White Energy’s subsidiary BCBC has clinched an exclusive global agency agreement with Komarek to market briquettor machines using its proprietary BCB technology starting January 2026. This deal extends White Energy’s foothold in coal upgrading amid evolving energy markets.
- Exclusive 10-year global agency agreement with Komarek for BCB briquettor sales
- Agreement begins after current BCB technology licence expires in January 2026
- BCB technology upgrades coal into higher-value, cleaner-burning briquettes
- White Energy advancing commercial opportunities in South Africa via River Energy JV
- Financial impact depends on future sales; commission-based revenue model
A Strategic Extension of Coal Technology Marketing
White Energy Company Limited has announced a significant commercial development through its wholly owned subsidiary, Binderless Coal Briquetting Company Pty Limited (BCBC). The company has entered into an exclusive global agency agreement with Illinois-based K.R. Komarek Inc., a key player in briquettor machine manufacturing and part of the CSIRO-led consortium that originally developed the binderless coal briquetting (BCB) technology.
This agreement grants BCBC exclusive rights to market and sell briquettor machines utilising the BCB technology worldwide, commencing immediately after the expiry of the current worldwide licence on 17 January 2026. The initial term is set for 10 years with automatic renewals, positioning White Energy to maintain a strategic role in the coal upgrading sector for the foreseeable future.
The BCB Technology Advantage
The BCB technology transforms low-quality coal and coal fines into higher energy, binderless briquettes through a thermal drying and stabilisation process. Unlike traditional briquettes, these do not require additional binders, relying instead on the natural bonding properties of coal. This innovation allows the upgraded coal to be used interchangeably with higher-grade coals without modifications to existing power station infrastructure.
Importantly, the technology offers environmental and operational benefits by enabling the recovery of material from coal tailings, reducing waste and rehabilitation costs, and improving overall resource efficiency. It also supports cleaner combustion with reduced emissions, aligning with transitional energy goals as renewable sources gradually increase their share.
Commercial Prospects and Regional Focus
White Energy’s involvement extends beyond sales agency. Through its 51%-owned River Energy JV Limited, in partnership with Proterra Investment Partners, the company is actively pursuing commercial opportunities in South Africa. This region faces acute energy challenges, and the BCB technology’s ability to convert reject tailings into export-grade coal briquettes has been demonstrated through successful trials.
Proterra is advancing these efforts from its Johannesburg office, conducting briquetting trials at a pilot plant with White Energy’s equipment and expertise. Concurrently, White Energy is negotiating a new BCB technology licence covering Africa, North America, and Australasia to replace expiring sub-licences, signalling a broader ambition to expand the technology’s global footprint.
Financial and Strategic Implications
The financial impact of the agency agreement is currently unquantifiable, hinging on future sales volumes by Komarek. The commission-based model provides White Energy with a revenue stream linked directly to market uptake. While the company has recently shifted some focus towards mineral exploration, this agreement underscores the ongoing value and strategic importance of the BCB technology within its portfolio.
CEO Greg Sheahan emphasised the significance of the partnership with Komarek and the potential to contribute to cleaner, more efficient fuel solutions amid the global energy transition. The deal reinforces White Energy’s commitment to leveraging innovative coal technologies that can coexist with the gradual integration of renewables.
Bottom Line?
White Energy’s exclusive agency deal sets the stage for renewed commercial momentum in coal upgrading technology amid evolving energy demands.
Questions in the middle?
- How quickly will Komarek’s briquettor sales ramp up under the new agency agreement?
- What are the prospects for White Energy’s new BCB licences in Africa, North America, and Australasia?
- How will regulatory shifts and renewable energy adoption impact demand for BCB technology?