Seeking proposals (EOI) from companies interested in establishing commercial arrangements with Sydney Water for beneficial reuse of biochar in their business operations.

Project goals

Sydney Water is currently constructing a biosolids carbonisation facility at its Riverstone water resource recovery facility that is expected to be commissioned in April 2027. This carbonisation technology will transform biosolids, an existing organic solid waste stream, into biochar.

Under this EOI Sydney Water is seeking proposals from companies interested in establishing commercial arrangements with Sydney Water for beneficial reuse of biochar in their business operations.

Following this EOI process, Sydney Water would enter into commercial negotiations with one or more proponents. Subject to the outcome of the negotiation, Sydney Water will establish a commercial arrangement with successful proponent(s) for up to 3 years for some or all of the biochar product produced by the Riverstone facility.

Scope

Sydney Water is seeking proposals for a commercial arrangement for the collection, transport and 100% beneficial reuse of biochar from Riverstone Water Resource Recovery Facility that demonstrates sound circular economy principles of:

• Eliminating waste and pollution
• Keeping products and materials in use, and
• Regenerating natural systems.

Sydney Water is NOT seeking proposals from:

• Manufacturers or suppliers of carboniser or pyrolysis equipment or technologies.
• Proponents offering consulting and/or advisory services for biochar reuse, carboniser / pyrolysis technology or circular economy advisory in general.

Related files

• SW Procurement Purpose.pdf (56 KB)

Additional details/instructions

• Suppliers can seek prequalification for its beneficial reuse proposal application(s).
• This will be an open process, where proponents proceeding to Phase 2 will be selected at the sole discretion of Sydney Water. This is not an exclusive EOI process.
• There is no contract awarded as part of this EOI process. At the conclusion of the EOI process, Sydney Water will invite one or more proponents to Phase 2.
• This is a expression of interest process – not a tender.

Please submit your proposal along with all related documents by 3:00 PM on 30/09/2025 (AEDT) to varisara.laosuksri@sydneywater.com.au. A late submission may disqualify your response submission from consideration. All submissions must follow the guidelines and instructions as set out in the attachments. Any variance from these may also lead to disqualification from the review process. Please see Attachments below for additional information and returnable schedules.

You must comply with Sydney Water’s Business Ethics Guide, which is available at the Sydney Water website www.sydneywater.com.au.

If you have any questions or face any trouble in uploading your proposal/files, please contact

Contact: Varisara Laosuksri

Email: varisara.laosuksri@sydneywater.com.au

Requirements

Mandatory requirements

Modern slavery *

Building and property - Facility maintenance

This procurement category has a heightened risk of modern slavery.

You will be asked to provide information about modern slavery risks in your business and any actions you have taken to address these. You can visit the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner’s GRS webpage for more information.

Do you agree to provide this information?

Response type

Checkbox (Agree)

Opportunity requirements

1. Capability Statements (C2)

You will need to provide relevant information requested for the Capability Areas associated with the proposed beneficial reuse, including details of your demonstrable experience in this type of operation.

Please refer to the attached document.

Response type

Free text

2. Beneficial Reuse (C5)

Proposals will need to detail the intended use of the Biochar product and its benefit to the proposed use. Preference will be given to proposals that are supported by test results and/or formal studies. Based on the likely breakdown range of chemicals in the biochar product provided in Schedule 1, proposals should include details of any limiting factors or impacts on the intended beneficial end use.

Please refer to the attached document.

Response type

Free text

3. Proposed Commercial Arrangement (C6)

Proposals will be required to outline the commercial model for the beneficial reuse of biochar along the value chain from collection to final reuse. Transparency in commercial build up is a key principle of this process. Where applicable, please provide details on allocation of any ‘green rights’ (e.g. carbon credits) that may arise from the reuse.

Please refer to the attached document. Schedule 2 outlines the full details required for the EOI response.

Response type

Free text

Please see attached files in the link for more information