NoviqTech (ASX: NVQ) subsidiary Coralia has signed a research partnership agreement with Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology to advance biochar applications in low-carbon concrete, specifically targeting the data centre sector.
Under Phase 1 of the agreement, the partners will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of incorporating biochar derived from invasive Chinese apple trees into non-structural concrete and landscaping applications.
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.
The partnership supports Coralia’s strategy to deliver integrated decarbonisation solutions through a dual revenue pathway comprising carbon dioxide removal (CDR) credits and physical biochar applications to reduce embodied carbon in cement and construction materials within data centre and digital infrastructure projects.
Swinburne is a leader in materials characterisation, performance testing, and standards-aligned validation of next-gen construction materials, with a major focus on commercial translation and regulatory alignment.
Reducing Emissions in Concrete
Biochar—a carbon-rich material produced from biomass—is regarded as a potential solution to reducing emissions in concrete while enabling long-term carbon sequestration.
Initial applications in non-structural concrete provide a practical and scalable entry point, particularly in landscaping and civil works where regulatory and engineering requirements are comparatively lower.
Statistics indicate the biochar opportunity is underpinned by a significant carbon intensity of concrete production where cement accounts for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Growing demand from the data centre infrastructure sector accounts for up to 40% of construction materials including concrete.
Australia’s data centre capacity is projected to more than double to 3,100 megawatts by 2030, requiring an estimated $26 billion in investment.
Testing and Trial Methodologies
Under the proposed partnership, Swinburne will develop testing methodologies, quality assurance frameworks, and regulatory pathway assessments aligned with relevant Australian standards to produce a consolidated Phase 1 report.
Coralia will seek out concrete industry partners to commence commercial trials of biochar-enhanced concrete and will apply for grant opportunities to accelerate the project.
The partners will also consider industry developments and pilot applications of biochar in construction materials including full-scale prototype structures using biochar-enhanced concrete.
Coralia is building a portfolio of high-integrity biochar CDR projects in the Great Barrier Reef catchment in North Queensland.
The company’s CDR credits and physical biochar are positioned to support data centres and AI hyperscale customers in reducing net carbon emissions within Australia and worldwide as demand for high-integrity biochar carbon removals continues to accelerate.
A potential Phase 2 program will evaluate scalability and structural concrete applications for data centre infrastructure.
