STHP.L Regulatory News (STHP)

Stranger Holdings plc / Index: LSE / Epic: STHP / Sector: investment

29 August 2017

Stranger Holdings plc ('Stranger' or the 'Company')Possible AcquisitionandSuspension of Listing

Stranger Holdings plc, the London listed investment company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding Heads of Terms to acquire the entire issued share capital of Alchemy Utilities Limited ('Alchemy'), a multi-divisional, Irish based sustainable utility company, for new shares in the Company (the 'Acquisition'). The Acquisition, if completed, would result in Stranger shareholders having a minority interest in the enlarged group (the 'Group').

Alchemy is a specialist in the complex field of waste to synthetic gas production, renewable energy, and using waste energy to provide drinking water through the removal of salt and other contamination. It positions itself as the world leader in the delivery of renewable, low/zero carbon community based schemes designed to deliver true 'circular economy', a model that looks beyond the current "take, make and dispose" extractive industrial model. It is a regenerative system in which resource input and waste, emissions, and energy leakage are minimised by slowing, closing and narrowing material and energy loops. This can be achieved by long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling. Further information is available at www.alchemyutilities.ie.

In its pursuit of a circular economy, Alchemy aims to innovate, deliver and operate full service projects, creating community based and private renewable projects utilising its own decentralised sustainable utility technologies.  Alchemy has established a collaboration agreement with Harper Adam's University. As a strategic development partners, HAU and their research partners including UCD, will provide additional resources and independent technical validation to the fully commercialised processes. (HAU are ranked as the UK's no1 agricultural and food technology University, and No1 in terms of their research and development facilities with industrial partners.)

Benefitting from an experienced management team, Alchemy has not only already successfully secured the ownership of strategic IP and patents but is in advanced stages of appointing a worldwide distribution network extending through Europe into Asia to enable the delivery of its innovative products. "To produce organic fertilizer, clean water, CO2, bio methane heat and power through integrated product offerings from agricultural and food derived waste is a compelling solution for every country, and Ireland should benefit significantly from the export of these technologies. To aid delivery of this objective, Alchemy is in discussions with potential partners in Asia, and throughout Europe to enable supply to local economies with locally based operations." said CEO Richard Griffin.

Stranger Chairman, James Longley, said, "Alchemy fits with our investment criteria of being in the renewable power generation arena, is cash generative and would benefit from a listing on the London Stock Exchange. We are now conducting extensive due diligence, which we hope will lead to a fast and seamless acquisition that would be mutually beneficial for both parties." 

The Acquisition is subject, inter alia, to the completion of due diligence, documentation and compliance with all regulatory requirements, including the Listing and Prospectus Rules and, as required, the Takeover Code.

The Acquisition, if it proceeds, will constitute a Reverse Takeover under the Listing Rules since, inter alia, in substance it will result in a fundamental change in the business of the issuer.

As the Acquisition will constitute a Reverse Takeover under the Listing Rules, the listing in the Company's ordinary shares have been suspended at the request of the Company pending the publication of a prospectus and the application for the enlarged Company to have its Ordinary Shares admitted to the Official List and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.

The Company is working on the preparation of a prospectus in relation to the Acquisition and will, in due course, be making application for the enlarged Company to have its Ordinary Shares admitted to the Official List and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.

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For further information visit www.strangerholdingsplc.com or contact the following: