–
Xebec
Shanghai
will receive
a
direct
strategic
investment from Shenergy
to
collaborate
on
building
China’s
hydrogen infrastructure
–
MONTREAL, Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (“Xebec”), a global provider of clean energy solutions, today announced a strengthened partnership with Shanghai based Shenergy Group Company Limited (“Shenergy”). Initially formed in 2015, the existing Sino-Joint Venture partnership with Xebec Shanghai, will receive a direct strategic equity investment ($3.4M) from Shenergy in exchange for the debt and interest owed by Xebec for its share buyback obligation. The newly formed partnership will open large-scale opportunities to develop hydrogen infrastructure in China. Shenergy is one of several designated state-owned enterprises tasked with building out hydrogen infrastructure in Shanghai and across China.
“Xebec has been a valuable partner since 2015 when we embarked with them to collaborate on hydrogen projects in China. The hydrogen fuel market is now starting to accelerate with China’s new government policies, and we wanted to strengthen our relationship with this strategic investment. Xebec’s PSA technology platform is known for its robust performance, compact footprint and low operating costs for hydrogen purification. We see Xebec’s solutions and expertise as a key component in our mandate for the rollout of hydrogen refueling stations and onsite hydrogen generation infrastructure. I look forward to our collaboration and it is our honor to be working with a worldwide renewable gas leader,” states Xue Feng Song, Deputy General Manager at Shenergy Group Company Limited.
“We’re excited to be taking our partnership with Shenergy to the next level. Shenergy is an energy leader in China and has been a key partner for Xebec Shanghai since 2015. They saw an opportunity to further our relationship by making a strategic equity investment into Xebec as they prepare for China’s new hydrogen policy, one of the most aggressive in the world. This partnership will help us grow our hydrogen business in Asia and is expected to have a positive impact on our activities in Europe and North America as Xebec integrates with and benefits from the growing hydrogen supply chain in China,” says Kurt Sorschak, President & CEO, Xebec Adsorption Inc.
China’s new
policy sets a framework for
one
million FCEV on the road by 2030
Announced in September, China set an aggressive hydrogen policy which targets 1 million fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) on the road by 2030. Part of this target is an initial five-year plan for the accelerated development of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry, with an aim to achieve a total deployment of 10,000 FCEVs and a total economic output of RMB 24 billion by 2025.
There have been approximately 7,200 FCEVs and 80 refueling stations deployed in China to date. Xebec believes this new policy showcases the strategic significance of FCEVs for the decarbonization of transportation and hydrogen’s extended use within industry.
In addition, China’s new hydrogen policy was followed by the country’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2060. The country now joins more than 60 others who have pledged carbon neutrality by 2050. Hydrogen is expected to play a key part in reducing the world’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by displacing the use of higher carbon-based fuels.
Strengthened partnership
will
allow
Xebec
to
scale
its
hydrogen footprint and
improve
its
balance sheet
Xebec Shanghai has successfully deployed 25 hydrogen purification systems in China to date with an additional seven scheduled for commissioning over the next few months. These systems have historically been used for refinery or petrochemical off-gas purification to provide high purity hydrogen for FCEVs or industrial applications. As a result of the new policy, additional applications are expected to open up, such as hydrogen refueling infrastructure and de-centralized hydrogen production where Xebec’s technology will be needed.
Shenergy in effect has converted the debt Xebec owed to Shanghai Chengyi New Energy Venture Capital Co., Shenergy’s financial services subsidiary, into a direct strategic investment of equity. Consideration of approximately $1.7M will be paid for the outstanding interest owed by Xebec, and the $3.4M of long-term debt will be moved into the equity section of Xebec’s balance sheet. Following the transaction, Xebec will own 60% of the Sino-Joint Venture with 35% belonging to Shenergy and 5% to a management incentive pool.
The definitive agreements for the investment have been signed at the end of October, and closing is expected to occur at the end of December 2020. Xebec and Shenergy will have board representation in Xebec Shanghai and decisions will need a greater than two-thirds majority. Consequently, after closing, IFRS requires that Xebec no longer consolidate Xebec Shanghai into its financial statements; instead, Xebec will consolidate the proportional profits and losses of Xebec Shanghai.
Related l
inks
:
https://www.xebecinc.com
For more information
:
Xebec Adsorption Inc.
Brandon Chow, Investor Relations Manager
[email protected]
+1 450.979.8700 ext 5762
About
Shenergy Group Company Limited
Shenergy is a state-owned enterprise; an energy firm solely funded and supervised by the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the Shanghai Municipal Government. Shenergy has over 100 fully owned and holding enterprises including Shanghai Gas (Group) Co., Ltd. Shenergy is mainly engaged in the development and integration of power & gas infrastructure, as well as in industry, real estate and finance activities. By the end of 2019, the company had total assets of RMB 189.1billion and operating revenue of RMB 48.8billion. Shenergy has been among “Top 500 Chinese Enterprises” for 18 consecutive years.
About Xebec Adsorption Inc.
Xebec is a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace. Well-positioned in the energy transition space with proprietary technologies that transform raw gases into clean sources of renewable energy, Xebec’s 1500+ customers range from small to multi-national corporations, governments and municipalities looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Headquartered in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, Xebec has several Sales and Support offices in North America and Europe, as well as two manufacturing facilities in Montréal and Shanghai. Xebec trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XBC. For more information, www.xebecinc.com.
Caution
ary Statement
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “seeks”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “could”, “might”, “likely” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will be taken”, “occur”, “be achieved” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in Xebec’s public documents, including in the most recent annual management discussion and analysis and annual information form, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual result
s may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy,
notably as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic, Xebec’s capacity to generate revenue growth,
the availability to Xebec
of
financing and credit alternatives and access to capital,
Xebec’
s capacity to
meet all its
other
commitments and business plans
,
Xebec’s
limited number of customers,
the potential
loss of key employees,
changes in the use of proceeds relating to the loan,
share price volatil
ity, and other factors. Although Xebec believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should
not be placed on these
statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all.
Except where required by applicable law, Xebec disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.