Pyrocal

What Pyrocal does

Pyrocal Pty Ltd is an Australian engineering company founded in 2014 (with technology origins dating to 2009) that designs, manufactures, and commissions proprietary Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) systems for converting organic waste — biosolids, agricultural residues, nut shells, wood chips, and similar biomass — into IBI-certified biochar. Its CCT platform uses a multi-level hearth operating under negative pressure and low oxygen, paired with a high-temperature thermal oxidiser (950–1000°C) that combusts rising gases and recovers heat (up to 900°C flue gas) for upstream drying, with full PLC/SCADA automation enabling operation at less than 0.5 FTE per system. Modular system sizes (CCT12 at 200–650 kg/h per unit; larger CCT20 footprint) can be scaled by stacking units, and the technology achieves proven destruction rates of PFAS (90%+) and microplastics (80%) in biosolids feedstocks.

The company serves municipal water and wastewater utilities, agricultural and industrial waste producers, and a longer tail of biochar end-users in agriculture, horticulture, mine rehabilitation, and sports turf. It generates revenue across multiple streams: one-time capital equipment sales (under supply-only, integrated, or BOOT/lease models), professional services (feasibility, design, feedstock trials at its licensed Toowoomba trial facility), recurring maintenance/spares contracts, direct biochar sales under the Terix Biochar brand, and carbon-credit service revenue from facilitating Puro.earth CORC issuance. A free public Biosolids Carbonisation Calculator supports top-of-funnel lead generation for utility customers.

Pyrocal is headquartered in Wellcamp, Queensland, operates a manufacturing and demonstration plant at the same site, and runs a licensed trial facility in Toowoomba. Since 2020, 50% of the company has been owned by Wagner Corporation. Systems have been installed across eight countries (Australia, India, Germany, the UK, Haiti, Canada, the USA, and Vietnam), with flagship references including Australia's first biosolids gasification facility at Logan Water (AU$28M, opened April 2022) and the Canadian Capital Regional District's Hartland Landfill project (appointed July 2025).

Name

Pyrocal

Legal name

Pyrocal Pty Ltd

Website

https://pyrocal.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pyrocal is an Australian engineering company that designs and installs proprietary Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) systems to convert biosolids and biomass into biochar, serving water utilities, agricultural waste producers, and biochar end-users across eight countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Carbonisation Systems

NAICS

Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Biochar Production & Soil/Material Applications (EUABAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biochar Carbon Projects (Biomass to Biochar & Soil Application) (EUABABAH), Bio-based Carbon Products & Advanced Bioproducts (Biochar, activated carbon, carbon black alternatives) (EUAAAIAM), Carbon Removal Credits Trading (DAC, BECCS, Biochar, Mineralization) (EUAGAIAL), Thermal Conversion & Advanced Treatment (Pyrolysis, Gasification, Hydrothermal Carbonization) (EUANAHAH)

Keywords

• Thermal carbonisation systems
• Biosolids gasification equipment
• Biochar production technology
• Carbon removal certificates
• Waste-to-value engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Wellcamp

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: One-time capital sale of CCT carbonisation systems, offered under three delivery models: equipment supply only (for clients with in-house installation), fully integrated systems (with pre-drying and emissions controls), or BOOT/lease models for capital-light deployment.
2. Feasibility, Design and Trial Services: Professional/consulting services including feasibility studies, multi-criteria analysis, CapEx/OpEx modelling, revenue forecasting, NPV calculations, and full-scale feedstock trials at the Toowoomba licensed trial facility. Typically the first revenue engagement prior to equipment sale.
3. Biochar Sales (Terix Biochar brand): Direct sale of certified organic biochar under the Terix Biochar brand, manufactured from waste biomass (nutshells, heat-treated pallets). Sold into agriculture, horticulture, mine site rehabilitation, water filtration, landfill capping, and stockfeed markets. Also sold/supplied by clients from their own CCT systems.
4. Carbon Credit Revenue (CORC Facilitation): Service revenue from registering, auditing, and monetising CORCs (CO₂ Removal Certificates) through Puro.earth. Pyrocal is an approved Puro.earth supplier and supports clients through lifecycle assessments, data tracking, and audit readiness. Every tonne of biochar offsets 1.3–2.0 tonnes of CO₂.
5. Ongoing Maintenance, Spares and Operational Support: Recurring post-sale service revenue covering maintenance, spare parts, operator training, performance optimisation, and operational reviews across installed base.
6. BOOT / Lease Delivery Model: Build-Own-Operate-Transfer and lease-based delivery models that lower capital barriers for clients and provide a recurring/managed-services revenue stream for Pyrocal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Pyrocal designs, manufactures and commissions proprietary Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) systems that convert biosolids, biomass and agricultural residues into IBI-certified biochar, recover process heat (up to 900°C flue gas) and destroy contaminants such as PFAS (90%+) and microplastics (80%). The CCT platform is delivered as modular equipment (CCT12 and CCT20 system models covering 200–650 kg/h per unit) under flexible supply, integrated or BOOT/lease delivery models, and is wrapped with feasibility studies, feedstock trials at the Toowoomba licensed facility, ongoing maintenance, and Puro.earth CORC carbon credit registration and audit support. Pyrocal also sells certified biochar directly under its Terix Biochar brand.

Product overview

Pyrocal offers a single core proprietary technology — Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) — delivered as a modular equipment platform (with system models such as the CCT12 and CCT20) and accompanied by a suite of professional services that wrap around it. The equipment platform is paired with sub-brand outputs (notably Terix Biochar, Pyrocal's certified biochar product), an online planning tool (the Biosolids Carbonisation Calculator), and supporting services including Feasibility & Design, Trials, Carbon Credits registration and audit support, and flexible Equipment Delivery Options. Together, these products and services form an end-to-end offering that takes clients from early-stage feasibility and feedstock testing through equipment supply, integration, commissioning, biochar commercialisation, and monetisation of verified carbon removal certificates (CORCs) via Puro.earth.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Terix Biochar: Certified organic biochar brand manufactured and sold by Pyrocal, made from waste biomass such as nutshells and heat-treated pallets, meeting International Biochar Initiative (IBI) standards.

Products and services

• CCT12 Carbonisation System Modular Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) system with a footprint of approximately 4m × 15m × 9m, suitable for biosolids and biomass applications, designed to operate within the 200–650 kg/h per unit capacity range. Sold to water utilities, councils and waste-producing organisations.
• CCT20 Carbonisation System Higher-output modular CCT system model with a footprint of approximately 14m × 32m × 9m, designed for biomass and biosolids applications at commercial scale. Sold to water utilities, councils and waste-producing organisations.
• Terix Biochar Certified organic biochar manufactured and sold under the Terix Biochar brand, produced from waste biomass (nut shells, heat-treated pallets). Biochar has 80%+ carbon content (feedstock dependent), meets International Biochar Initiative (IBI) standards, and is sold into agriculture, horticulture, mine site rehabilitation, water filtration, landfill capping and stockfeed applications.
• Feasibility & Design Service Pre-project consulting service offering feasibility studies, multi-criteria analysis, CapEx and OpEx modelling, biochar and carbon credit revenue forecasting, NPV calculations, and customised business case documentation to support early-stage decision-making for prospective CCT system buyers.
• Trials Service Full-scale feedstock testing and validation service operated from Pyrocal's licensed facility in Toowoomba, Australia. Includes carbonisation trials for biosolids and biomass, mobile drying tests, biochar characterisation, lab analysis, crop yield testing with trial biochar, and emissions performance benchmarking. Available to prospective and existing clients in Australia on a pay-as-you-go basis.
• Carbon Credits Service End-to-end carbon credit service supporting client monetisation of biochar carbon removal via certified CO2 Removal Certificates (CORCs) issued by Puro.earth. Includes project registration, lifecycle assessments, data tracking setup, and annual audit preparation, leveraging Pyrocal's approved Puro.earth supplier status.

Quantifiable outcome

• AU$1M/year operational cost savings for City of Logan biosolids gasification facility
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor and major.

• Capital Regional District (CRD), British Columbia, CanadaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Pyrocal was appointed as the preferred contractor to deliver its Continuous Carbonisation Technology (CCT) at the Capital Regional District's Residuals Treatment Facility at the Hartland Landfill, Vancouver Island, Canada. The system will process 100% of the region's Class A biosolids into biochar — a Canadian national first. CRD Board Chair Cliff McNeil-Smith and Liquid Waste Management Committee Chair Chris Coleman cited the technology as setting a new benchmark for liquid waste management.
• Glenelg Golf Club (South Australia)coreOthers · 1 July 2025Pyrocal's Terix Biochar used in a landmark trial at Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide for new green construction. Lead: Tim Warren (Course Superintendent); Assistant Superintendent: Adam Fry. Biochar applied at 2% by volume to ~100mm depth across three greens (no. 1, 6, 7), demonstrating strong root development and turf resilience. Trial period July–October 2025 with ongoing monitoring.
• Sydney Water (NSW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sydney Water is adding carbonisation to its biosolids and organics toolkit at the Riverstone Water Resource Recovery Facility (NSW). Pyrocal CEO Barry Croker cited this project as evidence of leading utilities bringing carbonisation into their portfolios. The new plant will turn biosolids into biochar, cutting volumes, reducing haulage costs, and creating a more stable, valuable product.
• Unitywater (Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Unitywater recently announced plans to develop a new bioresource facility in Southeast Queensland to convert biosolids into biochar — signalling growing utility adoption of carbonisation. Cited as part of Pyrocal's expanding market opportunity.
• Stahmann WebsterminorOthers · 1 January 2024Stahmann Webster, an Australian agricultural enterprise (tree nuts), purchased a Pyrocal CCT system in 2024 for processing agricultural waste into biochar.
• Puro.earthflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Pyrocal is an approved supplier with Puro.earth, the leading registry for engineered Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) credits. Through this partnership Pyrocal supports clients in registering eligible projects, conducting lifecycle assessments, setting up data tracking, and preparing for annual audits to issue CORCs (CO₂ Removal Certificates).
• Jeffries Compost (South Australia)minorOthers · 1 January 2019Pyrocal CCT system installed at Jeffries Compost in South Australia (2019), a leading Australian composting company, for processing organic waste into biochar.
• Downer EDIflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership with international assets and infrastructure company Downer EDI to deliver Australia's first Biosolids Gasification Facility at Logan Water's Loganholme WWTP. The 2018 partnership led to a $28M full-scale facility (officially opened April 2022) jointly funded by the City of Logan and a $6.2M ARENA grant. The partnership establishes the delivery model for utility-scale biosolids carbonisation projects in Australia.
• Cool Planet Energy SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017R&D CCT system installed in California (2017) for Cool Planet Energy Systems, a US-based biochar and renewable fuels company, supporting their research and development activities.
• Carbon Roots International (CRI)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 October 2016CRI selected a Pyrocal CCT system to manufacture green cooking charcoal briquettes from agricultural residues (corn stover, sugar cane trash, vetiver, rice hull, coffee hull) in Haiti. Planning started October 2016 when CRI received initial funding; production using the Pyrocal CCT system commenced mid-2017. The system was customised for the scale and technology requirements of a developing country. CRI calculated 79,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided annually and 9-month CapEx payback.
• Voyager Craft Malt (NSW)coreOthers · 1 September 2016Pyrocal CCT system installed at Voyager Craft Malt in Whitton, NSW (commissioned September 2016) replacing LPG for malt kilning. Uses locally sourced walnut shells as biomass, producing ~500 kW of heat and 60% reduction in heat costs (AU$54,000 net annual savings). Voyager is considering a second CCT system to expand production.
• TanukicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCited as a partner alongside Wagner Corporation and Fertec, with backing from partners in agriculture and infrastructure supporting Pyrocal's commercial scale-up.
• FerteccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCited as a partner alongside Wagner Corporation and Tanuki, with backing from partners in agriculture and infrastructure.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Biochar Now: US-based biochar producer with proprietary pyrolysis technology converting biomass into biochar for agricultural and industrial markets. Directly comparable to Pyrocal's biochar production and CCT technology play.
• Biochar Supreme: US-based large-scale biochar manufacturer producing IBI-certified biochar from forestry residues for agricultural and environmental applications. Comparable technology/category peer to Pyrocal's Terix Biochar and CCT outputs.
• Pacific Biochar: US biochar producer operating Pyrolysis units to convert biomass into biochar for agriculture, soil remediation and carbon sequestration. Same product category and customer segments as Pyrocal.
• Wakefield Biochar: Australian biochar producer using thermal conversion of biomass residuals into biochar for agricultural and environmental applications. Direct Australian market peer competing for similar biochar end-use customers.

Regional players

• Earth Systems: Australian environmental and soil amendment company producing compost and biochar products from organic waste streams. Comparable regional peer operating in adjacent soil amendment and waste-to-product value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Veolia Environnement: Global water and waste management incumbent offering biosolids treatment, incineration, and thermal solutions to municipalities worldwide. Competes with Pyrocal for biosolids capex at large utilities but as part of a much broader portfolio.
• Suez Environment: Global water, waste, and recycling major with established biosolids management and thermal treatment offerings for municipal customers. Broad incumbent competing for the same utility biosolids budget pool as Pyrocal.
• Anaergia: Canadian publicly-traded company providing anaerobic digestion, biosolids management and resource recovery solutions to municipalities. Comparable biosolids end-market peer offering alternative thermal/biological pathways.

Others

• Puro.earth: Finnish carbon removal registry operating the leading standard for biochar and other engineered CDR CORCs. Strategic ecosystem partner (Pyrocal is an approved supplier) rather than a competitor — relevant for understanding the carbon credit market backdrop Pyrocal monetises.

Emerging players

• Cool Planet Energy Systems: US-based biochar and renewable fuels company that has operated a Pyrocal R&D CCT system in California. Adjacent biochar/R&D player with overlapping technology interests in biomass conversion and engineered carbon removal.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pyrocalptyltd4550
• Facebookfacebook.com/pyrocal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pyrocal

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pyrocal