About Us
We manufacture wool-based filter media in Auckland, New Zealand.
Learn more about our history and our team below.
Our History
The name Lanaco stems from the Latin word for wool, “lana.”
Lanaco was founded in 2011 in Auckland New Zealand by Nick Davenport, under the former name “Texus Fibre”, to create high-performance filter media that harnessed the superb characteristics of natural wool.
Read more in the drop-down menus below.
Premise
As a mechanical engineer Nick had been working with fossil-fuel based synthetic materials throughout his career. He knew there needed to be a different, more sustainable way to develop materials without sacrificing performance so he looked to a natural, bio-based fibre found in abundance in pastoral New Zealand – wool.
Humble Beginnings
Nick assembled a team of scientists and engineers to ensure strong scientific methodology and development standards were applied to all product development and manufacturing. The team worked directly with Wanaka sheep breeder Andy Ramsden to develop the Astino™ breeding programme allowing Lanaco to intimately understand the genetics and supply chain stages that make high quality wool. The team then looked at wool’s specific and unique properties when used to create electrostatic filter media.
Global Challenge
From an initial start exploring the industrial filter media applications of Lanaco’s wool-based technology, the company focused product development on high performance environmental masks. This expertise was put to use manufacturing high performing, uniquely breathable PPE to fight the greatest challenge of the day: protecting people’s health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
A Fresh Start
In late 2022 as COVID-19 receded from view, the company changed direction and reverted to creating its core EcoStatic® air filter media for consumer and industrial applications using the wool-rich high-performing technology it had been developing for more than a decade.
A New Vision
The wider filtration industry is dominated by fossil-fuel based synthetic options. It is currently in a period of searching for innovation as it adapts to advances in both technology and societal & regulatory ESG pressures. Lanaco is uniquely positioned to provide natural, renewable options that meet the performance standards required by the industry.
Future Facing
Today Lanaco is building a reputation in the industry for wool-based air filters which perform under some of the most challenging conditions on (and off) earth. The company continues on its journey of innovation, developing new products to achieve the vision of making natural possible in filtration - providing better solutions for the health of not just people and machines, but the planet itself.
Our Values
Making natural possible in air filtration
Here at Lanaco, we strongly believe in maintaining a cohesive team with strong values.
Integrity
Integrity is central to the way we work.
We value respect, honesty and professionalism and treat others as we would like to be treated.
We value respect, honesty and professionalism and treat others as we would like to be treated.
Collaboration
We work towards a common good – as a team working together, we can achieve much more than as individuals.
Curiosity
We look for innovative ways to solve problems rather than relying on the status quo.
Discipline
We focus on evidence and are methodical and strategic in working towards our goals.
Commitment
We are all committed to delivering our Purpose and working towards our Vision at all times.
We are resilient and strong.
We are resilient and strong.
Customer-Focused
We work together with our customers to create value.
Our products, both current and in the future are driven by solving our customers greatest challenges.
Our products, both current and in the future are driven by solving our customers greatest challenges.
People
Nick Davenport (NZCE Mech Eng, Dip BIA, MBA)
Founder and Managing Director
Nick is a materials applications engineer who founded Lanaco following many successful years heading up materials company Nexus Foams Ltd. Nick has 30 years experience in product innovation and entrepreneurialism with fibre and polymer materials for industrial applications.
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Founder and Managing Director
Nick is a materials applications engineer who founded Lanaco following many successful years heading up materials company Nexus Foams Ltd. Nick has 30 years experience in product innovation and entrepreneurialism with fibre and polymer materials for industrial applications.
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Dr. Andrew West (BSc Hons PhD DBA)
Chairman of the Board
Dr. West is experienced in commercialising deep science businesses, following an extensive career in executive government and academic roles. He has co-founded, invested in, and governed high technology start-ups and public roles, especially those with a clean, green technology specialisation, such as Lanaco, GNS Science, NZQA, Aquafortus and Synthase Biotech.
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Chairman of the Board
Dr. West is experienced in commercialising deep science businesses, following an extensive career in executive government and academic roles. He has co-founded, invested in, and governed high technology start-ups and public roles, especially those with a clean, green technology specialisation, such as Lanaco, GNS Science, NZQA, Aquafortus and Synthase Biotech.
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Hansol Cha (M Eng Hons)
Business Manager
Hansol has a Chemical Engineering educational background and brings years of technical sales experience into his role, specialising in R&D and deep tech commercialisation in public and private sectors. He leverages his strong networks to achieve top results.
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Business Manager
Hansol has a Chemical Engineering educational background and brings years of technical sales experience into his role, specialising in R&D and deep tech commercialisation in public and private sectors. He leverages his strong networks to achieve top results.
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Tony Moffat
QHSE Manager
Tony has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles in agri-business with companies of the calibre of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Seales Winslow and Lincoln University. Tony has valuable experience in operations, procurement and logistics.
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QHSE Manager
Tony has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles in agri-business with companies of the calibre of Livestock Improvement Corporation, Seales Winslow and Lincoln University. Tony has valuable experience in operations, procurement and logistics.
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Valentine Chan (MSc Hons Chemistry)
Scientific & Technical Manager
Valentine uses the chemistry of new materials to develop and improve Lanaco's natural and sustainable filter media materials. He wrote a Master's thesis on wool technology at the MacDiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington, with experience in food, paint and wet wipes industries.
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Scientific & Technical Manager
Valentine uses the chemistry of new materials to develop and improve Lanaco's natural and sustainable filter media materials. He wrote a Master's thesis on wool technology at the MacDiarmid Institute and Victoria University of Wellington, with experience in food, paint and wet wipes industries.
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Sonja Doo (BE Hons)
Operations Manager
With her materials engineering based background, Sonja brings together the scientific findings of Lanaco technology to create and enhance products and processes. She manages the highly capable production team and works with R&D to consistently expand our capabilities.
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Operations Manager
With her materials engineering based background, Sonja brings together the scientific findings of Lanaco technology to create and enhance products and processes. She manages the highly capable production team and works with R&D to consistently expand our capabilities.
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Mark Gilmour (BE Hons)
Production Engineer
Mark has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having worked with aerospace and vehicle systems previously. He has a strong background in SolidWorks, CAD, mechanical product design and product management. Mark also serves in the New Zealand Defence Force.
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Production Engineer
Mark has a background in Mechanical Engineering, having worked with aerospace and vehicle systems previously. He has a strong background in SolidWorks, CAD, mechanical product design and product management. Mark also serves in the New Zealand Defence Force.
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Andy Ramsden
Head of the Astino® Sheep Company
Andy heads Lanaco’s farm-linked operations, breeding programme, control of breeding objectives, fibre supply chain quality and supplier relations. He brings a lifetime of successful sheep breeding experience to Lanaco, enhancing our team. He also provides a mutually clear pathway of communications between producer, processor, scientist, manufacturer and end-user.
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Head of the Astino® Sheep Company
Andy heads Lanaco’s farm-linked operations, breeding programme, control of breeding objectives, fibre supply chain quality and supplier relations. He brings a lifetime of successful sheep breeding experience to Lanaco, enhancing our team. He also provides a mutually clear pathway of communications between producer, processor, scientist, manufacturer and end-user.
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