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From ZCT's InvestmentPitch Media Video 'slides' of 5th. April 2024:-

"Co-Chairman, Dr. Biswanath Patnaik, fondly known as BNP, is recognised as a world leader in Green initiatives. ...

He is also founder and Chairman of FinNest Group of companies, a private equity investment firm focussed on renewables.

In November, FinNest Investments and Zero Carbon jointly announced an investment of US$100 million into Zero Carbon, by way of a corporate bond to be listed on the Afrinex Exchange.

Ranked as a billionaire by the Economic Times and recognised internationally as one of the Top 10 Unstoppable Business Leaders of 2022, BNP has received numerous awards and accolades, solidifying his place in the Forbes achiever's world."

https://zerocarbontechnologies.es/05-04-24/

And extracts from a related ZCT press release from December:-

Zero Carbon Technologies Limited Announces Key Appointments and Investment

TheNewswire.com - Thu Dec 28, 2023

Zero Carbon Technologies Limited, a prominent sustainable technology solutions provider, proudly announces a significant development following its previous release on November 16th, 2023. In collaboration with FinNest Group, the company is set to receive a combined equity and debt investment of USD 100 million. This investment will be structured through a corporate bond, soon to be listed on the Afrinex Exchange.

In a strategic move to strengthen its leadership, Zero Carbon Technologies Limited is delightedto announce the appointment of Dr. Biswanath Patnaik, also known as BNP, as Co-Chairman. ...

Joining him on the board are Arun Kar, a visionary entrepreneur and investor with a rich military background, and Dave Reynolds, former CIO of BT Global Services and an expert in business transformation and cyber security. ...

Sir Tony Baldry, Chairman of Zero Carbon Technologies Limited, expressed his enthusiasm:We are very honoured to have such a prestigious group joining our team and board. The presence of Dr. Biswanath Patnaik as co-chairman will undoubtedly catalyze our initiative to become a significant player in the world market. Our focus on sustainable battery recycling and green energy technologies positions our group distinctively in the field.

Zero Carbon Technologies Limited, established in Great Britain and Wales, is actively addressing the growing demand and environmental impact of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. With the surge in EV popularity, there is an increasing need for efficient and sustainable battery disposal and recycling solutions. Zero Carbon is positioned to play a crucial role in this emerging market with its innovative battery recycling plant in La Mancha Province, Spain.

The company patented and proprietary low-CO2 battery recycling technology is a game-changer ..."

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/TheNewswire.com/22992013/zero-carbon-technologies-limited-announces-key-appointments-and-investment/

From the Zero Carbon Technologies Limited ("ZCT") website:-

"Building The Next Powerhouse in Lead Acid and EV Battery Recycling Solutions.

Our Story

Zero Carbon Technologies Limited (ZCT) is setting an ambitious and impactful agenda with its plans to operate battery recycling plants in Spain. By focusing on Montalbo and Puertollano, the company aims to address critical issues in the recycling of EV batteries, such as lithium-ion and lead batteries.

Here are some key aspects of the plan:

Location and Capacity:

Montalbo and Puertollano: Both locations in the province of La Mancha, Spain, are chosen for their strategic advantages, including logistics, availability of resources, and regulatory support.

Throughput Goal: By Year 3, the combined capacity is projected to handle 75,000 tons of batteries annually, equivalent to approximately 1.5 million used batteries per year.

Recycling Focus:

Circular Critical Metals Recovery: ZCT is targeting the recovery of essential metals from EV batteries, which is crucial for the sustainability of the EV industry and the reduction of environmental impact.

Environmental Impact:

The company’s name and goals represent a strong focus on minimizing its carbon footprint, aligning with broader environmental objectives and the circular economy.

Company Timeline

2021 -

Zero Carbon Technologies is Formed

2021-2024

Acquiring and Building Two Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plants in Spain

2025-2027

Ramping up the Plants in Spain to Full Capacity"

https://zerocarbontechnologies.es/

"IN THE MEDIA

05/04/24

InvestmentPitch Media Video Features Zero Carbon Technologies, Focussed on Recycling Technologies, Particularly for End-of-Life Battery Management"

https://zerocarbontechnologies.es/05-04-24/

"Meet The Team

We're an award-winning multidisciplinary team with a passion for creating innovative businesses. We want to build a business that is truly innovative and revolutionary. ..."

https://zerocarbontechnologies.es/team/

So a very impressive team, and the InvestmentPitch Media Video certainly instils confidence in ZCT's ability to raise the £10M.

And interestingly, yesterday's RNS suggests that it is ZCT's responsibility to do this, rather than ARA's:-

"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."

9th Dec 2024 8:00 am RNS Proposed Initial Transaction

" ... 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." "

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ARA/proposed-initial-transaction-4u8xij3ay3pkeeq.html

9th Dec 2024 8:00 am RNS Proposed Initial Transaction

" ... 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. ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ARA/proposed-initial-transaction-4u8xij3ay3pkeeq.html

9th Dec 2024 8:00 am RNS Proposed Initial Transaction

" ... 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. ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ARA/proposed-initial-transaction-4u8xij3ay3pkeeq.html

9th Dec 2024 8:00 am RNS Proposed Initial Transaction

"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. ..."

https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ARA/proposed-initial-transaction-4u8xij3ay3pkeeq.html

"5 Strategies for Optimising your Workforce Management Processes

... 3. Harness data analytics for better decision-making

According to research from SD Worx, 61% of UK companies are using HR and people analytics to tackle everything from staff shortages to turnover. If you’re one of the almost four in 10 companies with no analytics capabilities at all, you’re missing out on valuable workforce insights at a competitive disadvantage to many of your competitors.

More companies are recognising this value. The research shows that 59% of UK businesses use HR analytics when making both strategic and operational decisions. Even better, 21% of companies plan to deliver analytics solutions in the next 12 months – showing a growing appetite for data-driven HR.

Starting with analytics doesn’t mean diving into the deep end. Begin with understanding basic workforce trends, then build up to more sophisticated analysis as your confidence grows. The insights you gain will help you make better decisions about everything from hiring needs to training investments.

4. Ensure regulatory compliance and policy updates

Keeping up with workplace regulations can feel like hitting a moving target. But staying compliant isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about building a foundation for sustainable growth. Smart businesses don’t wait for regulations to catch up with them. They stay ahead of the game by regularly reviewing and updating their policies.

The trick is building a system that works for you, not against you. Create a regular schedule for policy reviews, keep your ear to the ground about upcoming changes, and make sure your systems can adapt quickly when needed. When compliance becomes part of your routine rather than a rush, you’ll find it takes less time and causes less stress.

5. Prioritise employee development and training

Effective training means more than ticking boxes – it’s about building a workforce that’s ready for anything. The best development programmes align what your people want to learn with what your business needs to grow. It’s an investment that pays off in improved productivity, higher retention, and a more engaged workforce.

Mix formal learning with plenty of chances to practise new skills on the job. Keep track of what works and what doesn’t, so you can focus your resources where they’ll make the biggest difference. When you get this right, you’ll notice the impact across your entire organisation. ..."

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/5-strategies-for-optimising-your-workforce-management-processes/

New on the Newmark Security website this week, this excellent exposition on optimising workforce management processes:-

"Insights

5 Strategies for Optimising your Workforce Management Processes

Managing today’s workforce isn’t what it used to be. You’re probably juggling efficiency targets, compliance requirements, and employee satisfaction – all while trying to keep costs under control. Yet there’s good news: with the right approach, these challenges can become opportunities to transform how your business operates. Smart workforce management isn’t just about keeping track of your people – it’s about giving them the tools and environment they need to excel.

1. Modernise time and attendance systems

Still using old-school time-tracking methods? You’re watching valuable hours slip away each week. Beyond the obvious admin headaches, outdated systems leave your business vulnerable to costly mistakes and inefficiencies. Switching to automated systems isn’t just about saving time – it’s about gaining insights that can transform your workforce planning and drive real business value.

Think beyond basic clock-ins and clock-outs. Modern systems help you spot patterns in attendance, make smarter staffing decisions, and put your administrative resources to better use. With real-time data at your fingertips, you’ll spend less time managing attendance and more time making strategic decisions about your workforce. Plus, you’ll finally have the visibility you need to optimise staffing levels across different departments and locations.

2. Embrace cloud-based management solutions

Moving your workforce management to the cloud isn’t just another IT upgrade – it can transform how you run your business. Cloud platforms put everything you need in one place, accessible from anywhere. They’re not just convenient; they’re transforming how businesses handle their entire HR operation and enabling new ways of working.

Cloud gives you real-time insights into your workforce, integrating seamlessly with your other business systems, and grows alongside your business. Plus, it keeps your data secure and compliant with privacy regulations without creating accessibility headaches. The best part? You’ll stop wasting time hunting down information across different systems and spreadsheets.

For businesses juggling remote and hybrid teams, cloud solutions are priceless. They keep everyone on the same page, whether they’re in the office, at home, or on the other side of the world. This consistency is crucial for maintaining productivity and engagement across your entire workforce. Cloud-based management platforms can enhance your existing time and attendance hardware, turning basic clock-ins into powerful business intelligence. ..."

https://newmarksecurity.com/insights/5-strategies-for-optimising-your-workforce-management-processes/

"United Nations

International Civil Aviation Day

7 December

The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of States, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping States to cooperate and realize a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

As the UN and world nations have now adopted Agenda 2030, and embarked on a new era in global sustainable development, the importance of aviation as an engine of global connectivity has never been more relevant to the Chicago Convention's objectives to look to international flight as a fundamental enabler of global peace and prosperity.

Every five years, coinciding with ICAO anniversaries (2014/2019/2024/2029/etc.), the ICAO Council establishes a special anniversary theme for International Civil Aviation Day. Between these anniversary years, Council representatives select a single theme for the full four-year intervening period.

Safe Skies. Sustainable Future: Together for the next 80 years

7 December 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation in Chicago, United States. For eight decades, this defining international agreement has served as the foundation for the development of the global civil aviation system to the benefit of all nations.

For 80 years, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has been the driving force behind the safe, secure, and sustainable development of global aviation. Since 1944, ICAO has set the standards that have enabled the industry to thrive, while championing socio-economic progress, gender equality, and a culture of innovation. As we celebrate this milestone, ICAO reaffirms its unwavering commitment to reducing aviation's carbon footprint, with the ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050."

https://www.un.org/en/observances/civil-aviation-day

So NEWmarK jetting off to NEW yorK this coming week, to present at the Security Investor Conference (SIC) of 11-12th. December.

And a good result could really give this stock Wings ...

"Jet" - Wings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfcfOtACrNI

"Fly Away" - Lenny Kravitz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KeFjLDkOrI

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