Turning toxic emissions into clean fuel: the UNSW spinout tackling NOx pollution

What is a spinout?

Spinouts are companies formed to commercialise research developed within a university, taking discoveries out of the lab and turning them into real-world technologies and businesses. They're one of the most direct ways research translates into impact.

“Spinouts play a vital role in translating groundbreaking UNSW research into real world impact that improves lives... From pioneering clean energy to revolutionising quantum technologies, UNSW and its spinouts are transforming the world and advancing progress for all.”- UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs

UNSW has topped Australia's national rankings for research spinouts for four consecutive years, producing 19 spinouts in 2024 and 25 in 2025 alone, reinforcing its position as the country's leading university for turning research into successful businesses. OzAmmonia is part of this growing pipeline.

Alumni-founded UNSW spinout OzAmmonia

OzAmmonia was founded by UNSW alumni, Josh Leverett, Rahman Daiyan and Zhipeng Ma, alongside fellow alumni and technical advisor, Rose Amal. The spinout was created to combat climate change through an electrolyser-based technology that converts emissions into renewables. We sat down with COO Josh Leverett to discuss what makes OzAmmonia tick.

What does OzAmmonia work towards achieving?

OzAmmonia's patented electrolyser converts nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions into renewable ammonia, a fertiliser and fuel, while halving waste gas treatment costs. The team is building a future powered by carbon-free fuels like ammonia, turning NOx from a pollutant into a key resource.

"...the team decided to form the OzAmmonia spinout to get the technology out of the lab and into the real world."

Initially, the team was focused on applying the technology to displace conventional ammonia production and produce renewable ammonia from nitrogen in the air. But conversations with industry shifted their focus.

"...through conversations with industry we realised that there was a much more pressing challenge that we could address today: the abatement of waste nitrogen oxide emissions at a lower cost compared to current techniques."

These conversations created a core shift to refocus the business from "renewable ammonia production" to "waste emissions treatment". This meant the value of the produced ammonia offset the treatment costs, providing a cost-competitive solution while also combating climate impact by working with waste emissions rather than the atmosphere more broadly.

"OzAmmonia is targeting emissions of waste nitrogen oxides, a pollutant released from fuel combustion that contributes to climate change, environmental pollution, and impacts on human health. These gases cause smog, which affects the respiratory tract and leads to breathing issues. By converting this pollutant to a valuable fuel and fertiliser, we are also contributing to cleaner air."

Why follow OzAmmonia's story?

OzAmmonia's mission is to close the NOx loop and unlock a zero-emissions future for fertilisers, fuels, and beyond. The company has progressed the technology to a commercial prototype, to be piloted with industry partners.

OzAmmonia is one of many spinouts founded by UNSW alumni, and a fantastic example of the innovation and creativity of thinking coming from UNSW, particularly in the deep tech space.

Stories like OzAmmonia's are just one part of what's happening across UNSW's deep tech spinout and startup ecosystem.

About Barker Street Ventures

Barker Street Ventures is one of UNSW's initiatives giving eligible UNSW spinouts and startups visibility and access to a network that can help them grow.

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