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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-259895

PROSPECTUS

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

 

LOGO

Secondary Offering of

107,264,669 Common Shares

 

 

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time by the selling shareholders named in this prospectus or their permitted transferees (collectively, the “selling securityholders”) of up to 107,264,669 common shares, without par value, (the “common shares”) of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., an Ontario corporation (“we” or the “Company”). This prospectus covers any additional securities that may become issuable by reason of share splits, share dividends, and other events described therein.

The common shares covered by this prospectus that may be offered and sold by the selling securityholders include (i) 76,997,198 common shares issued to certain former shareholders and optionholders of Li-Cycle Corp., an Ontario corporation (“Li-Cycle”), at the closing of the business combination by and among the Company, Li-Cycle, and Peridot Acquisition Corp., an Ontario corporation (“Peridot”), on August 10, 2021, as a result of which the Company became a new public company (the “Business Combination”), (ii) 7,500,000 common shares issued to Peridot Class B Holders (as defined herein) in connection with the Business Combination, (iii) 2,024,000 common shares issued following the exercise of 8,000,000 private placement warrants (the “private placement warrants”) held by Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and (iv) 20,743,471 common shares issued to certain institutions and accredited investors in the PIPE Financing (as defined herein).

We are registering the offer and sale of these common shares to satisfy certain registration rights that we have granted. The selling securityholders may offer all or part of the common shares covered by this prospectus for resale from time to time through public or private transactions, at either prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. These common shares are being registered to permit the selling securityholders to sell common shares from time to time, in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. The selling securityholders may sell these common shares through an underwritten offering, ordinary brokerage transactions, directly to market makers of our common shares or through any other means described in the section titled “Plan of Distribution” herein. In connection with any sales of common shares offered hereunder, the selling securityholders, any underwriters, agents, brokers or dealers participating in such sales may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). If our common shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling securityholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions.

All of the common shares offered by the selling securityholders pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling securityholders for their respective accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales.

We will pay certain expenses associated with the registration of the common shares covered by this prospectus, as described in the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”

Our common shares are currently listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LICY”. On February 11, 2022, the last reported sale price of our common shares as reported on The New York Stock Exchange was $7.26 per common share.

We may amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time by filing amendments or supplements. You should read this entire prospectus and any amendments or supplements carefully before you make your investment decision.

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. We are also a “foreign private issuer” and will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as long as we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies.

Our principal executive offices are located at 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, ON, M5J 1A7, Canada.

 

 

Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any common shares, you should carefully read the discussion of material risks of investing in our common shares in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these common shares or passed on the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Prospectus dated February 24, 2022


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     12  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     33  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     34  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     34  

CAPITALIZATION

     35  

INDUSTRY AND MARKET OVERVIEW

     36  

BUSINESS

     39  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     53  

MANAGEMENT

     76  

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

     83  

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

     97  

DESCRIPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED COMPANY ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS

     102  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

     107  

PRINCIPAL SECURITYHOLDERS

     111  

SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

     114  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

     123  

CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     127  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     129  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     134  

EXPENSES RELATED TO THE OFFERING

     138  

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

     139  

LEGAL MATTERS

     139  

EXPERTS

     140  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     141  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

 

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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any amendment or supplement to this prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf. Neither we, nor the selling securityholders, have authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. Neither we, nor the selling securityholders, take responsibility for, nor can we provide assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may provide. The selling securityholders are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus or such other date stated in this prospectus, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or prospects may have changed since those dates.

Except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus, neither we nor the selling securityholders have taken any action to permit a public offering of these securities outside the United States or to permit the possession or distribution of this prospectus outside the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about and observe any restrictions relating to the offering of these securities and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Our fiscal year consists of twelve months ending October 31. Accordingly, references herein to “2019 fiscal year” relate to the twelve months ended October 31, 2019, references herein to “2020 fiscal year” relate to the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, references herein to “2021 fiscal year” relate to the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 and references herein to “2022 fiscal year” relate to the twelve months ending October 31, 2022. Our fiscal quarters consist of the three months ending on January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31. References to any given year in this prospectus will be to a calendar year, and not a fiscal year, unless otherwise noted.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IFRS

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and referred to in this prospectus as “IFRS.”

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

In this prospectus, we rely on and refer to industry data, information and statistics regarding the markets in which we compete from research as well as from publicly available information, industry and general publications and research and studies conducted by third parties. We have supplemented this information where necessary with our own internal estimates, considering publicly available information about other industry participants and our management’s best view as to information that is not publicly available. This information appears in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Business” and other sections of this prospectus. We have taken such care as we consider reasonable in the extraction and reproduction of information from such data from third party sources.

Industry publications, research, studies and forecasts generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and uncertainties as the other forward-looking statements in this prospectus. These forecasts and forward-looking information are subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described under the section titled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forecasts or estimates from independent third parties and us.

 

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Li-Cycle” or the “Company” refer to Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., an Ontario corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

In this document:

“Amalgamation” means the amalgamation of Peridot Ontario and NewCo in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement.

“Arrangement” means the plan of arrangement (including the Business Combination) in substantially the form attached as Annex C to the proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of the registration statement on Form F-4, filed by the Company with the SEC on July 6, 2021.

“Business Combination” means the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement.

“Business Combination Agreement” means the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2021, as amended, by and among Peridot, Li-Cycle and NewCo.

“common shares” means the common shares of the Company, without par value.

“Continuance” means the continuance of Peridot from the Cayman Islands under the Companies Act to the Province of Ontario, Canada as a corporation existing under the OBCA.

“EV” means electric vehicles.

“Hub” means a centralized facility for large-scale production of specialty materials that achieves economies of scale in recycling. Our first commercial Hub will be located in Rochester, New York and is currently in the project execution phase.

“Incentive Plan” means the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

“Investor Agreement” means the Investor and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2021, by and among the Company, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders.

“LGC” means LG Chem, Ltd.

“LGES” means LG Energy Solution, Ltd.

“Li-Cycle Holders” means the prior shareholders of Li-Cycle that entered into the Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements in connection with the Business Combination.

“Li-Cycle Shares” means the issued and outstanding common shares of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination.

“Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements” means the Transaction Support Agreements, each dated as of February 15, 2021, among Peridot and the Li-Cycle Holders, entered into in connection with the Business Combination Agreement.

“NewCo” means Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. prior to the Amalgamation.

“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

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“OBCA” means the Ontario Business Corporations Act.

“Peridot” means, before the Continuance, Peridot Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempt company and, after the Continuance, Peridot Ontario.

“Peridot Class B Holders” means the holders of Peridot Class B Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination.

“Peridot Class B Shares” means the Class B common shares of Peridot.

“Peridot Ontario” means Peridot as continued under the OBCA following the Continuance.

“PIPE Financing” means the issuance and sale to the PIPE Investors, following the Amalgamation and prior to the closing date of the Business Combination, of an aggregate of 31,549,000 common shares for a purchase price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $315,490,000.

“PIPE Investors” means those certain investors, including an affiliate of Peridot’s Sponsor, who entered into Subscription Agreements to purchase common shares in the PIPE Financing.

“private placement warrants” means 8,000,000 warrants to purchase common shares that were issued to the Sponsor in exchange for outstanding warrants of Peridot in connection with the Business Combination, which were exercised or surrendered for common shares of the Company or redeemed on January 26, 2022 pursuant to the notice of redemption dated December 27, 2021.

“Product Recovery Percentage” means (a) the quantity of a given constituent in the feed lithium-ion battery materials (e.g., lithium, nickel, cobalt, other constituents) that is returned from the process and is available for sale after the process has taken place, divided by (b) input quantity of the given constituent, measured as a percentage.

“public warrants” means 15,000,000 warrants to purchase common shares that were issued in exchange for outstanding warrants of Peridot that were issued in Peridot’s initial public offering, which were exercised or surrendered for common shares of the Company or redeemed on January 26, 2022 pursuant to the notice of redemption dated December 27, 2021.

“Recycling Efficiency Rate” means (a) the mass of recycled materials exiting the recycling process and returned to the economy, divided by (b) the mass of materials entering the recycling process, measured as a percentage.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Spoke” means a decentralized facility that mechanically processes batteries close to sources of supply and handles the preliminary processing of end-of-life batteries and battery scrap.

“Spoke Capital Projects” means the Spoke facilities presently under development and construction by Li-Cycle.

“Sponsor” means Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note” means the unsecured convertible note due September 29, 2026 issued to Spring Creek Capital, LLC pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement on September 29, 2021.

 

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“Subscription Agreements” means the subscription agreements entered into with the PIPE Investors, in connection with the PIPE Financing.

“Traxys” means Traxys North America LLC.

“Ultium” means Ultium Cells LLC.

“Warrant Redemption” means the redemption of all our outstanding warrants on January 26, 2022 as

described in the notice of redemption dated December 27, 2021.

“warrants” means the public warrants and the private placement warrants.

References to “dollar,” “USD,” “US$” and “$” are to U.S. dollars and references to “CA$” and “Cdn. $” are to Canadian dollars.

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES

This prospectus includes certain trademarks, service marks and trade names that we own or otherwise have the right to use, such as “Li-Cycle” and “Spoke & Hub Technologies” which are protected under applicable intellectual property laws and are our property. This prospectus also contains additional trademarks, tradenames, and service marks belonging to other companies, which are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, our trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ® or symbol, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to these trademarks, service marks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other parties’ trademarks, tradenames, or service marks to imply, and such use or display should not be construed to imply, a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, these other parties.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our securities. Before making an investment decision, you should read this entire prospectus carefully, especially the section titled “Risk Factors” and the financial statements and related notes thereto. Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. See “Forward-Looking Statements” for more information.

As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “NewCo” and the “Company” refer to Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., an Ontario corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries; references to “Li-Cycle” refer to our wholly-owned subsidiary Li-Cycle Corp., an Ontario corporation.

Our Company

Li-Cycle is an industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery and the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America. When we refer to ourselves as the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, we are referring to our status based on installed permitted capacity for lithium-ion battery recycling measured in tonnes per year. Our proprietary “Spoke & Hub” recycling process is designed (a) at our Spokes, to process battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries to produce “black mass” and other intermediate products, and (b) at our Hubs, to process black mass to produce critical battery materials, including lithium carbonate, nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate. Our process enables an up to 95% Recycling Efficiency Rate, as compared to what we believe to be a 50% traditional industry average. Unlike the traditional revenue model for recycling that relies primarily on waste or tipping fees, our operating model is focused on generating revenue from sales of the raw materials we produce.

Li-Cycle was founded in 2016 by our chief executive officer, Ajay Kochhar, and executive chair, Tim Johnston, with the mission of solving the global disposal problem for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap while simultaneously creating a secondary source of critical battery materials. By providing an “urban mining” solution, Li-Cycle seeks to offer an alternative to raw materials sources through traditional global mining practices.

We pioneered what we believe to be an innovative and scalable metallurgical processing method with our Spoke & Hub Technologies. We expect to make a valuable contribution to the electric vehicle industry and the world’s transition to a circular economy by diverting end-of-life lithium-ion battery materials from landfill sites by offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to energy-intensive pyrometallurgical processing methods. We believe our production costs are on average lower than the mining and processing costs otherwise incurred by suppliers to produce these materials because we are able to produce multiple materials from a single process and because our process yields minimal waste and no displaced earth or tailings, as compared to traditional mining processes. By re-inserting critical materials back into the lithium-ion battery supply chain, we are able to effectively close the loop between the beginning and end-of-life manufacturing phases in both an environmentally and what we believe to be an economically sustainable manner.

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly powering products and solutions in a range of industries, including consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Our sources of recycling feed are derived primarily from three key sources: 1) battery manufacturing scrap; 2) end-of-life lithium-ion batteries; and 3) damaged, defective, or recalled lithium-ion batteries.

 

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An overview of the industries in which lithium-ion batteries are utilized is set forth below:

 

 

LOGO

Source: Expert Interviews, Secondary Research, and BIS Research Analysis

Our Strategy

Our goal is to be a leading global recycler of lithium-ion batteries and battery scrap and producer of key battery grade materials. Li-Cycle has developed a two-phased strategy, positioned to grow in lockstep with the electrification supply chain. In the first phase, Li-Cycle plans to expand its network in line with the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, by utilizing the resulting manufacturing scrap or yield loss as a key base-load of supply for Li-Cycle’s facilities. In the second phase, Li-Cycle plans to leverage the global network established predominantly on the basis of manufacturing scrap to position Li-Cycle as the leader for the processing of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. We are executing on our plan to construct a network of Spokes located at regionally optimized locations that reduce safety risk and costs associated with battery transport to our Spokes. We further plan to construct centralized, large-scale Hubs to maximize economies of scale and efficiencies. Hub facilities will process an intermediate product (black mass) from our Spokes, as this is significantly easier and safer to transport than batteries.

We are evaluating additional global opportunities to scale our operations with a range of potential partners and expansion opportunities that may include acquisitions, joint ventures or other commercial arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We seek to partner with multiple customers in each geography in connection with supply and off-take arrangements. Near to mid-term, our current growth strategy is to focus on North America and Europe, aligning with leading global customer demand needs. We also expect to assess, including through discussions about timing and with potential customers, the potential for investments in the Asia Pacific region.

Our Competitive Strengths

Customer-Centric Solutions Provider

We provide sustainable and customer-centric solutions for each of our customers’ battery recycling needs. We provide the support necessary along each step of the process to ensure that our customers’ battery recycling experience is handled in a manner that is safe, professional, and economically viable. In particular,

 

   

we work closely with a reliable network of logistics partners to support customers in transporting their batteries to our facilities;

 

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we offer our customers a home for the secure destruction of materials containing IP-sensitive design information, such as research and development batteries and battery materials. We have adopted procedures to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our customers’ trade secrets; and

 

   

in addition to providing advice on packaging and support with procurement, we provide spare battery storage, manage comprehensive battery replacement campaigns and customize programs and services to individual customers’ needs.

Proprietary and Innovative Technology

We have established proprietary technology that we believe sets us apart from competitors because our technology has the ability to respond to changes in battery chemistries and adapt to change in inputs to the battery recycling process. Our process produces the fundamental building blocks of lithium-ion batteries—cathode precursor input chemicals, cathode input chemicals and raw materials that can be reused in batteries or the broader economy. By contrast, competitive emerging technologies such as cathode-to-cathode recycling produce end-products that have a higher risk of obsolescence due to continuous cathode technology advancement.

Leading Environmental Footprint

Due to our high recovery rates and sustainable, environmentally-friendly processes, we believe we are well-positioned to comply with heightened regulations applicable to us across the globe.

Unlike conventional pyrometallurgy processes, our hydrometallurgical process is designed for “best in class” environmental performance, with minimal solid waste streams to landfill, zero wastewater discharge, and relatively low air emissions. This has been a competitive advantage in terms of conforming to the requirements for municipal, state, and federal permitting processes associated with the development of our Spokes and Hub, as well as meeting our customers’ mandates for quality and sustainability.

In 2021, Li-Cycle received the 2021 Big Innovation Award presented by Business Intelligence Group, and it was named to the World Circular Economy Forum’s list of Circular Economy Solutions Inspiring the World. In addition, for three years in a row (2020, 2021 and 2022), Li-Cycle was named as a Global Cleantech 100 Company by the Cleantech Group and was also a finalist in the 10th Annual Business Green Leaders Awards.

Minimal Human Operating Risk

Unlike smelting, thermal pre-treatment refining, or cathode-to-cathode processes, our processes have minimal human operating risk. Our Spokes can safely process lithium-ion batteries at any state of charge, without any manual sorting, discharging, or dismantling required. In addition, our Spokes reduce the size of battery mass through an automated process, minimizing human operating risk.

Superior Recycling Recovery Rates and More Economical Supplier

Our wet-chemistry method is able to extract valuable battery-grade chemicals from black mass that are directly re-usable in the manufacturing of new battery technologies. In the short term, this increases the value that we derive from battery manufacturing scrap as well as end-of-life batteries and reduces waste.

We expect our production costs on average to be lower than the mining and processing costs otherwise incurred by suppliers to produce these materials because we are able to produce multiple materials from a single process that yields minimal waste and no displaced earth or tailings, as compared to traditional mining processes.

 

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Established Strategic Partnerships with Key Global Players

We believe that the investment and strategic alliances we have established represent a strong validation of our business model by leading global strategic players in the lithium-ion battery materials space, as described below:

Koch Strategic Platforms (“KSP”)

KSP, a subsidiary of Koch Investments Group, through its affiliate, Spring Creek Capital, LLC, has invested $100 million in Li-Cycle pursuant to a convertible note to support the Company’s growth opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt Obligations” for more information about the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note and related Standstill Agreement. We believe this strategic investment by KSP will provide Li-Cycle with access to key industry expertise across the broader Koch Industries ecosystem. Li-Cycle has also engaged Koch Engineered Solutions (“KES”), which provides engineering, procurement, and construction services, to construct, test, and ship plant and equipment for the Company’s Norway Spoke facility. Li-Cycle and KES are exploring commercial opportunities to support the global deployment of incremental Spoke facilities and to enhance execution and operational readiness for the Rochester Hub.

LG Chem (“LGC”) and LG Energy Solution (“LGES”)

In December 2021, Li-Cycle, LGC and LGES entered into a manufacturing scrap supply and nickel sulphate off-take agreement non-binding letter of intent. With this proposed collaboration, LGES and Li-Cycle intend to cooperate on recycling lithium-ion battery scrap and certain other lithium-ion battery materials to create a closed-loop ecosystem.

Subject to entering into of definitive commercial agreements for such collaboration by March 13, 2022, LGC and LGES together will make a $50 million equity investment in Li-Cycle. See “Description of Securities — Registration Rights — LG Subscription Agreements” and “Description of Securities — Registration Rights — LG Standstill Agreement” for more information about the equity investment and related standstill agreement. Upon the execution of the definitive agreements, Li-Cycle, through its end-product off-take partner for the Rochester Hub, Traxys North America LLC, will sell 20,000 tonnes of nickel contained in nickel sulphate produced by Li-Cycle to LGC and LGES over 10 years, beginning in 2023.

Ultium Cells (Joint Venture of General Motors and LGES)

In May 2021, we entered into a multi-year agreement with Ultium Cells LLC (“Ultium”), a joint venture of General Motors and LGES, to recycle up to 100% of the scrap generated by battery cell manufacturing at Ultium’s Warren, Ohio mega-factory. In January 2022, we announced that we would be co-locating a new Spoke facility on-site at the mega-factory, to enhance our ability to serve Ultium’s recycling needs and reduce the costs associated with moving and handling the battery manufacturing scrap materials.

Well Positioned for Governmental “Green” Financing Partnerships

With the emergence of government initiatives to accelerate the development of the circular economy and EV adoption, significant programs are underway to secure critical material supply from North American sources. With our first mover technology and environmental advantages, we believe we are well positioned to explore various green financing opportunities from government or financial institutions supporting cleantech infrastructure in North America. Li-Cycle has also historically built strong relationships with various government agencies.

 

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Recent Developments

Recently Announced Spoke Capital Projects

On January 26, 2022, Li-Cycle announced that it has formed a joint venture with ECO STOR AS (“ECO STOR”) and Morrow Batteries AS (“Morrow”) through which it will construct a new commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility in southern Norway (the “Norway Spoke”). Li-Cycle will be the majority owner of the joint venture, with ECO STOR and Morrow being minority owners and Nordic-headquartered strategic partners. Once constructed, the Norway Spoke will be Li-Cycle’s first recycling facility outside of North America and is expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries per year, including but not limited to battery manufacturing scrap, full EV packs, and energy storage systems. The facility is expected to be operational in early 2023.

On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle announced the development of the Ohio Spoke at Ultium Cells LLC’s (“Ultium”) battery cell manufacturing mega-factory in Warren, Ohio. The Ohio Spoke is expected to be operational in early 2023. Once completed, we expect the Ohio Spoke to have a recycling capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year.

On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle also announced the development of a second European Spoke in Germany. The Germany Spoke is expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year, and is expected to be operational by early 2023.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Spoke Capital Projects”.

Warrant Redemption

On December 27, 2021, Li-Cycle issued a notice of redemption indicating that it would be redeeming on January 26, 2022 (the “Redemption Date”), all of the outstanding warrants. The notice indicated that, at any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the warrants could be: (i) exercised by holders, at an exercise price of $11.50 per common share; or (ii) surrendered by holders on a “cashless basis” (a “Make-Whole Exercise”), in which case the surrendering holder would receive a number of common shares determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement. On January 11, 2022, Li-Cycle issued a notice indicating that holders who surrendered their warrants pursuant to the Make-Whole Exercise would receive 0.253 common shares per warrant. As of January 30, 2022, (i) 9,678 warrants were exercised at the exercise price of $11.50 per common share, and (ii) 22,540,651 warrants were surrendered by holders in a Make-Whole Exercise, together resulting in the issuance of an additional 5,712,322 common shares. On the Redemption Date, the remaining 449,665 unexercised warrants were redeemed at $0.10 per warrant.

Current Situation with Respect to COVID-19

In late 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19, was identified in China. The virus has spread globally, resulting in governmental authorities implementing protective measures, such as travel restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and shutdowns, in order to contain its spread and reduce its impact. This pandemic has significantly disrupted economies around the world.

The continuous spread of COVID-19 has caused lockdowns and shutdowns of manufacturing facilities. Many industry sectors, including the automotive sector, have been negatively impacted and continue to be unable to produce at capacity. The continued impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing production may lead to less demand for lithium-ion batteries, impacting the resulting contribution of batteries and battery-related scrap material to the recycling market over the short-to-medium term.

 

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Li-Cycle’s operations have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because Li-Cycle’s operations have been considered an essential service in both Canada and the United States, Li-Cycle’s plants have continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit with the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure employee safety. Li-Cycle shut down its commercial headquarters in March 2020 and enforced a work-from-home mandate. The Kingston Spoke experienced some battery supply related issues in the second fiscal quarter of 2021 due to COVID-19 related shutdowns in Ontario, Canada which were alleviated by the third fiscal quarter of 2021 and no further shutdowns occurred for the remainder of the fiscal period. Li-Cycle re-opened its office facilities in November 2021, with a robust plan to ensure compliance with government guidance and all recommended actions to ensure employee safety.

Li-Cycle cannot currently predict the duration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. Continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new strains such as the Omicron or Delta variant may cause governments to impose new restrictive measures, result in employee absences from work or result in negative economic effects, which in each case could have a material adverse impact on Li-Cycle’s operations, development and constructions activities and financial condition. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business — Unfavorable economic conditions, such as consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition.”

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and a Foreign Private Issuer

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from specified disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. These exemptions include:

 

   

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements for the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting provided by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation; and

 

   

not being required to hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation or seek shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest to occur of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (ii) the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; (iii) the issuance, in any three-year period, by our Company of more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement.

We are also considered a “foreign private issuer” and will report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as a non-U.S. company with foreign private issuer status. This means that, even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, as long as we qualify as a foreign private issuer under the Exchange Act, we will be exempt from certain provisions of the Exchange Act that are applicable to U.S. domestic public companies, including:

 

   

the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act;

 

   

the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities and liability for insiders who profit from trades made in a short period of time; and

 

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the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q containing unaudited financial and other specified information, or current reports on Form 8-K, upon the occurrence of specified significant events.

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We would cease to be a foreign private issuer at such time as more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (i) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents, (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States.

We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced burdens. We have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different from the information you receive from our competitors that are public companies, or other public companies in which you have made an investment.

Summary of Risk Factors

Investing in our securities entails a high degree of risk as more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus beginning on page 12. You should carefully consider such risks before deciding to invest in our securities. These risks include but are not limited to the following:

Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business

 

   

Li-Cycle’s success will depend on its ability to economically and efficiently source, recover and recycle lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap, as well as third-party black mass, and to meet the market demand for an environmentally sound, closed-loop solution for manufacturing waste and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

 

   

Li-Cycle may not be able to successfully implement its global growth strategy, on a timely basis or at all, and may be unable to manage future global growth effectively. Expanding internationally involves risks that could delay our expansion plans and/or prohibit us from entering markets in certain jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.

 

   

The development of Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects and other future projects is subject to risks and Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that these projects will be completed in a timely manner, that costs will not be significantly higher than estimated, or that the completed projects will meet expectations with respect to productivity or the specifications of their end products, among others.

 

   

Li-Cycle may engage in strategic transactions that could disrupt its business, cause dilution to its shareholders, reduce its financial resources, result in the incurrence of debt or other liabilities, or prove not to be successful.

 

   

Failure to materially increase recycling capacity and efficiency could have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition. Li-Cycle is and will be dependent on its recycling facilities. If one or more of its current or future facilities become inoperative, capacity constrained or if operations are disrupted, Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

   

Li-Cycle may in the future need to raise additional funds to meet its capital requirements and such funds may not be available to Li-Cycle on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

   

Li-Cycle has a history of losses and expects to incur significant expenses for the foreseeable future, and there is no guarantee it will achieve or sustain profitability.

 

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Problems with the handling of lithium-ion battery cells that result in less usage of lithium-ion batteries or affect Li-Cycle’s operations could materially affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and business.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s business is subject to operational risks that could disrupt our business, some of which may not be insured or fully covered by insurance.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s revenue depends on maintaining and increasing feedstock supply commitments as well as securing new customers and off-take agreements.

 

   

A decline in the adoption rate of EVs, or a decline in the support by governments for “green” energy technologies, could materially harm Li-Cycle’s financial results and ability to grow its business.

 

   

Decreases and fluctuations in benchmark prices for the metals contained in Li-Cycle’s products could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations. In addition to commodity prices, Li-Cycle’s revenues are primarily driven by the volume and composition of lithium-ion battery feedstock materials processed at its facilities (including manufacturing scrap, spent batteries and third-party purchased black mass) and changes in the volume or composition of feedstock processed could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

 

   

The development of an alternative chemical make-up of lithium-ion batteries or battery alternatives could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s projected revenues for the Rochester Hub are derived significantly from a single customer.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of its management may cause adverse impacts on it if a management member departs.

 

   

Li-Cycle relies on third-party consultants for its regulatory compliance and Li-Cycle could be adversely impacted if the consultants do not correctly inform Li-Cycle of the legal changes. Further, Li-Cycle is subject to the risk of litigation or regulatory proceedings, which could impact its financial results.

 

   

Li-Cycle may not be able to complete its recycling processes as quickly as customers may require, which could cause it to lose supply contracts and could harm its reputation. Li-Cycle operates in an emerging, competitive industry and if it is unable to compete successfully its revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.

 

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Corporate Structure

The following diagram depicts the organizational structure of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus. All of the subsidiaries of the Company are directly or indirectly wholly-owned by the Company.

 

 

LOGO

Corporate Information

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. was incorporated on February 12, 2021 under the laws of Ontario as a corporation solely for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination, which was consummated on August 10, 2021. It is governed by Articles of Amalgamation dated August 10, 2021.

Our principal executive office is located 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, ON, M5J 1A7, Canada and our phone number is (877) 542-9253. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711.

Our principal website address is http://www.li-cycle.com. The information contained on our website does not form a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

 

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Summary Terms of the Offering

The summary below describes the principal terms of this offering. The “Description of Securities” section of this prospectus contains a more detailed description of our common shares.

 

Securities that may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling securityholders

Up to 107,264,669 common shares.

 

Offering prices

The securities offered by this prospectus may be offered and sold at prevailing market prices, privately negotiated prices or such other prices as the selling securityholders may determine. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Common shares issued and outstanding

168,891,877 common shares (as of February 11, 2022).

 

Transfer restrictions on securities held by certain shareholders

Pursuant to the Investor and Registration Rights Agreement (the “Investor Agreement”), dated as of August 10, 2021, by and among the Company, the holders of Peridot Class B Shares prior to the Business Combination (the “Peridot Class B Holders”) and the prior shareholders of Li-Cycle that entered into the Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements (as defined herein) in connection with the Business Combination (the “Li-Cycle Holders”), the Peridot Class B Holders will be subject to certain transfer restrictions until the earliest of (a) one year after the closing of the Business Combination (August 10, 2022) and (b) (x) if the closing price of our common shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the closing of the Business Combination (January 7, 2022), or (y) the date on which the we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their common shares for cash, securities or other property.

 

Dividend policy

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, any future debt agreements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time. See “Dividend Policy.”

 

Use of proceeds

All of the common shares offered by the selling securityholders pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling securityholders for their respective accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Market for our common shares

Our common shares are listed on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LICY”.

 

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Risk factors

Investing in our securities involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus for a description of certain of the risks you should consider before investing in our common shares.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities carries a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes before you decide to purchase our securities. If any of the events described below occur, our business and financial results could be materially adversely affected. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, perhaps significantly, and you therefore may lose all or part of your investment. The risks set out below are not exhaustive and do not comprise all of the risks associated with an investment in the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or which we currently deem immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

References in this section to “we,” “us” or “Li-Cycle” refer to Li-Cycle Corp. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and the Company and its subsidiaries subsequent to the Business Combination, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates otherwise.

Summary of Risk Factors

The following summarizes some, but not all, of the risks provided below. Please carefully consider all of the information discussed in these “Risk Factors” for a more thorough description of these and other risks:

Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business

 

   

Li-Cycle’s success will depend on its ability to economically and efficiently source, recover and recycle lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap, as well as third-party black mass, and to meet the market demand for an environmentally sound, closed-loop solution for manufacturing waste and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

 

   

Li-Cycle may not be able to successfully implement its global growth strategy, on a timely basis or at all, and may be unable to manage future global growth effectively. Expanding internationally involves risks that could delay our expansion plans and/or prohibit us from entering markets in certain jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.

 

   

The development of Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects and other future projects is subject to risks and Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that these projects will be completed in a timely manner, that costs will not be significantly higher than estimated, or that the completed projects will meet expectations with respect to productivity or the specifications of their end products, among others.

 

   

Li-Cycle may engage in strategic transactions that could disrupt its business, cause dilution to its shareholders, reduce its financial resources, result in the incurrence of debt or other liabilities, or prove not to be successful.

 

   

Failure to materially increase recycling capacity and efficiency could have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition. Li-Cycle is and will be dependent on its recycling facilities. If one or more of its current or future facilities become inoperative, capacity constrained or if operations are disrupted, Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

   

Li-Cycle may in the future need to raise additional funds to meet its capital requirements and such funds may not be available to Li-Cycle on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

   

Li-Cycle has a history of losses and expects to incur significant expenses for the foreseeable future, and there is no guarantee it will achieve or sustain profitability.

 

   

Problems with the handling of lithium-ion battery cells that result in less usage of lithium-ion batteries or affect Li-Cycle’s operations could materially affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and business.

 

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Li-Cycle’s business is subject to operational risks that could disrupt our business, some of which may not be insured or fully covered by insurance.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s revenue depends on maintaining and increasing feedstock supply commitments as well as securing new customers and off-take agreements.

 

   

A decline in the adoption rate of EVs, or a decline in the support by governments for “green” energy technologies, could materially harm Li-Cycle’s financial results and ability to grow its business.

 

   

Decreases and fluctuations in benchmark prices for the metals contained in Li-Cycle’s products could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations. In addition to commodity prices, Li-Cycle’s revenues are primarily driven by the volume and composition of lithium-ion battery feedstock materials processed at its facilities (including manufacturing scrap, spent batteries and third-party purchased black mass) and changes in the volume or composition of feedstock processed could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

 

   

The development of an alternative chemical make-up of lithium-ion batteries or battery alternatives could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s projected revenues for the Rochester Hub are derived significantly from a single customer.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of its management may cause adverse impacts on it if a management member departs.

 

   

Li-Cycle relies on third-party consultants for its regulatory compliance and Li-Cycle could be adversely impacted if the consultants do not correctly inform Li-Cycle of the legal changes. Further, Li-Cycle is subject to the risk of litigation or regulatory proceedings, which could impact its financial results.

 

   

Li-Cycle may not be able to complete its recycling processes as quickly as customers may require, which could cause it to lose supply contracts and could harm its reputation. Li-Cycle operates in an emerging, competitive industry and if it is unable to compete successfully its revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.

 

   

Increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or disagreements with tax authorities could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s operating and financial results may vary significantly from period to period due to fluctuations in its operating costs and other factors.

 

   

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in reported sales and net earnings.

 

   

Unfavorable economic conditions, including the consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

   

Natural disasters, unusually adverse weather, epidemic or pandemic outbreaks, cyber incidents, boycotts and geo-political events could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

   

Failure to protect or enforce Li-Cycle’s intellectual property could adversely affect its business, and Li-Cycle may be subject to intellectual property rights claims by third parties, which could be costly to defend, could require us to pay significant damages and could limit the Company’s ability to use certain technologies.

 

   

Li-Cycle has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. If its remediation of such material weaknesses is not effective, or if it fails to develop and maintain a proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, its ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be impaired.

 

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Risks Relating to this Offering and Ownership of Our Securities

 

   

Our by-laws provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario and the appellate courts therefrom are the sole and exclusive forum for certain shareholder litigation matters, which could limit shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes.

 

   

Our common shares have only recently become publicly traded, and the market price of our common shares may be volatile. The trading price of our common shares could be subject to wide fluctuations. Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares after the expiration of applicable lock-up periods, or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

 

   

NYSE may delist our common shares, which could limit investors’ ability to engage in transactions in our common shares and subject us to additional trading restrictions. Because Li-Cycle has historically operated as a private company, we have limited experience complying with public company obligations and fulfilling these obligations is expensive and time consuming and may divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operation of our business.

 

   

As a “foreign private issuer” under the rules and regulations of the SEC, we are permitted to, and will, file less or different information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States or otherwise subject to these rules, and will follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements applicable to U.S. issuers.

 

   

Failure to develop and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and stock price.

 

   

As an “emerging growth company,” the Company cannot be certain if reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make its shares less attractive to investors.

 

   

We may issue additional shares or other equity securities without shareholder approval, which would dilute the ownership interests of existing shareholders and may depress the market price of our common shares. The issuance of our common shares in connection with the conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note would cause substantial dilution, and could materially affect the trading price of our common shares. The Company becoming a PFIC could also have adverse consequences for U.S. Holders. We do not currently intend to pay dividends, which could affect your ability to achieve a return on your investment.

 

   

The Company’s ability to meet expectations and projections in any research or reports published by securities or industry analysts, or a lack of coverage by securities or industry analysts, could result in a depressed market price and limited liquidity for its shares.

 

   

The Company may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on its financial condition, results of operations and share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business

Li-Cycle’s success will depend on its ability to economically and efficiently source, recover and recycle lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap, as well as third-party black mass, and to meet the market demand for an environmentally sound, closed-loop solution for manufacturing waste and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.

Li-Cycle’s future business depends in large part on its ability to economically and efficiently recycle and recover lithium-ion battery materials (including end-of-life batteries, manufacturing scrap and third-party black mass), and to meet the market demand for an environmentally sound, closed-loop solution for manufacturing waste and end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Although it currently recycles and recovers using its Spoke facilities

 

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in Ontario and New York State, Li-Cycle will need to scale its recycling capacity in order to successfully implement its global growth strategy and plans to do so in the future by, among other things, successfully building and developing additional Spoke & Hub facilities, including its first commercial Hub facility in Rochester, New York (the “Rochester Hub”) and Spoke facilities in Gilbert, Arizona (the “Arizona Spoke”), near Tuscaloosa, Alabama (the “Alabama Spoke”) and in Warren, Ohio (the “Ohio Spoke”), and the Company’s recently announced two European Spokes, in Norway (the “Norway Spoke”) and Germany (the “Germany Spoke”).

Although Li-Cycle has experience in recycling lithium-ion materials in its existing facilities, such operations are currently conducted on a limited scale, and Li-Cycle has not yet developed or operated a Hub facility on a commercial scale to produce and sell end products. Li-Cycle does not know whether it will be able to develop efficient, automated, low-cost recycling capabilities and processes, or whether it will be able to secure reliable sources of supply, in each case that will enable it to meet the production standards, costs and volumes required to successfully recycle lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery materials and meet its business objectives and customer needs. Even if Li-Cycle is successful in high-volume recycling in its current and future facilities, it does not know whether it will be able to do so in a manner that avoids significant delays and cost overruns, including as a result of factors beyond its control, such as problems with suppliers, or in time to meet the commercialization schedules of future recycling needs or to satisfy the requirements of its customers. Li-Cycle’s ability to effectively reduce its cost structure over time is limited by the fixed nature of many of its planned expenses in the near-term, and its ability to reduce long-term expenses is constrained by its need to continue investment in its global growth strategy. Any failure to develop and scale such manufacturing processes and capabilities within Li-Cycle’s projected costs and timelines could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Li-Cycle may not be able to successfully implement its global growth strategy, on a timely basis or at all.

Li-Cycle’s future global growth, results of operations and financial condition depend upon its ability to successfully implement its growth strategy, which, in turn, is dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond Li-Cycle’s control, including its ability to:

 

   

Economically recycle and recover lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery materials and meet customers’ business needs;

 

   

Effectively introduce methods for higher recovery rates of lithium-ion batteries and solutions to recycling;

 

   

Complete the construction of its future facilities, including the Rochester Hub, and the Spoke Capital Projects at a reasonable cost on a timely basis;

 

   

Invest and keep pace in technology, research and development efforts, and the expansion and defense of its intellectual property portfolio;

 

   

Secure and maintain required strategic supply arrangements;

 

   

Secure and maintain leases for future Spoke & Hub facilities at competitive rates and in favorable locations;

 

   

Apply for and obtain the permits necessary to operate Spoke & Hub facilities on a timely basis;

 

   

Effectively compete in the markets in which it operates; and

 

   

Attract and retain management or other employees who possess specialized knowledge and technical skills.

There can be no assurance that Li-Cycle can successfully achieve any or all of the above initiatives in the manner or time period that it expects. Further, achieving these objectives will require investments that may result

 

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in both short-term and long-term costs without generating any current revenue and therefore may be dilutive to earnings. Li-Cycle cannot provide any assurance that it will realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits it expects to generate from its growth strategy. Failure to realize those benefits could have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Li-Cycle may be unable to manage future global growth effectively.

Even if it can successfully implement its global growth strategy, any failure to manage its growth effectively could materially and adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Li-Cycle intends to expand its operations globally, which will require it to hire and train new employees across all divisions; accurately forecast supply and demand, production and revenue; control expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations; establish new or expand current design, production, and sales and service facilities; and implement and enhance administrative infrastructure, systems and processes. Future growth may also be tied to acquisitions, and Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that it will be able to effectively acquire other businesses or integrate businesses that it acquires. Failure to efficiently manage any of the above could have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

The development of Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects and other future projects is subject to risks, including with respect to engineering, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning and ramp-up, and Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that these projects will be completed in a timely manner, that its costs will not be significantly higher than estimated, or that the completed projects will meet expectations with respect to their productivity or the specifications of their end products, among others.

Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects and other future projects are subject to development risks, including with respect to engineering, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning and ramp-up. Because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction and labor costs and the potential for the scope of a project to change, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total funds that will be required to complete the Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects or other future projects. Further, Li-Cycle’s estimates of the amount of time it will take to complete the Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects or other future projects are based on assumptions about the timing of engineering studies, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning and ramp-up, all of which can vary significantly from the time an estimate is made to the time of completion. Li-Cycle cannot guarantee that the costs of the Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects or other future projects will not be higher than estimated, or that it will have sufficient capital to cover any increased costs, or that it will be able to complete the Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects or other future projects within expected timeframes. Any such cost increases or delays could negatively affect Li-Cycle’s results of operations and ability to continue to grow, particularly if the Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects or any other future project cannot be completed. Further, there can be no assurance that the Rochester Hub or the Spoke Capital Projects will perform at the expected production rates or unit costs, or that the end products will meet the intended specifications.

Failure to materially increase recycling capacity and efficiency could have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Although Li-Cycle’s existing facilities in Ontario and New York State currently have total processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery materials per year, the future success of Li-Cycle’s business depends in part on its ability to significantly increase recycling capacity and efficiency as part of the incremental/additional facilities. Li-Cycle may be unable to expand its business, satisfy demand from its current and new customers, maintain its competitive position and achieve profitability if it is unable to build and operate any future facilities and otherwise allow for increases in scrapping output and speed. The construction of future global facilities will require significant cash investments and management resources and may not meet Li-Cycle’s expectations with respect to increasing capacity, efficiency and satisfying additional demand. For example, if there are delays in any future planned Hub, such as its current development and

 

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construction of the Rochester Hub, construction of the Spoke Capital Projects and/or the future construction of other Spoke & Hub facilities, or if its facilities do not meet expected performance standards or are not able to produce materials that meet the quality standards Li-Cycle expects, Li-Cycle may not meet its target for adding capacity, which would limit its ability to increase sales and result in lower than expected sales and higher than expected costs and expenses. Failure to drastically increase recycling and processing capacity or otherwise satisfy customers’ demands may result in a loss of market share to competitors, damage Li-Cycle’s relationships with its key customers, a loss of business opportunities or otherwise materially adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition.

Li-Cycle may engage in strategic transactions, including acquisitions, that could disrupt its business, cause dilution to its shareholders, reduce its financial resources, result in the incurrence of debt, or prove not to be successful.

From time to time, Li-Cycle may enter into transactions to acquire other businesses or technologies, to enter into joint ventures or to develop additional commercial relationships, including the Norway Spoke, and its ability to do so successfully cannot be ensured. Li-Cycle is currently considering certain joint ventures and acquisitions to support its growth strategy, including but not limited to the development of new Spoke & Hub facilities, but it does not currently have any binding commitments for such transactions other than as described herein. One or more of these transactions could include the payment of the purchase price in whole or in part using Li-Cycle’s common shares, which would have a dilutive impact on existing shareholders. Li-Cycle may also decide to incur debt in connection with an acquisition or any other strategic transaction. Even if Li-Cycle identifies suitable opportunities for strategic transactions, Li-Cycle may not be able to make such transactions on favorable terms or at all. Any strategic transactions Li-Cycle makes may not strengthen its competitive position, and these transactions may be viewed negatively by customers, suppliers or investors. Li-Cycle could incur losses resulting from undiscovered liabilities of an acquired business that we failed to or were unable to discover or were unable to quantify in the course of performing due diligence and that are not covered by any indemnification Li-Cycle may obtain from the seller. In addition, Li-Cycle may not be able to successfully integrate the acquired personnel, technologies and operations into its existing business in an effective, timely and non-disruptive manner. Strategic transactions may also divert management attention from day-to-day responsibilities, increase Li-Cycle’s expenses and reduce Li-Cycle’s cash available for operations and other uses. In addition, Li-Cycle may not be able to fully recover the costs of such acquisitions or be successful in leveraging any strategic transactions into increased business, revenue or profitability. Li-Cycle also cannot predict the number, timing or size of any future transactions or the effect that any such transactions might have on its results of operations. Accordingly, although there can be no assurance that Li-Cycle will undertake or successfully complete any acquisitions or other strategic transactions, any transactions that Li-Cycle does complete may be subject to the foregoing or other risks and may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Expanding internationally involves risks that could delay our expansion plans and/or prohibit us from entering markets in certain jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

International operations, such as those we intend to establish, are subject to certain risks inherent in doing business abroad, including:

 

   

political, civil and economic instability;

 

   

corruption risks;

 

   

trade, customs and tax risks;

 

   

currency exchange rates and currency controls;

 

   

limitations on the repatriation of funds;

 

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insufficient infrastructure;

 

   

restrictions on exports, imports and foreign investment;

 

   

increases in working capital requirements related to long supply chains;

 

   

changes in labor laws and regimes and disagreements with the labor force;

 

   

difficulty in protecting intellectual property rights and complying with data privacy and protection laws and regulations; and

 

   

different and less established legal systems.

Expanding our business in international markets, including the construction and operation of the Norway Spoke and Germany Spoke, is an important element of our strategy and, as a result, our exposure to the risks described above may be greater in the future. The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effect on our business and results of operations will vary from country to country and are unpredictable, but could have an adverse effect on our ability to execute our strategy and accordingly on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Li-Cycle is and will be dependent on its recycling facilities. If one or more of its current or future facilities become inoperative, capacity constrained or if operations are disrupted, Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Li-Cycle’s revenue is and will be dependent on the continued operations of its Kingston, Ontario and Rochester, New York Spoke facilities as well as its future facilities, including its planned Rochester Hub, Spoke Capital Projects and any other facilities it develops in the future. To the extent that Li-Cycle experiences any operational risk including, among other things, fire and explosions, severe weather and natural disasters (such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes), failures in water supply, major power failures, equipment failures (including any failure of its information technology, air conditioning, and cooling and compressor systems), a cyber-attack or other incident, failures to comply with applicable regulations and standards, labor force and work stoppages, including those resulting from local or global pandemics or otherwise, or if its current or future facilities become capacity constrained, Li-Cycle may be required to make capital expenditures even though it may not have sufficient available resources at such time. Additionally, there is no guarantee that the proceeds available from Li-Cycle’s insurance policies will be sufficient to cover such capital expenditures. Li-Cycle’s insurance coverage and available resources may prove to be inadequate for events that may cause significant disruption to its operations. Any disruption in Li-Cycle’s recycling processes could result in delivery delays, scheduling problems, increased costs or production interruption, which, in turn, may result in its customers deciding to send their end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap to Li-Cycle’s competitors. Li-Cycle is and will be dependent on its current and future facilities, which will in the future require a high degree of capital expenditures. If one or more of Li-Cycle’s current or future facilities become inoperative, capacity constrained or if operations are disrupted, its business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Li-Cycle may in the future need to raise additional funds to meet its capital requirements and such funds may not be available to Li-Cycle on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

The closed loop resource recovery, logistics management, secure destruction and add-on services of Li-Cycle’s lithium-ion battery recycling are capital-intensive. Although Li-Cycle believes that it will have sufficient funds to meet its capital requirements for the next 12 months, it may in the future need to raise additional funds, including through the issuance of equity, equity linked or debt securities or through obtaining credit from government or financial institutions, and the availability of additional funds to Li-Cycle will depend on a variety of factors, some of which are outside of its control. Additional funds may not be available to

 

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Li-Cycle on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could materially adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition. If additional funds are raised by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, shareholders of Li-Cycle may incur dilution.

Li-Cycle has a history of losses and expects to incur significant expenses for the foreseeable future, and there is no guarantee it will achieve or sustain profitability.

Li-Cycle was until 2020 a development stage company with no commercial revenues, and incurred a net loss of approximately $9.3 million for the year ended October 31, 2020, a net loss of $4.1 million for the year ended October 31, 2019 and a net loss of $0.9 million for the year ended October 31, 2018. For the year ended October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle’s revenue was $7.4 million and it recorded a net loss of $226.6 million. Li-Cycle’s primary sources of liquidity are currently the funds raised from the Business Combination, including the PIPE Financing and the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note financing completed in September 2021, as well as funds generated by operating activities. Li-Cycle expects both its capital and operating expenditures will increase significantly in connection with Li-Cycle’s ongoing activities. Li-Cycle believes that its performance and future success is dependent on multiple factors that present significant opportunities for Li-Cycle to increase revenues, but also pose risks and challenges. Li-Cycle believes it will continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future and there is no guarantee it will achieve or sustain profitability in the future.

Problems with the handling of lithium-ion battery cells that result in less usage of lithium-ion batteries or affect Li-Cycle’s operations could materially affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and business.

On rare occasions, lithium-ion battery cells can rapidly release the energy they contain by venting smoke and flames in a manner that can ignite nearby materials as well as other lithium-ion battery cells. Negative public perceptions regarding the safety or suitability of lithium-ion battery cells for automotive applications, the social and environmental impacts of cobalt mining or any future incident involving lithium-ion battery cells, such as a vehicle or other fire, even if such incident does not involve Li-Cycle directly, could have a negative impact on the market for lithium-ion batteries, reducing the number of batteries in the market and Li-Cycle’s revenue.

In addition, recycling of lithium-ion batteries requires Li-Cycle to store a significant number of lithium-ion battery cells at its facilities. We are subject to risks associated to mishandling of lithium-ion battery cells, which could cause disruption to the operation of Li-Cycle’s current or future facilities. While Li-Cycle has implemented safety procedures related to the handling of the cells, a safety issue or fire related to the cells could disrupt Li-Cycle’s operations. Any impact on revenue resulting from reduced demand for lithium-ion batteries or on Li-Cycle’s operations from perceived or actual safety or security issues at its own facilities could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Li-Cycle’s business is subject to operational risks that could disrupt our business, some of which may not be insured or fully covered by insurance.

Our operations are subject to risks inherent in the lithium-ion battery recycling industry, including potential liability which could result from, among other circumstances, personal injury, environmental claims or property damage some of which may not be insured or fully covered by insurance. The availability of, and the ability to collect on, insurance coverage is subject to factors beyond our control and is not guaranteed to cover any or all of our losses in every circumstance. Li-Cycle’s insurance coverage may also be inadequate to cover liabilities related to such operational risks.

Li-Cycle has no control over changing conditions and pricing in the insurance marketplace and the cost or availability of various types of insurance may change dramatically in the future. Moreover, Li-Cycle may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates we consider reasonable and commercial justifiable, and insurance may not continue to be available on terms as favorable as our current arrangements. The occurrence of a significant uninsured claim, or a claim in excess of the insurance coverage limits maintained by Li-Cycle could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Li-Cycle’s revenue depends on maintaining and increasing feedstock supply commitments as well as securing new customers and off-take agreements.

Li-Cycle must maintain and gain feedstock supply commitments as well as new customers (including through entry into off-take agreements). Feedstock suppliers may change or delay supply contracts for any number of reasons, such as force majeure or government approval factors that are unrelated to Li-Cycle. Customers may fail to perform under their contracts for similar reasons. As a result, in order to maintain and expand its business, Li-Cycle must continue to develop and obtain new feedstock supply and customer contracts. However, it is difficult to predict whether and when Li-Cycle will secure such commitments and/or contracts due to competition for suppliers and customers and the lengthy process of negotiating supplier and customer agreements, which may be affected by factors that Li-Cycle does not control, such as market and economic conditions, financing arrangements, commodity prices, environmental issues and government approvals.

A decline in the adoption rate of EVs, or a decline in the support by governments for “green” energy technologies, could materially harm Li-Cycle’s financial results and ability to grow its business.

The demand for Li-Cycle’s recycling services and end products is driven in part by projected increases in the demand for EVs (including automobiles, e-bikes, scooters, buses and trucks). A decline in the adoption rate of EVs could reduce the demand for Li-Cycle’s recycling services and end products. A decline in volume under existing contracts or an inability to source new supplier relationships could also have a negative impact on Li-Cycle’s results of operations.

Decreases and fluctuations in benchmark prices for the metals contained in Li-Cycle’s products could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

The prices that Li-Cycle charges for its products are generally tied to commodity prices for their principal contained metals, such as lithium, nickel and cobalt. Fluctuations in the prices of these commodities will affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and declines in the prices of these commodities could have a material adverse impact on Li-Cycle’s revenues. Any significant decline in Li-Cycle’s revenues will have a material impact on its results of operations.

In addition to commodity prices, Li-Cycle’s revenues are primarily driven by the volume and composition of lithium-ion battery feedstock materials processed at its facilities (including manufacturing scrap, spent batteries and third-party purchased black mass) and changes in the volume or composition of feedstock processed could significantly impact Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

Li-Cycle’s revenues depend on processing high volumes of feedstock at our Spokes and Hubs, and its revenues are directly impacted by the chemistry of the feedstock processed, particularly as market chemistries shift. Certain feedstock chemistries produce raw materials such as cobalt for which Li-Cycle receives higher prices than others. A decline in overall volume of feedstock processed, or a decline in volume of chemistries with higher priced content relative to other chemistries, could result in a significant decline in Li-Cycle’s revenues, which in turn would have a material impact on its results of operations.

The development of an alternative chemical make-up of lithium-ion batteries or battery alternatives could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s revenues and results of operations.

The development and adoption of alternative battery technologies could impact Li-Cycle’s prospects and future revenues. Current and next generation high energy density lithium-ion batteries for use in products such as EVs use nickel and cobalt as significant inputs. Cobalt and nickel tend to be in lower supply and therefore command higher prices than certain other raw materials. Alternative chemical makeups for lithium-ion batteries or battery alternatives are being developed and some of these alternatives could be less reliant on cobalt and nickel or use other lower-priced raw materials such as lithium-iron phosphate chemistries, which contain neither cobalt nor nickel. A shift in production to batteries using lower-priced raw materials could affect the value of the end products produced by Li-Cycle, lowering its revenues and negatively impacting its results of operations.

 

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Li-Cycle’s projected revenues for the Rochester Hub are derived significantly from a single customer and the loss of that customer could have a material impact on its results of operations.

Li-Cycle has entered into a strategic global marketing relationship with Traxys, a company that provides financial and logistics solutions to the metals, mining and energy industries. Li-Cycle has entered into two Marketing, Logistics and Working Capital Agreements with Traxys, covering (i) 100% of its production of black mass, from Li-Cycle’s Spokes, other than black mass as Li-Cycle has determined (in its sole discretion) is required for internal purposes at Li-Cycle’s Hubs, and (ii) 100% of its production of certain end products from Li-Cycle’s Rochester Hub, being lithium carbonate, nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, manganese carbonate and graphite concentrate. If these contracts were breached or terminated, then Li-Cycle would need to restructure its marketing, commercial and logistics arrangements (by completing such functions in-house or through other service providers) and Li-Cycle could experience a decline in revenues that could have a material adverse impact on its results of operations.

Li-Cycle’s heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of its management may cause adverse impacts on it if a management member departs.

Li-Cycle depends on key personnel for the success of its business. Li-Cycle’s business may be severely disrupted if it loses the services of its key executives and employees or fails to add new senior and middle managers to its management.

Li-Cycle’s future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of its key executives. Li-Cycle also relies on a number of key technology staff for its continued operation. Li-Cycle’s future success is also dependent upon its ability to attract and retain qualified senior and middle managers to its management team. If one or more of its current or future key executives or employees are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, Li-Cycle may not be able to easily replace them, and its business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of these key executives or employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, Li-Cycle could lose customers and suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel.

Li-Cycle’s relies on third-party consultants for its regulatory compliance and Li-Cycle could be adversely impacted if the consultants do not correctly inform Li-Cycle of the legal changes.

Li-Cycle depends on third-party consultants to work with it across all of its projects to ensure correct permitting, regulatory compliance and keep Li-Cycle apprised of legal changes. Li-Cycle may face non-compliance challenges if the third-party consultants do not inform Li-Cycle of the proper compliance measures or if Li-Cycle fails to maintain its engagement with third-party consultants. If Li-Cycle is not in compliance with the current regulations, it could face litigation, sanctions and fees, which could adversely impact its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Li-Cycle is subject to the risk of litigation or regulatory proceedings, which could impact its financial results.

All industries, including the lithium-ion battery recycling industry, are subject to legal claims, with or without merit. We are not currently party to any legal proceedings, but we could be involved in various litigation and regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business in the future. Due to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, we may not be able to predict with any reasonable degree of certainty the outcome of any litigation or the potential for future litigation. Regardless of the outcome, any legal or regulatory proceeding could have an adverse impact on Li-Cycle’s business, prospects, financial conditions, and results of operations due to defense costs, the diversion of management resources, potential reputational harm and other factors.

 

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Li-Cycle may not be able to complete its recycling processes as quickly as customers may require, which could cause it to lose supply contracts and could harm its reputation.

Li-Cycle may not be able to complete its recycling processes to meet the supply it receives from its customers. Operating delays and interruptions can occur for many reasons, including, but not limited to:

 

   

equipment failures;

 

   

personnel shortage;

 

   

labor disputes; or

 

   

transportation disruptions.

The recycling process for lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery manufacturing scrap material, as well as black mass, is complex. If Li-Cycle fails to complete its recycling processes in a timely fashion, its reputation may be harmed. Any failure by Li-Cycle to complete its recycling processes in a timely fashion may also jeopardize existing orders and cause Li-Cycle to lose potential supply contracts and be forced to pay penalties.

Li-Cycle operates in an emerging, competitive industry and if it is unable to compete successfully its revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.

The lithium-ion recycling market is competitive. As the industry evolves and the demand increases, Li-Cycle anticipates that competition will increase. Li-Cycle currently faces competition primarily from companies that focus on one type of lithium-ion material recycling, some of which have more expertise in the recycling of that material than Li-Cycle. Li-Cycle also competes against companies that have a substantial competitive advantage because of longer operating histories and larger budgets, as well as greater financial and other resources. National or global competitors could enter the market with more substantial financial and workforce resources, stronger existing customer relationships, and greater name recognition, or could choose to target medium to small companies in Li-Cycle’s traditional markets. Competitors could focus their substantial resources on developing a more efficient recovery solution than Li-Cycle’s solutions. Competition also places downward pressure on Li-Cycle’s contract prices and gross margins, which presents it with significant challenges in its ability to maintain strong growth rates and acceptable gross margins. If Li-Cycle is unable to meet these competitive challenges, it could lose market share to its competitors and experience an adverse impact to its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Increases in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or disagreements with tax authorities could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Li-Cycle is subject to income taxes in the United States, Canada and in certain foreign jurisdictions in which it operates. Increases in income tax rates or other changes in income tax laws that apply to its business could reduce Li-Cycle’s after-tax income from such jurisdiction and could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations. Li-Cycle’s operations outside the United States generate a significant portion of its income. In addition, the United States has recently made or is actively considering changes to existing tax laws. Additional changes in the U.S. tax regime or in how U.S. multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings, including changes in how existing tax laws are interpreted or enforced, could adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Li-Cycle is also subject to regular reviews, examinations and audits by the IRS and other taxing authorities with respect to income and non-income-based taxes both within and outside the United States. Economic and political pressures to increase tax revenues in jurisdictions in which it operates, or the adoption of new or reformed tax legislation or regulation, may make resolving tax disputes more difficult and the final resolution of tax audits and any related litigation could differ from its historical provisions and accruals, resulting in an adverse impact on its business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, in connection with the

 

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Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, companies are required to disclose more information to tax authorities on operations around the world, which may lead to greater audit scrutiny of profits earned in various countries.

Li-Cycle’s operating and financial results may vary significantly from period to period due to fluctuations in its operating costs and other factors.

Li-Cycle expects its period-to-period operating and financial results to vary based on a multitude of factors, some of which are outside of Li-Cycle’s control. Li-Cycle expects its period-to-period financial results to vary based on operating costs, which it anticipates will fluctuate with the pace at which it increases its operating capacity. As a result of these factors and others, Li-Cycle believes that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of its operating or financial results, especially in the short term, are not necessarily meaningful and that these comparisons cannot be relied upon as indicators of future performance. Moreover, Li-Cycle’s financial results may not meet expectations of equity research analysts, ratings agencies or investors, who may be focused only on quarterly financial results. If any of this occurs, the trading price of our common shares could fall substantially, either suddenly or over time.

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in reported sales and net earnings.

Li-Cycle reports its financial results in U.S. dollars and a material portion of its sales and operating costs are realized in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For the year ended October 31, 2021, approximately 41% of Li-Cycle’s revenues were realized in Canada. Li-Cycle is also exposed to other currencies, such as the Euro, and may in the future be exposed to additional currencies. If the value of any currencies in which sales are realized, particularly the Canadian dollar, depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, Li-Cycle’s foreign currency revenue will decrease when translated to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. In addition, any depreciation in foreign currencies could result in higher local prices, which may negatively impact local demand and have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition. Alternatively, if the value of any of the currencies in which operating costs are realized appreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, Li-Cycle’s operating costs will increase when translated to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. Although these risks may sometimes be naturally hedged by a match in operating costs denominated in the same currency, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the U.S.-Canadian dollar exchange rate, could create discrepancies between Li-Cycle’s operating costs in a given currency that could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.

While Li-Cycle actively manages its exposure to foreign-exchange rate fluctuations and may enter into hedging contracts from time to time, such contracts hedge foreign-currency denominated transactions and any change in the fair value of the contracts could be offset by changes in the underlying value of the transactions being hedged. Furthermore, Li-Cycle does not have foreign-exchange hedging contracts in place with respect to all currencies in which it does business. As a result, there can be no assurance that Li-Cycle’s approach to managing its exposure to foreign-exchange rate fluctuations will be effective in the future or that Li-Cycle will be able to enter into foreign-exchange hedging contracts as deemed necessary on satisfactory terms.

Unfavorable economic conditions, including the consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Li-Cycle has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and Li-Cycle cannot predict the future impacts the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new strains such as the Omicron or Delta variant, may have on its business, results of operations and financial condition. Beginning in March 2020, numerous government regulations and public advisories, as well as shifting social behaviors, temporarily and from time to time limited or closed non-essential transportation, government functions, business activities and person-to-person interactions, and the duration of such trends is difficult to predict. The continued impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing production may lead to less demand for lithium-ion batteries, impacting the resulting contribution

 

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of batteries and battery-related scrap material to the recycling market over the short-to-medium term. Mandated governmental measures have forced Li-Cycle to reduce operations at its commercial headquarters and establish work-from-home policies for certain of its employees, and some of its suppliers have been subject to similar limitations and may also have been required to shut down production. In addition, the Kingston Spoke experienced some battery supply related issues in the second fiscal quarter of 2021 due to COVID-19 related shutdowns in Ontario, Canada which were alleviated by the third fiscal quarter of 2021. Li-Cycle re-opened its office facilities in November 2021, with a robust plan to ensure compliance with government guidance and all recommended actions to ensure employee safety. Although COVID-19 has had an immaterial impact on Li-Cycle’s business of yet, Li-Cycle cannot predict if current restrictions and limitations to its or its customers’ and suppliers’ operations will be maintained, or if new measures will be implemented.

Li-Cycle’s operations and timelines may also be affected by global economic markets and levels of consumer comfort and spend, including recessions, slow economic growth, economic and pricing instability, increase of interest rates and credit market volatility, all of which could impact demand in the worldwide transportation industries or otherwise have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Because the impact of current conditions on an ongoing basis is yet largely unknown, is rapidly evolving and has been varied across geographic regions, this ongoing assessment will be particularly critical to allow Li-Cycle to accurately project supply and demand and infrastructure requirements globally and allocate resources accordingly. If current global market conditions continue or worsen, Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Natural disasters, unusually adverse weather, epidemic or pandemic outbreaks, cyber incidents, boycotts and geo-political events could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, such as fires, hurricanes and earthquakes, unusually adverse weather, epidemic or pandemic outbreaks, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cyber incidents such as ransomware attacks, boycotts and geo-political events, such as civil unrest and acts of terrorism (including cyber terrorism or other cyber incidents), or similar disruptions could materially adversely affect Li-Cycle’s business, power supply, results of operations or financial condition. These events could result in physical damage to property, an increase in energy prices, temporary or permanent closure of one or more of Li-Cycle’s current or planned facilities, temporary lack of an adequate workforce in a market, temporary or long-term disruption in the supply of raw materials, construction delays at the Rochester Hub, the Spoke Capital Projects or other facilities being developed, temporary disruption in transport from overseas, or disruption to Li-Cycle’s information systems. Li-Cycle may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of its control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Failure to protect or enforce Li-Cycle’s intellectual property could adversely affect its business.

Li-Cycle’s success depends in large part on its proprietary technology. Li-Cycle relies on various intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, as well as confidentiality provisions and contractual arrangements, and other forms of statutory and common law protection to protect its proprietary rights. If Li-Cycle does not protect and enforce its intellectual property rights adequately and successfully, its competitive position may suffer, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.

Li-Cycle’s pending patent or trademark applications may not be approved, or competitors or others may challenge the validity, enforceability, or scope of its issued patents, the scope of its copyrights, the registrability of its trademarks or the trade secret status of its proprietary information. There can be no assurance that additional patents will be filed or issued or that any of Li-Cycle’s currently issued patents will provide significant protection for Li-Cycle’s commercially relevant intellectual property or for those portions of its proprietary technology that are the most key to its competitive positions in the marketplace. In addition, Li-Cycle’s patents,

 

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copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights may not provide us a significant competitive advantage. There is no assurance that the forms of intellectual property protection that Li-Cycle seeks, including business decisions about whether, when and where to file patents and when and how to maintain and protect copyrights, trade secrets, license and other contractual rights, will be adequate to protect Li-Cycle’s business.

Not all countries offer the same types, standards for registrability or level of protection for the Company’s intellectual property as Canada and the United States, and Li-Cycle may not pursue the same intellectual property filings or obtain the intellectual property registrations of the same scope in all of its commercially-relevant markets. As Li-Cycle expands its international activities, its exposure to unauthorized copying and use of its technology and proprietary information will likely increase. Effective intellectual property protection may not be available to Li-Cycle in every country in which it operates. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against certain third parties, including government agencies or government contractors, or make patents subject to compulsory licenses to third parties under certain circumstances. In these countries, patents may provide limited or no benefit.

Intellectual property laws, procedures, and restrictions provide only limited protection and any of the Company’s intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed, or misappropriated. The Company enters into confidentiality and invention assignment or intellectual property ownership agreements with its employees and contractors and enters into confidentiality agreements with other third parties. The Company cannot ensure that these agreements, or all the terms thereof, will be enforceable or compliant with applicable law, or otherwise effective in controlling access to, use of, reverse engineering, and distribution of Li-Cycle’s proprietary information or in effectively securing exclusive ownership of intellectual property developed by its current or former employees and contractors. Despite these agreements and the Company’s reasonable precautions, its intellectual property is vulnerable to misappropriation, unauthorized access and copying through employee or third-party error or actions, including malicious state or state-sponsored actors, theft, hacking, cybersecurity incidents, and other security breaches and incidents, and such incidents may be difficult to detect and may remain undiscovered or unknown for a significant period of time. Further, these agreements with the Company’s employees, contractors, and other parties do not prevent other parties from independently developing technologies, products and services that are substantially equivalent or superior to the Company’s technologies and services. It is possible for third parties to infringe upon or misappropriate the Company’s intellectual property and to use information that Li-Cycle regards as proprietary to create services that compete with those of the Company.

Li-Cycle may need to spend significant resources securing and monitoring its intellectual property rights, and it may or may not be able to detect infringement by third parties. Li-Cycle’s competitive position may be adversely impacted if it cannot detect infringement or enforce its intellectual property rights quickly or successfully. In some circumstances, Li-Cycle may choose not to pursue enforcement of its valid intellectual property rights for a variety of legal and business considerations, including (i) because an infringer has a dominant intellectual property position, (ii) because of uncertainty relating to the scope of the Company’s intellectual property or the outcome of an enforcement action, (iii) because of the financial and reputational costs associated with enforcement or (iv) for other business reasons. In addition, competitors might avoid infringement by designing around the Company’s intellectual property rights or by developing non-infringing competing technologies. Litigation brought to protect and enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming, and distracting to management and Li-Cycle’s development teams and could result in the impairment or loss of portions of its intellectual property, for example, the Company’s efforts to enforce its intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims attacking the scope, validity, and enforceability of the Company’s intellectual property rights, or with counterclaims and countersuits asserting infringement by the Company of third-party intellectual property rights. Li-Cycle’s failure to secure, protect, and enforce its intellectual property rights could adversely affect its brand and its business, any of which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Li-Cycle may be subject to intellectual property rights claims by third parties, which could be costly to defend, could require payment of significant damages and could limit the Company’s ability to use certain technologies.

Li-Cycle is subject to the risk of third parties asserting claims of infringement of intellectual property rights or violation of other statutory, license or contractual rights in technology or data. Any such claim by a third party, even if without merit, could cause Li-Cycle to incur substantial costs defending against such claim and could distract the Company’s management and its development teams from its business.

Although third parties may offer a license to their technology or data, the terms of any offered license may not be acceptable or commercially reasonable and the failure to obtain a license or the costs associated with any license could cause the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations to be adversely affected. In addition, some licenses may be non-exclusive, and therefore the Company’s competitors may have access to the same technology or data licensed to the Company. Alternatively, Li-Cycle may be required to develop non-infringing technology or data which could require significant effort and expense and ultimately may not be successful. Furthermore, a successful claimant could secure a judgment or the Company may agree to a settlement that prevents it from selling certain products or performing certain services in a given country or countries or that requires the Company to pay royalties, substantial damages, including treble damages if it is found to have willfully infringed the claimant’s patents, copyrights, trade secrets or other statutory rights, or other fees. Any of these events could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, and results of operations.

Li-Cycle has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. If its remediation of such material weaknesses is not effective, or if it fails to develop and maintain a proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, its ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be impaired.

Prior to August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. was a private company and we addressed our internal control over financial reporting with internal accounting and financial reporting personnel and other resources.

In the course of preparing for the Business Combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp, Li-Cycle identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of Li-Cycle’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Li-Cycle did not have in place i) an effective control environment with formal processes and procedures and ii) an adequate number of accounting personnel with the appropriate technical training in, and experience with, IFRS to allow for a detailed review of complex accounting transactions, that would identify errors in a timely manner, including in areas such as revenue recognition, inventory, related party arrangements, financing transactions and business combination transactions. Li-Cycle did not design or maintain effective controls over the financial statement close and reporting process in order to ensure the accurate and timely preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS. In addition, information technology controls, including end user and privileged access rights and appropriate segregation of duties, including for certain users the ability to create and post journal entries, were not designed or operating effectively.

Risks Relating to this Offering and Ownership of Our Securities

Our by-laws provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario and the appellate courts therefrom are the sole and exclusive forum for certain shareholder litigation matters, which could limit shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or shareholders.

Our by-laws require, to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to certain exemptions for actions brought to enforce a duty or liability under certain U.S. securities laws, that (i) derivative actions brought in our

 

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name, (ii) actions against directors, officers and employees for breach of fiduciary duty, (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim arising pursuant to the Ontario Business Corporations Act (the “OBCA”) or our Governing Documents, and (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim otherwise related to our “affairs” (as defined in the OBCA) may be brought only in the Superior Court of Justice of the Province of Ontario, Canada and the appellate courts therefrom and, if brought outside of such forum, the shareholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the provincial and federal courts located within the Province of Ontario in connection with any action brought in such court to enforce the forum provisions and to service of process on such shareholder’s counsel. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our common shares shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in its articles. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will have exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the U.S. Securities Act. The exclusive forum provision in our by-laws will not apply to actions arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

This choice of forum provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or shareholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our articles to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our common shares have only recently become publicly traded, and the market price of our common shares may be volatile. The trading price of our common shares could be subject to wide fluctuations due to a variety of factors, including:

 

   

the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the markets and economies in which we operate;

 

   

our actual or anticipated operating performance and the operating performance of our competitors;

 

   

failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet the estimates or the expectations of investors;

 

   

any major change in our board of directors, management, or key personnel;

 

   

market conditions in our industry;

 

   

general economic conditions such as recessions, interest rates, fuel prices, international currency fluctuations;

 

   

rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant innovations, new products, services or capabilities, acquisitions, strategic investments, partnerships, joint venture or capital commitments;

 

   

the legal and regulatory landscape and changes in the application of existing laws or adoption of new laws that impact our business;

 

   

legal and regulatory claims, litigation, or pre-litigation disputes and other proceedings;

 

   

other events or factors, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events; and

 

   

sales or expected sales of our common shares by us, our officers, directors, significant shareholders, and employees.

In addition, stock markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. The stock market in general and

 

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NYSE have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. These fluctuations may be even more pronounced in the trading market for our common shares as a result of the supply and demand forces for newly public companies. In the past, stockholders have instituted securities class action litigation following periods of stock volatility.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares after the expiration of applicable lock-up periods, or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.

On the closing date of the Business Combination we, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders entered into the Investor Agreement. Pursuant to the Investor Agreement, the common shares held by Peridot Class B Holders are subject to certain transfer restrictions until the earliest of (a) one year after the Closing and (b) (x) the last consecutive trading day where the last reported sale price of our common shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of its public shareholders having the right to exchange their common shares for cash, securities or other property.

Sales of a substantial number of our common shares in the public market after the expiration of the lock-up period pursuant to the Investor Agreement, or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common shares and make it difficult for us to raise funds through securities offerings.

NYSE may delist our common shares, which could limit investors’ ability to engage in transactions in our common shares and subject us to additional trading restrictions.

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, our common shares became listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In order to list our common shares, we were required to meet the NYSE initial listing requirements. Although we were able to meet those initial listing requirements, we may be unable to maintain the listing of our common shares in the future.

If NYSE were to delist our common shares, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

 

   

a limited availability of market quotations for our securities;

 

   

a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for the Company; and

 

   

a decreased ability to obtain capital or pursue acquisitions by issuing additional equity or convertible securities.

Because Li-Cycle has historically operated as a private company, we have limited experience complying with public company obligations and fulfilling these obligations is expensive and time consuming and may divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operation of our business.

As a privately held company, Li-Cycle was not required to comply with many corporate governance and financial reporting practices and policies required of publicly-traded companies. As a publicly traded company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that Li-Cycle was not required to incur in the recent past. These expenses will increase once we are no longer an “emerging growth company” as defined under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”). In addition, new and changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure for public companies, including the Dodd-Frank Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, regulations related thereto and the rules and regulations of the SEC and NYSE, have increased the costs and the time that must be devoted to compliance matters. We expect these laws and regulations to increase

 

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our legal and financial compliance costs and to render some activities more time-consuming and costly, although we are currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. We may need to hire more employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses. Being a public company could make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. Being a public company could also make it more difficult and expensive for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, board committees or as executive officers. Furthermore, if we are unable to satisfy our obligations as a public company, we could be subject to delisting of our common shares, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.

For as long as we remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.” We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of Peridot’s public offering, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion or (c) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common shares that are held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (2) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. To the extent we choose not to use exemptions from various reporting requirements under the JOBS Act, or if we can no longer be classified as an “emerging growth company,” we expect to incur additional compliance costs, which will reduce our ability to operate profitably.

As a “foreign private issuer” under the rules and regulations of the SEC, we are permitted to, and will, file less or different information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States or otherwise subject to these rules, and will follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements applicable to U.S. issuers.

The Company is considered a “foreign private issuer” under the Exchange Act and is therefore exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act. For example, we are not required to file current reports on Form 8-K or quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, we are exempt from the U.S. proxy rules which impose certain disclosure and procedural requirements for U.S. proxy solicitations and we will not be required to file financial statements prepared in accordance with or reconciled to U.S. GAAP so long as our financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. We are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which imposes restrictions on the selective disclosure of material information to shareholders, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or within the same time frames as U.S. companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, holders of the Company’s securities may receive less or different information about the Company than they may receive with respect to public companies incorporated in the United States.

In addition, as a “foreign private issuer” whose common shares are listed on NYSE, we are permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements.

We could lose our status as a “foreign private issuer” under current SEC rules and regulations if more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities become directly or indirectly held of record by U.S. holders and one of the following is true: (i) the majority of our directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (iii) our business is administered principally in the United States. If we lose our status as a foreign private issuer in the future, we will no longer be exempt from the rules described above and, among other things, will be required to file periodic reports and annual and quarterly financial statements as if we were a company incorporated in the United States (including preparation of

 

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financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP). If this were to happen, we would likely incur substantial costs in fulfilling these additional regulatory requirements and members of our management would likely have to divert time and resources from other responsibilities to ensuring these additional regulatory requirements are fulfilled.

Failure to develop and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and stock price.

Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, Li-Cycle was not subject to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However, following the consummation of the Business Combination and the transactions related thereto, the Company is required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the timeline described below, which requires, among other things, the Company to evaluate annually the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. The standards required for a public company under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are significantly more stringent than those required of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination. Section 404(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Section 404(a)”) requires that, beginning with the second annual report following the Business Combination, management assess and report annually on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and identify any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, Section 404(b) requires the independent registered public accounting firm to issue an annual report that addresses the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. We expect our first Section 404(a) assessment will take place for our annual report for the year ending October 31, 2022 and our first Section 404(b) assessment will take place after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company. Li-Cycle identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business—Li-Cycle has identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. If its remediation of such material weaknesses is not effective, or if it fails to develop and maintain a proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, its ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be impaired.”

Management may not be able to effectively and timely implement controls and procedures that adequately respond to the increased regulatory compliance and reporting requirements that are applicable to the Company following the Business Combination. If we are not able to implement the additional requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner as required or with adequate compliance, we may not be able to assess whether our internal control over financial reporting is effective, which may subject us to adverse regulatory consequences and could harm investor confidence and the market price of our common shares.

As an “emerging growth company,” the Company cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to “emerging growth companies” will make its shares less attractive to investors.

As an “emerging growth company,” the Company may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including not being required to obtain an assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting from its independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, which the Company has elected to do.

We cannot predict if investors will find our common shares less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active market for our common shares, our share price may be more volatile and the price at which our securities trade could be less than if we did not use these exemptions.

 

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We expect to incur costs related to our internal control over financial reporting in the upcoming years to further improve our internal control environment. If we identify deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting or if we are unable to comply with the requirements applicable to us as a public company, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, in a timely manner, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results, or report them within the timeframes required by the SEC. If this occurs, we also could become subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. In addition, if we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or express an adverse opinion, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, we may face restricted access to the capital markets and our share price may be adversely affected.

We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities without shareholder approval, which would dilute the ownership interests of existing shareholders in the Company and may depress the market price of our common shares.

We may issue additional shares or other equity securities in the future in connection with, among other things, capital raises, future acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness or grants under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) without shareholder approval in a number of circumstances. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, we may issue common shares upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note or pursuant to any other term of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, including as a result of any of the PIK provisions of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note.

The issuance of additional shares or other equity securities could have one or more of the following effects:

 

   

our existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership will decrease;

 

   

the amount of cash available per share, including for payment of dividends in the future, may decrease;

 

   

the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share may be diminished; and

 

   

the market price of our common shares may decline.

The issuance of our common shares in connection with the conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note would cause substantial dilution, and could materially affect the trading price of our common shares.

There is an aggregate principal amount of $100 million outstanding under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note. To the extent we or the holder of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note converts the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note into our common shares, substantial amounts of our common shares will be issued. Such issuances could result in substantial decreases to our stock price and dilution to our existing shareholders.

We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common shares.

We currently intend to retain our future earnings, if any, to finance the further development and expansion of our business and do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and future agreements and financing instruments, business prospects and such other factors as our board of directors deems relevant. As a result, a shareholder’s ability to achieve a return on their investment in our common shares will depend on appreciation in the price of our common shares.

 

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The Company’s ability to meet expectations and projections in any research or reports published by securities or industry analysts, or a lack of coverage by securities or industry analysts, could result in a depressed market price and limited liquidity for its shares.

The trading market for the Company’s common shares will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts may publish about it, its business, its market, or its competitors. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of the Company, its share price would likely be less than that which would be obtained if it had such coverage and the liquidity, or trading volume of its common shares may be limited, making it more difficult for a shareholder to sell shares at an acceptable price or amount. If any analysts do cover the Company, their projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results it actually achieves. The Company’s share price may decline if its actual results do not match the projections of research analysts covering it. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports on the Company downgrades its shares or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about its business, its share price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of the Company or fails to publish reports on it regularly, its share price or trading volume could decline.

The Company may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on its financial condition, results of operations and share price, which could cause you to lose some or all of your investment.

The Company may be forced to later write down or write off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in losses. Unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on the Company’s liquidity, the fact that it may report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about the Company or its securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause the Company to be unable to obtain future financing on favorable terms or at all.

The Company could be or may become a passive foreign investment company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

It is possible that the Company could be classified as a “passive foreign investment company” or “PFIC” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which would have adverse U.S. tax consequences for U.S. persons holding the Company’s common shares. Although the Company believes that it should not be classified as a PFIC for its current taxable year and does not expect to be so classified in the foreseeable future, whether the Company is a PFIC is a factual determination made annually, and the Company’s status will depend among other things upon changes in the composition and relative value of its gross receipts and assets. Because the market value of the Company’s assets (including for this purpose goodwill) may be measured in large part by the market price of the common shares, which is likely to fluctuate, no assurance can be given that the Company will not be a PFIC in the current year or in any future taxable year.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. You should not place undue reliance on such statements because they are subject to numerous uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, among other things, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “forecast,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar expressions. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:

 

   

discuss future expectations;

 

   

contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition; or

 

   

state other “forward-looking” information.

All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our security holders. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. The risk factors and cautionary language discussed in this prospectus provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described by us in such forward-looking statements, including among other things:

 

   

changes adversely affecting the industry in which we operate;

 

   

our ability to achieve our business strategies or to manage our growth;

 

   

general economic conditions;

 

   

the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, on the markets in which we compete and on our business;

 

   

our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on NYSE;

 

   

our ability to retain our key employees;

 

   

our ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; and

 

   

the outcome of any legal proceedings or arbitrations that may be instituted against us or in which we may be involved.

These and other factors are more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this prospectus. These risks could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus.

All forward-looking statements included herein attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, we undertake no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

All of the common shares offered by the selling securityholders pursuant to this prospectus will be sold by the selling securityholders for their respective accounts. We will not receive any of the proceeds from these sales.

We will pay certain expenses associated with the registration of the securities covered by this prospectus, as described in the section titled “Plan of Distribution.”

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common shares to date and do not intend to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, any future debt agreements and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of our board of directors at such time.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of October 31, 2021.

The information in this table should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and other financial information included in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the information in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our expected results for any future periods.

 

(US$)

   As at
October 31, 2021
 

Cash & cash equivalents

   $ 596,858,298  

Other current assets

   $ 14,890,651  

Non-current assets

   $ 53,399,223  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 665,148,172  
  

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 18,701,116  

Lease liabilities

   $ 29,364,869  

Loans payable

   $ 39,748  

Restoration provisions

   $ 334,233  

Convertible debt

   $ 100,877,838  

Warrant liability

   $ 82,109,334  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 231,427,138  
  

 

 

 

Share capital

   $ 672,079,154  

Contributed surplus

   $ 3,026,721  

Accumulated deficit

   $ (241,088,229

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   $ (296,612
  

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   $ 433,721,034  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 665,148,172  
  

 

 

 

 

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INDUSTRY AND MARKET OVERVIEW

This section provides an overview of the industry in which Li-Cycle previously operated and in which the Company operates subsequent to the Business Combination. References in this section to “we,” “us” or “Li-Cycle” refer to Li-Cycle Corp. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and the Company and its subsidiaries subsequent to the Business Combination.

Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Market in North America

As production and use of lithium-ion batteries has increased in recent years, manufacturers, consumers, regulators and investors have increasingly cited the importance of creating sustainable recycling technologies to maximize recovery and minimize waste from end-of-life batteries and battery scrap in an environmentally friendly way.

According to Li-Cycle’s total addressable market forecast, based on a range of inputs from independent sources, the lithium-ion battery recycling market in North America by volume is expected to grow from approximately 45,460 tonnes in 2020 to approximately 348,796 tonnes in 2025. Presently, most recycling facilities use pyrometallurgy-based technologies involving heat-based operations. Many of these facilities are capital intensive due to the need to treat the emission of toxic fluorine compounds released while smelting. Hydrometallurgical processing techniques, on the other hand, employ a less energy-consuming and more environmentally friendly alternative at a lower cost.

The outlook for the lithium-ion battery recycling market generally will depend on a number of factors, including how many batteries are placed in the market, remain in use, reach end-of-life, and ultimately will be recycled.

Single events may also have a disproportional high impact on the lithium-ion battery market. For example, an expansion in the Chinese bus market from 2015-2020 helped accelerate the use of lithium-ion batteries in the Chinese EV market from a minimal amount to more than 2.5 million vehicles annually over five years according to the International Energy Agency’s 2020 Global EV Outlook. According to Tesla, its own 2020 Gigafactory production for EVs of 500,000 vehicles now outpaces the global 2013 production for all battery cells at that time.

The United States has a relatively established market for lithium-ion battery recycling, primarily from several small-scale recycling facilities. Fuel economy standards and their increase under the Biden administration, corresponding to high growth rates in electric vehicle sales, are expected to result in an increase in lithium-ion recycling in the United States.

Canada has a moderately established market for post-consumer battery sorting and lithium-ion battery recycling, primarily from several small-scale sorting and recycling facilities. Based on recycling regulations, lithium-ion recycling is compulsory in three provinces in Canada — British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec. The EV market continues to grow in Canada as well, where regulators and private institutions are jointly developing EV charging stations.

Key Products in the North America Lithium-ion Battery Recycled Raw Materials Market

Lithium Cobalt Oxide

Lithium Cobalt Oxide (“LCO”) has a specific energy that makes it an attractive cathode material for lithium-ion batteries used in mobile phones, laptops, and digital cameras. It is mostly used in consumer electronics.

Lithium-iron Phosphate

Lithium-iron phosphate (“LFP”) has a moderate specific energy and is widely used for residential storage systems, such as Alpha ESS battery and Enphase battery system. LFP are environmentally friendly and cost

 

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effective, but they have the lowest resale values. At present, China is the most lucrative market for LFP recycling as these batteries are being used on a large scale in the country.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese Oxide

Lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (“NCM”) is one of the most widely used cathode chemistries in lithium-ion batteries. It is known to have a high capacity, high operating voltage, and relatively slow reaction time with electrolytes. There is a major shift to high nickel content NCM to reduce the content of cobalt in NCM cathode technologies. Some NCM lithium technologies used in energy storage system applications are 7 kilowatt-hour Tesla Powerwall, the LG Chem equivalent and Leclanche Apollion Cube, for example.

Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide

Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (“NCA”) is similar to NCM; it offers high specific energy and has high durability. NCA is extensively used by Tesla. The increasing demand for NCA technologies from the electronics industry is expected to boost demand for NCA in the global market.

Competitors in the North America Lithium-ion Recycling Market

In addition to Li-Cycle, the key players in the North American lithium-ion battery recycling market are American Battery Technology Company, American Manganese Inc., Redwood Materials Inc., and Retriev Technologies Incorporated.

American Battery Technology Company

American Battery Technology Company is developing a clean technology platform that is focused on creating a circular economy for battery materials through (i) recycling of lithium-ion batteries to recover and reuse battery metals, (ii) extraction of battery metals from primary resources and development of new green technologies that can be deployed at scale and (iii) exploration and stewardship of new mineral resources globally.

American Manganese Inc.

American Manganese Inc. is a metals company that focuses on the recycling of lithium-ion batteries with its RecycLiCo patented process. The process provides for the extraction of cathode metals. The company is engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of interests in mineral resource projects.

Redwood Materials Inc.

Redwood Materials Inc. is a battery recycling company which is primarily focused on an electronic waste (“e-waste”) recycling business for consumer electronics. The company utilizes a thermal recycling process.

Retriev Technologies Incorporated

Retriev Technologies Incorporated is a diverse battery recycling company that uses advanced materials processing plants to recycle various types of batteries.

COVID-19 Impact

In late 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19, was identified in China. The virus has spread globally, resulting in governmental authorities implementing protective measures, such as travel restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and shutdowns, in order to contain its spread and reduce its impact. This pandemic has significantly disrupted economies around the world.

 

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The continuous spread of COVID-19 has caused lockdowns and shutdowns of manufacturing facilities. Many industry sectors, including the automotive sector, have been negatively impacted and continue to be unable to produce at capacity. The continued impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing production may lead to less demand for lithium-ion batteries, impacting the resulting contribution of batteries and battery-related scrap material to the recycling market over the short-to-medium term.

Li-Cycle’s operations have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because Li-Cycle’s operations have been considered an essential service in both Canada and the United States, Li-Cycle’s plants have continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit with the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure employee safety. Li-Cycle shut down its commercial headquarters in March 2020 and enforced a work-from-home mandate. The Kingston Spoke experienced some battery supply related issues in the second fiscal quarter of 2021 due to COVID-19 related shutdowns in Ontario, Canada which were alleviated by the third fiscal quarter of 2021 and no further shutdowns occurred for the remainder of the fiscal period. Li-Cycle re-opened its office facilities in November 2021, with a robust plan to ensure compliance with government guidance and all recommended actions to ensure employee safety.

Li-Cycle cannot currently predict the duration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. Continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new strains such as the Omicron or Delta variant may cause governments to impose new restrictive measures, result in employee absences from work or result in negative economic effects, which in each case could have a material adverse impact on Li-Cycle’s operations, development and constructions activities and financial condition. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Li-Cycle’s Business—Unfavorable economic conditions, including consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, may have a material adverse effect on Li-Cycle’s business, results of operations and financial condition.”

Regulation

There has been an increase in battery regulation globally in recent years. For example, in the United States, California is evaluating a policy to drive Recycling Efficiency Rates as close to 100% as possible, potentially beginning as early as 2022. In Canada, Ontario requires Recycling Efficiency Rates for lithium-ion batteries of over 70% by 2023. China has required functional material recovery rates greater than 80% since 2018, with specific targets by key materials (nickel, cobalt, and lithium). The European Union proposes to update its EU Battery Directive during 2021 to implement more aggressive recycling targets, including minimum material recovery rates of 90% for both cobalt and nickel by 2025 (also a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for at least a 95% material recovery rate for both cobalt and nickel by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation), a minimum recovery rate of 35% for lithium by 2025 (also a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for at least a 70% material recovery rate for lithium by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation), and a Recycling Efficiency Rate of least 65% by 2025 (also includes a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for a Recycling Efficiency Rate of at least 70% by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation).

Li-Cycle holds all licenses currently required in connection with its technologies and operations. Li-Cycle has engaged a third-party consultant to work with a dedicated team across all Li-Cycle projects, supporting it with permitting and regulatory compliance, and keeping it apprised of all regulatory changes and regulations applicable to it.

 

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BUSINESS

Shareholders should read this section in conjunction with the other sections of this prospectus, including our audited financial statements and the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

General

Li-Cycle is an industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery and the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America. When we refer to ourselves as the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, we are referring to our status based on installed permitted capacity for lithium-ion battery recycling measured in tonnes per year. Our proprietary “Spoke & Hub” recycling process is designed (a) at our Spokes, to process battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries to produce “black mass” and other intermediate products, and (b) at our Hubs, to process black mass to produce critical battery materials, including lithium carbonate, nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate. Our process enables an up to 95% Recycling Efficiency Rate, as compared to what we believe to be a 50% traditional industry average. Unlike the traditional revenue model for recycling that relies primarily on waste or tipping fees, our operating model is focused on generating revenue from sales of the raw materials we produce.

Li-Cycle was founded in 2016 by our chief executive officer, Ajay Kochhar, and executive chair, Tim Johnston, with the mission of solving the global disposal problem for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap while simultaneously creating a secondary source of critical battery materials. By providing an “urban mining” solution, Li-Cycle seeks to offer an alternative to raw materials sources through traditional global mining practices.

We pioneered what we believe to be an innovative and scalable metallurgical processing method with our Spoke & Hub Technologies. We expect to make a valuable contribution to the electric vehicle industry and the world’s transition to a circular economy by diverting end-of-life lithium-ion battery materials from landfill sites by offering an environmentally-friendly alternative to energy-intensive pyrometallurgical processing methods. We believe our production costs are on average lower than the mining and processing costs otherwise incurred by suppliers to produce these materials because we are able to produce multiple materials from a single process and because our process yields minimal waste and no displaced earth or tailings, as compared to traditional mining processes. By re-inserting critical materials back into the lithium-ion battery supply chain, we are able to effectively close the loop between the beginning and end-of-life manufacturing phases in both an environmentally and what we believe to be an economically sustainable manner.

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly powering products and solutions in a range of industries, including consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Our sources of recycling feed are derived primarily from three key sources: 1) battery manufacturing scrap; 2) end-of-life lithium-ion batteries; and 3) damaged, defective, or recalled lithium-ion batteries.

 

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An overview of the industries in which lithium-ion batteries are utilized is set forth below:

 

 

LOGO

Source: Expert Interviews, Secondary Research, and BIS Research Analysis

History and development of the Company

General

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. was incorporated on February 12, 2021 under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada as a corporation solely for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination, which was consummated on August 10, 2021. It is governed by Articles of Amalgamation dated August 10, 2021.

Our principal executive office is located at 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and our phone number is (877) 542-9253. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Puglisi & Associates located at 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, DE 19711.

The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, which is accessible at http://www.sec.gov.

Our principal website address is http://www.li-cycle.com. The information contained on our website does not form a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

Business Combination

On August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination) and Peridot Acquisition Corp. (“Peridot”) completed the Business Combination pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Arrangement”). Pursuant to the Business Combination, Li-Cycle Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Upon the closing of the Business Combination and a concurrent $315.5 million private placement of common shares (the “PIPE Financing”), the combined company received $581.9 million of gross transaction proceeds, before deduction of $29.6 million of Peridot’s transaction costs and $27.0 million of Li-Cycle’s transaction costs.

 

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Our Strategy

Our goal is to be a leading global recycler of lithium-ion batteries and battery scrap and producer of key battery grade materials. Li-Cycle has developed a two-phased strategy, positioned to grow in lockstep with the electrification supply chain. In the first phase, Li-Cycle plans to expand its network in line with the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, by utilizing the resulting manufacturing scrap or yield loss as a key base-load of supply for Li-Cycle’s facilities. In the second phase, Li-Cycle plans to leverage the global network established predominantly on the basis of manufacturing scrap to position Li-Cycle as the leader for the processing of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. We are executing on our plan to construct a network of Spokes located at regionally optimized locations that reduce safety risk and costs associated with battery transport to our Spokes. We further plan to construct centralized, large-scale Hubs to maximize economies of scale and efficiencies. Hub facilities will process an intermediate product (black mass) from our Spokes, as this is significantly easier and safer to transport than batteries.

We are evaluating additional global opportunities to scale our operations with a range of potential partners and expansion opportunities that may include acquisitions, joint ventures or other commercial arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We seek to partner with multiple customers in each geography in connection with supply and off-take arrangements. Near to mid-term, our current growth strategy is to focus on North America and Europe, aligning with leading global customer demand needs. We also expect to assess, including through discussions about timing and with potential customers, the potential for investments in the Asia Pacific region.

Our Industry

Li-Cycle is at the intersection of three broad and accelerating trends that we believe are key drivers for successful movement toward a zero-carbon economy: the electric vehicle revolution; sustainability with emphasis on a circular economy; and localized investments in battery production to establish and grow sustainable domestic supplies of strategic battery materials.

North America is emerging as an important region for the lithium-ion battery supply chain, as battery manufacturers and automotive OEMs increasingly establish operations in the region, which we expect to lead to increased quantities of battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries available for recycling. We estimate that the existing North American mega-factory capacity will grow from approximately 45 GWh in 2021 to >500 GWh in 2025. We also estimate that European mega-factory capacity will grow from 37 GWh in 2021 to more than 930 GWh by 2030. Our Spokes are strategically located near mega-factory locations, as illustrated in the chart below:

 

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Our Integrated Spoke & Hub Technologies

Li-Cycle’s operating model enables a circular loop in the EV battery value chain, as shown in the chart below:

 

LOGO

Under our two-part Spoke & Hub process, end-of-life batteries and battery-related waste are first shipped to Spoke locations, where the materials are mechanically processed into several intermediate products, including black mass. Black mass from several Spoke locations will be received at a Hub location and put through a hydrometallurgical (or “wet chemistry”) process to produce end products, such as nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and lithium carbonate, which can be sold back into the battery supply chain and used in the manufacturing of new lithium-ion batteries.

Utilizing our Hub & Spoke Technologies, we are able to achieve a Recycling Efficiency Rate of up to 95%. Our two-stage battery recycling model enables our customers to benefit from a safe and environmentally friendly solution for recycling all types of lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion battery materials.

We have a market-leading position in North America through our two operational Spokes in Kingston, Ontario, and Rochester, New York, and are currently developing our first commercial-scale Hub in Rochester, New York. We have also announced the development and construction of additional Spokes in Gilbert, Arizona and near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Further, we have announced the development of a co-located Spoke with a strategic industry partner, Ultium Cells, LLC, in Warren, Ohio. We have also announced the development of our first two European Spokes, in Norway (through a joint venture with ECO STOR AS and Morrow Batteries AS) and in Germany.

Spokes

At our Spokes, batteries for recycling are broken down through a mechanical size reduction process known as shredding and separated into three “intermediate” product lines: black mass, mixed copper/aluminum and mixed plastics. Black mass is a powder-like substance, which contains a number of valuable metals, including nickel, cobalt and lithium. Based on the Product Recovery Percentage, more than 95% of the mass of batteries and battery scrap entering the recycling process is transformed through our Spokes into these intermediate products.

We intend to construct a global network of Spokes located at regionally optimized locations near sources of battery manufacturing scrap and end-of life batteries to reduce safety risk and costs associated with battery

 

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transport to our Spokes. We are strategically locating our Spokes close to our existing customers, and at the nexus of where we expect there will be continued growth of batteries and battery scrap available for recycling.

Hubs

At our Hub facilities, black mass from the Spokes will be separated through the hydrometallurgical circuit to produce individual raw materials with the purity levels required of raw materials to be used in battery production. The end products produced from black mass will include nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and lithium carbonate.

Our hydrometallurgical process is more efficient and more environmentally friendly than traditional pyrometallurgical processes, which involve volatizing or burning materials at high temperatures. Pyrometallurgical processes also have lower recovery rates, are carbon-intensive and generate harmful emissions. Accordingly, the hydrometallurgical process is expected to become the preferred approach to lithium-ion battery recycling among manufacturers who are focused on product stewardship and environmental sustainability.

We expect to construct and operate two types of Hubs. A ternary Hub, such as the Hub we are currently constructing in Rochester, New York, will process all types of black mass. A lithium ion phosphate (“LFP”) Hub will have the capacity to process all types of black mass, but will have dedicated capacity to process LFP black mass derived from LFP lithium-ion batteries, LFP lithium-ion battery materials, and LFP black mass to produce LFP cathode pertinent end-products (e.g., lithium carbonate). LFP lithium-ion batteries have historically been viewed by the market as more difficult to recycle than other lithium-ion batteries; we intend to address this deficiency by providing the industry the ability transform LFP-containing lithium-ion batteries into a valuable resource through our LFP Hubs.

Our Commercial Contracts

Battery Intake Sources

We have commercial contracts with leaders in the electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery ecosystem, including consumer electronics, manufacturing scrap, energy storage, and auto OEMs/transportation companies. Li-Cycle procures all aspects of lithium-ion battery material sources in the supply chain, including battery manufacturing scrap, battery recalls, and end-of-life batteries. We currently have over 85 suppliers of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap, predominantly in North America, compared to 35 suppliers in fiscal year 2020. As the market for electric vehicles grows and drives increased manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries in North America, we anticipate higher supplier volumes of manufacturing scrap and increasing numbers of end-of-life EV batteries to be available for recycling by 2025 and 2030, respectively.

 

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The chart below shows our battery supply intake sources in FY 2021:

 

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  1.

Measured by weight of battery materials

Black Mass Offtake Agreement with Traxys

Li-Cycle has entered into a strategic global marketing relationship with Traxys, a company that provides financial and logistics solutions to the metals, mining and energy industries. As part of this relationship, Li-Cycle has entered into a Black Mass Marketing, Logistics and Working Capital Agreement with Traxys, covering 100% of its production of black mass, until such time as this material is integrated by Li-Cycle into the supply chain for Li-Cycle’s Hubs. Traxys earns marketing fees under the agreement, based on the final sales price of the black mass sold by Traxys to its third-party customers, as well as interest on provisional payments made from Traxys to Li-Cycle. Prices are based on index pricing for the nickel and cobalt contained in the black mass.

Refined Products Offtake Agreement with Traxys

Li-Cycle has also entered into a Refined Products Marketing, Logistics and Working Capital Agreement with Traxys, covering 100% of its production of certain end products from the Rochester Hub, consisting of nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, lithium carbonate, manganese carbonate and graphite concentrate. The Hub products agreement extends for a term expiring seven years after the achievement of certain commercial production milestones at the Rochester Hub, and is therefore expected to extend to 2030. Traxys earns marketing fees under the agreement, based on the final sales price of the black mass sold by Traxys to its third-party customers, as well as interest on provisional payments made from Traxys to Li-Cycle. Prices are based on index pricing for the relevant products, adjusted for the product form (e.g., adjusted to reflect the pricing for the premium battery grade nickel sulphate form, relative to the relevant index pricing which is for nickel metal). Commercial terms between Traxys and its third-party customers are arranged in advance, transparent to Li-Cycle and based on the commodity prices for the metals contained in the Li-Cycle products.

When the Rochester Hub commences commercial production, Li-Cycle expects that sales of refined products through Traxys will represent the significant majority of its revenues.

Pursuant to Li-Cycle’s strategic global marketing relationship with Traxys, Li-Cycle and Traxys are parties to a side agreement which provides that, should Li-Cycle seek to develop additional Hubs, Li-Cycle will notify

 

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Traxys and the parties will use good faith efforts to negotiate and enter into future marketing, logistics and working capital agreements covering those additional facilities.

Li-Cycle intends to seek customers to purchase the copper sulphide, sodium sulphate and gypsum produced by the Rochester Hub (which are not covered by the Traxys contract).

Other Notable Agreements

Li-Cycle has entered into agreements with third party purchasers for other intermediate products produced at the Spokes, including mixed copper/aluminum and plastics. Li-Cycle sells mixed copper/aluminum products to Glencore, an Anglo-Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company. Li-Cycle sold black mass to Glencore until 2021, when existing commitments were satisfied.

Our Competitive Strengths

Customer-Centric Solutions Provider

We provide sustainable and customer-centric solutions for each of our customers’ battery recycling needs. We provide the support necessary along each step of the process to ensure that our customers’ battery recycling experience is handled in a manner that is safe, professional, and economically viable. In particular,

 

   

we work closely with a reliable network of logistics partners to support customers in transporting their batteries to our facilities;

 

   

we offer our customers a home for the secure destruction of materials containing IP-sensitive design information, such as research and development batteries and battery materials. We have adopted procedures to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our customers’ trade secrets; and

 

   

in addition to providing advice on packaging and support with procurement, we provide spare battery storage, manage comprehensive battery replacement campaigns and customize programs and services to individual customers’ needs.

Proprietary and Innovative Technology

We have established proprietary technology that we believe sets us apart from competitors because our technology has the ability to respond to changes in battery chemistries and adapt to change in inputs to the battery recycling process. Our process produces the fundamental building blocks of lithium-ion batteries—cathode precursor input chemicals, cathode input chemicals and raw materials that can be reused in batteries or the broader economy. By contrast, competitive emerging technologies such as cathode-to-cathode recycling produce end-products that have a higher risk of obsolescence due to continuous cathode technology advancement.

Research and Development

Our highly experienced technical team is continuously engaged in research and development (“R&D”) efforts to expand the scope of our processing capacities and drive other process improvements.

R&D work continues in support of our Spoke facilities, specifically focused on optimizing their operating parameters. For example, certain of our Spokes are being engineered to process entire vehicles battery packs, without dismantling, while other Spokes will focus on processing manufacturing scrap. With respect to our Hub facilities, we also continue to develop and evaluate new concepts with an eye to the future, including processing nickel metal hydride, LFP and solid-state batteries.

Leading Environmental Footprint

Due to our high recovery rates and sustainable, environmentally-friendly processes, we believe we are well-positioned to comply with heightened regulations applicable to us across the globe.

 

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Unlike conventional pyrometallurgy processes, our hydrometallurgical process is designed for “best in class” environmental performance, with minimal solid waste streams to landfill, zero wastewater discharge, and relatively low air emissions. This has been a competitive advantage in terms of conforming to the requirements for municipal, state, and federal permitting processes associated with the development of our Spokes and Hub, as well as meeting our customers’ mandates for quality and sustainability.

In 2021, Li-Cycle received the 2021 Big Innovation Award presented by Business Intelligence Group, and it was named to the World Circular Economy Forum’s list of Circular Economy Solutions Inspiring the World. In addition, for three years in a row (2020, 2021 and 2022), Li-Cycle was named as a Global Cleantech 100 Company by the Cleantech Group and was also a finalist in the 10th Annual Business Green Leaders Awards.

Minimal Human Operating Risk

Unlike smelting, thermal pre-treatment refining, or cathode-to-cathode processes, our processes have minimal human operating risk. Our Spokes can safely process lithium-ion batteries at any state of charge, without any manual sorting, discharging, or dismantling required. In addition, our Spokes reduce the size of battery mass through an automated process, minimizing human operating risk.

Superior Recycling Recovery Rates and More Economical Supplier

Our wet-chemistry method is able to extract valuable battery-grade chemicals from black mass that are directly re-usable in the manufacturing of new battery technologies. In the short term, this increases the value that we derive from battery manufacturing scrap as well as end-of-life batteries and reduces waste.

We expect our production costs on average to be lower than the mining and processing costs otherwise incurred by suppliers to produce these materials because we are able to produce multiple materials from a single process that yields minimal waste and no displaced earth or tailings, as compared to traditional mining processes.

Established Strategic Partnerships with Key Global Players

We believe that the investment and strategic alliances we have established represent a strong validation of our business model by leading global strategic players in the lithium-ion battery materials space, as described below:

Koch Strategic Platforms (“KSP”)

KSP, a subsidiary of Koch Investments Group, through its affiliate, Spring Creek Capital, LLC, has invested $100 million in Li-Cycle pursuant to a convertible note to support the Company’s growth opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. We believe this strategic investment by KSP will provide Li-Cycle with access to key industry expertise across the broader Koch Industries ecosystem. Li-Cycle has also engaged Koch Engineered Solutions (“KES”), which provides engineering, procurement, and construction services, to construct, test, and ship plant and equipment for the Company’s Norway Spoke facility. Li-Cycle and KES are exploring commercial opportunities to support the global deployment of incremental Spoke facilities and to enhance execution and operational readiness for the Rochester Hub.

LG Chem (“LGC”) and LG Energy Solution (“LGES”)

In December 2021, Li-Cycle, LGC and LGES entered into a manufacturing scrap supply and nickel sulphate off-take agreement non-binding letter of intent. With this proposed collaboration, LGES and Li-Cycle intend to cooperate on recycling lithium-ion battery scrap and certain other lithium-ion battery materials to create a closed-loop ecosystem.

 

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Subject to entering into of definitive commercial agreements for such collaboration by March 13, 2022, LGC and LGES together will make a $50 million equity investment in Li-Cycle. Upon the execution of the definitive agreements, Li-Cycle, through its end-product off-take partner for the Rochester Hub, Traxys North America LLC, will sell 20,000 tonnes of nickel contained in nickel sulphate produced by Li-Cycle to LGC and LGES over 10 years, beginning in 2023.

Ultium Cells (Joint Venture of General Motors and LGES)

In May 2021, we entered into a multi-year agreement with Ultium Cells LLC (“Ultium”), a joint venture of General Motors and LGES, to recycle up to 100% of the scrap generated by battery cell manufacturing at Ultium’s Warren, Ohio mega-factory. In January 2022, we announced that we would be co-locating a new Spoke facility on-site at the mega-factory, to enhance our ability to serve Ultium’s recycling needs and reduce the costs associated with moving and handling the battery manufacturing scrap materials.

Well Positioned for Governmental “Green” Financing Partnerships

With the emergence of government initiatives to accelerate the development of the circular economy and EV adoption, significant programs are underway to secure critical material supply from North American sources. With our first mover technology and environmental advantages, we believe we are well positioned to explore various green financing opportunities from government or financial institutions supporting cleantech infrastructure in North America. Li-Cycle has also historically built strong relationships with various government agencies.

Intellectual Property

As of January 2022, Li-Cycle has a total of 25 pending utility patent applications and issued utility patents, grouped into six patent families based on common priority details, which cover aspects of Li-Cycle’s innovative technologies and include issued patents or pending patent applications in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, United States and the World Intellectual Property Office. These applications and patents have filing dates between 2018 and 2021, and therefore will expire between 2038 and 2041.

All patents and patent applications are 100% owned by Li-Cycle.

Our Vision, Mission and Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Leadership

Our vision is to be the world’s most sustainable, vertically-integrated and globally pre-eminent lithium-ion battery recycling and resource recovery company. Our mission is: (i) to provide sustainable and safe customer-centric solutions and technology to solve the global end-of-life lithium-ion battery challenge, and (ii) to meet the rapidly growing demand for critical lithium-ion battery materials

By supporting the lithium-ion battery materials supply chain with an innovative recycling solution, we believe we are contributing to the global “green energy” transition and the movement toward a zero-carbon economy. We believe that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) leadership is important to the success of our business model and intend to develop corporate policies and business practices to support these values.

Our Focus on Quality and Sustainability

We have instituted an Integrated Business Policy to guide our actions on health and safety, environmental and quality practices.

Our Kingston, Ontario and Rochester, New York sites are registered to ISO (“International Standards Organization”) 9001 quality standards, ISO 14001 environmental standards, ISO 45001 occupational health &

 

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safety standards and the Responsible Recycling (“R2”) electronics recycling standard. Our corporate headquarters location in Toronto, Ontario has not been registered to these standards, given that no direct recycling operations are conducted at this location.

We prioritize the safety of our employees, suppliers, contractors and visitors. We aim for a “zero-harm” workplace and ensure compliance with all applicable occupation health and safety laws, regulations and standards in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We provide training to our employees on quality, health and safety and environmental and R2 requirements. We also ensure that our equipment is equipped with safety instructions, allot the time to practice emergency procedures and expect our managers and employees to maintain clean and well-organized facilities.

Regulatory Landscape

There has been an increase in battery regulation globally in recent years. For example, in the United States, California is evaluating a policy to drive Recycling Efficiency Rates as close to 100% as possible, potentially beginning as early as 2022. In Canada, Ontario requires Recycling Efficiency Rates for lithium-ion batteries of over 70% by 2023. China has required functional material recovery rates greater than 80% since 2018, with specific targets by key materials (nickel, cobalt, and lithium). The European Union had proposed to update its EU Battery Directive to implement more aggressive recycling targets, including minimum material recovery rates of 90% for both cobalt and nickel by 2025 (also a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for at least a 95% material recovery rate for both cobalt and nickel by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation), a minimum recovery rate of 35% for lithium by 2025 (also a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for at least a 70% material recovery rate for lithium by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation), and a Recycling Efficiency Rate of least 65% by 2025 (also includes a potential ‘high level of ambition’ mandate for a Recycling Efficiency Rate of at least 70% by 2030; this is being discussed as part of the proposed regulation).

We believe Li-Cycle is well-positioned to comply with heightened battery regulations across the globe. Li-Cycle holds all licenses currently required in connection with its technologies and operations. Li-Cycle has engaged a third-party consultant to provide support with permitting and regulatory compliance across all Li-Cycle products, and to update Li-Cycle regularly regarding legal and regulatory developments applicable to its business.

While competitors face challenges adapting to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, Li-Cycle’s technologies are sustainable and attractive to a growing number of ESG-focused clients. Li-Cycle’s scalable, sustainable, safe and patented Spoke & Hub Technologies enable an up to 95% Spoke Recycling Efficiency Rate, produce minimal solid waste or wastewater, zero impact air emissions, and use far less energy than any other existing solution. By contrast, other hydrometallurgical technologies often have significant water emissions and solid waste streams, while smelting or thermal processing typically involves the burning of lithium-ion batteries that produces toxic emissions in the off-gas. The emissions caused by competitor methods present regulatory compliance challenges and complicate facility permitting. We believe that this provides a significant opportunity for Li-Cycle with a truly differentiated hydrometallurgical process.

Government mandates also continue to drive increased infrastructure spending and funding availability for the battery supply chain. In the United States, the Biden Administration announced it will make a $2 trillion investment in infrastructure, including investments in the clean energy economy.

Employees

As of October 31, 2021, we had over 155 employees, all employed on a full-time basis, and primarily located in Toronto, Ontario; Kingston, Ontario; and Rochester, New York. We estimate that the commencement of operations at our Arizona Spoke and Alabama Spoke will result in an additional 80 employees.

 

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We recently announced the development of our Ohio Spoke, as well as our first two European Spokes to be located in Norway and Germany. We anticipate these facilities will require at least 35 employees each.

We expect that the Rochester Hub will result in over 200 additional employment positions once operational. As we continue to grow our Spoke & Hub network, we anticipate adding additional employees.

Our success is highly dependent on our human capital and leadership team. We have talent acquisition strategies in place to attract, retain and develop employees with the skills, experience and potential necessary to implement our growth strategy.

Our culture aims to promote an “owner’s mindset” that empowers employees to deliver a high level of performance and to honor our corporate values, including ethics and integrity, courage and passion, and innovation and creativity. When recruiting and onboarding new employees, we communicate our vision and the core values that we expect all staff to uphold, which is underpinned by a business-wide Code of Conduct and Ethics supported by appropriate training programs. We regularly engage with staff on issues affecting the business through group-wide and location-specific “all-hands” and “town hall” sessions and other engagement platforms.

None of our employees are represented by a labor union and there have been no work stoppages to date. We generally consider relations with our employees to be good.

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently party to any legal proceedings, but we could be involved in various litigation and regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business in the future. Where it is determined, in consultation with counsel based on litigation and settlement risks, that a loss is both probable and estimable, we establish an accrual. We expect that we may not be able to predict with certainty the outcome of any litigation or the potential for future litigation. We expect to continuously monitor any proceedings as they develop and adjust any accrual or disclosure as needed. Regardless of the outcome, litigation could have an adverse impact on us due to defense costs, diversion of management resources, potential reputational harm and other factors, and it could have a material effect on our results of operations for a given reporting period.

Property, Plants and Equipment

Spokes

Li-Cycle opened its first pilot facility in Canada in 2017, which had a recycling capacity of 50 tonnes of lithium-ion battery equivalent feed per year. In 2018, it launched its first Spoke & Hub demonstration facility in Kingston, Ontario. Li-Cycle commissioned its first commercial Spoke facility in 2019 in Kingston, Ontario, with a recycling capacity of 2,500 tonnes per year, and upgraded this facility to 5,000 tonnes per year in 2020. In late 2020, Li-Cycle opened a second commercial Spoke facility with a recycling capacity of 5,000 tonnes per year, in Rochester, New York.

In the first quarter of 2021, Li-Cycle announced the development and construction of the Arizona Spoke, and in the fourth quarter of 2021, Li-Cycle announced the development of the Alabama Spoke. Each of these Spokes will have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year.

On January 26, 2022, Li-Cycle announced that it has formed a joint venture with ECO STOR AS (“ECO STOR”) and Morrow Batteries AS (“Morrow”) through which it will construct a new commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility in southern Norway (the “Norway Spoke”). Li-Cycle will be the majority owner of the joint venture, with ECO STOR and Morrow being minority owners and Nordic-headquartered strategic partners. Once constructed, the Norway Spoke will be Li-Cycle’s first recycling facility outside of North America and is

 

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expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries per year, including but not limited to battery manufacturing scrap, full EV packs, and energy storage systems. The facility is expected to be operational in early 2023.

On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle announced the development of the Ohio Spoke at Ultium Cells LLC’s (“Ultium”) battery cell manufacturing mega-factory in Warren, Ohio. The Ohio Spoke is expected to be operational in early 2023. Once completed, we expect the Ohio Spoke to have a recycling capacity of 15,000 tonnes per year.

On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle also announced the development of a second European Spoke in Germany. The Germany Spoke is expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year, and is expected to be operational by early 2023.

The following table depicts the expected recycling capacity and expected timing of commencement of operations for each of our Spoke Capital Projects.

 

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Rochester Hub

Li-Cycle’s first revenue-generating Hub will be located in Rochester, New York, and is currently in the project execution phase. The location for the Rochester Hub was specifically selected due to the nature of the infrastructure available at the site, including utilities, logistics, and other physical infrastructure. Li-Cycle’s Spoke facilities in North America, which take in end-of-life batteries and battery production scrap in order to produce black mass, will be the primary suppliers of feedstock for the Rochester Hub.

Li-Cycle completed a definitive feasibility study with respect to the Rochester Hub in December 2021. Based on the definitive feasibility study, Li-Cycle expects the Rochester Hub will have the nameplate input capacity to process 35,000 tonnes of black mass annually (equivalent to approximately 90,000 tonnes of lithium-ion battery equivalent feed annually). This represents an increase in nameplate input processing capacity of approximately 40% as compared to the pre-feasibility study completed by the Company in June 2020. With its increased capacity, the Rochester Hub will be able to process battery material that is equivalent to approximately 225,000 electric vehicles per year.

Key design and cost changes to the Rochester Hub relative to the June 2020 pre-feasibility study largely include, but are not limited to: (1) higher material costs due to increased size and supply chain inflationary impacts; (2) scope alterations responding to contracted feed supplies and implementing best-in-class

 

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environmental practices; and (3) up-sizing of nameplate output capacity, resulting in expected output capacity of approximately 42,000 to 48,000 tonnes per annum of nickel sulphate, 7,500 to 8,500 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate and 6,500 to 7,500 tonnes per annum of cobalt sulphate (being 250% and 160% higher and approximately 65% lower, respectively, as compared to the pre-feasibility study).

Li-Cycle estimates that the Rochester Hub will require a total capital investment of approximately $485 million (+/-15%), based on the results of the definitive feasibility study, which can be funded from existing balance sheet cash. Li-Cycle also expects to explore various opportunities to optimize its capital structure, for example, with potential credit from government-related institutions. As of October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle had spent approximately $13.4 million on definitive engineering, pre-feasibility, and definitive feasibility studies, equipment procurement and jointly-related expenditures.

Li-Cycle has engaged Hatch Ltd. as its engineering, procurement and construction management contractor for the project and is in the process of selecting its general contractor. Procurement has commenced on long-lead items and the Company has obtained firm-price competitive quotes for 80% of the required equipment for the Rochester Hub. Li-Cycle commenced construction on the Rochester Hub in January 2022 and is on the path to reach mechanical completion, commissioning and start-up in 2023, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory and other approvals. Li-Cycle expects that the Rochester Hub will result in over 200 additional employment positions at its operations.

The anticipated principal regulatory and other approvals required to develop and construct the Rochester Hub consist of: a special use permit, site plan approval, subdivision approval and special permit and area variance for hazardous material storage tanks from the Town of Greece, New York, including the related New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) process; and permits for air emissions, storm water discharge and chemical bulk storage granted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The SEQRA process was completed in November 2021, and the Town of Greece’s various boards have granted the Rochester Hub a special use permit, site plan approval, and special permit and area variance for hazardous material storage tanks, all subject to certain conditions.

Leases

We lease the following properties as of January 31, 2022:

 

                      Lease period  

Country

   Location    Gross
Floor Area
(square foot)
     Use    Start      End  

Canada

   Millhaven, Ontario      46,639      Construction of
new spokes
     7/1/2021        6/30/2024  

Canada

   Toronto, Ontario      31,762      Office      6/1/2021        5/31/2031  

United States of America

   Cottondale, Alabama      120,000      Storage      11/1/2021        12/31/2023  

United States of America

   North Port, Alabama      108,469      Plant      4/1/2022        3/31/2042  

United States of America

   Gilbert, Arizona      138,949      Plant      10/1/2021        2/28/2032  

United States of America

   Mesa, Arizona      69,016      Storage      9/1/2021        11/30/2026  

United States of America

   Greece, New York      63,901      Plant      7/1/2019        6/30/2029  

United States of America

   Webster, New York      37,231      Storage      4/1/2020        3/31/2025  

United States of America

   Rochester, New York      2,309,000      Land      12/1/2021        11/30/2041  

United States of America

   Rochester, New York      98,500      Storage      11/1/2021        12/31/2022  

 

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Owned Property

We own the following properties as of January 31, 2022:

 

Country

   Location      Gross Floor Area
(square foot)
     Use  

Canada

     Kingston, Ontario        1,307,000        Land  

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” should be read in conjunction with the “Business” section and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial information contained herein is taken or derived from such consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those that are discussed in our forward-looking statements. For more information about forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” included in this prospectus. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly under “Risk Factors.”

References in this section to “we,” “us” or “Li-Cycle” refer to Li-Cycle Corp. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries subsequent to the Business Combination, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates otherwise.

Li-Cycle’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). All amounts are in U.S. dollars except as otherwise indicated. For more information about the basis of presentation of Li-Cycle’s financial statements, see the section entitled “Components of Results of Operations — Basis of Presentation.”

Certain figures, such as interest rates and other percentages included in this discussion and analysis, have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this discussion and analysis have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this discussion and analysis may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in Li-Cycle’s financial statements or in the associated text. Certain other amounts that appear in this section may similarly not sum due to rounding.

Company Overview

Li-Cycle is an industry leader in lithium-ion battery resource recovery and the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America. When we refer to ourselves as the leading lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, we are referring to our status based on installed permitted capacity for lithium-ion battery recycling measured in tonnes per year. Our proprietary “Spoke & Hub” recycling process is designed (a) at our Spokes, to process battery manufacturing scrap and end-of-life batteries to produce “black mass” and other intermediate products, and (b) at our Hubs, to process black mass to produce critical battery materials, including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate, and lithium carbonate. We have a market-leading position in North America through our two operational Spokes in Kingston, Ontario, and Rochester, New York, and are currently developing our first commercial-scale Hub in Rochester, New York. We have also announced the development and construction of additional Spokes in Gilbert, Arizona and near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Further, we have announced the development of a co-located Spoke with a strategic industry partner in Warren, Ohio and our first two European Spokes in Norway and Germany. For ease of presentation, the five Spokes in development and construction will be collectively referred to in our disclosure as the “Spoke Capital Projects.”

Li-Cycle was until 2020 a development stage company with no commercial revenues. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, Li-Cycle’s revenue was $7.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, Li-Cycle recorded a net loss of $226.6 million and $9.3 million and an Adjusted EBITDA1 loss of $25.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively.

 

1 

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. See “Non-IFRS Measures” in this MD&A for more details, including a reconciliation to the most comparable IFRS financial measure.

 

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To date, Li-Cycle has financed its operations primarily through: (i) proceeds received in connection with the Business Combination; (ii) private placements of Li-Cycle securities (including the Spring Creek Capital Note); (iii) loans from third parties (such as BDC Capital) and certain Li-Cycle shareholders; and (iv) various government funding initiatives.

The Business Combination

On August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination) (“Old Li-Cycle Holdings”) and Peridot Acquisition Corp. (“Peridot”) completed their previously announced business combination pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the “Business Combination”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination, on the closing date of the Business Combination, (i) Peridot and Old Li-Cycle Holdings amalgamated, and in connection therewith, the Class A common shares and warrants to purchase Class A common shares of Peridot converted into an equivalent number of shares and warrants of the amalgamated entity, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., and the common share in Old Li-Cycle Holdings held by Li-Cycle were exchanged for a share of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.; (ii) the share of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. held by Li-Cycle was purchased for cancellation by Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. for cash equal to the subscription price for the common share in Old Li-Cycle Holdings for which such share was exchanged pursuant to the Amalgamation; (iii) the preferred shares of Li-Cycle converted into common shares of Li-Cycle; and (iv) Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Li-Cycle from Li-Cycle’s shareholders (including Li-Cycle common shares issued upon exercise, cancellation, exchange or settlement of all issued and outstanding equity awards (whether vested or unvested), including pursuant to the Business Combination, but excluding any equity awards that were cancelled and exchanged for equity awards of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and remained outstanding on the day following the closing date of the Business Combination) in exchange for common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. Pursuant to the Business Combination, Li-Cycle Corp. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Upon the closing of the Business Combination and a concurrent $315.5 million private placement of common shares (the “PIPE Financing”), the combined company received $581.9 million of gross transaction proceeds, before deduction of $29.6 million of Peridot’s transaction costs and $27.0 million of Li-Cycle’s transaction costs.

Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination

The Business Combination has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition in accordance with IFRS. Under this method of accounting, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. (as the continuing entity after the Amalgamation of Old Li-Cycle Holdings and Peridot) is treated as the “acquired” company for accounting purposes. As Peridot Acquisition Corp. does not meet the definition of a business as defined in IFRS 3 — Business Combinations (“IFRS 3”), the acquisition, net assets of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

Li-Cycle has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on an evaluation of the following facts and circumstances, and accordingly the Business Combination is treated as an equivalent to an acquisition of Peridot accompanied by a recapitalization.

 

   

Li-Cycle’s shareholders prior to the Business Combination have the greatest voting interest in the combined entity relative to other shareholders (including following the redemptions discussed under “— Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources of Liquidity”);

 

   

The largest individual minority shareholder of the combined entity is an existing shareholder of Li-Cycle;

 

   

The Company’s senior management is the senior management of Li-Cycle;

 

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Li-Cycle is the larger entity based on historical total assets and revenues; and

 

   

Li-Cycle’s operations comprise the ongoing operations of the Company.

Upon consummation of the Business Combination and the closing of the PIPE Financing, the most significant change in Li-Cycle’s financial position and results of operations was an increase in cash and cash equivalents (as compared to Li-Cycle’s balance sheet at July 31, 2021) of $581.9 million, including $315.5 million in gross proceeds from the PIPE Financing. Total direct and incremental transaction costs of Peridot and Li-Cycle were $29.6 million and $27.0 million, respectively. Li-Cycle’s transaction costs was treated as a reduction of the cash proceeds and deducted from Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.’s additional paid-in capital.

As a consequence of the Business Combination, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. became the successor to an SEC-registered and NYSE-listed company, which requires Li-Cycle to continue to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address public company regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit and legal fees.

Current Situation with Respect to COVID-19

In late 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, now referred to as COVID-19, was identified in China. The virus has spread globally, resulting in governmental authorities implementing protective measures, such as travel restrictions, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and shutdowns, in order to contain its spread and reduce its impact. This pandemic has significantly disrupted economies around the world.

The United States is one of the largest markets for lithium-ion battery recycling and COVID-19 continues to have a materially adverse impact in North America. The continuous spread of COVID-19 has caused lockdowns and shutdowns of manufacturing facilities. Therefore, many industry sectors, including the automotive sector, have been negatively impacted and continue to be unable to produce at capacity. The continued impact of COVID-19 on manufacturing production may lead to less demand for lithium-ion batteries, impacting the resulting contribution of batteries and battery-related scrap material to the recycling market over the short-to-medium term.

Li-Cycle’s operations have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because Li-Cycle’s operations have been considered an essential service in both Canada and the United States, Li-Cycle’s plants have continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit with the implementation of appropriate measures to ensure employee safety. Li-Cycle shut down its commercial headquarters in March 2020 and enforced a work-from-home mandate. The Kingston Spoke experienced some battery supply related issues in the second fiscal quarter of 2021 due to COVID-19 related shutdowns in Ontario, Canada which were alleviated by the third fiscal quarter of 2021 and no further shutdowns occurred for the remainder of the fiscal period. Li-Cycle re-opened its office facilities in November 2021, with a robust plan to ensure compliance with government guidance and all recommended actions to ensure employee safety.

Li-Cycle cannot currently predict the duration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. Continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of new strains such as the Omicron or Delta variant may cause governments to impose new restrictive measures, result in employee absences from work or result in negative economic effects, which in each case could have a material adverse impact on Li-Cycle’s operations, development and constructions activities and financial condition.

Comparability of Financial Information

Li-Cycle’s future results of operations and financial position may not be comparable to historical results as a result of the Business Combination and the factors described below, among other things.

 

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Li-Cycle included certain projected financial information in the proxy statement/prospectus on Form F-4 dated July 15, 2021 and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the Business Combination (as amended, the “Proxy/Registration Statement”), which information was also incorporated by reference in Li-Cycle’s non-offering final prospectus dated August 10, 2021 filed with the Ontario Securities Commission (the “Canadian Prospectus”) and Shell Company Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers of the Proxy / Registration Statement and the Canadian Prospectus were cautioned that the financial projections and the assumptions underlying them reflected the opinion of Li-Cycle’s management, based on Li-Cycle’s business plan at the time the financial projections were prepared, which was in January 2021. The financial projections and underlying assumptions included in the Proxy / Registration Statement and the Canadian Prospectus did not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date they were prepared. The financial projections reflected numerous estimates and assumptions with respect to general business, economic, regulatory, market and financial conditions and other future events, as well as matters specific to Li-Cycle’s business, all of which were difficult to predict and many of which were beyond Li-Cycle’s control. The financial projections and assumptions underlying them were inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which were beyond Li-Cycle’s control.

As a result of the developments described below, we noted in our results for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2021, that the assumptions underlying the projected financial information included in the Proxy/Registration Statement and the Canadian Prospectus, including a number of assumptions regarding capital expenditures and the timing of the roll-out of new operational facilities, no longer reflected a reasonable basis on which to project our future results and therefore such projections should not be relied on as indicative of future results. Demand for lithium-ion battery recycling has continued to exceed our forecasts and, in order to meet this growing demand, we have decided to increase and accelerate our investment in the build-out of our recycling capacity in certain respects. For example, since the date of effectiveness of the Proxy/Registration Statement and the date of the Canadian Prospectus, respectively, we have, among other things, announced the development of the Spoke Capital Projects, increasing our processing capacity beyond that of our previous plans and projections. We have also announced the increase of expected processing capacity at our Rochester Hub.

Key Factors Affecting Li-Cycle’s Performance

We believe that Li-Cycle’s performance and future success is dependent on multiple factors that present significant opportunities for Li-Cycle, but also pose significant risks and challenges, including those discussed below and in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

Availability of Lithium-Ion Batteries for Recycling

Li-Cycle is reliant on obtaining lithium-ion batteries for recycling through its contracts with suppliers. The Company maintains commercial contracts with leaders in the electric vehicle (“EV”) and lithium-ion battery ecosystem, including consumer electronics, manufacturing scrap, energy storage, and auto OEMs/transportation companies. Li-Cycle currently has over 85 suppliers of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap and we expect Li-Cycle to attract new suppliers by differentiating itself based on the sustainability of its process and the robustness of its technology, which in turn will enable Li-Cycle to offer competitive terms to suppliers. We expect Li-Cycle’s supply pipeline to grow as we expect existing suppliers will have growing volumes of batteries available for recycling due to the continuing trend toward electric vehicles, and as Li-Cycle continues to source additional supplier relationships. However, there can be no assurance that Li-Cycle will attract new suppliers or expand its supply pipeline from existing suppliers, and any decline in supply volume from existing contracts or an inability to source new supplier relationships could have a negative impact on Li-Cycle’s results of operations.

On May 11, 2021, Li-Cycle announced its entry into an agreement with Ultium Cells LLC (“Ultium”), a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, Ltd. (“LGES”), pursuant to which Ultium will supply to Li-Cycle, and Li-Cycle will purchase and recycle, up to 100% of the scrap generated by battery cell

 

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manufacturing at Ultium’s Warren, Ohio mega-factory. On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle announced the development of a co-located Spoke in Warren, Ohio to enhance its ability to service Ultium’s recycling needs.

Customer Demand for Lithium-Ion Recycled Raw Materials

Li-Cycle has entered into two agreements with Traxys North America LLC (“Traxys”) covering off-take from its Spokes and Hubs. See the section titled “Business — Our Commercial Contracts”.

On December 14, 2021, Li-Cycle announced the entry into a non-binding letter of intent with each of LG Energy Solution, Ltd. (“LGES”) and LG Chem, Ltd. (“LGC”) (the “Letter of Intent”) setting forth proposed terms of a potential nickel-bearing lithium-ion battery scrap supply and nickel sulphate off-take arrangement among the Company, LGES and Traxys and a potential nickel sulphate off-take arrangement among the Company, LGC and Traxys (the “LG Off-take Agreements”). The LG Off-take Agreements are intended to cover (among other things), the sale through Traxys to LGES or LGC, as applicable, of certain battery-grade nickel sulphate from the Company’s planned Rochester Hub for a ten-year period.

Li-Cycle expects to enter into additional off-take customer agreements in the future.

Ability to Build Out Additional Facilities

Li-Cycle is confident in its ability to scale the business as currently planned. Li-Cycle has a market-leading position in North America through its two operational commercial Spokes in Kingston, Ontario, and Rochester, New York, and is developing the Rochester Hub. Li-Cycle has also announced the development and construction of the Spoke Capital Projects. Li-Cycle is evaluating additional opportunities to scale its operations with a range of potential partners and expansion opportunities that may include acquisitions, joint ventures or other commercial arrangements in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Li-Cycle’s continued growth and results of operations will be negatively impacted if it is unable to continue to scale its operations.

International operations are subject to certain risks inherent in doing business abroad, including:

 

   

political, civil and economic instability;

 

   

corruption risks;

 

   

trade, customs and tax risks;

 

   

currency exchange rates and currency controls;

 

   

limitations on the repatriation of funds;

 

   

insufficient infrastructure;

 

   

restrictions on exports, imports and foreign investment;

 

   

increases in working capital requirements related to long supply chains;

 

   

changes in labor laws and regimes and disagreements with the labor force;

 

   

difficulty in protecting intellectual property rights; and

 

   

different and less established legal systems.

Expanding our business in international markets, including the construction and operation of the Norway Spoke and Germany Spoke, is an important element of our strategy and, as a result, our exposure to the risks described above may be greater in the future. The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effects on our business and results of operations will vary from country to country and are unpredictable, but could have an adverse effect on our ability to execute our strategy and accordingly on our results of operations.

 

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Commodity and Specialty Prices

Li-Cycle currently recognizes revenue among other things from sales of three intermediate products, black mass, mixed copper/aluminum and mixed plastics from Li-Cycle’s Spokes. Li-Cycle expects to recognize revenue from sales of end products, including nickel, cobalt and lithium, after its first Hub becomes operational.

The price Li-Cycle can charge for its end products is tied to commodity and specialty pricing for nickel, cobalt, and lithium, among others. This can lead to variability in revenues, but we believe the wide range of raw materials Li-Cycle produces results in a diversification effect that provides it with a natural hedge against significant variations in the commodity pricing related to a single product.

Research and Development

Li-Cycle continues to conduct research and development (“R&D”) centered on various aspects of its business. R&D work is ongoing in support of its Spoke operations and its Rochester Hub project, specifically focused on continuous optimization of operating parameters and preparing for operations. Li-Cycle also continues to develop and evaluate new concepts with an eye to the future, including solid-state battery processing and others related to the Spoke & Hub Technologies.

Components of Results of Operations

Basis of Presentation

Li-Cycle’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. All amounts are in U.S. dollars except otherwise indicated. Currently, Li-Cycle conducts business through one operating segment. Li-Cycle was a pre-revenue company with no commercial operations until 2020. For more information about Li-Cycle’s basis of presentation, refer to Note 2 in the accompanying financial statements of Li-Cycle for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021. Li-Cycle’s fiscal year end is October 31.

Revenue

Li-Cycle recognizes revenue from: (i) sales of products, which currently include three intermediate products, being black mass, mixed copper/aluminum and mixed plastics from Li-Cycle’s Spokes; and (ii) providing the service of recycling lithium-ion batteries, which includes coordination of logistics and destruction of batteries. We expect Li-Cycle’s sales of products to increase as a percentage of overall revenue as more Spokes and Hubs become operational over time. Li-Cycle expects to recognize revenue from sales of end products, including nickel sulphate, cobalt sulphate and lithium carbonate, after its first Hub becomes operational.

For product sales, revenue is recognized when control of the goods has transferred, meaning when the goods have been shipped to the customer’s location (delivery). A receivable is recognized by Li-Cycle when the goods are delivered to the customer, as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as passage of time is the only condition to payment becoming due. The revenue recognized is based on commodity prices at the time of delivery. Under Li-Cycle’s standard contract terms, customers do not have a right of return. We estimate the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled under provisional pricing arrangements. The amount of consideration for black mass and mixed copper/aluminum sales is based on the mathematical product of: (i) market prices of the constituent metals at the date of settlement, (ii) product weight, and (iii) assay results (ratio of the constituent metals initially estimated by management and subsequently trued up to customer confirmation). Certain adjustments like handling and refining charges are also made per contractual terms with customers. Depending on the contractual terms with customers, the payment of receivables may take up to 12 months from date of shipment. Product sales and the related trade accounts receivables are measured at fair value at initial recognition and are re-estimated at each reporting period end using the market prices of the constituent metals at the respective measurement dates. Changes in fair value are recognized as an adjustment to profit and loss and to the related accounts receivable.

 

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Service revenue is recognized upon completion of each service. Prices for services are separately identifiable within each contract. A receivable is recognized by Li-Cycle when the services are completed as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as passage of time is the only condition to payment becoming due.

Operating expenses

Primary expense categories for Li-Cycle include employee salaries and benefits, raw materials and supplies, professional fees (which include consulting and other advisor fees), share-based compensation, R&D and depreciation. As Li-Cycle continues to grow and expand internationally, we expect to incur additional expenses in connection with acquisitions, joint ventures and/or other commercial or contractual arrangements. Additional personnel expenses are also anticipated. The amount of consulting and professional fees Li-Cycle expects to incur is commensurate with the engineering requirements associated with its Rochester Hub project and its Spoke Capital Projects, as well as requisite expenses for legal and audit as Li-Cycle funds its operations and scales its internal systems and processes. R&D expenses reflect ongoing efforts by Li-Cycle to develop and expand its technology, and such costs are offset by any government funding for government funded projects.

Other Income / Expense

Other income/expense consists of foreign exchange gain/loss, interest income/expense, fair value gain/loss on financial instruments and, in 2021, the cost of listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Financing costs are typically applied against the gross proceeds of any capital raised, and in the case of debt, amortized over the term of such debt. Interest expense represents the actual cash interest costs incurred plus any accrued interest payable at a future date.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020

 

    Three months ended
October 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
    Year Ended
October 31,
    $
Change
    %
Change
 
      2021             2020             2021             2020      
    (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues

    4,391       469       3,922       836     7,375       792       6,583       831

Product sales

    4,248       370       3,878       1049     6,930       555       6,376       1149

Recycling Services

    143       99       44       44     444       237       207       87

Operating expenses

    18,558       4,966       13,592       274     39,232       9,934       29,298       295

Employee salaries and benefits, net

    4,987       1,404       3,584       255     12,710       2,819       9,891       351

Professional fees

    3,470       1,402       2,068       147     7,689       2,962       4,726       160

Share-based compensation

    2,675       112       2,563       2284     3,983       333       3,650       1097

Raw materials and supplies

    1,406       200       1,206       602     3,410       592       2,818       476

Office, administrative and travel

    2,095       217       1,878       866     3,149       477       2,672       561

Depreciation

    1,069       378       691       183     2,899       1,095       1,804       165

Research and development, net

    734       796       (62     (8 )%      2,663       777       1,886       243

Freight and shipping

    445       80       365       459     1,033       137       896       654

Plant facilities

    355       167       188       112     1,031       391       640       164

Marketing

    508       177       331       187     974       366       608       166

Change in Finished Goods Inventory

    813       33       780       2379     (308     (14     (294     2095

Other (income) expenses

    190,802       (63     190,865       (302380 )%      194,702       134       194,568       145093

Listing Fee

    152,719       —         152,719       100     152,719       —         152,719       100

Fair value loss on financial instruments

    35,821       84       35,737       42315     38,254       84       38,170       45196

Interest expense

    2,120       189       1,931       1022     3,053       530       2,523       476

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

    222       (336     558       (166 )%      758       (446     1,204       (270 )% 

Interest income

    (81     —         (81     35792     (82     (34     (48     140

Net loss

    (204,969     (4,433     (200,535     4523     (226,559     (9,276     (217,283     2342

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    0       58       (58     (100 )%      0       (219     219       (100 )% 

Comprehensive loss

    (204,969     (4,375     (200,593     4585     (226,559     (9,495     (217,065     2286

Basic and diluted loss per share

    (1.31     (0.05     (1.26     2405     (2.06     (0.11     (1.94     1689

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

    155,887       83,361       72,525       87     110,119       82,572       27,547       33

Revenue

For the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle’s revenues increased by 836% and 831%, respectively, when compared to the corresponding periods in 2020. Revenue reached $4.4 million and $7.4 million in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, as compared to $0.5 million and $0.8 million in the corresponding periods of 2020, respectively. The revenue growth was mainly attributable to increases in product sales primarily as a result of the Rochester Spoke ramping up to process meaningful quantities of batteries and battery scrap, with production reaching 811 tonnes and 1,880 tonnes of black mass in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, as compared to 126 tonnes and 226 tonnes of black mass produced in the corresponding periods of 2020, respectively. Revenues from product sales were approximately $4.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively while revenues from recycling services were approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021. The increases in recycling services revenue were the result of the continued onboarding of new battery supply customers.

 

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Operating expenses

For the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, operating expenses increased by 274% and 295%, respectively, when compared to the corresponding periods of 2020, as Li-Cycle ramped up its operations in North America. The increases in personnel costs of $3.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 reflect the ramp up of operations of the Kingston Spoke and Rochester Spoke as well as the addition of corporate team members as Li-Cycle ramps up its expansion plans. The level of professional fees for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 is commensurate with requisite legal, audit and tax advisory services in support of Company’s growth plans as a public company. The share-based compensation for the quarter and the year included a non-recurring expense of $1.6 million relating to the accelerated vesting of existing stock options upon the completion of the Business Combination. The increases in raw materials and supplies of $1.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 are mainly a result of strong sales figures and increased inventory production during the ramp-up phase of the Kingston Spoke and Rochester Spoke operations. Office and administrative expenses increased mainly as a result of higher insurance premiums associated with being a public company. The period-to-period overall increase in R&D expenditure for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding period of 2020, notwithstanding the decline in R&D expenditure for the three months ended October 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding period of 2020, was primarily due to R&D expenses in 2020 being largely funded by government grants, the amortization of which offset the applicable R&D expense for accounting purposes. The amortization of government grants in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2020 totaled $0.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, and did not recur to the same extent in the 2021 comparative periods.

Other (Income) Expenses

Other expenses were $190.8 million and $194.7 million in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to $0.1 million of other income and $0.1 million of other expenses in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2020, respectively. The period-to-period changes in other expenses for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding 2020 periods was primarily due to the recognition of $152.7 million of excess of fair value over consideration received upon completion of the Business Combination in the last fiscal quarter of 2021, in addition to a fair value loss on financial instruments, interest expenses on convertible debt, loans payable, and lease liabilities and foreign exchange losses in the twelve months ended October 31, 2021.

Net loss

Net loss was $204.97 million and $226.56 million in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, as compared to $4.43 million and $9.28 million in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2020, respectively. Net loss for both periods was driven by the factors discussed above. In addition, Net loss reflects one-time listing fees related to the Business Combination and the impact of fair value losses on financial instruments. Excluding these Adjusted EBITDA loss was $11.51 million and $25.37 million in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, as compared to $4.12 million and $8.05 million in the corresponding 2020 periods. This was largely driven by higher staffing and network development costs related to the growth and expansion of the business, as discussed above. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss is provided in the Non-IFRS Measures Section below.

 

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Comparison of the twelve months ended October 31, 2020 and 2019

 

     Year ended
October 31,
     $
    Change    
     %
    Change    
 
     2020      2019  
     (amounts in thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues

     792        48        744        1545

Product sales

     555        —          555        100

Recycling Services

     237        48        189        393

Operating expenses

     9,934        4,112        5,822        142

Employee salaries and benefits, net

     2,819        608        2,211        364

Professional fees

     2,962        547        2,416        442

Share-based compensation

     333        97        235        242

Raw materials and supplies

     592        —          592        100

Office, administrative and travel

     477        493        (17      (3 )% 

Depreciation

     1,095        184        911        496

Research and development, net

     777        2,112        (1,335      (63 )% 

Freight and shipping

     137        6        131        2268

Plant facilities

     391        —          391        100

Marketing

     366        66        300        456

Change in Finished Goods Inventory

     (14      —          (14      100

Other (income) expenses

     134        37        97        265

Fair value loss on financial instruments

     84        —          84        100

Interest expense

     530        60        469        778

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

     (446      —          (446      100

Interest income

     (34      (24      (11      46

Net loss

     (9,276      (4,101      (5,175      126

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (219      (37      (182      488

Comprehensive loss

     (9,495      (4,138      (5,357      129

Basic and diluted loss per share

     (0.11      (0.06      (0.06      100

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     82,572        71,891        10,680        15

Revenue

Revenue reached $0.8 million in 2020 as the Kingston Spoke became operational in the summer of 2020. As the Kingston Spoke started to process meaningful quantities of batteries, Li-Cycle saw growth in recycling services while also realizing revenue from product sales. Revenues from recycling services were approximately $0.2 million while revenues from product sales were approximately $0.6 million.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses increased by 144% year over year as Li-Cycle scaled up its operations and expanded internationally. The increase in personnel costs of $2.2 million reflects the increased commercial activities to support the operations of the Kingston Spoke and the setup of Rochester Spoke. The level of consulting and professional fees is commensurate with the engineering requirements associated with the Rochester Hub project, as well as requisite legal and audit expenses for raising capital to execute the Li-Cycle’s growth plan. R&D expenses declined mainly because Li-Cycle received significant government grants of which $2.2 million were recognized as an offset to the R&D in 2020.

 

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Other (Income) Expenses

Other expenses were $0.1 million in 2020, as compared to other expenses of $0.04 million in 2019 mainly as a result of interest expenses on the loans payable and lease liabilities. These were partially offset by interest income and foreign exchange gains.

Non-IFRS Measures

The term Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. Li-Cycle defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before depreciation and amortization, interest expense (income), income tax expense (recovery), foreign exchange (gain) loss, fair value (gain) loss on financial instruments, and non-recurring expenses such as forfeited SPAC transaction cost, listing fee, and accelerated vesting of share-based compensation related to the Business Combination.

Adjusted EBITDA is provided as additional information to complement IFRS measures by providing a further understanding of the Company’s results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, it should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for the analysis of the Company’s financial information reported under IFRS.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA loss.

 

     Three months ended
October 31,
    Twelve months ended
October 31,
 
     2021     2020     2021     2020     2019  
     (dollar amounts in thousands)  

Net loss

     (204,969     (4,433     (226,559     (9,276     (4,101

Depreciation

     1,069       378       2,899       1,095       184  

Interest expense (income)

     2,040       189       2,970       495       37  

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

     222       (336     758       (446     —    

Fair value loss on financial instruments (1)

     35,821       84       38,254       84       —    

Listing Fee

     152,719       —         152,719       —         —    

Forfeited SPAC transaction cost

     —         —         2,000       —         —    

Share-based compensation (2)

     1,588       —         1,588       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA loss

     (11,510     (4,119     (25,370     (8,047     (3,880
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Fair value loss on financial instruments relates to warrants, convertible debt, and restricted share units liability

(2)

Share-based compensation relates to accelerated vesting of existing stock options upon completion of the Business Combination.

Spoke Capital Projects

We have three Spokes in development in North America, namely the Arizona Spoke, the Alabama Spoke and the Ohio Spoke, and two Spokes in development in Europe, namely the Norway Spoke and the Germany Spoke. Collectively, these Spoke Capital Projects are expected to have a recycling capacity of 55,000 tonnes (11 GWh equivalent) per year, in addition to our existing operational Spoke capacity in Kingston and Rochester of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year.

Arizona Spoke

In March 2021, Li-Cycle announced the development and construction of the Arizona Spoke. The Phoenix metropolitan area is strategically proximate to Li-Cycle’s existing battery and battery scrap supply network, as well as being at the nexus of where we expect there will be continued growth of lithium-ion batteries available

 

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for recycling due to the growing electric vehicle industry in Arizona, Nevada and other western States. We expect the Arizona Spoke to include two battery recycling lines with a total recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year. The detailed engineering and facility construction stage of the Arizona Spoke project has been completed. We expect both processing lines at the Arizona Spoke to be constructed, commissioned and operational in 2022.

Alabama Spoke

On September 8, 2021, Li-Cycle announced the development and construction of the Alabama Spoke. The Alabama Spoke is located near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in a region where we expect there will be continued growth of lithium-ion battery materials available for recycling due to the growing electric vehicle industry in Alabama and the U.S. Southeast. We expect the Alabama Spoke to include one battery recycling line with a total recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year. The Alabama Spoke project is currently in the detailed engineering and facility construction stage, which we expect will be completed in 2022. We expect the Alabama Spoke to be constructed, commissioned and operational in 2022.

Norway Spoke

On January 26, 2022, Li-Cycle announced that it has formed a joint venture with ECO STOR AS (“ECO STOR”) and Morrow Batteries AS (“Morrow”) through which it will construct a new commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facility in southern Norway. Li-Cycle will be the majority owner of the joint venture, with ECO STOR and Morrow being minority owners and Nordic-headquartered strategic partners. Once constructed, the Norway Spoke will be Li-Cycle’s first recycling facility outside of North America and is expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) of lithium-ion batteries per year, including but not limited to battery manufacturing scrap, full electric vehicle packs, and energy storage systems. The facility is expected to be operational in early 2023. Li-Cycle has also engaged Koch Engineered Solutions (“KES”) to construct, test, and ship the Company’s Norway Spoke. This collaboration initiative follows on the previously announced investment in Li-Cycle by an affiliate of Koch Strategic Platforms, LLC (i.e., the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, described below).

Ohio Spoke

On January 27, 2022, Li-Cycle announced the development of the Ohio Spoke on site at the Ultium Cells LLC (“Ultium”) battery cell manufacturing mega-factory in Warren, Ohio. Ultium plans to construct a new building for the Ohio Spoke, where Li-Cycle expects to install and operate its proprietary Spoke technology and equipment after construction is complete. The Ohio Spoke is expected to have a recycling capacity of 15,000 tonnes (3 GWh equivalent) per year, and is expected to be operational by early 2023. The Ohio Spoke will enhance Li-Cycle’s ability to serve Ultium’s recycling needs by providing on-site conversion of battery manufacturing scrap to intermediate products. The Ohio Spoke will help Li-Cycle service the previously awarded contract for Li-Cycle to process battery manufacturing scrap from Ultium’s Ohio mega-factory.

Germany Spoke

On January 27, 2022 Li-Cycle announced the development of a second European Spoke in Germany. The Germany Spoke is expected to have a recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes (2 GWh equivalent) per year, and is expected to be operational by early 2023. Upon selecting a site for the Germany Spoke, Li-Cycle expects to incur expenses in connection with the site lease, detailed engineering, facility construction and local site plan and environmental permit approvals.

Capital Costs of the Spoke Capital Projects

We expect our total investment to construct, commission and commence operations for the Spoke Capital Projects to be approximately $50.0 million. As of October 31, 2021, we have spent approximately $6.9 million

 

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on detailed engineering, equipment procurement and facility-related expenditures in connection with the Arizona Spoke and Alabama Spoke. We anticipate a total cost of approximately $43.1 million to complete the Spoke Capital Projects.

Additional Spokes

Li-Cycle plans to develop additional Spokes in North America, as well as Europe and the Asia Pacific region. In furtherance of these plans, Li-Cycle opened a new Spoke Fulfillment Centre in Kingston, Ontario in October 2021 where Li-Cycle will fabricate and assemble on a custom basis machinery and equipment for future Spoke recycling lines. These assembled lines will be modular and able to be shipped to, and installed at, any new Spoke site. Li-Cycle has also engaged Koch Engineered Solutions (“KES”), which provides engineering, procurement, and construction services, to construct, test, and ship plant and equipment for the Company’s Norway Spoke facility. Li-Cycle and KES are exploring commercial opportunities to support the global deployment of incremental Spoke facilities.

Hub Capital Projects

Rochester Hub

Li-Cycle’s first revenue-generating Hub will be located in Rochester, New York, and is currently in the project execution phase. The location for the Rochester Hub was specifically selected due to the nature of the infrastructure available at the site, including utilities, logistics, and other physical infrastructure. Li-Cycle’s Spoke facilities in North America, which take in end-of-life batteries and battery production scrap in order to produce black mass, will be the primary suppliers of feedstock for the Rochester Hub.

Li-Cycle completed a definitive feasibility study with respect to the Rochester Hub in December 2021. Based on the definitive feasibility study, Li-Cycle expects the Rochester Hub will have the nameplate input capacity to process 35,000 tonnes of black mass annually (equivalent to approximately 90,000 tonnes or 18 GWh of lithium-ion battery equivalent feed annually). This represents an increase in nameplate input processing capacity of approximately 40% as compared to the pre-feasibility study completed by the Company in June 2020. With its increased capacity, the Rochester Hub will be able to process battery material that is equivalent to approximately 225,000 electric vehicles per year. Key design and cost changes to the Rochester Hub relative to the June 2020 pre-feasibility study largely include, but are not limited to: (1) higher material costs due to increased size and supply chain inflationary impacts; (2) scope alterations responding to contracted feed supplies and implementing best-in-class environmental practices; and (3) up-sizing of nameplate output capacity, resulting in expected output capacity of approximately 42,000 to 48,000 tonnes per annum of nickel sulphate, 7,500 to 8,500 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate and 6,500 to 7,500 tonnes per annum of cobalt sulphate (being 250% and 160% higher and approximately 65% lower, respectively, as compared to the pre-feasibility study).

Li-Cycle estimates that the Rochester Hub will require a total capital investment of approximately $485 million (+/-15%), based on the results of the definitive feasibility study, which can be funded from existing balance sheet cash. Li-Cycle also expects to explore various opportunities to optimize its capital structure, for example, with potential credit from government-related institutions. As of October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle had spent approximately $13.4 million on definitive engineering, pre-feasibility, and definitive feasibility studies, equipment procurement and jointly-related expenditures.

Li-Cycle has engaged Hatch Ltd. as its engineering, procurement and construction management contractor for the project and is in the process of selecting its general contractor. Procurement has commenced on long-lead items and the Company has obtained firm-price competitive quotes for 80% of the required equipment for the Rochester Hub. Li-Cycle commenced construction on the Rochester Hub site in January 2022 and is on the path to reach mechanical completion, commissioning and start-up in 2023, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory and other approvals. Li-Cycle expects that the Rochester Hub will result in over 200 additional employment positions at its operations.

 

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The anticipated principal regulatory and other approvals required to develop and construct the Rochester Hub consist of: a special use permit, site plan approval, subdivision approval and special permit and area variance for hazardous material storage tanks from the Town of Greece, New York, including the related New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) process; and permits for air emissions, storm water discharge and chemical bulk storage granted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The SEQRA process was completed in November 2021, and the Town of Greece’s various boards have granted the Rochester Hub a special use permit, site plan approval, and special permit and area variance for hazardous material storage tanks, all subject to certain conditions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

We intend to meet our currently anticipated capital requirements through cash on hand and cash flow from operations. We expect that these sources will be sufficient to meet our capital requirements and operational needs for the next 12 months. As a result of our Business Combination and related PIPE Financing on August 10, 2021 and the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note issued on September 29, 2021, we significantly de-levered our balance sheet and have no material debt maturities until September 29, 2026. As at October 31, 2021, we had $596.9 million of cash on hand and convertible debt of $100.9 million.

Currently, our primary need for liquidity is to fund working capital requirements of our business, capital expenditures related to the development and construction of our Rochester Hub and new Spoke facilities, debt service obligations and general corporate purposes. Our primary source of liquidity is the funds raised from the Business Combination, the PIPE Financing and the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note financing (as defined below) completed in September 2021, as well as funds generated by operating activities.

Our capital and operating expenditures have increased, and we expect will continue to increase, significantly in connection with our ongoing activities, as we: complete the development and construction of the Rochester Hub; complete the development and construction of the Spoke Capital Projects; expand globally with the deployment of additional Spokes and Hubs, including through acquisitions and/or through joint ventures or other contractual arrangements; continue to invest in our technology, R&D efforts and the expansion of our intellectual property portfolio; increase our investment in logistics infrastructure for the transportation of intermediate products from Spokes to Hubs; obtain, maintain and improve our operational, financial and management information systems; hire additional personnel; and operate as a public company.

Our ability to fund our capital and operating expenditures, make scheduled debt payments and repay or refinance indebtedness depends on our future operating performance and cash flows, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including COVID-19. Over the mid-to-longer term, we expect we will need to secure additional equity and debt financing to continue to fund our current growth strategy. Such additional funds may not be available when we need them on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.

Debt Obligations

On December 16, 2019, Li-Cycle entered into a binding agreement with BDC Capital Inc. for a loan of $5.3 million (Cdn. $7.0 million) to help finance the expansion plans of Li-Cycle (the “BDC Capital Loan”). The maturity date of the loan was December 14, 2023 and the entire principal amount was funded, which funding was consummated in three tranches based on the achievement of specific milestones by Li-Cycle. The base rate of interest was 16% per annum, paid monthly, plus additional accrued interest in kind of 3% that could be reduced to 0% based on the achievement of certain milestones by Li-Cycle. Principal payments began on the first anniversary date of the loan and could be made at $0.13 million (Cdn. $0.175 million) per month with a balloon payment of $0.5 million (Cdn. $0.7 million) at maturity.

 

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On August 11, 2021, in accordance with an agreement to repay the BDC Capital Loan in full upon the closing of the Business Combination, Li-Cycle repaid the BDC Capital Loan balance in full.

On June 16, 2021, Li-Cycle issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7.0 million as consideration for loans received from entities affiliated with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle. The Promissory Notes bore interest at the rate of 10% per annum and had a maturity date of December 15, 2023. The Promissory Notes were unsecured and subordinate to indebtedness owing to Li-Cycle’s senior lender, BDC Capital Inc. Li-Cycle had the option of prepaying all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the Promissory Notes prior to the maturity date without penalty, subject to certain conditions. On August 17, 2021, Li-Cycle repaid the Promissory Notes and accrued interest in full.

On September 29, 2021, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Spring Creek Capital, LLC (“Spring Creek Capital”) (an affiliate of Koch Strategic Platforms, LLC) and issued to Spring Creek Capital an unsecured convertible note due September 29, 2026 (the “Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note”) under the Note Purchase Agreement in the principal amount of $100 million, in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

The Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note matures five years from the date of issuance and accrues interest from the date of issuance at the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus five percent (5%) per annum. Interest on the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note is payable on a semi-annual basis, either in cash or by payment-in-kind (“PIK”), at the Company’s option, beginning on December 31, 2021. Interest on PIK amounts accrues at LIBOR plus six percent (6%) per annum. Under the terms of the investment, LIBOR has a floor of 1% and a cap of 2%.

The principal and accrued interest owing under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note may be converted at any time by the holder into the Company’s common shares (the “common shares”), at a per share price equal to $13.43 (the “Conversion Price”). If the closing price per share of the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange is above $17.46 for 20 consecutive trading days, the Company may elect to convert the principal and accrued interest owing under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, plus a make-whole amount equal to the undiscounted interest payments that would have otherwise been payable through maturity (the “Make-Whole Amount”) into the Company’s common shares at the Conversion Price.

The Company may redeem the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note at any time by payment in cash of an amount equal to 130% of the principal amount of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note and all accrued interest owing under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, plus the Make-Whole Amount. Upon a change of control transaction, the Company will be required to redeem the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note by payment in cash of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note and all accrued interest owing under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, plus the Make-Whole Amount.

The Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note is subject to certain events of default, the occurrence of which would give the holder the right to require the Company to redeem the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note by payment in cash of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note and all accrued interest owing under the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, plus the Make-Whole Amount. The Note Purchase Agreement contains certain customary representations, warranties and covenants by and for the benefit of the parties.

The Company granted certain registration rights to Spring Creek Capital under the Note Purchase Agreement. The Company has filed a registration statement for the benefit of Spring Creek Capital in accordance with those registration rights and has agreed to keep the registration statement (or another shelf registration statement covering the common shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note) effective until the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the issuance of the Spring Creek

 

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Capital Convertible Note or (y) the date on which the holder of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note ceases to hold any common shares issued or upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note.

On September 29, 2021, in connection with the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note investment, the Company, Koch Strategic Platforms, LLC (“KSP”) and Spring Creek Capital entered into a Standstill Agreement (the “Standstill Agreement”), which restricts KSP, Spring Creek Capital and their affiliates from taking certain actions until the later of the conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note in full or twelve months from the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note (the “Standstill Period”). The actions that KSP, Spring Creek Capital and their affiliates are restricted from taking during the Standstill Period include, among others, (A) the acquisition of additional voting securities of the Company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, KSP and its subsidiaries and affiliates would beneficially own or exercise control or direction over voting securities of the Company having aggregate voting rights equal to or greater than 9.9% of the aggregate voting power of the Company (B) any tender or exchange offer, take-over bid, merger, business combination and certain other transactions involving the Company and its securities, (C) any solicitation of proxies or votes or other attempt to influence votes by any holder of the Company’s securities and (D) formation of a “group” (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the Company’s securities.

Cash Flows Summary

Presented below is a summary of Li-Cycle’s operating, investing, and financing cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
October 31,
    Twelve months ended
October 31,
 
     2021     2020     2021     2020     2019  
     (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Cash flows used in operating activities

   $ (11,311   $ (1,770   $ (27,877   $ (7,429   $ (4,568

Cash flows used in investing activities

     (6,153     (1,364     (18,203     (5,108     (998

Cash flows from financing activities

     611,972       (85     642,276       9,417       7,164  

Net change in cash

   $ 594,508     $ (3,219   $ 596,195     $ (3,120   $ 1,598  

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

For the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, cash flows used in operating activities were approximately $11.3 million and $27.9 million, respectively, and in each case were primarily driven by the growth and commercialization of Li-Cycle’s operations, which included adding headcount, ramp-up phase production costs at the Rochester Spoke, R&D expenses, and consulting costs relating to the development of the Rochester Hub. The period over period increases in cash flows used in operating activities for the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 were primarily the result of an increase in operating expenses of $13.6 million and $29.3 million for those periods, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2020, in each case partially offset by cash receipts from increased sales in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2020.

For the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, cash flows used in operating activities were approximately $7.4 million and $4.6 million, respectively and in each case were primarily driven by the growth and commercialization of Li-Cycle’s operations, including headcount, R&D, and extensive third-party consulting costs relating to the development of the Rochester Hub. The year over year increase in cash flows used in operating activities for 2020 were primarily the result of an increase in operating expenses by $5.8 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

For the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021, cash flows used in investing activities were primarily driven by the acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements for the Arizona Spoke, Rochester

 

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Spoke and the Rochester Hub. For the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2020, cash flows used in investing activities were primarily driven by the acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements for the Kingston Spoke and Rochester Spoke.

For the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, cash flows used in investing activities were primarily driven by the acquisition of equipment and leasehold improvements for Li-Cycle’s two operating Spokes.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash flows generated from financing activities in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2021 related primarily to capital raising through the issuance of common shares and net proceeds from convertible debt. In the three months ended October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle received net proceeds of $525.3 million from the Business Combination with Peridot and $98.4 million from the issuance of convertible note to Spring Creek Capital. In the three months ended October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle repaid $4.4 million of loan in full to BDC Capital Inc and repaid $7 million of Promissory Notes in full to entities affiliated with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle. In the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, in addition to the activities mentioned above, Li-Cycle received net proceeds of $21.6 million from a private placement of 281,138 Class A shares of Li-Cycle Corp in November 2020. In the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, cash flows from financing activities related to a private placement of Class A shares of Li-Cycle’s Corp., a loan advance of $2.3 million (Cdn. $3.0 million) from BDC Capital Inc., and proceeds from government grants of $1.2 million.

For the twelve months ended October 2020 and 2019, cash flows generated from financing activities relate primarily to capital raising through the issuance of common shares. Amounts generated in 2019 and 2020 relate to Li-Cycle’s Series B round. Additionally, in 2020, Li-Cycle completed a debt facility with BDC Capital for $5.3 million (Cdn. $7.0 million), of which $2.3 million (Cdn. $3.0 million) was funded in the year. Li-Cycle also received government grants of $1.2 million, $1.7 million and $0.1 million in the years ended October 31, 2020, and 2019 respectively.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes Li-Cycle’s contractual obligations and other commitments for cash expenditures as of October 31, 2021, and the years in which these obligations are due.

 

     Payment due by period  
     (in thousands)  
Contractual Obligations    Total      Less than
1 year
     1 - 3
years
     3 - 5
years
     More than
5 years
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   $ 18,701      $ 18,701      $ —        $ —          —    

Lease liabilities

     35,935        4,518        8,420        6,687        16,310  

Loan payable

     41        6        13        14        7  

Restoration provisions

     302        —          85        55        163  

Convertible Debt

     142,682        —          —          142,682        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total as of October 31, 2021

     197,661        23,225        8,518        149,438        16,480  

Note:

(1)

On December 1, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp. entered into an additional warehouse lease for the Kingston Spoke. The lease covers approximately 8,600 square feet of additional space within the existing building used as a warehousing space for the Kingston Spoke. The lease has a term of 2 years and increases the Company’s contractual obligations by undiscounted cash flows of approximately $128,000 over the term of the lease.

As of October 31, 2021, there were $6.9 million in committed purchase orders that Li-Cycle was in various stages of executing (October 31, 2020: $4.2 million).

For the 12 months following October 31, 2021, we expect Li-Cycle to enter into premises leases for additional Spokes and/or Hubs.

 

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Capital Expenditures

For a discussion of our currently contemplated capital investments, please see “—Spoke Capital Projects—Capital Costs of the Spoke Capital Projects” and “—Hub Projects—Rochester Hub”.

Related Party Transactions

Related-Party Lease

From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the Company leased certain office space from Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the lease, the Company was required to pay Cdn. $4,500 per month plus applicable taxes, subject to 60 days’ notice of termination. Li-Cycle terminated the lease, effective December 31, 2021. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $39,866 in relation to this vendor, as compared to $35,505 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Related-Party Expenses

The Company has engaged Fade In Production Pty. Ltd., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Executive Chair, to provide it with corporate video production services since 2017. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $145,851 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $42,739 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

The Company has engaged Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide it with marketing items and employee gifts since April 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $46,640 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $5,405 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

The Company has engaged Consulero Inc., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer of Li-Cycle, to provide it with technology services since September 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $103,040 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $46,515 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Consulting Agreement

On May 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into a consulting agreement with Atria Limited (“Atria”), an entity which beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding Li-Cycle Corp. Shares at that time, to agree upon and finalize the consideration for certain business development and marketing consulting services that were previously performed on behalf of Li-Cycle from 2018 through April 2020. The fees for such services were agreed at 12,000 common shares of Li-Cycle Corp., payable in installments of 1,000 shares per month. On January 25, 2021, Li-Cycle issued all of the 12,000 shares to Atria as full and final satisfaction of all obligations of Li-Cycle to Atria under the consulting agreement. Atria also directed the issuance of such shares as follows: 8,000 Shares to Atria; 2,000 Shares to Pella Ventures (an affiliated company of Atria); and 2,000 Shares to a director of Li-Cycle Corp. at the time, who is not related to Atria.

Director Consulting Agreements

Under the terms of an agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Anthony Tse, Mr. Tse provided consulting services to Li-Cycle in relation to the proposed expansion of its operations in Asia and was entitled to a fee of $4,700 per month for such services. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, Mr. Tse was paid aggregate fees under this agreement of $56,400. The consulting agreement was terminated as of January 19, 2022.

 

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Under the terms of a consulting agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Rick Findlay, for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, Mr. Findlay was paid aggregate fees of $1,332. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, there were no fees paid. The consulting agreement was terminated on June 25, 2021.

Promissory Notes

On June 16, 2021, Li-Cycle issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000 as consideration for loans received from entities affiliated with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, respectively. The Promissory Notes bore interest at the rate of 10% per annum and had a maturity date of December 15, 2023. The Promissory Notes were unsecured and subordinate to indebtedness owing to Li-Cycle’s senior lender, BDC Capital Inc. Li-Cycle had the option of prepaying all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the Promissory Notes prior to the maturity date without penalty, subject to certain conditions. On August 17, 2021, Li-Cycle repaid the Promissory Notes and accrued interest in full, for a total of $7,113,151.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented, Li-Cycle did not have any relationships with unconsolidated organizations or financial partnerships, such as structured finance or special purpose entities, which were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Li-Cycle’s consolidated annual financial statements have been prepared in conformity with IFRS using the significant accounting policies and measurement bases in effect at October 31, 2021, as summarized in Note 2 of the accompanying financial statements of Li-Cycle for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021. These were used throughout all periods presented in the consolidated financial statements, with any applicable changes in Note 2 of the accompanying financial statements of Li-Cycle for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021.

Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of black mass when the goods have been shipped to the customer’s location (delivery). A receivable is recognized by the Company when the goods are delivered to the customer as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due. The Company estimates the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled under provisional pricing arrangements. The amount of consideration for black mass and mixed copper/aluminum sales is based on the mathematical product of: (i) market prices of the constituent metals at the date of settlement, (ii) product weight, and (iii) assay results (ratio of the constituent metals initially estimated by management and subsequently trued up to customer confirmation).

Depending on the contractual terms with customers, the payment of receivables may take up to 12 months from date of shipment. Product sales and the related trade accounts receivables are measured at fair value at initial recognition and are re-estimated at each reporting period end using the market prices of the constituent metals at the respective measurement dates. Changes in fair value are recognized as an adjustment to profit and loss and the related accounts receivable.

Given the significance of revenue and the level of judgment involved in the provisional pricing, revenue recognition is considered a critical accounting policy.

De-SPAC Transaction

The Company finalized the business combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp. (“Peridot”) on August 10, 2021. Upon closing, the combined company was renamed Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. While Peridot is the legal acquirer of Li-Cycle Corp., Li-Cycle Corp. was identified as the acquirer for accounting purposes. As Peridot did not meet the definition of a business as defined in IFRS 3 Business Combinations, the acquisition was not within the scope of IFRS 3 and was accounted for as a share-based payment transaction in accordance with IFRS 2

 

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Share-based Payment. The consolidated financial statements represent the continuance of Li-Cycle Corp. and reflect Peridot’s identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed measured at fair value. Under IFRS 2, the transaction was measured at the fair value of the consideration deemed to have been issued by Li-Cycle Corp., in order for the ownership interest in the combined entity to be the same as if the transaction had taken the legal form of Li-Cycle Corp. acquiring 100% of Peridot Acquisition Corp. The difference between the fair value of the consideration deemed to have been transferred represents a Listing Fee.

As the transaction is non-routine and involves a high degree of accounting and reporting complexity, the accounting treatment for the De-SPAC transaction is therefore considered a critical accounting policy

Outstanding Share Data

As of February 11, 2022, Li-Cycle had the following issued and outstanding common shares, stock options and common shares issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note:

 

   

168,891,877 common shares, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LICY.”

 

   

5,328,278 stock options to purchase 5,328,278 common shares.

 

   

up to 11,021,923 common shares issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note.

In addition, on December 13, 2021, we entered into the LG Subscription Agreements to issue 2,208,480 common shares. Closing of the subscription and issuance of the common shares is subject to certain conditions, including among others, that LGES, Li-Cycle and Traxys on the one hand, and LGC, Li-Cycle and Traxys on the other, shall have entered into certain commercial agreements prior to March 13, 2022.

On December 27, 2021, Li-Cycle issued a notice of redemption indicating that it would redeem on January 26, 2022 (the “Redemption Date”), all of the outstanding warrants. At any time prior to 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the warrants could be: (i) exercised by holders, at an exercise price of $11.50 per common share; or (ii) surrendered by holders on a “cashless basis” (a “Make-Whole Exercise”), in which case the surrendering holder would receive a number of common shares determined in accordance with the terms of the Warrant Agreement. On January 11, 2022, Li-Cycle issued a notice indicating that holders who surrendered their warrants pursuant to the Make-Whole Exercise received 0.253 common shares per warrant. As of January 30, 2022, (i) 9,678 warrants were exercised at the exercise price of $11.50 per common share, and (ii) 22,540,651 warrants were surrendered by holders in a Make-Whole Exercise. On the Redemption Date, the remaining 449,665 unexercised warrants were redeemed at $0.10 per warrant.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Li-Cycle maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-109) designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its public filings or otherwise under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and that such controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be so disclosed is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its certifying officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. With the supervision and participation of Li-Cycle’s senior management team, the Chief Executive Officer of Li-Cycle (the “CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Li-Cycle have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of Li-Cycle as of October 31, 2021. Based on that evaluation, those officers have concluded that, as of October 31, 2021, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that (i) material information relating to Li-Cycle was made known to management, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by Li-Cycle in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the securities legislation.

 

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Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Prior to August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle was a private company and we addressed our internal control over financial reporting with internal accounting and financial reporting personnel and other resources.

In the course of preparing for the Business Combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp, Li-Cycle identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of Li-Cycle’s annual or interim consolidated financial statements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Li-Cycle did not have in place i) an effective control environment with formal processes and procedures and ii) an adequate number of accounting personnel with the appropriate technical training in, and experience with, IFRS to allow for a detailed review of complex accounting transactions, that would identify errors in a timely manner, including in areas such as revenue recognition, inventory, related party arrangements, financing transactions and business combination transactions. Li-Cycle did not design or maintain effective controls over the financial statement close and reporting process in order to ensure the accurate and timely preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS. In addition, information technology controls, including end user and privileged access rights and appropriate segregation of duties, including for certain users the ability to create and post journal entries, were not designed or operating effectively.

We have taken steps to address these material weaknesses and expect to continue to implement the remediation plan, which we believe will address their underlying causes. We have engaged external advisors with subject matter expertise and additional resources to provide assistance in assessing the control environment and expect to further engage these external advisors to provide assistance with all elements of the internal control over financial reporting program, including: performance of a risk assessment; documentation of process flows; design and remediation of internal controls; and evaluation of the design and operational effectiveness of our internal controls. We also expect to engage additional external advisors to provide assistance in the areas of information technology and financial accounting. We are evaluating the longer-term resource needs of our various financial functions. These remediation measures may be time consuming, costly, and might place significant demands on our financial and operational resources. We have made some upgrades to our enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system and work on further upgrades is ongoing with the intent to further customize and enhance system functionality. Although we have made enhancements to our control procedures in this area, the material weaknesses will not be remediated until the necessary controls have been implemented and are operating effectively. We will provide an update on the progress of the remediation on a quarterly basis.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Li-Cycle is exposed to various risks in relation to financial instruments. The main types of risks are currency risk and interest rate risk. While Li-Cycle may enter into hedging contracts from time to time, any change in the fair value of the contracts could be offset by changes in the underlying value of the transactions being hedged. Furthermore, Li-Cycle does not have foreign-exchange hedging contracts in place with respect to all currencies in which it does business.

Currency Risk

It is management’s opinion that Li-Cycle is not exposed to significant currency risk as its cash is denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars and funds its operations accordingly. Up to October 31, 2020, most of Li-Cycle’s transactions were in Canadian dollars. Effective November 1, 2020, Li-Cycle changed its functional currency to U.S. dollars given the shift in currency of most of Li-Cycle’s transactions to U.S. dollars.

At October 31, 2021, the Company had Canadian dollar denominated cash of approximately Cdn. $1.3 million and Canadian dollar denominated net liabilities and loans payable of approximately Cdn.

 

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$23.9 million. The remaining amounts were denominated in U.S. dollars and immaterial amounts of other currencies. Gains and losses arising upon translation of these amounts into U.S. dollars for inclusion in the consolidated financial statements are recorded in other income and expenses as foreign exchange. A 5% strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, at October 31, 2021, would have increased the foreign exchange loss for the year by approximately $0.9 million while a 5% weakening of the Canadian dollar would have had approximately the equal but opposite effect. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk arising from the effect of changes in prevailing interest rates on Li-Cycle’s financial instruments. It is management’s opinion that Li-Cycle is not exposed to significant interest rate risk, as it has no variable interest rate debt.

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were deposited in accounts at one financial institution, and account balances may at times exceed federally insured limits. Management believes that we are not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial strength of the depository institution in which the cash is held.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

From time to time, new accounting standards, amendments to existing standards, and interpretations are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). Unless otherwise discussed, and as further highlighted in Note 3 to the accompanying financial statements of Li-Cycle for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, Li-Cycle is in the process of assessing the impact of recently issued standards or amendments to existing standards that are not yet effective.

Change in Certifying Accountant

Our Audit Committee conducted a review process to consider the selection of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for its 2022 fiscal year, which has resulted in the selection of KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the Company’s new external auditor.

Resignation/Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm

On January 31, 2022, the Company, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and the approval of the Board, dismissed Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”) as its independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte’s resignation was subject to the completion of Deloitte’s audit of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021, and Deloitte has continued to provide audit services for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 and the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F.

The reports of Deloitte on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles

In connection with the audits of the Company’s financial statements for each of the two fiscal years ended October 31, 2021, and 2020, there were no disagreements with Deloitte on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope and procedures which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused Deloitte to make reference to the matter in their report and there were no reportable events.

 

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Engagement of new independent public accounting firm

On January 31, 2022, the Board, acting on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, appointed KPMG as the Company’s external auditor for its 2022 fiscal year to replace Deloitte as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2022.

During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020 and through the date hereof, neither the Company nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with KPMG regarding: (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to the Company that Deloitte concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement within the meaning of Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F and the related instructions; or (iii) any reportable event within the meaning of Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F.

The appointment of KPMG is subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth our current directors and executive officers:

 

Directors and Executive Officers

  

Age

  

Position/Title

Ajay Kochhar

   30    Director and President and Chief Executive Officer

Tim Johnston

   36    Director and Executive Chairman

Mark Wellings

   58    Director

Rick Findlay

   64    Director

Anthony Tse

   51    Director

Alan Levande

   65    Director

Scott Prochazka

   55    Director

Bruce MacInnis

   63    Chief Financial Officer (until January 31, 2022)

Debbie Simpson

   55    Chief Financial Officer (as of February 1, 2022)

Kunal Phalpher

   38    Chief Strategy Officer

Chris Biederman

   36    Chief Technology Officer

Carl DeLuca

   54    General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Lauren Choate

   63    Chief People Officer

Richard Storrie

   55    Regional President, Americas

Dawei Li

   39    Regional President, APAC

The business address for each of the Company’s directors and executive officers is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, ON, M5J 1A7, Canada.

Biographical information concerning our directors and executive officers listed above is set forth below.

Ajay Kochhar

Ajay Kochhar has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder, and a director since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Before founding Li-Cycle, Mr. Kochhar gained extensive technology and project development experience through progressive roles with Hatch’s industrial cleantech and advisory practices. While working in that space, he garnered in-depth engineering and project management experience through clean technology development in the lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum, and rare earth metals industries. His technical expertise spans the entire project lifecycle, from conceptual and pre-feasibility study to construction and commissioning. Mr. Kochhar is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Chemical Engineering.

Tim Johnston

Tim Johnston has served as our Co-Founder and Executive Chairman since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. With more than 15 years of experience, Mr. Johnston has overseen the development and operation of batteries, metals, industrial minerals and large infrastructure assets. In addition to co-founding Li-Cycle, Mr. Johnston served as a director and the chief executive officer of Desert Lion Energy Inc. (“Desert Lion”), a lithium exploration and development company whose securities were listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX-V”),from February 2018 to July 2019, when Desert Lion was sold to a third party. In mid-2019,the TSX-V initiated a review of the Desert Lion senior management team, including Mr. Johnston, to assess their suitability to act as directors or officers of a listed issuer as a result of certain incorrect statements and omissions made by Desert Lion in its press releases for a financing transaction and its listing application with the TSX-V for approval of the issuance of shares in connection with such transaction. On May 11, 2020, the TSX-V made a procedural determination that requires Mr. Johnston to make a written application to and obtain the prior written acceptance from the Compliance & Disclosure Department of the TSX-V for any proposed involvement by Mr. Johnston as a director or officer of (or to perform similar functions for) any TSX-V-listed

 

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issuer. The TSX-V has subsequently publicly stated that it has not reached any conclusions regarding the suitability of Mr. Johnston to be a director or officer of a TSX-V listed company in the future.

Prior to Desert Lion, Mr. Johnston worked as a Senior Consultant for Hatch, specializing in project management and transactional analysis for their global lithium business. While there, Mr. Johnston managed the development of projects across the lithium-ion battery value chain for companies such as SQM, Rockwood Lithium (Albemarle), Bacanora Minerals, AMG-NV, Rio Tinto, Galaxy Resources, and other key developers. Mr. Johnston is also the Co-Founder and Director of Li-Metal Corp. (LIM:CN), a Director of Lacero Solutions Inc., an Investment Committee Member of Blue Horizon Capital and an Advisory Board Member of 5E Advanced Materials in Australia. A graduate of the University of Queensland’s Mechanical Engineering Program, Mr. Johnston is a chartered professional engineer and CFA charter holder.

Mark Wellings

Mark Wellings has served as a director of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Wellings is a finance professional with over 30 years international experience in both the mining industry and mining finance sector. Mr. Wellings initially worked in the mining industry both in Canada and Australia in exploration, development and production capacities. He then joined the investment dealer GMP Securities L.P. where he co-founded the firm’s corporate finance mining practice. During over 18 years at GMP Securities L.P., Mr. Wellings was responsible for, and advised on, some of the Canadian mining industry’s largest transactions, both in equity financing and mergers and acquisitions. Since then he has been appointed to several public and private boards and is also the Co-Chairman of Lithium Royalties Corp., the Chairman of Adventus Mining Corp., the Chairman of Superior Gold Inc. and a director of Li-Metal Corp. Mr. Wellings is a Professional Engineer and holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Geological Engineering.

Rick Findlay

Rick Findlay has served as a director of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Findlay has been consulting in the environment and recycling sectors for over 25 years across Canada and internationally. This has included strategy, organization design, processing design, technology development, and financial management. From 2012 to 2014 he was Director of Oversight and Operations for the Province of Ontario’s waste diversion programs, including batteries. Mr. Findlay is currently chief executive officer of LINC it, a firm that focuses on scaling up clean technology ventures. He has previously started a few other firms, two being in environmental management and medical technology. He also co-founded and built an international consulting firm, PSTG Consulting, advising small to global companies across a variety of sectors, and local to national governments. Mr. Findlay is a Certified Management Consultant, with a Bachelor in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration.

Anthony Tse

Anthony Tse has served as a director of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Tse has over 25 years of corporate private and public company experience in numerous high-growth industries such as technology, media and telecoms, as well as resource and commodities. This has predominantly been in senior management, corporate finance, capital markets and mergers and acquisitions roles across Greater China and the Asia Pacific region. His previous senior roles include various positions in News Corporation’s STAR TV, the deputy general manager of TOM Online, Director of Corporate Development at Hutchison Whampoa’s TOM Group, President of China Entertainment Television (a joint venture between TOM and Time Warner), and chief executive officer of CSN Corp. He is currently executive director of Galaxy Resources Limited, a leading ASX-listed lithium producer, with diversified assets across three continents in Australia, Argentina and Canada, serving key customers in China, Japan and Korea. He joined the board of directors at Galaxy Resources Limited in 2010 and from June 2013 to July 2019, served as the managing director

 

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and chief executive officer during the corporate turnaround and growth stage of the company, which involved restructuring of over $500 million of debt restructuring and refinancing, as well as asset divestments. Mr. Tse is also a Director of Li-Metal Corp.

Alan Levande

Alan Levande has served as a director of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Levande was Peridot’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since August 2020. Mr. Levande also served as Vice Chairman of Peridot Acquisition Corp. II. Mr. Levande is a career energy executive with broad experience across the power, utilities, renewables, midstream and upstream value chains. Most recently, Mr. Levande was Co-Chief Executive Officer of Covey Park Energy LLC, a natural gas company that was acquired for $2.2 billion in 2019 by a public company, from June 2013 to July 2019. Previously, Mr. Levande was a Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director at Tenaska Capital Management LLC, a $4 billion private equity manager focused on investments in the power and energy sectors, from 2003 to 2012. Mr. Levande began his career in energy investment banking, where he spent 20 years with Goldman Sachs and Salomon Brothers covering power, utilities, renewables and natural resources. In all of Mr. Levande’s prior roles, Mr. Levande was actively involved in sourcing and executing large-scale, complex mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Levande received his B.S. and M.B.A. from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.

Scott Prochazka

Scott Prochazka has served as a director of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Prochazka most recently served as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of CenterPoint Energy, an NYSE-listed, Fortune 500 energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations (“CenterPoint”) from January 1, 2014 to February 20, 2020. Prior to that role, Mr. Prochazka held several positions at CenterPoint since 2011, including Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President and Division President, Electric Operations. Mr. Prochazka was a director of Peridot Acquisition Corp. II. Mr. Prochazka received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas in Austin.

Bruce MacInnis

Bruce MacInnis served as our Chief Financial Officer from the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021 until his retirement on January 31, 2022. Mr. MacInnis has 40 years of financial experience that includes raising capital for emerging technology companies, both publicly traded and privately held, as well as robust experience as the chief financial officer for multiple technology companies. Over the past four decades, Mr. MacInnis has participated in successfully ensuring numerous companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, while also completing several cross-border mergers and acquisitions transactions. In previous roles with public companies such as Redline Communications, Inc., Bioscrypt Inc., and Certicom Corp., he has overseen the management of numerous functional business areas that have included intellectual property law, compliance, and manufacturing and operations. With comprehensive expertise in establishing financial reporting and disclosure infrastructures that are often required of public companies, Mr. MacInnis has aptly led the implementation of sound internal controls and corporate governance procedures throughout his career. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Mr. MacInnis has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and holds both the Chartered Accountant (CA) and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designations.

Debbie Simpson

Commencing February 1, 2022, Debbie Simpson has led the Li-Cycle finance function as Chief Financial Officer in support of the company’s growth and international expansion plans. With more than 30 years of finance and public company experience, Ms. Simpson is an accomplished senior executive with experience in financial and strategic leadership, capital funding, and mergers and acquisitions.

 

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Prior to joining Li-Cycle, Ms. Simpson served as Chief Financial Officer of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., a carbon neutral, sustainable, protein company with revenues of approximately $4 billion and over 13,000 employees. Before that, she was Vice President and Treasurer of Vincor International Inc., a leading global producer and distributor of wines, with operations across several countries.

Before moving to Canada in 2000, Ms. Simpson lived and worked in Scotland. She began her career with Ernst & Young and obtained her professional accounting designation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Ms. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Accountancy and a Master of Science in Accountancy and Finance from the University of Stirling, Scotland. She is a passionate advocate for advancing women, with a focus on women’s health and education, and volunteers her time as the Board Chair of Women’s College Hospital Foundation and the Board Chair of Havergal College. Ms. Simpson is also a Board member and the Audit Committee Chair for Shearer’s Foods, an OTPP portfolio company.

Kunal Phalpher

Kunal Phalpher has served as our Chief Strategy Officer since November 1, 2021. Mr. Phalpher previously served as the Chief Commercial Officer of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Phalpher initially joined Li-Cycle in 2017 and became the Chief Commercial Officer of Li-Cycle in 2018. With nearly 15 years of work experience, Kunal brings extensive international expertise in the lithium-ion battery and renewable energy sectors to his current role. Prior to joining the Li-Cycle team, Mr. Phalpher worked for a residential solar company as the Director of Product Development and was the Director of Business Development for a lithium-ion battery manufacturer, both in Toronto, Canada. He spent several years working in Germany in the cleantech sector. A University of Toronto graduate, Mr. Phalpher possesses a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Electrical Engineering and also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Rotman School of Management.

Chris Biederman

Chris Biederman has served as our Chief Technical Officer of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. Biederman joined Li-Cycle in 2020 as the Chief Process Engineer before being promoted to Chief Technical Officer. Mr. Biederman is a professional engineer with 15 years of process engineering experience. Mr. Biederman brings extensive expertise to his current role, having acted as Lead Process Engineer for numerous large and small EPCM projects in the mining industry. He has experience working on greenfield and brownfield projects and overseeing bench-scale and pilot-scale testing. Mr. Biederman is also a skilled project manager with a robust history leading multi- disciplinary engineering teams and delivering successful projects. Previous to his role with Li-Cycle, he spent time at Hatch as a Senior Engineer and Technology Commercialization Portfolio Manager; he is also the Founder and Managing Director of Biederman Engineering. Mr. Biederman is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Chemical Engineering program and is a registered engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

Carl DeLuca

Carl DeLuca has served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Mr. DeLuca joined Li-Cycle in 2021. Mr. DeLuca brings over 25 years of legal and public company experience to the Company, with a track record of successfully executing business-critical transactions and leading organizational change. Prior to joining Li-Cycle, Mr. DeLuca served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Detour Gold Corporation, a TSX-listed gold producer. Previously, Mr. DeLuca held various roles at Vale S.A.’s global base metal business, including Head of Legal for North American & U.K. Operations. His experience at Vale included advising on international M&A and joint ventures, capital projects, and commercial transactions. Mr. DeLuca started his career in private practice, in Toronto and New York. Mr. DeLuca holds his LL.B. from the University of Windsor, an H.B.A. from the Ivey School of Business at Western University, and a B.A. from Huron University College.

 

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Lauren Choate

Lauren Choate has served as Chief People Officer of the Company since the consummation of the Business Combination on August 10, 2021. Ms. Choate joined Li-Cycle in 2021. She brings over 25 years of experience across a variety of industries as a global people operations leader and has been a change agent for complex corporate challenges balancing the people strategy in partnership with business opportunities. Prior to joining Li-Cycle, Ms. Choate led the human resources function for Kärcher North America, a subsidiary of a $2.8 billion global cleaning technology solutions company headquartered in Germany. Prior to Kärcher North America, she served as the Senior Director, Learning & Organizational Development at IHS. Ms. Choate holds her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University. She also holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Richard Storrie

Richard Storrie has served as Regional President, Americas of the Company since January 24, 2022. In this role, Richard is responsible for overseeing Li-Cycle’s operations, commercial activities, and execution of its growth strategy in the Americas region. With more than 26 years of operational, technical, and strategic development experience in the metals and mining industry, Richard possesses a deep understanding of the battery metals supply chain. Prior to joining Li-Cycle, Richard served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Diavik Diamond Mine, owned by Rio Tinto, one of the largest metals and mining corporations in the world. Throughout his nearly 26-year tenure with Rio Tinto, Richard has worked in its top tier open-pit and underground operations in several regions, including Rio Tinto’s multi-billion-dollar Oyu Tolgoi copper mine in Mongolia.    Richard served as an officer in the British Royal Marine Commandos and acquired an Honours degree in Mining Engineering from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom.

Dawei Li

Dawei Li has served as Regional President, APAC of the Company since November 1, 2021. Mr. Li brings more than 15 years of experience in strategy development and leading growth in untapped markets at international companies to his role at Li-Cycle. Focused on the Asian market, he oversees Li-Cycle’s team, business development, and the rollout of commercial lithium-ion battery recycling facilities across the continent.

Before joining Li-Cycle, Mr. Li served as the Global Business Director for battery-grade lithium carbonate at the Albemarle Corporation where he developed growth strategy and executed on business development plans and commercial negotiations in key regions resulting in robust performance. Previously, he held roles at Eastman Chemical Company, managing global product lines, leading growth initiatives, and launching efforts to generate demand for existing products while commercializing novel ones. Mr. Li began his career in Shanghai, China working for PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Li holds a BBA in Marketing from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

Our Articles of Amalgamation provide that the Board will consist of a minimum of one and a maximum of ten directors. The OBCA provides that the board of an offering corporation (as defined in the OBCA, which would include the Company) will consist of not fewer than three individuals. The Board currently consists of seven directors. The directors are elected by our shareholders at each annual general meeting of shareholders, and will hold office for a term expiring at the close of the next annual meeting or until their respective successors are elected or appointed. Between annual general meetings of our shareholders, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors may not at any time exceed one-third of the number of current directors who were elected or appointed other than as additional directors.

 

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Directors’ Service Contracts

There are no arrangements or understandings between us and any of our subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of our non-employee directors, on the other hand, providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service as directors of our Company or any of our subsidiaries. Employee directors may be eligible for benefits upon termination of their employment pursuant to their employment agreements.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Company has established an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”), a nominating and governance committee (the “Nominating and Governance Committee”) and a health, safety, environmental, quality and technical committee (the “HSEQ Committee”). Each committee has a written charter that is posted on our website.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is comprised of Scott Prochazka (Chair), Rick Findlay and Mark Wellings. Our Board has determined that each of the Audit Committee members is an independent director, as required by applicable SEC, NYSE rules and National Instrument 52-110Audit Committees. Our Board has also determined that at least one member of the Audit Committee, namely Scott Prochazka, qualifies as the “Audit Committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K and that all members of the Audit Committee are “financially literate,” as such term is defined in NI 52-110.

The Board has established a written charter setting forth the purpose, composition, authority and responsibility of the Audit Committee consistent with the rules of the NYSE, the SEC and the applicable Canadian securities laws. The Audit Committee is, among other things, directly responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, financial reporting process and systems of internal controls and procedures; ensuring compliance by the Company with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, reviewing areas of potential significant financial risk to the Company; evaluating the independent auditor’s independence and qualifications; and appointing, determining the compensation of and monitoring the performance of the independent auditors.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is comprised of Rick Findlay (Chair), Alan Levande and Mark Wellings. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Compensation Committee is an independent director, other than Alan Levande (by reason of his previous employment with Peridot).

The board has established a written charter setting forth the purpose, composition, authority and responsibility of the compensation committee consistent with the rules of the NYSE, the SEC and the guidance of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Compensation Committee, among other things, oversees the compensation strategy and policies of the Company’s employees and directors; establishes, reviews and reports on compensation of the Company’s executive officers; administers equity-based and certain other compensation plans; and reviews the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and related executive compensation disclosure for inclusion in the Company’s public disclosure documents.

Nominating and Governance Committee

The Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of Mark Wellings (Chair), Alan Levande and Anthony Tse. The Board has determined that each of the members of the Nominating and Governance Committee is an independent director, other than Alan Levande (by reason of his previous employment with Peridot).

 

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The board has established a written charter setting forth the purpose, composition, authority and responsibility of the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee is, among other things, responsible for identifying and evaluating individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and recommending such individuals to the Board for approval as nominee; leading the performance review of the Board and its committees; and overseeing the establishment of the Company’s corporate governance practices and policies.

Health, Safety, Environmental, Quality and Technical Committee

The HSEQ Committee is comprised of Tim Johnston (Chair), Anthony Tse, Rick Findlay and Scott Prochazka. The board has established a written charter setting forth the purpose, composition, authority and responsibility of the HSEQ Committee. The function and purpose of the HSEQ Committee is to assist the board in fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to: (i) developing and implementing the health, safety, environmental and quality policies, procedures and programs of the Company and its subsidiaries, and monitoring compliance with such policies; and (ii) developing and implementing quality assurance and technical policies, procedures and programs of the Company and its subsidiaries, and monitoring compliance with such policies.

Family Relationships

Related-Party Lease.

Since January 1, 2019, the Company has leased certain office space from Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the lease, the Company is required to pay $4,500 per month plus applicable taxes, subject to 60 days’ notice of termination. Li-Cycle terminated the lease, effective December 31, 2021.

Share Subscription.

On March 23, 2018, Li-Cycle issued 1,663 Li-Cycle Shares to Richard Findlay, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Alex Lowrie, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Louise Lowrie, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Anthony Lowrie and 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Liv Lowrie, in each case for a subscription price of CA$18.03 per Li-Cycle Share. On January 23, 2019, Li-Cycle issued 4,234 Li-Cycle Shares to Alex Lowrie as a finder’s fee in connection with a prior financing conducted by Li-Cycle. Alex Lowrie was a director of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination and each of Louise Lowrie, Anthony Lowrie and Liv Lowrie are immediate family members of Alex Lowrie.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Compensation of Executives

Introduction

The following section describes the significant elements of the Company’s executive compensation program, with particular emphasis on the process for determining compensation payable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the Company’s other three most highly compensated executive officers (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”). The NEOs are:

 

   

Ajay Kochhar, Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Tim Johnston, Executive Chairman;

 

   

Bruce MacInnis, Chief Financial Officer;

 

   

Kunal Phalpher, Chief Strategy Officer; and

 

   

Chris Biederman, Chief Technology Officer.

Overview and Compensation Committee

Compensation Objectives

The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

 

   

provide market-competitive compensation opportunities in order to attract and retain talented, high-performing and experienced executive officers, whose knowledge, skills and performance are critical to our success;

 

   

motivate these executive officers to achieve our business objectives;

 

   

align the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders by tying a meaningful portion of compensation directly to the long-term value and growth of our business;

 

   

continue to foster an entrepreneurial and results-driven culture; and

 

   

provide the appropriate balance of short and long-term incentives to encourage appropriate levels of risk-taking and prudent decision-making by the executive team.

Compensation Governance

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Compensation Committee that establishes the Compensation Committee’s purpose and its responsibilities with respect to executive compensation. The charter provides that the Compensation Committee will, among other things, oversee the compensation strategy and policies for the Company’s employees and directors; establish, review and report on compensation of the Company’s executive officers; administer equity-based and certain other compensation plans; and review executive compensation disclosure for inclusion in the Company’s public disclosure documents, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

Our Compensation Committee currently consists of Rick Findlay (Chair), Alan Levande and Mark Wellings. Rick Findlay and Mark Wellings are considered by the Board of Directors to be independent, and Alan Levande is considered by the Board of Directors to be non-independent (by reason of his previous employment with Peridot).

Compensation Components

In furtherance of the above-stated compensation objectives and in conjunction with our transition from a privately-held business to a publicly traded company in August 2021, we designed a compensation plan to include a mix of base salary, short-term incentives and long-term equity incentives.

 

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Base Salary

We seek to maintain base salary amounts consistent with industry norms. Base salaries for NEOs are established based on the scope of their responsibilities, competencies and their prior relevant experience, taking into account compensation paid in the market for similar positions, the market demand for such NEOs and the NEO’s total compensation package. Base salaries are reviewed annually and increased for merit reasons, based on the executive’s success in meeting or exceeding individual objectives. Additionally, base salaries can be adjusted as warranted throughout the year to reflect promotions or other changes in the scope of breadth of an executive’s role or responsibilities, as well as to maintain market competitiveness.

Short-Term Incentives

The Company’s compensation program for NEOs and other executive officers includes eligibility for annual cash bonuses. Annual bonuses are designed to motivate our executive officers to meet our business and financial objectives generally and our annual financial performance targets in particular. The NEOs are eligible to earn an annual bonus based on a target percentage of 70-120% of base salary in respect of Fiscal 2021, depending on the level of each NEO, of which a percentage is based on the achievement of certain corporate and financial objectives, and a percentage of which may be based upon the achievement, by the NEO, of personalized goals and objectives.

Long-Term Incentives

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company adopted the Incentive Plan to provide different types of equity-awards to be granted to eligible directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries, including options and RSUs. Equity-based awards are a variable element of compensation that allows the Company to reward its NEOs for their sustained contributions to the Company. Equity awards reward performance and continued employment by an NEO, with associated benefits to the Company of attracting and retaining employees. The Company believes that options and RSUs and other equity-based compensation will provide NEOs with a strong link to long-term corporate performance and the creation of shareholder value.

The Compensation Committee is responsible for administering the Incentive Plan. For more information on the material terms and conditions of the Incentive Plan, see “Long-Term Incentive Plan”, below.

During Fiscal 2021, to support continued alignment with our compensation philosophy and objectives, all of our NEOs received a grant of options upon completion of the Business Combination. These options have a term of ten years and have an exercise price of $10.93, being the closing sale price for a Share on the New York Stock Exchange on the day immediately prior to the date of grant. The options vest over a three-year period starting on August 10, 2022 in increments of one third per annum.

Additionally, in connection with the closing of the Business Combination, RSUs were granted to each of Ajay Kochhar, Tim Johnston, Kunal Phalpher and Chris Biederman. The RSUs were granted with effect on December 10, 2021, being the date following the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the SEC to register the common shares issuable thereunder. The RSUs vest over a three-year period starting on August 10, 2022 in increments of one third per annum, subject to the participant’s continued employment.

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows the compensation earned by, paid to, or awarded to the NEOs in respect of Fiscal 2021.(1)

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary(2)
($)
    Share
Awards(3)
($)
    Option
Awards(4)
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(5)
($)
    Pension
Value
($)
    All Other
Compensation(6)
($)
    Total
Compensation
($)
 

Ajay Kochhar

Chief Executive Officer

    2021       286,850       1,181,500       1,181,500       200,055       —         12,092       2,861,997  

Tim Johnston

Executive Chairman

    2021       286,850       1,181,500       1,181,500       200,055       —         713       2,850,618  

Bruce MacInnis (7)

Chief Financial Officer

    2021       220,916       —         2,077,000       —         —         445,286       2,743,202  

Kunal Phalpher

Chief Strategy Officer

    2021       215,246       450,000       450,000       110,141       —         10,103       1,235,490  

Chris Biederman

Chief Technology Officer

    2021       200,525       450,000       450,000       103,902       —         886       1,205,313  

 

Notes:

(1)

In the above table, all compensation is disclosed in U.S. dollars. A portion of the Salary and/or All Other Compensation for each NEO was paid in Canadian dollars. Those Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada’s average exchange rate between November 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021 (being the period of Fiscal 2021) of CA$1.00=U.S$0.7955.

(2)

Represents the actual base salary earned in Fiscal 2021. As at October 31, 2021, the annual base salary of each of our NEOs is as follows: $450,000 for Mr. Kochhar, $450,000 for Mr. Johnston, $325,000 for Mr. MacInnis, $300,000 for Mr. Phalpher and $300,000 for Mr. Biederman

(3)

Represents the grant date fair value of RSUs granted under our Long-Term Incentive Plan in connection with the closing of the Business Combination. The RSUs were granted in connection with the closing of the Business Combination with effect on December 10, 2021, being the date following the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the SEC to register the common shares issuable thereunder.

(4)

The grant date fair value of options awarded was calculated using the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model, a common and widely-accepted valuation methodology. For the key assumptions used to determine the stock option value for the Fiscal 2021 grants using the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model, see Note 12 in our financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2021.

(5)

See “Short-Term Incentives”, above.

(6)

Represents the value of employer’s contribution to employee’s registered retirement savings plan contributions and employee benefits coverage (such as health insurance and life insurance). The Company generally contributes 5% of each NEO’s base salary into a defined contribution registered retirement savings plan, subject to Revenue Canada maximums.

(7)

Following the entering into of the Retirement Agreement (as described below under “Employment Arrangements, Termination and Change in Control Benefits—Bruce MacInnis”), the Company and Mr. MacInnis mutually agreed that Mr. MacInnis’ retirement date would be January 31, 2022, and the Company agreed to accelerate and settle certain payments to Mr. MacInnis under the terms of the Retirement Agreement in an aggregate amount of $444,647, which amounts would be repayable to the Company if Mr. MacInnis’ employment were terminated by the Company for just cause or by Mr. MacInnis by way of voluntary resignation at any time prior to the retirement date. Mr. MacInnis retired on January 31, 2022.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

The purpose of the Long-Term Incentive Plan is to promote the success and enhance the value of the Company and its subsidiaries by linking the individual interests of the members of the board of directors,

 

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employees, and consultants to those of our shareholders and other stakeholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to our shareholders. The Long-Term Incentive Plan also provides flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the board of directors, employees, and consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation will be largely dependent. Set forth below is a summary of the material terms of the Incentive Plan.

Eligibility and Administration

The Company’s employees, consultants and directors, and employees, consultants and directors of its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan. The Long-Term Incentive Plan is administered by the Board with respect to awards to non-employee directors and by the Compensation Committee with respect to other participants, each of which may delegate its duties and responsibilities to committees of the Board of Directors and/or officers (referred to collectively as the “plan administrator” below), subject to certain limitations that may be imposed under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and/or stock exchange rules, as applicable. The plan administrator has the authority to interpret and adopt rules for the administration of the Long-Term Incentive Plan, subject to its express terms and conditions. The plan administrator can also set the terms and conditions of all awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, including any vesting and vesting acceleration conditions.

Limitation on Awards and Shares Available

The Incentive Plan provides that the maximum number of Shares initially available for issuance under the Long-Term Incentive Plan is 14,799,519. The number of Shares available for issuance under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will be automatically increased on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 5% of the outstanding Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such number of Shares determined by the Board. Any Shares distributed pursuant to an award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased on the open market. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in the form of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) is 14,799,519.

Awards

The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for the grant of share options, including ISOs and non-qualified share options (“NSOs”), Share Appreciation Rights (“SARs”), restricted shares, restricted share units (“RSUs”), dividend equivalents, share payments, other incentive awards, and cash awards. All awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan will be set forth in award agreements, which will detail all terms and conditions of the awards, including any applicable vesting and payment terms and post-termination exercise limitations. Awards, other than cash awards, generally will be settled in Shares but the plan administrator may provide for cash settlement of any award (other than share options). A brief description of each award type follows.

Share Options

Share options will provide for the purchase of Shares in the future at an exercise price set on the grant date. The exercise price per Share subject to each option will be set by the plan administrator, but will, except with respect to certain substitute options granted in connection with a corporate transaction, not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Long-Term Incentive Plan) of a Share on the date the option is granted. The term of a share option may not be longer than ten years (or five years in the case of ISOs granted to certain significant shareholders).

 

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Restricted Shares and RSUs

Restricted shares are an award of non-transferable Shares that remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met, and which may be subject to a purchase price. RSUs are contractual promises to deliver Shares in the future, which may also remain forfeitable unless and until specified conditions are met.

Dividend Equivalents

Dividend equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on Shares and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards other than share options or SARs. Dividend equivalents are credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date an award is granted and the date such award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the plan administrator.

Vesting

Vesting conditions determined by the plan administrator may apply to each award and may include continued service, performance and/or other conditions.

Certain Transactions

The plan administrator has broad discretion to take action under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, as well as make adjustments to the terms and conditions of existing and future awards, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits and facilitate necessary or desirable changes in the event of certain transactions and events affecting the Shares, such as share dividends, share splits, mergers, amalgamations, arrangements, acquisitions, consolidations and other corporate transactions. In addition, in the event of certain non-reciprocal transactions with shareholders known as “equity restructurings,” the plan administrator will make equitable adjustments to the Long-Term Incentive Plan and outstanding awards.

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Long-Term Incentive Plan), unless the plan administrator elects to (i) terminate an award in exchange for cash, rights or property, or (ii) cause an award to become fully exercisable and no longer subject to any forfeiture restrictions prior to the consummation of a Change in Control, such award will continue in effect or be assumed or an equivalent award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event an award continues in effect or is assumed or an equivalent award substituted, and a holder incurs a termination of service without “cause” (as such term is defined in the sole discretion of the plan administrator, or as set forth in the award agreement relating to such award) upon or within 12 months following a Change in Control, then such holder will be fully vested in such continued, assumed or substituted award.

Non-U.S. Participants, Claw-Back Provisions and Transferability

The Incentive Plan provides that the plan administrator may modify award terms, establish subplans and/or adjust other terms and conditions of awards, subject to the share limits described above, in order to facilitate grants of awards subject to the laws and/or stock exchange rules of countries outside of the United States. All awards will be subject to the provisions of any clawback policy implemented by the Company to the extent set forth in such clawback policy and/or in the applicable award agreement. With limited exceptions for estate planning, domestic relations orders, certain beneficiary designations and the laws of descent and distribution, awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan are generally non-transferable, and are exercisable only by the participant.

Plan Amendment and Termination

The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides that the Board may amend or terminate the Long-Term Incentive Plan at any time, provided that no amendment, suspension or termination of the Long-Term Incentive Plan will,

 

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without the consent of the holder, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any award, unless the award itself otherwise expressly so provides, and provided further that the board of directors may not take any of the following actions without approval of shareholders given within 12 months before or after such action: (i) increase the limit on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, (ii) reduce the price per Share of any outstanding option or SAR granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, or (iii) cancel any option or SAR in exchange for cash or another award when the option or SAR price per share exceeds the fair market value of the underlying Shares.

The Long-Term Incentive Plan provides that in no event may any award be granted under the Long-Term Incentive Plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date on which the Incentive Plan is adopted by the board or (ii) the date the Long-Term Incentive Plan is approved by shareholders.

Compensation of Directors

The Charter of the Compensation Committee provides that the Compensation Committee will periodically evaluate and make recommendations to the Board with respect to appropriate forms and amounts of compensation for directors of the Company. In doing so, the Compensation Committee will consider: (i) the time commitment associated with being a director of the Company, including, as applicable, committee (and committee chair) work and Board chair (or lead director) work; (ii) the responsibilities and risks associated with being such a director, (iii) compensation paid to directors of companies and their subsidiaries similar to the Company, and (iv) any other factors the Compensation Committee deems relevant.

In Fiscal 2021, the Board approved the following amounts for non-employee director compensation.

 

Compensation Element

   RSU
Award
Value
     Cash
Value
 

Standard Retainer

 

Director

   $ 100,000      $ 50,000  

Additional Retainers

     

Lead Director

     —        $ 25,000  

Audit Committee Chair

     —        $ 15,000  

Other Committee Chair

     —        $ 10,000  

Non-employee directors will also receive an “on-boarding” equity award at the meeting of the Board at which they are initially appointed to the Board, or the first meeting of the Board after their initial election to the Board, as the case may be, valued at two times the annual equity award value (i.e., $200,000).

Director Compensation Table

The following table shows the compensation earned by each of our non-employee Directors during Fiscal 2021. Neither Mr. Kochhar, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, nor Mr. Johnston, the Executive Chair of the Company, is included in the table as neither receives any additional compensation for his service as a director.

 

Director

   Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash(1) ($)
     Stock
Awards(2)
($)
     Option
Awards
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
     Pension
Value
     All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total ($)  

Rick Findlay

     37,215        311,124        —          —          —          —         348,339  

Alan Levande

     11,277        280,822        —          —          —          —         292,099  

Scott Prochazka

     14,660        280,822        —          —          —          —         295,482  

Anthony Tse

     35,077        311,124        —          —          —          56,400 (3)      402,601  

Mark Wellings

     42,853        311,124        —          —          —          —         353,977  

 

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Notes:

(1)

A portion of the Fees Earned or Paid in Cash for Rick Findlay, Anthony Tse and Mark Wellings represents fees paid to each of them for services as directors of Li-Cycle Corp. prior to the Business Combination, which fees were paid in Canadian dollars prior to January 1, 2021 and paid in U.S. dollars thereafter. Those Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada’s average exchange rate on between November 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (being the period when fees were paid in Canadian dollars) of CA$1.00=U.S.$0.7732. Following the Business Combination, the Fees Earned or Paid in Cash were as follows: Rick Findlay $13,533, Alan Levande $11,277, Scott Prochazka $14,660, Anthony Tse $11,277, and Mark Wellings $19,171.

(2)

In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, each non-employee director received an RSU grant with a value of $280,822 (consisting of an annual award (pro rated) of $80,822 and a one-time “on-boarding” award of $200,000). The RSUs were granted with effect on December 10, 2021, being the date following the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the SEC to register the common shares issuable thereunder. The annual RSU award vests ratably over a three-year period starting on August 10, 2022, and the one-time “on-boarding” RSU award vests ratably over a two-year period starting on August 10, 2022, subject to the participant’s continued service on the Board. Prior to the Business Combination, Rick Findlay, Anthony Tse and Mark Wellings served as directors of Li-Cycle Corp. In this regard, they each received an RSU grant with a value of CA$39,246 on December 1, 2020. These Canadian dollar amounts have been converted to U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada’s exchange rate on December 1, 2020 (being the date of grant) of CA$1.00=U.S.$0.7721.

(3)

This amount represents aggregate fees paid to Anthony Tse in Fiscal 2021 under the terms of a consulting agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle Corp. and Mr. Tse pursuant to which Mr. Tse provided consulting services to Li-Cycle Corp. in relation to the proposed expansion of its operations in Asia. The agreement has since been terminated. See the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions”.

Each member of our Board of Directors is entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other expenses incurred when attending Board or Committee meetings or otherwise in connection with their director position.

 

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Share Ownership

The following table sets out the names and positions of the executive officers of the Company as of February 11, 2022, the number of common shares, options and RSUs of the Company owned or over which control or direction is exercised by each such executive officer of the Company and, where known after reasonable enquiry, by their respective associates or affiliates.

 

    Number
of Shares
Owned
(#)
    Percentage
of

Total Shares
Outstanding
(%)(1)
    Special
Voting
Rights
    RSUs     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
 

Ajay Kochhar, President and Chief Executive Officer(2)

    24,908,409       14.75     None       165,813       159,640     $ 0.02       April 11, 2023  
            139,685     $ 0.37       July 19, 2024  
            176,871     $ 10.93       August 10, 2031  
            92,105     $ 7.58       January 31, 2032  

Tim Johnston, Executive Chairman(3)

    11,092,964       6.57     None       165,813       399,100     $ 0.02       September 12, 2022  
            159,640     $ 0.02       April 11, 2023  
            199,550     $ 0.37       July 19, 2024  
            176,871     $ 10.93       August 10, 2031  
            92,105     $ 7.58       January 31, 2032  

Debbie Simpson, Chief Financial Officer

    —         —         None       432,261       58,219     $ 7.58       January 31, 2032  

Kunal Phalpher, Chief Commercial Officer

    304,272       0.18     None       56,012       159,640     $ 0.02       April 11, 2023  
            139,685     $ 0.37       July 19, 2024  
            67,365     $ 10.93       August 10, 2031  
            23,684     $ 7.58       January 31, 2032  

Chris Biederman, Chief Technology Officer

    106,141       0.06     None       56,012       67,365     $ 10.93       August 10, 2031  
            23,684     $ 7.58       January 31, 2032  

 

Notes:

(1)

The ownership percentage set out in this column is based on a total of 168,891,877 outstanding common shares as of February 11, 2022, in each case rounded down to the nearest hundredth.

(2)

The number of shares owned include 45,797 common shares owned directly by Mr. Kochhar and 24,862,612 common shares owned by 2829908 Delaware LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maplebriar Holdings Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario (“Maplebriar Holdings”), having a sole shareholder, The Kochhar Family Trust, an irrevocable trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (the “Trust”). Mr. Kochhar is one of three trustees of the Trust, along with Mr. Kochhar’s brother and father, and the beneficiaries of the Trust are principally relatives of Mr. Kochhar. There is an oral agreement among Mr. Kochhar, the Trust, Maplebriar Holdings and 2829908 Delaware LLC that grants Mr. Kochhar the sole power to control the voting and disposition of the common shares of the Company held by 2829908 Delaware LLC. Mr. Kochhar is a Director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(3)

The number of shares owned include 45,797 common shares owned directly by Mr. Johnston and 11,047,167 common shares owned by Keperra Holdings Ltd., a Guernsey corporation (“Keperra”). Mr. Johnston is the sole shareholder of Keperra. Artemis Nominees Limited is a nominee company that holds legal title to 100 shares of Keperra as nominee of and trustee for Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston is a Director and the Executive Chairman of the Company.

 

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Employment Arrangements, Termination and Change in Control Benefits

Ajay Kochhar

On September 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Kochhar setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s President and Chief Executive Officer, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Kochhar’s employment other than for cause, or in the case of Mr. Kochhar’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Kochhar is entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits, an additional fifty-two weeks’ base salary and bonus (calculated on the basis of an average of each bonus received by Mr. Kochhar in the three fiscal years preceding the termination date), and, until the earlier of fifty-two weeks from the termination date or the date on which Mr. Kochhar commences alternative employment or consulting work, continued coverage under Li-Cycle group benefit plans in place and as amended from time to time.

If Mr. Kochhar is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, nor to any bonus payment, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

Tim Johnston

On September 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Johnston setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s Executive Chairman, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Johnston’s employment other than for cause, or in the case of Mr. Johnston’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Johnston is entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits, an additional fifty-two weeks’ base salary and bonus (calculated on the basis of an average of each bonus received by Mr. Johnston in the three fiscal years preceding the termination date), and, until the earlier of fifty-two weeks from the termination date or the date on which Mr. Johnston commences alternative employment or consulting work, continued coverage under Li-Cycle group benefit plans in place and as amended from time to time.

If Mr. Johnston is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, nor to any bonus payment, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

Bruce MacInnis

On September 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. MacInnis setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s Chief Financial Officer, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits. On July 7, 2021, Li-Cycle and NewCo entered into a retirement agreement with Mr. MacInnis. On January 31, 2022, Mr. MacInnis retired. Mr. MacInnis’ retirement agreement (the “Retirement Agreement”) sets forth certain terms and conditions relating to his retirement from employment with Li-Cycle, which supersede the terms and conditions of his employment agreement that pertain to that subject matter.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. MacInnis’ employment other than for cause, or in the case of Mr. MacInnis’ termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement)

 

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following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. MacInnis is entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits, an additional fifty-two weeks’ base salary and bonus (calculated on the basis of an average of each bonus received by Mr. MacInnis in the three fiscal years preceding the termination date), and, until the earlier of fifty-two weeks from the termination date or the date on which Mr. MacInnis commences alternative employment or consulting work, continued coverage under Li-Cycle group benefit plans in place and as amended from time to time.

Pursuant to the Retirement Agreement, subject to certain conditions including those set out below, Mr. MacInnis will be entitled to (i) salary continuance for a period of 12 months following the retirement date, (ii) a bonus for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021 calculated and payable in the ordinary course in accordance with his employment agreement and the Company’s bonus plan for such year, (iii) a bonus for the period from November 1, 2021 up to and including the retirement date based on his actual bonus achieved in the prior fiscal year, prorated for such period, and (iv) continued participation in the Company’s group health and dental plans until the earlier of the date which is 12 months following the retirement date and the date on which he secures alternate coverage through any source other than existing spousal coverage. The terms of the Retirement Agreement will be null and void in the event that Mr. MacInnis’ employment is terminated by the Company for just clause (as defined in the employment agreement) or by way of Mr. MacInnis’ voluntary resignation (as defined in the employment agreement) at any time prior to the retirement date. Following the entering into of the retirement agreement, the Company and Mr. MacInnis mutually agreed that Mr. MacInnis’ retirement date would be January 31, 2022, and the Company agreed to accelerate and settle certain retirement payments to Mr. MacInnis in an amount of $446,510.45 (Canadian dollar amounts converted to U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canada’s exchange rate on October 29, 2021 of CA$1.00=U.S.$0.8075), which amounts would be repayable to the Company if Mr. MacInnis’ employment were terminated by the Company for just cause or by Mr. MacInnis by way of voluntary resignation at any time prior to the retirement date.

If Mr. MacInnis is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, nor to any bonus payment, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

Kunal Phalpher

On September 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Phalpher setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s Chief Commercial Officer, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits. On November 1, 2021, Mr. Phalpher’s title was changed from Chief Commercial Officer to Chief Strategy Officer, but the terms of his employment agreement remained the same.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Phalpher’s employment other than for cause, or in the case of Mr. Phalpher’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement) following a change of control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Phalpher is entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits, an additional fifty-two weeks’ base salary and bonus (calculated on the basis of an average of each bonus received by Mr. Phalpher in the three fiscal years preceding the termination date), and, until the earlier of fifty-two weeks from the termination date or the date on which Mr. Phalpher commences alternative employment or consulting work, continued coverage under Li-Cycle group benefit plans in place and as amended from time to time.

If Mr. Phalpher is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, nor to any bonus payment, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

 

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Chris Biederman

On September 7, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Biederman setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s Chief Technology Officer, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Biederman’s employment other than for cause, Mr. Biederman is entitled to accrued but unpaid base salary, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits, and (a) before his completion of one year of service under the agreement, one months’ written notice, or (b) upon one year of completed service under the agreement, one months’ written notice plus an additional one months’ written notice for every additional completed year of completed service up to a maximum of 12 months’ written notice.

Li-Cycle may terminate the agreement and continue to pay Mr. Biederman his base salary until the expiry of the notice period or the date he commences alternative employment or consulting work, in which case Li-Cycle will pay Mr. Biederman an amount equal to 50% of the value of the payments remaining to the end of the notice period.

If Mr. Biederman is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, nor to any bonus payment, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

Carl DeLuca

On February 24, 2021, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. DeLuca setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. DeLuca’s employment other than for cause, in addition to accrued but unpaid base salary, earned bonus, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and benefits to the date of termination, Mr. DeLuca is entitled to, (i) before his completion of six years of service, six months’ written notice, or (ii) upon six years of completed service, six months’ written notice plus an additional one month’s written notice for every additional completed year of service starting after the sixth anniversary of the commencement date up to an aggregate maximum of 12 months’ written notice. The notice may be satisfied by working notice or pay in lieu of notice (via salary continuance). In the case of salary continuance, the salary continuance period will cease on the date that Mr. DeLuca commences alternate employment or full-time consulting work, and Li-Cycle will pay Mr. DeLuca a lump-sum equal to 50% of the value of the payments remaining between the date that Mr. DeLuca commences alternate employment or consulting work and the end of the applicable notice period, less all lawful deductions.

If Mr. DeLuca is terminated for cause, he will not be entitled to any severance pay, notice or compensation in lieu of notice, other than any minimum entitlements to which he would be entitled under applicable law. He will, however, be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and expense reimbursements accrued to the termination date.

Lauren Choate

On April 12, 2021, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Choate setting forth the terms and conditions of her employment, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits. Ms. Choate’s agreement is on an “at-will basis,” meaning that the Company is free to release the employee at any time for any reason and does not specify any entitlements on such termination of employment.

 

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Debbie Simpson

On December 6, 2021, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Simpson setting forth the terms and conditions of her employment as Li-Cycle’s Chief Financial Officer, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Ms. Simpson’s employment without cause, or in the case of Ms. Simpson’s termination of her employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), in either case within twelve months following a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Ms. Simpson is entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary, accrued vacation pay, and reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred; a lump-sum payment in lieu of notice in the amount of eighteen months’ base salary plus the amount of Ms. Simpson’s short-term incentive plan (“STIP”) target in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated to eighteen months; matching contributions to Ms. Simpson’s registered retirement savings plan up to and including last day of the statutory notice period required pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation; a continued participation in Li-Cycle’s executive benefit plans and perquisites until the end of the statutory notice period pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation, and after, for a period of eighteen months or until Ms. Simpson becomes entitled to participate in similar benefit plans with another employer, a participation to primary coverages (health care, dental care, and employee assistance program); a lump-sum for Ms. Simpson’s STIP award in respect of the fiscal year immediately preceding the termination, to the extent earned and unpaid at the date of the termination, calculated at the STIP target for such fiscal year, and STIP award in respect of the fiscal year of Li-Cycle in which the termination occurs, pro-rated from the start of such fiscal year to the date of the termination, calculated at the STIP target for such fiscal year; post-employment treatment of Ms. Simpson’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy; and outplacement career counselling ending on the earliest to occur of twelve months following the termination and the date that Ms. Simpson obtains full-time employment.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Ms. Simpson’s employment without cause, or in the case of Ms. Simpson’s termination of her employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), in either case prior to or more than twelve months after a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Ms. Simpson is entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary, accrued vacation pay, and reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred; payment in equal monthly installments representing twelve months’ base salary plus the amount of Ms. Simpson’s STIP target in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated to twelve months; matching contributions to Ms. Simpson’s registered retirement savings plan up to and including last day of the statutory notice period required pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation; a continued participation in Li-Cycle’s executive benefit plans and perquisites until the end of the statutory notice period pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation, and after, for a period of twelve months or until Ms. Simpson becomes entitled to participate in similar benefit plans with another employer, a participation to primary coverages (health care, dental care, and employee assistance program); post-employment treatment of Ms. Simpson’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy; and outplacement career counselling ending on the earliest to occur of twelve months following the termination and the date that Ms. Simpson obtains full-time employment.

If Ms. Simpson is terminated for cause, death, mutually agreed retirement or by the executive without good reason, she will be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred accrued to the termination date; matching contributions to Ms. Simpson’s registered retirement savings plan up to and including last day of the statutory notice period required pursuant to applicable employment standards legislation; and post-employment treatment of Ms. Simpson’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of

 

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Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy.

If Ms. Simpson is terminated for permanent disability, she will be entitled to a lump-sum payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay and reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred accrued during the applicable elimination period for long-term disability benefits stipulated in Li-Cycle’s long-term disability insurance plan, less any short-term disability benefit payments provided by Li-Cycle; matching contributions to Ms. Simpson’s registered retirement savings plan up to and including the end of the applicable elimination period; a continued participation in Li-Cycle’s executive benefit plans and perquisites up to and including the end of the applicable elimination period; post-employment treatment of Ms. Simpson’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy; and if any, minimum statutory entitlements under applicable employment standards legislation.

Richard Storrie

On October 28, 2021, Li-Cycle entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Storrie setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment as Li-Cycle’s Regional President, Americas, including base salary, annual performance bonus and benefits.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Storrie’s employment without cause, or in the case of Mr. Storrie’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), in either case within twelve months following a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Storrie is entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary, accrued vacation pay, reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred, and any amount accrued and arising from Mr. Storrie’s participation in any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements; a lump-sum payment in the amount of eighteen months’ base salary plus the amount of Mr. Storrie’s short-term incentive plan (“STIP”) target in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated to eighteen months; reimbursement of premiums under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, if Mr. Storrie is eligible, in the amount of Li-Cycle’s current contribution for the health plan enrollment, for a period of eighteen months or until Mr. Storrie becomes eligible for comparable replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s group health plan; a lump-sum for Mr. Storrie’s STIP award in respect of the fiscal year immediately preceding the termination, to the extent earned and unpaid at the date of the termination, calculated at the STIP target for such fiscal year, and STIP award in respect of the fiscal year of Li-Cycle in which the termination occurs, pro-rated from the start of such fiscal year to the date of the termination, calculated at the STIP target for such fiscal year; post-employment treatment of Mr. Storrie’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy; and outplacement career counseling ending on the earliest to occur of twelve months following the termination and the date that Mr. Storrie obtains full-time employment.

In the case of Li-Cycle’s termination of Mr. Storrie’s employment without cause, or in the case of Mr. Storrie’s termination of his employment for good reason (as defined in the employment agreement), in either case prior to or more than twelve months after a change in control (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Storrie is entitled to accrued and unpaid base salary, accrued vacation pay, reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred, and any amount accrued and arising from Mr. Storrie’s participation in any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements; payment in equal monthly installments representing twelve months’ base salary plus the amount of Mr. Storrie’s STIP target in respect of the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, pro-rated to twelve months; reimbursement of premiums under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 if Mr. Storrie is eligible in the amount of Li-Cycle’s current contribution for the health plan enrollment, for a period of eighteen months or until Mr. Storrie becomes eligible for comparable

 

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replacement coverage under a subsequent employer’s group health plan; post-employment treatment of Mr. Storrie’s long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy; and outplacement career counseling ending on the earliest to occur of twelve months following the termination and the date that Mr. Storrie obtains full-time employment.

If Mr. Storrie is terminated for cause, death, mutually agreed retirement or by the executive without good reason, he will be entitled to payment of any unpaid base salary, vacation pay, reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred accrued to the termination date, and any amount accrued and arising from Mr. Storrie’s participation in any employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements. Mr. Storrie will also be entitled to post-employment treatment of his long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy.

If Mr. Storrie is terminated for permanent disability, he will be entitled to post-employment treatment of his long term incentive plan awards (including without limitation share options and RSUs) determined in accordance with the terms of Li-Cycle’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan and/or any other applicable long term incentive plan(s), the relevant award agreement(s), and the 2021 Executive Severance Policy.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

General

The following description of the material terms of our share capital includes a summary of certain provisions of our articles that became effective upon the closing of the Business Combination (the “articles”). This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Share Capital

Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series. As of February 11, 2022, there were 168,891,877 common shares outstanding and no preferred shares outstanding.

Common Shares

Voting Rights. Under our articles, the common shares are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at all meetings of shareholders, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of shares are entitled to vote. Each common share entitles its holder to one vote.

Dividend Rights. The holders of outstanding common shares are entitled to receive dividends at such times and in such amounts and form as the board may from time to time determine, but subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares. The Company is permitted to pay dividends unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (i) the Company is, or would after such payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (ii) the realizable value of the Company’s assets would, as a result of such payment, be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes of shares. The timing, declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends will depend on the Company’s financial condition, earnings, capital requirements and debt service obligations, as well as legal requirements, industry practice and other factors that our board deems relevant.

Preemptive Rights. There are no pre-emptive rights relating to the common shares.

Repurchase of Common Shares. Under the OBCA, the Company will be entitled to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its issued shares, subject to restrictions under applicable securities laws and provided that the Company will not be permitted to make any payment to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its issued shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (i) the Company is, or would after such payment be, unable to pay its liabilities as they become due; or (ii) the realizable value of the Company’s assets would, as a result of such payment, be less than the aggregate of its liabilities and stated capital of all classes of shares.

Liquidation. Upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, or any other distribution of assets of the Company, among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred shares, the holders of common shares will be entitled to receive the remaining property and assets of the Company available for distribution to its shareholders ratably in proportion to the number of common shares held by them.

Preferred Shares

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series. Subject to any limitations prescribed by law, including the OBCA, each series of preferred shares will consist of such number of shares and have such rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as may be determined by the board prior to the issuance of such series. No rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attaching to any series of

 

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preferred shares will confer upon the shares of such series a priority in respect of dividends or distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company over the shares of any other series of preferred shares. The preferred shares of each series will, with respect to the right of payment of dividends and the distribution of assets or return of capital in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, rank on parity with the shares of every other series of preferred shares.

The issuance of preferred shares and the terms selected by the board could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common shares or adversely affect the rights and powers, including the voting rights, of the holders of common shares without any further vote or action by the holders of common shares. The issuance of preferred shares, or the issuance of rights to purchase preferred shares, could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting shares and thereby have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company or an unsolicited acquisition proposal or of making the removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred shares may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common shares.

Dissent Rights

Under the OBCA, shareholders of a corporation are entitled to exercise dissent rights in respect of certain matters and to be paid the fair value of their shares in connection therewith. The dissent right is applicable where the corporation resolves to: (i) amend its articles to add, remove or change restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of shares of a class or series of the shares of the corporation; (ii) amend its articles to add, remove or change any restrictions on the business it is permitted to carry on or the powers it may exercise; (iii) amalgamate with another corporation, subject to certain exceptions; (iv) be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction; or (v) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property. In addition, holders of a class or series of shares of an OBCA corporation are, in certain circumstances and, in the case of items (a), (b) and (e) below, unless the articles of the corporation provide otherwise, entitled to exercise dissent rights and be paid the fair value of their shares if the corporation resolves to amend its articles to (a) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of such class or series, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class or series having rights or privileges equal or superior to shares of such class or series; (b) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of the shares of such class or series; (c) add to, remove or change the rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to the shares of such class or series; (d) add to the rights or privileges of any class or series of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class or series; (e) create a new class or series of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class or series, except in certain circumstances; (f) make a class or series of shares having rights or privileges inferior to the shares of such class or series equal or superior to the shares of such class or series; (g) effect an exchange or create a right of exchange of the shares of another class or series into the shares of such class of series; or (h) add, remove or change restrictions on the issue, transfer or ownership of the shares of such class of series.

Transfer of Shares

Subject to the rules of any stock exchange on which shares are posted or listed for trading, no transfer of a security issued by the Company will be registered except upon (i) presentation of the security certificate representing the security with an endorsement which complies with the OBCA, together with such reasonable assurance that the endorsement is genuine and effective as the directors may require, (ii) payment of all applicable taxes and fees, and (iii) compliance with the articles of the Company. If no security certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of a security issued by the Company, clause (i) above may be satisfied by presentation of a duly executed security transfer power, together with such reasonable assurance that the security transfer power is genuine and effective as the directors may require.

 

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Transfer Restrictions

Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements

Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Li-Cycle Holders entered into the Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements with Peridot (the “Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements”), pursuant to which each Li-Cycle Holder agreed to, among other things, (i) vote or cause to be voted (whether in person, by proxy, by action by written consent, as applicable, or as may be required under Li-Cycle’s shareholders agreement or articles of incorporation) their Li-Cycle Shares in favor of the Business Combination Agreement, the Arrangement and certain related transactions; (ii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination and (iii) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to such securities, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements.

On August 10, 2021, the Company, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders (collectively for the purposes of this subsection referred to as the “Holders”) entered into the Investor Agreement. The Investor Agreement provides that the common shares held by the Peridot Class B Holders will be subject to certain transfer restrictions until the earliest of (a) one year after the Closing and (b) (x) if the closing price of our common shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing, or (y) the date on which we complete a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our public shareholders having the right to exchange their common shares for cash, securities or other property.

Registration Rights

Investor Agreement

Pursuant to the Investor Agreement, the Company is obligated to file a registration statement to register the resale of certain securities held by the Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders within 30 days after the Closing and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 75th day (or the 105th day if the SEC notifies that it will “review” such registration statement) following the Closing Date and (ii) the 15th business day after the date the SEC notifies us that such registration statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Investor Agreement and subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, including with regard to the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders may, subject to the limitations in the Investor Agreement, demand at any time or from time to time, that the Company file a registration statement on Form F-3 (or on Form F-1 if Form F-3 is not available) to register the securities of the Company held by such Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders, and each may specify that such demand registration take the form of an underwritten offering, in each case subject to limitations on the number of demands and underwritten offerings that can be requested by each Peridot Class B Holder and Li-Cycle Holder, as specified in the Investor Agreement. The Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders also have “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The Investor Agreement also provides that the Company will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders against (or make contributions in respect of) certain liabilities that may arise under the Securities Act.

Subscription Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Subscription Agreements were entered into by and among each PIPE Investor, Peridot, and NewCo. Peridot obtained commitments from the PIPE Investors under the Subscription Agreements to purchase common shares for a purchase price of

 

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$10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $315,490,000. The purpose of the sale of common shares to the PIPE Investors was to raise additional capital for use in connection with the Business Combination.

The common shares sold to the PIPE Investors were identical to the shares that were held by the public shareholders at the time of the Closing, except that when initially issued by Peridot, such shares were restricted securities. The PIPE Financing occurred on the date of, and immediately prior to, the consummation of the Business Combination.

The closing of the PIPE Financing was subject to customary conditions, including, among other conditions, the Company’s agreement to, as soon as practicable (but in any case no later than 30 calendar days after the consummation of the Business Combination), file with the SEC (at its sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the shares received by the PIPE Investors in the PIPE Financing and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such resale registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof.

Note Purchase Agreement

On September 29, 2021, in connection with the Company’s entry into the Note Purchase Agreement and issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, the Company granted certain registration rights under the Note Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to file with the SEC within 30 days a registration statement covering the resale of the common shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and no later than the earlier of (A) 60 days after the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note (or 90 days after the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note if the SEC notifies the Company that it will review the registration statement) or (B) 10 business days after the SEC notifies the Company in writing that it will not review the registration statement. The Company agreed to keep the registration statement (or another shelf registration statement covering the common shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note) effective until the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note or (y) the date on which the holder of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note ceases to hold any common shares issued or upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note.

LG Subscription Agreements

On December 13, 2021, the Company entered into Subscription Agreements (the “LG Subscription Agreements” and each, an “LG Subscription Agreement”) with each of LG Energy Solution, Ltd. (“LGES”) and LG Chem, Ltd. (“LGC”), pursuant to which each of LGES and LGC has agreed, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including execution of certain offtake agreements with LGES, LGC and Traxys North America LLC on or prior to March 13, 2022, to subscribe for 2,208,480 of the Company’s common shares (the “common shares”) (the “Acquired Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000 in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act (the “Subscription”). The Company has granted certain registration rights to LGES and LGC under the LG Subscription Agreements. The closing of the Subscription is subject to certain conditions, including, among others, that LGES, the Company and Traxys on the one hand, and LGC, the Company and Traxys on the other, shall have entered prior to March 13, 2022 into certain commercial agreements.

Each Subscription Agreement may be terminated prior to the closing of the Subscription (i) by the mutual written agreement of each of the parties to the relevant Subscription Agreement, (ii) if any final judgment, order, law rule or regulation is enacted that prohibits the consummation of the Subscription, (iii) by LGES or LGC, as applicable, subject to certain conditions, if the Company breaches certain provisions of the relevant Subscription Agreement, (iv) by the Company, subject to certain conditions, if LGES or LGC, as applicable, breaches certain provisions of the relevant Subscription Agreement and (v) by either LGES or LGC, as applicable, or the Company if closing of the Subscription has not been consummated on or before March 13, 2022.

 

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The Company agreed to file with the SEC within 30 days of the closing of the Subscription a registration statement covering the resale of the Acquired Shares. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and no later than the earlier of (A) 60 days after the closing of the Subscription (or 90 days after the closing of the Subscription if the SEC notifies the Company that it will review the registration statement) or (B) 10 business days after the SEC notifies the Company in writing that it will not review the registration statement. The Company agreed to keep the registration statement (or another shelf registration statement covering the Acquired Shares) effective until the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the closing of the Subscription or (y) the date on which LGES or LGC, as applicable, ceases to hold any of the Acquired Shares.

LG Standstill Agreement

On December 13, 2021, the Company, LGES and LGC entered into a Standstill Agreement (the “Standstill Agreement”), which restricts LGES, LGC and each of their respective subsidiaries from taking certain actions until LGES and its subsidiaries or LGC and its subsidiaries, as applicable, cease to beneficially own or control voting securities of the Company having voting rights equal to or greater than 50% of the voting rights attached to the Acquired Shares to be acquired by each of LGES and LGC under the applicable Subscription Agreement (the “Standstill Period”). The obligations of LGES and LGC under the Standstill Agreement are separate such that the termination of the Standstill Period applicable to one party shall not necessarily result in the termination of the Standstill Period applicable to the other party. The actions that LGES, LGC and any of their respective subsidiaries are restricted from taking during the Standstill Period include, among others, (A) the acquisition of additional voting securities or of any debt, material assets or material businesses of the Company, (B) any tender or exchange offer, take-over bid, merger, business combination and certain other transactions involving the Company and its securities, (C) any solicitation of proxies or votes or other attempt to influence votes by any holder of the Company’s securities and (D) formation of a “group” (as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the Company’s securities.

The foregoing descriptions of the LG Subscription Agreements and the LG Standstill Agreement do not purport to describe all the terms and provisions thereof and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of those agreements, copies of which are included as exhibits to this registration statement.

Listing

Our common shares are listed on NYSE under the symbol “LICY”. Holders of our common shares should obtain current market quotations for their securities. There can be no assurance that our common shares will remain listed on NYSE. If we fail to comply with the NYSE listing requirements, our common shares could be delisted from NYSE. A delisting of our common shares would affect the liquidity of our common shares and could inhibit or restrict our ability to raise additional financing.

Transfer Agent

A register of holders of our common shares is maintained by Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company in the United States, who serves as registrar and transfer agent for our equity securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED COMPANY ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Annual Meetings

Under the OBCA, the Company must hold its first annual meeting of shareholders within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated, and after that must hold an annual meeting not later than 15 months after the last annual meeting at such time and place in or outside the Province of Ontario as may be determined by the directors of the Company or, in the absence of such a determination, at the place where the registered office of the Company is located.

Board and Shareholder Ability to Call Shareholder Meetings

The by-laws of the Company provide that meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors at any time. In addition, under the OBCA, the holders of not less than 5% of the issued shares of a corporation that carry the right to vote at a meeting sought to be held may requisition that the directors call a meeting of shareholders for the purposes stated in the requisition. Upon receiving a requisition to call a meeting of shareholders, the directors must, within 21 days after receiving the requisition, call a meeting of shareholders to transact the business stated in the requisition unless a record date has been fixed for a meeting of shareholders and notice of the meeting has been given in accordance with the OBCA; the directors of the Company have called a meeting of shareholder and have given notice of the meeting in accordance with the OBCA; or the business of the meeting as stated in the requisition includes certain matters, including, but not limited to, a proposal the primary purpose of which is to enforce a personal claim or redress a personal grievance against the Company or its directors, officers or security holders. If the directors do not call such a meeting within 21 days after receiving the requisition, any shareholder who signed the requisition may call the meeting. The Company must reimburse the requisitioning shareholders for the expenses reasonably incurred by them in requisitioning, calling and holding the meeting unless the shareholders have not acted in good faith and in the interest of the shareholders of the corporation generally.

Shareholder Meeting Quorum

The by-laws of the Company provide that one or more persons who are, or who represent by proxy, one or more shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 33 1/3% of the issued shares of the Company entitled to be voted at the meeting, constitute a quorum at any annual or special meeting of shareholders.

Voting Rights

Under the OBCA, at any meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present, any action that must or may be taken or authorized by the shareholders, except as otherwise provided under the OBCA, the Company articles or by-laws, may be taken or authorized by an “ordinary resolution,” which is a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at general meetings. The Company’s by-laws provide that every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided by a show of hands unless a ballot is directed by the chair or demanded by any shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy. Votes by a show of hands or its functional equivalent result in each person having one vote regardless of the number of shares such person is entitled to vote. If voting is conducted by ballot, each person is entitled to one vote for each share such person is entitled to vote.

There are no limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote securities of the Company imposed by Ontario law or by the articles or other constituent document of the Company.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent

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shareholders. A written resolution of shareholders is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of those shareholders. A written resolution of shareholders dealing with all matters required by the OBCA to be dealt with at a meeting of shareholders, and signed by all the shareholders or their attorney authorized in writing entitled to vote on that resolution at that meeting, satisfies all the requirements of the OBCA relating to that meeting of shareholders.

Access to Books and Records and Dissemination of Information

The Company must keep at its registered office, or at such other place in Ontario as designated by the directors of the Company, the documents, copies, registers, minutes and other records which the Company is required by the OBCA to keep at such places. The Company must prepare and maintain, among other specified documents, adequate accounting records. Under the OBCA, any director, shareholder or creditor of the Company may, free of charge, examine certain of the Company’s records during the usual business hours of the Company.

Election and Appointment of Directors

The articles do not provide for the board of directors to be divided into classes.

At any general meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be elected, a separate vote of shareholders entitled to vote will be taken with respect to each candidate nominated for director. Pursuant to the OBCA, any casual vacancy occurring on the board may be filled by a quorum of the remaining directors, subject to certain exceptions. If the Company does not have a quorum of directors, or if there has been a failure to elect the number of directors required by the articles or the OBCA, the directors then in office must forthwith call a special meeting of shareholders to fill the vacancy and, if the directors fail to call a meeting or if there are no directors then in office, the meeting may be called by any shareholder. Pursuant to the OBCA, where empowered by a special resolution, the directors may, between meetings of shareholders, appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors may not exceed one and one third times the number of directors required to have been elected at the last annual meeting of shareholders.

The minimum number of directors the Company may have is one and the maximum number of directors is ten, as set out in the articles. The OBCA provides that any amendment to the articles to increase or decrease the minimum or maximum number of directors requires the approval of shareholders by a special resolution.

Removal of Directors

Pursuant to the OBCA, the shareholders may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by ordinary resolution at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, provided that, where the holders of any class or series of shares have an exclusive right to elect one or more directors, a director so elected may only be removed by an ordinary resolution at a meeting of the shareholders of that class or series. In that event, the shareholders may elect, by ordinary resolution, another individual as director to fill the resulting vacancy.

Proceedings of Board of Directors

At all meetings of the directors of the Company every question will be decided by a majority of the votes cast and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting will not have a second or casting vote. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors consented to in writing by all of the directors entitled to vote on it is as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors duly called and held.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Shareholder Nominations

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of directors of the Company only by providing proper notice to the corporate secretary. In the case of annual meetings, proper notice must be given, generally between 30 and 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting. However, in the event that the annual meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the “Notice Date”) that is the earlier of (i) the date that a notice of meeting is filed for such meeting, and (ii) the date on which the first public announcement of the meeting was made, the notice must be given on the 10th day following the Notice Date. In the case of a special meeting called for the purpose of electing directors and which is not also an annual meeting of shareholders, the notice must be given not later than the close of business on the 15th day following the date that is the earlier of (i) the date that a notice of meeting is filed for such meeting, and (ii) the date on which the first public announcement of the special meeting was made. Such notice must include, among other information, certain information with respect to each shareholder nominating persons for elections to the board, a written consent of each nominee consenting to serve as a director, disclosure about any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which the nominating shareholder has a right to vote shares and any other information the Company may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of the nominee to serve as a director.

Approval of Amalgamations, Mergers and Other Corporate Transactions

Under the OBCA, certain corporate actions, such as: (i) amalgamations (other than with certain affiliated corporations); (ii) continuances; (iii) sales, leases or exchanges of all, or substantially all, the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) reductions of stated capital for any purpose, including in connection with the payment of special distributions (subject, in certain cases, to the satisfaction of solvency tests); and (v) other actions such as liquidations, or arrangements, must be approved by a special resolution of shareholders.

In certain specified cases where share rights or special rights may be prejudiced or interfered with, a special resolution of shareholders to approve the corporate action in question affecting the share rights or special rights, is also required to be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares, including a class or series of shares not otherwise carrying voting rights. In specified extraordinary corporate actions, such as approval of plans of arrangements and amalgamations all shares have a vote, whether or not they generally vote and, in certain cases, have separate class votes.

Limitations on Director Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Under the OBCA, no provision in a contract, the articles, the by-laws or a resolution relieves a director or officer from the duty to act in accordance with the OBCA and its related regulations or relieves him or her from liability for a breach of the OBCA or its regulations.

A director is not liable under the OBCA for certain acts if the director exercised the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would have exercised in comparable circumstances, including reliance, in good faith, on (i) financial statements of the corporation represented to the director by an officer of the corporation or in a written report of the auditor of the corporation to fairly reflect the financial position of the corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (ii) an interim or other report of the corporation represented to the director by an officer of the corporation to fairly reflect the financial position of the corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (iii) a report or advice of an officer or employee of the corporation, where it is reasonable in the circumstances to rely on the report of advice; or (iv) a report of a lawyer, accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose profession lends credibility to a statement made by that person.

Under the OBCA, the Company may indemnify its current or former directors or officers or another individual who acts or acted at the Company’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative,

 

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investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with the Company or another entity.

The OBCA also provides that the Company may advance monies to a director, officer or other individual for costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding; provided that such individual must repay the monies if the individual does not fulfill the conditions described below.

However, indemnification is prohibited under the OBCA unless the individual (i) acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the Company’s best interests, or the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at the Company’s request; and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.

Under the Company’s by-laws, the Company will indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by the OBCA (i) any director or officer of the Company; (ii) any former director or officer of the Company; (iii) any individual who acts or acted at the Company’s request as a director or officer, or in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with the Company or other entity.

Derivative Suits and Oppression Remedy

Under the OBCA, a complainant (being a current or former director, officer or security holder of a corporation, which includes a beneficial shareholder, and any other person that a court considers to be a proper person to make such an application) of the Company may apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for leave to bring an action in the name and on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or to intervene in an existing action to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing an action on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

No such action may be brought and no intervention in any action may be made unless the complainant has given the requisite notice of the application for leave to the directors of the Company or its subsidiary of the complainant’s intention to apply to the court and the court is satisfied that (i) the directors of the Company or its subsidiary will not bring, diligently prosecute or defend or discontinue the action; (ii) the complainant is acting in good faith; and (iii) it appears to be in the best interests of the Company or its subsidiary for the action to be brought, prosecuted, defended or discontinued.

Under the OBCA, the court in a derivative action may make any order it thinks fit.

Under the OBCA, a complainant, and, in the case of a public corporation, the Ontario Securities Commission, may apply to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for any interim or final order the court thinks fit, including, but not limited to, an order restraining the conduct complained of, where the court is satisfied that, in respect of the Company or any of its affiliates, any act or omission of the Company or any of its affiliates effects or threatens to effect a result, the business or affairs of the Company or any of its affiliates are, have been or are threatened to be carried on or conducted in a manner, or the powers of the directors of the Company or any of its affiliates are, have been or are threatened to be exercised in a manner, that is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly disregards the interests of any security holder, creditor, director or officer of the Company.

Exclusive Forum

The Company’s by-laws provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum and except as set out below, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the appellate courts therefrom will, to the fullest extent permitted by law be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or

 

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proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee to the Company, any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the OBCA or the Company’s articles or by-laws, of the Company or any action asserting a claim related to the relationships among the Company, its affiliates and their respective shareholders, directors or officers (other than the business carried on by the Company or its affiliates). The Company’s by-laws also provide that, notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America will have exclusive jurisdiction for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of any action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act. The exclusive forum provision in the by-laws will not apply to actions arising under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Investors cannot waive compliance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Amendment of the Articles, By-laws and Alteration of Share Capital

Under the OBCA, the Company may amend the articles by special resolution. For purposes of the OBCA, a special resolution is a resolution submitted to a special meeting of shareholders duly called for the purpose of considering the resolution and passed at the meeting by at least two-thirds of the votes cast or consented to in writing by all shareholders entitled to vote at such a meeting. A special resolution is generally required to approve corporate matters that may materially affect the rights of shareholders or are of a transformative nature for the Company, including, but not limited to, changes to the Company’s authorized capital structure, changes to the rights privileges, restrictions and conditions in respect of any of the Company’s shares, a change in the Company’s name, the winding up, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, and a plan of arrangement with shareholders.

Under the OBCA, the board may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any by-laws that regulate the business or affairs of the Company. Where the directors make, amend or repeal any by-law, they must submit the by-law, amendment or repeal to the shareholders at the next meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the by-law, amendment or repeal. Where a by-law is made, amended or repealed by the directors, the by-law, amendment or repeal is effective from the date of the resolution of the directors until it is confirmed, amended or rejected by shareholders (or, if the directors fail to submit the by-law, amendment or repeal to shareholders, until the date of the shareholders meeting at which it should have been submitted).

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Certain Related Person Transactions Related to the Business Combination

Transaction Support Agreements

Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Li-Cycle Holders entered into the Li-Cycle Transaction Support Agreements with Peridot, pursuant to which each of the Li-Cycle Holders agreed to, among other things, (i) vote or cause to be voted (whether in person, by proxy, by action by written consent, as applicable, or as may be required under Li-Cycle’s shareholders agreement or articles of incorporation) their Li-Cycle Shares in favor of the Business Combination Agreement, the Arrangement and certain related transactions; (ii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination and (iii) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to such securities.

PIPE Financing

MMF LT, LLC, an affiliate of Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC, which was a beneficial owner, in the aggregate, of more than 5% of Li-Cycle’s Class A preferred shares prior to the Business Combination, agreed to purchase as a PIPE Investor under the PIPE Financing, 5,000,000 shares of NewCo, which, upon the Amalgamation, became 5,000,000 common shares of the Company, for a purchase price of $10 per share.

Anthony Peter Tse, Richard Findlay and Mark Wellings (through his holding company, ZCR Corp.), directors of Li-Cycle, respectively agreed to purchase as PIPE Investors in the PIPE Financing, 18,000, 13,000 and 18,000 shares of NewCo, which, upon the Amalgamation, became 18,000, 13,000 and 18,000 common shares of the Company, respectively, for a purchase price of $10 per share.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions prior to the Business Combination

Shareholder Agreement

The Li-Cycle’s shareholders agreement, as amended November 12, 2020, granted certain rights to holders of Li-Cycle Shares and Class A preferred shares of Li-Cycle, including certain approval rights, pre-emptive rights, tag-along rights, drag-along rights and information rights. The shareholders agreement terminated in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination.

Related-Party Lease

From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the Company leased certain office space from Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the lease, the Company was required to pay Cdn. $4,500 per month plus applicable taxes, subject to 60 days’ notice of termination. Li-Cycle terminated the lease, effective December 31, 2021. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $39,866 in relation to this vendor, as compared to $35,505 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Share Subscriptions

On March 23, 2018, Li-Cycle issued 1,663 Li-Cycle Shares to Richard Findlay, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Alex Lowrie, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Louise Lowrie, 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Anthony Lowrie and 9,706 Li-Cycle Shares to Liv Lowrie, in each case for a subscription price of C$18.03 per Li-Cycle Share. On January 23, 2019, Li-Cycle issued 4,234 Li-Cycle Shares to Alex Lowrie as a finder’s fee in connection with a prior financing conducted by Li-Cycle. Alex Lowrie was a director of Li-Cycle prior to the Business Combination and each of Louise Lowrie, Anthony Lowrie and Liv Lowrie are immediate family members of Alex Lowrie.

 

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On October 10, 2019, Li-Cycle issued 123,519 Li-Cycle Shares to TechMet Limited, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Li-Cycle Shares at that time, for a subscription price of C$53.34 per Li-Cycle Share. On February 4, 2020, Li-Cycle issued 122,600 Li-Cycle Shares to TechMet Limited for a subscription price of C$81.81.

On May 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into a consulting agreement with Atria Limited (“Atria”), an entity which beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding Li-Cycle Shares at that time, to agree upon and finalize the consideration for certain business development and marketing consulting services that were previously performed on behalf of the Company from 2018 through April 2020. The fees for such services were agreed at 12,000 Li-Cycle Shares payable in installments of 1,000 Li-Cycle Shares per month. On January 25, 2021, Li-Cycle issued all of the 12,000 shares to Atria in full and final satisfaction of all obligations of Li-Cycle to Atria under the consulting agreement. Atria also directed the issuance of such shares as follows: 8,000 Shares to Atria; 2,000 Shares to Pella Ventures, an affiliated company of Atria; and 2,000 Shares to a director of the Company at such time, who is not related to Atria.

Investor Agreement

At the closing date of the Business Combination, the Company, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders entered into the Investor Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders were granted certain registration rights with respect to the common shares held by the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders. The Investor Agreement provides that the common shares held by the Li-Cycle Holders will be subject to certain restrictions on the transfer of common shares held by them. For additional information, see the section titled “Description of Securities — Registration Rights — Investor Agreement.”

Promissory Notes

On June 16, 2021, Li-Cycle issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000 as consideration for loans received from entities affiliated with the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, respectively. The Promissory Notes bore interest at the rate of 10% per annum and had a maturity date of December 15, 2023. The Promissory Notes were unsecured and subordinate to indebtedness owing to Li-Cycle’s senior lender, BDC Capital Inc. Li-Cycle had the option of prepaying all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the Promissory Notes prior to the maturity date without penalty, subject to certain conditions. On August 17, 2021, Li-Cycle repaid the Promissory Notes and accrued interest in full, for a total of $7,113,151.

Our Related Party Transactions

Related-Party Expenses

The Company has engaged Fade In Production Pty. Ltd., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, to provide it with corporate video production services since 2017. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $145,851 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $42,739 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

The Company has engaged Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide it with marketing items and employee gifts since April 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $46,640 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $5,405 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

 

 

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The Company has engaged Consulero Inc., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide it with technology services since September 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $103,040 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $46,515 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Consulting Agreement

On May 1, 2020, Li-Cycle entered into a consulting agreement with Atria Limited (“Atria”), an entity which beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding Li-Cycle Corp. Shares at that time, to agree upon and finalize the consideration for certain business development and marketing consulting services that were previously performed on behalf of Li-Cycle from 2018 through April 2020. The fees for such services were agreed at 12,000 common shares of Li-Cycle Corp., payable in installments of 1,000 shares per month. On January 25, 2021, Li-Cycle issued all of the 12,000 shares to Atria as full and final satisfaction of all obligations of Li-Cycle to Atria under the consulting agreement. Atria also directed the issuance of such shares as follows: 8,000 Shares to Atria; 2,000 Shares to Pella Ventures (an affiliated company of Atria); and 2,000 Shares to a director of Li-Cycle Corp. at the time, who is not related to Atria.

Director Consulting Agreements

Under the terms of an agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Anthony Tse, Mr. Tse provided consulting services to Li-Cycle in relation to the proposed expansion of its operations in Asia and was entitled to a fee of $4,700 per month for such services. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, Mr. Tse was paid aggregate fees under this agreement of $56,400. The consulting agreement was terminated on January 19, 2022.

Under the terms of a consulting agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Rick Findlay, for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, Mr. Findlay was paid aggregate fees of $1,332, using an exchange rate of CA$1.00 = US$0.8073, which was the Bank of Canada noon rate on October 30, 2021. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, there were no fees paid. The consulting agreement was terminated on June 25, 2021.

Our Related Party Transaction Policy and Practices

Related Party Transaction Policy.

In connection with the Business Combination, our board of directors adopted a written related party transactions policy that became effective as of the Closing. For purposes of the policy, related party transactions include transactions that would be required to be disclosed under Item 7 of Form 20-F. This includes transactions or loans between the company and (a) enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with, the Company, (b) unconsolidated enterprises in which the Company has significant influence, or which has significant influence over the Company, (c) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of the Company that gives them significant influence over the Company, and close members of any such individual’s family, (d) key management personnel, that is, those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, including directors and senior management of companies and close members of such individuals’ families, and (e) enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence. Shareholders beneficially owning a 10% interest or greater in voting power are deemed to have significant influence.

Employment Agreements.

In accordance with the Business Combination Agreement, upon the consummation of the Business Combination, we entered into employment agreements with certain of our executive officers.

 

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Indemnification Agreements.

The Company has entered into separate indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in the by-laws. These agreements, among other things, require the Company to indemnify its directors and executive officers for certain costs, charges and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts, reasonably incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding because of their association with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

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PRINCIPAL SECURITYHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company’s common shares based on 168,891,877 common shares issued and outstanding as of February 11, 2022, with respect to beneficial ownership of our common shares by:

 

   

each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common shares;

 

   

each of our executive officers and directors; and

 

   

all our executive officers and directors as a group.

In accordance with SEC rules, individuals and entities below are shown as having beneficial ownership over common shares they own or have the right to acquire within 60 days, as well as common shares for which they have the right to vote or dispose of such common shares. In accordance with SEC rules, for purposes of calculating percentages of beneficial ownership, common shares which a person has the right to acquire within 60 days are included both in that person’s beneficial ownership as well as in the total number of common shares issued and outstanding used to calculate that person’s percentage ownership but not for purposes of calculating the percentage for other persons.

Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe that the persons named below have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all common shares that they beneficially own. The common shares owned by the persons named below have the same voting rights as the common shares owned by other holders. We believe that, as of February 11, 2022, approximately 58.8% of our common shares are owned by 32 record holders in the United States of America.

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each beneficial owner listed in the tables below is c/o Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

   Number of
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage
of
Outstanding
Common
Shares (1)
 

Directors and Executive Officers

     

Ajay Kochhar (2)

     25,207,734        14.9

Tim Johnston (3)

     11,851,254        7.0

Mark Wellings (4)

     274,541        *  

Rick Findlay (5)

     822,415        *  

Anthony Tse (6)

     227,844        *  

Alan Levande (7)

     933,660        *  

Scott Prochazka (8)

     30,000        *  

Debbie Simpson (9)

     0        *  

Kunal Phalpher (10)

     603,597        *  

Chris Biederman (11)

     106,141        *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (10 individuals)

     40,057,186        23.7

Five Percent or Greater Shareholders

     

TechMet Limited (12)

     12,969,674        7.7

Louis M. Bacon (13)

     9,805,398        5.8

CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC (14)

     9,568,024        5.7

 

*

Less than 1 percent

(1)

Based upon a total of 168,891,877 common shares outstanding as of February 11, 2022.

 

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(2)

Ajay Kochhar’s 25,207,734 shares beneficially owned include (1) 45,797 common shares owned directly by Mr. Kochhar, (2) 24,862,612 common shares owned by 2829908 Delaware LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maplebriar Holdings Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario (“Maplebriar Holdings”), having a sole shareholder, The Kochhar Family Trust, an irrevocable trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (the “Trust”), and (3) 299,325 common shares subject to stock options held by Mr. Kochhar which includes options to acquire (i) 159,640 common shares at a price of US$0.02 per share until April 11, 2023, and (ii) 139,685 common shares at a price of US$0.36 per share until July 19, 2024. There is an oral agreement among Mr. Kochhar, the Trust, Maplebriar Holding, and 2829908 Delaware LLC, that grants Mr. Kochhar the sole power to control the voting and disposition of the common shares of the Company held by 2829908 Delaware LLC. Mr. Kochhar is one of three trustees of the Trust, along with Mr. Kochhar’s brother and father, and the beneficiaries of the Trust are principally relatives of Mr. Kochhar. There is an oral agreement among Mr. Kochhar, the Trust, Maplebriar Holdings and 2829908 Delaware LLC that grants Mr. Kochhar the sole power to control the voting and disposition of the common shares held by 2829908 Delaware LLC. Mr. Kochhar is a Director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

(3)

Tim Johnston’s 11,851,254 shares beneficially owned include (1) 45,797 common shares owned directly by Mr. Johnston, (2) 11,047,167 common shares owned by Keperra Holdings Ltd., a Guernsey corporation (“Keperra”) and (3) 758,290 common shares subject to vested stock options, which includes options to acquire (i) 399,100 common shares at a price of US$0.02 per share until September 12, 2022, (ii) 159,640 common shares at a price of US$0.02 per share until April 11, 2023, and (iii) 199,550 common shares at a price of US$0.36 per share until July 19, 2024. Mr. Johnston is the sole shareholder of Keperra. Artemis Nominees Limited is a nominee company that holds legal title to 100 shares of Keperra as nominee of and trustee for Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston is a Director and the Executive Chairman of the Company.

(4)

Mark Wellings’ 274,541 shares beneficially owned include (1) 7,304 common shares owned directly by Mr. Wellings, (2) 180,234 common shares owned by ZCR Corp., a holding company wholly owned by Mr. Wellings, 18,000 of which were purchased through the PIPE Financing, and (3) vested options to acquire 87,003 common shares at a price of US$0.37 per share until July 19, 2024. Mr. Wellings is a director of the Company.

(5)

Rick Findlay’s 822,415 shares beneficially owned include (1) 523,090 owned directly, including 13,000 acquired through the PIPE Financing and (2) 299,325 common shares subject to stock options, which includes vested options to acquire (i) 159,640 common shares at a price of US$0.02 per share until April 11, 2023 and (ii) 139,685 common shares at a price of US$0.37 per share until July 19, 2024. Mr. Findlay is a Director of the Company.

(6)

Anthony Tse beneficially owns 227,844 common shares. Mr. Tse is a Director of the Company.

(7)

Alan Levande beneficially owns 933,660 common shares. Mr. Levande was previously the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors of Peridot prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and is currently a Director of the Company.

(8)

Scott Prochazka beneficially owns 30,000 common shares directly. Mr. Prochazka previously served as a Director of Peridot and is currently a Director of the Company.

(9)

Debbie Simpson is the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

(10)

Kunal Phalpher beneficially owns 603,597 common shares consisting of (1) 304,272 common shares owned directly by Mr. Phalpher, and (2) 299,325 common shares subject to vested stock options, which includes options to acquire (i) 159,640 common shares at a price of US$0.02 per share until April 11, 2023 and (ii) 139,685 common shares at a price of US$0.37 per share until July 19, 2024. Mr. Phalpher is the Chief Commercial Officer of the Company.

(11)

Chris Biederman beneficially owns 106,141 common shares which he owns directly. Mr. Biederman is the Chief Technology Officer of the Company.

(12)

According to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 17, 2021, as of August 17, 2021, TechMet Limited beneficially owned 12,969,674 common shares. The business address of TechMet Limited is Suite 22, 20 lower Baggott Street, Dublin 2, D02 X658 Ireland.

 

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(13)

According to an amendment no. 1 to a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2022, as of February 14, 2022, Louis M. Bacon beneficially owned 9,805,398 common shares consisting of (1) 2,000,000 common shares held by MMF LT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MMF”) and (2) 7,805,398 common shares held by Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MSV”). Kendall Capital Markets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“KCM”) and MSV may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the 7,805,398 common shares held by MSV. Each of Moore Capital Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“MCM”), Moore Global Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MGI”), Moore Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“MCA”), MMF and Mr. Bacon may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 2,000,000 Shares held by MMF. Mr. Bacon controls the general partner of MCM, is the chairman and director of MCA, and is the indirect majority owner of MMF. MCM, the investment manager of MMF, has voting and investment control over the shares held by MMF. MGI and MCA are the sole owners of MMF. KCM, the investment manager of MSV, has voting and investment control over the shares held by MSV. Louis M. Bacon controls KCM and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the shares held by MSV. The business address of MCM, MMF, MGI, MCA, MSV, KCM, and Mr. Bacon is Eleven Times Square, New York, New York 10036.

(14)

CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC holdings include common shares held by Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC is an affiliate of Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. The business address of CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC is 2229 San Felipe Street, Suite 1450, Houston, TX 77019. CEC Aventurine Holdings is controlled by Carnelian Energy Capital III, L.P. (“Carnelian Fund III”), its sole member. Carnelian Fund III is controlled by its general partner, Carnelian Energy Capital GP III, L.P. (“Carnelian L.P.”) and Carnelian L.P. is controlled by its general partner Carnelian Energy Capital Holdings, LLC (“Carnelian Holdings”). Tomas Ackerman and Daniel Goodman are the controlling members of Carnelian Holdings. Accordingly, Tomas Ackerman and Daniel Goodman have voting and investment control of the common shares held by CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC.

We are not aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of the Company.

 

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SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

This prospectus relates to the possible resale by the selling securityholders of up to 107,264,669 common shares.

The selling securityholders may from time to time offer and sell any or all of the common shares set forth below pursuant to this prospectus. When we refer to the “selling securityholders” in this prospectus, we mean the persons listed in the tables below, and the pledgees, donees, transferees, assignees, successors and others who later come to hold any of the selling securityholders’ interest in our common shares after the date of this prospectus.

The table below sets forth, as of February 11, 2022, the name of the selling securityholders for which we are registering common shares for resale to the public, and the aggregate principal amount that the selling securityholders may offer pursuant to this prospectus. In accordance with SEC rules, individuals and entities below are shown as having beneficial ownership over shares they own or have the right to acquire within 60 days, as well as shares for which they have the right to vote or dispose of. Also in accordance with SEC rules, for purposes of calculating percentages of beneficial ownership, shares which a person has the right to acquire within 60 days are included both in that person’s beneficial ownership as well as in the total number of shares outstanding used to calculate that person’s percentage ownership but not for purposes of calculating the percentage for other persons. In some cases, the same shares are reflected more than once in the table below because more than one holder may be deemed the beneficial owner of the same shares.

The common shares held by certain of the selling securityholders are subject to transfer restrictions, as described in the section titled “Description of Securities — Transfer Restrictions.”

We cannot advise you as to whether the selling securityholders will in fact sell any or all of such common shares. In addition, the selling securityholders may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the common shares in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date of this prospectus, subject to applicable law.

Selling securityholder information for each additional selling securityholder, if any, will be set forth by prospectus supplement to the extent required prior to the time of any offer or sale of such selling securityholder’s common shares pursuant to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may add, update, substitute, or change the information contained in this prospectus, including the identity of each selling securityholder and the number of common shares registered on its behalf. A selling securityholder may sell all, some or none of such common shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”

Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe that the persons named below have sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all common shares that they beneficially own. The shares owned by the persons named below do not have voting rights different from the shares owned by other holders.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed in the tables below is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

 

    Securities Beneficially
Owned prior to this
Offering
    Securities to Be
Sold in this
Offering
    Securities Beneficially
Owned after this

Offering
 

Name of Selling Securityholder

  Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)     Common
Shares
    Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)  

2829908 Delaware LLC (2)

    24,862,612       14.7     24,862,612       —         —    

TechMet Limited (3)

    12,969,674       7.7     12,969,674       —         —    

Keperra Holdings Limited (4)

    11,047,167       6.5     11,047,167       —         —    

CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC (5)

    9,568,024       5.7     9,568,024       —         —    

Moore Strategic Ventures (6)

    7,805,398       4.6     7,805,398       —         —    

AH Clover Ltd. (7)

    6,304,542       3.7     6,304,542       —         —    

 

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    Securities Beneficially
Owned prior to this
Offering
    Securities to Be
Sold in this
Offering
    Securities Beneficially
Owned after this

Offering
 

Name of Selling Securityholder

  Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)     Common
Shares
    Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)  

Principal Nominees Limited (8)

    5,543,059       3.3     5,543,059       —         —    

MMF LT, LLC (9)

    5,150,000       3.1     5,000,000       150,000       *  

Pella Ventures Limited (10)

    2,801,562       1.7     2,801,562       —         —    

Atria Limited (11)

    1,770,247       1.1     1,770,247       —         —    

Antara Capital Master Fund LP (12)

    1,700,000       1.0     1,700,000       —         —    

Covalis Capital Master Fund Ltd. (13)

    1,560,959       *       1,560,959       —         —    

MIC Capital Partners (Public) Parallel Cayman, L.P. (14)

    1,500,000       *       1,500,000       —         —    

Nineteen77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited (15)

    1,454,252       *       321,930       1,132,322       *  

Covalis Capital Tactical Opportunities Master Fund Ltd (16)

    476,565       *       476,565       —         —    

Energy Impact Fund II LP (17)

    1,200,000       *       1,200,000       —         —    

Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC (18)

    2,586,278       1.5     1,000,000       1,586,278       *  

2019 GS LLC (19)

    4,902,679       2.9     1,000,000       3,902,679       2.3

Atlas Diversified Master Fund, Ltd. (20)

    1,000,000       *       1,000,000       —         —    

Alexander Lowrie (21)

    973,245       *       973,245       —         —    

Arena Capital Advisors (22)

    936,907       *       100,000       836,907       *  

Alan Levande (23)

    933,660       *       933,660       —         —    

D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C. (24)

    900,000       *       900,000       —         —    

Traxys Projects, L.P. (25)

    217,863       *       217,863       —         —    

Covalis Capital Strategic Opportunities Master Fund SPC - Covalis Capital Energy Transition Master Fund SP (26)

    472,226       *       472,226       —         —    

Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Master Limited (27)

    623,970       *       321,930       302,040       *  

Richard Findlay (28)

    822,415       *       523,090       299,325       *  

Standard Investment Research Hedged Equity Master Fund, Ltd (29)

    500,000       *       500,000       —         —    

Lugard Road Capital Master Fund, LP (30)

    492,549       *       492,549       —         —    

Arosa Opportunistic Fund LP (31)

    490,000       *       280,000       210,000       *  

Magnetar Constellation Master Fund, Ltd (32)

    451,004       *       265,000       186,004       *  

Markus Specks (33)

    377,910       *       377,910       —         —    

Franklin Templeton Investment Funds - Franklin Natural Resources Fund (34)

    326,200       *       326,200       —         —    

Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. (35)

    320,500       *       320,500       —         —    

D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C. (36)

    300,000       *       300,000       —         —    

Anthony Peter Tse (37)

    253,536       *       227,844       25,692       *  

HITE Hedge ET LP (38)

    212,300       *       212,300       —         —    

Arosa Alternative Energy Fund LP (39)

    210,000       *       120,000       90,000       *  

Tech Opportunities LLC (40)

    200,000       *       200,000       —         —    

ZCR Corp (41)

    180,234       *       180,234       —         —    

Magnetar Structured Credit Fund, LP (42)

    179,000       *       106,000       73,000       *  

Franklin Strategic Series - Franklin Natural Resources Fund (43)

    173,800       *       173,800       —         —    

Thebes Offshore Master Fund, LP (44)

    166,667       *       166,667       —         —    

Luxor Capital Partners, LP (45)

    24,635       *       24,635       —         —    

Magnetar Xing He Master Fund Ltd (46)

    156,499       *       91,000       65,499       *  

Magnetar Constellation Fund II, Ltd (47)

    131,501       *       78,000       53,501       *  

Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. (48)

    111,886       *       79,500       32,386       *  

Magnetar SC Fund Ltd (49)

    109,500       *       60,000       49,500       *  

Difesa Master Fund, LP (50)

    100,000       *       100,000       —         *  

Patrick Molyneux (51)

    180,000       *       100,000       80,000       *  

Luxor Capital Partners Offshore Master Fund, LP (52)

    18,772       *       18,772       —         —    

Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Opportunity Fund (53)

    89,854       *       53,760       36,094       *  

Luxor Wavefront, LP (54)

    6,593       *       6,593       —         —    

Magnetar Lake Credit Fund LLC (55)

    77,498       *       40,000       37,498       *  

ASIG International Limited (56)

    66,109       *       66,109       —         —    

 

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    Securities Beneficially
Owned prior to this
Offering
    Securities to Be
Sold in this
Offering
    Securities Beneficially
Owned after this

Offering
 

Name of Selling Securityholder

  Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)     Common
Shares
    Common
Shares
    Percentage (1)  

Purpose Alternative Credit Fund Ltd (57)

    60,498       *       37,000       23,498       *  

HITE Carbon Offset Ltd. (58)

    60,000       *       60,000       —         —    

DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC (59)

    58,798       *       58,798       —         —    

Magnetar Capital Master Fund Ltd (60)

    40,000       *       40,000       —         —    

Magnetar Discovery Master Fund Ltd (61)

    40,000       *       40,000       —         —    

Jonathan Silver (62)

    30,000       *       30,000       —         —    

June Yearwood (63)

    30,000       *       30,000       —         —    

Magnetar Longhorn Fund LP (64)

    30,000       *       30,000       —         —    

Scott Prochazka (65)

    30,000       *       30,000       —         —    

HITE Carbon Offset LP (66)

    27,700       *       27,700       —         —    

Windermere Ireland Fund PLC (67)

    24,665       *       24,665       —         —    

Purpose Alternative Credit Fund - T LLC (68)

    24,500       *       13,000       11,500       *  

IAM Investments ICAV – O’Connor Event Driven UCITS Fund (69)

    4,534       *       2,380       2,154       *  

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

Based upon a total of 168,891,877 common shares outstanding as of February 11, 2022.

(2)

2829908 Delaware LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Maplebriar Holdings Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of Ontario (“Maplebriar Holdings”), having a sole shareholder, The Kochhar Family Trust, an irrevocable trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada (the “Trust”). Mr. Kochhar is a Director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Kochhar is one of three trustees of the Trust, along with Mr. Kochhar’s brother and father, and the beneficiaries of the Trust are principally relatives of Mr. Kochhar. There is an oral agreement among Mr. Kochhar, the Trust, Maplebriar Holdings and 2829908 Delaware LLC that grants Mr. Kochhar the sole power to control the voting and disposition of the common shares held by 2829908 Delaware LLC.

(3)

The business address of TechMet Limited is Suite 22, 20 lower Baggott Street, Dublin 2, D02 X658 Ireland.

(4)

Tim Johnston, a Director and the Executive Chairman of the Company, is the sole owner of Keperra Holdings Limited and may be deemed to have voting and investment control of the common shares. The business address of Keperra Holdings Limited is Trafalgar Court, 2nd Floor, East Wing, Admiral Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3EL.

(5)

CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC holdings include common shares held by Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC is an affiliate of Peridot Acquisition Sponsor, LLC. The business address of CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC is 2229 San Felipe Street, Suite 1450, Houston, TX 77019. CEC Aventurine Holdings is controlled by Carnelian Energy Capital III, L.P. (“Carnelian Fund III”), its sole member. Carnelian Fund III is controlled by its general partner, Carnelian Energy Capital GP III, L.P. (“Carnelian L.P.”) and Carnelian L.P. is controlled by its general partner Carnelian Energy Capital Holdings, LLC (“Carnelian Holdings”). Tomas Ackerman and Daniel Goodman are the controlling members of Carnelian Holdings. Accordingly, Tomas Ackerman and Daniel Goodman have voting and investment control of the common shares held by CEC Aventurine Holdings, LLC.

(6)

Louis Bacon controls the general partner of Moore Capital Management, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“MCM”), is the chairman and director of Moore Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“MCA”) and is the indirect majority owner of MMF LT, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MMF”). MCM, the investment manager of MMF, has voting and investment control over the common shares held by MMF. Moore Global Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MGI”) and MCA are the sole owners of MMF. Kendall Capital Markets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“KCM”), the investment manager of Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MSV”), has voting and investment control over the common shares held by MSV. Louis M. Bacon controls KCM and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the common shares held by MSV. The business address of MCM, MMF, MGI, MCA, MSV, KCM, and Mr. Bacon is 11 Times Square, New York, New York 10036.

(7)

Andrew Henry Clover, as sole shareholder of AH Clover Ltd., may be deemed to have voting or investment power with respect to the common shares. The business address of AH Clover Ltd. is c/o TC Group, Level 1 Devonshire House, London, W1J 8AJ.

(8)

The business address of Principal Nominees Limited is 16 South Park, Seven Oaks, GB-KEN, GB TN13 1AN.

(9)

MCM is the investment manager of MMF LT, LLC and has voting and investment control of the common shares held by MMF. Louis Bacon controls the general partner of MCM and may be deemed the beneficial owner of the common shares of the Company held by MMF. Mr. Bacon is also the indirect majority owner of MMF. The business address of MMF, MCM and Mr. Bacon is 11 Times Square, New York, New York 10036.

 

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(10)

The business address of Pella Ventures Limited is Trafalgar Court, 2nd Floor, East Wing, Admiral Park, St. Peter Port, GG GY1 3EL.

(11)

The business address of Atria Limited is St. Martin’s House, Le Bordage, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 4JE.

(12)

Himanshu Gulati, the sole member of the GP of Antara Capital LP (the Investment Manager of Antara Capital Master Fund LP), may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares held by the Antara Capital Master Fund LP. Mr. Gulati disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares held by Antara Capital Master Fund LP except to the extent of any pecuniary interest. The business address of Antara Capital Master Fund LP is 500 5th Avenue, Suite 2320, New York, New York 10110.

(13)

Zilvinas Mecelis, as the Chief Investment Officer of Covalis Capital LLP, the investment manager for Covalis Capital Master Fund Ltd., may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to the common shares. The business address of Covalis Capital Master Fund Ltd. is 5th Floor 52 Conduit Street, London, England, W1S 2XY.

(14)

As managers of MIC Capital Partners (Public) Parallel Cayman, L.P., Hani Barhoush, Rodney Cannon and Maxime Franzetti have voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of MIC Capital Partners (Public) Parallel Cayman, L.P. is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Rd., George Town Grand Cayman E9 KY1-9008.

(15)

Kevin Russell, the Chief Investment Officer of UBS O’Connor LLC, the investment manager of Nineteen77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Nineteen77 Global Multi-Strategy Alpha Master Limited is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, George Town KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(16)

Zilvinas Mecelis, as the Chief Investment Officer of Covalis Capital LLP, the investment manager for Covalis Capital Tactical Opportunities Master Fund Ltd, may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to the common shares. The business address of Covalis Capital Tactical Opportunities Master Fund Ltd is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, 190 Eglin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1- 9008.

(17)

Hans Kobler, as the managing member of Energy Impact Partners LLC, the general partner of Energy Impact Fund II LP, may be deemed to have voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Energy Impact Fund II LP is 622 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

(18)

Paul McPheeters, the portfolio manager of Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Atlas Point Energy Infrastructure Fund, LLC is c/o Atlantic Trust Company, N.A., 3290 Northside Parkway, 7th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30327.

  beneficial ownership of the securities listed above. The business address of Marshall Wace Investment Strategies — Eureka Fund is 32 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
(19)

HCC Manager LLC, the manager of 2019 GS LLC, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of 2019 GS LLC is c/o HCC Manager LLC, 222 N. Lasalle, Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

(20)

Linburgh Martin, John Sutlic and Scott Schroeder, as directors of Atlas Diversified Master Fund, Ltd, are the beneficial owners of the common shares and have voting control. The business address of Atlas Diversified Master Fund, Ltd. is c/o Balyasny Asset Management L.P., 444 West Lake Street, 50th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(21)

The business address of Alexander Lowrie is 96 Kensington High Street, London, United Kingdom, W8 4SG.

(22)

Arena Capital Advisors, LLC is the general partner of Arena Capital Advisors and may be deemed to have voting control and investment discretion over the common shares. The partners of Arena Capital Advisors are Daniel Elperin, Jeremy Sagi and Sanije Perrett. The business address of Arena Capital Advisors is 12121 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1010, Los Angeles, California 90025.

(23)

Alan Levande is a Director of Li-Cycle. The business address of Alan Levande is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

(24)

D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C. has the power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares directly owned by it. D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., as the investment adviser of D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., as the manager of D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. Julius Gaudio, Maximilian Stone, and Eric Wepsic, or their designees, exercise voting and investment control over the common shares on D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.’s and D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C.’s behalf. D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., as general partner of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc., as managing member of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. None of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., or D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc. owns any common shares of the Company directly, and each entity disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares. David E. Shaw does not own any common

 

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  shares of the Company directly. By virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as President and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., which is the general partner of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., and by virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as President and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc., which is the managing member of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., David E. Shaw may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares and, therefore, David E. Shaw may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the common shares. David E. Shaw disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares. The business address of D. E. Shaw Valence Portfolios, L.L.C. is 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036.
(25)

Alan Docter and Mark Kristoff, as directors of Traxys Resources Ltd., the general partner of Traxys Projects L.P., have voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Traxys Projects, L.P. is 299 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10171.

(26)

Zilvinas Mecelis, as the Chief Investment Officer of Covalis Capital LLP, the investment manager for Covalis Capital Strategic Opportunities Master Fund SPC — Covalis Capital Energy Transition Master Fund SP, may be deemed to have voting and investment power with respect to the common shares. The business address of Covalis Capital Strategic Opportunities Master Fund SPC — Covalis Capital Energy Transition Master Fund SP is c/o Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Rd., George Town Grand Cayman E9 KY1-9008.

(27)

Kevin Russell, the Chief Investment Officer of UBS O’Connor LLC, the investment manager of Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Master Limited, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Master Limited is c/o UBS O’Connor LLC, UBS Tower, 1 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(28)

Richard Findlay is a Director of Li-Cycle. The business address of Richard Findlay is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

(29)

Shawn M. Brennan, as managing member of the general partner of SIR Capital Management L.P. as investment manager of Standard Investment Research Hedged Equity Master Fund, Ltd, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Standard Investment Research Hedged Equity Master Fund, Ltd is 620 8th Avenue, New York, New York, 10018.

(30)

Jonathan Green, the portfolio manager of Luxor Capital Group, LP the investment manager of Lugard Road Capital Master Fund, LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Lugard Road Capital Master Fund, LP is 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 28th Floor, New York, New York 10036.

(31)

Till Bechtolsheimer, the Chief Executive Officer of the investment manager of Arosa Opportunistic Fund LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Arosa Opportunistic Fund LP is 550 West 34th Street, New York, New York, 10001.

(32)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Constellation Master Fund, Ltd. and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Constellation Master Fund, Ltd. Magnetar Financial LLC is a registered investment adviser under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Constellation Master Fund, Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1300, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(33)

The business address of Markus Specks is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

(34)

Fred Fromm, the portfolio manager of Franklin Templeton Investment Funds — Franklin Natural Resources Fund and vice president of Franklin Advisers, Inc., the investment manager for Franklin Templeton Investment Funds — Franklin Natural Resources Fund, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Franklin Templeton Investment Funds — Franklin Natural Resources Fund is One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403.

(35)

Kepos Capital LP is the investment manager of Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. and Kepos Partners LLC is the General Partner of Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. and each may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares. The general partner of Kepos Capital LP is Kepos Capital GP LLC and the Managing Member of Kepos Partners LLC is Kepos Partners MM LLC. Mark Carhart controls Kepos Capital GP LLC and Kepos Partners MM LLC and, accordingly, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares held by Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. Mr. Carhart disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares held by Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. The business address of Kepos Alpha Master Fund L.P. is 11 Times Square, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10036.

(36)

D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C. has the power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares directly owned by it. D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., as the investment adviser of D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose

 

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  or direct the disposition of) the common shares. D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., as the manager of D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. Julius Gaudio, Maximilian Stone, and Eric Wepsic, or their designees, exercise voting and investment control over the common shares on D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.’s and D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C.’s behalf. D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., as general partner of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc., as managing member of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares. None of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., or D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc. owns any common shares of the Company directly, and each entity disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares. David E. Shaw does not own any common shares of the Company directly. By virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as President and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., which is the general partner of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P., and by virtue of David E. Shaw’s position as President and sole shareholder of D. E. Shaw & Co. II, Inc., which is the managing member of D. E. Shaw & Co., L.L.C., David E. Shaw may be deemed to have shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the common shares and, therefore, David E. Shaw may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the common shares. David E. Shaw disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares. The business address of D. E. Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C. is 1166 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10036.
(37)

Anthony Tse is a Director of Li-Cycle. The business address of Anthony Tse is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

(38)

Robert Matthew Niblack, as president of Hite Hedge Asset Managements, LLC, the investment manager of HITE Hedge ET LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of HITE Hedge ET LP is c/o Hite Hedge Capital LP, 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 108, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169.

(39)

Till Bechtolsheimer, Chief Executive Officer of the investment manager of Arosa Alternative Energy Fund LP has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Arosa Alternative Energy Fund LP is 550 West 34th Street, New York, New York, 10001.

(40)

Hudson Bay Capital Management LP, the investment manager of Tech Opportunities LLC, has voting and investment power over the common shares. Sander Gerber is the managing member of Hudson Bay Capital GP LLC, which is the general partner of Hudson Bay Capital Management LP. Each of Tech Opportunities LLC and Sander Gerber disclaims beneficial ownership over the common shares. The business address of Tech Opportunities LLC is 777 3rd Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

(41)

Mark Wellings is a Director of Li-Cycle and has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of ZCR Corp is 2 Highland Avenue, Toronto, Canada, M4W 2A3.

(42)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the general partner of Magnetar Structured Credit Fund, LP. and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Structured Credit Fund, LP. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Structured Credit Fund, LP is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(43)

Fred Fromm, the portfolio manager of Franklin Strategic Series — Franklin Natural Resources Fund and vice president of Franklin Advisers, Inc., the investment manager for Franklin Strategic Series — Franklin Natural Resources Fund, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Franklin Strategic Series — Franklin Natural Resources Fund is One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403.

(44)

Christian Leone, Portfolio Manager of Luxor Capital Group, LP, Investment Manager of Thebes Offshore Master Fund, LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Thebes Offshore Master Fund, LP is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, George Town KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(45)

Christian Leone, Portfolio Manager of Luxor Capital Group, LP, Investment Manager of Luxor Capital Partners, LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Luxor Capital Partners, LP is 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10036.

(46)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Xing He Master Fund Ltd. and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Xing He Master Fund Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Xing He Master Fund Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

 

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(47)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Constellation Fund II, Ltd. and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Constellation Fund II, Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Constellation Fund II, Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(48)

Kepos Capital LP is the investment manager of Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. and Kepos Partners LLC is the General Partner of Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. and each may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares. The general partner of Kepos Capital LP is Kepos Capital GP LLC and the Managing Member of Kepos Partners LLC is Kepos Partners MM LLC. Mark Carhart controls Kepos Capital GP LLC and Kepos Partners MM LLC and, accordingly, may be deemed to have voting and dispositive power with respect to the common shares held by Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. Mr. Carhart disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares held by Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. The business address of Kepos Carbon Transition Master Fund L.P. is 11 Times Square, 35th Floor, New York, New York 10036.

(49)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar SC Fund Ltd and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar SC Fund Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar SC Fund Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(50)

Andrew Cohen, the General Partner of Difesa Master Fund, LP, exercises voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Difesa Master Fund, LP is 40 West 57th Street, Suite 2020, New York. New York 10019.

(51)

The business address of Patrick Molyneux is 149 Crescent Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4W1V1.

(52)

Christian Leone, Portfolio Manager of Luxor Capital Group, LP, the Investment Manager of Luxor Capital Partners Offshore Master Fund, LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Luxor Capital Partners Offshore Master Fund, LP is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, George Town KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(53)

Kevin Russell, the Chief Investment Officer of UBS O’Connor LLC, the investment manager of Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Opportunity Fund, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Nineteen77 Global Merger Arbitrage Opportunity Fund is c/o UBS O’Connor LLC, UBS Tower, 1 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

(54)

Christian Leone, Portfolio Manager of Luxor Capital Group, LP, Investment Manager of Luxor Wavefront, LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of Luxor Wavefront, LP is 1114 Avenue of the Americas, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10036.

(55)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the manager of Magnetar Lake Credit Fund LLC and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Lake Credit Fund LLC. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Lake Credit Fund LLC is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(56)

Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. may be deemed the beneficial owners of the common shares in their capacity as the investment manager, trading manager, and/or general partner, as the case may be, of ASIG International Limited. As investment manager, trading advisor and/or general partner of ASIG International Limited, Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. have voting and investment control with respect to the securities held by ASIG International Limited. Anthony M. Frascella and William R. Techar are the co-Chief Investment Officers of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. Each of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C., Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. and such individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares except to the extent of its or his direct or indirect economic interest in ASIG International Limited. The business address of ASIG International Limited is c/o Citco Fund Serv (Cayman Islands) Ltd, 89 Nexus Way, 2nd Floor, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, E9 KY1-1205.

(57)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Purpose Alternative Credit Fund Ltd and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Purpose Alternative Credit Fund Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz.

 

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  Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Purpose Alternative Credit Fund Ltd is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, George Town KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
(58)

Robert Matthew Niblack, as president of Hite Hedge Asset Managements, LLC, the investment manager of HITE Carbon Offset Ltd., has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of HITE Carbon Offset Ltd. is c/o Hite Hedge Capital LP, 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 108, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169.

(59)

Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. may be deemed the beneficial owners of the common shares in their capacity as the investment manager, trading manager, and/or general partner, as the case may be, of DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC. As investment manager, trading advisor and/or general partner of DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC, Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. have voting and investment control with respect to the securities held by DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC. Anthony M. Frascella and William R. Techar are the co-Chief Investment Officers of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. Each of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C., Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. and such individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares except to the extent of its or his direct or indirect economic interest in DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC. The business address of DS Liquid Div RVA ARST, LLC is c/o Firm Investment Management (USA) LLC, 452 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10018.

(60)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Capital Master Fund Ltd and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Capital Master Fund Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Capital Master Fund Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(61)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Discovery Master Fund Ltd and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Discovery Master Fund Ltd. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Discovery Master Fund Ltd is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(62)

The business address of Jonathan Silver is c/o Peridot Acquisition Corp., 2229 San Felipe Street, Suite 1450, Houston, Texas 77019.

(63)

The business address of June Yearwood is c/o Peridot Acquisition Corp., 2229 San Felipe Street, Suite 1450, Houston, Texas 77019.

(64)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Magnetar Longhorn Fund LP and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Magnetar Longhorn Fund LP. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Magnetar Longhorn Fund LP is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(65)

Scott Prochazka is a Director of Li-Cycle. The business address of Scott Prochazka is 207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 590, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 1A7, Canada.

(66)

Robert Matthew Niblack, as president of Hite Hedge Asset Managements, LLC, the investment manager of HITE Carbon Offset LP, has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of HITE Carbon Offset LP is c/o Hite Hedge Capital LP, 300 Crown Colony Drive, Suite 108, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169.

(67)

Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. may be deemed the beneficial owners of the common shares in their capacity as the investment manager, trading manager, and/or general partner, as the case may be, of Windermere Ireland Fund PLC. As investment manager, trading advisor and/or general partner of Windermere Ireland Fund PLC, Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. have voting and investment control with respect to the securities held by Windermere Ireland Fund PLC. Anthony M. Frascella and William R. Techar are the co-Chief Investment Officers of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C. and Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. Each of Aristeia Capital, L.L.C., Aristeia Advisors, L.L.C. and such individuals disclaims beneficial ownership of the common shares except to the extent of its or his direct or indirect economic interest in Windermere Ireland Fund PLC. The business address of Windermere Ireland Fund PLC is 70, Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2, D02 R296, Ireland.

 

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(68)

Magnetar Financial LLC is the investment manager of Purpose Alternative Credit Fund — T LLC and exercises voting and investment power over the common shares held by Purpose Alternative Credit Fund — T LLC. Magnetar Capital Partners LP, is the sole member and parent holding company of Magnetar Financial LLC. Supernova Management LLC is the sole general partner of Magnetar Capital Partners LP. The manager of Supernova Management LLC is Alec N. Litowitz. Magnetar Financial LLC, Magnetar Capital Partners LP, Supernova Management LLC and Alec N. Litowitz disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities except to the extent of their pecuniary interest in the securities. The business address of Purpose Alternative Credit Fund — T LLC is 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

(69)

Kevin Russell, the Chief Investment Officer of UBS O’Connor LLC, the investment Manager of IAM Investments ICAV — O’Connor Event Driven UCITS Fund has voting or investment control over the common shares. The business address of IAM Investments ICAV — O’Connor Event Driven UCITS Fund is 32 Molesworth Street, Dublin, IE-D D02Y512, Ireland.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary based on present law of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of common shares. This discussion is not a complete description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder of common shares; it is not a substitute for tax advice. It applies only to U.S. Holders that will hold common shares as capital assets and use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. In addition, it does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a U.S. Holder in light of a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as banks or other financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, dealers, traders in securities that elect to mark-to-market, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships and other pass-through entities (including S-corporations), U.S. expatriates, persons liable for the alternative minimum tax, persons that directly, indirectly or constructively, own 5% or more of the total combined voting power of the Company’s stock or of the total value of the Company’s equity interests, investors that will hold common shares in connection with a permanent establishment or fixed base outside the United States, or investors that will hold securities as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion, constructive sale or other integrated financial transaction. This summary also does not address U.S. federal taxes other than the income tax (such as estate or gift taxes) or U.S. state and local, or non-U.S. tax laws or considerations.

As used in this section, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) a trust subject to the control of one or more U.S. persons and the primary supervision of a U.S. court; or (iv) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that holds common shares generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to their partners of the partnership’s ownership and disposition of common shares.

U.S. federal income tax consequences of U.S. Holders of common shares

Taxation of dividends and other distributions on our common shares

Subject to the discussion below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company rules,” the gross amount of any distribution of cash or property (other than certain pro rata distributions of ordinary stock) with respect to common shares will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income as ordinary income from foreign sources when actually or constructively received. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally available to U.S. corporations. Dividends received from a “qualified foreign corporation” by eligible non-corporate U.S. Holders that satisfy a minimum holding period and certain other requirements generally will be taxed at the preferential rate applicable to qualified dividend income. A non-U.S. corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends it pays on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. U.S. Treasury guidance indicates that shares listed on NYSE will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance, however, that common shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in future years. Non-corporate U.S. holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code (dealing with the deduction for investment interest expense) will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of the Company’s status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to

 

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make related payments with respect to the positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. The Company will not constitute a qualified foreign corporation for purposes of these rules if it is a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year in which it pays a dividend or for the preceding taxable year. See “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

Dividends paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be included in income in a U.S. dollar amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, whether or not the currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the non-U.S. currency will equal the U.S. dollar amount included in income. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the non-U.S. currency for a different U.S. dollar amount generally will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If dividends paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars are converted into U.S. dollars on the day they are received, the U.S. Holder generally will not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.

Subject to certain conditions and limitations, withholding taxes, if any, on dividends paid by the Company may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability under the U.S. foreign tax credit rules. For purposes of calculating the U.S. foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the — common shares will generally be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute passive category income. The rules governing the U.S. foreign tax credit are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the U.S. foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders generally will be includible in “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax.

Taxation of dispositions of common shares

Subject to the discussion below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company rules,” a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the disposed common shares. Any gain or loss generally will be treated as arising from U.S. sources and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period exceeds one year. Deductions for capital loss are subject to significant limitations.

It is possible that Canada may impose an income tax upon sale of common shares. Because gains generally will be treated as U.S. source gain, as a result of the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation, any Canadian income tax imposed upon capital gains in respect of common shares may not be currently creditable unless a U.S. Holder has other foreign source income for the year in the appropriate U.S. foreign tax credit limitation basket. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of Canadian taxes to a disposition of common shares and their ability to credit a Canadian tax against their U.S. federal income tax liability.

Capital gains from the sale or other disposition of common shares received by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders generally will be includible in “net investment income” for purposes of the Medicare contribution tax.

Passive Foreign Investment Company rules

Based on the composition of the Company’s current gross assets and income and the manner in which the Company expects to operate its business in future years, the Company believes that it should not be classified as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its current taxable year and does not expect to be so classified in the foreseeable future. In general, a non-U.S. corporation will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which, taking into account a pro rata portion of the income and assets of 25% or more owned subsidiaries, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is passive income, or (ii) 50% or more of the

 

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average quarterly value of its assets are assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income or which do not produce income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things and subject to various exceptions, interest, dividends, rents, royalties and gains from the disposition of assets that produce passive income. Whether the Company is a PFIC is a factual determination made annually, and the Company’s status could change depending among other things upon changes in the composition and relative value of its gross receipts and assets. Because the market value of the Company’s assets (including for this purpose goodwill) may be measured in large part by the market price of the common shares, which is likely to fluctuate, no assurance can be given that the Company will not be a PFIC in the current year or in any future taxable year.

If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, such U.S. Holder would be subject to additional taxes on any excess distributions and any gain realized from the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares (including certain pledges) regardless of whether the Company continues to be a PFIC. A U.S. Holder will have an excess distribution to the extent that distributions on common shares during a taxable year exceed 125% of the average amount received during the three preceding taxable years (or, if shorter, the US Holder’s holding period). To compute the tax on excess distributions or any gain, (i) the excess distribution or gain is allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period, (ii) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year before the Company became a PFIC is taxed as ordinary income in the current year and (iii) the amount allocated to other taxable years is taxed at the highest applicable marginal rate in effect for each year and an interest charge is imposed to recover the deemed benefit from the deferred payment of the tax attributable to each year.

If, as is not expected to be the case, the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder holds common shares, a U.S. Holder may be able to avoid some of the adverse impacts of the PFIC rules described above by electing to mark common shares to market annually. The election is available only if the common shares are considered “marketable stock,” which generally includes stock that is regularly traded in more than de minimis quantities on a qualifying exchange (which includes NYSE). If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, any gain from marking common shares to market or from disposing of them would be ordinary income. Any loss from marking common shares to market would be recognized only to the extent of unreversed gains previously included in income. Loss from marking common shares to market would be ordinary, but loss on disposing of them would be capital loss except to the extent of mark-to-market gains previously included in income. No assurance can be given that the common shares will be traded in sufficient frequency and quantity to be considered “marketable stock.” A valid mark-to-market election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS unless the common shares cease to be marketable stock.

As an alternative, if the Company were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may avoid the excess distribution rules described above in respect of common shares by electing to treat the Company (for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder owns any common shares) and any lower-tier PFIC (for the first taxable year in which the U.S. Holder is treated as owning an equity interest in such lower-tier PFIC) as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”). If a U.S. Holder makes an effective QEF election with respect to the Company (and any lower-tier PFIC), the U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income each year, whether or not the Company makes distributions, as capital gains, its pro rata share of the Company’s (and such lower-tier PFIC’s) net capital gains and, as ordinary income, its pro rata share of the Company’s (and such lower-tier PFIC’s) net earnings in excess of its net capital gains. U.S. Holders can make a QEF election only if the Company (and each lower-tier PFIC) provides certain information, including the amount of its ordinary earnings and net capital gains determined under U.S. tax principles. The Company has not determined whether it will provide U.S. Holders with this information if it determines that it is a PFIC.

U.S. Holders of common shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the Company’s possible PFIC status and the consequences to them if the Company were classified as a PFIC for any taxable year.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividends on common shares and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of common shares may be reported to the IRS unless the holder is a corporation or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. Backup withholding tax may apply to amounts subject to reporting. Any amount withheld may be credited against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability subject to certain rules and limitations. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisers regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.

Certain non-corporate U.S. Holders are required to report information with respect to common shares not held through an account with a domestic financial institution to the IRS. U.S. Holders that fail to report required information could become subject to substantial penalties. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors about these and any other reporting obligations arising from their investment in common shares.

THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A GENERAL SUMMARY. IT DOES NOT COVER ALL TAX MATTERS THAT MAY BE OF IMPORTANCE TO A PARTICULAR U.S. HOLDER. EACH U.S. HOLDER OF COMMON SHARES IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF OWNING AND DISPOSING OF COMMON SHARES IN LIGHT OF THE U.S. HOLDER’S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

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CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Tax Act”), as of the date hereof, that are generally applicable to an investor who acquires as beneficial owner common shares from the selling securityholders pursuant to this prospectus and who, at all relevant times, for the purposes of the Tax Act and any applicable tax treaty or convention: (i) deals at arm’s length with the Company, the selling securityholders and each of the underwriters, and is not affiliated with the Company, the selling securityholders or any of the underwriters; (ii) is not and is not deemed to be resident in Canada; and (iii) does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, the common shares in connection with, or in the course of carrying on, a business in Canada (a “Non-Canadian Holder”).

Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Canadian Holder that is an insurer carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere. Such Non-Canadian Holders should consult their own tax advisors.

This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Tax Act in force as of the date hereof and an understanding of the current administrative policies published in writing by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) prior to the date hereof. This summary also takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”), and assumes that all Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted as proposed, or at all. Except for the Proposed Amendments, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative policies, whether by legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial action or decision, nor does it take into account other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax legislation or considerations, which may be different from those discussed in this summary.

This summary is of a general nature only, is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-Canadian Holder. Accordingly, Non-Canadian Holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.

Currency

Generally, for purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of common shares must be expressed in Canadian dollars. Amounts denominated in another currency must be converted into Canadian dollars using the exchange rate quoted by the Bank of Canada on the date such amounts first arose, or such other rate of exchange as is acceptable to the CRA.

Adjusted cost base of common shares

The adjusted cost base of a common share to a Non-Canadian Holder will generally include all amounts paid by the Non-Canadian Holder for the common share. When common shares are acquired by a Non-Canadian Holder who already owns common shares, the cost of newly acquired common shares will generally be averaged with the adjusted cost base of all common shares held by the Non-Canadian Holder as capital property immediately prior to the acquisition for the purpose of determining the Non-Canadian Holder’s adjusted cost base of a common share held by such Non-Canadian Holder.

Dividends

Dividends paid or credited, or deemed to be paid or credited, on common shares to a Non-Canadian Holder generally will be subject to Canadian withholding tax. Under the Tax Act, the rate of withholding tax is 25% of

 

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the gross amount of such dividends, which rate may be subject to reduction under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A Non-Canadian Holder who is resident in the United States for the purposes of the Canada-United States Tax Convention, fully entitled to the benefits of such convention and the beneficial owner of the dividends, will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the amount of such dividends.

Disposition of common shares

A Non-Canadian Holder who disposes or is deemed to dispose of a common share in a taxation year will not be subject to tax in Canada, unless the common share is, or is deemed to be, ‘‘taxable Canadian property’’ to the Non-Canadian Holder at the time of disposition and the Non-Canadian Holder is not entitled to relief under an applicable income tax treaty between Canada and the country in which the Non-Canadian Holder is resident.

Provided the common shares are listed on a “designated stock exchange”, as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes the NYSE), at the time of disposition, the common shares generally will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-Canadian Holder at that time, unless at any time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition the following two conditions are met concurrently: (i) one or any combination of (a) the Non-Canadian Holder, (b) persons with whom the Non-Canadian Holder did not deal at arm’s length, and (c) partnerships in which the Non-Canadian Holder or a person described in (b) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of the Company; and (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of (a) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (b) “Canadian resource property” (as defined in the Tax Act), (c) “timber resource property” (as defined in the Tax Act), or (d) an option in respect of, an interest in, or for civil law rights in, property described in any of (a) through (c), whether or not such property exists.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a common share may otherwise be deemed to be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Canadian Holder for purposes of the Tax Act in certain limited circumstances.

Non-Resident Holders who dispose of common shares that are taxable Canadian property should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the requirement to file a Canadian income tax return in respect of the disposition in their particular circumstances.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the resale of up to an aggregate of 107,264,669 of our common shares by the selling securityholders We are not selling any of our common shares under this prospectus.

We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of any securities by the selling securityholders. The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders will be the purchase price of the securities less any discounts and commissions borne by the selling securityholders.

The selling securityholders will pay any underwriting discounts and commissions and expenses incurred by the selling securityholders for brokerage, accounting, tax or legal services or any other expenses incurred by the selling securityholders in disposing of the securities. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred in effecting the registration of the common shares covered by this prospectus, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, NYSE listing fees and fees and expenses of our counsel and our independent registered public accountants.

The securities beneficially owned by the selling securityholders covered by this prospectus may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling securityholders. The term “selling securityholders” includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors in interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a selling securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer. The selling securityholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. Such sales may be made on one or more exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and under terms then prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions. Each selling securityholder reserves the right to accept and, together with its respective agents, to reject, any proposed purchase of securities to be made directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. The selling securityholders and any of their permitted transferees may sell their securities offered by this prospectus on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the securities are traded or in private transactions. If underwriters are used in the sale, such underwriters will acquire the shares for their own account. These sales may be at a fixed price or varying prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The securities may be offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if any of the securities are purchased.

Subject to the limitations set forth in any applicable registration rights agreement, the selling securityholders may use any one or more of the following methods when selling the securities offered by this prospectus:

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by such broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers;

 

   

block trades in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the rules of NYSE;

 

   

through trading plans entered into by a selling securityholder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of their securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans;

 

   

to or through underwriters or broker-dealers;

 

   

settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus;

 

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agreements with broker-dealers to sell a specified number of the securities at a stipulated price per share or warrant;

 

   

in “at the market” offerings, as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, at negotiated prices,

 

   

at prices prevailing at the time of sale or at prices related to such prevailing market prices, including sales made directly on a national securities exchange or sales made through a market maker other than on an exchange or other similar offerings through sales agents;

 

   

directly to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process or in privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

   

through loans or pledges of the securities, including to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof;

 

   

by entering into transactions with third parties who may (or may cause others to) issue securities convertible or exchangeable into, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of, our securities;

 

   

through a combination of any of the above methods of sale; or

 

   

any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

In addition, a selling securityholder that is an entity may elect to make a pro rata in-kind distribution of securities to its members, partners or shareholders pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering a prospectus with a plan of distribution. Such members, partners or shareholders would thereby receive freely tradeable securities pursuant to the distribution through a registration statement. To the extent a distributee is an affiliate of ours (or to the extent otherwise required by law), we may file a prospectus supplement in order to permit the distributees to use the prospectus to resell the securities acquired in the distribution.

There can be no assurance that the selling securityholders will sell all or any of the securities offered by this prospectus. In addition, the selling securityholders may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or in other transactions exempt from registration, rather than under this prospectus. The selling securityholders have the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer or make any sale of securities if they deem the purchase price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.

The selling securityholders also may transfer the securities in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus. Upon being notified by a selling securityholder that a donee, pledgee, transferee, or other successor-in-interest intends to sell our securities, we will, to the extent required, promptly file a supplement to this prospectus to name specifically such person as a selling securityholder.

If the selling securityholders use an underwriter or underwriters for any offering, we will name them, and set forth the terms of the offering, in a prospectus supplement pertaining to such offering and, except to the extent otherwise set forth in such prospectus supplement, the selling securityholders will agree in an underwriting agreement to sell to the underwriter(s), and the underwriter(s) will agree to purchase from the selling securityholders, the number of our common shares set forth in such prospectus supplement. Any such underwriter(s) may offer our common shares from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The underwriter(s) may also propose initially to offer our common shares to the public at a fixed public offering price set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement. The underwriter(s) may be granted an option, exercisable for 30 days after the date of the applicable prospectus supplement, to purchase additional shares from the selling

 

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securityholders. In connection with an underwritten offering, we, our directors and officers, and/or other holders of our common shares may agree with the underwriter(s), subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any common shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common shares for a period of time after such offering. Except as otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, any underwritten offering pursuant to this prospectus will be underwritten by one, several or all of the following financial institutions: BofA Securities, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Barclays Capital Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Cowen and Company, LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Evercore Group L.L.C., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Guggenheim Securities, LLC, Jefferies LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, National Bank Financial Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SG Americas Securities, LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, TD Securities (USA) LLC, UBS Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. We will file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

With respect to a particular offering of the securities held by the selling securityholders, to the extent required, an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part, will be prepared and will set forth the following information:

 

   

the specific securities to be offered and sold;

 

   

the names of the selling securityholders;

 

   

the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the proceeds to be received from the sale, if any, and other material terms of the offering;

 

   

settlement of short sales entered into after the date of this prospectus;

 

   

the names of any participating agents, broker-dealers or underwriters; and

 

   

any applicable commissions, discounts, concessions and other items constituting compensation from the selling securityholders.

In connection with distributions of the securities or otherwise, the selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with such transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may also sell the securities short and redeliver the securities to close out such short positions. The selling securityholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction). The selling securityholders may also pledge securities to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, such broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters or agents, as the case may be, involved in the offering of such securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our securities. Specifically, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may overallot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in our securities for their own account. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of our securities, the underwriters or agents, as the case may be, may bid for, and purchase, such securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allotted to an underwriter or a broker-dealer for distributing such securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of

 

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these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters or agents, as the case may be, are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

The selling securityholders may solicit offers to purchase the securities directly from, and they may sell such securities directly to, institutional investors or others. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. The terms of any of those sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in our securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for our securities. Our common shares are listed on NYSE under the symbol “LICY”.

The selling securityholders may authorize underwriters, broker-dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we or the selling securityholders pay for solicitation of these contracts.

A selling securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by any selling securityholder or borrowed from any selling securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from any selling securityholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, any selling securityholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling securityholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling securityholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the aggregate maximum discount, commission, fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds of any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

If at the time of any offering made under this prospectus a member of FINRA participating in the offering has a “conflict of interest” as defined in FINRA Rule 5121, that offering will be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of Rule 5121.

To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between the selling securityholders and any broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the securities by the selling securityholders. Upon our notification by a selling securityholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with an underwriter or broker-dealer for the sale of securities through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution, secondary distribution or a purchase by an underwriter or broker-dealer, we will file, if required by applicable law or regulation, a supplement to this prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act disclosing certain material information relating to such underwriter or broker-dealer and such offering.

 

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Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may facilitate the marketing of an offering online directly or through one of their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms and a prospectus online and, depending upon the particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent, place orders online or through their financial advisors.

In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the selling securityholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents who execute sales for the selling securityholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of those securities may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

The underwriters, broker-dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us or the selling securityholders, may have banking, lending or other relationships with us or the selling securityholders or may perform services for us or the selling securityholders, in the ordinary course of business.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the securities must be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

We have advised the selling securityholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of securities in the market and to the activities of the selling securityholders and their affiliates. In addition, we will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling securityholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling securityholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

We have agreed to indemnify the selling securityholders against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law. Agents, broker-dealers and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us and the selling securityholders against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, broker-dealers or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

The Company has an unlimited number of common shares authorized and 168,891,877 common shares issued and outstanding as of February 11, 2022. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part has been filed to satisfy our obligations to register the offer and sale of our common shares pursuant to the Investor Agreement and the Subscription Agreements entered into with certain of our shareholders. We cannot make any prediction as to the effect, if any, that sales of our common shares or the availability of our common shares for sale will have on the market price of our common shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of the common shares.

Rule 144

Pursuant to Rule 144, a person who has beneficially owned restricted shares of the Company’s common shares for at least six months would be entitled to sell his, her or its securities provided that (i) such person is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates at the time of, or at any time during the three months preceding, a sale and (ii) we are subject to the Exchange Act periodic reporting requirements for at least three months before the sale and have filed all required reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the 12 months (or such shorter period as we were required to file reports) preceding the sale. However, Rule 144 is not available for the resale of securities initially issued by shell companies (other than business combination related shell companies) or issuers that have been at any time previously a shell company. Rule 144 does include an important exception to this prohibition if the following conditions are met:

 

   

the issuer of the securities that was formerly a shell company has ceased to be a shell company;

 

   

the issuer of the securities is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

   

the issuer of the securities has filed all Exchange Act reports and material required to be filed, as applicable, during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the issuer was required to file such reports and materials), other than Form 8-K reports; and

 

   

at least one year has elapsed from the time that the issuer filed current Form 10 type information with the SEC reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

As a result, the initial holders and purchasers of Peridot’s securities will be able to sell their common shares pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 without registration one year after the Business Combination. However, if they remain one of our affiliates, they will only be permitted to sell a number of common shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the total number of common shares then outstanding, which was 1,688,918 common shares as of February 11, 2022; or

 

   

the average weekly reported trading volume of the common shares during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales by our affiliates under Rule 144 would also limited be limited by manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Regulation S

Regulation S under the Securities Act provides an exemption from registration requirements in the United States for offers and sales of securities that occur outside the United States. Rule 903 of Regulation S provides the conditions to the exemption for a sale by an issuer, a distributor, their respective affiliates or anyone acting on their behalf, while Rule 904 of Regulation S provides the conditions to the exemption for a resale by persons other than those covered by Rule 903. In each case, any sale must be completed in an offshore transaction, as that term is defined in Regulation S, and no directed selling efforts, as that term is defined in Regulation S, may be made in the United States.

 

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We are a foreign issuer as defined in Regulation S. As a foreign issuer, securities that we sell outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S are not considered to be restricted securities under the Securities Act, and, subject to the offering restrictions imposed by Rule 903, are freely tradable without registration or restrictions under the Securities Act, unless the securities are held by our affiliates. Generally, subject to certain limitations, holders of our restricted shares who are not affiliates of our company or who are affiliates of our company by virtue of their status as an officer or director may, under Regulation S, resell their restricted shares in an “offshore transaction” if none of the seller, its affiliate nor any person acting on their behalf engages in directed selling efforts in the United States and, in the case of a sale of our restricted shares by an officer or director who is an affiliate of ours solely by virtue of holding such position, no selling commission, fee or other remuneration is paid in connection with the offer or sale other than the usual and customary broker’s commission that would be received by a person executing such transaction as agent. Additional restrictions are applicable to a holder of our restricted shares who will be an affiliate of our Company other than by virtue of his or her status as an officer or director of our Company.

Registration Rights

Investor Agreement

On August 10, 2021, the Company, the Peridot Class B Holders and the Li-Cycle Holders (collectively for the purposes of this subsection referred to as the “Holders”) entered into the Investor Agreement. Pursuant to the Investor Agreement, the Company is obligated to file a registration statement to register the resale of certain common shares held by the Holders within 30 days after the Closing and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective as soon as practicable after such filing, but no later than the earlier of (i) the 75th day (or the 105th day if the SEC notifies that it will “review” such registration statement) following the Closing Date and (ii) the 15th business day after the date the SEC notified that such registration statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Investor Agreement and subject to certain requirements and customary conditions, including with regard to the number of demand rights that may be exercised, the Holders may demand at any time or from time to time, that the Company file a registration statement on Form F-3 (or on Form F-1 if Form F-3 is not available) to register the securities of the Company held by such Holders, and each may specify that such demand registration take the form of an underwritten offering, in each case subject to limitations on the number of demands and underwritten offerings that can be requested by each Holder, as specified in the Investor Agreement. Holders will also have “piggy-back” registration rights, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The Investor Agreement also provides that the Company will pay certain expenses relating to such registrations and indemnify the Holders against (or make contributions in respect of) certain liabilities that may arise under the Securities Act.

The Investor Agreement further provides that the securities of the Company held by the Peridot Class B Holders and Li-Cycle Holders will be subject to certain transfer restrictions until (i) with respect to the Peridot Class B Holders, the earliest of (a) one year after the Closing and (b) (x) the last consecutive trading day where the last reported sale price of our common shares equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share subdivisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of its public shareholders having the right to exchange their common shares for cash, securities or other property, and (ii) with respect to the Li-Cycle Holders, 180 days following the Closing.

Subscription Agreements

Contemporaneously with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Subscription Agreements were entered into by and among each PIPE Investor, Peridot, and NewCo. Peridot obtained commitments from the PIPE Investors to purchase common shares for a purchase price of $10.00 per share for aggregate gross

 

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proceeds of $315,490,000. The purpose of the sale of common shares to the PIPE Investors under the Subscription Agreements was to raise additional capital for use in connection with the Business Combination.

The common shares sold to the PIPE Investors were identical to the common shares that were held by our other shareholders at the time of the Closing, except that when initially issued by Peridot, such shares were restricted securities. The PIPE Financing occurred on the date of, and immediately prior to, the consummation of the Business Combination.

The closing of the PIPE Financing was subject to customary conditions, including, among other conditions, the Company agreed to, as soon as practicable (but in any case no later than 30 calendar days after the consummation of the Business Combination), file with the SEC (at its sole cost and expense) a registration statement registering the resale of the shares received by the PIPE Investors in the PIPE Financing, and to use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such resale registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof.

Note Purchase Agreement

On September 29, 2021, in connection with the Company’s entry into the Note Purchase Agreement and issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note, the Company granted certain registration rights under the Note Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to file with the SEC within 30 days a registration statement covering the resale of the common shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and no later than the earlier of (A) 60 days after the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note (or 90 days after the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note if the SEC notifies the Company that it will review the registration statement) or (B) 10 business days after the SEC notifies the Company in writing that it will not review the registration statement. The Company agreed to keep the registration statement (or another shelf registration statement covering the common shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note) effective until the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the issuance of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note or (y) the date on which the holder of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note ceases to hold any common shares issued or upon conversion of the Spring Creek Capital Convertible Note.

LG Subscription Agreements

On December 13, 2021, the Company entered into Subscription Agreements (the “LG Subscription Agreements” and each, an “LG Subscription Agreement”) with each of LG Energy Solution, Ltd. (“LGES”) and LG Chem, Ltd. (“LGC”), pursuant to which each of LGES and LGC has agreed, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including execution of certain offtake agreements with LGES, LGC and Traxys North America LLC on or prior to March 13, 2022, to subscribe for 2,208,480 of the Company’s common shares (the “common shares”) (the “Acquired Shares”) for an aggregate purchase price of $50,000,000 in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act (the “Subscription”). The Company has granted certain registration rights to LGES and LGC under the LG Subscription Agreements. The Company agreed to file with the SEC within 30 days of the closing of the Subscription a registration statement covering the resale of the Acquired Shares. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have such registration statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable and no later than the earlier of (A) 60 days after the closing of the Subscription (or 90 days after the closing of the Subscription if the SEC notifies the Company that it will review the registration statement) or (B) 10 business days after the SEC notifies the Company in writing that it will not review the registration statement. The Company agreed to keep the registration statement (or another shelf registration statement covering the Acquired Shares) effective until the earlier of (x) the third anniversary of the closing of the Subscription or (y) the date on which LGES or LGC, as applicable, ceases to hold any of the Acquired Shares.

 

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Transfer Restrictions

Please see the section titled “Description of Securities — Transfer Restrictions.”

 

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EXPENSES RELATED TO THE OFFERING

Set forth below is an itemization of the total expenses which are expected to be incurred by us in connection with the offer and sale of our common shares by our selling securityholders. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, all amounts are estimates.

 

     USD  

SEC registration fee

   $ 168,792.32  

FINRA filing fee

     *   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Accounting fees and expenses

     *   

Printing expenses

     *   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     *   

Miscellaneous expenses

     *   

Total

   $ 168,792.32  

 

* 

The fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be defined at this time.

 

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ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

We are incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario. Some of our directors and officers, and some of the experts named in this prospectus, are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets, and a substantial portion of our assets, are located outside of the United States. We have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for shareholders who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for shareholders who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon our civil liability and the civil liability of our directors, officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws. There can be no assurance that U.S. investors will be able to enforce against us, members of our board of directors, officers or certain experts named herein who are residents of Canada or other countries outside the United States, any judgments in civil and commercial matters, including judgments under the federal securities laws.

We have appointed Puglisi & Associates, 850 Library Avenue, Suite 204, Newark, Delaware 19711 as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us under the federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in the United States.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the common shares offered by this prospectus and certain legal matters as to Canadian law will be passed upon by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We have been advised on U.S. securities matters by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP.

 

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EXPERTS

The financial statements of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. for the years ended October 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 appearing in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The offices of Deloitte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, are located at 8 Adelaide Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 0A9.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement (including amendments and exhibits to the registration statement) on Form F-1 under the Securities Act. For purposes of this section, the term registration statement means the original registration statement and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as part of the registration statement. If a document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act that are applicable to foreign private issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file or furnish reports and other information with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our filings with the SEC are available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Exchange Act from, among other things, the rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and principal and selling shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we will not be required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act.

We maintain a corporate website at www.li-cycle.com. The information posted on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into this prospectus. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely for informational purposes and the references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Consolidated Financial Statements of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. as of and for the years ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

  

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

     F-1  

Consolidated statements of financial position

     F-2  

Consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss

     F-3  

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

     F-4  

Consolidated statements of cash flows

     F-5  

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

     F-6  


Table of Contents
LOGO    Deloitte LLP

Bay Adelaide East

8 Adelaide Street West

Suite 200

Toronto ON M5H 0A9

Canada

Tel: 416-601-6150

Fax: 416-601-6151
www.deloitte.ca

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of October 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of October 31, 2021 and 2020, and its financial performance and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2021, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants

Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada

January 31, 2022

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

 

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Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Consolidated statements of financial position

As at October 31, 2021 and 2020

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

            October 31,
2021
    October 31,
2020
 
     Notes      $     $  

Assets

       

Current assets

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     23        596,858,298       663,557  

Accounts receivable

     4        4,072,701       571,300  

Other receivables

     4        973,145       318,929  

Prepayments and deposits

     5        8,646,998       963,951  

Inventory

     6        1,197,807       179,994  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        611,748,949       2,697,731  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets

       

Plant and equipment

     7        26,389,463       5,602,580  

Right-of-use assets

     14        27,009,760       3,859,088  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        53,399,223       9,461,668  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        665,148,172       12,159,399  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Current liabilities

       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     17        18,701,116       4,364,372  

Restricted share units

     12        —         171,849  

Lease liabilities

     15        2,868,795       591,355  

Loans payable

     9        7,752       1,468,668  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        21,577,663       6,596,244  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

       

Lease liabilities

     15        26,496,074       3,021,815  

Loans payable

     9        31,996       779,210  

Convertible debt

     10        100,877,838       —    

Warrants

     11        82,109,334       —    

Restoration provisions

     16        334,233       321,400  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        209,849,475       4,122,425  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        231,427,138       10,718,669  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

       

Share capital

     12        672,079,154       15,441,600  

Contributed surplus

     12        3,026,721       824,683  

Accumulated deficit

        (241,088,229     (14,528,941

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

        (296,612     (296,612
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        433,721,034       1,440,730  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        665,148,172       12,159,399  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss

Years ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

          Year ended October 31,  
          2021      2020      2019  
     Notes    $      $      $  

Revenue

           

Product sales

        6,930,475        554,914        —    

Recycling services

        444,401        237,340        48,160  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        7,374,876        792,254        48,160  

Expenses

           

Employee salaries and benefits, net

        12,709,823        2,819,195        607,820  

Professional fees

        7,688,520        2,962,261        546,647  

Share-based compensation

   12      3,982,943        332,634        97,258  

Raw materials and supplies

        3,410,014        591,881        —    

Office, administrative and travel

        3,148,871        476,733        493,304  

Depreciation

   7,14      2,899,345        1,095,250        183,862  

Research and development, net

        2,662,572        776,668        2,111,658  

Freight and shipping

        1,033,149        137,010        5,785  

Plant facilities

        1,030,947        390,687        —    

Marketing

        973,695        365,820        65,840  

Change in Finished Goods Inventory

        (307,817      (14,022      —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        39,232,062        9,934,117        4,112,174  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss from operations

        (31,857,186      (9,141,863      (4,064,014
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other (income) expense

           

Listing Fee

   1      152,719,009        —          —    

Fair value loss on financial instruments

   10, 11, 12      38,254,469        84,454        —    

Interest expense

        3,052,882        529,700        60,329  

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

        758,223        (445,652      —    

Interest income

        (82,481      (34,403      (23,561
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
        194,702,102        134,099        36,768  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

        (226,559,288      (9,275,962      (4,100,782

Other comprehensive income (loss)

           

Foreign currency translation

        —          (218,726      (37,182
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

        (226,559,288      (9,494,688      (4,137,964
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss per common share - basic and diluted

   19      (2.06      (0.11      (0.06
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Consolidated statements of changes in equity

For the years ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

          Number of
common shares
    Share capital     Contributed
surplus
    Accumulated
deficit
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Total  
    Notes     $     $     $     $     $  

Balance, October 31, 2018

      70,825,919       2,969,191       26,523       (1,152,197     (40,704     1,802,813  

Stock option expense

    12       —         —         97,258       —           97,258  

Shares issued for cash

    12       5,303,760       5,379,860       —         —           5,379,860  

Shares issuable for non-cash costs

    12       337,958       118,759       —         —           118,759  

Comprehensive loss

      —         —         —         (4,100,782     (37,182     (4,137,964
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2019

      76,467,637       8,467,810       123,781       (5,252,979     (77,886     3,260,726  

Stock option expense

    12       —         —         245,847       —         —         245,847  

Shares issued for cash

    12       6,357,423       6,481,381       —         —         —         6,481,381  

Shares issuable for non-cash costs

    12       —         —         455,055       —         —         455,055  

Conversion of convertible debt

    12       536,231       492,409       —         —         —         492,409  

Comprehensive loss

      —         —         —         (9,275,962     (218,726     (9,494,688
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2020

      83,361,291       15,441,600       824,683       (14,528,941     (296,612     1,440,730  

Series C Class A shares issued for cash

    12       11,220,218       21,620,000       —         —         —         21,620,000  

Shares issued for non-cash costs

    12       478,920       455,055       (455,055     —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

    12       2,055,476       891,162       (722,057     —         —         169,105  

Restricted Share Units settled in shares

    12       392,276       3,922,754       —         —         —         3,922,754  

Public shares issued for cash

    12       65,671,374       629,748,295       —         —         —         629,748,295  

Exercise of warrants

    11       100       288       1,150                  1,438  

Stock option expense

    12       —         —         2,689,913       —         —         2,689,913  

Restricted Share Units expense

    12       —         —         688,087       —         —         688,087  

Comprehensive loss

      —         —         —         (226,559,288     —         (226,559,288
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2021

      163,179,655       672,079,154       3,026,721       (241,088,229     (296,612     433,721,034  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Consolidated statements of cash flows

Years ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

            Year ended October 31,  
            2021     2020     2019  
     Notes      $     $     $  

Operating activities

         

Net loss for the year

        (226,559,288     (9,275,962     (4,100,782

Items not affecting cash

         

Share-based compensation

     12        3,982,943       332,634       97,258  

Listing fee

        152,719,009       —         —    

Depreciation

     7,14        2,899,350       1,095,250       183,862  

Amortization of government grants

        (92,926     (2,226,910     (640,350

Loss on disposal of assets

        13,399       106,946       —    

Foreign exchange (gain) loss on translation

        677,479       (390,901     (33,845

Fair value loss on financial instruments

     10,11,12        38,254,469       84,454       —    

Share-based professional fees

     12        —         455,055       —    

Interest and accretion on convertible debt

     10        1,129,680       9,931       60,337  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        (26,975,885     (9,809,503     (4,433,520

Changes in non-cash working capital items

         

Accounts receivable

        (3,501,401     (538,854     (29,630

Other receivables

        (654,216     471,304       (466,915

Prepayments and deposits

        (7,990,108     (633,824     (215,537

Inventory

        (1,017,813     (133,438     (46,556

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

        12,262,063       3,215,386       624,090  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        (27,877,360     (7,428,929     (4,568,068
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activity

         

Purchases of plant and equipment

     7        (18,220,339     (5,107,663     (998,069

Proceeds from disposal of plant and equipment

        16,866       —         —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        (18,203,473     (5,107,663     (998,069

Financing activities

         

Proceeds from private share issuance, net of share issue costs

     12        21,620,000       6,481,381       5,379,860  

Proceeds from public share issuance, net of share issue costs

     12        525,329,273       —         —    

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     12        169,105       —         —    

Proceeds from exercise of warrants

     11        1,150      

Proceeds from convertible debt

     10        98,400,263       —         —    

Proceeds from loans payable

     9        10,091,220       2,153,110       86,572  

Proceeds from government grants

        92,926       1,182,599       1,697,794  

Repayment of lease liabilities

        (884,024     (387,508     —    

Repayment of loans payable

        (12,544,339     (12,881     —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        642,275,574       9,416,701       7,164,226  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

        596,194,741       (3,119,891     1,598,089  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

        663,557       3,783,449       2,185,360  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

        596,858,298       663,557       3,783,449  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash investing activities

         

Accrual for purchase of plant and equipment

        2,074,681       —         —    

Non cash purchase of plant and equipment

        2,084,235       —         —    

Non-cash financing activities

         

Equity issued for non-cash costs

        —         947,464       118,759  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

1.

Nature of operations and business combination

 

  (i)

Nature of Operations

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, collectively (“Li-Cycle” or the “Company”) started their business as Li-Cycle Corp. Li-Cycle Corp was incorporated in Ontario, Canada under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on November 18, 2016.

Li-Cycle’s core business model is to build, own and operate recycling plants tailored to regional needs. Li-Cycle’s Spoke & Hub Technologies provide an environmentally friendly resource recovery solution that addresses the growing global lithium-ion battery recycling challenges, supporting the global transition toward electrification.

On March 28, 2019, Li-Cycle Corp. incorporated a owned subsidiary in Delaware, U.S., Li-Cycle Inc., under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

On September 2, 2020, Li-Cycle Corp. incorporated a owned subsidiary in Delaware, U.S., Li-Cycle North America Hub, Inc., under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

  (ii)

Business Combination

On February 12, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp. incorporated a 100% owned subsidiary in Ontario, Canada, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario).

On February 16, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp. entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Peridot Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: PDAC) and Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

On August 10, 2021, in accordance with the plan of arrangement to reorganize Li-Cycle Corp., the Company finalized the business combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: PDAC), and the combined company was renamed Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

As part of this transaction, a total of 3,377,626 Class A shares of Peridot Acquisition Corp. were redeemed by Peridot shareholders, resulting in a total redemption payment of approximately $33.8 million, while the remaining 26,622,374 of Class A shares were converted into common shares of the combined entity, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. In addition, 7,500,000 Class B shares of Peridot Acquisition Corp were converted into 7,500,000 common shares of the combined entity, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. upon closing.

Li-Cycle Corp.’s existing shareholders exchanged 2,552,450 fully diluted shares of Li-Cycle Corp. for the shares of the combined entity, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., at an Exchange Ratio of approximately 1:39.91, as determined per the Plan of Arrangement, resulting in 97,508,181 shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and 4,242,707 stock options of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. for the existing shareholders of Li-Cycle Corp.

31,549,000 shares of the combined entity, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp., were issued to the new investors at US$10 per share for a total of US$315.5 million of Private Investment in Public Equity.

On closing, the common shares and warrants of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. were listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are traded under the symbols “LICY” and “LICY.WS”, respectively.

Li-Cycle Corp. has been identified as the acquirer for accounting purposes. As Peridot Acquisition Corp. does not meet the definition of a business as defined in IFRS 3—Business Combinations (“IFRS 3”), the acquisition is not within the scope of IFRS 3 and is accounted for as a share-based payment transaction in accordance with IFRS 2 – Share-based Payment (“IFRS 2”). These consolidated financial statements represent the continuance of Li-Cycle Corp. and reflect the identifiable assets

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

acquired and the liabilities assumed of Peridot Acquisition Corp. at fair value. Under IFRS 2, the transaction was measured at the fair value of the common shares, escrowed shares and warrants deemed to have been issued by Li-Cycle Corp., in order for the ownership interest in the combined entity to be the same as if the transaction had taken the legal form of Li-Cycle Corp. acquiring 100% of Peridot Acquisition Corp. Any difference between the fair value of the common shares, escrowed shares and warrants deemed to have been issued by Li-Cycle Corp. and the fair value of Peridot Acquisition Corp.’s identifiable net assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents a Listing Fee.

The fair value of the warrants assumed in the transaction was determined based on the market closing price of $2.10 per warrant resulting in total fair value of $48.3 million.

As a result of this reverse asset acquisition, a Listing Fee of $152.7 million has been recorded to reflect the difference between the estimated fair value of the common shares, escrowed shares and warrants deemed issued to the shareholders of Peridot Acquisition Corp. and the net fair value of the assets of Peridot Acquisition Corp. acquired. Li-Cycle and Peridot incurred transaction-related costs of $27.0 million and $29.6 million, respectively. Li-Cycle’s transaction-related costs, such as commissions, professional fees and regulatory fees are directly attributable to common shares issuances and were deducted from the proceeds of the offering.

The details of the purchase price allocation of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows:

 

     2021  
     $  

Fair value of consideration transferred:

  

Common shares

     656,713,740  
  

 

 

 

Total fair value of consideration transferred

     656,713,740  
  

 

 

 

Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

     581,862,621  

Warrants

     (48,299,987

Other payables

     (29,567,903
  

 

 

 

Total fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

     503,994,731  
  

 

 

 

Excess of fair value of consideration transferred over fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, recognized as Listing Fee

     152,719,009  
  

 

 

 

Gross proceeds

     581,862,621  

Transaction-related costs

     (26,965,445

Other payables acquired

     (29,567,903
  

 

 

 

Net proceeds

     525,329,273  
  

 

 

 

The fair value of the consideration transferred to acquire Peridot Acquisition Corp. and to issue shares to the PIPE investors was $656,713,740 calculated as 65,671,374 common shares at $10.00 per common share.

The fair value per common share was based on the fair value of Li-Cycle Corp. common shares.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

As a result of the closing of this transaction, 163,179,555 common shares of the Company were issued and outstanding immediately after the closing. At October 31, 2021, 163,179,655 common shares were outstanding.

 

2.

Significant accounting policies

 

  (a)

Statement of compliance

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) incorporating interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRICs”). These consolidated financial statements were approved and authorized for issue by the Board of Directors on January 31, 2022.

 

  (b)

Basis of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company’s seven subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has power over an investee, when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from the investee and when the Company has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. The subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the effective date of incorporation up to the effective date of disposition or loss of control. The Company’s principal subsidiaries and their geographic location as at October 31, 2021 was as follows:

 

Company

   Location    Ownership interest  

Li-Cycle U.S. Holdings Inc.

   Delaware, U.S.      100

Li-Cycle Inc.

   Delaware, U.S.      100

Li-Cycle North America Hub, Inc.

   Delaware, U.S.      100

Li-Cycle Americas Corp.

   Ontario, Canada      100

Li-Cycle Corp.

   Ontario, Canada      100

Li-Cycle Europe AG

   Switzerland      100

Li-Cycle APAC PTE LTD.

   Singapore      100

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains/losses on transactions between the Company and its subsidiary are eliminated.

 

  (c)

Basis of preparation

Change in Functional Currency: Prior to November 1, 2020, the Company had determined its functional currency was the Canadian dollar on the basis that its operating expenditures, capital expenditures and financing were primarily denominated in Canadian dollars. With increasing volume of operations, new contracts with US based suppliers, commencement of operations at its US Spoke and increasing capital expenditures in its US facilities, the Company’s operating expenditures are becoming predominantly denominated in US dollars. Additionally, due to the increase in US dollar expenses and its expansion plans in the US, the Company has obtained, and plans to continue to seek, financing in US dollars. As a result of the increasing activities in US dollars, the Company changed its functional currency to the U.S. dollar, effective November 1, 2020.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

Accordingly, the Company transitioned its functional and presentation currency to U.S. dollars. Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are recorded at the exchange rates on the dates of transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the closing rate on that date.

Comparative financial information was translated from Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars in accordance with IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates:

 

  (i)

Assets and liabilities were translated at the closing rate at end of each reporting period;

 

  (ii)

Items recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss were translated at the exchange rate at the time of transaction;

 

  (iii)

Equity items have been translated using the historical rate at the time of transaction;

 

  (iv)

All resulting exchange differences were recognized in other comprehensive loss.

 

  (d)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash consists of cash deposits with financial institutions. Cash equivalents consists of overnight guaranteed investment certificates with financial institutions.

 

  (e)

Inventories

Raw materials and finished goods are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on a weighted average basis. The cost of finished goods includes the cost of raw materials and the applicable share of the cost of labour and fixed and variable production overheads. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price less the estimated cost of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. Costs of idle plant operations are expensed.

At each reporting period, the Company assesses the net realizable value of inventory taking into account current market prices, current economic trends, sales trends and past experiences.

 

  (f)

Convertible debt instruments

The components of convertible debt instruments issued by the Company are classified separately as financial liabilities and equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. The debt element of the instruments is classified as a liability and recorded as the present value of the Company’s obligation to make future interest payments in cash and settle the redemption value of the instrument in cash. The carrying value of the debt element is accreted to the original face value of the instruments, over their life, using the effective interest method. If the conversion option is classified as equity, its value is determined by deducting the amount of the liability component from the fair value of the compound instrument as a whole. If the conversion option is classified as a liability and requires bifurcation, it is bifurcated as an embedded derivative unless the issuer elects to apply the fair value option to the convertible debt. The embedded derivative liability is initially recognized at fair value and classified as derivatives in the statement of financial position. Changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative liability are subsequently accounted for directly through the income statement.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

  (g)

Loss per share

The Company calculated basic and diluted loss per share data for its common shares, calculated by dividing the loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares, stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) outstanding at the beginning of or granted during the period, and shares to be issued upon conversion of a convertible instrument, calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the proceeds from the exercise of the options are assumed to be used to repurchase the Company’s shares. The difference between the number of shares assumed purchased and the number of options assumed exercised is added to the actual number of shares outstanding to determine diluted shares outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Diluted loss per share does not adjust the loss attributable to common shareholders or the weighted average number of common shares outstanding when the effect is anti-dilutive.

 

  (h)

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses net of any reversals of impairment.

Where parts of an item of plant and equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of plant and equipment.

Depreciation is charged to the consolidated statement of loss and comprehensive loss on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each part of an item of plant and equipment. The estimated useful lives are reviewed each reporting period and any changes are accounted for on a prospective basis. The estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Computers

   3 years

Vehicles

   5 years

Plant equipment

   5 years

Storage containers

   10 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of term of lease or estimated useful life

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

  (i)

Financial instruments

Recognition

The Company recognizes financial assets or financial liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial position when it becomes party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument. Financial assets are initially measured at fair value and derecognized either when the Company has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or when cash flows expire. Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value and are derecognized when the obligations specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired.

A write-off of a financial asset (or a portion thereof) constitutes a derecognition event. Write-off occurs when the Company has no reasonable expectations of recovering the contractual cash flows on a financial asset.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

Classification and measurement

The Company determines the classification of its financial instruments at initial recognition. Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified according to the following measurement categories:

 

  (i)

those to be measured subsequently at fair value, either through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) or through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”); and

 

  (ii)

those to be measured subsequently at amortized cost.

The classification and measurement of financial assets after initial recognition at fair value depends on the business model for managing the financial asset and the contractual terms of the cash flows. Financial assets that are held within a business model whose objective is to collect the contractual cash flows, and that have contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal outstanding, are generally measured at amortized cost at each subsequent reporting period. Derivative financial instruments are comprised of the embedded derivative liability representing the conversion option of the convertible debt. The embedded derivative liability is measured at fair value at each reporting date. The embedded derivative liability has been classified as held-for-trading. It is classified as non-current based on the contractual terms specific to the instrument. Gains and losses on re-measurement of the embedded derivative liability are recognized in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss. All other financial assets are measured at their fair values at each subsequent reporting period, with any changes recorded through profit and loss or through other comprehensive income (which designation is made as an irrevocable election at the time of recognition).

After initial recognition at fair value, financial liabilities are classified and measured at either:

 

  (i)

amortized cost;

 

  (ii)

FVTPL, if the Company has made an irrevocable election at the time of recognition, or when required (for items such as instruments held for trading or derivatives); or,

 

  (iii)

FVTOCI, when the change in fair market value is attributable to changes in the Company’s credit risk.

The classification and measurement basis of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

Financial Instrument

 

Measurement

Cash and cash equivalents

  Amortized cost

Trade accounts receivables

  FVTPL

Other accounts receivables

  Amortized cost

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  Amortized cost

Restricted share units

  FVTPL

Warrants

  FVTPL

Loans payable

  Amortized cost

Lease liabilities

  Amortized cost

Convertible debt

  Amortized cost

Conversion feature of convertible debt

  FVTPL

The Company reclassifies financial assets when and only when its business model for managing those assets changes. Financial liabilities are not reclassified.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issuance of a financial asset or financial liability classified as subsequently measured at amortized cost are included in the fair value of the instrument on initial recognition. Transaction costs for financial assets and financial liabilities classified at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in profit or loss.

Impairment

The Company assesses all information available, including on a forward-looking basis the expected credit loss associated with any financial assets carried at amortized cost. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. To assess whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk, the Company compares the risk of default occurring on the asset as at the reporting date with the risk of default as at the date of initial recognition based on all information available, and reasonable supportive forward-looking information.

 

  (j)

Foreign currencies

The reporting and functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at that date.

 

  (k)

Government assistance and investment tax credits

Government grants

Amounts received or receivable resulting from government assistance programs are recognized when there is reasonable assurance that the amount of government assistance will be received, and all attached conditions will be complied with. When the amount relates to an expense item, it is recognized as a reduction to the related expense. When the amount relates to an asset, it reduces the carrying amount of the asset and is then recognized as income over the useful life of the depreciable asset by way of a reduced depreciation charge. Grants received in advance are recorded as deferred liability and amortized as a reduction to the related expense/carrying amount of asset as and when the related qualifying costs are incurred.

Investment Tax Credits (“ITCs”) receivable are amounts refundable from the Canadian federal and provincial governments under the Scientific Research & Experimental Development incentive program. The amounts claimed under the program represent the amounts submitted by management based on research and development costs paid during the period and include estimates and assumptions made by management in determining the eligible expenditures. ITCs are netted against the related research and development expense when there is reasonable assurance that the Company will realize the ITCs. ITCs are subject to review and approval by tax authorities and, therefore, could be different from the amounts recorded.

 

  (l)

Impairment of long-term non-financial assets

At the end of each reporting period the carrying amounts of the Company’s assets are reviewed to determine whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment, if

 

F-12


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

any. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the impairment loss is recognized in period. For an asset that does not generate largely independent cash inflows, the recoverable amount is determined for the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs.

 

  (m)

Income taxes

Income tax expense is comprised of current and deferred tax components. Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case the related tax is recognized in equity or other comprehensive income.

Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at year end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years.

Deferred tax is recorded using the asset and liability method. Under this method, the Company calculates all temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes at the period end date. Deferred tax is calculated based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates that are expected to apply to the year of realization or settlement based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the period end date.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses and tax credits can be utilized. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of the financial position date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

 

  (n)

Provisions

Provisions represent liabilities of the Company for which the amount or timing is uncertain. A provision is recognized when, as a result of a past event, the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) that can be estimated reliably, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Where appropriate, the future cash flow estimates are adjusted to reflect risks specific to the liability. The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the statement of financial position date, considering the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where a provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the present value of those cash flows. When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle a provision are expected

 

F-13


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

to be recovered from a third party, the receivable is recognized as an asset if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received, and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.

 

  (o)

Related party transactions

Parties are considered to be related if one party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the other party in making financial and operating decisions. Parties are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties.

 

  (p)

Research and development expense

Research costs are expensed as incurred. An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) is recognised if, and only if, all of the following conditions have been demonstrated:

 

   

the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;

 

   

the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;

 

   

the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

 

   

how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

 

   

the availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset; and

 

   

the ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.

The amount initially recognised for internally-generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. Where no internally generated intangible asset can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised in profit or loss in the period in which it is incurred.

Subsequent to initial recognition, internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

No development costs have been capitalized to date.

 

  (q)

Revenue recognition

The Company’s principal activities generate revenues from the operation of lithium-ion battery recycling plants. The Company uses the following five step approach to revenue recognition:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract

 

F-14


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

Step 3: Determine the transaction price

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation

The Company recognizes revenue from the following major sources:

 

   

Services of recycling lithium-ion batteries which includes coordination of logistics and destruction of batteries

 

   

Sales of products which includes black mass, shredded metal and plastic

Revenue is measured based on the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to in a contract with a customer. The Company recognizes revenue when it transfers control of a product or service to a customer. There are no significant financing components associated with the Company’s payment terms.

Recycling Services revenue is recognized at a point in time upon completion of the services. Prices for services are separately identifiable within each contract. A receivable is recognized by the Company when the services are completed as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due.

For sale of products, revenue is recognized when control of the goods has transferred, being when the goods have been shipped to the customer’s location (delivery). A receivable is recognised by the Company when the goods are delivered to the customer as this represents the point in time at which the right to consideration becomes unconditional, as only the passage of time is required before payment is due. The Company estimates the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled under provisional pricing arrangements. The amount of consideration for black mass and mixed copper/aluminum sales is based on the mathematical product of: (i) market prices of the constituent metals at the date of settlement, (ii) product weight, and (iii) assay results (ratio of the constituent metals initially estimated by management and subsequently trued up to customer confirmation). Certain adjustments like handling and refining charges are also made per contractual terms with customers. Depending on the contractual terms with customers, the payment of receivables may take up to 12 months from date of shipment. Product sales and the related trade accounts receivables are measured at fair value at initial recognition and are re-estimated at each reporting period end using the market prices of the constituent metals at the respective measurement dates. Changes in fair value are recognized as an adjustment to profit and loss and the related accounts receivable.

 

  (r)

Share capital

The Company records proceeds from the issuance of its common shares as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new common shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

 

  (s)

Financing costs

Professional, consulting, regulatory and other costs directly attributable to financing transactions are recorded as deferred financing costs until the financing transactions are completed, if the completion of the transaction is considered likely; otherwise they are expensed as incurred. Share issue costs are charged to share capital when the related shares are issued. Deferred financing costs related to financing transactions that are not completed are charged to earnings.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

  (t)

Share-based compensation

The Company accounts for stock options using the fair value-based method of accounting for share-based compensation. Fair values are determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (“BSM”). Management exercises judgment in determining the underlying share price volatility, expected life of the option, expected forfeitures and other parameters of the calculations. Compensation costs are recognized over the vesting period as an increase to share-based compensation expense and contributed surplus. If, and when, stock options are ultimately exercised, the applicable amounts of contributed surplus are transferred to share capital.

The Company accounts for RSUs under the current plan as equity settled share-based payments which are measured at fair value on the grant date. The expense for RSUs is recognized over the vesting period. Upon exercise of any RSUs, the grant date fair value of the instrument is transferred to share capital.

The Company accounts for outstanding RSUs by recognizing a liability for the goods or services acquired, measured initially at the fair value of the liability. At each reporting date until the liability is settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair value of the liability is remeasured, with any changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss for the year.

 

  (u)

Significant accounting estimates and judgments

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected. Significant estimates include:

 

  (a)

the determination and valuation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities;

 

  (b)

the determination of the useful life and impairment of the plant and equipment;

 

  (c)

the valuation and measurement of the convertible debt and the related conversion features;

 

  (d)

the valuation and recognition of ITCs; and

 

  (e)

the valuation of share-based compensation.

Critical judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the financial statements include the following:

 

  (a)

the determination of the functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries;

 

  (b)

the determination of the revenue recognition policy with regards to transaction price;

 

  (c)

the evaluation of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern; and

 

  (d)

the valuation of inventory with regards to incremental cost to completion for raw materials and determination of net realizable value.

 

  (e)

the valuation of the fair value of consideration transferred in the business combination

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

  (v)

Leases

The Company assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Company recognises a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets (such as tablets and personal computers, small items of office furniture and telephones). For these leases, the Company recognises the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:

 

   

Fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

 

   

Variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date;

 

   

The amount expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

 

   

The exercise price of purchase options, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise the options; and

 

   

Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the exercise of an option to terminate the lease.

The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability (using the effective interest method) and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.

The Company remeasures the lease liability (and makes a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use asset) whenever:

 

   

The lease term has changed or there is a significant event or change in circumstances resulting in a change in the assessment of exercise of a purchase option, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate.

 

   

The lease payments change due to changes in an index or rate or a change in expected payment under a guaranteed residual value, in which cases the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using an unchanged discount rate (unless the lease payments change is due to a change in a floating interest rate, in which case a revised discount rate is used).

 

   

A lease contract is modified and the lease modification is not accounted for as a separate lease, in which case the lease liability is remeasured based on the lease term of the modified lease by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate at the effective date of the modification.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

The Company made several such adjustments during the periods presented, see Note 15. The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement day, less any lease incentives received and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Whenever the Company incurs an obligation for costs to dismantle and remove a leased asset, restore the site on which it is located or restore the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, a provision is recognised and measured under IAS 37. To the extent that the costs relate to a right-of-use asset, the costs are included in the related right-of-use asset, unless those costs are incurred to produce inventories.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the right-of-use asset. If a lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease.

The right-of-use assets are presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Company applies IAS 36 to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any identified impairment loss as described in the ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ policy.

Variable rents that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement the lease liability and the right-of-use asset. The related payments are recognised as an expense in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs.

As a practical expedient, IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) permits a lessee not to separate non-lease components, and instead account for any lease and associated non-lease components as a single arrangement. The Company has used this practical expedient.

 

  (w)

Restoration provisions

Provisions for the costs to restore leased plant assets to their original condition, as required by the terms and conditions of the lease, are recognised when the obligation is incurred, either at the commencement date or as a consequence of having used the underlying asset during a particular period of the lease, at the directors’ best estimate of the expenditure that would be required to restore the assets. Estimates are regularly reviewed and adjusted as appropriate for new circumstances.

Whenever the Company incurs an obligation for costs to dismantle and remove a leased asset, restore the site on which it is located or restore the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, a provision is recognised and measured under IAS 37. To the extent that the costs relate to a right-of-use asset, the costs are included in the related right-of-use asset, unless those costs are incurred to produce inventories.

 

  (x)

Intangible assets

No intangible assets have been recognized to date.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

  (y)

Changes in presentation

The company has made the following changes in presentation for the financial statements for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021:

 

   

The prior year results have been adjusted to conform with current year presentation on the Consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.

 

   

Segregating trade accounts receivable from other receivables to provide more information regarding these balances. Please see Note 4.

 

   

Renaming of the profit and loss line item Fair value loss on restricted share units to Fair value loss on financial instruments to reflect new diverse financial instruments the Company is exposed to as at October 31, 2021.

 

   

Combining the previously separate profit and loss lines items of Office and administrative and Travel and entertainment in a single line to show similar items together

 

     2020
$
     2019
$
 

Office and administrative

     316,401        355,361  

Travel and entertainment

     160,332        137,943  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     476,733        493,304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Adoption of new and revised standards

Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards

The Company has adopted the amendments included in the Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2016–2018 Cycle as at November 1, 2020. The Annual Improvements include amendments to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, IFRS 3 Business Combinations, IFRS 16 Leases, IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, and IAS 8 Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors.

Management has assessed the impact of the adoption of the new standards and concluded it to be not material.

4. Accounts receivable

 

Aging Summary    October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020  
     $      $  

Current

     3,181,294        540,824  

1-30 days

     310,818        —    

31-60 days

     120,604        21,455  

61-90 days

     18,477        —    

91 days and over

     441,508        9,021  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,072,701        571,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For product sales, the Company estimates the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled under provisional pricing arrangements. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the fair value gain arising from changes in estimates was $805,789 (twelve months ended October 31, 2020: Nil).

 

F-19


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

An insignificant portion of the receivables relate to services revenue which are initially measured at fair value and subsequently at amortized cost. For the period ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has assessed an allowance for credit loss of $nil for service-related receivables based on its past experience, the credit ratings of its existing customers and economic trends.

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020  
     $      $  

Harmonized Sales Taxes receivable

     379,814        274,998  

Other receivables

     593,331        43,931  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     973,145        318,929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5.

Prepayments and deposits

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020  
     $      $  

Prepaid lease deposits

     886,951        33,501  

Prepaid equipment deposits

     3,231,836        —    

Prepaid insurance

     3,839,880        59,582  

Other prepaids

     688,331        870,868  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,646,998        963,951  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6.

Inventory

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020  
     $      $  

Raw material

     850,416        140,419  

Finished goods

     347,391        39,575  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,197,807        179,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense during the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 was $8.55 million (twelve months ended October 31, 2020: $0.82 million).

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense during the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 includes a write down of $2,316,936 for finished goods and write down of $552,429 for raw materials (twelve months ended October 31, 2020: $4,360 for finished goods and $53,764 for raw materials) in respect of adjustments of inventory to net realizable value. Net realizable value of inventory is calculated as the estimated consideration under provisional pricing arrangements less the estimated cost of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

7.

Plant and equipment

 

    

Plant

equipment

    

Storage

containers

     Vehicles     

Leasehold

improvements

     Total  
     $      $      $      $      $  

Cost

              

At October 31, 2019

     1,043,231        53,610        90,707        58,848        1,246,396  

Additions

     3,519,013        13,914        68,243        1,506,493        5,107,663  

Disposals

     (150,690      —          —          —          (150,690

Foreign Exchange on Translation

     23,320        95        (1,346      11,860        33,929  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2020

     4,434,874        67,619        157,604        1,577,201        6,237,298  

Additions

     17,674,983           62,017        4,642,255        22,379,255  

Disposals

     —             (40,323         (40,323
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2021

     22,109,857        67,619        179,298        6,219,456        28,576,230  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

              

At October 31, 2019

     (170,691      (1,397      (2,187      (11,329      (185,604

Depreciation

     (350,173      (5,977      (22,408      (115,958      (494,516

Disposals

     43,744        —          —          —          43,744  

Foreign Exchange on Translation

     2,462        (36      (232      (536      1,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2020

     (474,658      (7,410      (24,827      (127,823      (634,718

Depreciation

     (1,083,687      (6,762      (34,545      (437,113      (1,562,107

Disposals

     —          —          10,058        —          10,058  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2021

     (1,558,345      (14,172      (49,314      (564,936      (2,186,767
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amounts

                 —    

At October 31, 2019

     872,540        52,213        88,520        47,519        1,060,792  

At October 31, 2020

     3,960,216        60,209        132,777        1,449,378        5,602,580  

At October 31, 2021

     20,551,512        53,447        129,984        5,654,520        26,389,463  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2021, $17.72 million of the plant equipment and leasehold improvements were under construction (October 31, 2020: $1.92 million, October 31, 2019: $nil).

 

8.

Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of the executive officers and directors, who are the key management personnel of the Company, is set out below:

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020      October 31, 2019  
     $      $      $  

Salaries

     1,501,800        231,034        104,310  

Share-based compensation

     1,863,260        74,320        149,993  

Fees and benefits

     1,517,791        411,184        159,881  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,882,851        716,538        414,184  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-21


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company paid directors and advisors for providing director services, consulting and fundraising activities. Total amounts paid for fiscal 2021 to directors in respect of these activities was $260,284 (2020: $181,383, 2019:$75,285).

Outstanding balances of remunerations of the executive officers and directors are summarized as follows:

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020      October 31, 2019  
     $      $      $  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     771,255        316,465        85,386  

Restricted share units

     —          153,296        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding balances

     771,255        469,761        85,386  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Related-Party Lease

From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the Company leased certain office space from Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the lease, the Company was required to pay Cdn. $4,500 per month plus applicable taxes, subject to 60 days’ notice of termination. Li-Cycle terminated the lease, effective December 31, 2021. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $39,866 in relation to this vendor, as compared to $35,505 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Related-Party Expenses

The Company has engaged Fade In Production Pty. Ltd., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, to provide it with corporate video production services since 2017. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $145,851 in relation to this vendor, as compared to $42,739 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

The Company has engaged Ashlin BPG Marketing, which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide it with marketing items and employee gifts since April 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $46,640 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $5,405 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

The Company has engaged Consulero Inc., which is controlled by certain members of the immediate family of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to provide it with technology services since September 1, 2020. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $103,040 attributable to this vendor, as compared to $46,515 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020.

Consulting Agreements

On May 1, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Atria Limited, a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Li-Cycle Corp. shares at that time, for certain business development consulting services with fees payable in Li-Cycle Corp. shares at a rate of 1,000 Li-Cycle Corp. shares per month, to a maximum of 12,000 Li-Cycle Corp. shares. On January 25, 2021, Li-Cycle and Atria Limited entered into a letter agreement providing for the termination of the consulting agreement and the issuance

 

F-22


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

and delivery to Atria Limited of 10,000 Li-Cycle Corp. shares as full and final satisfaction of all obligations and liabilities of Li-Cycle to Atria Limited under the consulting agreement.

Director Consulting Agreements

Under the terms of an agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Anthony Tse, Mr. Tse provided consulting services to Li-Cycle in relation to the proposed expansion of its operations in Asia and was entitled to a fee of $4,700 per month for such services. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, Mr. Tse was paid aggregate fees under this agreement of $56,400. The consulting agreement was terminated on January 19, 2022.

Under the terms of a consulting agreement dated July 19, 2019 between Li-Cycle and Rick Findlay, for the twelve months ended October 31, 2020, Mr. Findlay was paid aggregate fees of $1,332. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, there were no fees paid. The consulting agreement was terminated on June 25, 2021.

Related-Party Promissory Notes

On June 16, 2021, Li-Cycle issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000 as consideration for loans received from companies related to the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, respectively. The Promissory Notes bear interest at the rate of 10% per annum and mature on December 15, 2023. The Promissory Notes are unsecured and subordinate to indebtedness owing to Li-Cycle’s senior lender, BDC Capital Inc. Li-Cycle has the option of prepaying all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the Promissory Notes prior to the maturity date without penalty, subject to certain conditions. On August 17, 2021 Li-Cycle elected to repay the full balance of the promissory notes for a total of $7,113,151, including accrued interest.

 

9.

Loans Payable

 

     BDC Loan      Other Loans      Total  
     $      $      $  

Balance at October 31, 2019

     —          87,381        87,381  

Proceeds from loans payable

     2,153,110        —          2,153,110  

Repayment of loans payable

     —          (12,881      (12,881

Foreign exchange loss

     21,430        (1,162      20,268  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at October 31, 2020

     2,174,540        73,338        2,247,878  

Proceeds from loans payable

     3,091,220        7,000,000        10,091,220  

Repayment of loans payable

     (5,507,298      (7,037,041      (12,544,339

Foreign exchange loss

     241,538        3,451        244,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at October 31, 2021

     —          39,748        39,748  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (i)

BDC Capital Loan

On December 16, 2019, the Company entered into a binding agreement with BDC Capital Inc. for a secured loan of Canadian dollars (C$7 million) to help finance the expansion plans of the Company (the “BDC Capital Loan”), which was to be distributed in up to three tranches, with the second and

 

F-23


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

third tranches to be distributed based on the achievement of certain milestones by the Company. Pursuant to the BDC Capital Loan, each of the Company and Li-Cycle Inc. entered into general security agreements with BDC Capital Inc. granting the lender a general security interest over all assets of the Company and Li-Cycle Inc., respectively. In addition, Li-Cycle Inc. guaranteed the Company’s obligations under BDC Capital Loan under a guarantee agreement. The maturity date of the BDC Capital Loan was December 14, 2023. The base rate of interest was 16% per annum, paid monthly, plus additional accrued interest of 3% that could be reduced to 0% based on the achievement of certain milestones by the Company. Principal payments began on the first anniversary date of the loan and were made at C$175,000 per month with a balloon payment of C$700,000 at maturity.

On February 10, 2020, the Company received the first tranche of the BDC Capital Loan for C$3 million. Transaction costs associated with the loan amounted to C$121,861 and were deducted from the loan balance.

On November 2, 2020, the Company received the second tranche of the BDC Capital Loan for C$2,000,000 upon the completion of the milestone for such additional funding.

On April 7, 2021, the Company received the third tranche of the BDC Capital Loan for C$2,000,000 upon the completion of the milestone for such additional funding.

On July 20, 2021, Li-Cycle signed an agreement with BDC Capital Inc to repay the BDC Capital Loan in full, conditional upon the closing of Li-Cycle’s business combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp. on August 10, 2021.

On August 11, 2021, in accordance with the agreement to repay the BDC Capital Loan in full upon the closing of Li-Cycle’s business combination with Peridot Acquisition Corp., Li-Cycle paid BDC Capital Inc. $5.3 million (C$6.6 million) to settle the BDC Capital Loan, including additional interest expense of $0.7 million (C$0.9 million).

 

  (ii)

Promissory Notes

On June 16, 2021, Li-Cycle issued promissory notes (the “Promissory Notes”) for an aggregate principal amount of $7,000,000 as consideration for loans received from companies related to the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chair of Li-Cycle, respectively. The Promissory Notes bore interest at the rate of 10% per annum and had a maturity date of December 15, 2023. The Promissory Notes were unsecured and subordinate to indebtedness owing to Li-Cycle’s senior lender, BDC Capital Inc. Li-Cycle had the option of prepaying all or any portion of the principal and accrued interest of the Promissory Notes prior to the maturity date without penalty, subject to certain conditions. On August 17, 2021, Li-Cycle elected to repay the full balance of the promissory notes for a total of $7,113,151, including accrued interest.

 

  (iii)

Other Loans

The Company’s remaining loans relate to company vehicles.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

10.

Convertible Debt

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020      October 31, 2019  
     $      $      $  

Proceeds of issue of convertible debt

     100,000,000        386,190        386,190  

Transaction costs

     (1,599,737      —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Proceeds from issue of convertible debt

     98,400,263        386,190        386,190  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Conversion feature at date of issue

     27,681,043        96,548        96,548  

Fair value (gain) loss on embedded derivative

     1,347,895        —          —    

Conversion into common shares

     —          (96,548      —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Conversion feature at end of period

     29,028,938        —          96,548  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt component at date of issue (net of transaction costs)

     70,719,220        289,642        289,642  

Prior year interest plus accretion

     —          99,549        39,212  

Amortization of transaction costs

     26,662        —          —    

Accrued interest at 7% (2020 – 8%)

     641,667        4,956        30,114  

Accretion expense during the year

     461,351        4,975        30,223  

Conversion into common shares

     —          (395,861      —    

Foreign exchange on translation

     —          (3,261      (4,984
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt component at end of period

     71,848,900        —          384,207  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

On March 6, 2018, the Company obtained an investment from Sustainable Chemistry Alliance (“SCA”) for $386,190 with the issuance of a 3-year, 8% unsecured convertible debenture. Upon the completion of a qualified financing, and at either the Company’s or holder’s option, the debenture could be converted to common shares at a 20% discount to the effective share price of the qualifying transaction, or failing conversion, was to be repaid in full with full-term interest. Accrued interest was payable at the maturity date.

The conversion feature has been recorded as an embedded derivative liability as the exercise price may be adjusted upon the issuance or deemed issuance of additional common shares at a price less than the conversion price contained in the convertible debenture. The fair value of the embedded derivative liability upon issuance was $96,548. The residual value of $289,643 was allocated to the convertible loan payable which has an effective interest rate of 9.62%.

On December 27, 2019, the convertible debenture with SCA was converted to common shares as a result of the additional funding exceeding $10 million and thereby triggering the “qualifying transaction” clause of the debenture agreement. Per the terms of the agreement, the principal amount of $386,190 plus accrued interest of $55,788 was converted at a 20% discount to the Series B share price of $40.05 resulting in the issuance of 13,436 common shares.

On September 29, 2021, the Company issued a convertible note (the “Note”) for a principal amount of $100,000,000 to Koch Strategic Platforms (“KSP”), a subsidiary of Koch Investments Group. The Note will mature on September 29, 2026 unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Interest on the Note will be payable semi-annually, and Li-Cycle is permitted to pay interest on the Note in cash or payment in-kind

 

F-25


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

(“PIK”), at its election. Interest payments made in cash will be based on an interest rate of LIBOR plus 5.0% per year, and PIK interest payments will be based on an interest rate of LIBOR plus 6.0% per year. Under the terms of the Note, LIBOR has a floor of 1% and a cap of 2%. With the retirement of the LIBOR at the end of 2021, the interest rates will instead be based on the sum of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and the average spread between the SOFR and LIBOR during the three-month period of time ending on the date on which the LIBOR interest rate ceases to be published. The PIK election results in a new Note under the same terms as the original note, issued in lieu of interest payments with an issuance date on the applicable interest date. At October 31, 2021, the Company has elected to pay interest on the Note using the PIK election.

The conversion feature has been recorded as an embedded derivative liability since the conversion ratio does not always result in a conversion of a fixed dollar amount of liability for a fixed number of shares. The Note will have an initial conversion price of approximately $13.43 per Li-Cycle common share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, which price was established based on 125% of the 7-day volume-weighted average price of Li-Cycle’s common shares prior to the date of the Note Purchase Agreement. Should the company’s share price be equal to or greater than $17.46, for a period of twenty consecutive days, the Company can force conversion of the note Li-Cycle will settle its conversion obligations through the delivery of its own Common Shares. At October 31, 2021, no conversions had taken place.

The fair value of the embedded derivatives upon issuance was determined to be a liability of $27,681,043 whereas the remaining $72,318,957, net of transaction costs of $1,599,737, was allocated to the principal of the debt. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company recognized a fair value loss of 1,347,895 on the embedded derivatives. The embedded derivatives were valued using the Barrier option pricing model. The assumptions used in the model were as follows:

 

     September 29, 2021
(issuance date)
  October 31, 2021

Risk free interest rate

   1.06%   1.23%

Expected life of options

   5 years   4.92 years

Expected dividend yield

   0.0%   0.0%

Expected stock price volatility

   66%   62%

Share Price

   12.56   12.94

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the average implied volatility of a group of listed entities that are considered similar in nature to the Company.

 

11.

Warrants

On August 10, 2021, the Company began trading warrants related to its common shares. These warrants were assumed as part of the business combination described in Note 1. On acquisition date, the Company assumed 23,000,000 warrants at the publicly traded fair market value of $2.10 per share for a total acquired liability of $48,299,987.

The total number of warrants is made up of 15,000,000 Public Placement Warrants (“Public Warrants”) and 8,000,000 Private Placement Warrants (“Private warrants”). All warrants have a 5 year term, expiring on September 24, 2025. The Public Warrants have an exercise price of $11.50 per share, with a redemption price of $0.01 per warrant if the share price is above $10.00, on a cashless basis. If the share price is above $18.00 for any 20 trading days within the 30 trading day period ending three trading days before the notice of redemption, the redemption price will be $0.10 on a cash basis. The Private Warrants have an exercise

 

F-26


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

price of $11.50 per shares, redeemable only at such time that the share price of the Company is between $10.00 and $18.00, at the above prices. The Private Warrants were not transferable until 30 days after the close of the business combination, which has passed as of writing. If the Private Placement Warrants are transferred to parties other than the Company’s sponsor or its permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will cease to be Private Placement Warrants and will become Public Warrants.

On October 15, 2021, 100 warrants were exercised for 100 shares for which the Company received $1,150.

Warrants are remeasured through profit or loss at each period end, using first level inputs. At October 31, 2021, the publicly traded fair market value for each warrant was $3.57 with a total liability of $82,109,334, recognizing a total loss of $33,809,634 in the twelve months ended October 31, 2021.

 

12.

Share capital and share-based compensation

Authorized share capital

Li-Cycle Corp. is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares, Class A non-voting common shares, preference shares and Class A preferred shares, in each case without par value. All issued shares are fully paid.

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares without par value. All issued shares are fully paid.

For retrospective presentation, the number of Li-Cycle Corp.’s common shares and Class A preferred shares on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity have been scaled by the exchange ratio of 1:39.91 for periods prior to the completion of the business combination on August 10, 2021.

On March 23, 2018, Li-Cycle Corp. completed a non-brokered private placement and issued 188,604 common shares for proceeds of $2,645,136 at $14.02 per share.

On February 28, 2019, Li-Cycle Corp. issued 8,468 common shares to two shareholders as a finder’s fee for the Series A fundraising. These shares were valued at $118,759

Between December 20 and December 27, 2019, Li-Cycle Corp. completed a non-brokered private placement and issued 159,294 common shares for proceeds of $6,481,381 at $40.05 per share.

On December 27, 2019, a convertible debenture was converted to 13,436 common shares of Li-Cycle Corp., representing proceeds of $492,409.

On November 13, 2020, Li-Cycle Corp. completed a Series C private placement with two entities to purchase 281,138 Class A preferred shares at a price of $81.81 per share, for total proceeds of $23,000,000 and incurred transaction fees of $1,380,000.

On January 25, 2021, Li-Cycle Corp. issued 12,000 shares as full and final satisfaction of all obligations under a consulting agreement for services the Company received up to May 2020.

Between June 11 and June 24, 2021, four employees exercised stock options for a total of 25,664 common shares of Li-Cycle Corp., at an aggregate exercise price of $169,105.

On August 10, 2021, the Company finalized the business combination described in Note 1. All outstanding common shares and Class A preferred shares of Li-Cycle Corp., 2,407,535 in total, were exchanged for 96,084,679 common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. at the exchange ratio of 1:39.91. Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. issued an additional 65,671,374 common shares for net proceeds of $525,329,273. As part of this

 

F-27


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

transaction, all outstanding 9,829 Restricted Share Units of Li-Cycle Corp. were settled by issuance of additional 392,276 common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. and a cashless exercise of 28,779 stock options of Li-Cycle Corp. resulted in an additional 1,031,226 common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

On October 15,2021, a warrant holder exercised 100 warrants for a total of 100 common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. at an aggregate exercise price of $1,150.

Long-term incentive plans

Stock options

Li-Cycle Corp. had a stock option plan (the “2017 Plan”) approved by the Company’s shareholders that allows it to grant stock options, subject to regulatory terms and approval, to its officers, directors, employees and service providers. This Plan was effective from September 2017 through October 31, 2019.

Each stock option converts into one common share of the Company on exercise. No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option. The options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of their expiry. Options are exercisable at a price equal to the average market price of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is one-third on the first-year anniversary of the grant, and one-third every consecutive year thereafter. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 5 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the recipient terminates their contract with the Company before the options vest.

On November 1, 2019, Li-Cycle Corp. adopted a new Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2019 LTIP”) approved by the Company’s shareholders that allowed it to grant stock options, restricted share units, deferred share units, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of equity compensation, subject to regulatory terms and approval, to its officers, directors, employees and service providers.

For stock options issued under the 2019 LTIP, each stock option converts into one common share of the Company on exercise. No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option. The options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of their expiry. Options are exercisable at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is one-third on the first-year anniversary of the grant, and one-third every consecutive year thereafter. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the recipient terminates their contract with the Company before the options vest.

On August 10, 2021, Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. adopted a new Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2021 LTIP”) approved by the Company’s shareholders that allows it to grant stock options, restricted share units, deferred share units, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of equity compensation, subject to regulatory terms and approval, to its officers, directors, employees and service providers.

On August 10, 2021, all of the outstanding stock options of Li-Cycle Corp. under the 2017 Plan and the 2019 LTIP were vested and 19 employees exercised 28,779 stock options of Li-Cycle Corp. on a cashless basis. All remaining 106,307 stock options under the 2017 Plan and the 2019 LTIP were exchanged for 4,242,707 stock options under the 2021 LTIP plan at the exchange ratio of 1:39.91, while retaining original expiry dates.

For stock options issued under the 2021 LTIP, each stock option converts into one common share of the Company on exercise. No amounts are paid or payable by the recipient on receipt of the option. The options

 

F-28


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

carry neither rights to dividends nor voting rights. Options may be exercised at any time from the date of vesting to the date of their expiry. Options are exercisable at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. The vesting period is one-third on the first-year anniversary of the grant, and one-third every consecutive year thereafter. If the options remain unexercised after a period of 10 years from the date of grant, the options expire. Options are forfeited if the recipient terminates their contract with the Company before the options vest.

A summary of stock option activities is as follows:

 

    

Number of

Li-Cycle Corp
stock options

    

Weighted average

exercise price of
Li-Cycle Corp
stock options

    

Number of

Li-Cycle
Holdings Corp

stock options

    

Weighted average

exercise price of

Li-Cycle Holdings
Corp stock options

 
    

 

     $     

 

     $  

Balance – October 31, 2018

     58,320        2.49        

Granted

     41,680        13.57        
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Balance – October 31, 2019

     100,000        7.14        

Granted

     33,500        39.66        
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Balance – October 31, 2020

     133,500        15.35        

Granted

     31,750        85.30        

Exercised

     (54,443      24.58        

Forfeited

     (4,500      42.43        
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

Exchanged on August 10, 2021

     106,307        31.62        4,242,707        0.79  

Granted

           1,053,846        10.93  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance – October 31, 2021

           5,296,553        2.81  

As at October 31, 2021, 4,242,707 of the stock options (2020: 106,307, 2019: 29,440) were exercisable.

A summary of outstanding stock options is as follows:

 

    

Number of

stock options

     Exercise price  
    

 

     $  

Expiration dates

     

September 11, 2022

     399,100        0.02  

April 10, 2023

     798,200        0.02  

April 10, 2023

     199,231        0.36  

April 1, 2024

     171,613        0.36  

July 17, 2024

     865,244        0.36  

December 16, 2029

     99,775        1.08  

April 21, 2030

     439,010        1.08  

July 19, 2030

     371,163        1.08  

November 30, 2030

     420,452        2.17  

February 11, 2031

     478,920        2.17  

August 10, 2031

     1,053,846        10.93  
  

 

 

    
     5,296,553     
  

 

 

    

 

F-29


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

The Company recognized total expenses of $2.69 million related to stock options during the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 (2020: $0.33 million, 2019: $0.10 million).

The fair value of the stock options granted during the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 was determined to be $8.28 million (2020: $0.94 million, 2019: $0.31 million) using the Black-Scholes Merton option pricing model. The assumptions used in the stock option pricing model were as follows:

 

Risk free interest rate

   0.46% – 0.97%

Expected life of options

   6 years

Expected dividend yield

   0.0%

Expected stock price volatility

   65%

Expected forfeiture rate

   0.0%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the average historical volatility of a group of listed entities that are considered similar in nature to the Company.

During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, 23 employees exercised 2,172,820 stock options to acquire a total of 2,055,474 common shares at an aggregate exercise price aggregate exercise of $0.17 million. During the years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, no stock options were exercised.

Restricted share units

Under the terms of the 2019 LTIP, restricted share units were issued to executives and directors. The RSUs vested immediately and were exercisable upon issuance. The RSUs represented the right to receive a distribution from Li-Cycle Corp. in an amount equal to the fair market value of an ordinary share of Li-Cycle Corp. at the time of distribution. The RSUs under the 2019 LTIP could be settled in shares, cash, or any combination of shares and cash, at the option of the holder. RSUs under the 2019 LTIP were classified as a liability on the consolidated statement of financial position.

On August 10, 2021, all existing 9,829 RSUs under the 2019 LTIP were settled at the exchange ratio of 1:39.91, resulting in issuance of 392,276 common shares of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

The Company has recorded a liability of $0 as at October 31, 2021 (October 31, 2020: $171,849) that represents the fair value of the RSUs outstanding under the 2019 LTIP and has recorded fair value loss of $3,096,940 for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 (twelve months ended October 31, 2020:$83,424).

Under the terms of the 2021 LTIP, restricted share units of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. have been issued to executives, directors, employees and advisors. The RSU vesting periods ranged from 1 year to 3 years. The RSUs represent the right to receive a distribution from the Company in an amount equal to the fair market value of an ordinary share of Li-Cycle Holdings Corp. at the time of distribution. The RSUs under the 2021 LTIP are expected to be settled in shares. The Company, at its sole discretion, may also settle in cash or a combination of cash and shares. The RSUs issued under the 2021 LTIP are classified as equity on the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Company recognized share-based compensation expenses relating to RSUs totaling $1,293,030 in the twelve months ended October 31, 2021 (twelve months ended October 31, 2020: $88,425).

 

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Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

A summary of RSU activities is as follows:

 

     Number of
Li-Cycle
Corp RSU
     Number of
Li-Cycle
Holdings
Corp RSU
 

Balance – October 31, 2018

     —       

Balance – October 31, 2019

     —       

Granted

     2,182     
  

 

 

    

Balance – October 31, 2020

     2,182     

Granted

     7,647     

Settled on August 10, 2021

     (9,829   
  

 

 

    

Subtotal

     —          —    

Granted on or after August 10, 2021

        716,763  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance – October 31, 2021

     —          716,763  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

13.

Financial instruments and financial risk factors

Fair values

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, loans payable. The fair values of the cash, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying amounts because of their current nature.

Fair value hierarchy levels 1 to 3 are based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

 

   

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

   

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and

 

   

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

There were no transfers between the levels during the current or prior year.

The Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows:

 

     Balance     

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

(Level 1)

    

Significant other
observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

 
     $      $      $      $  

As at October 31, 2021

           

Accounts receivable

     4,072,701        —          4,072,701        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,072,701        —          4,072,701        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at October 31, 2020

           

Accounts receivable

     571,300        —          571,300        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     571,300        —          571,300        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

See Note 4 above for additional details related to measurement of accounts receivable.

The Company’s financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were calculated as follows:

 

     Balance     

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

(Level 1)

    

Significant other
observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

 
     $      $      $      $  

As at October 31, 2021

           

Restricted share units

     —          —          —          —    

Conversion feature of convertible debt

     29,028,938        —          29,028,938        —    

Warrants

     82,109,334        53,549,989        28,559,344        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     111,138,272        53,549,989        57,588,282        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at October 31, 2020

           

Restricted share units

     171,849        —          171,849        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     171,849        —          171,849        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Currency risk

It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant currency risk as its cash is denominated in both Canadian and U.S. dollars and funds its operations accordingly.

At October 31, 2021, the Company had Canadian dollar denominated cash of approximately Cdn. $1.3 million and Canadian dollar denominated net liabilities and loans payable of approximately Cdn. $23.9 million. The remaining amounts were denominated in U.S. dollars and immaterial amounts of other currencies. Gains and losses arising upon translation of these amounts into U.S. dollars for inclusion in the consolidated financial statements are recorded in other income and expenses as foreign exchange. A 5% strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar, at October 31, 2021, would have increased the foreign exchange loss for the year by approximately $0.9 million while a 5% weakening of the Canadian dollar would have had approximately the equal but opposite effect. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk arising from the effect of changes in prevailing interest rates on the Company’s financial instruments. The Company is exposed to interest rate risk, as it has variable interest rate debt, see Note 10.

Credit, liquidity, and market risks

Credit risks associated with cash are minimal as the Company deposits majority of its cash with a large Canadian financial institution. The Company’s credit risks associated with receivables are managed and exposure to potential loss is assessed as minimal.

Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the board of directors, which has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Company’s short-term, medium and long-term funding and liquidity requirements.

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

Market risks associated with short-term investments are assessed as minimal as they are considered short-term in nature.

All of the Company’s financial liabilities have contractual cash flows as follows:

 

    Carrying
amount
    Contractual
cash flows
    Year 1     Year 2     Year 3     Year 4     Year 5     Thereafter  
    $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

As at October 31, 2021

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    18,701,116       18,701,116       18,701,116       —         —         —         —         —    

Lease liabilities

    29,364,869       35,934,570       4,517,775       4,634,401       3,785,984       3,374,696       3,311,808       16,309,906  

Loan payable

    39,748       41,338       6,384       6,618       6,860       7,111       7,371       6,994  

Convertible Debt

    100,877,838       142,682,078       —         —         —         —         142,682,078       —    

Warrants

    82,109,334       —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Restoration provisions

    334,233       302,049       —         84,582       —         —         54,842       162,625  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    231,427,138       197,661,151       23,225,275       4,725,601       3,792,844       3,381,807       146,056,099       16,479,525  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Carrying
amount
    Contractual
cash flows
    Year 1     Year 2     Year 3     Year 4     Year 5     Thereafter  
    $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  

As at October 31, 2020

               

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    4,364,370       4,364,372       4,364,372       —         —         —         —         —    

Restricted share units

    171,849       171,849       171,849       —         —         —         —         —    

Lease liabilities

    3,613,170       4,529,662       805,946       680,943       568,434       584,269       479,833       1,410,237  

Loan payable

    2,247,878       2,628,652       1,782,888       845,763       —         —         —         —    

Restoration provisions

    321,400       333,866       —         81,166       —         —         52,627       200,074  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    10,718,667       12,028,401       7,125,055       1,607,872       568,434       584,269       532,460       1,610,311  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital risk management

The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Company will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of the debt and equity balance.

The capital structure of the Company consists of net debt (borrowings after deducting cash and bank balances) and equity of the Company (comprising issued share capital, contributed surplus and accumulated deficit as disclosed in Note 12).

The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews the capital structure on a semi-annual basis. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital.

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

14.

Right-of-use assets

 

     Premises      Equipment      Total  
Cost    $      $      $  

At October 31, 2019

     2,783,313        53,262        2,836,575  

Additions & modifications

     1,550,957        61,176        1,612,133  

Foreign Exchange on Translation

     19,731        (629      19,102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2020

     4,354,001        113,809        4,467,810  

Additions & modifications

     24,467,955        19,960        24,487,915  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2021

     28,821,956        133,769        28,955,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

        

At October 31, 2019

     —          —          —    

Depreciation

     (584,343      (16,391      (600,734

Foreign Exchange on Translation

     (7,810      (178      (7,988
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2020

     (592,153      (16,569      (608,722

Depreciation

     (1,302,026      (35,217      (1,337,243
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At October 31, 2021

     (1,894,179      (51,786      (1,945,965
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Carrying amounts

        

At October 31, 2019

     2,783,313        53,262        2,836,575  

At October 31, 2020

     3,761,848        97,240        3,859,088  

At October 31, 2021

     26,927,777        81,983        27,009,760  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted average lease term is five years.

 

15.

Lease liabilities

The Company has the following lease liabilities as of October 31, 2021.

 

Maturity analysis    Year 1      Year 2      Year 3      Year 4      Year 5      Thereafter      Total  
Undiscounted    $      $      $      $      $      $      $  

Premises

     4,468,877        4,590,357        3,741,940        3,332,312        3,290,786        16,302,071        35,726,343  

Equipment

     48,898        44,044        44,044        42,384        21,022        7,835        208,227  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,517,775        4,634,401        3,785,984        3,374,696        3,311,808        16,309,906        35,934,570  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities    Current      Non-Current      Total  
Discounted    $      $      $  

Premises

     2,836,348        26,366,448        29,202,796  

Equipment

     32,447        129,626        162,073  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,868,795        26,496,074        29,364,869  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

The Company has the following lease liabilities as of At October 31, 2020.

 

Maturity analysis    Year 1      Year 2      Year 3      Year 4      Year 5      Thereafter      Total  
Undiscounted    $      $      $      $      $      $      $  

Premises

     769,865        650,087        549,908        565,742        462,851        1,410,237        4,408,690  

Equipment

     36,081        30,856        18,526        18,526        16,982        —          120,972  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     805,946        680,943        568,434        584,268        479,833        1,410,237        4,529,662  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities    Current      Non-Current      Total  
Discounted    $      $      $  

Premises

     565,296        2,949,707        3,515,003  

Equipment

     26,059        72,108        98,167  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     591,355        3,021,815        3,613,170  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company recognized an interest expense of $449,571 related to lease liabilities.

The Company’s lease obligations include leases for plant operations, storage facilities, and office space for employees. In the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company has added 4 new premises leases, 1 new equipment lease and modified 6 leases.

 

16.

Restoration provisions

The Company has a legal obligation to complete the site restoration and decommissioning of its leased plant properties in New York and Ontario. The provision for decommissioning and site restoration is determined using the estimated costs provided by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The following table represents the continuity of the restoration provision associated with the Company’s leased plant properties:

 

Restoration provisions at October 31, 2019

   $ —    

Initial recognition

   $ 321,400  

Interest Recognized

   $ —    
  

 

 

 

Restoration provisions at October 31, 2020

   $ 321,400  
  

 

 

 

Interest Recognized

     3,194  

Foreign exchange recognized

     9,639  
  

 

 

 

Restoration provisions at October 31, 2021

   $ 334,233  
  

 

 

 

The present value of the restoration provision of $334,233 was calculated using an average risk-free rate of 0.61%.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

17.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

     October 31, 2021      October 31, 2020  
     $      $  

Accounts payable

     9,447,394        2,454,421  

Accrued expenses

     6,452,754        1,177,377  

Accrued compensation

     2,800,968        732,574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     18,701,116        4,364,372  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued expenses include accruals for purchase of plant and equipment, audit fees, legal and consulting fees, and operational and inventory purchases.

 

18.

Commitments

As of October 31, 2021, there were $6.9 million in committed purchase orders or agreements for equipment and services (October 31, 2020: $4.2 million).

 

19.

Loss per share

For comparability, the weighted average number of ordinary shares and the number of potential common shares have been scaled by the exchange ratio of 1:39.91 for periods prior to the completion of the business combination on August 10, 2021.

 

     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021      2020      2019  

Net loss

   $ (226,559,288    $ (9,275,962    $ (4,100,782

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

     110,119,135        82,571,828        71,891,372  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

   $ (2.06    $ (0.11    $ (0.06
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustments for diluted loss per share were not made for the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 as they would be anti-dilutive in nature. The following potential common shares are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the weighted average number of common shares for the purpose of diluted earnings per share:

 

     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021      2020      2019  

Stock options

     5,296,553        5,327,985        3,991,000  

Warrants

     22,999,894        —          —    

Convertible debt

     7,493,795        —          536,231  

Restricted share units

     716,763        87,084        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     36,507,005        5,415,069        4,527,231  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

20.

Segment reporting

The consolidated financial data presented in these financial statements is reviewed regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for making strategic decisions, allocations resources

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

and assessing performance, in consultation with the Board of Directors. The Corporation’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer.

During the twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company operated in Canada and began operations in the United States. Management has concluded that the customers, and the nature and method of distribution of goods and services delivered, if any, to these geographic regions are similar in nature. The risks and returns across the geographic regions are not dissimilar; therefore, the Company operates as a single operating segment.

The following is a summary of the Company’s geographical information:

 

     Canada      United States      Total  
     $      $      $  

For the Year Ended October 31, 2021

        

Revenue

     2,999,249        4,375,627        7,374,876  

Non-current assets

     15,476,877        37,922,346        53,399,223  

For the Year Ended October 31, 2020

        

Revenue

     792,254        —          792,254  

Non-current assets

     3,395,049        6,066,619        9,461,668  

For the Year Ended October 31, 2019

        

Revenue

     48,160        —          48,160  

Non-current assets

     1,060,792        —          1,060,792  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company does not currently have active operations in other geographical regions.

The following is a summary of the Company’s main customers:

 

     Year Ended October 31,  
     2021     2020     2019  
     %     %     %  

Revenue

      

Customer A

     42     67     0

Customer B

     52     0     0

Accounts Receivable

      

Customer A

     53     90     0

Customer B

     45     0     0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-37


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

21.

Government funding

The Company has received government grants and investment tax credits from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for research and development activities, as set forth below:

 

     October 31, 2021        October 31, 2020        October 31, 2019  
     $        $        $  

Research and development expenses, gross

     2,694,999        2,809,537        3,134,468  

Less: Government grants

     (32,427      (2,032,869      (629,346

Less: Investment tax credits

     —          —          (393,464
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Research and development expenses, net

     2,662,572        776,668        2,111,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition, for twelve months ended October 31, 2021, the Company has received $60,499 in other government grants recognized as an offset against employee salaries and benefits expenses (2020: $168,027, 2019:$10,916).

 

22.

Income taxes

The recovery of income taxes differs from the amount obtained by applying the statutory Canadian Federal and Provincial income tax rates to the loss for the year as follows:

 

     October 31, 2021
$
    October 31, 2020
$
    October 31, 2019
$
 

Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period before tax

     (226,559,288 )      (9,275,962     (4,100,782

Statutory tax rates

     26.5 %      26.5     26.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (60,038,210 )      (2,458,130     (1,086,707

Change in unrecognized deferred tax amounts

     8,799,310       2,365,715       993,703  

Non-deductible item and others

     51,238,900       92,415       93,004  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     —         —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company incurred significant transaction costs in the course of becoming a listed entity that have been recorded as a reduction in the proceeds related to the issuance of shares. The deferred tax asset associated with these expenses in the amount of $13 million has not been recorded as a deferred tax asset.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

At October 31, 2021,2020 and 2019, the Company has aggregate non-capital losses for Canadian income tax purposes of approximately $49 million, $13 million, and $4 million respectively that expire in the period 2037 to 2040. In addition, the Company has net operating losses for US income tax purposes of approximately $5 million that carryforward indefinitely. Management cannot assert that the realization of the income tax benefits related to these losses and other potential deferred income tax assets is more likely than not to be realized. Accordingly, the Company has not recognized the following deferred income tax assets in the consolidated financial statements:

 

     October 31, 2021
$
     October 31, 2020
$
     October 31, 2019
$
 

Tax losses and credits carryforwards

     14,341,855        3,799,216        1,163,353  

Share issuance costs

     12,647,471        —          —    

Convertible debt

     250,729        —          —    

Reserves and provisions

     233,840        84,464        24,164  

Other

     97,360        —          —    

Plant and equipment, due to differences in amortization

     (2,732,757 )       (205,158      (184,536

Right of use assets, net of lease liabilities

     615,993        (65,395       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     25,454,491        3,613,127        1,002,981  

Deferred tax assets not recognized

     (25,454,491 )       (3,613,127      (1,002,981
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23.

Notes to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Cash consists of cash deposits with financial institutions. Cash equivalents consists of overnight guaranteed investment certificates with financial institutions. As of October 31, 2021, the Company had cash on hand of $6,858,298 and cash equivalents in the form of overnight guaranteed investment certificates of $590,000,000.

Interest paid during the year amounted to $1,923,202 (2020 – $519,769, 2019 – $nil).

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities comprise the following:

 

    Restricted
share units
    Lease
liabilities
    Loans
payable
    Restoration
provisions
    Convertible
debt
    Conversion
feature of
convertible
debt
    Deferred
government
funding
 

Balance, October 31, 2019

    —         —         87,381       —         384,207       94,985       1,067,318  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash changes:

             

Repayments of lease liabilities

      (387,508)            

Proceeds from loans payable

        2,153,110          

Repayment of loans payable

        (12,881)          

Proceeds from government grants

                1,182,599  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total changes from financing cash flows

    —         (387,508)       2,227,610       —         384,207       94,985       2,249,917  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

    Restricted
share units
    Lease
liabilities
    Loans
payable
    Restoration
provisions
    Convertible
debt
    Conversion
feature of
convertible
debt
    Deferred
government
funding
 

Non-cash changes:

             

New leases

      4,141,153            

Grant of restricted share units

    88,425              

Fair value loss on restricted share units

    84,454              

Accrued interest and accretion

            9,931      

New restoration provisions

          321,400        

Conversion of convertible debt

            (397,424)       (94,985)    

Amortization of government grants

                (2,226,910)  

Foreign exchange (gain) or loss

    (1,030)       (140,475)       20,268         3,286         (23,007)  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2020

    171,849       3,613,170       2,247,878       321,400       —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash changes:

             

Repayments of lease liabilities

      (884,024)            

Proceeds from loans payable

        10,091,220          

Repayment of loans payable

        (12,544,339)          

Proceeds from convertible debt

            70,719,220       27,681,043       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total changes from financing cash flows

    —         (884,024)       (2,453,119)       —         70,719,220       27,681,043       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-cash changes:

             

New leases

      26,261,895            

Additions to restoration provision

             

Grant of restricted share units

    604,943              

Fair value loss on restricted share units

    3,096,940              

RSU FMV transfer to share capital on public transaction

    (3,922,754)              

Accrued interest and accretion

          3,194       1,129,680      

Foreign exchange loss

    49,022       373,828       244,989       9,639        

New restoration provisions

          —          

Fair value loss on conversion feature of convertible debt

              1,347,895    

Amortization of government grants

                —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, October 31, 2021

    —         29,364,869       39,748       334,233       71,848,900       29,028,938       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24.

Subsequent events

On December 14, 2021, the Company announced a non-binding letter of intent with LG Chem, Ltd. (“LGC”) and LG Energy Solution, Ltd. (“LGES”) for a manufacturing scrap supply and nickel sulphate off-take agreement. Upon execution of the definitive commercial agreement related to the proposed supply and off-take arrangements, LGC and LGES will together make a $50 million investment to purchase common shares of Li-Cycle (each making a $25 million investment). Under the terms of the proposed investment, LG Chem and LG Energy Solution will each subscribe for 2,208,480 Common Shares at a price

 

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Table of Contents

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

Year ended October 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019

(Expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

 

of $11.32 per share, for an aggregate investment in the Company of $50 million (the “Investment”). The subscription price per Common Share is based on a 30-day volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares prior to LGES’ investment committee approval of LGES’ participation in the Investment on October 28th, 2021. The closing of the Investment is conditional on the parties entering into mutually acceptable definitive commercial agreements regarding the supply of nickel-bearing lithium-ion battery scrap from LGES to Li-Cycle and nickel sulphate off-take from Li-Cycle to LGES and LGC.

On December 31, 2021, the Company exercised its election to pay interest on its $100,000,000 convertible note to Koch Strategic Platforms through a payment in-kind and issued a new note under the same terms as the original note, in lieu of interest payments, with an issuance date of December 31, 2021 for the amount of $1,827,778.

On December 27, 2021, the Company announced that it will redeem all of its warrants to purchase common shares of the Company that remain outstanding at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on January 26, 2022 (the “Redemption Date”) for a redemption price of $0.10 per Warrant. Based on the Redemption Fair Market Value that was announced on January 11, 2022, Warrant holders who surrendered their Warrants on a “Make-Whole Exercise” prior to the Redemption Date received 0.253 Common Shares per Warrant. As of January 30, 2022, (i) 9,678 warrants have been exercised at the exercise price of $11.50 per common share, and (ii) 22,540,651 warrants have been surrendered by holders in the Make-Whole Exercise. The remaining 449,665 unexercised warrants will be redeemed at $0.10 per warrant.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

 

 

 

Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.

 

LOGO

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

 

February 24, 2022

 

 

 

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