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___________________________________________________________________ Eco Investor Update A Weekly News Update for Environmental Investors 21
May 2012 - No 81
ASX 100 APA Group & Hastings
Diversified Utilities Fund The offer is indicative, non-binding and conditional. It comes from Pipeline Partners Australia Pty Ltd, a consortium that includes Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and the Hastings-managed Utilities Trust of Australia (UTA). The conditions include the need for a unanimous recommendation by HDF's independent directors, and acceptance by at least 70 per cent of HDF securityholders. The consortium has up to 45 days for due diligence. Perhaps in recognition of this, APA Group has extended its offer period from 31 May to 31 July. It has also waived another of its conditions. APA currently holds 21.14 per cent of HDF. The rival offer saw HDF's securities jump to a three year high of $2.41. With one of the consortium members being a Hastings-managed fund, Hastings Funds Management chairman Alan Cameron said "UTA is governed by an independent trustee board comprised of a majority of directors appointed by its unitholders. HFML is not advising UTA in relation to this proposal. HDF and the consortium have received independent advice in relation to all aspects of the proposal." (ASX: APA & HDF) ASX 300 Tox Free Solutions Emerging Companies Gerard Lighting Unlisted Share Funds Climate Advocacy Fund The Fund has provided the following summary and update of its shareholder activism: "Over the past 12 months, the Climate Advocacy Fund has been involved in five resolutions. "The first two, which were successful, involved Aquila and Paladin whereby we brought about an improvement in emissions disclosure. The third involved working with Oil Search to bring about their disclosure of an emissions reduction target. "Next, was Woodside Petroleum, whereby we caused them to admit that climate change is a material risk (albeit regulatory), and they agreed to a framework for disclosure. "Finally, we participated in a resolution to ANZ which had been championed by some of our clients. "The first three and ANZ were done as Standard Resolutions. The current law is relatively weak and allows companies to reject these resolutions too easily. Woodside was done by Constitutional Amendment but other institutional investors were uneasy about the method used and did not support us, so we were not as successful as we could have been. "Following Woodside's response, in conjunction with a number of institutional investors, we took the view that it was premature to issue a new resolution for this year's AGM as time didn't permit between the release of their sustainability report and the AGM papers. There were a number of issues raised in Woodside's response that required clarification, not least of which was the fact that the regulations were not out yet. To that end, we are now engaging with Woodside in conjunction with some institutional investors and believe that a more constructive engagement is a critical part of the advocacy process, including ultimately its success in changing the legal and ethical framework around shareholder advocacy. "We are now considering our options for the upcoming reporting season." Meanwhile, the Fund's manager, Australian Ethical Investment, has issued a statement in regard to the move by some of its own shareholders to spill the board. In a letter to shareholders, chairman Andre Morony, said the board had sought legal advice on a letter by shareholder and former director Howard Pender "and has formed the view that it is defamatory". "Whilst Mr Pender is not
proposing himself as a director, he is proposing that shareholders reinstate
Mr James Thier, who in 2011 with Mr Pender and without the consent of
the Board "In the opinion of the Board, after taking legal advice, that submission contained information that was misleading and deceptive and could have breached the Commonwealth Criminal Code 1995. This action threatened the most precious asset an investment company like AEI has, our reputation. "Another of Mr Pender's proposed directors is Mr Paul Ronald Ralph, who in 2010 was found by the Federal Court of Australia to have breached his duties as a director of another company." Mr Morony invited shareholders to contact him to discuss any aspect of the company.
ASX 200 Qube Logistics Qube owns 25 per cent of Prixcar indirectly through its 50 per cent shareholding in "K" Line Auto Logistics Pty Ltd (KLAL) with Kawasaki Australia owning the other 50 per cent of KLAL. KLAL and Toll each own 50 per cent of Prixcar. Qube's share of the equity funding is expected to be $20 million. Although the transaction is strategically important for Prixcar, it is not expected to have a material impact on Qube's earnings. Toll said the change will provide customers with an end-to-end supply chain management service. (ASX: QUB) Emerging Companies CMA Corporation Sholz Invest GmbH's interest in CMA has increased from 42.3 to 47.8 per cent. CMA is to relocate its shredding operation from Ringwood to a more appropriate Victorian location. Chief executive John Pedersen said "The relocation of the shredding operation is a complex and difficult process and we estimate the process is likely to take at least two-and-a-half to three years to be completed". (ASX: CMV) CO2 Group Revenue was up 117 per cent to $32.7 million. Basic earnings per share were 0.42 cents. CO2 has cash of $32.6 million and no debt. No dividend was declared but the board said it continues to review its dividend policy. CO2 Group has continued to diversify into new areas of environmental services including forestry mapping and management, environmental trading, mine site rehabilitation, carbon accounting and inventory management activities. The environmental trading division Carbon Banc saw revenue of $17 million. Carbon Banc's customer numbers are now over 110, with deal numbers passing 300 spot and forward based contracts. During the period, the company established new carbon sink plantings for Woodside Energy and Bundaberg Drinks. Preparations are advanced to establish a further 4,100 hectares in the 2012 planting season, taking total plantings to 26,400 hectare – an 18 per cent increase. Chief executive officer Andrew Grant said "This is a pleasing half-year result for CO2 Group, as the company continues to deliver strong revenue and profit growth, along with a strong cash balance and reflects the benefits of our diversified range of environmental services. The revenue growth shows that we continue to benefit from our long-term contracts which deliver stable and recurring revenues." "These strong financial results also highlight the fact that Australia's blue chip corporations clearly recognize the need to employ carbon management strategies, irrespective of legislation. CO2 Group has never been better placed to assist these organizations in achieving their carbon management objectives." (ASX: COZ) Environmental Group The ASX queried a rise in EGL's share price from 5 to 7 cents and increased volume. In regard to volume the company said it awaits filing of shareholder notices detailing the changes in its shareholder base, perhaps refering to the sale by CVC. (ASX: EGL) Hydromet Corporation Novarise Renewable Resources
International Unlisted Share Funds Australian Ethical Smaller
Companies Fund In a letter to shareholders, chairman Andre Morony, said the board had sought legal advice on a letter by shareholder and former director Howard Pender "and has formed the view that it is defamatory". "Whilst Mr Pender is not
proposing himself as a director, he is proposing that shareholders reinstate
Mr James Thier, who in 2011 with Mr Pender and without the consent of
the Board "In the opinion of the Board, after taking legal advice, that submission contained information that was misleading and deceptive and could have breached the Commonwealth Criminal Code 1995. This action threatened the most precious asset an investment company like AEI has, our reputation. "Another of Mr Pender's proposed directors is Mr Paul Ronald Ralph, who in 2010 was found by the Federal Court of Australia to have breached his duties as a director of another company." Mr Morony invited shareholders to contact him to discuss any aspect of the company. CVC Sustainable Investments
Micro Cap Companies Carbon Conscious Chief executive officer, Peter Balsarini, said Carbon Conscious has received a client payment of about $5 million for planting commencement and will receive another $5 million on completion. Mr Balsarini said "At the completion of the 2012 planting program, Carbon Conscious will have approximately 19,000 hectares of plantings under management across Australia and New Zealand. Ongoing contract revenue associated with existing projects will exceed $43 million over the next 15 years." "We are seeing growing interest from a range of sources seeking our internationally compliant carbon credits. As more countries develop carbon pricing mechanisms, such as South Korea's new cap-and-trade emissions trading scheme, there is increasing appetite for global carbon offset investments. The company has received a substantial increase in new client enquiries from organizations that face major carbon liabilities under the carbon price, as well as from New Zealand companies with liabilities under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. The company is confident of the prospect of further deal flow. (ASX: CCF) Clean Seas Tuna Frode Teigen has reduced their holding from 13.6 to 12.6 per cent. (ASX: CSS) Credit Suisse World Water
Trust Green Invest Intermoco Intermoco raised $342,089 from its rights issue, which was partly underwritten to $400,000, making the total raised so far $742,089. Intermoco will seek to place the shortfall of $457,911. (ASX: INT) Nanosonics Phoslock Water Solutions Chairman Laurence Freedman has told shareholders that over the past four months the company has made significant headway into the global market, opportunities for business worldwide have increased and the pipeline is growing. It currently has over 50 projects in the pipeline worldwide. (ASX: PHK)
ASX 200 Dart Energy ASX 300 Galaxy Resources Analysts First Analysis Securities Corporation said it estimated US$1000/tonne would equate to a 22 per cent increase in prices, based on a basket of lithium commodity products, and with some variations on each product. "We believe this [price increase] suggests relatively tight supply and demand in the lithium industry, which is reasonable." It is the second time Rockwood has hiked lithium salt product prices in the last two years , having announced a 20 per cent increase in June 2011. Rockwood said the price increases would allow it to fund investment projects and expansion plans and cited the electric vehicle market as a future growth area for lithium products. Galaxy Resources managing director, Iggy Tan, said it was an encouraging sign for the potential prices the company will be able to receive for output from its Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant in China. Galaxy will produce 17,000 tonne per annum of battery grade lithium carbonate at full capacity. (ASX: GXY) Micro Cap Companies AnaeCo The agreement agreement between AnaeCo, Dynagreen and its parent Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd (BSAM) will include the terms under which AnaeCo will provide technology transfer and licensing rights to DiCOM and Dynagreen will roll out the network across China. Managing director and CEO Patrick Kedemos said "The DiCOM technology offers compelling advantages as a waste management solution to many of China's large and growing urban cities, where the smaller footprint and environmentally benign nature of the DiCOM process will enable the plants to be located in the cities' light industrial areas. In addition the biogas and the organic fertilizer produced will make a great contribution to Municipalities striving to meet the environmental targets laid down by the Central Government, he said. Meanwhile, AnaeCo's DiCOM Expansion Project in Perth is in its final phase, with construction completion scheduled for September. Commissioning of the front end Materials Recovery Facility is planned to start in August. (ASX: ANQ) Cell Aquaculture Dyesol Earth Heat Resources EcoQuest Darren Olney-Fraser has been appointed executive chairman, and Howard Digby and Peter Webse as new non-executive directors. Mr Digby is an engineering with 23 years in management in Australia and Asia Pacific, mostly in the information technology industry including with IBM. Mr Webse, who is also company secretary of Eco Quest, is an accountant and company director. He has over 21 years experience in company secretarial roles for listed and unlisted companies. JK Nominess has increased its stake in EcoQuest from 7.7 to 9.8 per cent. (ASX: ECQ) Eden Energy European Gas The Folschviller-2 well was the first multi-lateral horizontal CBM well in continental Europe. Hydraulic fracturing was not used in the well. The study supports commercial development and identified uncertainties that will be addressed in a future drilling campaign. Frédéric Briens, chief executive of European Gas, said "This is another significant milestone for the company. Following the recent confirmation of our large gas resources, we now have a first operational assessment of the feasibility of producing gas at commercial rates without the use of hydraulic fracturing." (ASX: EPG) K2 Energy The proceeds will fund further investment in Mears Technologies Inc. and provide additional working capital. Upon K2's investment, Sam Gazal, chairman of K2, will join the board of Mears, which has plans to merge with K2. "Funds raised from the placement will contribute to the commercialization strategy and activities of Mears' chip technology with clear milestones set in place over the next 6-9 months," said Mr Gazal. Foster Stockbroking Pty Ltd acted as lead manager to the Placement. K2 will offer a share purchase plan to shareholders at 3 cents per share. (ASX: KTE) KUTh Energy Eco Investor Update
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