Interim Results

RNS Number : 6567R
Accsys Technologies PLC
21 November 2012
 



 

 

AIM: AXS

NYSE Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

21 November 2012

 

ACCSYS TECHNOLOGIES PLC ("Accsys" or "the Company")

 

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2012

 

Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document.

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6567R_1-2012-11-21.pdf
 

Highlights

·      Revenue increased by 47% to €9.1m for the six months ended 30 September 2012 (2011: €6.2m) and included €553,000 of licence revenue (2011: €75,000);

·      First stages of Process Design Package have been delivered to Rhodia following the signing of an Accoya® licence in June 2012 enabling the next stages of their engineering planning;

·      Entered into a 50:50 JV with INEOS Technologies in October 2012 to exploit Accsys' intellectual property surrounding Tricoya® wood elements acetylation and processes globally;

·      Sales of Medite Tricoya® Extreme Durable MDF are increasing steadily since its launch by our joint development partner, Medite at the end of 2011;

·      Gross manufacturing margin increased by 24% to a positive 15% and the Arnhem manufacturing EBITDA margin improved from -36% to -6%;

·      Total of 36 distribution or agency agreements now in place covering most of Europe, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, parts of South-East Asia and the USA;

·      Accoya® and Tricoya® continued to gain overall market recognition, for example by winning the Supreme Award for Innovation at the annual Timber Expo in the UK;

·      Cash balance of €20.7m at 30 September 2012 (€24.6m at 31 March 2012), which excludes €4m received from INEOS after the period end following their subscription for 24 million new shares in Accsys; and

·      Decrease in the loss before tax by 14% to €5.4m (2011: €6.3m).

Paul Clegg, Chief Executive commented: "We have had a strategically significant past six months, establishing the INEOS joint venture as a catalyst to developing and exploiting the Tricoya® technology, whilst continuing to build on our global market position in Accoya® in terms of revenue increases, a greater distribution network and progression with the Rhodia licence agreement. Most importantly, we have achieved these milestones whilst increasing revenues and margins within our core Arnhem manufacturing base, maintaining a strong balance sheet and winning industry awards endorsing the quality of our products. We enter the second half of the year with confidence that we have the building blocks in place to achieve our long term objectives of profitability and increased revenues from our technology licensing business model."

 

There will be a presentation relating to these results at 10:00 GMT on Wednesday 21 November 2012. The presentation will take the form of a web based conference call, details of which are below:

 

Webcast link:

 

Click here or copy and paste ALL of the following text into your browser: 

 

http://www.media-server.com/m/p/uh72q86m

 

Conference call details for participants:

 

Participant Telephone Number:  +44 (0)20 7136 2051         UK Toll

Confirmation Code:  7591485

 

Participants will have to quote the above code when dialling into the conference.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Accsys Technologies PLC

Paul Clegg, CEO

Hans Pauli, COO

Will Rudge, FD

 via Citigate Dewe Rogerson

 

Numis Securities

Oliver Cardigan

Christopher Wilkinson

Ben Stoop

 

+44 (0)20 7260 1000

 

 

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Ginny Pulbrook

Malcolm Robertson

Suzanne Bakker

 

+44 (0)20 7282 2945

+44 (0)20 7282 2867

+31 20 575 4023

 






Accsys Technologies PLC

Chairman's statement


Introduction


I am happy to report we have made excellent progress in all areas and continue towards our objectives of licensing our technology worldwide and achieving profitability.

 

Revenue increased by 47% compared to last year while gross manufacturing margin increased by 24%, from minus 9% to a positive 15%. The Arnhem manufacturing facility EBITDA improved from -36% to -6% compared to the same period last year.

 

We have maintained a strong balance sheet with cash of €20.7m at 30 September (€24.6m at 31 March 2012). A further €4m was received from INEOS shortly after the period end following their subscription for 24 million new shares in Accsys at a subscription price of €0.17 at the same time as entering a new joint venture with us, as described below.

 

We have been working closely with Rhodia following the signing of an Accoya® licence in June 2012 and are making progress towards the agreement becoming fully effective later in 2013, after which construction of the 63,000m3 initial plant is expected to commence.

 

The commercial deployment of Tricoya® has also progressed well, with sales of Medite Tricoya® Extreme Durable MDF increasing since its launch by our joint development partner, Medite at the end of 2011. We expect this momentum to continue as new product applications are being identified by distributors. In particular, following the formation of Tricoya Technologies Limited, our joint venture ('JV') with INEOS in October 2012, we now expect to accelerate the global deployment of Tricoya®.

 

Accoya® and Tricoya® continued to gain overall industry recognition in what remains a difficult market place given the economic conditions affecting the building and construction industry. This has been highlighted by recently winning the Supreme Award for Innovation at the annual Timber Expo in the UK and by being approved as a Durable Wood Preservation Product by the Japan Wood Protection Association and resulting in Accoya® being amongst a very select group of solid wood products to be recognised.

 

I was pleased to welcome Will Rudge to the board on 1 October 2012. Will was previously financial controller, working closely with Hans Pauli who previously held the joint roles of CFO and COO. As a result of the many developments summarised above, the operational work load has increased and Will's appointment enables Hans, who remains on the board as COO, to dedicate more time to the operations of the group including the plant in Arnhem.   

 

Outlook

The last six months has proved particularly exciting and I have been delighted to have developed our relationships with Rhodia and INEOS.

 

The increase in both sales and profitability indicate that our manufacturing plant will achieve positive EBITDA level at approximately 50% of production capacity; a level which we expect to achieve within the next year. This also demonstrates the potential returns a prospective licensee can generate by manufacturing Accoya®. I expect Accoya® sales growth to continue; albeit the level of growth will be difficult to predict, however, we are well positioned in the event of an upturn in economic conditions.

 

The JV entered into with INEOS starts a new phase in the development of Tricoya, a product which I am confident will prove revolutionary in the panel products industry. Accsys' intellectual property and experience with acetylated wood complements INEOS's experience and skills in the field of technology development and licensing and I am looking forward to us accelerating the commercialisation of Tricoya® globally.

 

We continue to develop a number of licensing opportunities, which due to the complex nature and investment required, mean the timing of their completion are difficult to predict. I am, however, confident that our Accoya® manufacturing business, which has demonstrated revenue and margin growth, will enable us to achieve our long term objective of profitability as well as further global licensing technology revenue.

Gordon Campbell

Chairman

20 November 2012

Accsys Technologies PLC
Chairman's statement



Accoya® wood

 

Revenue from sales of Accoya® produced by our Arnhem plant increased by 40% to €7.7m in the first half of the year compared to the same six months in the previous year.

 

11 out of the top 15 geographies recorded revenue growth compared to the first half of last year as well as compared to the second half of last year. This included the UK, the Netherlands and Germany as well as less established geographies which showed significant growth and indicates a trend for continuing growth. While North American sales were disappointing, we have recently received orders relating to more significant manufacturing opportunities and are confident growth will resume.

 

Sales to Diamond Wood continue to be less than hoped for as it has still not completed its fund-raising. Consequently, sales during the period from them were less than last year. We will continue to work with Diamond Wood and other business partners to ensure that the significant number of opportunities which exist in the South-East Asia region will be developed. We are confident that this remains a key growth market for Accoya®.

 

Sales to Ireland in the second half of the previous financial year included a substantial volume sold to Medite to enable them to build up initial stocks of Medite Tricoya. Future deliveries to Medite are expected to resume in the near future, however due to the minimum volumes required for individual production runs of MDF panels, the timing and quantities are likely to remain difficult to predict.   

 

We have signed additional distribution agreements adding Iceland, Mexico and Turkey to give us a total of 36 distribution or agency agreements covering most of Europe, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, India, Morocco, New Zealand, parts of South-East Asia and the USA.

 

We have continued to develop new wood species with the first sales of Accoya® Alder following its commercial launch at the end of last year. Significant progress has been made in developing Scots pine, a species which we expect will introduce additional end-product offerings, attract interest as a local species for European markets, as well as being an additional sourcing option. During the period we published the Accoya® Structural guide and launched an Accoya® product for use within structural projects, together which will open up new business opportunities as well as having already generated sales.

 

Progress with licensing activity

 

We have been working closely with Solvay-Rhodia ('Rhodia') following the signing of a licence agreement in June. The licence is for the exclusive rights for a 15 year period to produce and sell Accoya® within the Council of Europe, save for the Benelux countries, UK and Ireland. The first plant is expected to have an initial capacity of 63,000m3.

 

An outline engineering plan was delivered to Rhodia soon after signature, and more recently the first stages of the Process Design Package have been delivered, which has enabled Rhodia to progress their detailed engineering planning. Further design work continues to progress as planned, including the sharing of a significant amount of technical knowledge.

 

Our respective sales teams have also been working closely and have developed relationships with our existing and new customers following Rhodia's commissioning of an extensive market assessment programme. Many customers have been encouraged by the expected increased production capacity that the licence will allow. The programme has also assessed the manufacturing, retail, distribution and tolling markets.

 

The contract is expected to become fully effective in the second half of 2013 following the approval of both Accsys and Rhodia's board of directors.

 

As described above, Diamond Wood has not yet completed its fund-raising. We understand that Diamond Wood is no longer expecting to be admitted to the junior market of the Malaysian Stock Exchange as they previously reported. However, we understand that plans are being developed to secure the necessary funding to complete the construction of their first Accoya® plant in Nanjing, China. We continue to work with Diamond Wood to ensure that additional Accoya® sales opportunities are secured prior to construction.

 

We have continued Research and Development in respect of new species, new applications for our existing products and process developments which we anticipate will result in improved efficiency and capacity of both our plant and that of our licensees.

 

Tricoya® Technologies Limited ('TTL')

 

In October 2012 we entered into a 50:50 JV with INEOS Industries Holdings Limited to exploit Accsys' intellectual property surrounding Tricoya® wood elements acetylation and processes globally. The new company, TTL, will exploit Accsys' Tricoya technology for the use within MDF, particle board and wood plastic composites; a worldwide market estimated at more than €60 billion annually.

 

INEOS will contribute its significant market reach, technology and licensing as well as intellectual property expertise. Accsys has granted TTL the rights to exploit the Tricoya® technology. All new and existing licence agreements concerning Tricoya® are expected to be transferred to or entered into directly by TTL, including the licence option agreement entered into in April 2012 with a leading MDF and Particle Board manufacturer in Latin America and Accsys' Joint Development Agreement with Medite.

 

TTL will carry out all activities relating to Tricoya including business development, marketing, further research and product and process development. The cost of these activities, which will be carried out by Accsys and INEOS staff and which were previously to be borne by Accsys, will now be borne by TTL.

 

TTL's profits will be shared between INEOS and Accsys in a way which reflects each party's interest. This includes a disproportionate profit share reflecting the contribution of Accsys' intellectual property which will create significant value for Accsys.    

 

As mentioned above, Medite has continued to sell Medite Tricoya® Extreme Durable MDF since the end of 2011 and has increased the number of distributors and the volume sold as the year has progressed. These ultra-high performance medium density fibre boards with equivalent to class 1 durability, are quickly gaining industry recognition as a major innovative new product, for example, by winning the Supreme Award for Innovation at this year's Timber Expo in Coventry, UK.

 

We continue to work closely with our licence option holder in Latin America, with on-going activities concerning market evaluation and preliminary production planning in accordance with the agreement. To support the licensing proposition in this region we have continued to file various national patent applications across Latin America.

 

We expect sales of Medite Tricoya to continue to increase and TTL will work closely with Medite and the Latin American licence option holder to further develop the product and applications while further market testing takes place. 

 

Discussions with a number of other potential new Accoya® and Tricoya® licensees continue, however, it remains important to note that any resulting agreements may require significant investment by the other party and as such we expect these negotiations will take time to complete.

 

The benefits

 

We expect to continue to grow sales and further increase industry acceptance as a result the superior properties of our products.

 

Accoya® and Tricoya® both exhibit class leading dimensional stability and durability properties. These properties mean that Accoya® is ideal for use in windows, doors, cladding, decking, structural and civil works and much more. Tricoya® panel products can be used in wet and humid environments where previously, wood based panel products were not suitable. The number of applications for Tricoya® based panels is growing as a greater number of potential uses are identified. These include cladding, window components, facia and soffit panels, wet interiors, including wall linings in swimming pools, bathrooms, wet rooms etc, speciality furniture (lockers, chairs etc), play frames, signages, automotive parts, sound barriers and potentially even sports equipment.

 

In addition, both Accoya® and Tricoya® boast superior green credentials. By significantly enhancing the durability and dimensional stability of fast-growing and abundantly available certified wood, our products provide compelling environmental advantages over slow-growing hardwoods (which are often unsustainably sourced), woods treated with toxic chemicals, and non-renewable carbon-intensive materials such as plastics, metals and concrete.

 

These properties, which result in lower lifetime costs compared to alternative materials, have also enabled Accoya® to hold a number of significant certifications, for example, the Cradle to Cradle Gold level certification.

 

 

Financial Review

 

Statement of comprehensive income

 

Group revenue increased by 47% to €9.1m for the six months ended 30 September 2012 (2011: €6.2m). Revenue from Accoya® (included within manufacturing revenue) increased by 40% to €7.7m, reflecting growth achieved in 11 out of 15 of the top geographies. €553,000 of licence income was recorded in the period (2011: €75,000) representing a licence option payment and revenue generated in the period from the licence with Rhodia.

 

Gross margin increased from -7% to 20.5% compared to the same period in the previous year. This was driven by the additional licence income and a significant improvement in the gross manufacturing margin which increased by 24% from minus 9% to a positive 15%. This margin is expected to improve further as our production volumes increase.

 

Other operating costs increased from €5.9m to €7.2m. The increase is partly attributable to the relative weakening of the Euro compared to the prior year which has impacted the costs incurred by the Windsor and Dallas offices. In addition, the increase is also attributable to non recurring items including legal and intellectual property costs incurred in relation to the agreements described above. Furthermore, an increase in sales and marketing costs in the period was attributable to the earlier timing of certain exhibitions as well as a general increase in activity, including support of both new and existing distributors.

 

The Group headcount reduced from 97 at 30 September 2011 to 96 at 31 March 2012 and then to 94 at 30 September 2012.

 

The decrease in the loss before tax by 14% to €5.4m (2011: €6.3m) can largely be attributed to the improvement in revenue and gross margin.

 

Cash flow and financial position

 

At 30 September 2012, the Group held cash balances of €20.7m. The €3.9m reduction in cash compared to 31 March 2012 is mainly attributable to the reported operating loss together with an increase in working capital of €0.3m, purchases of property plant and equipment of €0.2m and capitalised development costs of €0.4m. These have been offset by a €0.8m receipt of research and development tax credits.

 

After the period end, in addition to INEOS's joint investment programme with Accsys as described above, INEOS Industries Holdings Limited subscribed for 23,529,412 new ordinary shares in Accsys, at a price of €0.17 per share resulting in new equity of €4,000,000 and representing 5.4% of the issued share capital of Accsys. Accsys also issued a warrant instrument in favour of INEOS, allowing INEOS the opportunity to purchase up to a further 16,468,236 shares at a price of €0.21 per share at certain times during the course of the next four years.

 

Risks and uncertainties

 

The Group's principal risks and uncertainties are unchanged from those set out in its 2012 Annual Report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going concern

 

These condensed financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, which is deemed to be at least 12 months from the date these interim results were approved.

 

As part of the Group's going concern review, the Directors have reviewed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. These forecasts indicate that, in order to continue as a going concern, the Group is dependent on the achievement of certain operating performance measures relating to the production and sales of Accoya® wood from the plant in Arnhem and the collection of on-going working capital items in line with internally agreed budgets. 

 

The Directors have considered the internally agreed budgets and performance measures and believe that appropriate controls and procedures are in place or will be in place to make sure that these are met. The Directors believe, while some uncertainty inherently remains in achieving the budget, in particular in relation to market conditions outside of the Group's control, that there are a sufficient number of alternative actions and measures that can be taken in order to achieve the Group's medium and long term objectives.

 

Therefore, the Directors believe that the going concern basis is the most appropriate on which to prepare the financial statements.

 

 

Paul Clegg

Chief Executive

20 November 2012


The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:

 

·      The condensed financial statements contained in the half year report have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the EU;

 

·      The interim results include a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and

 

·      The interim Management Report (Narrative) include a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.28R being disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein since the last annual report.

 

 

By order of the Board

 

 

 

Angus Dodwell

Company Secretary

20 November 2012



Note

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited



6 months

6 months

Year



ended

ended

ended



30 September

30 September

31

March



2012

2011

2012



€'000

€'000

€'000



Total

Total

Total






Accoya® wood revenue


7,690

5,517

13,574

Licence revenue


553

75

75

Other revenue


840

639

1,353






Total revenue

2

9,083

6,231

15,002






Total cost of sales


(7,219)

(6,695)

(15,050)






Gross profit/(loss)


1,864

(464)

(48)






Other operating costs

3

(7,224)

(5,852)

(12,497)

Impairment of licensee receivables

4

-

-

(2,281)






Loss from operations


(5,360)

(6,316)

(14,826)






Finance income


107

22

154

Finance expense


(124)

(33)

(240)






Loss before taxation


(5,377)

(6,327)

(14,912)






Tax (charge)/credit


(108)

(252)

536






Loss for the period


(5,485)

(6,579)

(14,376)






Gain arising on translation of foreign operations


17

23

35






Total comprehensive loss for the period


(5,468)

(6,556)

(14,341)











Basic and diluted loss per ordinary share

5

€(0.01)

€(0.02)

€(0.04)






 

The notes set out on pages 13 to 18 form part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

 




Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited



6 months

6 months

Year



ended

ended

ended



30 Sept

30 Sept

31 March


Note

2012

2011

2012



€'000

€'000

€'000






Non-current assets





Intangible assets


7,814

7,580

7,579

Property, plant and equipment

6

24,799

26,251

25,614

Available for sale investments

7

-

-

-

Deferred tax


1,219

1,846

1,522








33,832

35,677

34,715

Current assets





Inventories


3,987

5,811

3,120

Trade and other receivables


3,031

7,879

3,576

Cash and cash equivalents


20,731

27,069

24,574

Corporation tax


516

5

1,117








28,265

40,764

32,387






Current liabilities





Trade and other payables


(3,402)

(5,122)

(3,385)

Obligation under finance lease


(280)

(280)

(264)








(3,682)

(5,402)

(3,649)






Non-current liabilities





Obligation under finance lease


(1,928)

(1,955)

(1,960)








(1,928)

(1,955)

(1,960)






Net current assets


24,583

35,362

28,738
















Total net assets


56,487

69,084

61,493











Equity and reserves





Share capital - Ordinary shares

8

4,091

4,039

4,040

Share premium account


124,941

124,877

124,887

Capital redemption reserve


148

148

148

Warrants reserve


82

82

82

Merger reserve


106,707

106,707

106,707

Retained earnings


(179,504)

(166,776)

(174,415)

Own shares


(39)

(25)

-

Foreign currency translation reserve


61

32

44











Total equity


56,487

69,084

61,493











The notes set out on pages 13 to 18 form part of these condensed financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Share capital Ordinary

Share premium

Capital redempt-ion reserve

Warrant reserve

Merger reserve

Own Shares

Foreign currency trans-
lation reserve

Retained earnings

 Total


€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

€'000

Balance at
31 March 2011

4,031

124,809

148

82

106,707

(25)

9

(160,387)

75,374










Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

23

(6,579)

(6,556)

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

190

190

Shares issued

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

Premium on shares issued

-

70

-

-

-

-

-

-

70

Share issue costs

-

(2)

-

-

-

-

-

-

(2)











Balance at
30 Sept 2011
(unaudited)

4,039

124,877

148

82

106,707

(25)

32

(166,776)

69,084











Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

12

(7,797)

(7,785)

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

158

158

Shares issued

1

-

-

-

-

25

-

-

26

Premium on shares issued

-

8

-

-

-

-

-

-

8

Share issue costs

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

-

2











Balance at
31 March 2012

4,040

124,887

148

61,493











Total comprehensive loss for the period

-

-

-

-

-

-

17

(5,485)

(5,468)

Share based payments

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

396

396

Shares issued

51

-

-

-

-

(39)

-

-

12

Premium on shares issued

-

54

-

-

-

-

-

-

54

Share issue costs

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-











Balance at
30 Sept 2012
(unaudited)

4,091

124,941

148

82

106,707

(39)

61

(179,504)

56,487











     The notes set out on pages 13 to 18 form part of these condensed financial statements.

 

783,283 of the shares issued in the period relate to the vesting of matching shares held in the Employee share scheme under which 28 employees subscribed in August 2011. A further 415,332 shares were issued in the period to the Employee share scheme under which 19 employees subscribed  with the ability to receive a matching share after one year, if still employed by the Group.

 

Own shares represents 3,926,666 issued to an Employee Benefit Trust at nominal value on 6 July 2012.



Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited


6 months

6 months

Year End


30 Sept

30 Sept

31 March


2012

2011

2012


€'000

€'000

€'000





Profit before taxation

(5,377)

(6,327)

(14,912)

Adjustments for:




Amortisation of intangible assets

145

137

280

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

967

898

1,877

Finance expense/(income)

17

11

86

Reversal of impairment of receivables

-

-

2,281

Equity-settled share-based payment expenses

396

190

348





Cash flows from operating activities before changes in working capital

(3,852)

(5,091)

(10,040)





Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables

549

1,709

3,734

Decrease in deferred income

-

-

(2,550)

(Increase)/Decrease in inventories

(865)

2,609

5,300

Decrease in trade and other payables

23

(966)

(161)





Net cash absorbed by operating activities before tax

(4,145)

(1,739)

(3,717)





Tax received

796

-

-





Net cash flows from operating activities

(3,349)

(1,739)

(3,717)





Cash flows from investing activities




Interest received

107

23

154

Expenditure on capitalised internal development

(381)

(142)

(283)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(152)

(723)

(1,065)





Net cash absorbed by investing activities

(426)

(842)

(1,194)





Cashflows from financing activities




Proceeds from sale and lease back

-

2,236

2,236

Finance expenses

(17)

-

(12)

Interest Paid

(124)

-

(173)

Proceeds from issue of share capital

62

78

89

Share issue costs

-

(267)

(267)





Net cash from financing activities

(79)

2,047

1,873





Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(3,854)

(534)

(3,038)

Effect of exchange differences on restatement of non Euro functional currency

11

27

36

Opening cash and cash equivalents

24,574

27,576

27,576





Closing cash and cash equivalents

20,731

27,069

24,574





The notes set out on pages 13 to 18 form part of these interim financial statements.


1.         Accounting policies

 

Basis of accounting                                                                                                           

 

The Group's condensed financial statements in these interim results have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 "interim financial reporting" as adopted for use in the European Union. The financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2012 and the six months ended 30 September 2011 is unaudited. The comparative financial information for the full year ended 31 March 2012 does not constitute the group's statutory financial statements for that period although it has been derived from the statutory financial statements for the year then ended. A copy of those statutory financial statements has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Changes in accounting policies

 

No new accounting standards, amendments or interpretations have been adopted in the period which have any impact on these condensed financial statements, or are expected to affect the Group's 2013 Annual report. The accounting policies and methods of computation are consistent with those applied in the 31 March 2012 annual financial statements.

 

Going concern

 

These condensed financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, which is deemed to be at least 12 months from the date these interim results were approved.

 

As part of the Group's going concern review, the Directors have reviewed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future. These forecasts indicate that, in order to continue as a going concern, the Group is dependent on the achievement of certain operating performance measures relating to the production and sales of Accoya® wood from the plant in Arnhem and the collection of on-going working capital items in line with internally agreed budgets. 

 

The Directors have considered the internally agreed budgets and performance measures and believe that appropriate controls and procedures are in place or will be in place to make sure that these are met.  The Directors believe, while some uncertainty inherently remains in achieving the budget, in particular in relation to market conditions outside of the Group's control, that there are a sufficient number of alternative actions and measures that can be taken in order to achieve the Group's medium and long term objectives.

 

Therefore, the Directors believe that the going concern basis is the most appropriate on which to prepare the financial statements.

 



 

2.         Segmental reporting

 

The Group's business is the development, commercialisation and licensing of proprietary technology for the manufacture of Accoya® wood, Tricoya® wood elements and related acetylation technologies. Segmental reporting is divided between licensing activities, the manufacturing and sale of Accoya® and research and development activities.

Result by Segment:

Licensing

 





 


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 


6 months

6 months

Year

 


ended

ended

Ended

 


30 Sept

30 Sept

31 March

 


2012

2011

2012

 


€'000

€'000

€'000

 





Revenue

553

75

                       75

 

Cost of sales

-

-

                          -

 





 

Gross profit/(loss)

553

75

                       75

 





 

Other operating costs

(3,758)

(2,672)

 (5,834)

 

Impairment of licensee receivables

-

-

 (2,281)

 





 

Loss from operations

(3,205)

(2,597)

 (8,040)

 





 

Loss from Operations

(3,205)

(2,597)

 (8,040)

 

Depreciation and amortisation

173

160

                    330

 

EBITDA

(3,032)

(2,437)

 (7,710)

 

 


Manufacturing

 





 

Revenue

8,530

6,156

               14,927

 

Cost of sales

(7,219)

(6,695)

 (15,050)

 





 

Gross profit/(loss)

1,311

(539)

 (123)

 





 

Other operating costs

(2,747)

(2,495)

 (5,247)

 





 

Loss from operations

(1,436)

(3,034)

 (5,370)

 





 

Loss from Operations

(1,436)

(3,034)

 (5,370)

 

Depreciation and amortisation

908

841

                  1,754

 

EBITDA

(528)

(2,193)

 (3,616)

 


Research and Development

 





 

Revenue

-

-

-

 

Cost of sales

-

-

-

 





 

Gross profit/(loss)

-

-

-

 





 

Other operating costs

(719)

(685)

(1,416)

 





 

Loss from operations

(719)

(685)

(1,416)

 





 

Loss from Operations

(719)

(685)

(1,416)

 

Depreciation and amortisation

32

36

74

 

EBITDA

(687)

(649)

(1,342)

 


Total

 





 

Revenue

9,083

6,231

15,002

 

Cost of sales

(7,219)

(6,695)

(15,050)

 





 

Gross profit/(loss)

1,864

(464)

(48)

 





 

Other operating costs

(7,224)

(5,852)

(12,497)

 

Impairment of licensee receivables

-

-

(2,281)

 





 

Loss from operations

(5,360)

(6,316)

(14,826)

 





 

Finance income

107

22

154

 

Finance expense

(124)

(33)

(240)

 





 





 

Loss before taxation

(5,377)

(6,327)

(14,912)

 





 





 

Loss from Operations

(5,360)

(6,316)

(14,826)

 

Depreciation and amortisation

1,113

1,037

2,158

 

EBITDA

(4,247)

(5,279)

(12,668)

 

 

Analysis of revenue by geographical destination:





Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited





6 months

6 months

Year





ended

ended

ended





30 Sept

30 Sept

31 March





2012

2011

2012





€'000

€'000

€'000








 Netherlands




3,060

2,521

5,264

 United Kingdom




1,832

1,098

2,123

 Germany




845

440

1,011

 Switzerland




825

447

735

 North America




487

529

1,006

 Belgium




349

147

367

 Norway




344

139

307

 China




296

402

784

 India




180

130

231

 Italy




155

27

147

 New Zealand




142

-

49

 Australia




135

46

129

 France




121

3

121

 Ireland




94

146

2,442

 Greece




92

99

174

 Other




126

57

112












9,083

6,231

15,002

 

The segmental assets in the current and previous periods were predominantly held in Europe. Additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets in the current and previous periods were predominantly incurred in Europe.

 

3.         Other operating costs

 

Other operating costs consist of the operating costs, other than the cost of sales, associated with the operation of the plant in Arnhem and the offices in Dallas and Windsor.

 




Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited




6 months

6 months

Year




ended

ended

ended




30 Sept

30 Sept

31 March




2012

2011

2012




€'000

€'000

€'000







Sales and marketing


1,559

1,163

2,264

Research and development

                719

685

1,416

Depreciation and amortisation

              1,113

1,035

2,159

Other operating costs


1,069

1,153

2,307

Administration costs


2,764

1,816

4,351










7,224

5,852

12,497

 

Administrative costs include costs associated with the Human Resources, IT, Finance, Management, General Office, Business Development and Legal departments. 

 

The Group headcount reduced from 97 at 30 September 2011 to 96 at 31 March 2012 and then to 94 at 30 September 2012.

 

During the period €381,000 of development costs were capitalised and are included within intangible fixed assets (2011:€142,000). This includes €140,000 in respect of the Accoya® licence Process Design Package.

 



 

 

4.         Exceptional items - Impairment of assets

 

A net impairment of €2,281,000 recorded in the year ended March 2012 was attributable to Al Rajhi, representing a non-cash impairment of licensee net receivables (consisting of €5,402,000 prepaid commission costs net of €2,550,000 deferred income) recorded in previous years. The impairment was recorded as uncertainty remains as to whether the licence will proceed.

 

This was offset by the reversal of a previous impairment of €571,000 reflecting money received from Diamond Wood under the licence agreement subsequent to the year-end.

 

5.         Loss per share

 


Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited


6 months

6 months

Year


ended

ended

ended

Basic and diluted loss per share

30 Sept

2012

30 Sept

2011

31 March 2012

Weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue ('000)




406,310

403,364

403,657




Loss for the period (€'000)

(5,485)

(6,579)

(14,376)





Basic and diluted loss per share

€(0.01)

€(0.02)

€(0.04)





Basic and diluted losses per share are based upon the same figures.  There are no dilutive share options as these would increase the loss per share. 

 



 

 

6.         Property, plant and equipment

 


Freehold land


Plant and machinery


Office equipment


Total


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000

Cost or valuation








At 31 March 2011

6,815


26,108


462


33,385









Additions

-


598


124


722

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


(3)


(3)









At 30 September 2011

6,815


26,706


583


34,104









Additions

65


253


30


348

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


(1)


(1)









At 31 March 2012

6,880


26,959


612


34,451









Additions

-


120


32


152

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


-


-









At 30 September 2012

6,880


27,079


644


34,603









Depreciation








At 31 March 2011

-


6,560


398


6,958









Charge for the period

18


850


30


898

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


(3)


(3)









At 30 September 2011

18


7,410


425


7,853









Charge for the period

57


883


44


984

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


-


-









At 31 March 2012

75


8,293


469


8,837









Charge for the period

56


876


35


967

Foreign currency translation gain/(loss)

-


-


-


-









At 30 September 2012

131


9,169


504


9,804









Net book value








At 31 March 2011

6,815


19,548


64


26,427

















At 30 September 2011

6,797


19,296


158


26,251

















At 31 March 2012

6,805


18,666


143


25,614

















At 30 September 2012

6,749


17,910


140


24,799

















Agreements were reached in August 2011 for the sale and leaseback of land and the buildings at Arnhem for a total of €4m. €2.2m was received in the financial year ending 31 March 2012 with the remaining amount to be received within the next financial year. Subject to the terms of the agreement, the buyer has committed to build new storage facilities which will also allow for an improvement in wood handling logistics. The transaction has resulted in a finance lease creditor of €2.2m, as at 30 September 2012.



 

 

7.         Available for sale investments

 

Accsys Technologies PLC's investment in Diamond Wood of 21,666,734 shares represented a holding of 5.66% (2011: 5.66%) as at 30 September 2012. So far as we are aware, there has been no change in the investment since that date.

 

The carrying value of the investment is carried at cost less any provision for impairment, rather than at its fair value, as at 30 September 2012 there was no active market for these shares and there was uncertainty over the potential fundraising efforts of Diamond Wood, and as such a reliable fair value could not be calculated.

 

The Group does not currently have an intention to dispose of its investment in Diamond Wood in the foreseeable future.

 

The historical cost of the unlisted shares at 30 September 2012 is €10m (2011: €10m). However, a provision for the impairment of the entire balance of €10m continues to be recorded, as at 30 September 2012 the conclusion of Diamond Wood finalising its funding arrangements was still pending. In the event that Diamond Wood completes the fund-raising, the balance may be re-valued.

 

8.          Share capital

 

On 6 July 2012, the Company issued 3,926,666 new Ordinary shares to an Employee Benefit Trust at nominal value.

 

On 23 July 2012, the Company issued 415,332 new Ordinary shares for €0.15 each pursuant to the Company's Employee Share Scheme. Proceeds of €62,000 were received noting that €4,000 is held separately in respect of matching shares which will be issued after one year if the employee is still employed by the Group.

 

On 8 August 2012, the Company issued 783,283 new Ordinary shares in respect of the vesting of matching shares held in the Employee share scheme under which 28 employees subscribed in August 2011.

 

At 30 September 2012 the Company had 409,141,923 Ordinary shares in issue (31 March 2012: 404,016,642).

 

9.          Related party transactions

 

There were no related party transactions in the six months ended 30 September 2012 (2011: nil).

 

10.        Post balance sheet events

 

On 4 October 2012, Accsys entered a joint venture with INEOS to exploit Accsys' intellectual property surrounding its proprietary Tricoya® wood elements acetylation technology and processes, which is now expected to lead to the accelerated global deployment of Tricoya®. The new company is called Tricoya Technologies Limited ('TTL').

 

In addition to INEOS's joint investment programme with Accsys into the Tricoya business, INEOS Industries Holdings Limited subscribed for 23,529,412 new ordinary shares in Accsys, at a price of €0.17 per share. Admission of these shares onto the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam markets took place on 19 October 2012 following receipt by Accsys of subscription monies totalling €4,000,000. The new ordinary shares issued to INEOS represent 5.4% of the issued share capital of Accsys. The Company also executed a warrant instrument in favour of INEOS, allowing INEOS the opportunity to purchase up to a further 16,468,236 shares at a price of €0.21 per share at certain times during the course of the next four years


 

Introduction

 

We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed consolidated set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2012, which comprises the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, Consolidated statement of financial position, Consolidated statement of changes in equity and the interim statement of cash flow and related notes. We have read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

 

Directors' responsibilities

 

The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the AIM and Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext Rules for Companies which require that the financial information must be presented and prepared in a form consistent with that which will be adopted in the company's annual financial statements.

 

As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union.

 

Our responsibility

 

Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of the AIM and Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext Rules for Companies and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

 

Scope of review

 

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

 

Conclusion

 

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the half year ended 30 September 2012 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union, the AIM and Euronext Amsterdam by NYSE Euronext Rules for Companies.

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants

London

 

20 November 2012

 

Notes:

 

a)     The maintenance and integrity of the Accsys Technologies PLC website is the responsibility of the directors; the work carried out by the auditors does not involve consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred to the interim financial report since it was initially presented on the website.

b)     Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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