4 mins read
Coralia signs research partnership with Swinburne University of Technology to advance biochar applications in low-carbon concrete production
Sydney, 23 April 2026 – NoviqTech Limited (ASX: NVQ) is pleased to announce its subsidiary Coralia has signed a Research Partnership Agreement with Swinburne University of Technology to advance biochar applications in low-carbon concrete, specifically targeting data centres.
Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass, is a potential solution to reduce emissions in concrete whilst in addition enabling long-term carbon sequestration. This opportunity is underpinned by the significant carbon intensity of concrete production where cement accounts for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions and the growing demand from data centre infrastructure, where concrete can represent up to 40% of construction materials.
Australia’s data centre capacity projected to more than double to 3,100 MW by 2030, requiring an estimated $26 billion in investment. The partnership with Swinburne supports Coralia’s strategy to deliver integrated decarbonisation solutions through a dual revenue pathway comprising biochar carbon removal credits and physical biochar applications to reduce embodied carbon in concrete.
Highlights
Research Agreement Executed: Coralia partners with Swinburne University of Technology, a leading Australian research institution to progress biochar applications in low carbon concrete.
Phase 1 Program: Assessment of biochar derived from invasive Chinese apple tree (Ziziphus mauritiana) biomass for use in non-structural concrete and landscaping products.
Dual Revenue Model: Biochar carbon removal credits and physical biochar for low-carbon construction materials.
Platform Expansion: Extends Coralia’s capabilities across carbon markets and infrastructure decarbonisation supply chains.
Scope of Research Agreement
The Phase 1 program will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of incorporating biochar derived from Chinese apple trees (Ziziphus mauritiana) into non-structural concrete and landscaping applications, with a potential Phase 2 program to evaluate scalability and structural concrete applications for data centre infrastructure.
The research will include feedstock and biochar characterisation, concrete mix design, performance and durability testing, accelerated ageing, and environmental assessment under tropical and coastal conditions, with Swinburne University of Technology developing testing methodologies, quality assurance frameworks and regulatory pathway assessments aligned with relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 4455.2, culminating in a consolidated Phase 1 report.
The program will also consider industry developments and prior pilot applications of biochar in construction materials, including full-scale prototype structures using biochar-enhanced concrete, such as a housing prototype developed by Holcim at the Venice Biennale of Architecture.
Following the Phase 1 program Coralia will be seeking concrete industry partners to commence commercial trials of its biochar enhanced concrete in addition to applying for numerous grant opportunities to accelerate the project.
Dual Revenue Streams for Coralia Across Both Carbon and Construction Markets
This partnership strengthens Coralia’s position at the intersection of carbon markets and infrastructure decarbonisation, establishing a dual revenue model comprising the generation and sale of high-integrity biochar carbon removal credits and the development of physical biochar applications to reduce embodied carbon in cement and construction materials used in data centre and digital infrastructure projects.
Biochar, a stable carbon material produced from biomass, is a potential pathway to reduce embodied emissions while enabling long-term carbon storage, with initial applications in non-structural concrete providing a practical and scalable entry point, particularly in landscaping and civil works where regulatory and engineering requirements are comparatively lower.
This staged approach is intended to support early market adoption and near-term revenue opportunities, while generating performance data to inform potential progression into structural applications and enabling Coralia to establish capability and market presence in high-volume segments prior to assessing broader commercialisation opportunities. The dual pathway positions Coralia across both carbon credit markets and physical decarbonisation supply chains, aligned with growing demand for integrated, verifiable solutions addressing operational and embodied emissions.
About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne University of Technology is a leading Australian university recognised internationally for excellence in applied research, innovation and industry collaboration.
The University has deep expertise in materials science, engineering and sustainability, supported by advanced research facilities and strong industry partnerships. Its research programs focus on translating scientific discovery into scalable, real-world applications, with established strengths in advanced manufacturing, construction materials and circular economy solutions.
Swinburne is a recognised leader in materials characterisation, performance testing and standards-aligned validation of next-generation construction materials, with a strong focus on commercial translation and regulatory alignment.
For more information, visit swinburne.edu.au
About Coralia
Coralia is an Australian Biochar Carbon Removal company building an institutional-grade portfolio of high-integrity Biochar Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) projects in the Great Barrier Reef catchment in North Queensland.
Coralia’s Biochar CDR credits and physical biochar are positioned to support data centres and their AI hyperscale customers in reducing net carbon emissions both within Australia and globally, as demand for high-integrity biochar carbon removals continues to accelerate.
For more information, visit coralia.com.au
Authorised for release by the Board of NoviqTech Limited.
Source: ASX.
More Announcements