30 Nov 2018 07:00
30 November 2018
Quadrise Fuels International plc
("Quadrise", "QFI" or the "Company")
Co-Marketing and Project Development Agreement with Freepoint
Quadrise is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a Co-Marketing and Project Development Agreement ("CMPDA") with Freepoint Commodities LLC ("Freepoint").
Freepoint, which is based in Stamford, Connecticut, is both an established global merchant of physical commodities and a financer of upper and mid-stream commodity-producing assets. Freepoint also provides physical supply services and related structured solutions for counterparties located throughout the world.
The CMPDA provides a clearly defined structure for Quadrise and Freepoint to work together to progress MSAR® projects to long-term commercial agreements for the production and supply of MSAR® fuel to defined territories and counterparties on an exclusive basis. The preferred business model for both parties under the CMPDA is to 'Build Own and Operate' ("BOO") a facility jointly, to purchase residual streams under long-term contracts from a refiner and enter into back to back contracts with other counterparties for the supply of MSAR® fuels. Financial returns under the CMPDA are based on the respective party's contributions to bringing the project to fruition.
Building on the concepts established under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2018, now under the CMPDA, Quadrise and Freepoint will investigate and pursue a carefully selected and mutually agreed list of MSAR® project opportunities. The parties will initially focus on the Americas, the Middle East and Asia, with the intention of jointly investing in projects on a BOO basis. In addition, there may be circumstances where a decision is taken by both parties to pursue a project on a tolling or licensing basis and the CMPDA defines the relevant participation of the parties in those circumstances. If QFI chooses not to participate in a project targeted by the CMPDA, the Company will grant Freepoint a licence to QFI's technology to build and operate a project on a site-by-site basis. The term of the CMPDA is 36 months, after which time it will continue unless terminated by either party with 24 months' notice.
Commenting on this development:
Mike Kirk, Executive Chairman of QFI, said:
"We are delighted that through this new agreement we now have a clear path to progressing commercial opportunities. This will be on a collaborative basis, with a preferred business model which materially increases the returns captured by the parties from MSAR® projects with the tolling or licensing models also available within the agreement as alternatives. The board looks forward to realising the commercial benefits from the complementary skills, market positions and in-depth knowledge of Quadrise and Freepoint.
The willingness of both parties to commit significant resources through this agreement demonstrates the confidence that Freepoint has in Quadrise's MSAR® technology and its ability to capture significant value in the liquid fuels market. The target list of countries and entities will ensure that appropriate resources are dedicated to the most promising projects, to enable progress to commercial terms with third parties at the earliest opportunity.
Working alongside Freepoint the Company will progress much more rapidly to delivering value to shareholders through the use of MSAR® technology to supply large scale projects in the power and marine sectors."
David Messer, CEO of Freepoint, said:
"Freepoint has been impressed with the team at Quadrise and I am pleased that we have been able to conclude the CMPDA. We see extensive potential in deploying Quadrise's MSAR® technology to add value for the benefit our customers, and we look forward to working with Quadrise to advance projects where MSAR® has clear economic and environmental advantages over existing fuel sources."
For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.quadrisefuels.com, or contact ir@quadrisefuels.com or phone:
Quadrise Fuels International Plc | |
Mike Kirk, Executive Chairman | +44 (0)20 7031 7321 |
Jason Miles, Chief Operating Officer | |
Nominated Adviser | |
Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited | |
Dr Azhic Basirov | +44 (0)20 7131 4000 |
Ben Jeynes Katy Birkin | |
Joint Brokers | |
Peel Hunt LLP | |
Richard Crichton | +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
Ross Allister | |
Stockdale Securities | |
Andy Crossley Daniel Harris | +44 (0)20 7601 6108 |
Public & Investor Relations | |
FTI Consulting | |
Ben Brewerton | +44 (0)20 3727 1000 |
Sara Powell |
For further information about Freepoint, please refer to Freepoint's website at www.freepoint.com.
Notes to Editors
QFI is the supplier of MSAR® emulsion technology and fuels, a low-cost alternative to heavy fuel oil (one of the world's largest fuel markets, comprising over 450 million tons per annum) in the global power generation, shipping, steam and refining industries.
This announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.