NoviqTech subsidiary Coralia has launched a trial in North Queensland to convert invasive Chinese apple trees into biochar. The project aims to combine ecological restoration of the Great Barrier Reef region with long-term carbon removal. Biomass from the trial is being sent for pyrolysis testing to evaluate feedstock quality and carbon sequestration potential. The company is aligning its data and verification processes with Puro.earth standards to attract institutional carbon credit buyers.
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NoviqTech is testing if they can turn invasive trees in North Queensland into biochar. They are aiming for Puro.earth certification to make the credits attractive to big buyers. Interesting use of invasive species as feedstock.
The focus on Puro.earth methodology is the smart part here. Without a recognized registry, these are just internal claims. I want to see the actual LCA inputs they are compiling to see if the transport to Toowoomba eats too much of the carbon benefit.
Transporting biomass from North Queensland to Toowoomba for testing seems like a logistical nightmare. How far is the planned pilot facility from the harvest sites? The fuel cost and emissions for hauling raw wood can kill the margins quickly.
They mentioned low carbon concrete research with Swinburne University. Using biochar as a concrete additive is a decent way to lock carbon in place, but the cost per cubic meter usually makes it a hard sell for standard construction.
