Escalating policy and tariff pressures

The biopharmaceutical industry is currently grappling with significant headwinds, primarily driven by an evolving and unpredictable tariff landscape. This uncertainty has already impacted market activity, with only two initial public offerings in Q2 compared to five in Q1.

Regulatory shifts and concerns of an imminent trade war caused a nearly nine percent drop in the SPDR S&P Biotech ETF nearly nine percent in the first week of April, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10 percent global tariff on nearly all goods entering the US.

Subsequent discussions have led to a dynamic and often unpredictable landscape. Throughout May and June, negotiations saw a temporary de-escalation, with some of the more severe tariffs being paused or substantially reduced for many goods until mid-August; however, a cumulative tariff of up to 245 percent on certain Chinese active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) has been in effect since April, significantly impacting the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Lingering uncertainties have also persisted; as of mid-July, while direct negotiations are ongoing, the US has signaled an intent to potentially increase the baseline reciprocal tariff rate to 15-20 percent and has threatened a hike of 35 percent on goods currently subject to the 25 percent fentanyl tariff, effective August 1.

Further intensifying the pressure, Trump has recently proposed a dramatic 200 percent tariff on imported finished pharmaceutical products, as well as 30 percent tariffs on the EU and Mexico, slated to begin on August 1.

For pharmaceuticals, the higher import costs for APIs and finished drugs are forcing companies to continuously re-evaluate their supply chains and brace for potential price increases.

Tariffs on steel and aluminium could also increase costs for stainless-steel bioprocessing equipment, lab equipment and medical devices.

Picton Mahoney’s 2025 Mid-Year Report discusses the risks associated with tariffs, including increased recession odds, stagflation risks and the possibility of renewed protectionist policies creating ripple effects across global equity markets. The authors add that building pricing pressures in the US from new tariffs and a weaker US dollar could exacerbate negative economic trends.

The report also highlights that policy uncertainty is bad for corporate planning and could lead to a pause in spending.

Evaluate Pharma’s World Preview 2025 report, released in June, states that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the biopharmaceutical industry is “off the pace so far in 2025”, with the slowdown attributed to uncertainties surrounding US tariffs and drug pricing policy. An unnamed former Big Pharma CEO is quoted as saying, “I’d be holding off dealmaking for 3-6 months until this [tariff framework] plays out”.

The report also indicates that the deals that are happening are “heavily risk-mitigated” and often involve late-stage or marketed assets or, if programs have not yet been finalized, include contingent payments.

M&A trends and pipeline expansion

Despite a slowdown in the market, pharma and biotech companies continued to pursue M&As in the second quarter, seeking to strengthen their product pipelines with a focus on bolt-on acquisitions.

Notably, there was a trend of European pharmaceutical giants acquiring US-based biotechnology firms, such as GSK’s (NYSE:GSK) acquisition of Boston Pharmaceuticals’ subsidiary, BP Asset IX, to gain access to its live disease drug, efinofermin, in a deal valued at up to US$2 billion.

Significant investments were also directed toward immunology, rare diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, underscoring a broader trend in the industry toward targeted pipeline expansion and addressing unmet medical needs across a range of complex conditions.

Sanofi’s (NASDAQ:SNY) US$9.5 billion acquisition of Blueprint Medicines garnered considerable attention due to the startup’s very specific and strong focus within the rare disease space. Many industry observers expect the deal will help grow Sanofi’s portfolio of rare disease treatments.

The acquisitions were diverse in their therapeutic focus, but Merck’s (NYSE:MRK) acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics, which specializes in rare and genetically defined cancers, highlighted the ongoing dominance of oncology.

Healthcare policy changes under Trump

AI-driven solutions are continuing to have an impact on life science industries. Several panels at Web Summit Vancouver highlighted how investors are increasingly focused on AI’s potential for significant productivity gains in life sciences, particularly in drug development and synthetic biology, despite challenges in regulation and data integration.

Wesley Chan of FPV Ventures highlighted life sciences as a sector where AI offers significant productivity gains, citing Strand Therapeutics’ AI-developed mRNA cancer therapy as an example of a generational investment opportunity available through the convergence of biology and AI.

Tom Beigala, founding partner at Bison Ventures, said he believes AI and next-generation computational technologies are driving innovation across the entire healthcare system, from making drug discovery easier and more cost-effective to optimizing data utilization and significantly increasing labor and clinical productivity.

Eric Hoskins, partner at Maverix Private Equity, identified AI-guided personalized medicine as one of the “fast movers” poised to bring an abrupt and immediate change to healthcare.

Reflecting this accelerating integration of AI into clinical practice and patient care, Sanofi and Regeneron (NASDAQ:REGN) partnered with Viz.ai, an AI healthcare firm, in May to integrate AI into COPD management.

Looking ahead

As the biotech and pharma sectors head into the third quarter, the outlook remains clouded by policy uncertainty, rising input costs and shifting global trade dynamics. Yet opportunities remain for firms that can navigate the complexity. Large-cap leaders like Novartis (NYSE:NVS), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Sanofi have demonstrated that strong fundamentals and strategic pipeline development can drive outperformance, even in turbulent markets.

As far as policy goes, the Trump administration’s inclusion of enhanced orphan drug incentives under the “Big Beautiful Bill” could act as a catalyst for rare disease innovation.

AI remains a transformative force across the industry. As generative models begin to inform pipeline design and clinical trial optimization, companies with robust data strategies and smart manufacturing capabilities are expected to gain a competitive advantage.

“For us, we really like applications of AI where you’ve got proprietary data, in many cases, probably off the shelf for lightly modified AI models, and then going after super high value applications,” said Beigala, a founding partner of Bison Ventures, which has a portfolio spanning AI-enhanced drug discovery, advanced life science tools for pre-clinical testing and synthetic biology applications.

Similarly, investment in domestic CDMO infrastructure and real-time manufacturing analytics will be crucial for supply chain resilience in an increasingly protectionist trade environment.

Looking ahead, commercial-stage differentiation will become more critical than ever. Investors will be watching closely for companies that can combine clinical results, cost control and regulatory readiness to stand out in a cautious market.

“That’s what we look for, these application models where the team is so thoughtful and smart and so uniquely positioned to understand and have access to data that nobody else has,” Chan explained.

Biopharma’s next phase will be defined by measurable progress. In Q3, adaptability, resilience and clear-eyed execution will matter more than ever.

1. Bright Minds Biosciences (CSE:DRUG)

Year-on-year gain: 2,290 percent
Market cap: C$243.73 million
Share price: C$34.41

Bright Minds Biosciences is focused on developing novel treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders and pain.

Its portfolio consists of serotonin agonists designed to target neurocircuit abnormalities that make disorders like epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression difficult to treat. The company’s drugs have been designed to potentially retain the powerful therapeutic aspects of psychedelic and other serotonergic compounds, while minimizing their side effects, thereby creating superior drugs to first-generation compounds such as psilocybin.

Bright Minds’ BMB-101, an agonist targeting the 5-HT2C receptor, will target classic absence epilepsy and developmental epileptic encephalopathy. An evaluation of Phase II trials done in collaboration with Firefly Neuroscience (NASDAQ:AIFF) determined that BMB-101 stopped seizures in a mouse model of epilepsy, suggesting it could be a vital new treatment.

In October 2024, Bright Mind’s share price surged nearly 1,500 percent in a single session after global pharmaceutical company H. Lundbeck announced its intention to acquire Longboard Pharmaceuticals, another firm with a 5-HT2C agonist in its pipeline.

In March of this year, Bright Minds added five world-renowned leaders in epilepsy research to its scientific advisory board.

2. Hemostemix (TSXV:HEM)

Year-on-year gain: 170 percent
Market cap: C$20.44 million
Share price: C$0.14

Hemostemix is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing autologous stem cell therapies, an approach that uses a patient’s own cells to theoretically enhance safety and efficacy. Its main product, ACP-01, is a cell therapy derived from a patient’s blood to promote tissue repair and regeneration in areas affected by disease.

The company announced its first advanced sales orders for ACP-01 on January 29 and has been working to expand internationally and attract new investment.

In July 2025, Hemostemix reported that the unanimous passing of Senate Bill 1768 in Florida, US, means it can begin commercial ACP-01 treatments for ischemic pain in the state in Q4. The bill creates a framework in which healthcare providers can administer stem cell therapies that had not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but meet the bill’s guidelines.

The company projected 2026 sales of C$22.5 million following the news.

Additionally, Hemostemix is currently collaborating with Firefly Neuroscience on a Phase 1 clinical trial of ACP-01 for vascular dementia.

3. Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals (TSX:EPRX)

Year-on-year gain: 109.3 percent
Market cap: C$266.36 million
Share price: C$7.20

Eupraxia Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing locally delivered therapeutics for patients with unmet medical needs. Its primary focus has been orthopedics and oncology. Eupraxia acquired EpiPharma Therapeutics in late 2023, absorbing the company’s lead candidate EP-104GI.

In February, the company released positive data from the sixth cohort of its Phase 1b/2a trial for EP-104GI in eosinophilic esophagitis. In July, the company advanced its investigation into the Phase 2b portion after selecting an initial dose based on encouraging safety and efficacy data from the earlier Phase 2a cohorts, with top-line results from the Phase 2b study anticipated in Q3 2026.

4. ME Therapeutics Holdings (CSE:METX)

Year-on-year gain: 33.33 percent
Market cap: C$147.95 million
Share price: C$5.00

ME Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing cancer-fighting drug candidates that can increase the efficacy of current immuno-oncology drugs by targeting suppressive myeloid cells, which have been found to hinder the effectiveness of existing immuno-oncology treatments. Immuno-oncology is a relatively new area of cancer drug research and has shown promising results when used to treat cancer with low survival rates.

ME Therapeutics’ antibody h1B11-12 is designed to inhibit the cytokine G-SCF. Research performed by ME in collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Harder at the University of British Columbia demonstrated that G-CSF appeared to increase tumor growth in breast and colon cancer, as well as a correlation between survival in patients with colorectal cancer and low expression of G-CSF.

The work suggests that inhibition of tumor-secreted G-CSF using h1B11-12 could support the existing treatments. Trial planning efforts are ongoing, and the company expects development of a cell line for future production of the drug to be finished in the latter half of 2025.

The company is also part of an ongoing collaborative effort to develop therapeutic mRNA delivery methods to myeloid cells with NanoVation Therapeutics, a privately owned biotech company that develops customized nucleic acid and lipid nanoparticle technologies to empower genetic medicine. The collaboration has already resulted in two new mRNA formulations, for which testing began on October 4, and has demonstrated encouraging anti-cancer activity in a preclinical model of colorectal cancer.

In May 2025, the company said it would receive up to C$140,000 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program to advance its mRNA therapeutic program.

ME Therapeutics is also exploring a listing on the Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange.

5. NervGen (TSXV:NGEN)

Year-on-year gain: 28.42 percent
Market cap: C$276.78 million
Share price: C$3.75

NervGen is a clinical-stage Canadian biotechnology company that focuses on developing innovative treatments to enable the nervous system to repair itself following damage from injury or disease.

The company’s core technology targets a mechanism that hinders nervous system repair. When the nervous system is damaged, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans form a “scar.” Initially, CSPGs help contain damage, but their long-term interaction with the PTPσ receptor inhibits repair.

NervGen’s lead drug candidate, NVG-291, is designed to relieve these inhibitory effects, promoting nervous system repair. NervGen is advancing NVG-291 in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial for spinal cord injury (SCI), reporting positive data from the chronic cohort in June. It received fast track designation from the US FDA.

NVG-300, a newer preclinical candidate, is being evaluated for ischemic stroke and SCI.

Investor Insight

Purpose-built for today’s energy transition, xU3O8 sits at the intersection of technology, finance, and nuclear energy, offering a simplified and transparent alternative to legacy uranium investments amid surging global demand. The xU3O8 token, now accessible on leading global exchanges, is a groundbreaking digital asset that provides direct, efficient exposure to the uranium market.

Overview

Uranium.io is a next-generation platform revolutionizing how investors access and trade physical uranium (U3O8). By leveraging blockchain technology, it enables individuals and institutions to directly own and trade uranium, bypassing many of the inefficiencies, opacity and high costs traditionally associated with uranium exposure. Each xU3O8 token represents real, physical uranium stored securely in a regulated depository operated by Cameco, with Archax, a UK-regulated digital asset firm, as the custodian for the physical uranium ensuring transparency and trust in asset backing.

The platform is designed to meet growing investor demand for exposure to uranium, a commodity that is a critical component of the global energy transition. As countries commit to reducing carbon emissions, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a reliable and scalable source of low-carbon electricity. Governments across North America, Europe and Asia are ramping up their nuclear energy capacities, as part of their net-zero targets. This includes restarting idled reactors, constructing new reactors, and accelerating the development of small modular reactors.

Nuclear power is also emerging as a stable and scalable option for supporting artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which require massive amounts of electricity to operate. Industry leaders, including Microsoft, have announced nuclear energy investments, and several technology firms have secured long-term agreements for nuclear power.

Like gold and silver before it, uranium is entering a phase of financialization — with physical holding trusts, ETFs, and now platforms like uranium.io offering direct physical uranium ownership via xU3O8, making it more accessible to a wider set of investors.

As traditional financial markets converge with digital innovation, tokenized assets are becoming a preferred vehicle for commodities investing. Uranium.io’s use of the Etherlink blockchain ensures secure, real-time trading with minimal friction — a distinct advantage in an increasingly digitized investment landscape.

Development of the uranium.io platform is led by the team at London-based Trilitech, a group of entrepreneurs and technologists driving blockchain innovations.

With its emphasis on direct fractional ownership and 24/7 worldwide accessibility, xU3O8 is uniquely positioned to serve as the gateway to physical uranium exposure for a global investor base. Alignment with broader energy and digital asset trends makes it a compelling vehicle for those seeking to capitalize on uranium’s strong fundamentals and the disruptive power of decentralized finance.

In July 2025, the company launched its xU3O8 token on KuCoin, MEXC, and Gate.io — ushering in a new era of uranium investment. This simultaneous, multi-platform listing marks a major milestone in the evolution of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, delivering institutional-grade exposure to uranium markets to a combined audience of over 115 million global traders.

By debuting across multiple top-tier platforms, xU3O8 ensures broad accessibility and liquidity for investors:

• KuCoin – With over 41 million users in 200+ countries, KuCoin offers a full suite of trading services—spot, margin, options, and futures. As a technology-first exchange focused on accessibility, KuCoin shares xU3O8’s mission to dismantle traditional investment barriers.
• MEXC – Founded in 2018, MEXC serves 36 million users globally and has seen explosive 2024 growth: 143 percent increase in spot trading and 118 percent in futures. Its intuitive platform makes crypto trading “simple, accessible, and rewarding,” mirroring xU3O8’s goal of democratizing uranium investment.
• Gate.io – Ranked among the top 3 global crypto exchanges by real trading volume, Gate.io boasts 32 million users and supports over 3,600 digital assets. With institutional-grade security and a commitment to 100 percent reserve holdings, Gate.io provides the infrastructure essential for tokenized commodity trading.

Company Highlights

• Uranium.io is a pioneering platform for buying and selling uranium, providing direct ownership of physical uranium via a blockchain-powered token xU3O8.
• Built on Etherlink, powered by Tezos technology, enabling transparency, low fees, energy efficiency and programmable compliance.
• FCA-regulated digital asset custodian, Archax, holds physical uranium in trust on behalf of token holders.
• Physical supply is brokered by Curzon Uranium, a trusted uranium trading and logistics partner with deep industry roots and over $1 billion in uranium trades.
• The uranium bought on the platform is physically stored at a regulated depository owned and operated by Cameco, one of the world’s leading global uranium providers/converters.
• Global 24/7 market access offering fractionalized and direct uranium exposure with real-time settlement and cross-border accessibility.
• Capitalizing on nuclear energy’s role in clean energy transition and the financialization of critical minerals.
• The company has launched the xU3O8 token across three of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges: KuCoin, MEXC, and Gate.io.

Technology Platform

Uranium.io is built on a secure, decentralized technology stack that integrates blockchain infrastructure, digital asset custody, and real-world commodity supply — delivering unprecedented access and transparency to the uranium market. The platform bridges traditional commodities trading with Web3 innovation, allowing users to seamlessly acquire, hold and trade physical uranium via xU3O8 tokens.

Blockchain Infrastructure: Etherlink, Powered by Tezos

At the heart of xU3O8’s digital asset engine is the Tezos blockchain, a highly secure, energy-efficient and self-amending Layer 1 protocol. Tezos is uniquely suited to power real-world asset tokenization due to its low transaction costs and energy efficiency; on-chain governance and smart contract flexibility; and enterprise-grade security and decentralization.

Tezos’ track record with real-world assets, including tokenized real estate and art, positions it as an ideal foundation for the secure, scalable digitization of uranium ownership.

Digital Custody: Archax

To ensure that each xU3O8 token is backed with physical uranium, uranium.io is supported by Archax, a London-based, digital asset custodian and exchange regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Archax provides regulated asset custody, KYC/AML-compliant onboarding, and real-time asset reconciliation.

Archax brings institutional-grade governance and accountability to the storage and oversight of physical uranium, ensuring that investor holdings are not just theoretical but physically secured.

Physical Supply: Curzon Uranium

Access to physical uranium is facilitated by its partnership with Curzon Uranium, a specialized uranium trading and logistics firm. Curzon acts as the platform’s uranium provider, sourcing, purchasing and delivering uranium from trusted upstream suppliers to secure storage.

Curzon’s decades of experience in uranium procurement adds physical credibility and market depth to the xU3O8 ecosystem — making the platform more than just a digital asset project, but a fully integrated uranium trading platform.

Physical uranium storage: Cameco

The physical uranium ore concentrate (U3O8) is securely stored at a regulated storage facility, operated by Cameco, one of the three globally recognized uranium conversion and storage providers. For transparency, Proof of Reserves is always available on the website and is updated with monthly statements from Cameco.

Together, Tezos, Archax and Curzon Uranium form the digital, custodial and physical backbone of the uranium.io platform. This trio of technologies and partnerships ensures a secure, compliant and efficient path for investors to gain physical uranium exposure — fractionalized, tokenized and tradable 24/7 on a global scale.

Thousands of local jobs at risk

The potential shutdown could also have wide-reaching consequences for the regional economy.

While the smelter and refinery directly employ about 550 workers, industry group Townsville Enterprise estimates that as many as 17,000 jobs in the region are tied to the copper supply chain and related businesses.

That includes equipment suppliers, service contractors, and downstream manufacturers.

Roland Lobegeiger, a field services manager at Isadraulics in Mount Isa, said the loss of the smelter would be devastating for the town. “Without it, the town’s not going to be here,” he told news.com.au.

“There are other mines — there would be other work in the area, but would the town recover? It’s hard to say,” he added.

The company’s struggle to keep its Queensland operations afloat comes at a time when global smelting margins are being squeezed by Chinese overcapacity.

In May, Bloomberg reported that Chinese smelters matched their record for refined copper production, producing 1.254 million tonnes despite plummeting treatment and refining charges, which are the fees miners pay smelters to process raw ore.

Beijing has allowed massive expansion in smelting capacity to support its clean energy sector, which depends heavily on copper.

Chinese smelters, many of which are state-owned, now produce more than half the world’s refined copper and are often shielded from financial distress by subsidies and state backing. That advantage has fueled growing frustration among non-Chinese producers.

“Unfortunately, it’s no longer a level playing field with our competitors in China heavily subsidised by government, which means they produce copper metal at much lower cost,” Wilson said in June.

The simultaneous listing of the xU3O8 token across major cryptocurrency trading venues: KuCoin, MEXC, and Gate.com has been announced today. This multi-platform launch marks a significant milestone in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, bringing institutional-grade uranium investment to a combined user base of over 115 million traders worldwide.

The xU3O8 token represents fractional ownership of physical uranium ore concentrate (yellowcake) stored with Cameco in regulated facilities. This breakthrough democratizes access to the uranium market, which previously required minimum investments of 100,000 lbs (approximately $7.2 million) and specialized broker relationships, effectively limiting participation to institutional investors and large corporations.

The coordinated listing across leading trading venues ensures maximum accessibility and liquidity for xU3O8 tokens:

• KuCoin, trusted by over 41 million users across 200+ countries, provides comprehensive trading services including spot, margin, options, and futures. As a pioneering technology platform, KuCoin is committed to user-centric principles and making cryptocurrency accessible to everyone, resonating with xU3O8’s goal of breaking down traditional investment barriers.
• MEXC, founded in 2018 and serving 36 million global users, has demonstrated remarkable growth with a 143% increase in spot trading volume and 118% jump in futures trading volume throughout 2024. Known for making crypto “simple, accessible, and rewarding,” MEXC’s user-friendly platform aligns perfectly with xU3O8’s mission to democratize uranium investment.
• Gate.com, one of the world’s top 3 cryptocurrency exchanges by real trading volume with over 32 million users, brings institutional-grade security and supports 3,600+ digital assets. As an industry pioneer committed to 100% reserve holdings, Gate.com provides the robust infrastructure needed for tokenized commodities.

The listing comes at a pivotal moment for uranium markets. According to the World Nuclear Association, uranium demand is projected to increase 28% by 2030 and 51% by 2040, driven by global decarbonization efforts, energy security concerns, and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure requiring reliable baseload power. The uranium market already faces a significant supply-demand imbalance, with global production in 2024 at approximately 155 million lbs falling short of current demand at 197 million lbs, creating a deficit of over 40 million lbs per year, without accounting for additional reactors coming online

The multi-platform listing eliminates traditional barriers that have kept uranium investment exclusive. Investors can now start with any amount instead of millions of dollars, benefit from instant blockchain settlement versus 14-30 day traditional settlement cycles, and access global trading 24/7 from anywhere versus limited OTC market hours. xU3O8 provides complete on-chain visibility versus opaque traditional markets and enables continuous trading across multiple venues versus limited OTC liquidity.

The RWA tokenization market is projected to reach $16 trillion by 2030, with commodities representing a significant portion of this growth. xU3O8’s multi-platform listing provides a blueprint for how traditional commodity markets can be revolutionized through blockchain technology.

Built on Tezos blockchain technology via Etherlink, xU3O8 leverages a sophisticated smart contract architecture. The primary layer tracks physical uranium holdings while the secondary layer manages fractional ownership. xU3O8 trading is now live across all trading venues, with users able to access detailed market data, trading charts, and educational resources through each platform’s interface. The coordinated launch ensures optimal liquidity and price discovery across global markets.

Click here to connect with xU3O8 to receive an Investor Presentation

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Investor Insight

In an increasingly eco-conscious global market, Carbonxt presents a compelling investment case, leveraging a growing addressable market driven by strategic partnerships and regulatory changes that are set to drive demand for activated carbon through 2029.

Overview

Activated carbon, derived from materials like wood, coconut husks and coal, is a critical tool for filtering contaminants from air and water. Its effectiveness comes from a unique oxidation process that creates a vast network of microscopic pores, dramatically increasing surface area. This versatility makes activated carbon essential across industries, including healthcare, agriculture, oil and gas, food processing, and environmental remediation.

For large-scale industrial applications, activated carbon is available in powdered, pelletized and granular forms, with prices ranging from US$2,000 to US$6,000 per ton – presenting a significant and growing market opportunity.

Carbonxt Group (ASX:CG1) is positioned to capitalize on this demand. As an innovative manufacturer of custom activated carbon, Carbonxt has expanded its production footprint in the United States through a joint venture with Kentucky Carbon Processing, forming NewCarbon. This partnership enhances the company’s gross margins and improves access to high-quality raw materials.

A key driver of Carbonxt’s growth is its newly commissioned Inez Power Activated Carbon Plant in Kentucky, which focuses on liquid-phase applications, particularly for PFAS water treatment – a segment twice the size of the air-phase market. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are persistent in the environment and linked to a range of health risks including cancer and developmental disorders.

The EPA’s 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and federal infrastructure funding are accelerating the need for advanced PFAS treatment solutions. Carbonxt’s premium-grade granular and pelletized activated carbon is designed to meet this demand, enabling US water utilities to achieve compliance and improve water quality.

With more than 50,000 water utilities across the US, including 4,000 serving populations greater than 10,000, Carbonxt is strategically positioned to supply this rapidly expanding market segment and compete with incumbent providers.

In addition to the Kentucky facility, Carbonxt operates two other US-based plants: the Black Birch Powdered Activated Carbon Facility in Georgia, and the Arden Hills Pelletization Plant in Minnesota. These three sites have a combined production capacity of 13,500 tons per annum, with an expansion pathway to 43,500 tons by 2027.

Company Highlights

• Environmental Market Opportunity: Carbonxt operates in the US activated carbon market valued at over US$1 billion, with its products addressing both air and water-phase applications. Regulatory changes, including the EPA’s 2024 NPDWR for PFAS – are expected to triple market size in the next five years to more than US$2 billion.
• Cutting-edge Manufacturing Footprint: The company now operates three US-based production plants with a combined current capacity of 13,500 tons and a path to expand this to 43,500 tons by 2027.
• NewCarbon JV Strength: The strategic partnership with Kentucky Carbon Processing through the NewCarbon JV is enabling the successful commissioning of the Inez Power AC plant in Kentucky. The plant positions Carbonxt as a premium supplier in the PFAS-focused water treatment market.
• Product Differentiation: Carbonxt produces powdered, pelletized and granular activated carbon. Notably, its Inez carbon achieved a 99 percent PFOA removal rate, surpassing competitors in early trials. Meanwhile, its PAC products are non-brominated, reducing corrosiveness and improving plant safety.
• Strong Demand Outlook: Tightening federal and state regulations on mercury and PFAS emissions are accelerating the adoption of Carbonxt’s technologies. Water utilities in more than 11 US states have adopted enforceable PFAS limits, with others expected to follow.

Core Product

High-performance Activated Carbon

Carbonxt designs and manufactures high-performance activated carbon products for customers in the industrial, utility and municipal sectors. The company’s product range includes powdered, pelletized and granular activated carbon, engineered for optimal efficiency in air purification and water treatment. Carbonxt’s non-brominated, oxidizing formulations are non-corrosive and maintain performance throughout their lifecycle, reducing plant wear and lowering operational costs.

Although listed in Australia, Carbonxt’s operations are focused in the United States, with production based out of three strategically located facilities. These enable Carbonxt to meet rising US demand for clean technology solutions in compliance-driven industries.

A major catalyst for growth is the newly commissioned Inez Power Activated Carbon Plant in Kentucky, developed through Carbonxt’s joint venture with Kentucky Carbon Processing (NewCarbon). The facility produces granular and pelletized activated carbon targeting the liquid-phase water treatment market, particularly PFAS removal. This segment is expected to drive a larger share of Carbonxt’s future revenue mix, with early product samples showing 99 percent PFOA removal and 92 percent geosmin removal – outperforming leading competitors.

Highlights:

• Strong Market Outlook: Demand for activated carbon – especially for PFAS treatment and industrial air control – continues to rise amid tightening EPA regulations and state-level mandates.
• Pricing Trends: Average pricing for granular activated carbon in municipal bids has risen steadily, with recent public tenders ranging from US$2.34 to US$2.57/lb.
• Looking Up: Carbonxt’s H1 FY25 gross margin rose to 49 percent, up from 44 percent in H1 FY24, driven by higher product pricing and cost efficiency at its Georgia and Minnesota plants.
• Use Cases:

• Powdered Activated Carbon – For mercury, acid gas and flue gas removal in coal-fired power stations, cement plants and industrial incinerators. Products include MatsPAC, AquaPAC and CEMPAC.
• Pelletized Activated Carbon – Used for VOC and hydrogen sulphide removal from air and gas streams. Tailored for emissions-heavy industries and energy applications.
• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) – Designed for PFAS, taste and odor removal in municipal drinking water systems. Developed at the Inez plant with superior performance metrics.

• Contract Agreements: In 2025, Carbonxt secured a US$4.3 million purchase order from Wisconsin Public Service for activated carbon supply. The company also extended a four-year supply agreement with Reworld Waste, valued at approximately AU$6 million per annum, for premium powdered activated carbon products.

Production Facilities

Carbonxt operates three U.S.-based production facilities, each specializing in a key segment of the activated carbon market.

Inez Power Activated Carbon Plant (Kentucky)

Carbonxt’s newest and most advanced facility, Inez has reached full mechanical completion and is currently in the commissioning phase. It produces granular and pelletized activated carbon, specifically formulated for PFAS removal and drinking water treatment. Early product samples have demonstrated 99 percent PFOA removal efficiency and 92 percent geosmin removal, outperforming key competitors. The plant’s initial capacity of 6,000 tons will scale to 10,000 tons, positioning Carbonxt as a premium GAC supplier in the North American water treatment market.

Black Birch Powdered Activated Carbon Facility (Georgia)

This facility manufactures wood-based powdered activated carbon, supporting industrial applications including mercury and flue gas control. It produces specialized products such as MatsPAC, AquaPAC and CEMPAC, with an annual capacity of 6,000 tons, expandable to 10,000 tons. Cost-reduction initiatives at this site have contributed to Carbonxt’s improved gross margins in FY25.

Arden Hills Pelletization Plant (Minnesota)

Focused on pelletized wood and lignite-based carbons, Arden Hills supplies products like NAQ-ACP and CTC-ACP, used in mercury removal, tolling arrangements and VOC capture. The facility currently operates at 7,500 tons per annum.

Capacity Expansion Outlook

Combined, Carbonxt’s facilities currently operate at 13,500 tons of annual production, with an established path to expand to 43,500 tons by 2027. The diverse geographic locations provide resilience against weather disruptions and ensure uninterrupted supply across markets.

Management Team

David Mazyck – President, NewCarbon and Director of Technology

Dr. David Mazyck is a world-leading expert on activated carbon (AC) and its applications including mercury capture. He has developed AC products for major multinational AC manufacturers and has regularly consulted them on technical issues. Mazyck is the former chairman of the Activated Carbon Standards Committee for the American Waterworks Association and has developed products for NASA.

He received his PhD in environmental engineering from Penn State University, where he also earned a PhD minor in fuel science.

Matthew Driscoll – Chairman

Matthew Driscoll has significant experience across several industries, including online technologies, financial services, fintech, cleantech, property and resources. He has more than 30 years’ experience in capital markets and the financial services industry and is an accomplished company director in roles across listed and private companies.

He has significant experience in international business growth, mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt raisings and building strategic alliances. His current directorships include NED Energy Technologies, NED Blina Minerals, NED Eco Systems, and NED Smoke Alarms Holdings.

Warren Murphy – Managing Director

Warren Murphy has led a large number of acquisitions and financings across the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors. This includes the development of over 2,000 MW of Greenfields power stations and the acquisition of over 3,000 MW of generation assets.

He was co-head of the Australian Infrastructure & Project Finance Group and Head of Energy at Babcock & Brown based in the Sydney office and led the development of Babcock & Brown’s energy sector capability in Australia and New Zealand, including the founding of Infigen Energy and its unlisted predecessor, Global Wind Partner, where he served as a director from inception until June 2009.

Murphy was also a director of the ASX-listed Alinta and Sydney Gas, as well as the unlisted Coogee Resources.

Nicholas Andrews – Independent Director

Nicholas Andrews has held the role of executive chairman and CEO at Magontec (ASX:MGL), an established business in the global magnesium sector. He is a member of the executive committee and serves on the board of the International Magnesium Association. Prior to his executive career, Andrews held several senior roles in the financial services sector across both investment management and investment banking.