, and residential projects in New Zealand and Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Acoustic Building Products

NAICS

Showcase, Partition, Shelving, and Locker Manufacturing (337215), Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing (3372)

SIC

Partitions, Shelvg, Lockers, & Office & Store Fixtures (2540), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Flat-Pack & Modular Furniture Assembly (IKEA, Wayfair, etc.) (HSAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

TV, Shelf & Art Mounting (Anchoring & Bracketing) (HSAGAAAF)

Keywords

• Acoustic panels
• PET acoustic solutions
• Sustainable acoustic products
• Commercial acoustic treatment
• Interior acoustic systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Acoustic Panel Products: Sale of acoustic panels and baffles across wall, ceiling, and screen categories. Products are sold directly via the online shop and through channel partners. Pricing is quote-based for larger/complex projects. Standard lead time 1 week; custom finishes 3-4 weeks.
2. Installation Services: Certified installation partners provide certified installation in major centres, while supply-only is available nationwide. Projects requiring installation are handled through the partner network.
3. Custom Printing & Bespoke Solutions: Custom print finishes, branded panels, custom colours and patterns, bespoke acoustic modelling, and project-specific design support generate additional revenue from high-value commercial projects.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dbsorb designs, manufactures, and supplies acoustic panel products — wall panels, ceiling systems, suspended baffles, hanging screens, and modular room systems — built from a 100% PET (polyester) base material with up to 60% recycled content and achieving NRC ratings from 0.40 to 1.00. The company sells directly to architects, designers, and commercial specifiers in New Zealand and Australia through its Auckland Design HQ, a trade online store, and the Comfortech Building Systems distributor network, with installation delivered via certified partners. Its core differentiator is a family of proprietary glue-free, demountable mounting systems (ReadyClip™, FinLock™, X-Clip™, FrameLock™) that allow panels to be installed, removed, and reused without adhesives.

Product overview

Dbsorb is a New Zealand manufacturer of acoustic solutions for commercial and residential spaces. The product portfolio is built around Decosorb™ PET acoustic panels (100% polyester fibre with up to 60% recycled content) and includes: wall panels (Decosorb, dbGroove, dbTiles, dbSilent Panel), ceiling panels (Ceiling Tiles, dbMesh, dbSoffit, Vista), suspended baffles (dbFin, dbBaffle, Cloud, Matrix, Hanging Screen), and modular systems (QuietKit™). The company differentiates through proprietary glue-free mounting systems including ReadyClip™ (patent-pending), FinLock™, X-Clip™, and FrameLock™ that enable circular installation and removal. Additional offerings include custom printing (dbprint), timber finishes (dbTimber), and colour matching services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Decosorb™ Lightweight, semi-rigid acoustic panel made from 100% PET polyester fibre with up to 60% recycled content. NRC 0.4–0.65. Can be printed, grooved, folded, suspended, CNC profile cut, or clipped in place. Fire rated ISO 9705-2003 Group 1, antibacterial, non-toxic, low VOC. Forms the base technology for the dbsorb product range.
• QuietKit™ Modular acoustic panel system for walls and ceilings with NRC 1.00 rating. Features interchangeable formats including panels, whiteboards, and custom edges. Installs with X-Clip™ and FrameLock™ mounting systems. Designed for flexible, reconfigurable spaces such as meeting pods and offices.
• dbSilent Panel Modular acoustic panel system with a folded design creating a closed box with an air gap. NRC 0.8–1.0 with an inlay panel. Installs with the ReadyClip™ system. Targeted at commercial interiors requiring high acoustic performance.
• dbTiles Direct-fix acoustic tiles with modular design for wall applications. Multiple colours and patterns. NRC 0.4–0.6. Installs with the ReadyClip™ system. Used across offices, schools, hospitality, and residential settings.
• dbGroove Grooved decorative acoustic panel finish with precision angular cuts. Made from Decosorb™ PET panels in 12mm or 24mm thickness. Available in standard profiles or fully customisable patterns. Classification Group 1 per AS 5637.1.
• dbFin High-performance acoustic baffles for ceiling and wall applications. NRC 0.8. Sizes include 1200x150mm and 2400x200mm. Mounts using the FinLock™ bracket system, which replaces commonly used aluminium channel.
• dbBatten Modular acoustic battens combining high acoustic function with a modern aesthetic. NRC 0.75–1.0. Multiple sizes available. Installs with the ReadyClip™ system.
• Ceiling Tiles Sound-absorbing ceiling tiles designed for standard suspended grid ceilings. NRC 0.65. Made from Decosorb™ panels with chip-resistant edges. Available in 1200x600mm and 600x600mm sizes.
• Cloud Suspended decorative acoustic baffles designed to reduce reverberation across a broad frequency range. NRC 0.7–1.0. Size 1760x883x290mm with adjustable suspension kit.
• dbBaffle Decorative high-performance acoustic baffles for interior spaces. Lightweight at approximately 1.1kg per linear metre. Available in 250x2500x48mm and 125x2500x48mm sizes.
• dbMesh Acoustic ceiling panels with diamond-cut hinged panels creating a 3D effect. NRC 0.4–0.9. Sizes 595x595mm and 1195x595mm. Fits standard ceiling grids.
• dbSoffit Modular ceiling system designed to fit between concrete Ts. Uses the FinLock™ direct-fix system. NRC 0.8–1.0 with absorber. Size 960mm x 2500mm.
• Matrix Suspended acoustic baffle range for open spaces. Multiple sizes including 1200x1200x24mm, 1200x2400x24mm, 2400x2400x24mm. Adjustable suspension kit included.
• Vista Suspended sound-absorbing ceiling panels available in multiple shapes and designs. Reduces reverberation across a broad frequency range. Adjustable suspension kit included.
• Hanging Screen Suspended acoustic partitions for privacy and speech clarity. NRC 0.4–0.65. Standard panel 1200x2400mm (max 2800mm). Uses FinLock™ + Suspension Wire System.
• dbPrint Custom print panel service available on most dbsorb products, enabling branding, custom graphics, and full-colour designs on acoustic panels. Maximum print area 1200mm x 2800mm. Used for branded acoustic solutions at enterprise clients including Fonterra and Daikin.
• dbGrid Acoustic ceiling panels with a geometric grid structure that masks ceiling plenum spaces and discreetly hides the grid. Sizes 595x595x90mm and 1195x595x90mm.
• ReadyClip™ Mounting System Patent-pending (PCT/NZ2023/050003) zero-glue, factory-fitted, flush-mounted, removable, and recyclable fixing system for wall and ceiling panels. Enables fast, glue-free installs and clean removal for modular, waste-free fitouts. Replaces adhesive-based installation.
• FinLock™ Mounting Bracket Tool-free mounting bracket for vertical fins and baffles. Replaces commonly used aluminium channel, reducing cost, weight, and installation time. Designed for clean removal, reuse, and easy end-of-life recycling.
• X-Clip™ Mounting Clip Australian Design Registration No. 202416269. Designed for perpendicular mounting to ReadyClip™, creating a cavity for acoustic performance. Concealed fixing, quick to install, and easy to remove. Used in QuietKit modular systems and XFrame room-in-room pods.
• FrameLock™ Structural Clip Structural, demountable clip for acoustic frames and freestanding panels. Offers strong hold with easy disassembly for flexible, reconfigurable spaces. Used in QuietKit modular systems.
• FinLock+TCR Clip™ Ceiling-mounted system for baffles and fins that secures directly to standard top-cross-rail (TCR) grids, eliminating the need for custom extrusions and simplifying seismic engineering design.
• dbTimber Finish Range In-house timber-look printing on PET acoustic panels, offering wood-grain aesthetics across multiple tones (Acacia, Aged Ash, Blue Gum, Cuban, Oak, Pine, Tasmanian Oak, Walnut) on various base tones, with custom colour matching available. Available as a finish option on Decosorb panels and the broader product range.
• Certified Acoustic Installation Services Certified installation services delivered through certified installation partners in major centres across New Zealand, with supply-only nationwide distribution via Comfortech Building Systems. Provides professional installation of dbsorb acoustic panel systems for commercial projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• NRC ratings from 0.40 to 1.00 depending on product and installation configuration
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Comfortech Building SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary distribution partner for dbsorb acoustic products across New Zealand. Handles supply-only nationwide distribution and is listed as the specifier for major projects including Mason Clinic. Provides commercial specification pipeline for the dbsorb product range.
• XFramecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with dbsorb to create a sustainable, adaptable Room-in-Room meeting pod solution using the X-Clip ceiling system. Deep product integration partnership for modular workspace solutions.
• Southbase ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for the Mason Clinic redevelopment. dbsorb worked closely with Southbase on installation coordination, documentation alignment, and site-level problem solving for the acoustic treatment scope.
• JasmaxcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural firm that has completed multiple projects with dbsorb including B:HIVE atrium feature wall (dbFin baffles) and other commercial interiors. Listed as a trusted design partner on the website portfolio.
• KleincoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect for the Mason Clinic — a major 5 Star Green Star forensic mental health facility where dbsorb panels were specified across much of the acoustic treatment.
• Jigsaw ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect for Bay Radiology Tauranga clinic. Collaborated with dbsorb on warm, calming acoustic solutions that perform and feel good.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Acoufelt: Australian manufacturer of acoustic panels, baffles and planks made from PET felt with strong focus on design-led commercial interiors. Directly competes with dbsorb on PET acoustic panels in the AU/NZ specification market.
• Turf: US-based maker of PET felt acoustic panels, baffles and tiles targeted at architects and commercial specifiers. Highly comparable to dbsorb on material, finish range and A&D-driven specification sales motion.
• Echo Panels: PET acoustic panel manufacturer focused on sustainable, design-forward acoustic solutions for commercial interiors. Comparable on material and sustainability story, though primarily US-focused.
• Megasorber: Australian acoustic product manufacturer offering sound-absorbing panels, baffles and noise control solutions for commercial and industrial interiors. Comparable PET-based acoustic product range and Australasian specification customer base.
• Kirei: US-based manufacturer of sustainable acoustic panels made from recycled PET and other materials, marketed to architects and designers for commercial interiors. Closely comparable on material, sustainability positioning and A&D channel.
• Autex Acoustics: New Zealand-based manufacturer of PET (polyester) acoustic panels, baffles and interior products with global reach. Closest direct competitor to dbsorb in product, material and target market across NZ and Australia.
• SoundOff Acoustic: Manufacturer of acoustic baffles, clouds and panels for commercial interiors, particularly office and education. Comparable product mix (baffles and panels) and architect/specifier customer overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions: Large global manufacturer of ceiling and wall systems, including acoustic ceiling tiles, baffles and wall panels. Overlaps with dbsorb's ceiling tile and acoustic panel range but as part of a much broader commercial ceilings portfolio.
• Decoustics: Manufacturer of custom acoustic ceiling and wall systems for commercial, education and healthcare interiors. Adjacent incumbent offering overlapping acoustic panel and ceiling products within a broader product suite.
• Knauf Insulation: Global building materials manufacturer offering a broad range of acoustic and thermal insulation products, including acoustic panels and baffles. Competes with dbsorb as part of a much wider portfolio across commercial construction.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dbsorb