Aura Renewable Acquisiti... Share Discussion Threads

[hedgehog 100] 10/12/2024 17:38

Anyone kicking themselves at missing out on ARA could do worse than to take a look at ROC.

Currently 2.25p, market cap. £286K., about half its likely cash after £452.5K. incoming cash due within a week.

"Rockpool Acquisitions (ROC)"

[hedgehog 100] 09/12/2024 12:35

True, but only £1M. absolutely has to be raised through equity, which for directors of this calibre, and with their contacts, should be no problem.

The rest could potentially be through some combination of debt and grants.

And unlike some other shells, ARA have been thoroughly 'testing the investment market' ahead of any deal, to see in advance what investors will fund.

The valuations and business prospects here look credible enough to get this over the line.

[solarno lopez] 09/12/2024 12:21

Don’t get too excited Hedgehog ZCT have to raise £10m and in these markets !

[hedgehog 100] 09/12/2024 12:19

"Valuation: ZCT's pre-money valuation is required to be a minimum of £30 Million. The pre-money value of ARA will be calculated as 10% of the pre-money value of the merged group, excluding the proceeds of the proposed Capital Raise and the Target Financing, such that ARA shareholders will hold 10.0% on an undiluted basis of the shares in ARA immediately after completion of the Proposed Acquisition, excluding those issued to investors under the proposed Target Financing and Capital Raise."



So a £3M. valuation for current ARA shares, with 10,500,000 shares currently in issue, equates to a valuation of 28.57p per ARA share.

Compared to a current ARA share price (suspended) of 4.25p, market cap. £446,250.

I.e. an increase 'on paper' of over 6.7 times: over 570%!


Thanks and well done to ARA's management for arranging this proposed deal, and fingers crossed that it completes.

And well done to ARA shareholders who had the patience and understanding to hold on.

I always felt that one day it would finally be 'our turn' here, and it feels sweet that it's finally come.

[hedgehog 100] 09/12/2024 11:17

09/12/2024 08:00 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Proposed Initial Transaction LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

"Proposed Initial Transaction - acquisition of Zero Carbon Technologies Limited

Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc, a UK-based company, whose objective is to invest in the global renewable energy sector supply chain and thereby build shareholder value, is pleased to announce that as of 6 December 2024, it has entered into heads of terms (the "Heads of Terms") with Zero Carbon Technologies Limited ("ZCT"), a UK incorporated company with planned battery recycling operations in Europe, which set out the key terms for ARA to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of ZCT, in consideration for the issue of ordinary shares in ARA to the shareholders of ZCT, subject to due diligence, as well as the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements (the "Proposed Acquisition", to which ARA and ZCT are the "parties"). The Heads of Terms are non-binding except with regard to confidentiality, exclusivity, costs and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature which are binding.

About Zero Carbon Technologies Limited

The directors of Zero Carbon Technologies Limited expect that it will be an innovative leader in the battery recycling sector, dedicated to providing sustainable solutions for the recycling of Lead-Acid batteries ("LAB") and Lithium-ion batteries. Leveraging intellectual property licensed from Regenerate Technology Global and Cambridge University, ZCT plans to expand its operations into EV battery recycling. It intends to use advanced recycling technology to recover black mass containing critical materials, including copper, lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel.

ZCT was incorporated in the UK on 26 May 2021, and has a non-binding agreement for a proposed business combination (which it is intended will be completed prior to the Proposed Acquisition) with Clean Tech Lab S.L. ("CTL") (incorporated in Spain).

ZCT is in the process of acquiring land, buildings, and equipment with a view to establishing two advanced recycling facilities in La Mancha province, Spain. The board of directors of ZCT considers that the sites will be strategically located for both logistical efficiency and regulatory advantages. ZCT will manage the operations of these planned plants, with the first facility in Puertollano intended to begin commissioning in Q1 2025, followed by a facility in Montalbo anticipated to begin commissioning in Q4 2025.

With an estimated potential combined annual processing capacity of 75,000 tonnes of LAB -equivalent to approximately 1.5 million used units - ZCT aims to recover up to 99% of the materials in these batteries, including by enhancing lead oxide, a valuable composite containing recycling minerals. This capability will be driven by proprietary technology, licensed from Regenerate and Cambridge University, which is expected to allow efficient recycling of LAB by the installation and commissioning of the plant within nine months from inception.

Background to the Proposed Acquisition

ARA was established to acquire and then act as the holding company for targeted businesses operating in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain, particularly participants in the wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and green hydrogen supply chain, and their sub-sectors. These potential targets could range from raw materials resourcing to power generation, energy storage and recycling.

The Proposed Acquisition is in line with the Company's acquisition strategy.

Overview of the Proposed Acquisition

Structure: ARA will acquire 100% of ZCT's issued share capital through an all-share transaction. Post-acquisition, ZCT shareholders will hold a majority stake in ARA as enlarged. ARA will require evidence that immediately prior to the Proposed Acquisition, ZCT is the sole vehicle in which its current shareholders and any joint venture partners own their share interests in its business.

Admission: on completion of the Proposed Acquisition, ARA's resultant entire issued share capital will be admitted to the Equity shares (commercial companies) category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange("LSE") ("Admission").

Target Financing:

· It is proposed that ZCT will secure a minimum of £10 million of new capital at a minimum pre-money valuation of £30 Million ("Target Financing") contemporaneously with the Proposed Acquisition.

· These funds would be utilised for capital expenditure and working capital, including commissioning ZCT's two proposed facilities.

Costs:

· All agreed transaction-related costs incurred by ZCT and ARA will be paid by ZCT, provided such costs have been pre-approved by ZCT.

· The only exception is that the costs of any independent third-party reports procured during due diligence will be shared equally by ARA and ZCT.

Capital Raise:

· New capital of £1-2 million is proposed to be raised by the issue of ordinary shares in ARA contemporaneously with the Proposed Acquisition ("Capital Raise") to widen the shareholder base and to provide additional working capital.

Valuation: ZCT's pre-money valuation is required to be a minimum of £30 Million. The pre-money value of ARA will be calculated as 10% of the pre-money value of the merged group, excluding the proceeds of the proposed Capital Raise and the Target Financing, such that ARA shareholders will hold 10.0% on an undiluted basis of the shares in ARA immediately after completion of the Proposed Acquisition, excluding those issued to investors under the proposed Target Financing and Capital Raise.

Exclusivity: each of ARA and ZCT have agreed to engage exclusively with each other regarding the Proposed Acquisition and will use best efforts to mutually agree within 14 days of execution of the Heads of Terms the scope and duration of the transaction due diligence process, which is not intended to exceed 90 days from the signing of the Heads of Terms unless extended in writing by the Parties. The Heads of Terms will terminate in certain circumstances, including if the parties do not execute definitive agreements for the Proposed Acquisition within 6 months from the date they are entered into, unless extended in writing by the parties.

Completion of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including:

· Receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

· Satisfactory completion of legal, financial, and commercial due diligence by both parties.

· Execution of a legally binding sale and purchase agreement.

· Admission taking place.

· Successful raising of equity funds as described above.

· Approval of the transaction by the boards of directors and, as necessary, shareholders of both parties.

· No material adverse change in the business, operations, or financial condition of either party.

· The representations and warranties of both parties, as contained in the Heads of Terms and definitive transaction agreements, remaining true and correct in all material respects.

· No inquiry or investigation by any regulatory body that could materially impact the merged group after completion of the Proposed Acquisition.

· Both parties complying with all relevant regulatory requirements and being in good standing and not being in default under applicable securities laws, with no legal prohibition preventing the completion of the Proposed Acquisition.

· Lock-up: Insiders of ARA and ZCT, including directors, officers, and key shareholders, entering into lock-up agreements, in a form agreed upon by both parties. These agreements will require the lock-up of shares for a period to be agreed following the re-admission to listing of ARA.

· The Directors of ARA, acting reasonably, determining that ZCT has a pre-money valuation (before the signing of definitive agreements and any equity fundraising) of at least £30 Million.

ARA anticipates publishing a prospectus approved by the FCA, detailing the Company, ZCT and the Proposed Acquisition at a date to be confirmed.

Suspension of Listing

Should the Proposed Acquisition complete, it would constitute an Initial Transaction under the UK Listing Rules, and accordingly ARA would apply for the admission of its shares to the Equity shares (commercial companies) category of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market for listed securities of the LSE. Therefore, at the request of ARA, the FCA has suspended the Company's listing on the Equity shares (shell companies) category of the Official List, and trading on the Main Market of the LSE has also been suspended, as of 7.30am today, pending the publication of a prospectus providing further detail on ZCT and ARA as enlarged by the Proposed Acquisition, or an announcement that the Acquisition is not proceeding. Should the Proposed Acquisition not proceed, then ARA would need to apply for the suspension to be lifted and for trading to be restored.

There can be no certainty that the Proposed Acquisition will take place, and it remains subject to, amongst other things, formal terms being agreed and the completion of legal and financial due diligence.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

John Croft, Chairman of ARA said: "We are delighted to be working with the team from ZCT with the aim of bringing this exciting business with a dynamic growth story to the public market. We have considered a number of potential acquisitions during ARA's life as a listed company and have been very cautious in our selection criteria, which has resulted in us taking longer than we originally anticipated in identifying a suitable target. ZCT has excellent synergy with our stated objective of identifying a transformational business that can create a meaningful contribution in the renewable energy space."

Chris Farnworth, CEO of ZCT said: "We are excited to announce our proposed acquisition by Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc, which would mark a significant milestone in ZCT's journey to contribute to the global transition to a circular economy in battery recycling. This acquisition would enable us to accelerate the deployment of our state-of-the-art battery recycling technologies and expand into the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) battery sector. We believe we are well positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainability of the energy transition while creating substantial value for our shareholders. We look forward to working closely with ARA as we proceed with the necessary steps to finalize the transaction, and to unlocking the full potential of our innovative solutions to recover critical materials from lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries."

- Ends -

Contact Information

Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

John Croft, Chairman: [phone]"

[hedgehog 100] 15/10/2024 15:58

14/10/2024 16:20 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Director Declaration LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

"Aura Renewable Acquisitions plc confirms that Robin Stevens, Non-Executive Director, has advised that he has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Fairview International Plc (LSE: FIL).

This announcement is made in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.14.

Enquires:
Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

John Croft (Non-Executive Chairman) 07785 315588
Robin Stevens (Non-Executive Director) 07787 112059

Note;

Aura was established to acquire and then act as the holding company for targeted businesses operating in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain, particularly participants in the wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and green hydrogen supply chain, and their sub-sectors. These potential targets could range from raw materials resourcing to power generation, energy storage and recycling. The Company's website is "




FIL was a new IPO four days ago:-

11/10/2024 07:00 RNS Regulatory News Fairview International PLC Admission and First Day of Dealings LSE:FIL Fairview International Plc

"Admission to Trading on the LSE and First Day of Dealings

Fairview, the operator of international schools following the International Baccalaureate curriculum, is pleased to announce the admission of the Company's entire issued share capital to the Equity Shares (Transition) Category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities. Dealings in the Company's ordinary shares will commence at 08:00 GMT today under the symbol "FIL".

The Company has carried out a placing and subscription of 26,500,000 ordinary shares at an issue price of 10 pence to raise £2.65 million before expenses. On Admission, the Company will have 556,000,000 ordinary shares in issue with a market capitalisation of the Company of £55.6 million (at the issue price). The ISIN number is GB00BR83RJ78 and the SEDOL is BR83RJ7.

The Company's prospectus was published on 4 October 2024 and is available to view on its website at: subject to certain access restrictions.

Daniel Chian, Chairman of Fairview, said: "We are pleased to announce our successful fundraising and admission of our shares to the Main Market. We hope the conclusion of our IPO is the beginning of the next chapter in our expansion as we seek further opportunities to grow the Fairview network of schools in Asia and the UK. According to the Asian Development Bank, the middle class in Asia will number 3.5 billion and account for over 65 per cent. of the global middle-class population by 2030. The IB curriculum's emphasis on critical thinking, global citizenship and multilingualism aligns closely with the values and aspirations of many Asian families. I believe that Fairview is well placed to serve this rapidly growing marketplace and I look forward to updating investors on our progress." ..."

[gb904150] 06/9/2024 14:39

2 years of nothing but they have done the decent thing of not drawing salaries until they line up a deal, while maintaining very frugal spending.

I think it's a pretty naff space they're looking for, but find enough green grants and a 'story' green tech and it could be a decent punt for original ARA holders.

[hedgehog 100] 06/9/2024 13:23

06/09/2024 07:00 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Half-year Report LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

"Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

6 September 2024 - Aura Renewable Acquisitions plc, a UK-based company, whose objective is to invest in the global renewable energy sector supply chain and thereby build shareholder value, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.

Highlights

• Minimal overheads resulted in a loss before and after tax of £61,140, EPS 0.6p (loss) (2023: £69,598 and 0.7p (loss).

• Cash resources of £590.000 at 30 June 2024 (2023: £661,000).

• Targeting acquisitions operating in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain.

• Experienced board with extremely strong sector experience and a clear expansion strategy.

• Good visibility towards potential targets through wide international network.

• Flexible post transaction market strategy depending on size, structure, location and tax status.

• Best practice ESG policies will be put in place to support and encourage sustainability across our business.

John Croft, the Chairman of Aura commented:

"Aura was established to identify and acquire businesses operating in the renewable energy sector supply chain, particularly participants in the wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and green hydrogen supply chain, and their sub-sectors.

"The Company raised £1,050,000 when it joined the Standard Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in April 2022, and since the IPO the business continues to incur minimal overheads pending identification of a suitable acquisition target. This is reflected in our net loss before taxation for the six-month period of £61,928 (2023: £69,598 (loss)), and that at 30 June 2024, we had retained cash and bank resources of £589,531.

"The board continues to identify and assess acquisition and investment opportunities in the UK and overseas, which could offer the quality and scalability required to achieve significant shareholder growth. We also continue to engage with the board's extensive business network and introducer base to promote the Company expansion strategy.

"Economic and political uncertainty has helpfully reduced during the year to date, as has inflation, and interest rates are beginning to edge down. While capital market and new issues activity has been generally depressed since November 2021, there have been signs of more corporate activity, particularly at the smaller end of the market during 2024, and M&A is more buoyant. The now widespread acceptance and understanding of the danger of global warming on populations, habitats and landscapes continues to underpin our business strategy and economic rationale. Fortunately, there is a growing willingness by national governments to focus on sustainable renewable energy.

"With the stated intention to make Britain a clean energy superpower, the new Labour Government in the UK has committed to work with the private sector to double onshore wind, triple solar power and quadruple offshore wind by 2030. This commitment is made with the intention of making the UK more energy secure, protect consumers from price fluctuations in fossil fuels, and help drive investment in jobs and businesses in the renewable energy sector, while seeking to achieve medium- and longer-term carbon reduction targets.

"Support for renewable energy remains positive across the UK economy. Investment in the major, continued restructuring of Britain's electricity grid to facilitate the transition to renewable energy remains on track. Our conversations underline sustained support by the institutional investment community for the energy transition and this is consistent with media reporting. Installation of both solar PV and heat pumps in UK homes are at record highs. The UK remains a vibrant market for innovation in low-carbon technologies. While there is some public and media pushback on the Net Zero agenda, not least due to higher energy prices, we believe this is taking place in the normal political discourse, while the underlying drivers for change are as strong as ever.

"We have been cautious in our targeted and considered approach to our first acquisition, particularly during a time when the ability to raise finance on capital markets has been severely restricted by investor caution and economic uncertainty. We have sought to identify a transformational target that can create a meaningful contribution in the renewable energy space, and this remains our intention. The renewable energy sector will offer exciting opportunities for acquisitive and organic growth as capital markets recover, and we are committed to ensure that the Company and its stakeholders will share in these opportunities."

Enquiries

Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

John Croft (Non-Exec Chairman) 07785315588
Robin Stevens (Non-Exec Director) 07787112059

Media enquiries
Allerton Communications
Peter Curtain 020 3633 1730
[e-mail]

Notes to Editors

Aura was established to acquire and then act as the holding company for targeted businesses operating in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain, particularly participants in the wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and green hydrogen supply chain, and their sub-sectors. These potential targets could range from raw materials resourcing to power generation, energy storage and recycling. As a consequence of the new UK Listing Rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority, which came into force on 29 July 2024, the Company has automatically been included in the shell companies' category of the Official List."

[shortcpx] 06/9/2024 08:14

2 years of nothing

[hedgehog 100] 17/4/2024 10:34

15/04/2024 16:41 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Notice of AGM LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

"Aura Renewable Acquisitions plc announces that it has today sent its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2023 (the "Annual Report 2023") and its Notice of Annual General Meeting (the "Notice") to shareholders.

The Company's second Annual General Meeting will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 15 May 2024 at the offices of CFPro Cosec Limited, First floor, Holborn Gate, 330 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QH.

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.1R, copies of the following documents will soon be submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority's National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at hxxps://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

- Annual Report and Accounts 2023; and
- Notice of Annual General Meeting.

Publication on website

Copies of the Annual Report 2023 and the Notice of Annual General Meeting are available on the Company's website at hxxps://aurarenewables.com/. "

[hedgehog 100] 08/4/2024 11:42

08/04/2024 07:00 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Final Results LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

"8 April 2024 - Aura Renewable Acquisitions plc, a UK-based company whose objective is to build shareholder value by investing in the global renewable energy supply chain, announces its results for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The Company has continued to seek suitable acquisition and investment targets while operating with minimal overheads following its admission to the Standard Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in April 2022, raising gross proceeds of £1,000,000 from a placing and subscription. In the year to 31 December 2023, the Company incurred a loss before taxation of £153,000 (2022: £236,000). At 31 December 2023, the Company retained cash resources of £661,000 (2022: £809,000).

Aura was established to acquire then act as the holding company for targeted businesses operating in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain, particularly participants in the battery, wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, carbon capture, waste management, smart grids and green hydrogen supply chain, and their sub-sectors. These potential targets could range from raw materials resourcing to power generation, energy storage and recycling.

During the year the board has met and assessed potential acquisition targets in the UK and overseas while maintaining close connections with potential business introducers from within the Board's professional and business networks. By reinforcing the board's intentions and objectives to these potential introducers of opportunities, we have maintained a pipeline of potentially significant targets and held early and encouraging discussions with a number of companies in a range of sectors and jurisdictions.

Internationally, governments and policy makers continue to affirm their collective commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to limit climate change - while seeking to balance energy sustainability, affordability and security. By way of example:

- In March 2024 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency underlined their joint approach to addressing climate change.

- As announced in November 2023, the EU contributed €28.5 billion in climate finance from public sources and mobilised a further €11.9 billion of private finance in 2022 to support developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

- The United States government remains engaged in multiple sectors to meet its climate goals, its Inflation Reduction Act delivering large emission reductions at manageable cost.

- In the UK, the Electricity System Operator emphasised the importance of wind power as it unveiled in March 2024 a £58 billion investment in the electricity grid to decarbonise power while meeting growing energy demand by 2035.

- On 27 March 2024 the UK electricity regulator Ofgem announced a £3.4 billion funding package for a proposed 2GW 'electricity superhighway' between Scotland and Yorkshire, to help harness the potential of Britain's offshore wind, powering up to 2 million homes.

- Also in March 2024, the UK Government announced initiatives to improve energy market efficiency, while further investments in renewable energy transmission and distribution have been announced by both share price Energy Networks and ScottishPower. Meanwhile, demand for both solar PV and heat pump small-scale installations has risen substantially.

Against this highly positive background, our investment horizon is wide within our chosen sector, and we will continue to assess and qualify what we believe to be value accretive opportunities wherever they arise. When our ongoing evaluation and investigation result in the potential for a transaction, the Company will give the market appropriate notice.

John Croft, the Chairman of Aura commented:

"The ongoing economic and political uncertainty caused by supply chain issues, inflation, interest rate rises, hostilities in Europe and further afield, continued to restrict capital market activity during 2023. However, early signs of interest rate reductions on the back of lower inflation figures should have a positive impact on markets. We remain confident that the renewable energy sector will offer excellent opportunities for acquisitive and organic growth and are committed to ensure that the Company and its stakeholders have the chance to share in these opportunities. We believe our strategic approach to finding the right transaction, while closely controlling overheads will prove successful."

Publication on website

A copy of this announcement is also available on the Company's website at hxxp://www.aurarenewables.com.

Enquiries

Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc

John Croft (Non-Executive Chairman) 07785 315588
Robin Stevens (Non-Executive Director) 07787 112059

Media enquiries

Allerton Communications
Peter Curtain 020 3633 1730
[e-mail] "

[hedgehog 100] 30/3/2024 14:20

"United Nations

International Day of Zero Waste
30 March

Addressing the waste crisis

Humanity’s unsustainable production and consumption practices are driving the planet towards destruction.

Households, small businesses and public service providers generate between 2.1 billion and 2.3 billion tons of municipal solid waste every year – from packaging and electronics to plastics and food. However, global waste management services are ill-equipped to handle this, with 2.7 billion people lacking access to solid waste collection and only 61–62 per cent of municipal solid waste being managed in controlled facilities. Humanity must act urgently to address the waste crisis.

The second annual International Day of Zero Waste highlights both the critical need to bolster waste management globally and the importance of sustainable production and consumption practices. It celebrates zero-waste initiatives at all levels, which contribute to the advancement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Bolstering waste management and upstream solutions

Improving collection, recycling and other forms of sound waste management remain an urgent priority.

But to solve the waste crisis, humanity must treat waste as a resource. This entails reducing waste generation and following the lifecycle approach. Resources should be reused or recovered as much as possible, and products should be designed to be durable and require fewer and low-impact materials. Upstream solutions like these can minimize pollution of air, land, and water and decrease the extraction of precious and limited natural resources.

Achieving zero-waste societies requires action at all levels from all stakeholders.

Consumers can change consumption habits and reuse and repair products as much as possible before properly disposing of them. Governments, communities, industries and other stakeholders must improve financing and policymaking, especially as the waste crisis disproportionately impacts the marginalized, urban poor, women and youth. ..."




"Only after the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last river has been poisoned.
Only after the last fish has been caught.
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten."

Cree prophecy


On International Day of Zero Waste 2024, it's worth reflecting on the huge investment implications of the move towards net zero.

From Hargreaves Lansdown "Investment Times", Issue 157 - winter 2023-2024:-

"The mega-trends driving 2024 and beyond"

"Transition to net zero

Net zero is going to drive a lot of investment. Whether we reach it or not, there's enough legislation in place already in major economies to ensure that a lot of things are going to change.

Power generation is decarbonising, which means new grids must be built. Total generation capacity needs to rise to allow electricity to replace fossil fuels from transport systems.

We'll need vast amounts of minerals and metals to enable electrification. There are legitimate questions as to whether this is physically possible with the resources we currently have. And battery technology needs to make some huge leaps before it can enable renewables to truly fulfil the central role they must play in a decarbonised economy.

Every industrial process, every day-to-day activity will need to be re-engineered to reduce energy intensity and material consumption to even get close to net zero.

These are huge challenges, but present huge opportunities.

As carbon intensity falls, efficiencies will rise, which has never been a bad thing for business. Of course, there will be losers along the way. Carbon pricing will punish the inefficient and create competitive advantage for the best of breed players in every sector.

Insulating portfolios from carbon pricing is a core challenge for funds. Our focus on capital-light, IP and technology-rich businesses in the HL Select portfolios means they have below average carbon intensity, which should stand us in good stead".

[N.B. The H.L. article identified just three mega-trends, with net zero being the first. The other two were artificial intelligence (AI) and more technology on the road.]

[hedgehog 100] 06/3/2024 15:09

06/03/2024 13:08 RNS Regulatory News Spiritus Mundi PLC Proposed Acquisition and Suspension of Listing LSE:SPMU Spiritus Mundi Plc

"Spiritus Mundi plc, (LSE:SPMU), the Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) seeking to acquire targets in Europe and Asia in the clinical diagnostics sector, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a heads of terms (the "Head of Terms") to acquire the entire issued share capital of InReste Pte. Ltd. ("InReste") (the "Proposed Acquisition"). The Proposed Acquisition would constitute a reverse takeover under the UK Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA")'s Listing Rules.

InReste operates in the healthcare sector, offering a range of innovative technologies and solutions, including through its related companies. It is an integrated healthcare and wellness provider with an established biomedical research and development arm that holds exclusive patents over a number of clinical diagnostic tests. InReste is currently in the process of undertaking a corporate reorganisation such that, prior to entering into the Proposed Acquisition, it will own the entire issued share capital of Restalyst Pte. Ltd. ("Restalyst") and Reste Laboratories Pte. Ltd. ("ResteLab") (the "Restructuring"). ResteLab operates a 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art laboratory in central Singapore, offering a comprehensive selection of testing, screening and laboratory services to clinicians and healthcare professionals. It is automated to process laboratory tests quickly, turning around up to 10,000 tests daily. These services are complemented by Restalyst, which is an innovative biomedical company that develops, manufactures and markets a range of diagnostic solutions. It provides clinically-proven diagnostic solutions, including a number of patented solutions, to the medical and healthcare industry including detection kits for gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal (nose) cancer and liver cancer.

Zaccheus Peh, the Company's Non-Executive Chairman, is a controlling shareholder of InReste and is expected to hold a controlling interest in InReste following completion of the Restructuring. ..."




SPMU has been suspended today at a share price of 3.75p, market cap. £2.22M.

And as at 30 September 2023 the Company held £498,626 in cash.

I.e. a market cap. at suspension of nearly four times more than ARA's (at 5.75p), despite having far less cash than ARA.

[solarno lopez] 26/2/2024 13:48

It looks like a cracking deal Hedgehog

[hedgehog 100] 26/2/2024 13:17

26/02/2024 09:59 Alliance News Alliance NewsHydrogen Utopia mulls GBP500 million reverse takeover LSE:HUI Hydrogen Utopia International Plc

26/02/2024 09:45 RNS Regulatory News Hydrogen Utopia International PLC Proposed Transformational Acquisition LSE:HUI Hydrogen Utopia International Plc

"Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, a company specialising in turning non-recyclable mixed waste plastic into hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels, new materials or distributed renewable heat, is pleased to announce that heads of terms have been signed for the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of a substantial and profitable international bio-energy company involved in the production and business of biofuels and its bi-products ("Target"), with revenues in excess of EUR 365m and profits before taxes in excess of EUR 40m according to the latest unaudited consolidated accounts to 31 December 2022 ("Proposed Acquisition").

It is the Board's current understanding that the Target owns land in Europe with substantially all permits and authorisations required for the rollout of a waste plastic to hydrogen facility ("HUI Facility") and it will be a condition of the Proposed Acquisition that the land be made available to HUI on completion together with funds to prove the concept of a HUI Facility at a commercial scale.

The Target owns a number of operational plants in different jurisdictions, providing an opportunity to enlarge HUI's current international project pipeline.

The Board believes the Proposed Acquisition to be a strong strategic fit in line with HUI's objectives and to offer a transformational value-creating opportunity for HUI shareholders.

The price for the Target will be approximately £500m subject to due diligence and an independent valuation and will be satisfied in part by the issue of new ordinary shares in HUI to the Target's shareholders in exchange for the entire issued share capital of the Target. Subject to due diligence, the value of the new HUI ordinary shares will be £0.09. In addition, the parties will agree a structure whereby existing HUI shareholders will each receive at completion 3p cash for every share in HUI that they hold.

In the event that the technology used by HUI within three years of the date of the first hydrogen facility site being "shovel ready" ("First Site Date") meets criteria to be agreed between the parties ("Criteria Satisfaction Date"), each HUI shareholder as at the date of the Criteria Satisfaction Date, shall receive an additional 2 ordinary shares in the re-admitted company for each share held on the Criteria Satisfaction Date.

The parties have agreed to a mutual termination fee of £200,000 should either party withdraw from the Proposed Acquisition in the next 4 months without good reason arising from the due diligence process. ...

Aleksandra Binkowska, CEO of Hydrogen Utopia International PLC, commented: "I have explored numerous potential opportunities for the roll out of a waste plastic to hydrogen facility over the last 3 years. I am delighted to announce that my search has now been successful. HUI is to become part of a larger, international bio-fuels specialist, whose mission is aligned with HUI's. These heads of terms mark the beginning of a journey to build the first plastic waste to hydrogen facility in the world and will enable HUI to deliver on its promise to shareholders." ..."




So great green energy RTO news today from HUI (Hydrogen Utopia International), which is very encouraging for ARA.

HUI is up 42.44% today (3.65p) to 12.25p, and has more than trebled from 3.375p at the start of last month, to a current market cap. of £47.23M.


Hydrogen Utopia International (HUI):-

[hedgehog 100] 30/1/2024 10:35

The story of Judges Capital (since renamed Judges Scientific) is a good lesson in how shells may take quite some time to make the right deal.

Judges Capital (JDG) floated as a shell in January 2003, raising £1.8M. net after costs at 95p per share, with a market cap. of £2M. at the placing price.

26/09/2003 08:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) Interim Results LSE:JDG Judges Capital Plc
"Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to report for the first time to our shareholders. Your Company was floated on AIM on 7th January 2003, after raising £2m, leaving £1.8m after costs. …"


But it only made its first acquisition of a company (Fire Testing Technology) in May 2005 (with a placing at £1 per share).

Then by mid 2023 JDG had surpassed 10,000p, making it a 100-bagger. Currently 9,410p, market cap. £622.54M.

The directors of JDG had a lot of their own money invested into JDG, making them at once very incentivised and very careful.


Judges Scientific (JDG):-




JDG is also a good lesson in what can be some desirable RTO traits: e.g. a niche business, exporting, that owns the intellectual property.

"Judges Scientific: the precision instrument maker that came about by chance

David Cicurel explains how he built a £100m scientific instrument group after stumbling across a sector boasting 2,000 UK companies

By Alistair Osborne, Business Editor

6:00AM GMT 17 Dec 2013

… He began examining different types of deals and, among the dozens that came his way, he found one particularly “puzzling. It had £3m turnover and £750,000 operating profit, with 19 staff. It looked too good to be true.” It was FTT.

He met the owners, “an engineer and a scientist, who were both looking to retire. They explained they had a dominating position in a tiny world niche and that the drivers of the business were regulation and globalisation.

“I thought that’s a really good business to have if you have little money, you can still be powerful,” he says. “It’s better to be in a little principality and you’re the prince than competing with big empires when you don’t have the wherewithal to do that.”

Cicurel, who owns 15.6pc of Judges, wondered if FTT was a “unique thing”. So he did his “homework and found there are 2,000 companies in that sector, just in the UK”. Not only that. They export almost four-fifths of what they make.

FTT became the first of 10 acquisitions in the sector, together costing just over £30m. They have seen Judges add businesses spanning the testing of fibre optics (PFO) and soil (Global Digital Systems) to one involved in neuroscience – Scientifica, the group’s biggest purchase so far, bought this year for up to £13m.

Customers range from universities to test houses and companies. Says Cicurel: “There are two things that drive our market generally. One is education. There has been a colossal increase in university education and you have to equip these universities. The other is the fact that the world is driven by perfection and measurement - optimisation. Everything people do they try to optimise and when you optimise, you want to measure.”

Judges’s soil testing company can help construct anything from office blocks to offshore wind farms. As Cicurel explains: “People built cathedrals that are still there 10 centuries later. But there was a lot of overkill in the foundation and weight of it all. Today you build something that is much lighter and has just the foundations you need. It took more than 100 years to build Notre Dame. Today you build it in a couple of years – not that it’s nicer.”

Judges’ strategy, he says simply, is “to find good companies, very nichy, and pay down the debt. We probably see about 50 deals a year and engage seriously with three to five. They are not family businesses. I think people start them at 40 and sell them at 60. We’re normally buying because the people are getting old and want to retire.”

He always looks for certain things: a manufacturer that “owns the intellectual property”, that sells instruments scientists buy and that has good profit margins and strong exports. “If you are not exporting a lot, you are not meaningful in a world niche,” he says.

Judges’ main rivals are far bigger companies - Spectris, valued at £2.7bn, Halma (£2.1bn) and Oxford Instruments (£925m). But Cicurel ensures he has enough cash on the balance sheet to move fast on a deal, topping up the funds in October via an £8.1m placing, following the Scientifica deal.

He points out too that his big three rivals have also “done very well. I shouldn’t say this but in our sector it’s not terribly difficult to do well – though it is easy to do badly. There’s a lot of rubbish out there, you have to be really selective.”

Smiling he adds: “It’s more like mining diamonds than extracting oil.” "

[hedgehog 100] 27/1/2024 20:15

26/01/2024 07:00 RNS Regulatory News Aura Renewable Acquisitions PLC Holding(s) in Company LSE:ARA Aura Renewable Acquisitions Plc



So on 25th. January 2024, N. Fitzpatrick crossed the 4% holding threshold for ARA, having previously crossed the 3% threshold in July 2023.

This further shows that he's obviously a shrewd investor, not only identifying this outstanding & undervalued investment opportunity, but then also cannily accumulating on dips.

[hedgehog 100] 22/1/2024 10:27

TMOR, a similar shell to ARA, has today announced a placing at a 100% premium to its pre-existing share price of 0.5p:-

22/01/2024 07:00 UK Regulatory (RNS & others) More Acquisitions PLC Placing at 1p per share and Board Changes LSE:TMOR More Acquisitions Plc

"The Directors of More Acquisitions Plc (LSE: TMOR) are delighted to announce a placing as well as board changes designed to facilitate the Company's next phase of growth.

Highlights

-- Appointment of two highly experienced company directors to the TMOR board. Neil Sinclair will move to Executive Chairman and Stanley Davis as non-executive director.

-- Fundraising of GBP312,240 through the issue of 31,224,000 new ordinary shares of GBP0.01 each at a price of 1p per share ("Placing Shares") with 2 free attaching warrants for every 1 Placing Share issued exercisable at 1.5p (exercisable at any time during the 60-month period from 4 March 2022). These options are on identical terms to those granted to investors at the time of the Company's IPO.

-- Current director Charles Goodfellow will remain on the board with Roderick McIllree retiring effective immediately.

Rod McIllree, Executive Director of More Acquisitions plc, said:

"Today marks a significant point in the evolution of More Acquisitions. The appointment of Neil and Stanley to the Board of the Company marks an exciting step towards the execution of a reverse take-over which is expected to be value enhancing for all stakeholders. They begin their tenure on a positive note by investing in the Company at a significant premium to the market thereby confirming their faith in their stated objective of value creation. I am very confident I leave the company in good hands and look forward to continuing as a shareholder as it now moves through these next value enhancing steps."

Board Restructuring

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Sinclair as the Company's new Executive Chairman, and Stanley Davis as a Non-executive Director to the Board.

Neil Sinclair - Executive Chairman

Neil Sinclair has over 60 years' experience in the real estate sector. He was a co-founder of Sinclair Goldsmith, Chartered Surveyors, which was admitted to the Official List in 1987. It subsequently merged with Conrad Ritblat in 1993, when he became Executive Deputy Chairman. Neil was appointed Chairman of Baker Lorenz, surveyors in 1999, which was sold to Hercules Property Services plc in 2001. He was appointed a non-executive director of Tops Estates plc in 2003 and remained so until it was sold to Land Securities plc in 2005. He co-founded Palace Capital plc with Stanley Davis in July 2010 and helped build a GBP280m property portfolio. He served as Chief Executive Officer until June 2022. ...

Stanley Davis - Non-Executive Director

Stanley Davis is a successful entrepreneur who has been involved in the City of London since 1977. He founded a company registration agent, Stanley Davis Company Services Limited, which he sold in 1988. In 1990 he became Chief Executive of a small share registration company which became known as IRG plc. It acquired several businesses including Barclays Bank Registrars and was sold in April 2000 for a substantial sum to the Capita Group plc. He was Chairman of Stanley Davis Group Limited specialising in company formations, property & company searches. It was sold in June 2020 to Dye & Durham listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. He co-founded Palace Capital plc with Neil Sinclair in July 2010 and helped build a GBP280m property portfolio. He served as Chairman until December 2021. ..."




This further shows the intrinsic undervaluation of a main-listed shell trading at sub-cash, like ARA.

[hedgehog 100] 16/1/2024 16:58

The two key 'green' ARA directors are David Fitzsimmons and Guy Ranawake.


From ARA's prospectus dated 5 April 2022:-

" ... The Directors believe that their existing relationships will enable the Company to access investment opportunities in the Global Renewable Energy Sector Supply Chain. In particular, David Fitzsimmons and Guy Ranawake provide the Board with considerable experience and in-depth knowledge of the global renewable energy market. The Company will continue to conduct research and regularly monitor the renewable energy industry for potential targets. ..."




In Messrs Fitzsimmons & Ranawake, you could hardly wish for a more ideally and impressively suited pair of directors to attract and arrange a great green energy RTO:-

"David Fitzsimmons, Non-Executive Director

David Fitzsimmons is highly experienced in the energy business, in both executive and non-executive positions. After a 27-year career with BP, from 1978 to 2004, he served as CEO of the UK listed renewables company Novera Energy for 4 years, from 2005 to 2009. He has subsequently advised a number of other renewables companies, including serving on the strategic advisory board of Braemar Energy in New York from 2005 to 2020.

Currently, David is a Member of the Technology Expert Service at Imperial College and has been since 2019, providing support and guidance on the commercialisation of its technologies, and has been a member of Pearlstone Energy’s Advisory Board from 2018.

Additionally, David is Chairman of Locate in Kent (appointed in 2015) , the Inward Investment Agency for Kent, as well as a Governor of Skinners Kent Academy (appointed in 2011). David has also been appointed as a director of the Skinners’ Academy, with effect from 1 January 2022. David was made Chairman of Dig Deep in 2021, having been a director and trustee since 2017, a charity that brings clean water and hygiene training to rural communities in Kenya.

Previously, David served as a director at the Renewables Energy Association (REA) from 2007 to 2009 and the International Petroleum Exchange (IPE) from 1996 to 1997. He resides in the United Kingdom.

Guy Ranawake, Non-Executive Director​

Guy Ranawake is an experienced financial professional with considerable experience in the renewable energy space. He is currently an Independent Adviser to a variety of technology-focused SMEs including Exagen (from 2020) (a grid-scale solar and storage developer), with a particular focus on business strategy and capital raising. Most recently, in December 2021, he became a Designated Member of SRC Partners LLP, an LLP set up for the purpose of fund management focused on private market opportunities in the sustainability and energy transition space.

Guy is also Chair of the Dalgarno Trust, having been appointed in November 2020, a charity that aims to improve the lives of those living in North Kensington, London.

From 2016 through to 2020, Guy was the Senior Investment Director and Fund Manager of Ingenious Group, an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (“AIFM”) authorised and regulated by the FCA, where he managed infrastructure and infrastructure technology funds investing in renewable energy assets and technology providers, involved in businesses such as smart grids, electric vehicle charging, and energy efficiency solutions.

He also has prior experience at Evercore (2008 to 2015), Barclays (2007 to 2008) and Citi (1995 to 2003), where he held director positions in their respective Energy and Infrastructure teams. Guy has been an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (“ICAEW”) since 1993, having qualified with PWC (1990 to 1995). He resides in the United Kingdom."

[hedgehog 100] 16/1/2024 16:37

slicethepie 16 Jan '24 - 10:23 - 175 of 176(premium) 0 0 0
" ... dyor"


Slice,

"DYOR" can be a cop out phrase from posters who don't have faith in their own judgement.

In your case, what you're really saying is: 'If this multibags, don't blame me'.

Well, as you got JADE so wrong, it certainly doesn't instill confidence in your investment ability, does it.

For starters, ARA has four directors, of whom John Croft is just one, and apparently you don't have any issue with the other three.

But also apparently, if those other three were Richard Branson, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs, you still wouldn't touch this, regardless of any other criteria!

And JADE was a completely different situation to ARA: its largest investment was a quarry in China, which would be very risky anyway, and was badly hit by the pandemic. How exactly was John Croft supposed to have prevented that?

You're obviously a complete numpty, so may I suggest that you stop blaming others for your own poor investment decisions, and start studying investment.

[slicethepie] 16/1/2024 10:23

Please note the chairman, John Croft, destroyed millions at Jade road investments. Would touch anything he is involved in imo dyor