About Element Zero

The Green Metal Company

We’re developing zero-emission technology to produce green metals from iron ore and other ores. Our goal is simple: heavy industry without the heavy carbon footprint.

Why it matters

Steel, nickel and other metals are essential to modern life. However, traditional production is emissions-intensive. By combining renewable energy with new electrochemistry, we aim to cut those emissions at the source.

Meet Our Team

Element Zero | The Green Metal Company

What we’re building

We are still developing and scaling our process. Our technology is designed to convert iron ore, nickel ore and other resources into pure metals without releasing carbon dioxide. As we progress, we’re focused on cost, energy efficiency and commercial viability.

The potential impact

Our customers have committed to reduce over 2 billion tonnes of CO₂. We aim to help them get there with technology that removes fossil fuels from core metal production steps.

* Chart represents 2022 Global Industrial Carbon Emissions. IEA. (2023, June 15). Direct CO₂ emissions from industry in the net zero scenario, 2000-2030 – charts – Data & Statistics. IEA.https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/direct-co2-emissions-from-industry-in-the-net-zero-scenario-2000-2030-2

Meet Our Team

The Element Zero team is a diverse ensemble of scientists, technologists, and financial experts collaborating within this specialised field.

Michael Masterman

Chief Executive Officer

Michael has been involved in large resources and green energy start-ups including Fortescue (2003), Zenobe (2015), FFI (2020) and Squadron Energy (2020).

He brings an extensive network of relationships with CEOs and Chairs across iron ore, metals and steel in Australia, Brazil and Europe, as well as experience in large-scale financing and commercialisation of new technologies.

Bart Kolodziejczyk

Chief Technology Officer

Bart is an innovator with 15 years experience across renewables, hydrogen and clean tech startups.

He was Director at Boston Consulting Group and Chief Scientist at Fortescue. Previously CTO at H2SG Energy (Singapore), which manufactured electrolyser systems valued at $220 million. He advises the UN, OECD, G20, World Energy Council and European Commission. In 2022 he received the Order of Australia for service to hydrogen energy. Bart holds nine degrees (including two PhDs and six master’s degrees) and over a dozen patents.

Peter Barrett

Board Director

Peter is Co-Founder and General Partner at Playground Global, a deep tech venture firm in Palo Alto. He serves on the board of companies in computation, AI and decarbonisation, including PsiQuantum and Universal Hydrogen. He led the Series A for MosaicML, later acquired by Databricks. Previously, he created the first widely used video codec in the early 1990s, was a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, and hired Elon Musk into his first Silicon Valley role. Peter holds over 100 patents.