LEAF.L Regulatory News (LEAF)

27 Mar 2008 12:14

Leaf Clean Energy Company27 March 2008 Leaf Clean Energy Company closes first investment, $20 million in Greenline Industries, a leading biodiesel technology firm Leaf Clean Energy Company ("Leaf" or the "Company") (LSE: LEAF.L), a publiclytraded $400 million clean energy fund focused primarily on investmentopportunities in North America, is pleased to announce the completion of itsfirst investment, a $20 million Series A preferred stock financing in GreenlineIndustries, Inc. ("Greenline"). The investment will allow Greenline toaccelerate research and development to improve upon its existing technologyleadership and add new products to reduce the costs to produce biodiesel. Greenline is a leading provider of modular waterless biodiesel equipment thatenables the consistent, cost-effective production of biodiesel. Greenlinefacilities use multiple feedstock choices in a computer controlled continuousflow technology, previously used only in large-scale production facilities.Unlike most designs that must use water, Greenline pioneered an innovativewaterless technology that utilizes a patented Rohm and Haas ion-exchange resinto purify the biodiesel, thereby eliminating the energy intensive problem ofremoving the water from the fuel and avoiding the environmental complicationsassociated with obtaining permits and treating wastewater. In addition,Greenline just introduced a feedstock pre-treatment module that enablesproducers to use less expensive feedstock, including virtually any quality ofanimal fat. "This is a great opportunity for Leaf to partner with a leading biodieseltechnology provider, and we are excited by the prospect of helping Greenlinedeliver superior production solutions to the biodiesel industry," said LeafChairman Peter Tom. "We are honored to be partnered with Leaf since it brings Greenline access tocapital and the global EPC experience of The Shaw Group Inc. and the carbonmarket expertise of EEA Fund Management Ltd through Energy & Climate Advisors,Leaf's Appointed Representative" explained Greenline CEO John Kinney. "Ourcustomers benefit from having access to financing and services that no otherbiodiesel equipment provider can offer." For further information please contact: Simon ShawChairman, Energy & Climate Advisors +44 (0) 20 7553 2361 Daniel Shapiro,President, Energy & Climate Advisors+1 225 987 7408 Ivonne Cantu / Oliver GoadCenkos Securities plc +44 (0) 20 7397 8900 Notes to Editors: About Leaf Clean Energy Company In 2007, EEA Fund Management Ltd teamed up with Shaw Capital, a subsidiary ofthe Shaw Group, to launch Leaf Clean Energy Company ("Leaf"). The fund raised£200m and is listed on AIM in London. Leaf was incorporated for the purpose ofacquiring interests in, owning, operating and managing clean energy companiesand projects primarily in North America. The sector spans multiple industries,including wind energy, solar energy, energy efficiency, pollution control,emission credit aggregation, waste-to-energy, wave energy, biomass power andbiofuels. The Company's main investment objective is to achieve long termcapital appreciation through its acquired interests in the clean energy sector,as well as through the potential generation and commercialisation of carboncredits derived from these projects. Leaf is advised by EEA and Energy & ClimateAdvisors, a joint venture between EEA and Shaw Capital. www.leafcleanenergy.com www.eeafm.com www.shawgrp.com/markets/shawcapital About Greenline Industries, Inc. Founded in 2002 by Jacques Sinoncelli and Michael Brown, the mission ofGreenline Industries is to decentralize power. They are a world leader of EPAaward-winning patented waterless biodiesel processors. At its core, GreenlineIndustries is committed to addressing the world's environmental andsocio-economic issues with biodiesel production technology. With offices in theUSA, Brussels, Romania, and Argentina, Greenline has sold more than 30 biodieselproduction lines with an aggregate production capacity of 200 million gallons ofbiodiesel. www.greenlineindustries.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange