Highlights

  • Coralia has commenced harvesting and pyrolysis trials at NoviqTech’s flagship Great Barrier Reef Biochar Project.
  • The project is focused on converting invasive Chinese Apple trees into biochar for potential long-term carbon removal applications.
  • Biomass from the trial will be processed at Pyrocal’s Facility in Toowoomba across multiple operating temperatures.
  • Trial outputs are expected to support research with Swinburne University and align with Puro.earth carbon removal methodologies.
  • Preliminary assessment approval from Puro.earth is targeted for September 2026.

NoviqTech Ltd (ASX:NVQ) has commenced field and pyrolysis activities at its flagship Great Barrier Reef Biochar Project in North Queensland, marking a new stage in the company’s carbon removal and biochar development strategy. The update was released through its Subsidiary Coralia, which is overseeing the harvesting and processing program focused on invasive Chinese Apple trees across selected project areas.

Shares of NoviqTech traded at AUD 0.048 during the afternoon session on 28 May 2026, down 7.69% for the day but remaining up 60% over the past year. The latest company update outlined progress across operational preparation, biomass harvesting, pyrolysis testing and environmental data collection linked to its broader carbon removal objectives.

About NoviqTech and Coralia

NoviqTech is an Australian technology company with exposure to carbon removal and sustainability-focused initiatives through its subsidiary Coralia. The company has been developing biochar-based carbon dioxide removal projects within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area in North Queensland.

Coralia’s strategy is centred on transforming invasive woody weed species into biochar products that may support long-term carbon storage pathways while also contributing to land restoration and environmental management objectives. The company has also indicated that its future biochar carbon removal credits could potentially support organisations seeking carbon reduction solutions, including data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure operators.

Harvesting and Chipping Activities Now Underway

According to the company, contractors have now mobilised to begin harvesting and chipping invasive Chinese Apple trees across selected target areas within the project region. The trial has been designed to assess the practical and environmental viability of converting the biomass into biochar.

The selected areas cover a range of infestation densities, including high, medium and low concentrations of Chinese Apple trees. NoviqTech said these areas were identified using aerial surveys, stakeholder engagement and ground-level observations carried out by the Coralia team.

Prior to the commencement of field activities, aerial and on-ground surveys were completed in Partnership with Fyfe. The survey process generated information regarding biomass characteristics and site conditions, while also assisting the company in planning clearing operations and evaluating accessibility across the project landscape.

The company noted that clearing and chipping operations will proceed at a controlled pace to ensure representative feedstock sampling while maintaining manageable Downstream processing volumes.

Pyrolysis Trials to Be Conducted at Pyrocal Facility

Following harvesting and chipping activities, the biomass will be transported to Pyrocal’s facility in Toowoomba for pyrolysis testing.

The pyrolysis component of the trial will involve processing the biomass across multiple operating temperatures to evaluate biochar production outcomes, feedstock suitability and carbon storage stability characteristics.

Biochar samples produced through the testing program are expected to undergo laboratory analysis and may also support downstream research initiatives, including Coralia’s previously announced low-carbon concrete collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology.

The company stated that the trial will also include stack testing and operational data collection, which are intended to contribute to an internal economic assessment covering the harvesting-to-pyrolysis value chain.

Focus on Carbon Accounting and Certification Alignment

One of the central objectives of the project is the establishment of monitoring and verification systems aligned with institutional carbon removal standards.

NoviqTech confirmed that trial data, chain-of-custody records and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) inputs are being collected with reference to Puro.earth methodology requirements. The company is targeting preliminary assessment approval from Puro.earth by September 2026, subject to review timelines and submission requirements.

Puro.earth is recognised within the carbon removal market for methodologies linked to engineered carbon removal pathways, including biochar-related projects.

As part of the process, the company plans to complete independent peer review work relating to its Life Cycle Assessment before submitting a comprehensive data package for preliminary assessment.

Management indicated that the current trial is intended to demonstrate a transparent and scalable approach that aligns with expectations commonly applied by institutional carbon removal buyers and premium registry frameworks.

Research Collaboration With Swinburne University

The project also carries a research component tied to the use of biochar in low-carbon construction materials.

NoviqTech stated that biochar samples generated during the pyrolysis trials will be supplied to Swinburne University of Technology as part of its biochar-in-concrete research program.

In addition to laboratory testing, the program is expected to involve broader concrete testing using bulk biochar samples dispatched later in the trial process.

The company said the research initiative may contribute to further understanding of how biochar materials could be incorporated into alternative construction applications while also supporting carbon reduction objectives.

Environmental and Operational Objectives

The trial has been structured around several operational and environmental targets.

From an operational perspective, NoviqTech aims to evaluate machinery productivity, contamination control, logistics and moisture management under real-world field conditions.

The company also intends to assess Chinese Apple biomass as a potential feedstock for biochar production, including analysis of pyrolysis performance, Yield characteristics and long-term carbon storage potential.

Environmental assessment work will involve emissions data collection alongside evaluation of broader co-benefits associated with invasive species removal and land restoration activities.

According to the company, the trial is expected to provide information that may support future Investment decisions, pilot facility planning and regulatory engagement.

Institutional Engagement and Pilot Facility Planning

NoviqTech said outputs from the trial are also intended to support engagement with institutional Stakeholders under its previously announced Memorandum of Understanding with A Healthier Earth (AHE).

In parallel, the company is working with engineering partner TFA Project Group on pilot facility design considerations informed by operational trial data.

Management noted that information generated during the current testing phase could contribute to technology selection processes and broader planning associated with future commercial-scale development opportunities.

Indicative Timeline for Upcoming Milestones

The company outlined several indicative milestones associated with the trial process.

Pre-trial preparation activities, including contractor mobilisation and aerial surveys, were completed during mid-May 2026.

Harvesting and chipping operations commenced in late May 2026, while feedstock testing, biomass transport and pyrolysis activities are expected to progress during early June.

By mid-to-late June 2026, the company anticipates receiving feedstock, biochar and stack testing results, alongside completion of independent Life Cycle Assessment review work.

Submission of the project’s preliminary assessment package to Puro.earth is expected in early July 2026, with completion of the assessment process targeted between August and September 2026, subject to external review timelines.

Commercial Pathways Still at Early Stage

While the company highlighted several strategic objectives linked to the project, NoviqTech also stated that the trial remains at an early stage.

Management noted that there is currently no certainty regarding the achievement of Puro.earth certification, future commercial agreements or Revenue generation outcomes associated with the project.

The company added that forward-looking statements relating to the project remain subject to operational, regulatory and market-related uncertainties.

What This Means for Investors

NoviqTech’s latest update marks the commencement of on-ground operational activities at its Great Barrier Reef Biochar Project and provides investors with additional visibility into the company’s carbon removal development strategy.

The trial spans multiple components of the value chain, including biomass harvesting, pyrolysis testing, environmental assessment, carbon accounting and research collaboration.

Investors are likely to monitor upcoming milestones closely, particularly the progress of pyrolysis testing, Swinburne research outcomes and the company’s planned preliminary assessment submission to Puro.earth later this year.