TIDMQFI
RNS Number : 7127T
Quadrise Fuels International PLC
29 March 2021
29 March 2021
Quadrise Fuels International plc
("Quadrise", "QFI", the "Company" and together with its
subsidiaries the "Group")
Interim Results
Quadrise Fuels International plc (AIM: QFI) announces its
unaudited interim results for the 6 months ended 31 December
2020.
Financial Summary
-- GBP1.1 million in cash reserves at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: GBP3.8 million).
-- The Company successfully concluded a placing and
significantly oversubscribed open offer which raised gross proceeds
of GBP7.0 million in March 2021. QFI now has sufficient funds in
place to progress to commercial revenues and sustainable positive
cash generation by July 2022 through the successful migration of
positive tests and trials to delivery of commercial supplies to
customers, subject to agreeing suitable commercial contractual
terms.
-- Loss after tax of GBP2.3million (2019: GBP2.3 million) after
production and development costs of GBP0.6m (2019: GBP0.7m),
administration expenses of GBP0.8m (2019: GBP1.1m) and a GBP0.7m
fair value adjustment arising on Convertible Securities (2019:
GBPnil).
-- Total assets of GBP4.9 million at 31 December 2020 (2019: GBP7.8 million).
Business Summary
bioMSAR(TM)
-- Our new renewable fuel bioMSAR(TM) was formally launched in
December 2020. In comparison to HFO, bioMSAR(TM) offers substantial
(20-30%) reductions in CO(2) emissions and 20-25% lower NOx. This
is similar to using LNG, but with none of the risks of methane slip
whilst enabling the use of existing HFO infrastructure - with
minimal modification costs.
-- We announced in December 2020 our collaboration agreement
with Aquafuel Research Ltd ("Aquafuel"), a British company
specialising in renewable power innovation using conventional
biofuels and glycerine in diesel engines.
-- bioMSAR(TM) combustion testing programmes with industry
partners commenced in Q4 2020. As announced on 1 February 2021,
successful initial testing confirmed bioMSAR(TM) as a viable diesel
engine fuel and demonstrated higher efficiency and 20-25% lower NOx
compared to baseline testing on diesel at the prevailing test
conditions on a high-speed 4-stroke diesel engine.
-- The third-party testing programme includes testing with
Wärtsilä and VTT in Finland, and during the first half of calendar
2021 testing will be undertaken on a larger, medium speed, 4-stroke
diesel engine, with further quantification of efficiency and
emissions on bioMSAR(TM). During the second half of the calendar
year we also plan to schedule testing on 2-stroke engines.
Morocco
-- Following the temporary easing of Covid-19 related site
access restrictions, Quadrise was able to successfully complete the
pilot trial at the client's site in October 2020. Rather than
immediately progressing from the pilot trial to the commercial
trial (at "Site A"), the client and Quadrise jointly agreed to
undertake the intermediate stage of an industrial scale trial at
another of the client's locations ("Site B").
-- Work on this industrial-scale trial is progressing, with the
new pumping and heating unit fabricated and ready for shipment. The
required 60mt of MSAR(R) fuel is to be manufactured by a third
party and sent directly to site. The trial is scheduled to be
completed as early as possible in H1 2021 along with the phase 2
feasibility study. QFI will be paid GBP100,000 for the industrial
trial and phase 2 study under existing agreements with the
client.
-- Following the successful conclusion of the industrial trial,
the plan is to complete the commercial trial at Site A, which is
the major fuel oil consumer, by early/mid H2 2021. Assuming the
successful conclusion of these trials, the intention would then be
to conclude a commercial supply agreement covering one or more of
the client's sites in Morocco before calendar year end.
Utah
-- The Commercial Trial Agreement ("CTA") with Greenfield Energy
LLC ("Greenfield") was announced in August 2020. This covers
testing at the Petroteq Oil Sands Plant ("POSP") in Utah, USA,
which is managed by Greenfield. Phase 1 of the CTA, for which
Quadrise is being paid $150,000, includes:
-- Proof of Concept ("POC") formulation and test work at QRF
using oil samples supplied by Greenfield.
-- Loan of Quadrise MSAR(R) commercial production equipment,
MSAR(R) quality control test equipment and supply of MSAR(R)
additives.
-- Supply of specialist services and personnel to assist
Greenfield in completing the commercial scale demonstration trial
to produce 600 barrels (100mt) of power grade MSAR(R) .
-- With the start-up of the POSP delayed until January 2021, the
POC work has been pushed back to Q2 2021 pending receipt of
representative samples at QRF. The MMU is ready to be sent to the
POSP site and we await Greenfield's confirmation to ship. The trial
will then commence once the Quadrise project team is able to gain
safe access (under COVID-19 restrictions) to the site.
-- Pending the successful completion of Phase 1, Quadrise will
then work with Greenfield to develop plans for commercial MSAR(R)
production facilities capable of treating 10,000 barrels of oil per
day and to agree terms for the granting of a conditional MSAR(R)
licence to Greenfield once commercial agreements have been
signed.
MSC
-- A Joint Development Agreement ("JDA") with MSC Shipmanagement
of Cyprus was signed in January 2021, with planning and preparatory
work to enable a LONO trial(s) of Marine MSAR(R) to take place on a
MSC container shipping vessel(s) now underway.
-- During Q2-Q3 calendar 2021, we will be working to procure the
equipment for fuel production, and the vessel(s) fuel booster
system(s) and to commence the process of preparing the vessel(s)
and the fuel production site to enable the commencement of the LONO
trial(s) in the second half of 2021.
-- H2 calendar 2021 will see the active commencement of the
trial on the vessel(s), with all the preparatory and commissioning
work having been completed for both fuel production and on-vessel
storage and use of MSAR(R) . Once the initial MSAR(R) fuel has been
loaded and the on-board systems commissioned, the vessel(s) will
then be bunkering Marine MSAR(R) throughout the 4,000-hour LONO
trial(s). The details of the LONO process and relevant inspections
and milestones will be agreed between the parties during the
initial phase of the work under the JDA.
Cost Saving Measures
During the period, in order to reduce costs, we restructured
staffing and the board, and utilised the furlough scheme for a
small number of our team for a limited period. In addition, we took
a decision to break our lease on the London office in 2020 and
exited the lease on 5 February 2021 with no penalty. These
measures, when combined with reduced overseas travel expenses,
significantly lowered the Company's monthly expenditure.
COVID-19 Mitigation
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have protected our staff,
their families and the business. Overall, there has been limited
impact on our activities as the Quadrise Research Facility ("QRF")
has operated safely throughout, and the remainder of our staff have
worked very effectively from home. We have built in contingencies
to all of our projects relating to the potential impact of COVID-19
restrictions. Whilst there can be no certainty on how and when
restriction can be eased, based on our most up to date plans, we
feel confident that we can manage any downside risks
appropriately.
Outlook - Current trading and prospects
-- 2021-22 will be a very busy period as we ramp-up our
activities across all of our active projects in the industrial,
upstream and marine markets, alongside the continued testing and
development of our new, renewable fuel bioMSAR(TM). We are
continuing to progress other projects using our local agents and
through phone/web conferencing and are still seeing active
engagement from our clients, which is encouraging.
-- Continued progress in the above projects will, we believe, be
instrumental in building the momentum which will significantly
improve the engagement with key stakeholders in the Middle East and
Central and South America. With White Papers published on the
Middle East and the Americas markets and with the bulk of our
website available in Arabic and Spanish, we have raised our profile
significantly in these markets.
-- The recent successful placing and open offer were both
oversubscribed, and the gross proceeds of a total of GBP7m will
enable Quadrise to progress its active projects and their planned
migration to commercial contracts - providing a clear path to
sustainable commercial revenues. It also supports our business
development activities to enable progress in key markets such as
the Middle East and Central and South America. We know that being
able to deliver good news flow will be as important as ever and we
have invested significant further effort into our PR/IR activities
to support this
Mike Kirk, Chairman of QFI, said:
"The last three quarters have proved to be amongst the most
significant periods in Quadrise's history. Through our strategy of
a broader range of project opportunities, we have built a firm
foundation for Quadrise to progress these through their various
stages of tests and trials in 2021/22. This should enable the
migration, subject to executing the relevant contracts, to
commercial revenues, and by July 2022 we expect to be generating
net cash from operations. In addition, we have through a focused
Research, Development and Innovation ("RDI") initiative, undertaken
the first steps in testing and developing our new renewable fuel,
bioMSAR(TM), that was formally launched in December 2020. Further
testing and development is planned throughout 2021, including the
potential to include bioMSAR(TM) alongside MSAR(R) in the
large-scale tests and trial being planned in the industrial, marine
and upstream projects.
In combination, these significant developments enabled Quadrise
to raise a total of GBP7.0m (before costs) of funding through a
placing and open offer, both of which were oversubscribed and
needed to be scaled-back. As a result of the placing, we now have
two major institutional investors, Premier Miton and Canaccord
Genuity that have major disclosable investments of approximately 9%
and 5%, respectively. We were also delighted that our loyal base of
existing holders responded so positively to the open offer which
was 3.4 times oversubscribed. This funding provides Quadrise with
the ability to deliver all of the activities required to migrate
our active projects in the industrial, upstream and marine markets
to commercial delivery. It also enables completion of the
development and testing of bioMSAR(TM) and the ability to look at
what we believe are significant opportunities to add further value
in related activities.
2021 is going to be a very busy year and we look forward to
providing regular project updates to shareholders, as appropriate
in due course."
Investor Conference Call
As we gave investors a very comprehensive update on our progress
to date and our plans for 2021 on 8 March 2021, we will not be
hosting an additional update around today's results, if you would
like to view the previous meeting please click here to view:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/521576004 . We very much look
forward to updating investors in due course.
For further information, please refer to the Company's website
at www.quadrisefuels.com , or contact ir@quadrisefuels.com or
phone:
Quadrise Fuels International Plc
Mike Kirk, Chairman +44 (0)20 7031 7321
Jason Miles, Chief Executive Officer
Nominated Adviser
Cenkos Securities plc
Ben Jeynes
Katy Birkin +44 (0)20 7397 8900
Joint Brokers
Peel Hunt LLP
Richard Crichton +44 (0)20 7418 8900
David McKeown
Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited
Toby Gibbs
Fiona Conroy +44 (0)20 7408 4090
Public & Investor Relations
FTI Consulting
Ben Brewerton +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Ntobeko Chidavaenzi Quadrise@fticonsulting.com
Notes to Editors
QFI is the supplier of MSAR(R) emulsion technology and fuels, a
low-cost alternative to heavy fuel oil (one of the world's largest
fuel markets, comprising over 450 million tons per annum) in the
global power generation, shipping, industrial and refining
industries.
This announcement is inside information for the purposes of
article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.
Chairman's Statement
Introduction
The first half of the 2020-21 financial year saw Quadrise make
material progress and build firm foundations across a number of key
projects in the industrial, upstream and marine markets, despite
the challenges imposed by the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. The
successful delivery of these key projects will, on the execution of
appropriate commercial supply and license agreements, position the
Company to deliver sustainable commercial revenues and cash
generation. The progress made to date demonstrates the success of
the Company's revised strategy, which is to pursue a larger number
of project opportunities both directly and through selected
partners and agents in key markets.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have protected our staff,
their families and the business. Overall, there has been limited
impact on our activities as QRF has operated safely throughout, and
the remainder of our staff have worked very effectively from home.
In order to reduce costs we, restructured staffing and the board,
and utilised the furlough scheme for a small number of our team for
a limited period during the summer. In addition, we took a decision
to break our lease on the London office in 2020 and exited the
lease on 5 February 2021 with no penalty. These measures, when
combined with reduced overseas travel expenses, significantly
lowered the Company's monthly expenditure.
With the launch of bioMSAR(TM) in December 2020, Quadrise has
set out its intention to build on the class-leading environmental
performance of MSAR(R) technology and fuels and to provide a new
renewable transition fuel. bioMSAR(TM) opens up a completely new
market for Quadrise and provides it with the ability to
simultaneously develop leading positions in both the existing
$135bn p/a heavy fuel oil ("HFO") market as well as the large and
rapidly growing renewable biofuels sector. This broader approach
will enable Quadrise's customers to use existing fossil fuel
resources in the most cost effective and environmentally sensitive
way, whilst providing a bridge to a market that will increasingly
be met by renewables as we approach 2030.
There is no doubt that it was this twin-track approach that led
to the resounding success of the Company's placing of new ordinary
shares in early March 2021. Not only did the level of overall
demand surpass our initial expectations and enable gross proceeds
of GBP6m to be raised, it also paved the way for two leading
institutional investors, Premier Miton and Cannacord Genuity to
take significant stakes in the business. The placing proceeds
provide Quadrise with the funds to progress to commercial revenues
and sustainable cash generation by July 2022 - through the
successful migration from positive tests and trials to delivery of
commercial supplies to customers - subject to agreeing suitable
commercial contractual terms. Additional funds of GBP1m raised
through the significantly oversubscribed open offer provide
Quadrise with the ability to accelerate the development of
bioMSAR(TM) and to be able to consider additional opportunities,
including those related to glycerine production and sourcing, that
we believe could deliver significant value.
During the period under review, we saw a recovery from the
challenging crude and liquid fuel product markets that persisted
for much of the first half of calendar 2020, as a result of crude
oil prices being severely impacted by the combination of the
unfolding COVID-19 pandemic and the dispute between the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia ("KSA") and Russia. Crude oil prices have now
recovered and of more relevance to MSAR(R) economics, gasoil-fuel
oil spreads, which had risen to $350/mt reduced significantly to
below $100/mt, (as fuel oil prices remained uncharacteristically
strong and middle distillates weakened due to fundamental shifts in
supply and demand) have partially recovered, to $150/mt. Whilst
recent prices and volatility have negatively impacted short-term
MSAR(R) economics in some markets, in most regions they remain
favourable and the longer-term trend is still positive. Demand for
middle distillates is forecast to recover from COVID-19 disruptions
and fuel oil supply is expected to increase with greater production
and refining of heavier crude oils. The enhanced environmental
performance of MSAR(R) and bioMSAR(TM) will, we believe, be of
increasing importance to both producers and consumers, alongside
its substantial economic benefits.
Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, the use of
high-sulphur fuels in combination with scrubbers is, in our view,
the de-facto lowest cost solution to meet the IMO 2020 sulphur
standard for the maritime sector, as well as national or World Bank
regulations for utilities and industrial consumers. This provides a
positive backdrop for Quadrise to work with refiners and fuel
consumers to progress MSAR(R) projects, potentially combined with
new environmental initiatives.
New Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') Initiatives
Quadrise, through its MSAR(R) technology and fuels, has always
had strong environmental credentials. However, we realised that
during 2020 there was a significant shift in attitudes towards the
use of sustainable energy, by both industry and society at large.
We have therefore dedicated significant effort into emphasising the
environmental benefits our MSAR(R) and bioMSAR(TM) technologies
offer, as well as highlighting our social and governance
credentials more clearly. In addition to helping our clients reduce
their environmental footprint and decarbonise, and as an integral
part of our commitment to supporting the global goal of net-zero
carbon emissions by 2050, Quadrise aims to be a leader in its
field, by committing to be net-zero carbon by 2030.
We fully support the position that renewables should and will
play an increasing role in meeting the world's energy needs.
However, there will be a long transition period, during which
fossil fuels will continue to have an important role. Our
technology enables this to be done in a manner which minimises the
impact on the environment through significantly reducing emissions
compared with the "standard" solutions currently being used. We
have materially increased the emphasis on the environmental
benefits of our technologies in the Company's marketing and
investor relations materials and, more recently, created a distinct
ESG section on our website. Additionally, we commenced work in 2020
on a sustainable fuel programme, which resulted in bioMSAR(TM):
-- Our Research, Development and Innovation ("RDI") team
investigated opportunities to reduce emissions of SOx and CO(2)
from MSAR(R) by enabling sustainable fuel sources to be
incorporated into MSAR(R) to further enhance its environmental
benefits.
-- We formally launched bioMSAR(TM) in December 2020, following
the successful conclusion of initial testing at the Quadrise
Research Facility ("QRF") during H2 2020 which demonstrated that we
could produce bioMSAR(TM) at pilot plant scale, blending 40-50%
glycerine, 50-40% residue and c10% water and additives.
-- In comparison to HFO, bioMSAR(TM) offers substantial (20-30%)
reductions in CO(2) emissions. This is similar to using LNG, but
with none of the risks of methane slip (or the need for substantial
investment in new LNG infrastructure) whilst enabling the use of
existing HFO infrastructure - with minimal modification costs.
-- We announced in December 2020 our collaboration agreement
with Aquafuel Research Ltd ("Aquafuel"), a British company
specialising in renewable power innovation using conventional
biofuels and glycerine in diesel engines, in connection with the
development of bioMSAR(TM) projects.
-- Combustion testing programmes with industry partners
commenced in Q4 2020, with initial work successfully completed, as
announced on 1 February 2021. The testing was carried out by
Aquafuel using a standard Cummins diesel generator owned by
Quadrise. This not only confirmed bioMSAR(TM) as a viable diesel
engine fuel, it also achieved higher efficiency and 20-25% lower
NOx compared to baseline testing on diesel at the prevailing test
conditions on a high-speed 4-stroke diesel engine. The lower NOx
emissions of bioMSAR(TM) are highly beneficial, as most biofuels
lead to an increase of NOx emissions of c15% compared with diesel
or fuel oil.
-- Whilst at an early stage, good progress is being made in
developing and promoting projects that offer opportunities for both
Aquafuel and Quadrise in a number of markets with high growth
opportunities.
-- Further third-party testing with Wärtsilä and VTT in Finland
during the first half of calendar 2021 will seek to build upon
these positive initial results and will incorporate optimisation at
various loads on a larger medium speed 4-stroke diesel engine, with
further quantification of efficiency and emissions on bioMSAR(TM).
During the second half of the calendar year we also plan to
schedule testing on 2-stroke engines.
Other areas of work that are enhancing our ESG credentials
include:
-- Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems ("EGCS", also termed
"Scrubbers") - An agency agreement for Ecuador was signed in July
2020 with Pacific Green Technologies, Inc ("PGT") Group, a company
that is becoming a world leader at providing sustainable cleantech
solutions for climate change, green energy and emissions control.
Their scrubbers have applications in the marine, power and
industrial sectors that we are developing and, as agent, Quadrise
will receive an agency fee based on sales of PGT technology linked
to MSAR(R) projects. The use of MSAR(R) alongside these solutions
enables customers to fund these environmental improvements, whilst
ensuring that the local communities are able to benefit from the
significant reduction in emissions.
-- JGC - We are in discussions with JGC and a major diesel
engine OEM regarding a new joint initiative for MSAR(R) to reduce
Japanese refinery CO(2) emissions using Combined Heat and Power
diesel technology to replace residue-fired boilers.
We continue to have a close working relationship with Nouryon
and we have jointly filed a new patent for bioMSAR(TM) . QFI holds
regular quarterly meetings with them and discussions between QFI,
Nouryon and another Carlyle entity in the downstream sector have
continued about possible MSAR(R) and bioMSAR(TM) opportunities that
we believe could have significant potential to accelerate during
2021.
Developments During the Period and Q1 2021
Despite the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on global
economies, we made substantive progress during the first half of
the financial year and this accelerated as we entered calendar year
2021. The main areas of progress are summarised below:
Industrial Applications
Morocco - In November 2019, the Company signed a Material
Transfer & Cooperation Agreement with a major chemicals group
in Morocco. Rapid progress was made with project plans in early
2020 to enable a phase 1 pilot kiln trial to commence at the
client's main site ("Site A") in March 2020. Unfortunately,
COVID-19 restrictions led to postponement; this being after the
Quadrise Pumping and Heating Unit ("PHU") and the MSAR(R) fuel
(manufactured at QRF) had been received at the client's site.
Whilst Site A was closed to external visitors and non-essential
employees from March 2020, the QFI project team worked closely with
the client and our Moroccan agent to minimise the impact on the
overall project timetable. The first action taken by the Quadrise
project team was to engage positively with the client and obtain
their agreement to bring forward the second phase feasibility study
originally planned to have followed the successful completion of
the pilot plant trial. Work on this phase 2 commenced in Q2 2020
and the pilot trial was successfully completed by QFI in October
2020. Rather than immediately progressing from the pilot trial to
the commercial trial, as initially planned, the client and QFI
jointly agreed to undertake the intermediate stage of an industrial
scale trial at another of the client's locations ("Site B"), as
this location has more operational flexibility for accommodating a
larger scale trial.
As announced on 2 February 2021, the work on the newly planned
industrial-scale trial is progressing, with the new PHU (which can
be utilised for both the industrial and commercial trials)
fabricated and ready for shipment. The Site B trial requires around
60mt of MSAR(R) fuel, which is beyond the capacity of QRF and thus
needs to be manufactured by a third party. Our initial plans for
this were impacted by the recent tightening of COVID-19
restrictions in the UK and we are now finalising contingency plans
for the fuel to be manufactured and sent directly to site. The
joint project team are working with the client's Site B to finalise
plans for the trial, that is scheduled to be completed as early as
possible in H1 2021 along with the phase 2 feasibility study. QFI
will be paid GBP100,000 for the industrial trial and phase 2 study
under existing agreements with the client.
Following the successful conclusion of the industrial trial, the
plan is to complete the commercial trial at Site A, which is the
major fuel oil consumer, by early/mid H2 2021. Assuming the
successful conclusion of these trials, the intention would then be
to conclude a commercial supply agreement covering one or more of
the client's sites in Morocco before calendar year end. Planned
milestones are:
-- Q2 calendar year 2021 - industrial scale trial at Site B.
Complete phase 2 feasibility studies for the commercial trial at
Site A.
-- Early/mid H2 calendar year 2021 - commercial trial at Site A.
-- Conclude a commercial supply agreement with the client after
the successful conclusion of the commercial trial at Site A.
Upstream Applications
Utah - Following the signature in Q1 2020 of a Memorandum of
Understanding ("MOU") with Valkor Technologies ("Valkor") to
investigate the potential deployment of MSAR(R) technology in Utah,
USA, we were delighted to announce on 18 August 2020 a Commercial
Trial Agreement ("CTA") with Greenfield Energy LLC ("Greenfield") a
joint-venture between Valkor and Tomco Energy plc ("Tomco"). This
covers testing at the Petroteq Oil Sands Plant ("POSP") located at
the Asphalt Ridge Facility in Utah, USA, which is managed by
Greenfield. The first phase of the CTA ("Phase 1"), for which
Quadrise is being paid $150,000, includes:
-- Proof of Concept ("POC") formulation and test work at QRF
using oil samples supplied by Greenfield.
-- Loan of Quadrise MSAR(R) commercial production equipment,
MSAR(R) test equipment and supply of MSAR(R) additives.
-- Supply of specialist services and personnel to assist
Greenfield in completing the commercial scale demonstration trial
to produce 600 barrels (100mt) of power grade MSAR(R) .
The POC formulation and test work was originally scheduled for
H2 calendar 2020. However, this was reliant on samples being
received at QRF. With the start-up of the POSP delayed until
January 2021, as announced by Tomco in December 2020, this POC work
has now been pushed back to Q2 calendar year 2021. As soon as we
have received representative samples at QRF, we would expect the
testing and report work to be completed within 2-3 weeks. The MMU
is ready to be sent to the POSP site and we await Greenfield's
confirmation to ship. The trial will then commence once the
Quadrise project team is able to gain safe access (under COVID-19
restrictions) to the site.
Pending the successful completion of Phase 1, Quadrise will then
work with Greenfield to develop plans for commercial MSAR(R)
production facilities capable of treating 10,000 barrels of oil per
day ("Phase 2") and to agree terms for the granting of a
conditional MSAR(R) licence to Greenfield once commercial
agreements have been signed.
Marine Applications
MSC - We announced in January 2021 that we had signed a JDA with
MSC Shipmanagement of Cyprus, a part of the MSC group which is a
world leader in container shipping and cruise lines. We are now,
through the JDA, undertaking the preparatory work to enable LONO
trial(s) aboard MSC container shipping vessel(s).
-- During Q1 calendar 2021, the planning and preparatory work
commenced to enable a LONO trial(s) of Marine MSAR(R) to take place
on a vessel with a MAN ME engine, and potentially on a vessel with
a Wärtsilä/Win GD Flex engine.
-- During Q2-Q3 calendar 2021, we will be working to procure the
equipment for fuel production, and the vessel(s) fuel booster
system(s) and to commence the process of preparing the vessel(s)
and the fuel production site to enable the commencement of the LONO
trial(s) in the second half of 2021.
-- H2 calendar 2021 will see the active commencement of the
trial on the vessel(s), with all the preparatory and commissioning
work having been completed for both fuel production and on-vessel
storage and use of MSAR(R) . Once the initial MSAR(R) fuel has been
loaded and the on-board systems commissioned, the vessel(s) will
then be bunkering Marine MSAR(R) throughout the 4,000-hour LONO
trial(s). The details of the LONO process and relevant inspections
and milestones will be agreed between the parties during the
initial phase of the work under the JDA.
As we have previously highlighted, we continue to have
discussions with other owners and operators in the marine market,
relating to potential trials and commercial roll-out of MSAR(R) and
bioMSAR(TM) more widely in the sector. However, ensuring the
successful conclusion of the trial work with MSC and progressing
this to commercial supply contracts will be our primary focus in
the short-term.
As noted previously, there remains a general consensus that
scrubbers alongside the use of high-sulphur fuels is the lowest
cost solution for operators; though scrubber installation activity
was lower than expected during 2020, because of the impact of
COVID-19 on shipyard/drydock availability and scrubber
manufacturing - however reports are more positive from suppliers in
2021.
We had also indicated during 2020 that we were evaluating an
opportunity to establish or link with a physical bunker fuel
supplier, to provide a supply network for high sulphur fuels in
parallel with MSAR(R) for LONO testing and subsequent commercial
supply. With the bunker market adversely impacted by COVID-19, this
work was paused. However, this is a market opportunity that we will
continue to review, albeit it is not considered a high priority at
this time. Any decision to enter this market would be alongside
trusted counterparties who can manage the commodity price risk,
provide the working capital requirements and counterparty credit
facilities and manage the logistics of a physical bunkering
operation.
Power Applications, Refinery Refuelling, & Co-Development
Opportunities
Middle East
During the period we undertook a major profile-raising
initiative in the Middle East through the publication of a White
Paper (in English and Arabic) in August 2020, which demonstrated
the benefits that the adoption of MSAR(R) technology and fuels
could provide to the region. In addition, we updated our website,
so that most of it is now available in Arabic, including our
animated video. These activities have been very well received and
through targeted use of social media we have significantly raised
the profile of Quadrise in the region amongst key decisions makers.
These targeted activities will continue in support of our direct
business development activities in key markets in the region;
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ("KSA") - Quadrise, alongside our local
partners Al Khafrah Holding Group ("AKHG") continued to look at
ways to improve engagement with key stakeholders during the period.
This including publication of the Middle East White Paper and
enabling most of the content on our website to be available in
Arabic. As we have recently outlined, given the structure of the
market for fuel production and use within KSA, we believe that
demonstrating progress in the industrial, upstream and marine
markets, as planned, will be fundamental to unlocking this
significant opportunity. We will therefore continue to keep key
stakeholders informed of our progress during 2021, with a view to
being able to re-establish plans for active MSAR(R) testing and
subsequent commercial roll-out.
Kuwait - During the period there has been no material progress
to report, and as a result this is not currently a high
priority.
South & Central America
Subsequent to the profile-raising activities in the Middle East,
we published an America's White Paper (in Spanish and English) in
December 2020, which demonstrated the benefits that the adoption of
MSAR(R) technology and fuels could provide to the region. In
addition, we updated our website, so that most content is also now
available in Spanish, including our animated video. As was the case
with those activities in the Middle East, through targeted use of
social media we have significantly raised the profile of Quadrise
in the region amongst key decisions makers. Targeted activities
will continue in support of our direct business development
activities in the key markets:
Ecuador: Freepoint Commodities - This is a good example of how
Quadrise's longstanding business development experience can lead to
project opportunities progressing very rapidly from a "standing
start". QFI and Freepoint jointly met with senior management of the
national oil company in Ecuador in early January 2020 to review an
exciting MSAR(R) opportunity for refinery refuelling, leading to
domestic power generation and export opportunities that would
reduce energy costs and emissions for the country. This is a
refinery well-known to Quadrise, as we had worked on a project
there several years earlier, that would, however, have required
very significant investment and working capital. Following the
initial meeting, a three-person team from Quadrise visited the
refinery and the adjacent power utility in early March 2020. Whilst
rapid progress was made during the first half of 2020, during the
second half of 2020, there was very limited progress, primarily
driven by the presidential elections in Ecuador and potential
restructuring of the oil sector. Once the future structure is
confirmed, Quadrise will be in a position to continue its
discussions, as MSAR(R) technology has the opportunity to add
significant value, irrespective of the organisational structure of
the industry.
Mexico: Redliner - MSAR(R) opportunities in Mexico are
wide-ranging and include upstream, refinery refuelling, domestic
power generation and fuel exports that also reduce imports. Our
principal activities are with our agents Redliner, who have been
progressing opportunities with the national oil company and have
successfully engaged with stakeholders at very senior levels.
Despite this, as the client has not concluded a non-disclosure
agreement, this has prevented the essential sharing of information,
and so we have not been able to undertake the techno-economic study
for multiple refineries as planned. Whilst this is frustrating, it
is not unusual in this market and we continue to work with Redliner
to progress activities as there is a clear economic rationale. Most
recently MSAR(R) briefings were submitted directly by Redliner to
the Energy Secretary and key Directors (Upstream and Refining) of
the national oil company. Further discussions with the major
independent power project developer, who is supportive of MSAR(R)
fuel's economic and environmental advantages for new build power
projects in the region, depend on progress with the national oil
company.
Other
There are no material updates to report on opportunities with
the European Oil Major, the European Refiner, Bitumina, API
Poly-GCL or Maersk Line.
Research, Development & Innovation ("RDI") and Operations
Activities
RDI activities remain a core function and underpin our
technology-led offering. QRF houses our pilot plant and research
laboratory in Essex and is the hub for these activities alongside
the provision of critical operational support for active projects
and consulting for third parties.
Operational support activities during the period were focused on
enabling the trial at the Moroccan pilot facility to progress at
the earliest opportunity. The ability to utilise QRF to produce
relatively small volumes of MSAR(R) fuel in 1m(3) IBCs proved to be
instrumental in our work to progress the project in Morocco, though
for the next industrial scale trials we will be using a third party
to produce the c.60mt of MSAR(R) required and this will be supplied
in ISOTANKS directly to Morocco.
Testing of the oil samples from Greenfield will be a priority
(once they have been received), ahead of planned on-site trial
activities in Utah in H1 calendar 2021. Despite the delays in
receiving the samples, QRF did progress all the necessary work to
ensure that all the test equipment was adequately prepared for the
challenges of working in the very cold winter/early spring
conditions in Utah, and it is ready to be shipped, once we have
received confirmation that Greenfield is ready to accept it at the
POSP site.
Perhaps most critically during the period, the RDI team
completed initial testing and scoping for a new programme of work
at QRF to further improve the environmental performance and
credentials of MSAR(R) using sustainable and renewable fuel
sources. This culminated in the formal launch of bioMSAR(TM) in
December 2020. The work on bioMSAR(TM) development and testing,
including the addition of other renewables (such as lignin) to
allow the further displacement of fossil fuel residues (with the
potential to progress to a fully renewable bioMSAR(TM) fuel in due
course) will remain a priority at QRF during 2021.
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Cost Reduction Actions
COVID-19 Mitigations - Throughout 2020 we put in place pragmatic
and measured initiatives to protect our staff, their families and
the business; ensuring that we could continue to operate. QRF
remained operational throughout the year, following COVID-19
guidelines with no direct impact on planned testing and operational
support activities. Whilst our London office briefly reopened
during the summer of 2020, most staff continued to work effectively
from home - and this remains the plan in the short-term. This has
had limited impact on our activities, with very effective use being
made of in-country agents/representatives, together with web-based
conferencing communications to initiate new agreements. We worked
effectively with our clients in Morocco and Utah throughout this
process, to actively manage any potential impacts on overall
project timetables.
Despite the global disruption caused by COVID-19, Quadrise has
continued to progress business development activities on multiple
fronts, and the levels of engagement with partners, prospective
clients and project stakeholders have generally increased. We
believe that this is a result of the economic and environmental
advantages that MSAR(R) offers being more widely known in the
market and that these advantages are even more crucial now. The
most recent and clear confirmation of our success in this regard is
that the discussions with MSC were conducted almost entirely
on-line (after some initial face-to-face meetings during Q1 2020),
prior to being concluded and announced on 21 January 2021.
Cost Reduction Actions - We continue to operate with a small but
strong leadership team at Quadrise. Mindful that all our activities
are currently funded directly from cash reserves which have been
significantly increased as a result of the recent successful
fundraise, we have always had a keen eye on costs, and acted early,
ahead of the general lockdown to have a further close review of our
cost base. As a result, we took the decision to exercise the break
clause in the lease at our London Office, formally leaving on 5
February 2021. With current restrictions in place, we will continue
to operate our London-based team remotely, though we plan to secure
new, more flexible accommodation during 2021.
We utilised the furlough scheme for a small number of our London
and QRF based staff as appropriate and we restructured staffing
levels and overall costs to maximise the use of remaining cash
reserves. In addition, two non-executive directors left the
business in 2020 and were not replaced. It was a combination of
these actions that enabled the Company to extend its period of
operation from 31 December 2020 (as announced at the time of
completing the fundraising in October 2019) to mid-Q2 2021 ahead of
the recent placing and open offer, which, as set out above, should
enable the Company to reach commercial revenues and positive
sustainable cashflows by July 2022.
Financial Position
The Group held cash and cash equivalents of approximately GBP1.1
million as at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: GBP3.8
million).
The Group recorded a loss of GBP2.3m for the six months to 31
December 2020 (2019: GBP2.3m). This included production and
development costs of GBP0.6m (2019: GBP0.7m), administration
expenses of GBP0.8m (2019: GBP1.1m) and a non-cash fair value loss
arising on the valuation of convertible securities of GBP0.7m
(2019: GBPnil).
Basic and diluted loss per share was 0.21p (2019: 0.24p).
The Group's total assets amounted to GBP4.9 million as at 31
December 2020 (GBP7.8 million as at 31 December 2019). Apart from
the cash and cash equivalents, this included fixed tangible assets
(mainly plant and equipment) of GBP0.5 million and MSAR(R) trade
name of GBP2.9 million.
The Group has accumulated tax losses of approximately GBP53.7
million (2019: GBP50.6 million) available to be carried forward
against future profits.
Funding
Following the period end, we were delighted to conclude a
successful placing and open offer to raise gross proceeds of GBP7m
in March 2021. This funding will enable Quadrise to progress to
commercial revenues and sustainable positive cash generation by
July 2022 - through the successful migration of positive tests and
trials to delivery of commercial supplies to customers - subject to
agreeing suitable commercial contractual terms. As noted
previously, this also provides the scope to look at further
value-adding opportunities, including the sourcing and production
of glycerine through our agreement with Aquafuel.
Outlook - Current Trading and Prospects
The Quadrise team has been able to build on the platform created
in 2019 to achieve significant momentum during 2020 which has built
further during early 2021, despite the continued impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
2021-22 will be a very busy period as we ramp-up our activities
across all of our active projects in the industrial, upstream and
marine markets, alongside the continued testing and development of
our new, renewable, fuel, bioMSAR(TM). In all of these projects, we
have built in contingencies relating to the potential impact of
continuing controls and restrictions relating to COVID-19. Whilst
there can be no certainty on how and when restriction can be eased,
based on our most up to date plans, we feel confident that we can
manage any downside risks appropriately.
-- We have already put contingency plans in place relating to
the manufacture of fuel for the industrial trial in Morocco at Site
B by a third party, that will ship it directly to Morocco.
-- The PHU that will be used for both the industrial trial at
Site B and the subsequent commercial trial at Site A in Morocco has
been fabricated and is ready to be sent to Morocco.
-- The work on Morocco Site A where non-essential access (even
for their own staff) is tightly controlled, is planned in the
second half of this calendar year, when COVID-19 restrictions are
likely to have eased materially.
-- Early-stage work on the MSC trial is focused on planning, so
we are not anticipating any material change to the timing of these
activities. This significantly reduces the risk of the operational
elements being impacted, as they are expected to be implemented in
the second half of the year.
-- Pending receipt of samples from Greenfield, we can complete
the confirmatory testing and issue the report to the client within
three weeks. This is the critical path item for the test programme,
as the MMU and ancillary equipment is ready to be sent to Utah,
once Greenfield confirm they are ready to receive this on-site.
-- The Utah test is a limited duration, with a planned 600
barrels (100mt) of MSAR(R) being produced. We expect the test to be
completed within 1 week of being able to commission the MMU on
site.
-- One of the JV partners in Greenfield, Tomco, has been able to
gain regular access to the site for its UK-staff throughout the
current restrictions, so we do not anticipate that this will
adversely impact our plans.
-- Much of the development and testing activity for bioMSAR(TM)
is to be carried out at third-party dedicated test facilities and
at QRF and we do not expect these activities will be materially
impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
It is important to emphasise that we take our responsibilities
to ensure that all of our colleagues remain safe very seriously.
This will always be our main priority when assessing project
programmes and our current planning and contingencies fully take
this into account.
Continued progress in the above projects will, we believe, be
instrumental in building the momentum which will significantly
improve the engagement with key stakeholders in the Middle East and
Central and South America. With White Papers published on the
Middle East and the Americas markets and with the bulk of our
website available in Arabic and Spanish, we have raised our profile
significantly in these markets. This has been further supported by
a more comprehensive and consistent approach to the use of social
media to supplement and enhance our formal news releases issued via
RNS. We will also continue to use a broad spread of routes to
engage with shareholders, including interviews with Proactive
Investors, and the use of Investor Meet Company to provide regular
updates and Q&A sessions for our substantial and loyal retail
shareholder base.
The recent successful placing and open offer were both
oversubscribed, and the gross proceeds of a total of GBP7m will
enable Quadrise to progress its active projects and their planned
migration to commercial contracts - providing a clear path to
sustainable commercial revenues. It also supports our business
development activities to enable progress in key markets such as
the Middle East and Central and South America. We know that being
able to deliver good news flow will be as important as ever and we
have invested significant further effort into our PR/IR activities
to support this.
QFI has a small, highly motivated and highly capable team and
our continued progress is only possible through the significant
contribution of everyone working within the business and I would
like to thank them all for their continued dedication and
professionalism without which the progress achieved during 2019-20
would not have been possible. Finally, I would like to thank once
again both our dedicated and loyal long-term shareholders and our
new institutional shareholders, who responded so positively in the
open offer and placing, respectively, for their support which will
remain fundamental to the long-term success of Quadrise.
Mike Kirk
Chairman
26 March 2021
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the 6 months ended 31 December 2020
Note 6 months 6 months Year ended
ended 31 ended 31 30 June
December December 2020
2020 2019 Audited
Unaudited Unaudited
(as restated) GBP'000
GBP'000 GBP'000
Continuing operations
Revenue 8 - -
Production and development
costs (645) (730) (1,357)
Other administration expenses (770) (1,078) (1,821)
Fair value adjustments
arising on Convertible
Securities (668) - (1,133)
Share option charge 3 (147) (277) (474)
Warrant charge - (65) (65)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (5) (4) (1)
------------------------------- ----- ----------- --------------- -----------
Operating loss (2,227) (2,154) (4,851)
Finance costs (51) (144) (146)
Finance income - 4 7
------------------------------- ----- ----------- --------------- -----------
Loss before tax (2,278) (2,294) (4,990)
Taxation - - 147
------------------------------- ----- ----------- --------------- -----------
Total comprehensive loss for
the period from continuing
operations (2,278) (2,294) (4,843)
-------------------------------------- ----------- --------------- -----------
Loss per share - pence
Basic 4 (0.21)p (0.24)p (0.49) p
Diluted 4 (0.21)p (0.24)p (0.49) p
------------------------------- ----- ----------- --------------- -----------
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2020
Note As at As at As at
31 December 31 December 30 June
2020 2019 2020
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
(as restated)
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 5 523 656 582
Intangible assets 6 2,924 2,924 2,924
Non-current assets 3,447 3,580 3,506
------------------------------- ----- ------------- --------------- ---------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 1,111 3,778 2,380
Trade and other receivables 193 257 213
Prepayments 113 118 112
Stock 61 61 61
------------------------------- ----- ------------- --------------- ---------
Current assets 1,478 4,214 2,766
------------------------------- ----- ------------- --------------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS 4,925 7,794 6,272
------------------------------- ----- ------------- --------------- ---------
Equity and liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 314 501 198
Convertible securities 7 1,521 1,864 2,045
------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
Current liabilities 1,835 2,365 2,243
------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
Equity attributable to
equity holders of the parent
Issued share capital 10,774 9,958 10,351
Share premium 75,708 75,374 75,431
Share option reserve 3,188 3,732 3,927
Warrant reserve 1,122 1,122 1,122
Reverse acquisition reserve 522 522 522
Accumulated losses (88,224) (85,279) (87,324)
------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 3,090 5,429 4,029
------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 4,925 7,794 6,272
------------------------------- --------- --------- ---------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the 6 months ended 31 December 2020
Issued Share Share Warrant Reverse Accumulated
share premium option reserve acquisition losses Total
capital GBP'000 reserve GBP'000 reserve GBP'000 GBP'000
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
As at 1 July
2020 10,351 75,431 3,927 1,122 522 (87,324) 4,029
Loss and total
comprehensive
loss for the
period - - - - - (2,278) (2,278)
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
Fair value adjustment
arising on Convertible
Securities 492 492
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
Share option
charge - - 147 - - - 147
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
Transfer of
balances relating
to expired share
options - - (886) - - 886 -
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
Shares issued
upon exercise
of Convertible
Security 423 277 - - - - 700
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
Shareholders'
equity at 31
December 2020
- unaudited 10,774 75,708 3,188 1,122 522 (88,224) 3,090
------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------- ------------ ----------
As at 1 July
2019 9,227 74,438 3,455 105 522 (82,985) 4,762
Loss and total
comprehensive
loss for the
period (as restated) - - - - - (2,294) (2,294)
Share option
charge - - 277 - - - 277
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Warrant charge
(as restated) - - - 65 - - 65
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Warrants issued
as part of open
offer and subscription
(as restated) - (816) - 816 - - -
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Shares and warrants
issued as part
of Convertible
Securities transaction
(as restated) 84 101 136 - - 321
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
New shares issued
(as restated) 647 1,914 - - - - 2,561
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Share issue
costs (as restated) - (263) - - - - (263)
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Shareholders'
equity at 31
December 2019
- unaudited 9.958 75,374 3,732 1,122 522 (85,279) 5,429
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
As at 1 January
2020 9,958 75,374 3,732 1,122 522 (85,279) 5,429
Loss and total
comprehensive
loss for the
period - - - - - (2,549) (2,549)
Fair value adjustment
arising on Convertible
Security - - - - - 502 502
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Share option
charge - - 197 - - - 197
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Transfer of balances
relating to expired
share options - - (2) - - 2 -
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Shares issued
upon exercise
of Convertible
Security 393 57 - - - - 450
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Shareholders'
equity at 30
June 2020 - audited 10,351 75,431 3,927 1,122 522 (87,324) 4,029
------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ ---- --------- --------
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the 6 months ended 31 December 2020
Note 6 months 6 months Year ended
ended 31 ended 31 30 June
December December 2020
2020 2019 Audited
Unaudited Unaudited GBP'000
GBP'000 GBP'000
Operating activities (as restated
)
Loss before tax from continuing
operations (2,278) (2,294) (4,990)
Fair value adjustments
arising on convertible
securities 668 - 1,133
Convertible Securities
finance costs (non-cash) - 140 140
Finance costs paid 51 4 6
Finance income received - (4) (7)
Depreciation 5 70 94 172
Share option charge 3 147 277 474
Warrant charge - 65 65
Working capital adjustments
Decrease/(increase) in
trade and other receivables 20 (88) (44)
(Increase)/decrease in
prepayments (1) (12) (6)
Increase/(decrease) in
trade and other payables 116 213 (90)
Cash utilised in operations (1,207) (1,605) (3,147)
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Finance costs paid (51) (4) (6)
Taxation received - - 147
----------- -------------
Net cash outflow from operating
activities (1,258) (1,609) (3,006)
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Investing activities
Finance income received - 4 7
Purchase of fixed assets 5 (11) (20) (24)
Net cash outflow from investing
activities (11) (16) (17)
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Financing activities
Issue of ordinary share
capital - 2,606 2,606
Issue costs - (263) (263)
Increase in convertible
securities 7 - 2,000 2,000
Net cash inflow from financing
activities - 4,343 4,343
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Net (decrease)/ increase
in cash and cash equivalents (1,269) 2,718 1,320
Cash and cash equivalents
at the beginning of the
period 2,380 1,060 1,060
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents
at the end of the period 1,111 3,778 2,380
--------------------------------- ----- ----------- ------------- -----------
Notes to the Group Financial Statements
1. General Information
Quadrise Fuels International plc ("QFI", "Quadrise", or the
"Company") and its subsidiaries (together with the Company, the
"Group") are engaged principally in the manufacture and marketing
of emulsified fuel for use in power generation, industrial and
marine diesel engines and steam generation applications. The
Company's ordinary shares are quoted on the AIM market of the
London Stock Exchange.
QFI was incorporated on 22 October 2004 as a limited company
under UK Company Law with registered number 05267512. It is
domiciled and registered at Eastcastle House , 27,28 Eastcastle
Street, London, W1W 8DH.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
2.1 Basis of Preparation
The financial information contained in this results announcement
has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out
in the statutory financial statements for the year ended 30 June
2020. Whilst the financial information included in this
announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition
and measurement requirements of IFRS, as adopted by the European
Union, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient
disclosures to comply with IFRS. The financial information does not
constitute the Group's statutory financial statements for the years
ended 30 June 2020 or 30 June 2019, but is derived from those
financial statements. Financial statements for the year ended 30
June 2020 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and
those for the year ended 30 June 2021 will be delivered following
the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors' report on both
the 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019 financial statements were
unqualified and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The auditors' report on the 30 June
2020 financial statements did draw attention to matters by way of
emphasis while the auditors' report on the 30 June 2019 financial
statements did not.
Interim results to 31 December 2019
The interim results to 31 December 2019 showed a total
comprehensive loss for the period of GBP3.11m, which included
warrant charges of GBP816k relating to warrants issued to
participants in the Open Offer and Subscription announced on 9
September 2019. These warrants fulfil the criteria to be recognised
as an equity instrument under IAS 32. The warrant charge of GBP816k
is therefore no longer included within total comprehensive loss for
the period and has instead been recognised in equity.
The interim results for the six month period ended 31 December
2020 therefore include restated comparative results for the six
month period ended 31 December 2019, which incorporate the
adjustment referred to above.
The directors have carried out a detailed assessment of going
concern as part of the financial reporting process. Following a
full review of the updated business plan, detailed budgets,
associated commitments and potential future risks associated with
COVID-19 and Brexit, the directors have concluded that the Group
has adequate financial resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future, and therefore continue to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the accounts.
The interim accounts for the six months ended 31 December 2020
were approved by the Board on 26 March 2021.
The directors do not propose an interim dividend.
3. Share Option charge
On 21 August 2020 the Company granted a total of 10.0m share
options to Directors with a weighted average exercise price of 7.5p
and a weighted average fair value of 2.1p. The options were granted
in accordance with the provisions of (a) the Company's Enterprise
Management Incentive Plan ("EMI Plan"), in respect of awards of an
aggregate of 4,261,756 Options (the "EMI Options") and (b) the
Company's Unapproved Option Scheme 2016 ("2016 Scheme") in respect
of awards of an aggregate of 5,738,244 Options ("2016 Scheme
Options").
Director Number of Options Plan Exercise
price
EMI Plan (1,261,756
Options)
2016 Scheme (738,244
Mike Kirk 2,000,000 Options) 7.5p
------------------ ----------------------- ---------
Jason Miles 5,000,000 2016 Scheme 7.5p
------------------ ----------------------- ---------
Mark Whittle 3,000,000 EMI Plan 7.5p
------------------ ----------------------- ---------
Total 10,000,000 - -
------------------ ----------------------- ---------
The EMI Options and the 2016 Scheme Options will vest as to 50%
on the first anniversary of the grant and the remaining 50% shall
vest on the second anniversary of the date of grant. All vestings
are subject to the satisfaction of certain performance conditions
prior to the vesting date. The 2016 Scheme Options and the EMI
Options will be exercisable from vesting until the eighth and tenth
anniversaries of grant respectively.
During the period to 31 December 2019 and the year ended 30 June
2020, the Company issued no share options to directors or
employees.
The Share Option Schemes are equity settled plans, and fair
value is measured at the grant date of the option. Options issued
under the Schemes vest over a two year or three year period
provided the recipient remains an employee of the Group. Options
may be also exercised within one year of an employee leaving the
Group at the discretion of the Board.
4. Loss Per Share
The calculation of loss per share is based on the following loss
and number of shares:
6 months 6 months Year ended
ended 31 ended 30 June
December 31 December 2020
2020 2019 Audited
Unaudited Unaudited
(as restated)
Loss for the period from
continuing operations (GBP'000s) (2,278) (2,294) (4,843)
Weighted average number
of shares:
Basic 1,063,639,425 961,058,037 982,793,918
Diluted 1,063,639,425 961,058,037 982,793,918
Loss per share:
----------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------
Basic (0.21)p (0.24)p (0.49)p
----------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------
Diluted (0.21)p (0.24)p (0.49)p
----------------------------------- -------------- --------------- ------------
Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss for the
period from continuing operations of the Group by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period.
For diluted loss per share, the weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of all
potential dilutive options and warrants over ordinary shares.
Potential ordinary shares resulting from the exercise of share
options and warrants have an anti-dilutive effect due to the Group
being in a loss position. As a result, diluted loss per share is
disclosed as the same value as basic loss per share.
The 23.9 million exercisable share options and 45.2 million
exercisable warrants issued by the Company and which are
outstanding at the period-end could potentially dilute earnings per
share in the future if exercised when the Group is in a
profit-making position.
5. Property, Plant and Equipment
Leasehold Computer Software Office Plant Total
improvements equipment equipment and machinery
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost
Opening balance
- 1 July 2020 181 95 43 16 1,410 1,745
Additions - 3 - - 8 11
Disposals - - - - - -
--------------------- -------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------
Closing balance
- 31 December
2020 181 98 43 16 1,418 1,756
--------------------- -------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------
Depreciation
Opening balance
- 1 July 2020 (181) (89) (43) (16) (834) (1,163)
Depreciation charge
for the period - (2) - - (68) (70)
Disposals - - - - - -
--------------------- -------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------
Closing balance
- 31 December
2020 (181) (91) (43) (16) (902) (1,233)
--------------------- -------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------
Net book value
at 31 December
2020 - unaudited - 7 - - 516 523
--------------------- -------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------- --------------- --------
Cost
Opening balance
- 1 July 2019 181 91 43 16 1,390 1,721
Additions - - - - 20 20
Disposals - - - - - -
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Closing balance
- 31 December
2019 181 91 43 16 1,410 1,741
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Depreciation
Opening balance
- 1 July 2019 (166) (78) (41) (16) (690) (991)
Depreciation charge
for the period (11) (7) (2) - (74) (94)
Disposals - - - - - -
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Closing balance
- 31 December
2019 (177) (85) (43) (16) (764) (1,085)
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Net book value
at 31 December
2019 - unaudited 4 6 - - 646 656
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Cost
Opening balance
- 1 July 2019 181 91 43 16 1,390 1,721
Additions - 4 - - 20 24
Disposals - - - - - -
Closing balance
- 30 June 2020 181 95 43 16 1,410 1,745
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Depreciation
Opening balance
- 1 July 2019 (166) (78) (41) (16) (690) (991)
Depreciation charge
for the year (15) (11) (2) - (144) (172)
Disposals - - - - - -
------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Closing balance
- 30 June 2020 (181) (89) (43) (16) (834) (1,163)
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
Net book value
at 30 June 2020
- audited - 6 - - 576 582
--------------------- ------ ----- ----- ----- ------ --------
6. Intangible Assets
QCC royalty MSAR(R) Technology
payments trade name and know-how Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cost
Balance as at 1 July
2020 and 31 December
2020 7,686 3,100 25,901 36,687
Amortisation and
Impairment
Balance as at 1 July
2020 and 31 December
2020 (7,686) (176) (25,901) (33,763)
Net book value at
31 December 2020
- unaudited - 2,924 - 2,924
----------------------- ------------ ------------ -------------- ---------
Cost
Balance as at 1 July
2019 and 31 December
2019 7,686 3,100 25,901 36,687
Amortisation and
Impairment
Balance as at 1 July
2019 and 31 December
2019 (7,686) (176) (25,901) (33,763)
Net book value at
31 December 2019
- unaudited - 2,924 - 2,924
----------------------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Cost
Balance at 1 July
2019 and 30 June
2020 7,686 3,100 25,901 36,687
- - - -
Amortisation and
Impairment
Balance at 1 July
2019 and 30 June
2020 (7,686) (176) (25,901) (33,763)
Net book value at
30 June 2020 - audited - 2,924 - 2,924
------------------------- -------- ------ --------- ---------
Intangibles comprise intellectual property with a cost of
GBP36.69m, including assets of finite and indefinite life. QCC
royalty payments of GBP7.69m and the MSAR(R) trade name of GBP3.10m
are termed as assets having indefinite life as it is assessed that
there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the assets
are expected to generate net cash inflows for the Group. The assets
with indefinite life are not amortised. The remaining intangibles
amounting to GBP25.90m, primarily made up of technology and
know-how, are considered as finite assets and are now fully
amortised. The Group does not have any internally generated
intangibles.
The Group tests intangible assets annually for impairment, or
more frequently if there are indications that they might be
impaired. As at 30 June 2020, the QCC royalty payments asset was
fully impaired and the MSAR(R) trade name asset had a net book
value of GBP2.924m. For the six month period to 31 December 2020,
there was no indication that the MSAR(R) trade name asset may be
impaired.
As a result, the Directors concluded that no impairment is
necessary for the six month period to 31 December 2020.
7. Convertible securities
On 22 August 2019, the Company entered into an agreement with
Bergen Global Opportunity Fund LP ('the Investor') whereby the
Investor will provide up to GBP4.0 million of interest free
unsecured funding, provided in two tranches through the issue by
the Company of Convertible Securities with a nominal value of up to
GBP4.3 million, convertible into Ordinary Shares.
An initial tranche of Convertible Securities with a nominal
value of GBP2.15 million was subscribed for by the Investor for
GBP2.0 million on 30 August 2019. A second tranche of Convertible
Securities, with a nominal value of up to GBP2.15 million is
conditionally available to the Company with a subscription price of
up to GBP2.0 million. Both tranches have 24 month maturity dates
from the dates of their respective issuance, and any Convertible
Securities not converted prior to such dates will automatically
convert into Ordinary Shares at such time.
The Company also issued 4.9 million 36 month warrants to
subscribe for new Ordinary Shares to the Investor by way of a
Warrant Instrument initially exercisable at 5.78p per Ordinary
Share, subject to anti-dilution and exercise price reduction
provisions.
In connection with the Agreement, on 30 August 2019 the Company
also issued to the Investor 3,888,889 new Ordinary Shares in
settlement of a commencement fee of GBP140,000 and a further
4,500,000 new Ordinary Shares to collateralise the Agreement
subscribed for at nominal value by the Investor.
The Convertible Securities are only converted to the extent that
the Company has corporate authority to do so, and it is a term of
the agreement that the Company must retain sufficient authority to
issue and allot (on a non-pre-emptive basis) a sufficient number of
Ordinary Shares potentially required to be issued under the terms
of the Agreement (and the Warrant Instrument).
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company is required
to obtain and maintain sufficient non-pre-emptive share issuance
authority from its shareholders in relation to the Ordinary Shares
that may be required to be issued pursuant to the Agreement and
Warrant Instrument.
The Agreement was completed and the Initial Tranche funded to
the Company on the basis of the remaining current Authority from
the 2018 annual general meeting, and also on the basis that an
updated authority must be obtained at a General Meeting of
shareholders. Such authority was obtained at a General Meeting held
on 27 September 2019.
Debt and equity instruments issued by the Company are classified
as either financial liabilities or as equity. An equity instrument
is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of
an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Under the terms
of the Convertible Securities agreement of 22 August 2019, the
Company has no obligation to repay the securities in cash (unless
the Company defaults on the terms) and the number of shares which
may be issued upon conversion is variable. As there is no residual
interest in the assets of the Company after conversion of the
Convertible Securities, the Convertible Securities meet the
criteria to be classified entirely as a financial liability.
The Convertible Securities instrument has been designated at
fair value on initial recognition, with the fair value being
assessed as GBP1.864m, being the nominal value of GBP2.15m less
interest and warrant charges. The Convertible Securities have a
24-month expiry date, before which all Securities must be fully
converted. Upon each exercise of conversion rights, the portion of
the Convertible Securities converted is assessed at fair value,
with the resulting fair value adjustment being recorded in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Up to 31 December 2020, the Investor exercised their conversion
rights as follows:
Conversion Convertible Conversion No. of Share price Fair value
date Securities price (p) shares on conversion adjustment
converted awarded date (GBP'000)
(GBP) upon conversion
23 March
2020 100,000 1.2 8,333,333 1.68 40
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
15 April
2020 100,000 1.2 8,333,333 1.64 36
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
22 June
2020 250,000 1.1 22,727,273 2.98 426
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
20 August
2020 300,000 1.6 18,750,000 2.90 244
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
7 September
2020 400,000 1.7 23,529,412 2.76 248
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
Total 1,150,000 81,673,352 994
------------ ----------- ----------------- --------------- ------------
As at 31 December 2020, nominal value of GBP1.0m remains
outstanding to the investor under the terms of the Convertible
Security instrument. This balance has been assessed to have a fair
value of GBP1.5m with the resulting fair value adjustment of
GBP176k being recorded in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
The total fair value adjustment charge for the period ended 31
December 2020 was GBP668k (2019: GBPnil).
The fair value assessment was performed using a 'base case'
model applying a factor for the volatility of the Company's shares,
being a key assumption, equal to 120%. Management have performed a
sensitivity analysis whereby the share price volatility parameter
was flexed by reasonable amounts to assess the impact on the fair
value.
An increase to this assumption by 10% would result in an
increase of GBP54k in the fair value of the Convertible
Security.
8. Related Party Transactions
Non-executive Director Laurie Mutch is also a Director of Laurie
Mutch & Associates Limited, which has provided consulting
services to the Group. The total fees charged for the period
amounted to GBP5k (31 December 2019: GBP30k). The balance payable
at the statement of financial position date was GBP5k (31 December
2020: GBPnil).
QFI defines key management personnel as the Directors of the
Company. Other than the above, and the issuance of share options to
Directors (note 3) there are no transactions with Directors other
than their remuneration.
9. Events After the End of the Reporting Period
On 5 January 2021, the Company announced that following receipt
of a notice of exercise from the Investor in respect of the
Convertible Security issued by the Company on 30 August 2019 to
convert GBP500,000 of the Convertible Security into new ordinary
shares in the Company at a conversion price of 1.8p per new
ordinary share, the Company issued 27,777,778 new ordinary
shares.
On 21 January 2021, the Company announced the signature of a
Joint Development Agreement ("JDA") with MSC Shipmanagement Limited
of Cyprus ("MSC"), a 100% subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping
Company SA headquartered in Geneva, to carry out an MSAR(R)
Operational Trial (the "Trial") on commercial container vessels in
the MSC global fleet commencing in 2021 with, subject to further
agreement, subsequent commercial rollout upon success.
Initial activities under the JDA will include project
initiation, definition, high-level scoping and feasibility
activities ("Initial Activities") of the overall Trial. The Initial
Activities are to be completed within 3 months.
Contingent on the outcome of the Initial Activities the parties
will progress and define the project roadmap during Q2 calendar
year 2021 in preparation for the execution of one or more Trials
commencing in H2 calendar year 2021 on representative commercial
vessels in MSC's global fleet ("Phase 1"). Upon completion and
success of Phase 1, and subject to further agreement between the
parties, the JDA envisages subsequent commercial roll-out across
the MSC global fleet ("Phase 2").
On 27 January 2021, the Company announced that following receipt
of a notice of exercise from the Investor in respect of the
Convertible Security issued by the Company on 30 August 2019 to
convert GBP500,000 of the Convertible Security into new ordinary
shares in the Company at a conversion price of 2.0p per new
ordinary share, the Company issued 25,000,000 new ordinary shares,
with no further amount remaining outstanding under the Convertible
Security.
On 11 February 2021, the Company announced that, pursuant to
Convertible Securities Issuance Deed ("Agreement") with the
Investor entered into by the Company on 22 August 2019, the Company
and the Investor agreed that a second and final investment of
convertible securities with a par value of GBP537,500 be purchased
by the Investor for GBP500,000 in cash, subject to the terms and
conditions set out in the Agreement, and that the Company had
issued that convertible security (the "Second Investment").
The Second Investment concludes the Investor's ability to invest
in Quadrise under the Agreement and no further convertible
securities will be issued pursuant to it.
On 2 March 2021, the Company announced that gross proceeds of
GBP6.0m had been conditionally raised pursuant to the Placing of
222,222,222 Placing Shares at the Placing Price of 2.7 pence per
Ordinary Share. The Placing shares were issued by way of a
non-pre-emptive cashbox placing.
On 23 March 2021, the Company announced that further proceeds of
GBP1m were raised pursuant to an Open Offer.
10. Copies of the Interim Accounts
Copies of the interim accounts are available on the Company's
website at www.quadrisefuels.com and from the Company's registered
office, Eastcastle House , 27,28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W
8DH.
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