Cielo Waste Solutions Corp. (TSXV:CMC; OTCQB:CWSFF)
(
“Cielo” or the
“Company”), a
company fueling renewable change, announces that it has entered
into a binding letter of intent (“
LOI”) to effect
a transaction that will position Cielo for commercial production
and revenue generation upon closing, expected on or before
September 6, 2024 (the “
Transaction”), subject to
the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange as required. Cielo intends
to form the Cielo LP, which will determine and control the
structure, ownership and management of a concurrently formed
general partner (“
GP”), in order to effect the
building of a gasifier and expanded operations adjacent to the
acquired EGTL™ facility in Carseland, Alberta (the
“
EGTL™ Facility”) by the Cielo LP, described more
fully below.
The EGTL™ Facility to be acquired through
the Transaction is an existing synthetic fuel facility at
Carseland, Alberta, owned and operated by Rocky Mountain Clean
Fuels Inc. (“RMCFI”), which deploys patented
Enhanced Gas-To-Liquids technology (the “EGTL™
Technology”) designed to make synthetic diesel and jet
fuel from natural gas and natural gas liquids, which was developed
by Expander Energy Inc. (“Expander”). Cielo holds
an exclusive licence in Canada from Expander for a patented
Enhanced Biomass to Liquids technology (the
“EBTL™ Technology”) and
related intellectual property.
With the view to enhancing the process deployed
at the EGTL™ Facility, and diversifying the inputs used to process
synthetic diesel and jet fuel, Cielo intends to build a gasifier on
the land adjacent to the EGTL™ Facility that will support
deployment of the EBTL™ Technology. This will result in a
fully operational facility capable of producing Bio-Syngas from
biomass inputs. Bio-Syngas represents an enhancement to natural gas
and natural gas liquids used in the process, resulting in a
facility that can process Bio-Syngas into Bio-SynJet® and
Bio-SynDiesel® (collectively the “Bio-Synfuels”)
(the “Carseland Facility”) with Bio-Synfuels
having a near net-zero carbon intensity.
Revenue to be Realized in
2024
The Transaction positions Cielo to realize
revenue generation and commercial production at closing, which is
anticipated to be on or before September 6, 2024 (the
“Closing Date”). With a forecasted $18.3 million
in revenue to be realized by the Cielo LP from the EGTL™ Facility,
Cielo and its shareholders are expected to gain direct exposure to
commercial EGTL™ production this calendar year.
The GP to be formed will be controlled by Cielo
and intends to construct gasifiers adjacent to the existing EGTL™
Facility. The Bio-SynDiesel® fuel produced at the Carseland
Facility, once built, will meet current specifications for RD100
Renewable Diesel fuel that is compatible with today’s existing
diesel engines.
Based on current forecasts following the
construction of the gasifiers, the expected annual productive
capacity of the Carseland Facility is over 30 million litres per
year comprised of Bio-SynDiesel® Renewable Diesel, Bio-SynJet®
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Renewable Bio-Naphtha (gasoline
blend) and Bio-Wax. Using the Company’s internal financial and
operational estimates, assumptions and forecasts, the Cielo LP
would be expected to generate annual revenue of approximately
CAD$100 million, driving forecast annual EBITDA of approximately
CAD$60 million. Cielo will be entitled to revenue and EBITDA
generated within the Cielo LP, based in part on its proportionate
ownership of the Cielo LP, resulting in a streamlined and efficient
structure that is expected to benefit Cielo and its shareholders
upon the Transaction closing with revenue and commercial production
in 2024.
Ryan Jackson, CEO of Cielo, stated, “When
Jasdeep and I joined Cielo exactly two years ago, we had a clear
strategic vision for the Company. That vision has culminated into
today’s announcement. With the licensing of Expander’s technology
and this acquisition, we have taken the first of many steps to
build Cielo into a revenue generating company with continuous
operations in 2024. We believe that Cielo will be able to provide a
low technical risk and a compelling business model that offers a
path to profitability without the need for subsidies.”
Furthermore, Jasdeep K.B. Dhaliwal, CFO of
Cielo, stated, “The advancement of our Carseland Facility is made
possible by the agreement to cancel the Dunmore land purchase and
settle all outstanding obligations with Renewable U. This will
afford Cielo the ability to consolidate our operations and optimize
efficiencies. We wish to thank our long-standing partner Renewable
U, who has supported Cielo in the journey to this achievement.”
“The team at RMCFI is excited to be partnered
with the team at Cielo on this Transaction, which supports the
RMCFI strategy of constructing and operating EGTL™ facilities not
only in Alberta but in national and international regions as well.
RMCFI will continue to partner with Cielo at Carseland in the near
term,” said Doug Geeraert, President of RMCFI. “As we have
continued to grow and diversify our business model, Cielo presented
us with the opportunity to advance our goals, while allowing us to
maintain upside exposure in the future of the facility through the
Transaction’s structure. We look forward to being part of the Cielo
team’s progress as they unlock the full potential of the Carseland
Facility with the expansion plans being executed.”
Transaction Consideration and
Structure
The LOI provides for the acquisition by the
Cielo LP of the EGTL™ Facility from RMCFI as well as assets of
RMCFI relating to the EGTL™ Facility, such as material contracts;
certain equipment, tools, machinery, fixtures, and other tangible
personal property; permits, licenses, authorizations and grant
entitlements; and books and records (collectively the
“Assets”). RMCFI will transfer and assign the
Assets to the Cielo LP in consideration for a purchase price of
CAD$125 million (the “Base Price”), subject to
adjustments described in part below (the “Purchase
Price”). The completion of the Transaction is subject to
certain conditions and a due diligence review. Following the
completion of the due diligence review, definitive agreements will
be entered into setting out all final terms of the Transaction
before closing.
RMCFI has received notice of qualification from
the Government of Alberta for a grant amounting to CAD$20.8 million
(the “Grant”). The Grant represents a contingent
asset as it relates to the delivery of certain operational
milestones related to the existing EGTL™ Facility’s production of
synthetic diesel fuel. RMCFI will make commercially reasonable
efforts to facilitate the assignment or payment, as applicable, of
the Grant to the Cielo LP following the Closing Date.
The Cielo LP will also assume approximately $23
million in RMCFI liabilities (the “Assumed
Liabilities”). On the Closing Date, the Base Price will be
increased by an amount equal to the capital improvement costs
incurred by RMCFI prior to the Closing Date, to a maximum of $3.2
million (which will be paid on closing), and also reduced by an
amount equal to the Assumed Liabilities. The Cielo LP will be
required to make a lump-sum payment of $15 million on or before
October 1, 2024 as repayment of one of the Assumed Liabilities. The
balance of the Purchase Price will be paid through a
non-negotiable, secured vendor take back note (the “VTB
Note”) in the principal sum equal to the Purchase Price,
issued by the Cielo LP to RMCFI, along with first-ranking general
security agreement and/or debenture against the Assets in favour of
RMCFI as security for the VTB Note, and guaranteed by an affiliate
of Cielo or other entity. The VTB Note contemplates monthly
interest-only payments at a simple rate of interest of six percent
(6%) per annum, with an initial term of five (5) years and the
principal payable in full on the Maturity Date, subject to earlier
repayment, in whole or in part permitted from time to time
throughout the term of the loan without penalty.
As a condition of the Transaction closing, Cielo
or the GP on behalf of the Cielo LP (the
“Licensee”) will enter into a license agreement
(the “EGTL™ License Agreement”) with RMCFI for the
use of the EGTL™ Technology at the EGTL™ Facility, which supports
near term revenue generation until a gasifier is built on-site
using the EBTL™ Technology. The EGTL™ License Agreement will have a
term of five years (the “License Term”) with the
Licensee maintaining an option to extend the License Term for an
additional period of five years thereafter. In consideration of the
licence, the Licensee will pay to RMCFI a royalty equal to two
percent on gross revenues arising from the sale of all products
produced at the EGTL™ Facility using the EGTL™ Technology
throughout the License Term.
Mutual Agreement to Terminate All
Existing Agreements with Renewable U Energy Inc.
The Company also confirms that it has entered
into a shares for debt agreement (the “Debt
Conversion Agreement”) with
Renewable U Energy Inc. and its affiliates (“Renewable
U”) dated June 11, 2024, for the settlement of $1.9
million by way of issuance of 6,440,677 common shares of Cielo (the
“Repayment Shares”) at a price of $0.295 per share
(the “Shares for Debt Transaction”), subject to
the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. As a result of the
completion of the Shares for Debt Transaction, all remaining
memorandums of understanding (“MOUs”) with
Renewable U will be terminated.
On May 17th, 2023, Cielo announced a termination
agreement with Renewable U (the “Termination
Agreement”) regarding the termination of five (5)
outstanding MOUs that had been executed between the parties between
2018 and 2021. Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, Cielo
was required to submit a proposal to Renewable U by March 29, 2024,
setting out the terms on which the $2 million owing from Cielo to
Renewable U would be exchanged for a participation interest in a
future proposed facility in Dunmore, Alberta, failing which the
amount would be due 60 days later.
With the binding LOI with RMCFI in progress,
Cielo could not deliver the proposal at the required date and an
extension was not available. As well, Cielo strategically elected
to discontinue its previously announced plans to acquire land from
Renewable U in Dunmore, Alberta (the “Dunmore
Land”), allowing for a focus on the proposed Transaction.
Management believes the benefits of acquiring the Dunmore Land
translate equally well or better to the current proposed
Transaction in Carseland, including continued interest from
CPKC.
The $100,000 previously paid by Cielo to
Renewable U as a deposit on the purchase of the Dunmore Land has
been applied to reduce the balance owing to $1.9 million (the
“Repayment Amount”). The MOUs
will terminate upon the issuance of the Repayment Shares. Once
issued, the Repayment Shares will be subject to a hold period of
four months plus one day.
For additional information on the Termination
Agreement, see Cielo’s news release dated May 17th, 2023.
Unlocking Immediate Value
As a result of the EGTL™ Facility acquisition,
Cielo will redirect railway tie processing to the EGTL™ facility.
This realignment of resources reflects Cielo’s commitment to
enhancing operational efficiencies and advancing immediate
revenue-generating projects. The Company wishes to extend its
gratitude to CPKC for their ongoing support, flexibility and
cooperation. The scrap railway ties from CPKC will be used as
feedstock at the Carseland Facility to produce commercial renewable
diesel and sustainable aviation fuel that can help meet the world’s
growing demand for cleaner transportation fuels, without drawing on
critical agriculture or food sources.
ABOUT CIELO
Cielo is fueling renewable change with a mission
to be a leader in the wood by-product-to-fuels industry by using
environmentally friendly, economically sustainable and market-ready
technologies. We are proud to advance our non-food derived model
based on our exclusive licence in Canada for patented Enhanced
Biomass to Liquids (EBTL™) and Biomass Gas to Liquids (BGTL™)
technologies and related intellectual property, along with an
exclusive licence in the US for creosote and treated wood waste,
including abundant railway tie feedstock. We have assembled a
diverse portfolio of projects across geographic regions and secured
the ability to leverage the expertise of proven industry leaders.
Cielo is committed to helping society ‘change the fuel, not the
vehicle’, which we believe will contribute to generating positive
returns for shareholders. Cielo shares are listed on the TSX
Venture Exchange under the symbol “CMC,” as well as on the OTC
Markets under the symbol “CWSFF.”
For further information please
contact:
Cielo Investor Relations
Ryan Jackson,
CEO Phone: (403) 348-2972
Email: investors@cielows.com
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains certain
forward-looking statements and forward-looking information
(collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”)
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All
statements other than statements of present or historical fact are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often,
but not always, identified by the use of words such as
“anticipate”, “achieve”, “could”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”,
“objective”, “continuous”, “ongoing”, “estimate”, “outlook”,
“expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “should” or similar words,
including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes.
Forward-looking statements are subject to both
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company, that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking
statements and information are based on plans, expectations and
estimates of management at the date the information is provided and
are subject to certain factors and assumptions. Cielo is making
forward looking statements, with respect to, but not limited to:
the formation and governance of the Cielo LP; the proposed
Transaction with RMCFI, including but not limited to the Assets to
be acquired by the Cielo LP, the expansion of the
EGTL™ Facility, the anticipated Closing Date, the Base Price,
Purchase Price (including adjustments) and method, timing and terms
of payment thereof, the Grant, the Assumed Liabilities and the
capital improvement costs, the execution of the EGTL™ License
Agreement and the terms thereof; the impact of the Transaction on
Cielo if completed and the impact of the consolidation of
operations, as well as the resulting low technical risk and
compelling business model without the need for subsidies; the
ability to optimize efficiencies as a result of the termination of
the Renewable U agreements and focus on the Carseland Facility; the
construction of the Carseland Facility using the
EBTL™ Technology; the feedstocks, and the fuels to be produced
at the Carseland Facility and the EGTL™ Facility, including
the ability to meet current specifications for RD100 Renewable
Diesel fuel; the anticipated capacity; the anticipated timing of
revenues resulting from the completion of the Transaction; the
continued relationship between Cielo and RMCFI; the Debt Conversion
Agreement and the terms thereof, including the number and price of
the Repayment Shares, the termination of the MOUs, and the hold
period; the processing of railway ties at the EGTL™ Facility
and CPKC’s continued support; the production of renewable diesel at
the Carseland Facility and SAF to support demand for cleaner fuels
without impacting agriculture or food sources.
This news release also contains future-oriented
financial information and financial outlook information
(collectively, “FOFI”) about prospective results
of operations including, without limitation, expectations with
respect to anticipated revenues following the Closing Date from the
EGTL™ Facility and following the construction of the Carseland
Facility, and projected EBITDA, which are subject to certain
assumptions, risk factors, limitations, and qualifications. Readers
are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such
information, although considered reasonable at the time of
preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance
should not be placed on FOFI. Cielo’s actual results, performance
or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, these FOFI, or if any of them do so, what benefits
Cielo will derive therefrom. Cielo has included the FOFI in order
to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Cielo’s
future operations, taking into consideration the integration of the
EGTL™ Facility and such information may not be appropriate for
other purposes.
Investors should continue to review and consider
information disseminated through news releases and filed by the
Company on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in forward looking statements,
there may be other factors that cause results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee
of future performance and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties, some of which are described herein. Such
forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company’s actual
performance and results to differ materially from any projections
of future performance or results expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made
as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, the Company
assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such statements
to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.
Cielo Waste Solutions (TSXV:CMC)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Oct 2024 a Nov 2024
Cielo Waste Solutions (TSXV:CMC)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Nov 2023 a Nov 2024