Clean TeQ’s DESALX® Project Could Reach A$9.4M After Successful Pilot Trials

Contract Win Marks Milestone for Clean TeQ Water

Clean TeQ Water Limited (ASX: CNQ) has announced a significant contract award worth A$1.2 million to deliver the detailed engineering design of a DESALX® wastewater treatment plant at one of Nyrstar’s European industrial sites. This contract follows a series of successful pilot trials conducted during 2023 and 2024, which demonstrated the technology’s scalability and compliance capabilities.

The DESALX® system, built on Clean TeQ’s proprietary Moving Bed Ion Exchange (MBIX) technology, is designed to treat complex industrial wastewater streams while enabling resource recovery and supporting circular economy principles. The upcoming design phase is expected to be completed within 28 weeks from commencement, setting the stage for a potential commercial project valued at approximately A$9.4 million.

Technology Validation Through Pilot Trials

Over the past two years, Clean TeQ has worked closely with Nyrstar to validate the DESALX® technology through laboratory and pilot-scale trials at Nyrstar’s European operations. These trials confirmed the system’s ability to handle high total dissolved solids (TDS) and complex wastewater chemistries, while producing gypsum as a by-product and minimizing chemical usage.

CEO Peter Voigt highlighted the strategic importance of this contract, noting that it exemplifies the critical role of DESALX® in advancing sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery in industrial sectors. He emphasized that the MBIX platform not only meets stringent environmental discharge requirements but also unlocks value through the recovery of valuable by-products.

Next Steps and Commercial Outlook

Subject to the successful completion of the detailed design and satisfaction of certain conditions, Clean TeQ and Nyrstar anticipate negotiating a separate agreement to proceed with the commercial stage of the project. This next phase would encompass fabrication, procurement, and integration activities, with a budgeted value of around A$9.4 million.

While the current design contract does not bind either party to proceed with the commercial stage, it represents a critical step toward full-scale deployment of DESALX® technology in Europe. The project aligns with Clean TeQ’s broader strategy to expand its footprint in industrial wastewater treatment markets and to promote sustainable, circular economy solutions globally.

Positioning Clean TeQ for Growth

Clean TeQ’s DESALX® technology stands out for its innovative use of continuous ion exchange and filtration processes, enabling efficient removal of sulphates and other dissolved solids with lower chemical consumption. This positions the company well to address growing industrial demand for environmentally responsible wastewater treatment solutions.

With offices spanning Australia, Europe, and partnerships in Africa and Latin America, Clean TeQ is leveraging its global presence to tackle freshwater scarcity and environmental challenges in mining and industrial sectors. The Nyrstar contract win not only validates the technical merits of DESALX® but also signals potential for further commercial traction in key markets.