Coralia and Swinburne University Join Forces to Advance Low-Carbon Concrete Innovation

Coralia, a subsidiary of NoviqTech Limited, has entered into a research partnership with Swinburne University of Technology to explore the use of biochar in low-carbon concrete, with a particular focus on the rapidly expanding data centre sector. Announced on 23 April 2026 in Sydney, the collaboration brings together industry application and academic research expertise to accelerate the development of construction materials designed to reduce embodied carbon while supporting long-term carbon sequestration.

At the centre of the initiative is biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass that offers a promising pathway to reduce emissions in concrete production. Its significance is heightened by the environmental footprint of cement, which accounts for approximately eight per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, and by the scale of modern data centre construction, where concrete can represent up to 40 per cent of total building materials. With Australia’s data centre capacity expected to more than double by 2030, requiring an estimated $26 billion in investment, the need for lower-carbon construction solutions continues to grow.

The partnership establishes a structured Phase 1 research programme led by Swinburne University of Technology, which will assess the feasibility of incorporating biochar derived from invasive Chinese apple tree biomass into non-structural concrete and landscaping products. This stage will involve detailed material characterisation, concrete mix design, durability and performance testing, as well as environmental assessments under tropical and coastal conditions. Swinburne will also develop testing methodologies and quality assurance frameworks aligned with Australian Standards, culminating in a comprehensive report outlining technical and commercial viability.

Beyond the laboratory, the research will draw on emerging global applications of biochar in construction, including experimental projects and prototype structures such as biochar-enhanced housing showcased at the Venice Biennale of Architecture. These precedents will help inform both the scientific and practical dimensions of the programme as it progresses.

A potential Phase 2 is also being considered, which would extend testing into structural applications and explore scalability for use in data centre infrastructure. This staged approach is intended to build confidence in performance outcomes while enabling early adoption in lower-risk applications such as landscaping and civil works.

For Coralia, the partnership represents more than a materials innovation programme. It underpins a broader strategy built on a dual revenue model that combines the generation of high-integrity biochar carbon removal credits with the physical deployment of biochar in construction materials. This positions the company at the intersection of carbon markets and infrastructure decarbonisation, where demand is rising for verifiable, integrated solutions that address both operational and embodied emissions.

Following completion of the Phase 1 programme, Coralia intends to engage with concrete industry partners to initiate commercial trials and pursue grant funding opportunities to accelerate development. By establishing early capability in non-structural applications and building a robust evidence base, the company aims to support a pathway towards broader commercial deployment across high-volume infrastructure sectors.

The collaboration with Swinburne University marks a significant step in Coralia’s ambition to contribute to the decarbonisation of construction supply chains, while supporting the transition toward scalable, carbon-conscious infrastructure for the digital economy.