First full-scale commercial PHOSPHIX phosphate removal plant in Europe

Highlights

• Clean TeQ Water (ASX:CNQ) completed commissioning and contractual performance testing of its first full-scale commercial PHOSPHIX phosphate removal plant in Europe.
• The Ireland-based project, delivered in partnership with Enva, achieved treated phosphate levels more than ten times better than contractual requirements.
• The plant recorded phosphate concentrations below 0.1 mg/L P-PO₄ against the required level of 1.0 mg/L.
• The milestone establishes Clean TeQ Water’s first commercial operating reference plant for PHOSPHIX and supports future European growth opportunities.
• The technology demonstrated hydraulic capacity above design while achieving approximately 99% water recovery without liquid brine discharge.

Clean TeQ Water Limited (ASX:CNQ) has announced the successful completion of commissioning and contractual performance testing for its first full-scale commercial PHOSPHIX phosphate removal plant in Europe, marking an important milestone in the company’s technology commercialisation journey.

The update comes as Clean TeQ Water shares traded at AUD 0.49, down 1.01% during the morning session on 28 July 2026. Despite the day’s movement, the stock remains up 113.04% over the past year, with investors continuing to track the company’s progress in commercialising its water treatment technologies and expanding opportunities across global markets.

Clean TeQ Water Achieves First European Commercial PHOSPHIX Reference Plant

Clean TeQ Water has successfully completed the commissioning and contractual performance testing of its PHOSPHIX phosphate removal plant delivered in partnership with Enva in Ireland.

The project represents the first commercial-scale deployment of PHOSPHIX technology following several years of laboratory development, pilot testing and engineering work.

The successful completion provides Clean TeQ Water with its first operating reference plant for PHOSPHIX and establishes a commercial installation in Europe that prospective customers can evaluate under full-scale operating conditions.

The project was originally announced in November 2024 and was designed to remove phosphate from industrial wastewater generated by Enva’s end-user, a multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer. The solution was developed ahead of increasingly stringent European wastewater discharge regulations.

Company Overview and Technology Platform

Clean TeQ Water is a global water technology company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, focused on developing environmentally sustainable solutions for freshwater scarcity, wastewater treatment, mine tailings and metal recovery challenges.

The company operates across key markets including water and wastewater recycling, lithium production and mine tailings rehabilitation.

Clean TeQ Water’s technology portfolio is built around its proprietary Moving Bed Ion Exchange (MBIX) platform, which supports several commercial applications including PHOSPHIX, DESALX, HIROX, BIONEX and CLEAN-IX.

Through its international presence and partnerships, the company is targeting opportunities across multiple regions, including Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

PHOSPHIX Plant Exceeds Contractual Performance Requirements

The contractual performance demonstration for the Irish PHOSPHIX plant was completed after a continuous ten-day operating test during June 2026.

The testing period was extended from the original five-day requirement through mutual agreement to accommodate variations in feedwater flow and composition.

Independent analysis confirmed that the treated water achieved phosphate concentrations significantly below contractual requirements.

Samples analysed by Enva’s laboratory, accredited by INAB to ISO 17025 under Registration Scope 185T, recorded phosphate concentrations below 0.1 mg/L P-PO₄.

This compares with the contractual specification requirement of 1.0 mg/L, meaning the plant delivered performance more than ten times better than the required level.

The company also confirmed that online monitoring systems closely matched accredited laboratory results, while all treated water quality specifications, including pH, total nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand, were achieved.

Commercial Validation Strengthens European Growth Opportunity

The successful completion of the project represents a transition of PHOSPHIX from laboratory testing and pilot programs into full commercial operation.

Clean TeQ Water highlighted that the operating reference plant provides prospective customers with evidence of the technology’s performance under real industrial conditions.

The company believes this milestone will improve its ability to convert its growing project pipeline into future commercial contracts.

The European market represents a significant opportunity for phosphate removal and recovery solutions, with regulatory requirements becoming increasingly demanding.

The revised European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and tighter industrial discharge limits are expected to drive additional investment in phosphorus management over the coming years.

By establishing a commercial reference installation in Europe, Clean TeQ Water is positioning PHOSPHIX as a proven solution for customers seeking reliable phosphate removal and recovery technologies.

Advanced Water Recovery System Provides Operational Benefits

The PHOSPHIX plant demonstrated several technical advantages during operation.

The system is designed to achieve approximately 99% water recovery while avoiding liquid brine discharge.

Instead of producing large volumes of waste commonly associated with conventional chemical treatment approaches, the technology recovers phosphate as a solid hydroxyapatite by-product.

This solid material can be handled and disposed of safely and cost-effectively.

Clean TeQ Water stated that the plant successfully operated with automatic staging and destaging of ion exchange trains in response to changing feed flows.

The plant also exceeded its contracted hydraulic throughput, demonstrating performance above the original design requirements.

Enva Partnership Supports Commercial Expansion

The successful project delivery reflects the continued partnership between Clean TeQ Water and Enva, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading recycling and resource recovery companies.

Enva operates more than 40 sites and provides resource recovery solutions for thousands of customers.

Under their cooperation agreement, Enva promotes Clean TeQ Water’s water treatment solutions across Ireland and the United Kingdom.

The partnership has progressed from initial laboratory testing and onsite pilot activities through engineering development and delivery of the first full-scale PHOSPHIX installation.

Both companies highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovative technology and operational expertise in achieving the successful plant handover.

Management Highlights Technology Commercialisation Progress

Clean TeQ Water CEO Peter Voigt said the completion of the project represents the successful commercial deployment of PHOSPHIX at full industrial scale.

According to the company, the technology consistently delivered phosphate concentrations below contractual requirements while exceeding designed throughput levels.

The operating reference plant is expected to provide confidence to potential customers considering adoption of the technology.

The company also noted that PHOSPHIX demonstrates the flexibility of its proprietary MBIX platform, adding another commercial application alongside its existing technology solutions.

Clean TeQ Water continues pursuing additional PHOSPHIX opportunities across Europe with industrial and municipal customers.

Growing Regulatory Focus Creates Market Opportunity

Water treatment regulations across Europe are becoming increasingly focused on nutrient discharge management and phosphorus recovery.

The company stated that reliable phosphate removal and recovery will become increasingly important as governments and industries work towards meeting tighter environmental standards.

PHOSPHIX is designed to provide a lower-waste alternative to traditional chemical treatment approaches, with benefits including high water recovery, automated operation and recovery of phosphate as a solid by-product.

The successful Irish installation provides Clean TeQ Water with a commercial example as it continues engaging with potential customers in the European market.

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