Clean TeQ Water Wins €6.14M Nyrstar Contract for Belgian Wastewater System
Clean TeQ Water (ASX: CNQ) secures ~A$10.4 million Phase 2 contract with Nyrstar in Europe
Clean TeQ Water has been awarded a €5.06 million (~A$8.5 million) Phase 2 execution contract by Nyrstar to deliver a DESALX® wastewater treatment system at its Balen operations in Belgium. The Clean TeQ Water Nyrstar contract includes an additional €1.08 million (~A$1.7 million) in provisional services, bringing the total contract value to approximately €6.14 million (~A$10.4 million). The award follows the successful completion of Phase 1 detailed engineering, which commenced in May 2025, and marks the formal progression into full-scale delivery for the industrial water treatment project.
The contract represents a significant commercial validation moment for Clean TeQ Water (ASX: CNQ), demonstrating the company’s ability to convert engineering work into revenue-generating execution with a major global resources company. The DESALX® system will treat industrial process water at Nyrstar’s Balen facility, removing sulphate and selenium to meet environmental effluent discharge requirements. This project strengthens Clean TeQ’s portfolio of reference projects and represents its second major full-scale delivery in Europe.
Peter Voigt, CEO, Clean TeQ Water
“We are pleased to progress the Nyrstar DESALX® project into execution following a collaborative, staged technical qualification process, including testwork, piloting and detailed engineering. This contract award reflects Nyrstar’s confidence in both our technology and our ability to deliver complex water treatment systems at scale, while supporting their environmental compliance and broader sustainability objectives.”
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What is DESALX® technology and why does it matter?
DESALX® is built on Clean TeQ’s proprietary Moving Bed Ion Exchange (MBIX) technology platform. The system uses a two-stage MBIX configuration designed for sulphate removal and reducing total dissolved solids in water. While the underlying ion exchange chemistry is well-established, the counter-current continuous operation of Clean TeQ’s MBIX process provides a key technical differentiator.
The system’s ability to handle solids sets it apart from conventional ion exchange systems. DESALX® can process both solids in the feed water and solids generated during treatment, giving it operational flexibility for complex industrial applications. This capability is particularly valuable for industrial clients dealing with challenging wastewater compositions.
Key advantages of the DESALX® system include:
- Uses lower-cost chemicals (sulphuric acid and lime) compared to alternative treatment methods
- Achieves high water recovery rates, minimising water losses during treatment
- Produces gypsum by-product rather than hazardous waste, simplifying disposal and potentially creating a saleable material
- Suitable for sulphate and selenium removal applications
- Handles solids in both feed and process solutions without operational compromise
The proprietary MBIX platform creates a competitive moat for Clean TeQ Water. The technology’s ability to process solids-containing streams differentiates it from standard ion exchange systems, which typically require solids removal prior to treatment. For industrial clients facing complex wastewater challenges, this capability can reduce pre-treatment requirements and lower overall project costs.
Project details and delivery timeline
The Clean TeQ Water Nyrstar contract follows a staged, de-risked qualification process designed to build client confidence and reduce execution risk. The project progressed through testwork, piloting, and detailed engineering phases before moving into full-scale execution. Phase 1 detailed engineering commenced in May 2025 and was completed successfully, leading to the award of the Phase 2 execution contract in February 2026.
The DESALX® system will be installed at Nyrstar’s Balen operations in Belgium to treat industrial process water. The treatment objectives are to remove sulphate and selenium to levels that meet environmental effluent discharge requirements, supporting Nyrstar’s environmental compliance and sustainability commitments. The project builds on collaborative work between Clean TeQ and Nyrstar across multiple technical qualification phases.
Major equipment delivery is scheduled progressively through 2026 and early 2027. Installation, commissioning, and project completion will follow equipment delivery in accordance with the agreed project schedule. The phased approach demonstrates a repeatable sales process that Clean TeQ can apply to future client engagements, potentially reducing time-to-contract for similar projects.
| Phase | Description | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Testwork & Piloting | Technical qualification | Pre-May 2025 |
| Phase 1 | Detailed engineering design | May 2025 – Q2 FY26 |
| Phase 2 | Execution contract awarded | February 2026 |
| Equipment Delivery | Progressive delivery | 2026 – Early 2027 |
| Completion | Installation & commissioning | Post equipment delivery |
The staged approach reduces execution risk for both Clean TeQ and its clients. Each phase builds evidence of technical viability and operational performance before committing to full-scale delivery. For Clean TeQ, this creates visibility into future potential conversions as projects progress through the qualification funnel. For clients like Nyrstar, it provides confidence that the technology will perform as specified before making full capital commitments.
European expansion and regulatory tailwinds
The Nyrstar contract represents Clean TeQ Water’s second major full-scale project delivery in Europe, positioning the company to capitalise on growing regional demand for advanced industrial wastewater treatment solutions. The company maintains an office in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, supporting its European operations and client engagement activities. This regional presence enables responsive technical support and project delivery across the European market.
Tightening environmental regulations across Europe are driving demand for advanced wastewater treatment technologies. Industrial operators face increasingly stringent effluent discharge requirements, particularly for contaminants like sulphate, selenium, and heavy metals. Nyrstar is using the DESALX® system to meet these environmental discharge requirements while supporting broader sustainability objectives. Regulatory trends suggest a growing addressable market for Clean TeQ’s technology as more industrial operators seek solutions to meet evolving compliance standards.
Key regulatory and market drivers include:
- Tightening environmental standards for industrial effluent discharge across European jurisdictions
- Growing focus on water recycling and circular economy principles in industrial operations
- Increasing scrutiny of sulphate and selenium discharge from resources and manufacturing facilities
- Demand for treatment solutions that handle complex, solids-containing wastewater streams
- Preference for technologies producing non-hazardous by-products rather than hazardous waste
Clean TeQ’s ability to serve major global resources companies like Nyrstar demonstrates building credibility in the European market. A second major European project suggests potential for further contract wins as the company establishes reference installations and builds its regional track record. The regulatory environment creates structural demand drivers that should persist regardless of short-term economic conditions.
Contract terms and next steps
The Clean TeQ Water Nyrstar contract is based on standard design, supply, and execution terms, with no unusual or material conditions reported. Standard terms reduce execution risk by avoiding bespoke commercial structures that could introduce unexpected obligations or delivery complications. The base contract value of €5.06 million (~A$8.5 million) provides confirmed revenue, while the provisional services component of €1.08 million (~A$1.7 million) represents potential upside.
The provisional services component is expected to be awarded subject to project requirements. This structure allows flexibility to adjust scope based on site-specific needs identified during detailed design or installation phases. For investors, the provisional component represents upside beyond the base contract value if all services are ultimately required. Clean TeQ’s European office in Leeuwarden will support project delivery and client liaison throughout the execution phase.
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Investment implications
The Clean TeQ Water Nyrstar contract validates the commercial viability of DESALX® technology at full scale with a major industrial client. Contract awards of this magnitude demonstrate that Clean TeQ’s technology delivers sufficient value to win competitive tenders against alternative treatment solutions. The ~A$10.4 million total contract value contributes meaningfully to revenue and supports the company’s pathway to profitability.
The staged sales process creates visibility into future potential conversions. Projects that successfully complete testwork and piloting phases demonstrate higher probability of progressing to execution, allowing management to forecast revenue with greater confidence. The repeatability of this process across multiple client engagements suggests Clean TeQ can build a sustainable pipeline of projects at various stages of qualification and execution.
Key investment takeaways:
- Technology validation: Successful conversion from engineering to execution demonstrates DESALX® performs as specified at industrial scale
- Reference portfolio: Second major European project strengthens Clean TeQ’s track record and credibility with prospective clients
- Client quality: Contract with Nyrstar, a major global resources company, validates Clean TeQ’s ability to serve large industrial operators
- Market positioning: Growing European presence positions Clean TeQ to capture demand driven by tightening environmental regulations
- Revenue visibility: Phased sales process creates pipeline transparency and supports forecasting of future contract conversions
- Upside potential: €1.08 million provisional services component represents additional revenue opportunity beyond base contract value
The contract strengthens Clean TeQ Water’s position as a provider of advanced industrial wastewater treatment solutions. Regulatory trends across Europe continue to drive demand for technologies that can handle complex effluent streams while meeting stringent environmental discharge standards. Clean TeQ’s MBIX platform and DESALX® application demonstrate competitive differentiation in handling solids-containing streams, potentially creating sustained competitive advantage in industrial water treatment markets.
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