___________________________________________________________________
Eco
Investor Update
A
Weekly News Update for Environmental Investors
6
August 2012 - No 92
___________________________________________________________________
____ Core Securities ____
ASX 100
APA Group
See Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund story.
DUET Group
DUET Group has reached agreement with AMP Capital and Macquarie Capital
Group to internalize its management.
DUET said this will enhance
its corporate governance and create value for securityholders by reducing
costs and giving greater certainty over future distributions.
Under the proposal, the consideration
payable to AMP Capital and Macquarie for the internalization will be $82
million in DUET securities. DUET will also pay AMP Capital and Macquarie
about $11 million to 30 June 2013 to provide support services during the
transition to independent management.
The proposal is subject to
final documentation, an independent expert's report concluding that the
Proposal is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of securityholders,
and a minimum 50 per cent approval by DUET's securityholders at a general
meeting likely in late October.
DUET director Doug Halley said
"The Independent Directors unanimously support the internalization
of DUET's management under this Proposal and believe it is in the best
interests of securityholders, subject to the findings of an independent
expert's report."
The proposal is expected to
halve DUET's annual corporate operating costs and be accretive to DUET's
operating cash flows from FY2014. It will eliminate base management fees
and performance fees and remove volatility from future cash flows and
distributions.
It strengthens the alignment
of interests between DUET's management and securityholders, and is is
likely to broaden DUET's appeal to the investment community and potentially
expand its investor base.
Mr Halley also said "As
a result of the strategic and capital initiatives implemented across the
Group over the past 18 months, DUET is transitioning from a sector-based
investment fund to an operationally focused operating business."
The DUET boards have appointed
Mr Halley as independent chairman-elect subject to approval of the proposal.
All independent Directors will remain as directors of the DUET Group and
from the 2013 AGM will be subject to nomination and re-election on a rotational
basis.
David Bartholomew, chief executive
officer, and Jason Conroy, chief financial officer, will continue to lead
the business, together with the majority of the DUET team. (ASX: DUE)
ASX
200
Hastings Diversified Utilities
Fund
The manager of takeover target Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund has
released its Target's Statement outlining the reasons why its securityholders
should accept Pipeline Partners Australia's cash offer of $2.325 per security,
in the absence of a better offer.
The Pipeline Partners offer
provides securityholders with value certainty; it is presently the highest
value choice available; and in the absence of the current takeover activity
HDF is expected to trade at a price below the offer price, it says.
On the merits of internalizing
HDF's management, the independent directors said "While the estimated
net cost savings of an internalization would be approximately $4 million
to $5 million per annum, in the absence of any takeover offer, HDF's security
price could be expected to trade below Pipeline Partners Australia's offer
of $2.325 per security. Moreover, there are potential disadvantages associated
with the internalization of HDF, in particular the expectation that financiers'
consent and/or renegotiation of its total debt facilities of $1.375 billion
would be required.,"
HDF is in discussion with APA
about its intention to increase its offer to $2.50 per security subject
to due diligence.
Hastings Funds Management chairman
Alan Cameron said "HDF is working positively with APA and may provide
APA with access to appropriate due diligence in due course. However, at
this point in time there is no certainty that APA will make a formal revised
takeover offer for HDF."
"Your independent directors
have carefully considered Pipeline Partners Australia's offer and have
concluded that it is presently the highest value choice available to all
HDF securityholders, given the uncertainty of APA's intention to increase
its offer and the assessment of the merits of internalization," he
told securityholders. (ASX: HDF and APA)
ASX 300
Tox Free Solutions
Broker Ord Minnett said it expects Tox Free Solutions to announce a solid
full year result with net profit of $17.9 million, up 51.2 per cent on
last year despite operations being impacted by cyclones in March.
It expects the company to announce
a fully franked final dividend of 3.5 cents per share, representing a
full year payout ratio of around 20 per cent.
"The acquisition of the
DMX assets has now firmly skewed TOX's business mix to we believe the
more attractive hazardous waste management industry which displays monopolistic
and high barrier to entry characteristics. While the company is exposed
the oil and gas and mining sectors, the vast majority of contracts relate
to production assets (or large scale projects which are unlikely to be
cancelled).
"The near-term outlook
for the company remains very positive, with the acquired DMX assets combined
with organic growth expected to deliver around 20 per cent earnings per
share growth into FY13. While we don't expect management to provide specific
earnings guidance for the following year at the upcoming result, we remain
relatively confident in the growth outlook given the assets and contracts
held within the business.
"With TOX currently trading
at a premium to its major listed peer and not facing the same gearing
issues, we believe the company will continue to look to make targeted
acquisitions over the near/ medium term.
"We have retained our
Hold recommendation and rolled forward our share price target to 30 June
2013, increasing it to $2.85 per share," said the broker. The risk
factor for the stock is High. (ASX: TOX)
____ Satellite Securities____
Emerging
Companies
CBD Energy
CBD Energy has commissioned its first Italian solar project of 5 MW, and
signed a Term Sheet to sell the project to a British institution, subject
to due diligence.
The company said it has continued
to progress its wind developments and international solar projects during
the June quarter. The day to day operating costs incurred in doing so
are reflected in operating cash flows of minus $8.5 million for 2011-12.
The company has also expended $11.2 million in development costs for these
projects during the year which are reflected in investing cash flows of
minus $12.8 million for the year.
The company is likely to post
a significant loss, despite June quarter revenue of $20.7 million and
full year revenue of $89.5 million.
The company has been negotiating
several international solar projects and expects to progress these developments
in next few months. Its Australian solar business is currently undergoing
a restructure. (ASX: CBD)
Clean TeQ Holdings
Clean TeQ Holdings saw a pick up in business in the June quarter with
revenue at $4.3 million and full year revenue at $12.2 million.
"Many of the current projects
are nearing completion and others will continue in the new financial year.
The operational cash flow for the period was positive, with a small negative
for the full year," it said.
"At the end of June 2012
the company had a cash balance of $1.634 million. This excludes the company's
cash on deposit with a maturity greater than three months used as security
for its projects. The company has no material debt." (ASX: CLQ)
CO2 Group
Carbon sink developer CO2 Group is branching into aquaculture with a conditional
off market takeover bid for the shares in Western Australian Resources
Limited (WARL).
WARL is a public unlisted company
that aims to establish large scale prawn and fish farming operations for
the Asian export markets.
CO2 Group has offered five
of its shares for four WARL shares, or alternatively 16.25 cents cash
per WARL share. The offer values WARL at $2.7 million.
The acquisition is relatively
small compared to the company's market capitalization and should not materially
affect its existing operations. The offer is conditional on CO2 Group
obtaining 90 per cent of WARL's shares. WARL directors have recommended
that shareholders accept the offer.
CO2 chief executive officer,
Andrew Grant, said "The aquaculture project being developed by WARL
fits within CO2 Group's environmental and sustainability philosophy as
the whole production process is proposed to be developed onshore utilizing
leading environmental practices aimed at ensuring that there are no adverse
environmental impacts on the ocean or ground water sources, and providing
a high quality sustainable and renewable protein source for rapidly growing
international food markets."
CO2 Group has extensive expertise
in the establishment of green-field agricultural projects, he said.
WARL was formed in 2005 to
acquire the mining tenements held by CO2 Group when CO2 Group was changing
its business to environmental services, CO2t retained an 11.22 per cent
interest in the company.
WARL directors have been reviewing
opportunities in water resources, agriculture and aquaculture. "Having
completed a scoping study, the WARL directors have determined the aquaculture
opportunity should be further analyzed via a pre-feasibility study, however
it currently has insufficient cash reserves to carry this out," they
said.
Meanwhile CO2 Group expects
its 2011-12 earnings (EBIT) will be over $4 million compared to the $2.2
million in the 2011 financial year. "Performance has exceeded expectation
of CO2 Group with the planting program in WA complete and the NSW program
ahead of schedule. The board is pleased with the projected 2012 financial
year outcome," it said. (ASX: COZ)
Energy Action
Energy Action has acquired energy procurement and management business
Ward Consulting Services for about $4.15 million. The acquisition has
been funded through existing cash and new Energy Action shares.
A second payment is likely
to be made in the first half of 2013-14, a proportion of which is expected
to be funded by up to 1 million shares based on Ward Consulting Services'
2012-13 normalized net profit.
Energy Action said Ward Consulting
Services was established in NSW in 1999 and is "a highly successful
and profitable business, with a focus on sustainability reporting and
efficiency solutions. It is a highly complementary addition to Energy
Action and in the 12 month period ending 31 December 2011 Ward Consulting
Services generated net profit after tax of $638,000."
The acquisition is earnings
accretive for Energy Action.
Ward Consulting' clients are
in the property, food and beverage and finance sectors and include some
of Australia's leading property owners and commercial property firms.
It has a number of long term contracts that generate stable and predictable
revenue streams.
"Through this acquisition,
EAX will now have an expanded range of energy procurement and management
services, increased capabilities in sustainability reporting and and the
ability to cross-sell more services to a much larger client base,"
said managing director, Valerie Duncan. (ASX: EAX)
Novarise Renewable Resources
International
Novarise Renewable Resources recorded June quarter revenue of $5.7 million
and January to June revenue of $42.3 million. (ASX: NOE)
Quantum Energy
Quantum Energy lifted June quarter revenue by $5 million to $18.8 million
and full year revenue was $63 million. Total annual operating and investing
cash flows were $16.2 million and the company has $3.3 million in cash.
(ASX: QTM)
Solco
Solco had June quarter revenue of $7.7 million and full year revenue of
$27 million. Total operating and investing cash flows for the year were
minus $3.2 million. (ASX: SOO)
____ Pre-Profit Securities ____
Micro
Cap Companies
Aeris Environmental
Aeris Environmental said it continues to make progress with sales during
the year, excluding Aeris Hygiene Services (AHS), up 41 per cent. It also
reduced expenditure, leading to a 41 per cent fall in its net loss year-on-year
after one-off transactions.
Cash reserves are $414,000
and it has an unused credit for $250,000.
Managing director David Fisher
said he expects further cash from R&D cash-back and the agreement
to sell and licence its AHS cold storage remediation business to Mycologia.
"Aeris is in detailed
discussions with potential cold storage remediation service licencees
in Asia, who have recently undertaken training in our Sydney offices,
and Aeris is targeting a launch into these important markets during the
2012 calendar year," he said. These licences will be on the basis
of an exclusive use of the AHS name and products.
Aeris has now produced and
shipped its first commercial AerisCoatR anti-microbial coatings to Ingersoll
Rand (Trane) in Asia. "It is envisaged that the forthcoming implementation
of the now validated AerisCoatR commercial product could be rapidly scaled
into other geographical markets, representing a multi-million dollar opportunity
for Aeris," he said.
"The sale and licencing
of AHS will now provide Aeris with the ability to focus more aggressively
on the near-term scale-up of revenue in the company's drive towards commercialization
and profitability."
Recent developments in R&D
have extended the performance of the company's smart plastics (Biocidal
polymers) into a new range of medical applications. The performance of
Aeris' smart surfaces has been significantly extended beyond what was
previously thought possible.
"In recent months, the
company has had direct feedback that many of the competitive products
in the global Microbial Control market are significantly deficient in
ways that are addressed by Aeris' proprietary technologies. Aeris' strategic
focus is now on gaining a critical mass of additional launch customers
and revenue to build value for its shareholders," said Mr Fisher.
(ASX: AEI)
Australian Renewable Fuels
Australian Renewable Fuels said the June quarter saw it continue the positive
progress from the March quarter with sales running consistently across
the quarter, a cash positive result for the second consecutive quarter
and a major infrastructure upgrade by The Shell Company of Australia to
distribute its biodiesel.
Revenue was $21 million, giving
$59.6 million for 2011-12. In the June quarter ARFuels generated net operating
cash flows of $2 million. "This is attributable to the underlying
trading and operations of the business and continues on from the prior
quarter," said managing director and chief executive officer, Andrew
White.
"We continue to work on
supply options for recycled mill oil (RMO) and are close to finalizing
the first shipment of 1,400 tonnes of higher quality RMO. Importantly,
we have also confirmed with a number of the oil majors that, subject to
sustainability standards, RMO will be an acceptable feedstock for biodiesel.
Our RMO and other like feedstocks will comply with those sustainability
standards."
"Sales are becoming more
consistent with the export program and oil majors providing a base line
level of sales for the business," said Mr White. This is helped by
the opening of the new Shell Victorian biodiesel facility. "Shell
is selling both B5 and B20 products from this terminal the B20
product is a world first for Shell and represents a real step forward
for the industry and ARFuels."
The company has also started
building inventory for the next shipment of biodiesel for export to the
USA. That will be another 4,000 tonnes.
The introduction of the carbon
price from 1 July saw biodiesel enjoys a 6 cent per litre advantage over
diesel in mining sites, and this has led to an increase in enquiries and
over the next six months is expected to translate into sales for the Largs
Bay and Picton plants.
The rebuilding program for
the Largs Bay plant is on time for a November completion.
"Feedstock prices for
tallow and used cooking oils were firmer during the June quarter with
average prices between A$750 to A$850 per tonne. We expect these levels
to soften during the next quarter by around $100 per tonne and we continue
to investigate all feedstock options for used and waste vegetable oils
and low grade tallows.
"We are currently working
on procuring a higher quality RMO which can be processed at the existing
plant at Barnawartha." (ASX: ARF)
Carbon Conscious
Carbon Conscious saw 2011-12 revenue reach $18.5 million, with the June
quarter contributing $5.4 million.
The company has received a
substantial increase in new client enquiries from organizations that face
major carbon liabilities under the carbon price. (ASX: CCF)
Clean Seas Tuna
Clean Seas Tuna had customer receipts of $6 million for the June quarter
and $25.6 million for 2011-12. Cash at 30 June was $3.8 million
The company continues to generate
cash from a continued clearance in its Kingfish inventory, coupled with
investment of surplus asset infrastructure. "Implementation of strategies
to improve both the health and profitability of the Kingfish business
remain ongoing. these initiatives are underpinning the company's mid-term
cash profile," and the company.
Frode Teigen has reduced his
holding from 12.59 to 11.59 per cent. (ASX: CSS)
Intec
Intec had cash of at the end of the June quarter of $1.4 million, sufficient
for its immediate working capital requirements, said managing director,
Kieran Rodgers.
During the quarter, Intec completed
the removal of all electric arc furnace (EAF) dust from the Victorian
stockpile site. The proejct saw about 28,000 tonnes blended with zinc-bearing
slag material and exported as a lowgrade zinc concentrate. The remaining
bond amount of $2.387 million has now been received by the company.
Of the remaining environmental
bond of $361,000 including accrued interest lodged with EPA Tasmania for
the previous Hellyer EAF dust stockpile site, $321,000 will be returned
and the remaining $40,000 will come following the completion of minor
remediation works at the Hellyer stockpile site.
Intec has completed the first
milestone of the IRC Project in Iran for engineering work to help design
and develop a 25,000 tonne per annum facility to recycle zinc and lead
from a minerals processing residue.
The laboratory program has
generated improvements to the provisional process flowsheet developed
as part of a conceptual study in 2010. These refinements should offer
lower capital cost, low operating costs, and decreased technical complexity
in key areas, it said.
The company said the feedstock
for the IRC Project is a complex mixture of 12-20 per cent zinc and lead
minerals in a silicon/ aluminium host matrix.
Testwork has shown that over
90 per cent of the zinc can be extracted, leaving the other target metals
in an intermediate residue for separate leaching. The resulting zinc-bearing
pregnant leach solution can be purified to very low contaminant levels,
allowing for the electrowinning of special high grade zinc metal via conventional
sulphate-based electrowinning technology.
The intermediate residue is
re-leached to extract 90 per cent of the lead and silver, ultimately producing
samples of over 99 per cent pure lead metal. Future testwork will examine
the possibility of using the Intec Process to recover the appreciable
germanium from the intermediate residue.
The next component of the program
involves pilot plant testwork and more detailed engineering.
Intec is in discussion with
a number of parties about a possible transaction regarding its rare earth
recycling technology. This might involve a party assuming responsibility
for developing and funding the commercialization of the technology with
support from Intec, said the company.
A party involved in a mutual
technology assessment process to assess the Intec Gold Process for three
types of refractory gold ores arsenopyrite, arsenopyrite-pyrite,
and pyrite-carbon, has withdrawn from discussions. Intec said it will
now consider alternative commercialization strategies. (ASX: INL)
Nanosonics
Nanosonics has appointed Michael Kavanagh as a non-executive director.
Mr Kavanagh has worked for over 20 years in healthcare marketing, and
is currently senior vice president of Global Marketing for major medical
devices company Cochlear, a position he has held for more than nine years.
"Nanosonics is a great
example of Australian innovation. The global opportunities the company
has identified based on its unique offering in disinfection and sterilization
are very attractive," said Mr Kavanagh.
Nanosonics had customer receipts
of $2.8 million in the June quarter and $10.7 million in 2011-12. Cash
at the end of the quarter was $29.3 million compared to $7.4 million at
31 March.
Sales for the full year were
$12.3 million compared with $2.2 million the previous year. Sales for
the June quarter were $4.1 million, an increase of 36.9 per cent on the
March quarter. (ASX: NAN)
Pacific Environment
Pacific Environment has 2011-12 revenue of $11 million, of which the June
quarter contributed $2.7 million.
The fourth quarter had positive
operating cash flows. "We are pleased that the 12 months to 30 June
2012 operating cash flow remains positive ($0.17 million), a strong increase
since the March quarter," it said.
Further revenue growth is expected
in the September quarter. (ASX: PEH)
Phoslock Water Solutions
Phoslock Water Solutions had 2011-12 receipts from customers of $1.6 million,
with the June quarter at $0.2 million.
Receipts from customers and
government grants was $495,000 for the June quarter and $2.2 million for
the 12 months.
Phoslock has a cash balance
of $384,000. It holds $1.5 million of inventory at current resale prices,
and debtors are $500,000. Its working capital facility is drawn to $998,000.
Managing director, Robert Schuitema,
said the company continues to grow the number of successful Phoslock applications
in water bodies around the world. Product awareness and industry acceptance
have been significantly bolstered.
"Phoslock is gaining increased
market share and further sales are expected through our distribution arms
in the months ahead," he said. (ASX: PHK)
Po Valley Energy
Po Valley Energy made a net profit for the half year to 30 June of 305,761
compared to 367,010 for the June 2011 half year.
The result was mainly due to
the increase in depreciation from the Castello gas field since restarting
production in February. The company ended the period with cash of 2 million.
Basic earnings per share were 0.28 Euro cents.
Total company gas production
for the six months was 12.3 million standard cubic metres. Plans are advanced
to install the condensate separator to bring the Castello field back to
full production of 77,500 standard cubic metres per day. (ASX: PVE)
RedFlow
RedFlow expects to receive a cash payment of about $3 million before 31
October from the Research and Development Tax Incentive Scheme.
However, RedFlow has fully
impaired $8.54 million on its capitalized research and development asset
at 30 June 2012. This has no cash flow impact and does not affect its
tax position and the Research and Development tax incentive claim, it
said. The technology is in the early stages of commercial market development
and exploitation.
Receipts from customers were
$0.4 million for the June quarter and $2.4 million for the year to 30
June. Annual operating and investing cash flows were minus $17.7 million.
(ASX: RFX)
Refresh Group
Refresh Group had 2011-12 receipts from customers of $6million, of which
$1.6 million was in the June quarter. Operating and investing cash flows
were $12,000 for the year and $52,000 for the June quarter, It finished
with only $153,000 in cash. (ASX: RGP)
Vmoto
Vmoto saw a 176 per cent increase in June quarter receipts from customers
to $3.5 million, bringing the full year receipts to $8.2 million. The
company said it was operationally cash flow positive for the quarter.
The increase was due to deposits
and balance payments from increased orders placed for delivery in the
coming quarters and delivery of orders during the quarter. The June quarter
is traditionally its busiest quarter, said the company.
Vmoto has shipped a sample
delivery version electric scooter powered by lithium batteries to Domino's
Pizza Australia for evaluation. Domino's indicated that the lithium battery
powered 120L electric scooter may better suit its requirements as the
range and performance are greater than that of the standard silicon battery
powered electric scooter. Discussions continue.
Denmark's largest newspaper
delivery company DAO ordered its 5th and 6th containers, bringing total
scooters ordered to 208 for the seven months to July. Vmoto said it is
excited that this single customer has ordered a significant number of
electric scooters in a short period of time. (ASX: VMT)
WestSide Corporation
WestSide Corporation's June quarter gas production was up 47 per cent
on the same period last year and 30 per cent on the previous quarter.
It delivered 552.8 TJ of gas for gross revenue of $1.95 million, which
was up 51 per cent on the same period last year and 42 per cent on the
previous quarter.
WestSide has commenced drilling
a series of new wells at Meridian SeamGas to increase production toward
25 terajoules a day. The drilling program comprises three new dual-lateral
wells and one up-dip blind lateral well.
Chief executive, Dr Julie Beeby,
said the results from wells already drilled have given the joint venture
confidence to proceed with this next phase to lift production to satisfy
sales contracts.
During the June quarter, WestSide's
Transitional Environmental Plan - which aims to bring pond construction
standards for Petroleum Lease PL94 into compliance with new State Policy
standards - was progressed with the completion of the detailed engineering
design for coal seam gas water storage and transport infrastructure.
WestSide finalized an Underground
Water Impact Report (UWIR) for its CSG operations in PL94 under the requirements
of the Queensland Water Act 2000.
The company also completed
a CSG water re-injection feasibility study at Meridian, in line with the
Queensland Government's preferred methods for CSG water disposal.
WestSide signed an agreement
to install a pilot water treatment system expected to cost significantly
less than reverse osmosis alternatives. Opportunities for reuse of the
treated water in the surrounding region are being investigated. (ASX:
WCL)
____ Pre-Revenue Securities ____
ASX 300
Dart Energy
Shares in Dart Energy touched a new all time low of 13 cents on 2 August.
The company has appointed two
independent non-executive directors. Former government minister Raymond
Lim and ex-banker Sanjiv Misra replace Peter Clarke who resigned in May
and the late David Williamson, who passed away recently.
Mr Lim is a former Singapore
government minister and currently a Member of Parliament. He has extensive
experience in the public sector and the financial industry. He sits on
the board of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporate (GIC) and
is currently a Senior Adviser to the Swire Group. He is also an independent
director at fund manager APS Asset Management, Hong Leong Finance Ltd
and non-executive chairman of Investec Singapore Aviation Management Pte
Ltd.
Mr Misra is a Singapore citizen,
and has spent more than 10 years at Goldman Sachs in New York and Asia,
and was head of Citigroup's Asia Pacific corporate and investment banking
businesses. He is currently president of Phoenix Advisers, a boutique
consulting firm, and chairman of the Asia Pacific Advisory Board at Apollo
Management. He is also on the board of Trustees at Singapore Management
University and is a member of the board at National University Health
System (NUHS). (ASX: DTE)
Galaxy Resources
With the recent completion of the Lithium One acquisition, Galaxy Resources
said it has decided to focus more on building out its resource base -
so it is contemplating jointventuring or divesting its Battery Project
in China.
Discussions have begun with
potential joint venture partners. "The Project has made significant
progress on the design for a Lithium-Ion Battery Plant which has capacity
to produce 620,000 e-bike battery packs per annum, with relevant environmental
and safety regulatory applications already accepted and approved,"
it said. (ASX: GXY)
Micro
Cap Companies
Algae.Tec
Algae.Tec has issued 278,293 shares to La Jolla Cove Investors at 26.95
cents each to raise $75,000 under their convertible note arrangement.
Algae.Tec's first algae to
biofuels facility, Shoalhaven One at Nowra, has been opened by NSW minister
for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher.
The plant uses Algae.Tec's
high-yield, enclosed and scalable algae growth and harvesting system and
waste carbon dioxide from Manildra Group. To commission the facility,
the minister activated the hi-tech lighting system that delivers the Algae.Tec
super yield capabilities.
Executive chairman Roger Stroud
said Algae.Tec offers Australia energy security at a time when traditional
fossil fuel companies are leaving the local market. "Algae.Tec offers
the promise of home grown transport fuels (aviation and diesel), which
is the number one energy security priority for countries like the USA
and increasingly Australia." (ASX: AEB)
AnaeCo
CF2 Pty Ltd as trustee for the CF Trust (CF2) has converted loan funds
of $2,181,000 to equity in AnaeCo at a conversion price of 4.5 cents per
share.
Controlled by AnaeCo director
Dr Ian Campbell, CF2 advanced the funds under a convertible loan facility
approved by shareholders in May. The $10 million facility can be drawn
down until 30 June 2013.
The conversion of $2,181,000
represents the entire drawings under the facility to date. The company
has also issued shares at 4.5 cents in payment of the 5 per cent facility
establishment fee of $500,000.
Managing director and chief
executive, Patrick Kedemos, said "I am very pleased that Ian Campbell
has again displayed his belief in AnaeCo, the DiCOM technology, the upcoming
commissioning of the Western Metropolitan Regional Council project and
future commercialization, by converting this loan to equity. His willingness
to increase his investment in the company is a further endorsement of
support from our largest shareholder." (ASX: ANQ)
Cell Aquaculture
Cell Aquaculture said negotiations are continuing with La Jolla Cove Investors
to find a mutually acceptable solution to conclude their funding arrangement.
(ASX: CAQ)
Eden Energy
Eden Energy has reaffirmed that its funding arrangement with La Jolla
Cove Investors is terminated, Eden says this is a consequence of a repudiation
of the facility agreement by La Jolla.
"As a result of the termination,
no further draw-downs under the facility agreement will be made, and similarly
La Jolla cannot convert any more money that may be owed to it by Eden
to shares," it said.
"Further, in light this
termination of the facility agreement because of the repudiation by La
Jolla, Eden is exploring its obligations in relation to the unconverted
balance of the funds advanced to Eden by La Jolla before the facility
was terminated (US$536,039).
"La Jolla holds no shares
in Eden, having sold all the shares that were previously issued to it
under the facility, and has no right to acquire further shares through
conversion pursuant to the now terminated facility agreement."
As the facility is terminated,
Eden is planning a non-renounceable, pro-rata rights issue to raise between
$2-4 million for working capital, (ASX: EDE)
Island Sky
At the recent meeting that approved the sale of 75 per cent of its key
US subsidiary, Island Sky managing director Richard Groden gave shareholders
an analysis of the difficulties the company experienced in commercializing
its water-from-air technology.
Apart from entering the market
during the global financial crisis, "We believe that we tried to
bring our products to the market too quickly. Our business model called
for us to start generating revenue immediately and the product was not
ready for mass market distribution.
"We should have built
fewer machines initially and Beta tested them over a longer period of
time before we released them into the market place," he said.
"Our marketing efforts
were too wide spread. We didn't focus on one or two markets and bring
in small successes. We tried to open in too many areas creating a diverse
area with not enough support and we spread ourselves too thin.
"Our initial distributors
were not strong enough and could not support the needs of the machine
or the instant customer satisfaction which is necessary to create good
word of mouth.
"Developing the product
in China was also fraught with difficulties. The lure of procuring inexpensive
manufacturing needed to bring our product to the market at a competitive
price was overshadowed by the hidden expenses of having to bring our engineers
over there for extending periods of time. We also had to hire our own
local engineers for quality control measures we did not feel we were getting
from the factory. Ultimately the process was much more difficult, time
consuming and expensive than we anticipated.
"The process of securing
UL certification to enable our machines to be sold commercially in the
US market was also extremely expensive and took much more time than anyone
could have anticipated.
"Ultimately we have reached
a point where the product [is] ready for the market and we have the certifications
that we need but we don't have the money to market the products properly.
So we are taking measures to bring in new investment. We are focusing
on several markets where we have had some measure of success. We have
downsized our overhead considerably and we are trying to move the company
forward.
"The Skywater machines
that were donated to Haiti following the earthquake are currently still
in use and continue to provide clean water to help alleviate the cholera
epidemic. The company continues to work with the Haitian NGO One Village
Planet on the development of their Sustainable Village Initiative, a project
which combines the use of Skywater machines with Biofuel Gasifiers to
generate electricity and water to be used for farming and aquaculture
in the underdeveloped rural areas of Haiti.
"Our newest product has
just been introduced to the market. It is the Skywater Harmony. This is
a Skywater 14 machine that has been enhanced to provide ionized super
oxygenated
alkaline water. The Skywater Harmony is targeted for the health conscious
individual who is looking to maintain a balanced PH in their body which
is thought by many to be a major factor in the prevention of cancer and
other degenerative diseases. We have had a great deal of interest in this
product from our distributors and we feel there is a very large and passionate
market for a product of this type.
"Island Sky is in the
process of developing a new machine we call the Skywater Solar 125. Initial
testing leads us to believe that this machine will produce up to 150 gallons
of water per day using only 1 kW of electricity per hour. The typical
RO Desalination System uses 2 kW per hour to power their system and another
2 kW to run the pump on the well. Electricity can run anywhere from $0.10
per kW/hr in a highly industrialized area to $0.50 per kW/hr in a place
like the Bahamas. This would yield a yearly cost of $17,520.00 for the
desal machine vs. $4,380.00 for the Skywater machine.
"Once the 125 unit has
been commercialized the company intends to produce a solar version of
the Skywater 300 machine as well which will have a similar economy of
scale.
"As the company continues
to improve the energy efficiency of its products allowing access to a
greater segment of the marketplace, and as the world's water resources
continue to be depleted (thereby increasing the price of water), Island
Sky® believes that there will be a significant increase in mainstream
demand for the units as a substitute for municipal water," he said.
Receipts from customers were
only $71,000 in the June quarter and $212,000 for 2011-12.
The meeting voted strongly
in favour of selling 933,077 shares in Island Sky Corporation to Mr Groden,
who will continue his efforts to commercialize the technology. (ASX: ISK)
KUTh Energy
KUTh Energy managing director David McDonald has indirectly acquired 155,000
shares at 2.5 cents each. (ASX: KEN)
Liquefied Natural Gas
Liquefied Natural Gas and PetroChina International Investment (Australia)
Pty Ltd (PetroChina Australia) have executed a non-binding Letter of Intent
for securing gas supply for LNG Ltd's proposed 3 million tonne per annum
LNG project at Fisherman's Landing at Gladstone, Queensland.
The arrangement followed the
announcement of a share sale agreement between Molopo Energy and PetroChina
Australia under which PetroChina Australia will acquire all of Molopo's
coal seam gas assets in Queensland.
Under the Letter of Intent,
PetroChina Australia and LNG will work together to secure sufficient gas
for the LNG Project's first LNG train, to assist the LNG Project proceed
to final investment decision.
PetroChina will consider the
acquisition of prospective gas assets and permit interests in Queensland,
which includes Molopo's gas assets and/or enter new gas supply arrangements
with parties that own gas in Queensland capable of supplying the LNG Project.
PetroChina Australia is owned
by PetroChina International Investment Company Ltd, which is a related
company of LNG Ltd's largest and 19.9 per cent shareholder China Haunqiu
Contracting & Engineering Corporation (HQC).
LNG's managing director, Maurice
Brand, said "The signing of the Share Sale Agreement and the Letter
of Intent are two material milestones in the company's gas supply plan
for the LNG Project."
LNG is continuing its takeover
discussions with WestSide Corporation and other parties. (ASX: LNG)
Lithex Resources
Managing director Robert Mandanici has directly and indirectly increased
his stake in Lithex Resoucces from 5 to 6.88 per cent through the issue
of performance shares.
Executive director Steven Crabbe
has indirectly become a substantial shareholder with 6.38 per cent through
the issue of performance shares.
Chairman Malcolm Carson has
indireclty acquired 500,000 performance shares. (ASX: LTX)
Metgasco
Shares in Metgasco fell to a new all time low of 17 cents on 3 August.
Metgasco said that "Throughout
the second quarter of 2012 the NSW Government continued to work on updating
policies that regulate the coal seam gas industry in the state. While
this work remains incomplete the Government has not renewed exploration
leases or granted production licences to the industry, including Metgasco.
This has led to delays in key elements of Metgasco's forward work program."
Metgasco also said it is working
with government agencies to update its water management plan that was
submitted in 2008. "Metgasco will now be required to commit to specific
beneficial uses for the water during the exploration phase whereas before
this was required only during the production phase. Our new water management
plan is expected to be completed in third quarter 2012." (ASX: MEL)
Water Resources Group
Water Resources Group raised $883,194 under its rights isuse and another
$408,000 has been already been committed for shortfall shares. The company
has commenced the shortfall share placement with Patersons Securities
Ltd as lead manager.
The company aimed to raise
up to $5.6 million. (ASX: WRG)
Eco
Investor Update
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