--- title: ArcActive | Energy Storage and Automotive Batteries description: Sustainable, efficient and low cost energy storage solutions in reducing emissions and improving fuel economy for automotive industry. Learn more about ArcActive. image: https://www.arcactive.com/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/arcactive-featured-image-14.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.arcactive.com/about-us#main-content) [![ArcActive](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/branding/arcactive-logo-extra-small.png?width=176&height=30&name=arcactive-logo-extra-small.png) ![ArcActive](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/branding/arcactive-logo-small.png?width=176&height=30&name=arcactive-logo-small.png)](https://www.arcactive.com?hsLang=en) [Get In Touch](https://www.arcactive.com/#contact) - [Home](https://www.arcactive.com) - [Energy Storage](https://www.arcactive.com#energy-storage) - [Automotive](https://www.arcactive.com#automotive) - [About](https://www.arcactive.com#about) - [Get In Touch](https://www.arcactive.com#contact) # About Us #### **Developing the Next Generation of Lead-Acid Battery Technology** Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, ArcActive has developed and continues to improve advanced lead-acid battery technology for automotive and energy-storage applications. At the heart of our technology is a fabric-structured electrode, enabled by our Glass Electrode Material (GEM) technology. This approach is designed to overcome key limitations of conventional lead-acid batteries and enable long-life performance in demanding applications. --- # Our Story | #### **1970s** | Former ArcActive CTO, Professor John Abrahamson, pioneered early research into carbon nanotubes. | | --- | --- | | #### **2007** | John joined forces with ArcActive CEO Stuart McKenzie to explore the commercial potential of his arc-reactor technology, initially focusing on developing a continuous process for arc-treating carbon fibre. | | #### **2011** | ArcActive began using arc-treated carbon fibre as a substrate for a new type of negative electrode for lead-acid batteries, improving charge acceptance and cycle life. | | #### **2010s** | ArcActive focused on automotive batteries, working with battery manufacturers around the world to develop and license its electrode technology and translate the process from laboratory development to commercial-scale manufacture. | | #### **2018** | ArcActive entered a major development partnership with East Penn Manufacturing, focused on scaling the manufacture and testing of batteries incorporating ArcActive's carbon-fibre electrodes, initially for automotive start-stop applications. | | #### **2020** | ArcActive's AACarbon electrode technology won the Battery Council International Innovation Award, recognising its combination of high, sustained dynamic charge acceptance and low water consumption. | | #### **2022** | ArcActive shifted its focus towards stationary energy storage and partnered with Advanced Battery Concepts (ABC), combining ArcActive's fabric electrode technology with ABC's bipolar battery architecture. | | #### **2024** | ArcActive partnered with Hollingsworth & Vose to develop Glass Electrode Material (GEM), a new generation of fabric electrode designed to reduce cost and provide a scalable, reliable supply chain. GEM would go on to win the 2026 BCI Innovation Award. | | #### **2026** | In collaboration with Origin Zero, ArcActive deployed its first pilot-scale containerised battery energy-storage system at Deakin University's Waurn Ponds microgrid in Australia. | --- # Our Partners. [![EastPenn Logo](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/arcactive-assets-eastpenn-logo-hd.png?width=500&height=195&name=arcactive-assets-eastpenn-logo-hd.png)](https://www.eastpennmanufacturing.com/) [![Advanced Battery Concepts Logo](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/arcactive-assets-advanced-battery-concepts-logo-hd.png?width=500&height=195&name=arcactive-assets-advanced-battery-concepts-logo-hd.png)](https://advancedbatteryconcepts.com/) [![Hollingsworth and Vose logo](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/Hollingsworth-and-Vose-logo.png?width=500&height=97&name=Hollingsworth-and-Vose-logo.png)](https://www.hollingsworth-vose.com/) [![Origin Zero Logo](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Origin_Zero_logo_Vertical_RGB.webp?width=500&height=186&name=Origin_Zero_logo_Vertical_RGB.webp)](https://www.originenergy.com.au/enterprise/) --- # Management Team. ## ![Stuart McKenzie](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/new-team-photos/stuart-circle-bw-photo-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=stuart-circle-bw-photo-1.png) ###### **Stuart McKenzie** CEO & Managing Director Prior to ArcActive, Stuart spent ten years as a partner at two venture capital companies, with a focus on investing in tech businesses. He received an MBA from Otago University in 2000. ## ![Shane Christie](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/new-team-photos/shane-circle-bw-photo-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=shane-circle-bw-photo-1.png) ###### **Shane Christie** Chief Technology Officer Shane graduated with a BEng (Hons) from the University of Canterbury as a Chemical Engineer and has been with ArcActive since the company made its first electrode. ## ![Michael Everett](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mike%20circle%20BW-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=mike%20circle%20BW-1.png) ###### **Michael Everett** Chief Operating Officer Michael is an experienced energy storage executive with over 20 years’ experience in the development and manufacturing of battery technologies. He has held senior leadership roles at companies including Advanced Battery Concepts, Trojan Battery Company, and Maxwell Technologies. ## ![Aimee Pavitt](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/new-team-photos/aimee-circle-bw-photo-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=aimee-circle-bw-photo-1.png) ###### **Aimee Pavitt** Operations Director Aimee has worked with ArcActive for over a decade and has developed strong skills in team leadership and strategic planning. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. ## ![Richard Trudgian](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/new-team-photos/richard-circle-bw-photo-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=richard-circle-bw-photo-1.png) ###### **Richard Trudgian** Engineering Manager Richard brings over 30 years of experience in mechanical design, engineering management, and quality management. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Aerospace Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. ## ![Kirk McKay](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/homepage/new-team-photos/kirk-circle-bw-photo-1.png?width=200&height=200&name=kirk-circle-bw-photo-1.png) ###### **Kirk McKay** Finance Manager Kirk is an experienced finance professional with a strong background in financial management, business strategy, and governance. He holds an MBA from the University of Otago and has played a key role in managing both businesses and charitable organisations throughout his career. ![arcactive-logo-small](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/branding/arcactive-logo-small.png?width=338&height=57&name=arcactive-logo-small.png)   # ArcActive is proudly based in New Zealand, with our head office and R&D facility located in Christchurch. You can find us at:   #### 128B Waterloo Road Hornby Christchurch 8042 New Zealand   ### For more information, please get in touch using the form. ![ArcActive](https://www.arcactive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/branding/AA+Wordmark_REV-01.png?width=200&height=30&name=AA+Wordmark_REV-01.png) --- 128B Waterloo Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand. © 2026 ArcActive Limited