Nouveau Monde’s Integrated Battery Anode Material Outperforms Leading Commercial Producers

  • Nouveau Monde has received important and impressive test results for its advanced graphite-based anode materials.
  • Nouveau Monde’s anode material has outperformed leading Asian commercial producers – the Company’s reversible capacity (or energy density) performed at 365 mAh/g, above the 360 mAh/g of Asian peers, with similar charging efficiency, and well above the minimum customer specifications requirement of 350 mAh/g.
  • Multiple samples were produced by Nouveau Monde’s advanced international technical team, in partnership with its R&D consortium partners, and have now delivered to prospective lithium-ion battery customers for qualification testing.
  • This proprietary carbon coating technology will be incorporated into the company’s demonstration plant at Becancour, Quebec.
  • Nouveau Monde is actively working with its partner, Forge Nano, to even further enhance the performance with their Atomic Layer Deposition ALD technology.
  • Nouveau Monde’s ability to control the entire value chain from graphite ore to the final coated anode material allows it to offer a high quality and consistent product, representing an important and cost-competitive supply of non-Chinese sustainable anode product to the fast-growing lithium-ion battery market.
  • Nouveau Monde’s unique, high-quality and zero-carbon footprint anode materials are well placed to serve both the North American as well as European anode materials markets for decades to come.

MONTREAL, Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nouveau Monde Graphite (“Nouveau Monde” or the “Company”) (TSXV: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) is pleased to announce that it has completed an important technical program on its proprietary coating process with its research and development consortium, internal experts and raw material suppliers. The primary objective of the program, operating since 2018, was to establish the optimal process operational parameters and design criteria needed to complete the engineering and procurement of a large-scale demonstration coating line. This process step is crucial in demonstrating the full value chain proposition as an integrated battery anode materials producer, from mine to market-ready coated spherical purified graphite (“CSPG”).

Eric Desaulniers, President & CEO, states, “The last few years of dedication to R&D and to forging partnerships with the leading research and battery anode experts is now allowing us to bring to market a high-quality ready-for-market battery anode material that compares very favorably with the established Asian supply chain. We will be able to respond to clients needs based on scale, cost-competitiveness, carbon-neutrality and product quality and performance efficiency.”

Furthermore, Arne H.Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde, commented: “This is an important announcement, confirming both the high quality of our anode product as well as our ability to produce those critical battery raw materials. With our substantial resource base in Québec and integrated value-chain, Nouveau Monde is well set to become a global leader in the supply of anode materials for decades to come”.

To confirm product quality and performance, the Company’s CSPG was benchmarked against the leading Asian commercial anode material that currently dominate the lithium-ion supply chain. A series of electrochemical tests made by the National Research Council of Canada revealed that under the same conditions in half-button cell batteries, the reversible capacity (a measure of the energy density for performance) obtained with Nouveau Monde’s anode material is 365 mAh/g compared with 360 mAh/g for the leading Asian standards. Importantly, the coulombic efficiency for the first cycle was similar for both products and within industry specifications. Further, the broader market minimum specification for reversible capacity is well below at only 350 mAh/g, highlighting the market opportunity for Nouveau Monde.


Figure 1:


Nouveau


Monde’s


coated anode material


outperform


s leading peers 
is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/523254c4-655f-4d9e-ad00-6f215a4ed450

The importance of coating
to Nouveau Monde

In a lithium-ion battery, coating is used to:

  • form a stable and passive carbon barrier around the high-purity spheronised graphite, which prevents the electrolyte from penetrating into the graphite and creates a stable electrolyte interface layer; and
  • increase first-cycle efficiency by decreasing the specific surface area of the particles, reducing the loss of lithium within the electrolyte interface.

Coating is considered the last value-added production step and will allow Nouveau Monde to provide high purity, battery grade anode material for the rapidly growing electric vehicle and renewable energy storage industries, securing significantly higher margins and cash flow for shareholders.


Figure 2:


Increased margins through the value-added process
 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dc052726-ee93-47bf-bea5-bca0ffbb9ed1

Forge Nano’s
ALD coating
will
enhance performance of current carbon coated anode material

On October 6, 2020 Nouveau Monde announced a collaborative agreement between the Company and
the
US-based
high-tech
company Forge Nano for the use of advanced coating technologies to enhance the performance of Nouveau Monde’s carbon coated anode material. Eric Desaulniers explains: “Now that we have developed a process that is scalable, low-cost and proven based on the known carbon coating technologies, we are working closely with our partner at Forge Nano with their state-of-the art ALD coating to significantly improve anode material quality above what is currently available in the market. The ALD coating that Forge Nano will provide will be added on top of our coated product, creating a premium anode material for specific customers. Through Nouveau Monde, potential clients will have the ability to purchase our industry-standard anode material or an enhanced superior anode material for more performance driven applications.”

Market
p
erspective

On October 22, 2020, Roskill, an expert research and consultancy firm focused on the metals, minerals and chemicals industries, commented on Nouveau Monde and shared their insight into the market for coated product: “The addition of coatings creates even higher potential for profit from spherical graphite. Only a limited number of producers currently carry out battery material coating processes, which require a high level of knowledge and experience and has traditionally taken place in Japan and, more recently, South Korea, using proprietary production methods. Chinese spherical graphite producers have now also begun to develop coatings, mainly for supply to the domestic market.

The average value of Chinese imports of (mostly coated) spherical graphite was US$7,157/t in 2019 but prices vary widely depending on the type of coating, as requested by the consumer and determined by the final battery application. China’s monthly average value of imports ranged from a low of US$4,068/t to a high of US$22,965/t in 2019.”

About Nouveau Monde

Nouveau Monde will be a key operator in the sustainable energy revolution. The Company is developing the only fully integrated source of green battery anode material in the Western World. Targeting full scale commercial operations by early 2023, the Company will provide advanced carbon-neutral graphite-based material solutions to the growing lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With low-cost operations and the highest of ESG standards, Nouveau Monde will become a strategic supplier to the world’s leading battery and auto manufacturers, ensuring robust and reliable advanced material, while guaranteeing supply chain traceability.

Media  Investors 
   
Julie Paquet 
Director, Communications 
Nouveau Monde
+1 450-757-8905 (#140) 
[email protected]  
Christina Lalli 
Director, Investor Relations 
Nouveau Monde
+1 438-399-8665 
[email protected]  

Subscribe to our news feed:  
http://nouveaumonde.ca/en/support-nmg/ 


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
 
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to (i) the positive impact of the foregoing on project economics, (ii)increased margins through NMG’s value-added process,and  (iii)  generally, or the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraph which essentially describe the Corporation’s outlook and objectives, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of certain securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect.  
Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to the future. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.   


Neither the 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. 
 
Further information regarding Corporation is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on the Corporation’s website at: www.NouveauMonde.ca 

Forestry, Conservation and Environmental CEOs Establish Common Ground on the Role of Private Working Forests as a Natural Climate Solution

48 CEOs agree on common vision for increasing the contribution of forests and forest products to climate mitigation

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 48 environmental, conservation and forest business leaders today announced an agreement of principles on the important role of sustainably managed forests and forest products can play in mitigating climate change.

Today, forests in the U.S. offset 15% of the country’s industrial carbon emissions. Carbon sequestration in sustainably managed private forest lands and carbon storage in forest products can provide a natural solution to climate change while also providing a wide variety of additional benefits like clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and good paying jobs.

The principles are signed by the CEOs of American Forests, American Forest Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, National Alliance of Forest Owners, The Nature Conservancy, and the CEOs of 43 forestry businesses representing over 46 million acres of working forests across the United States.

The executives are united in a common vision: to harness the power of the private forest sector to address climate change, we must engage forest owners of all sizes, support strong rural economies, and ensure sustainable, science-based practices.

The policy principles encourage incentive and market-based approaches to increase the carbon benefits of working forests and forest products. They recognize the important role that private sector participation, investment, and partnerships can play in expanding carbon benefits from the forest sector. The principles underscore the importance of safeguards that promote positive outcomes for forests and the climate, healthy markets for forest products, and investments needed to strengthen rural communities. They also emphasize need for robust science, data and life cycle analysis to guide policy.

The principles provide a common starting place for signing CEOs, and their respective organizations, to engage policymakers, business leaders in other sectors, investors, shareholders, and other stakeholders in discussions about climate solutions available through forestry and wood products.

Private Working Forests as A Natural Climate Solution

Climate change poses a significant challenge to our environment, our economy and our communities. Carbon sequestration in sustainably managed private forest lands and carbon storage in forest products can provide a natural solution to climate change while also providing a wide variety of additional benefits like clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and good paying jobs.

Forest owners and forest products manufacturers are well positioned to optimize the carbon potential of the private working forest value chain through sustainable forest management and the manufacture of sustainable forest products. Forest owners and managers should be empowered with the tools they need to increase overall forest carbon sequestration using sustainable forest management practices and technologies, and site-appropriate reforestation. Healthy, sustainable forest products markets are essential to optimizing the benefits of forest carbon on private lands and in the materials and products they produce. For example, solid wood construction at scale using new engineered wood technologies, like mass timber produced from sustainably managed forests, presents a significant opportunity to store carbon and reduce energy consumption and related carbon emissions in the built environment.

Private forests are under increasing threat from uncharacteristic wildfire, pests and disease, drought and extreme weather events that can cause significant carbon releases and other environmental damage. In many private forests, addressing these threats requires sustainable management such as thinning, prescribed fire, and other forest management techniques that bolster forest health and resilience.

Public policies should include market and incentive-based approaches that help capture the potential of private forests and forest products to sequester more carbon, while ensuring sustainable forest management to maintain and improve forest health and resilience, boost private sector investment in rural communities, and help keep forests as forests.

Policy is strengthened through advances in science, technologies, techniques, and practices to improve forest carbon inventories and provide better information to landowners, forest managers and the public regarding the contribution and management of forests and forest products for climate mitigation. Such advances also support forest practices that benefit the environment and forest economies.

Maintaining sustainable private working forests at scale to benefit the climate requires investing in the jobs, businesses, and infrastructure necessary to support a strong forest economy. Such investments must help sustain markets that increase the carbon mitigation benefits of forest and wood products, provide additional environmental benefits, and strengthen rural communities.

Leadership and innovation in the private sector play an important role in advancing and informing public policy. Throughout the economy, businesses are seeking natural climate solutions to reduce their carbon footprints. A growing number of partnerships between private companies, the forest sector, and environmental and conservation organizations are driving investment in the significant carbon potential of sustainably managed forests and forest products. The insights and experience gained from such early action provides an important basis for effective policy.

Policy Principles

As leaders of the environmental, conservation and forest business communities, we recognize that private working forests and forest products can play an important role in mitigating climate change. The following principles outline our shared vision for increasing the contribution of forests and forest products to climate mitigation.

  • Policies should include incentives and market-based mechanisms and should be designed to be accessible and credible to maintain working forests, increase carbon benefits across the working forest value chain, and encourage broad participation from forest owners, forest products manufacturers and potential investors.
  • Public funding should be directed to improve forest carbon science and data collection and incentivize the development of new technologies, techniques, and practices to improve forest carbon inventories and life cycle analyses for forest products.
  • Increased public funding and policies should focus on innovative approaches to increase carbon benefits in and from forests and improve the scalability and outcomes of USDA private forest conservation programs, such as the Forest Legacy Program, State and Private Forest Grant Programs, the Healthy Forests Reserve Program.
  • Policies should encourage, recognize, and reward private sector partnerships that advance the carbon potential of sustainably managed forests and forest products at scale.
  • Policies should help spur investments in the rural jobs, businesses, and infrastructure necessary to support a strong forest economy.
  • Policies to reward the carbon benefits of forest products, such as mass timber and other advanced building materials, must be based on scientifically sound life cycle analysis and include safeguards to promote positive outcomes for forests and the climate.
  • Policies should support updating building and architectural codes to reflect the carbon benefits of advanced wood construction.
  • Public funding should be invested in training programs for architects, builders, and other professionals who make important decisions about building materials and their sourcing.
  • Policies should ensure sustainability through practices such as forest certification, use of best management practices and other approaches that support clean air and water, wildlife habitat, the conservation of ecologically sensitive areas, and other environmental benefits.

About the CEO Principles

The CEO Principles are a shared vision for increasing the contribution of forests and forest products to climate mitigation from leaders of the environmental, conservation and forest business communities. The signing CEOs recognize that private working forests and forest products can play an important role in mitigating climate change through thoughtful policy, private sector engagement, and investment in rural communities.

Tom Martin
PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION
Jad Daley
PRESIDENT AND CEO, AMERICAN FORESTS
Fred Krupp
PRESIDENT, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
David P. Tenny
PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FOREST OWNERS
Jennifer Morris
CEO, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

John Cashwell
REPRESENTATIVE, BBC LAND, LLC

Gerrity Lansing
HEAD, BTG PACTUAL TIMBERLAND INVESTMENT GROUP

Dave Rumker
MANAGING DIRECTOR, CIO, CAMPBELL GLOBAL, LLC

Joel Caswell
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CASWELL THOMPSON, INC.

Brian Davis
CEO AND PRESIDENT, CATCHMARK TIMBER TRUST

J. Travis Bryant
PRESIDENT & CEO, COASTAL FOREST RESOURCES COMPANY

Paul Young
FOUNDING MEMBER, CONSERVATION RESOURCES

Joe Sanderson
MANAGING DIRECTOR, DOMAIN TIMBER ADVISORS

Earl D. Barrs Wanda T. Barrs
DUE SOUTH INVESTMENTS, 2020 FOREST LANDOWNERS ASSOCIATION FOREST LANDOWNER OF THE YEAR

Marc Walley
PRESIDENT, FOREST INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES

  Mike McFetridge
CIO, GLOBAL FOREST PARTNERS, LP

Douglas Reed
PRESIDENT, GREEN DIAMOND RESOURCE COMPANY

Jeff Nuss
PRESIDENT AND CEO, GREENWOOD RESOURCES, INC.

Peter Sikora
CEO, GIUSTINA RESOURCES

William Peressini
PRESIDENT AND CEO, HANCOCK NATURAL RESOURCE GROUP

Marc Brinkmeyer
OWNER, IDAHO FOREST GROUP

James D. Irving
CO-PRESIDENT, J.D. IRVING, LIMITED

Troy Harris MANAGING DIRECTOR, JAMESTOWN, LP

Mark Sherman
PRESIDENT, KEWEENAW LAND ASSOCIATION, LIMITED

Toby Luther
PRESIDENT AND CEO, LONE ROCK RESOURCES

Stephen Hicks
PRESIDENT AND CEO, LONGYEAR

Nicole Kimzey
COO, MERRILL & RING

  Bob Lyle
PRESIDENT, MOLPUS WOODLANDS GROUP

David Brand
CEO, NEW FORESTS

Alexander Ingraham
PRESIDENT, PINGREE ASSOCIATES, INC.

René Ancinas
CHAIRMAN & CEO, PORT BLAKELY

Mike Covey
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, POTLATCHDELTIC

David Nunes
PRESIDENT AND CEO, RAYONIER, INC.

Thomas Walker
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR, RED RIVER FORESTS, LLC

Craig Blair
PRESIDENT AND CEO, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICE, LLC

Grady Mulbery
PRESIDENT AND CEO, ROSEBURG FOREST PRODUCTS

Mark Emmerson
CHAIRMAN AND CFO, SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES

Bob Ratliffe
PRESIDENT, SILVER CREEK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

  Randy Hereford
PRESIDENT AND CEO, STARKER FORESTS, INC.

Scott Griffin
PRESIDENT AND CEO, SUPERIOR PINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

Blake Stansell
CEO, THE FORESTLAND GROUP, LLC

James Hourdequin
CEO, THE LYME TIMBER COMPANY LP

Mike Claridge
PARTNER, HEAD OF FORESTRY & AGRICULTURE, THE ROHATYN GROUP

Brian Luoma
PRESIDENT AND CEO, THE WESTERVELT COMPANY

Steve Killgore
CEO, TIMBER PRODUCTS COMPANY

Tom Johnson
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TIMBERLAND INVESTMENT RESOURCES, LLC

Tom Colgan
CEO, WAGNER FOREST MANAGEMENT

Devin Stockfish
PRESIDENT AND CEO, WEYERHAEUSER

Commentary from Signing CEOs

“Families and individuals own the largest portion of America’s forests, and their valuable contributions address some of our country’s most pressing conservation issues. We proudly stand alongside our partners to recognize and elevate that contribution. More than 21 million families own forests in the U.S., so every time their work is empowered and their forests are supported, we get one step closer to properly tapping natural climate solutions that will have a significant impact on both climate and rural American communities.”

– Tom Martin, President and CEO, American Forest Foundation

“America’s forests and forest products already capture nearly 15 percent of our carbon dioxide emissions, and have potential to do even more. Private forest owners steward over half of our nation’s forests, and they are positioned to implement forest practices at scale that can grow this powerful forest carbon sink. Now is the time for America to partner with our nation’s private forest owners to capture this opportunity.”

– Jad Daley, President and CEO, American Forests

“Climate change is an urgent, existential threat that requires us to seek a diverse set of creative solutions. The signers to these principles may not agree on everything, but we all recognize that privately owned and sustainably managed forests can play an important role in sequestering carbon and providing additional benefits like clean air, clean water and wildlife habitat. With the right policies and market incentives in place, the forest sector can be a leader in reducing emissions and building resilience in the face of mounting climate impacts.”

– Fred Krupp, President, Environmental Defense Fund

“These principles show how leaders can come together from different perspectives to establish common ground for the common good. Private working forests, the products they produce and the rural communities that sustain them, are the beating heart of natural climate solutions in the U.S. Together they help reverse the impacts of climate change better than any other segment of our economy while sustaining 2.5 million American jobs. By harnessing the power of markets, science and sustainable practices, we can empower them to do even more. Modern forestry harnesses the power of forest product markets to support rural communities with jobs that are helping mitigate climate change.”

– David P. Tenny, President and CEO, National Alliance of Forest Owners

“To maximize the role of forests in our collective work to combat climate change, we need more carbon on the landscape. To do that, we need strong safeguards to protect carbon stocks and new incentives for climate smart management of private working forests. We’re pleased to join so many voices across the forestry sector on these principles for ensuring our forests play a central role as a natural climate solution.”

– Jennifer Morris, CEO, The Nature Conservancy

“Sustainably managed forests and climate-positive forest products are critical for accelerating the transition to a renewable economy and a climate-stable future. BTG Pactual is pleased to stand with The Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Defense Fund and others in our industry to ensure that our global forest economy delivers natural climate solutions at scale, and positively impacts biodiversity, water and inclusive rural economic development.”

– Gerrity Lansing, Head, BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group

“The recognition by non-industrial stakeholders of private timberland’s pivotal role as a net positive contributor to carbon storage, emissions, and conservation is a milestone for productive efforts to advance public policies that produce significant environmental benefits.”

– Joel Caswell, CEO, Caswell Thompson

“Promoting forest stewardship and sustainability through state-of-the-art management practices is not only integral to CatchMark’s operations and essential for our ongoing business success, but also is critical to the success of our industry and the entire forest sector.”

– Brian Davis, CEO and President, CatchMark Timber Trust

“We are committed to managing the resources entrusted to us for the betterment of all stakeholders and we believe sustainable forest management is an integral part of the solution to addressing climate change. Coastal has been actively managing its forests for over 70 years, and today our timber inventories are greater than ever. Our forests are providing more clean air, clean water and superior wildlife habitat thanks to our intensive management approach.”

– J. Travis Bryant, President & CEO, Coastal Forest Resources Company

“The majority of our working forests are in rural areas. In order to continue to sustainably manage our forests it is critical we support fair competitive markets and jobs while supporting rural America.”

– Earl D. Barrs, Wanda T. Barrs, Due South Investments, 2020 Forest Landowners Association Forest Landowner of the Year

“Giustina Resources welcomes this opportunity to share what we have learned in over 100 years of sustainably managing our family forests and to learn from others as we work together in the pursuit of natural climate solutions.”

– Peter Sikora, CEO, Giustina Resources

“As large scale landowners and active participants in the carbon offset market, we believe there is great potential for private landowners to be meaningful contributors to climate change solutions. We are delighted to work with such esteemed partners on a shared vision.”

– Douglas Reed, President, Green Diamond Resource Company

“It’s imperative for public policies to recognize working forests as natural climate solutions to enable continued investment in sustainable forestry and to reward the carbon benefits of forest products, thereby fully incorporating natural climate solutions into climate change mitigation strategies.”

– William Peressini, President and CEO, Hancock Natural Resource Group

“We believe that healthy forests are a natural solution to climate change. Our company utilizes technology and our logging contractors as tools to actively manage private and public forests alike. Not only do our actions mitigate catastrophic wildfire, but they also create forest conditions that store carbon, produce clean air and water, promote the manufacture of wood products, and offset the impacts of climate change.”

– Marc Brinkmeyer, Owner, Idaho Forest Group

“Lone Rock Resources is excited to be a part of the shared vision described in these principles. Our company is committed to sustainable forest management practices that support robust carbon sequestration in our forestlands, which when coupled with a strong market for wood products to store the carbon, is a fundamental element to aggressively confronting climate change.”

– Toby Luther, President and CEO, Lone Rock Resources

“At Molpus, we fully support the CEO Principles and believe that private working forests are a critical carbon mitigation and natural climate solution. As a long-term timberland manager and a signatory to the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, Molpus’s core focus is the responsible stewardship of the forest investments we manage. We are proud of the myriad benefits our working forests provide, including valuable contributions to the environment, the economy, and the communities where we live and work.”

– Bob Lyle, President, Molpus Woodlands Group

“Pingree Associates fully endorses the principles described in Private Working Forests as A Natural Climate Solution. Pingree is a private family owned company that has owned timberland in Maine for eight generations. Our family has always taken a forward looking approach to sustainability, conservation, and now climate change. We view timberland as an important tool to fighting climate change and helping our world get to a stronger, healthier future. Our forests provide clean air, clean water, habitat for wildlife, and timber for a robust forest economy that supports good paying rural jobs. Private forests are the backbone of the forest economy and one of the greatest tools available to fight climate change. If we are going to actively combat climate change forests will need to be a part of the solution, and enhancing their contribution potential through well designed and implemented policy will ensure that forests keep producing solid wood products that lock up carbon, and keep growing trees that actively sequester carbon and service solid wood markets. Pingree has been sustainably managing our forests for generations, and look forward to continuing that philosophy for generations to come in a healthier and more resilient climate.”

– Alexander Ingraham, President, Pingree Associates, Inc.

“As a family-owned company focused on cultivating a healthy world, tackling the climate crisis is an urgent priority. Our working forests must be part of the solution so the next generation can continue our stewardship.”

– René Ancinas, Chairman & CEO, Port Blakely

“Rayonier is proud to join NAFO and our other partners in addressing the climate challenges our society faces. Private working forests play an indispensable role in providing natural climate solutions that help reduce carbon in the atmosphere by sequestering large amounts of carbon both in the forest ecosystem and in the wood products produced from harvested trees. As our society utilizes more sustainably produced forest products and replaces more carbon intensive materials such as concrete or steel, we will thus help to ensure the long-term sustainability of our ecosystem.”

– David Nunes, President and CEO, Rayonier, Inc.

“As a global manager of long-term working forest investments, we are well-positioned to advocate market-based policies promoting working forest solutions to climate change and to execute strategies that expand the role of forests through private investments in afforestation and improved forest management. RMS is already advancing these principles by providing access and support for basic and applied research on the role of working forests in addressing climate change, expanding investor and key stakeholder awareness through regular carbon storage and sequestration reporting, and Partnering with selected architectural schools to increase knowledge of the positive climate impacts of sustainably managed forests.”

– Craig Blair, President and CEO, Resource Management Service, LLC

“Sierra Pacific Industries values collaborative partnerships that seek solutions and policies recognizing the role of sustainable forest management and forest products in helping to achieve positive climate outcomes. As a result of the long-term investment we have already made with forest carbon offset projects registered under California’s offset program, we know that effective climate policy can create both climate and economic benefits. These benefits are achieved while maintaining a vibrant rural economy and continuously storing carbon through the wood products in homes and buildings.”

– Mark Emmerson, Chairman and CFO, Sierra Pacific Industries

“Superior Pine Products Company supports the CEO Climate Change Principles because of the current and future importance of managing our private working forests on a sustainable basis in order to support climate mitigation. Our Company employs the best forest management practices and techniques that naturally sequester Carbon, while also providing forest products, jobs, recreation, and a host of other benefits directly influencing the health and well-being of the private forest community. I believe that these principles should supplement public policies grounded in reasonable and sound forest management that will support and improve climate mitigation well into the future.”

– Scott Griffin, President and CEO, Superior Pine Products Company

“Signing on to the CEO Principles was an easy choice for The Forestland Group. For over 25 years, our company has been managing natural forests to mitigate climate change, drive positive ecological impacts, support rural economic resilience, and maximize financial returns for investors. We look forward to building on this legacy alongside NAFO and other signatories to the CEO Principles.”

– Blake Stansell, CEO, The Forestland Group, LLC

“We are signing on because we believe the need to address climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and all businesses have a responsibility to look for solutions. Our role is to understand the science pertaining to the role of forests, forest management, and forest products in mitigating climate change, then to participate in the design of regulations and market based solutions that will enable our businesses to contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.”

– James Hourdequin, CEO, The Lyme Timber Company LP

“Westervelt is proud to be a part of this important dialogue within the forest business and conservation sectors. We believe conservation, sustainably managed working forests and forest products are essential in a natural climate solution to capture the benefits of carbon storage and mitigate the effects of climate change.”

– Brian Luoma, President and CEO, The Westervelt Company

“We are proud of the critical role our timberlands play in addressing climate change. Our job as a private timberland steward is to sustainably manage the resource to yield a continuous supply of timber for durable wood products while ensuring that the forest is healthy and resilient. Our lands produce a stream of benefits beyond timber, including: clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and carbon benefits. We have partnered with conservation groups who recognize the value of the benefits that our lands provide. By acknowledging these values, these partnerships enable us to continue managing these lands as forests, ensuring a continuous benefit stream. The NAFO climate solution principles recognize the carbon potential of private timberlands and will help ensure that these lands play a critical role in mitigating climate change.”

– Steve Killgore, CEO, Timber Products Company

“Slowing, mitigating, and eventually reversing the impacts of climate change will require collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for how the problem can be addressed. The private working forests upon which we and others practice sustainable forestry plays an important role in helping us remove carbon from the atmosphere. In addition, our ability to use the timber produced in these forests to store more atmospheric carbon in long-lived, durable products, like Mass Timber, can unquestionably make an impact in the fight against global warming. A deeper and more engaged commitment to cooperative problem solving among members of the corporate, investment, government, and non-profit sectors is the key to developing the public policy frameworks and markets necessary for these things to happen. That is why we at Timberland Investment Resources, LLC have chosen to become a signatory to the CEO Principles.”

– Tom Johnson, Managing Director, Timberland Investment Resources, LLC

“Our forests play a critically important role as a natural climate solution, but we know addressing the significant challenges of climate change will require collaboration with a broad coalition of partners. These principles represent an important first step in bringing together industry and environmental groups around a shared commitment to climate action. We look forward to working with this coalition to advocate together for effective climate policies in the future.”

– Devin Stockfish, President and CEO, Weyerhaeuser

CONTACT: KATE GATTO,  NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF FOREST OWNERS
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ICL Reports Resilient Third Quarter 2020 Results

PR Newswire

TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — ICL (NYSE: ICL) (TASE: ICL), a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Highlights for the Third Quarter of 2020

  • Sales of $1.20 billion, unchanged compared to the previous quarter and 9% lower than the third quarter of 2019.
  • Implementation of efficiency plans on track, including in the potash and phosphate operations.
  • Operating income of $100 million and adjusted operating income of $106 million, a decrease of 50% and 47%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA of $226 million, a decrease of 26% compared to the third quarter of 2019.
  • Continued strong cash generation, with operating cash flow of $203 million, increasing by $26 million compared to the previous quarter, and free cash flow of $60 million.
  • Achieved record nine-month potash production at the Dead Sea, offsetting the impact of the early closure of the Villafruns mine at ICL Iberia.
  • Continued focus on growing specialty business reflected in a record $34 million operating income from phosphate specialties, a 13% increase compared to the third quarter of 2019.
  • Third consecutive quarter of improved year-over-year results for the Innovative Ag Solutions (IAS) division, driven by strong sales volumes and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Strong liquidity position of approximately $1.25 billion, including cash, deposits and unutilized credit facilities.
  • Declared a quarterly dividend of $29 million, in line with ICL’s balanced approach to capital allocation.
  • As part of the Company’s strategy to grow its crop nutrition businesses organically and through M&A, subsequent to the end of the quarter, ICL agreed to acquire Fertiláqua, a leading Brazilian specialty plant nutrition company, providing ICL a strong foothold in a market where demand growth for specialty plant nutrition products is rapidly increasing.

ICL’s
 
President
 
&
 
CEO,
 
Raviv
 
Zoller,
 stated “ICL’s ability to execute on strategic priorities is reflected in our consistent delivery of positive results in all operating segments, as well as continuous solid cash generation, while commodity prices remain at cyclically low levels and dislocations persist in many of our end markets.  The diversity and breadth of our products, as well as our continued cost efficiency initiatives, partly offset the impact of COVID-19 and lower commodity prices in the third quarter of 2020. Despite these ongoing challenges, we remain focused on important growth initiatives across our segments, as we announced in our recent capital markets day, and are pleased with the progress we are making.  ICL’s strong financial position and balanced capital priorities will help us navigate through the current global market challenges and position ICL to execute on timely opportunities, as we have demonstrated with our recently announced agreement to acquire Fertiláqua, one of Brazil’s leading specialty plant nutrition companies.  This acquisition will unlock immediate synergies for distribution in Brazil and further expands ICL’s product portfolio with higher margin products, and we intend to continue executing on our specialty businesses’ growth strategy, both organically and inorganically. Although COVID-19 may continue to impact our results in the near term, we are very well-positioned for the future. As conditions begin to normalize, which we expect to occur during 2021, we will see further benefits from our strategic efficiency plans, which were accelerated by COVID-19 and implemented across all of our business segments and will result in annualized savings of about $50 million, driving margin expansion and cash flow generation.”

Results for the third quarter of 2020 were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decline in industrial activity and crude oil production, as well as continued lower prices of commodity fertilizers, which impacted sales and operating income.  Notwithstanding the market environment, ICL maintained profitability in each of its operating segments due to its diverse business mix, the impact of cost efficiency initiatives and ICL’s ongoing focus on increasing its specialties businesses.  In the Phosphate Solutions segment, operating income from phosphate specialties increased by 13% compared to the third quarter of 2019, reaching a record level.  The recent increase in phosphate commodity market prices and an optimized geographical sales mix, as well as record operating profits from the YPH JV in China, decreased the operating loss from phosphate commodities by $16 million compared to the prior quarter. In the Potash segment, total production from ICL Dead Sea reached a record level for the first nine months of the year, offsetting decreased production from ICL Iberia and positively contributing to the segment’s results. Our Industrial Products segment was impacted by lower sales volumes of bromine-based flame retardants due the impact of COVID-19 on global industrial activity and by lower demand for clear brine fluids due to lower oil and gas drilling activity. Demand in certain end markets, including building and construction and electronics manufacturing began to recover towards the end of the third quarter of 2020. The IAS segment reported its third consecutive quarterly year-over-year increase in operating income, due to higher sales volumes, lower costs of raw materials and the continuous implementation of efficiency and cost reduction initiatives.

Financial Figures and Non-GAAP Financial Measures



7-9/2020



7-9/2019


1-9/2020


1-9/2019


1-12/2019


$


millions


% of


sales


$


millions


% of


sales


$


millions


% of


sales


$


millions


% of


sales


$


millions


% of


sales

Sales


1,204



1,325


3,726



4,165

5,271

Gross profit


365


30

472

36


1,085


29

1,481

36

1,817

34

Operating income


100


8

201

15


63


2

668

16

756

14

Adjusted operating
income (1)


106


9

201

15


366


10

672

16

760

14

Net income (loss) –
shareholders of the
Company


54


4

130

10


(54)


(1)

427

10

475

9

Adjusted net income –
shareholders of the
Company (1)


58


5

130

10


190


5

431

10

479

9

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars)


0.04



0.10


(0.04)



0.33

0.37

Diluted adjusted earnings per share (in dollars) (2)


0.05



0.10


0.15



0.34

0.37

Adjusted EBITDA (2)


226


19

307

23


722


19

997

24

1,198

23

Cash flows from operating activities


203



368


546



780

992

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (3)


143



147


443



419

576

(1)  See “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)” below. 

(2)  See “Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share for the periods of activity” below.

(3)  See “Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (unaudited)” to the accompanying financial statements.

ConsolidatedResults Analysis


Results analysis for the period July – September 2020


Sales


Expenses


Operating
income


$ millions


Q3 2019 figures


1,325


(1,124)


201

Total adjustments Q3 2019*


Adjusted Q3 2019 figures


1,325


(1,124)


201

Quantity

(50)

29

(21)

Price

(92)

(92)

Exchange rates

21

(21)

Raw materials

18

18

Energy

(2)

(2)

Transportation

5

5

Operating and other expenses

(3)

(3)


Adjusted Q3 2020 figures


1,204


(1,098)


106

Total adjustments Q3 2020*

(6)

(6)


Q3 2020 figures


1,204


(1,104)


100

* See “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)”.

  • Quantity – The negative impact on operating income was primarily related to a decrease in the quantities sold of bromine-based industrial solutions, mainly clear brine fluids and elemental bromine, as well as bromine–based flame retardants, mainly due to a decrease in global demand related to the COVID–19 pandemic. This was partly offset by improved potash site mix, as well as higher sales volumes of phosphate fertilizers, specialty fertilizers and dairy proteins.
  • Price – The negative impact on operating income was primarily related to a $64 decrease in the average realized price per tonne of potash, compared to the same quarter last year, and a decrease in the selling prices of phosphate commodities products.
  • Exchange rates – The appreciation of the average exchange rate of the euro against the dollar, which contributed to revenue more than it increased operational costs and the devaluation of the average exchange rate of the Brazilian real against the dollar, which contributed to operational cost-savings, were fully offset by the appreciation of the average exchange rate of the Israeli shekel, which increased operational costs.
  • Raw materials – The positive impact of raw material prices on operating income was primarily related to lower prices of sulphur consumed during the quarter, as well as a decrease in the prices of various raw materials used for products of the Innovative Ag Solutions segment.
  • Transportation – The positive impact on operating income was primarily related to a decrease in marine transportation costs.
  • Operating and other expenses – The negative impact on operating income was primarily related to higher operating costs, mainly due to decreased production in Spain and costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Financing expenses, net

Net financing expenses in the third quarter of 2020 amounted to $29 million, compared to $32 million in the same quarter last year – a decrease of $3 million, mainly related to lower interest expenses due to our ability to reduce the average interest rate we pay on our debt.

Tax expenses

Tax expenses in the third quarter of 2020 and 2019 amounted to $14 million and $35 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of about 19% and 21%, respectively. The Company’s lower effective tax rate in the current quarter is mainly due to utilization of prior-year tax losses in China.

IMPACT OF COVID-19

In order to manage rapidly evolving conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to enable an immediate response to new and frequently changing health and safety requirements, a special COVID-19 response team was established. Directed by the senior management of the Company, the team is responsible for the constant monitoring of new guidelines and instructions issued by global and local health organizations, daily monitoring of operations across the Company’s facilities, quick implementation of necessary adjustments to our operations, management of internal communications to inform our employees on a regular basis, and support our employees to adapt to this challenging environment.

During the first nine months of 2020, most of our manufacturing facilities in Israel and around the world continued to operate undisturbed and have been deemed to be essential businesses by most of the relevant local government authorities. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on our business performance during the first nine months of the year, as revenues decreased, primarily due to lower demand for some of our Industrial Products segment products such as clear brine fluids, as a result of a significant decline in oil prices and demand, and certain flame retardants, due to lower activity in the automotive and electronics industries. In addition, our operating results were negatively impacted, primarily due to lower production in Europe and other operational costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, these were partially mitigated by efficiency initiatives and measures implemented by the Company.

As the ultimate impact of the pandemic on the global economy remains unclear at this stage, we anticipate that it will have a continuing impact on our results for the next few quarters, including but not limited to, affecting our revenues and operating income due to the decline in global demand in the end markets for some of our products, as well as health and safety restrictions and measures affecting our operations. 

As of the end of September 2020, the Company had approximately $1.25 billion in cash, deposits and unutilized credit facilities.

Segment Information

Industrial Products

The Industrial Products segment produces bromine out of a highly concentrated solution in the Dead Sea, as well as bromine–based compounds at its facilities in Israel, the Netherlands and China. In addition, the segment produces salts, magnesium chloride, magnesia-based products, phosphorusbased flame retardants and functional fluids.

Segment sales and operating income in the third quarter of 2020 decreased by 20% and 43% year–over-year, respectively, due to lower sales volumes, slightly offset by a positive price contribution. Lower demand for elemental bromine, clear brine fluids and bromine-based flame retardants, resulting from the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global industrial activity and demand for oil and gas, was partly offset by higher sales volumes of phosphorus–based flame retardants. The moderate recovery in demand for certain flame retardants for the building and construction and electronics industries in the fourth quarter of 2020 could partially mitigate the usual seasonal fourth quarter pattern.

Significant highlights and business environment

  • Market prices of elemental bromine in China gradually increased during the third quarter of 2020 to a U.S. dollar 12-month high. The increase was due to a combination of higher resource taxes imposed by the Chinese government, relatively lower bromine production by several producers and a favorable impact of the appreciation of the Chinese yuan against the dollar. The positive pricing momentum has so far continued into the fourth quarter.
  • Sales of elemental bromine decreased compared to the third quarter of 2019 due to lower demand as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic.
  • Global demand for bromine-based flame retardants softened during the third quarter of 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. ICL’s sales of bromine-based flame retardants decreased compared to the third quarter of 2019, mainly due to lower demand for printed circuit boards, electronics and textile. This was partly offset by higher demand, both sequentially and compared to the third quarter of 2019, for bromine-based flame retardants to the building and construction industry.
  • The sharp decline in demand for oil and gas for transportation and industry, caused by the COVID–19 pandemic, led to a decline in drilling activities and resulted in a significant decrease in demand and sales of clear brine fluids compared to the third quarter of 2019.
  • Phosphorus-based flame retardants sales were higher year-over-year and sequentially. This is mainly due to higher demand from the building and construction industry in Europe and the US, which coincided with supply constraints from Chinese producers, as Chinese regulatory authorities required the shutdown and potential relocation of several production facilities located in high-density populated areas.
  • Sales of specialty minerals decreased as strong performance of the magnesia and calcium businesses, supported by high demand for food supplements and pharmaceuticals markets was more than offset, primarily by weaker pre-season sales of MgCl for de-icing.
  • The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Industrial Products segment is expected to continue through the fourth quarter of 2020 and to result in lower demand for clear brine fluids and certain brominated flame retardants for the automotive industry. At the same time, a gradual recovery in the demand for certain flame retardants for the building and construction and electronics industries, could partly offset the overall negative impact.
  • In September 2020, a new collective labor agreement was signed between the Company’s subsidiary, Bromine Compounds Ltd. and the Bromine Compounds workers’ union, in effect until April 2025. The main terms of the agreement include, among other things, salary increases for employees to whom it applies, a retirement plan for permanent employees and a reduction of FTE’s.



Results of Operations



7-9/2020



7-9/2019


$ millions


$ millions


Segment Sales


270

339

   Sales to external customers


267

337

   Sales to internal customers


3

2

Segment profit


50

88

Depreciation and Amortization


19

17

Capital expenditures*


16

26

* For information regarding the effect of IFRS 16 implementation on 2019 capital expenditures, see “Note 3 – Operating segments” of the financial statements.



Results analysis for the period July – September 2020


Sales


Expenses


Operating
income


$ millions


Q3 2019 figures


339


(251)


88

Quantity

(76)

31

(45)

Price

3

3

Exchange rates

4

(6)

(2)

Raw materials

1

1

Energy

1

1

Transportation

Operating and other expenses

4

4


Q3 2020 figures


270


(220)


50

Potash

The Potash segment produces and sells mainly potash, using an evaporation process to extract potash from the Dead Sea in Israel and conventional mining from an underground mine in Spain. The segment also produces Polysulphate® in its Boulby mine in the UK and magnesium in the Dead Sea in Israel. In addition, the segment sells salt produced in its facilities, and has a power plant in Sodom, which supplies electricity to ICL’s companies in Israel (electricity surplus is sold to external customers) and steam to all facilities in the Sodom site.

The Potash segment’s sales and operating income decreased in the third quarter of 2020 by 17% and 66%, respectively, compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Business performance was primarily impacted by a $64 decrease in the average potash realized price per tonne, mainly due to higher sales volumes to India and China at low contract prices, and higher operating costs, mainly due to decreased production in Spain and costs related to COVID-19. As of the date of the report, production sites are operating as planned, with ICL Dead Sea reaching a record high production level for the first nine months of the year, and we do not expect a very significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic on the segment’s results in the fourth quarter of 2020, although the full effect of the pandemic on our operations is uncertain and difficult to assess or predict.





Highlights and business environment

  • Toward the end of the third quarter, potash price sentiment improved, mainly in Brazil, where prices were quoted at higher levels compared to the second quarter, supported by favorable exchange rate, supply concerns from Belarus and solid demand despite seasonality challenges. Prices in Southeast Asia also increased due to higher prices of Crude Palm Oil (CPO). However, in other spot markets, mainly in Europe, prices decreased due to high availability. For additional information on potash prices and imports to key markets, see ‘Global potash market – average prices and imports’ in the appendix. 
  • Following ICL’s Dead Sea facilities upgrade in the fourth quarter of 2019, ICL Dead Sea reached record production for the first nine months of the year, despite the operational challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The closure of the Sallent potash site (Vilafruns mine) toward the end of the second quarter of 2020, in accordance with ICL’s strategic decision to concentrate its production in the Suria site (Cabanasses mine), will allow the Company to speed up development in Suria, and to improve its cost per tonne in future periods. However, for the short term, we are incurring certain costs related to the site closure and higher operating costs due to the overall decreased production in Spain, which are expected to continue during the fourth quarter.
  • Production of Polysulphate® increased by 10% to 191 thousand tonnes in the third quarter of 2020, and sales volumes increased by 49% to 113 thousand tonnes compared to the third quarter of 2019.
  • Global end market demand for magnesium started to show initial signs of recovery in the third quarter of 2020, mainly due to a gradual restart of the automotive sector and strong demand from the aluminum packaging industry. However, this positive trend was partly offset by continued decreased demand in the aerospace and other aluminum sectors, along with high levels of inventory among both producers and consumers.
  • The segment is implementing efficiency initiatives, including early retirement of Dead Sea Magnesium employees. See Note 4 to the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at September 30, 2020. 



Results of Operations


7-9/2020


7-9/2019


$ millions


$ millions


Segment sales


313

376

   Potash sales to external customers


224

280

   Potash sales to internal customers


20

26

   Other and eliminations*


69

70

Gross profit


115

176

Segment profit


28

83

Depreciation and Amortization


42

37

Capital expenditures**


76

93

Average realized price (in $)***


220

284

*     Primarily includes salt produced in underground mines in the UK and Spain, Polysulphate® and Polysulphate®-based products, magnesium-based products and sales of excess electricity produced by our power plants in Israel.

**   For information regarding the effect of IFRS 16 implementation on 2019 capital expenditures, see “Note 3 – Operating segments” of the accompanying Financial Statements.

*** Potash average realized price (dollar per tonne) is calculated by dividing total potash revenue by total sales quantities. The difference between FOB price and average realized price is primarily due to marine transportation costs.


Potash – Production and Sales


Thousands of tonnes


7-9/2020


7-9/2019

Production


1,064

1,050

Total sales (including internal sales)


1,111

1,079

Closing inventory


401

355


Results analysis for the period July – September 2020




Sales


Expenses


Operating
income


$ millions


Q3 2019 figures


376


(293)


83

Quantity

(1)

18

17

Price

(66)

(66)

Exchange rates

4

(5)

(1)

Energy

(2)

(2)

Transportation

4

4

Operating and other expenses

(7)

(7)


Q3 2020 figures


313


(285)


28

Phosphate Solutions

The Phosphate Solutions segment operates ICL’s phosphate value chain, using phosphate rock and fertilizer-grade phosphoric acid to produce phosphate-based specialty products with higher added value, as well as to produce and sell phosphate-based fertilizers.

The segment’s sales were stable, while operating income decreased by 13%, year–over–year, mainly due to lower phosphate commodity market prices, which started to gradually recover during the third quarter, partly offset by lower raw materials prices and efficiency initiatives. Strong phosphate specialties performance, despite global challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing positive operating income of the YPH JV in China and a recovery in phosphate commodity prices resulted in a significant sequential improvement in operating income. Fourth quarter results for both the commodities and the specialties phosphate businesses are expected to decrease, compared to the current quarter, due to the usual seasonal pattern.

Phosphate specialties sales of $295 million and operating income of $34 million in the third quarter of 2020 were approximately 2% and 13% higher, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2019. The increase in operating income was driven mainly by strong volumes, lower costs and a positive exchange rates impacts.

Sales of phosphate commodities amounted to $211 million, approximately 3% lower than the third quarter of 2019, mostly due to significantly lower market prices which was partly offset by higher sales volumes and favorable exchange rates. Operating loss of $6 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to operating income of $2 million in the third quarter of 2019, is attributed to a decrease in prices, partly offset by lower raw materials costs and higher sales volumes, mainly to Asia and North America.

Highlights and business environment

  • Revenues of phosphate salts in the third quarter of 2020 were stable year-over-year. Higher sales volumes of food grade phosphates were partly offset by a decrease in sales volumes of industrial salts. The positive trend in food grade phosphates was driven by strong sales volumes in South America and Europe, which were partly related to a shift of sales from the food service sector to the retail sector, including supermarkets, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The decrease in sales of industrial salts, mainly in Europe and North America, was the result of slowdowns in various key industries and was partly offset by increased sales volumes to the dental hygiene industry in China. 
  • White phosphoric acid (WPA) revenues in the third quarter of 2020 increased slightly year–over-year. Revenues in China increased, despite seasonal slowdown and general weakness in the industrial market. Revenues in Europe and North America remained stable. Revenues in South America decreased compared to the third quarter of 2019, due to lower sales volumes to key industrial markets, though volumes improved sequentially. Market prices for food grade WPA decreased modestly in Europe, North and South America due to a competitive business environment. 
  • Dairy protein revenues in the third quarter of 2020 were significantly higher compared to the third quarter of 2019, mainly due to strong sales of the new goat milk powders business and organic cow products. ICL continues to focus on expanding its global leadership position in the organic cow and goat ingredients market for high end applications. 
  • Phosphate fertilizers prices recovered significantly across most markets during the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter. Prices increased due to tightened supply by major manufacturers in China, Morocco and Russia. The US market registered the sharpest price increases, mainly at the beginning of the third quarter, following the petition by Mosaic (US) to the US International Trade Commission (ITC) and to the US Department of Commerce (DoC) to impose countervailing duties on phosphate imports from Morocco and Russia. Following the DoC decision to postpone its preliminary decision from September to November 2020 and toward the seasonal demand slowdown, price increases in the US began to ease during the second half of the third quarter and shifted to eastern markets, mainly to India. Prices also increased in Brazil, supported by an increase in soybean prices and a favorable exchange rate. For additional information on phosphate prices, see ‘Global phosphate commodities market – average prices’ in the appendix.
  • OCP (Morocco) concluded its phosphoric acid supply contracts to India for the fourth quarter of 2020 at $689/tonne (CFR 100% P2O5), a $64/tonne increase compared to the previous quarter. The accumulated price increase of $99/tonne since the first quarter of 2020 reflects the positive global sentiment in the phosphate commodity market. A similar price increase was reported in OCP’s phosphoric acid supply contracts in Brazil and in Europe. 
  • The normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates has opened up commercial and economic opportunities for both countries. ICL signed its first contract to buy 35 thousand tonnes of sulphur from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, in order to add a supply source for the purchase of Sulphur and to leverage its relatively low transportation costs compared to deliveries from Russia, Canada or Kazakhstan. 


Results of Operations



7-9/2020



7-9/2019


$ millions


$ millions


Segment Sales


506


508

   Sales to external customers


488

491

   Sales to internal customers


18

17

Segment profit


28

32

Depreciation and Amortization


55

44

Capital expenditures*


56

51

* For information regarding the effect of IFRS 16 implementation on 2019 capital expenditures, see “Note 3 – Operating segments” of the financial statements.


Results analysis for the period July – September 2020


Sales


Expenses


Operating
income


$ millions


Q3 2019 figures


508


(476)


32

Quantity

16

(14)

2

Price

(30)

(30)

Exchange rates

12

(9)

3

Raw materials

16

16

Energy

Transportation

1

1

Operating and other expenses

4

4


Q3 2020 figures


506


(478)


28

Innovative Ag Solutions

The Innovative Ag Solutions (IAS) segment develops, manufactures, markets and sells specialty fertilizers based primarily on nitrogen, potash and phosphate. The segment produces water soluble specialty fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, soluble fertilizers and controlled–release fertilizers in its plants in Israel, Europe, China and the United States. The segment markets its products worldwide, mainly in Europe, Asia, North America, Brazil and Israel.

Sales in the third quarter of 2020 increased by 8% year-over-year, driven by higher sales volumes of both specialty agriculture and turf and ornamental products, mainly in Europe and North America, as well as favorable exchange rates, partly offset by lower prices. Operating income amounted to $6 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared to an operating loss of $2 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to lower cost of raw materials, higher sales volumes and cost-saving initiatives. Fourth quarter results are expected to follow the usual seasonal pattern.

Highlights and business environment

  • The segment reported its third consecutive quarterly year-over-year increase in operating income. The increase in operating income in the third quarter of 2020 is mainly attributed to higher sales volumes, lower costs of raw materials and the continuous implementation of efficiency and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Sales to the specialty agriculture market increased compared to the corresponding quarter last year,mainly due to increased demand for straight fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers products, as well as the positive impact of exchange rates. Sales of Liquid NPK fertilizers in Israel were higher year-over-year due to a delay in the main fertigation season. Higher sales were also recorded in the chemicals business.
  • Sales of specialty agriculture products continued to increase in fast-growing emerging markets such as India and Turkey.
  • Following the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter of 2020, sales to the Turf and Ornamental (T&O) markets started to recover and increased compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The increase in sales was mainly due to strong demand in the turf and landscape markets, which were supported by favorable early Autumn conditions, higher demand for fungicides and the re-opening of sports fields and golf courses.
  • Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Agro Fertiláqua Participações S.A. (“Fertiláqua”), one of Brazil’s leading specialty plant nutrition companies, for a consideration of approximately $120 million. For more information, see “Other Information” in the accompanying third quarter financial reports.


Results of Operations



7-9/2020



7-9/2019


$ millions


$ millions


Segment Sales


173

160

   Sales to external customers


168

156

   Sales to internal customers


5

4

Segment profit


6

(2)

Depreciation and Amortization


7

5

Capital expenditures*


4

5

* For information regarding the effect of IFRS 16 implementation on 2019 capital expenditures, see “Note 3 – Operating segments” of the financial statements.


Results analysis for the period July – September 2020


Sales


Expenses


Operating
income


$ millions


Q3 2019 figures


160


(162)


(2)

Quantity

13

(9)

4

Price

(4)

(4)

Exchange rates

4

(4)

Raw materials

6

6

Energy

Transportation

Operating and other expenses

2

2


Q3 2020 figures


173


(167)


6

Dividend Distribution

In connection with ICL’s third quarter 2020 results, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 2.3 cents per share, or approximately $29 million in the aggregate. The dividend will be paid on December 16, 2020. The record date is December 2, 2020.

About ICL

ICL Group Ltd. is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company that creates impactful solutions for humanity’s sustainability challenges in global food, agriculture, and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its passionate team of talented employees, and its strong focus on R&D and technological innovation to drive growth across its end markets.  ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The Company employs over 11,000 people worldwide, and its 2019 revenues totaled approximately $5.3 billion.

For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.icl-group.com[1].

ICL makes its financial results easily accessible to investors through an interactive data tool available in the ‘Investors’ section of the Company’s website. The Interactive Analyst Center will provide the company’s historical financial, operational and ESG data in the context of an easy-to-access online web platform.   Data drills/views are customizable based on time periods and various parameters. The information is available for download at any time.  To access the Interactive Data Tool, click here.

To access ICL’s interactive Corporate Social Responsibility Report, please click here.

You can also learn more about ICL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Appendix:

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(In millions except per share data)


For the three-month


period ended


For the nine-month


period ended


For the year ended


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


December 31, 2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions

Sales


1,204

1,325


3,726

4,165

5,271

Cost of sales


839

853


2,641

2,684

3,454


Gross profit


365

472


1,085

1,481

1,817

Selling, transport and marketing expenses


191

199


562

590

767

General and administrative expenses


55

62


175

190

254

Research and development expenses


13

13


37

38

50

Other expenses


6

2


252

23

30

Other income



(5)


(4)

(28)

(40)


Operating income


100

201


63

668

756

Finance expenses


52

67


130

195

220

Finance income


(23)

(35)


(18)

(91)

(91)


Finance expenses, net


29

32


112

104

129

Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees


2


4

1

1


Income (loss) before income taxes


73

169


(45)

565

628

Provision for income taxes


14

35


1

132

147


Net income (loss)


59

134


(46)

433

481

Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests


5

4


8

6

6


Net income (loss) attributable to the
shareholders of the Company


54

130


(54)

427

475


Earnings (loss) per share attributable to the shareholders of the Company:

Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars)


0.04

0.10


(0.04)

0.33

0.37

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars)


0.04

0.10


(0.04)

0.33

0.37


Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding:

Basic (in thousands)


1,280,179

1,280,586


1,279,964

1,279,146

1,278,950

Diluted (in thousands)


1,280,403

1,283,675


1,280,190

1,283,401

1,282,056

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at (Unaudited)


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


December 31, 2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents


216

96

95

Short-term investments and deposits


98

91

96

Trade receivables


813

979

778

Inventories


1,233

1,205

1,312

Other receivables


388

324

403


Total current assets


2,748

2,695

2,684


Non-current assets

Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income


73

144

111

Deferred tax assets


121

97

109

Property, plant and equipment


5,368

5,068

5,331

Intangible assets


645

641

652

Other non-current assets


311

468

286


Total non-current assets


6,518

6,418

6,489


Total assets


9,266

9,113

9,173


Current liabilities

Short-term credit


614

476

420

Trade payables


669

691

712

Provisions


51

34

42

Other current liabilities


633

578

587


Total current liabilities


1,967

1,779

1,761


Non-current liabilities

Long-term debt and debentures


2,125

2,101

2,181

Deferred tax liabilities


307

357

341

Long-term employee liabilities


602

576

575

Provisions


268

221

202

Other non-current liabilities


57

45

52


Total non-current liabilities


3,359

3,300

3,351


Total liabilities


5,326

5,079

5,112


Equity

Total shareholders’ equity


3,791

3,901

3,925

Non-controlling interests


149

133

136


Total equity


3,940

4,034

4,061


Total liabilities and equity


9,266

9,113

9,173

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


For the three-month period ended


For the nine-month period ended


For the year ended


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


December 31, 2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)


59

134


(46)

433

481

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortization and impairment of fixed assets 


82

110


450

320

433

Exchange rate and interest expenses, net


(7)

68


56

146

153

Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees


(2)


(4)

(1)

(1)

Loss from divestiture of businesses




4

Capital loss (gain)




1

(12)

(12)

Share-based compensation


2

3


7

9

12

Deferred tax expenses (income)



14


(42)

90

67


75

195


472

552

652

Change in inventories


(10)

(26)


52

(72)

Change in trade receivables


33

70


(42)

(11)

199

Change in trade payables


(55)

27


12

(9)

(58)

Change in other receivables


28

(15)


14

(4)

5

Change in other payables


35

(19)


(41)

(184)

(194)

Change in provisions and employee benefits


38

2


125

3

(21)


Net change in operating assets and liabilities


69

39


120

(205)

(141)


Net cash provided by operating activities


203

368


546

780

992


Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds (investments) in deposits, net


(1)

(7)


28

4

(2)

Business combinations, net of cash acquired




(27)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets


(143)

(147)


(443)

(419)

(576)

Proceeds from divestiture of businesses net of transaction expenses




17

Dividends from equity-accounted investees




3

1

3

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment



1


2

36

50


Net cash used in investing activities


(144)

(153)


(420)

(378)

(525)


Cash flows from financing activities

Dividends paid to the Company’s shareholders


(35)

(73)


(88)

(209)

(273)

Payments from transactions in derivatives used for hedging


(2)


(4)

Receipt of long-term debt


182

50


1,059

457

657

Payments of long-term debt


(375)

(138)


(926)

(550)

(689)

Receipts (payments) of short-term credit from banks and others, net


61

(90)


(47)

(120)

(183)

Other



(2)



(2)

(2)


Net cash used in financing activities


(169)

(253)


(6)

(424)

(490)


Net change in cash and cash equivalents


(110)

(38)


120

(22)

(23)

Cash and cash equivalents as at the beginning of the period


323

137


95

121

121

Net effect of currency translation on cash and cash equivalents


3

(3)


1

(3)

(3)


Cash and cash equivalents as at the end of the period


216

96


216

96

95

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (cont’d)

Additional Information


For the three-month period ended


For the nine-month period ended


For the year ended


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


September 30, 2020


September 30, 2019


December 31, 2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions

Income taxes paid (received), net of refunds


(13)

20


11

78

120

Interest paid


19

17


75

77

115

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

We disclose in this Press Release non-IFRS financial measures titled adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA. Our management uses adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. We calculate our adjusted operating income by adjusting our operating income to add certain items, as set forth in the reconciliation table under “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)”
below
. Certain of these items may recur. We calculate our adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders by adjusting our net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders to add certain items, as set forth in the reconciliation table under “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)” below, excluding the total tax impact of such adjustments and adjustments attributable to the non-controlling interests. We calculate our diluted adjusted earnings per share by dividing adjusted net income by the weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding. We calculate our adjusted EBITDA by adding back to the net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders the depreciation and amortization, financing expenses, net, taxes on income and the items presented in the reconciliation table under “Consolidated adjusted EBITDA and diluted adjusted Earnings Per Share for the periods of activity (non-GAAP)” below which were adjusted for in calculating the adjusted operating income and adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders. Other companies may calculate similarly titled non–IFRS financial measures differently than the Company. 

You should not view adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share or adjusted EBITDA as a substitute for operating income or net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders determined in accordance with IFRS, and you should note that our definitions of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA may differ from those used by other companies. Additionally, o
ther companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, which may reduce the usefulness of our non-IFRS financial measures
 as tools for comparison. However, we believe adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders, diluted adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operations. Our management uses these non-IFRS measures to evaluate the Company’s business strategies and management’s performance. We believe that these non–IFRS measures provide useful information to investors because they improve the comparability of our financial results between periods and provide for greater transparency of key measures used to evaluate our performance.




We present a discussion in the period-to-period comparisons of the primary drivers of change in the Company’s results of operations. This discussion is based in part on management’s best estimates of the impact of the main trends on its businesses. We have based the following discussion on our financial statements. You should read such discussion together with our financial statements.


Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)


7-9/2020


7-9/2019


1-9/2020


1-9/2019


1-12/2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


Operating income (loss)


100

201


63

668

756

Impairment of assets, provision for site closure and restoration costs (1)


6


225

(10)

(3)

Provision for early retirement (2)




78

Provision for legal proceedings (3)





14

7


Total adjustments to operating income


6


303

4

4


Adjusted operating income


106

201


366

672

760


Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company


54

130


(54)

427

475

Total adjustments to operating income


6


303

4

4

Total tax impact of the above operating income


(2)


(59)


Total adjusted net income – shareholders of the Company


58

130


190

431

479

 

  1. For 2020, this reflects an impairment and write-off of certain assets in Israel (Rotem Amfert Israel), related to continued low phosphate prices and the Company’s plan to discontinue unprofitable phosphate rock production and sale, which also resulted in an increase in the provision for assets retirement obligation (ARO) as well as an increase in facilities restoration costs. Also reflects an impairment of assets and an increase in the Sallent site (Vilafruns) closure costs in Spain (ICL Iberia). For 2019, this represents a partial reversal of an impairment loss related to assets in Germany – due to an agreement for the sale of assets – which was incurred in 2015, partly offset by an increase in the provision for the Sallent site closure costs, together with an increase in the provision for the removal of prior periods waste in bromine production facilities in Israel.
  2. For 2020, this reflects an increase in the provision related to headcount reduction, which was implemented as part of the Company’s efficiency initiatives and measures, primarily through an early retirement plan for the Israeli production facilities (Rotem Amfert Israel, Bromine Compounds and Dead Sea Magnesium).
  3. For 2019, this reflects an increase in the provision for the finalization of the royalties’ arbitration in Israel related to prior periods, which was partly offset by a decrease in the provision related to legal claims in Spain.

For more information, see Note 4 to the Company’s condensed consolidated interim financial statements as at September 30, 2020.

Consolidated adjusted EBITDA and diluted adjusted Earnings Per Share for the periods of activity

Calculation of adjusted EBITDA was made as follows:


7-9/2020


7-9/2019


1-9/2020


1-9/2019


1-12/2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions

Net income (loss) attributable to the shareholders of the Company


54

130


(54)

427

475

Depreciation and Amortization


123

110


360

330

443

Financing expenses, net


29

32


112

104

129

Taxes on income


14

35


1

132

147

Adjustments*


6


303

4

4


Total adjusted EBITDA


226

307


722

997

1,198

*    See “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)” above.

Calculation of diluted adjusted earnings per share was made as follows:


7-9/2020


7-9/2019


1-9/2020


1-9/2019


1-12/2019


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions


$ millions

Net income (loss) – shareholders of the Company


54

130


(54)

427

475

Adjustments*


6


303

4

4

Total tax impact of the above operating income & finance expenses adjustments


(2)


(59)

Adjusted net income – shareholders of the Company


58

130


190

431

479

Weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands)


1,280,403

1,283,675


1,280,190

1,283,401

1,282,056

Diluted adjusted earnings per share (in dollars)**


0.05

0.10


0.15

0.34

0.37

*    See “Adjustments to reported operating and net income (Non-GAAP)” above.

** The diluted adjusted earnings per share is calculated as follows: dividing the adjusted net income–shareholders of the Company by the weighted-average number of diluted ordinary shares outstanding (in thousands).

Global potash market – average prices and imports:


Average prices


Q3 2020


Q3 2019


VS


Q3 2019


Q2 2020


VS
Q2 2020

Granular potash – Brazil  

CFR spot

($ per tonne)


239

327

(27%)

222

8%

Granular potash – Northwest Europe  

CIF spot/contract

(€ per tonne)
 


241

280

(14%)

245

(2%)

Standard potash -Southeast Asia  

CFR spot

($ per tonne)


240

293

(18%)

243

(1%)


Potash imports  

To Brazil  

million tonnes  


3.3

3.4

(3%)

3.1

6%

To China  

million tonnes  


2.9

2.3

26%

1.7

71%

To India  

million tonnes  


1.5

1.0

50%

0.9

67%

Sources: CRU (Fertilizer Week Historical Price: October 2020), FAI, Brazil and Chinese customs data.

Global phosphate commodities market – average prices:


$ per tonne


Q3 2020


Q3 2019


VS


Q3 2019


Q2 2020


VS


Q2 2020

DAP

CFR India Spot


338

342

(1.2%)

316

7.0%

TSP

CFR Brazil Spot


246

306

(19.6%)

245

0.4%

SSP

CPT Brazil inland 18-20% P2O5 Spot


170

221

(23.1%)

173

(1.7%)

Sulphur

Bulk FOB Adnoc monthly contract


59

84

(29.8%)

60

(1.7%)

Source: CRU (Fertilizer Week Historical Prices, October 2020).

Operating Segments 


Industrial Products


Potash


Phosphate Solutions


Innovative Ag
Solutions


Other


Activities


Reconciliation


Consolidated


$ millions


For the three-month period ended September 30, 2020

Sales to external parties


267


274


488


168


7




1,204

Inter-segment sales


3


39


18


5


1


(66)



Total sales


270


313


506


173


8


(66)


1,204

Segment profit (loss)


50


28


28


6


(1)


(5)


106

Other expenses not allocated to the segments


(6)

Operating income


100

Financing expenses, net


(29)

Share in earnings of equity-accounted investees


2

Income before income taxes


73

Depreciation and amortization


19


42


55


7






123

Capital expenditures


16


76


56


4




6


158

 

Operating Segments (cont’d)


Industrial Products


Potash


Phosphate Solutions


Innovative Ag Solutions


Other


Activities


Reconciliation


Consolidated


$ millions


For the three-month period ended September 30, 2019

Sales to external parties

337

333

491

156

8

1,325

Inter-segment sales

2

43

17

4

2

(68)

Total sales

339

376

508

160

10

(68)

1,325

Segment profit (loss)

88

83

32

(2)

5

(5)

201

Other income not allocated to the segments

Operating income

201

Financing expenses, net

(32)

Income before income taxes

169

Depreciation, amortization and impairment

17

37

44

5

4

3

110

Implementation of IFRS 16

5

1

6

Capital expenditures

26

93

51

5

1

2

178

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This announcement contains statements that constitute “forward–looking statements”, many of which can be identified by the use of forward–looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “expect”, “should”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate” and “potential”, among others.

Forward–looking statements appear in a number of places in this announcement and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our intent, belief or current expectations. Forward–looking statements are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and the actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward–looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to


:

Loss or impairment of business licenses or mineral extractions permits or concessions; volatility of supply and demand and the impact of competition; the difference between actual reserves and our reserve estimates; natural disasters; failure to raise the water level in evaporation Pond 5 in the Dead Sea; construction of a new pumping station; disruptions at our seaport shipping facilities or regulatory restrictions affecting our ability to export our products overseas; general market, political or economic conditions in the countries in which we operate; price increases or shortages with respect to our principal raw materials; delays in the completion of major projects by third party contractors and/or termination of engagements with contractors and/or governmental obligations; the inflow of significant amounts of water into the Dead Sea could adversely affect production at our plants; labor disputes, slowdowns and strikes involving our employees; pension and health insurance liabilities; the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted, and may continue to impact our sales, operating results and business operations by disrupting our ability to purchase raw materials, by negatively impacting the demand and pricing for some of our products, by disrupting our ability to sell and/or distribute products, impacting customers’ ability to pay us for past or future purchases and/or temporarily closing our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers or customers and their contract manufacturers, or restricting our ability to travel to support our sites or our customers around the world; changes to governmental incentive programs or tax benefits, creation of new fiscal or tax related legislation; changes in our evaluations and estimates, which serve as a basis for the recognition and manner of measurement of assets and liabilities; higher tax liabilities; failure to integrate or realize expected benefits from mergers and acquisitions, organizational restructuring and joint ventures; currency rate fluctuations; rising interest rates; government examinations or investigations; disruption of our, or our service providers’, information technology systems or breaches of our, or our service providers’, data security; failure to retain and/or recruit key personnel; inability to realize expected benefits from our cost reduction program according to the expected timetable; inability to access capital markets on favorable terms; cyclicality of our businesses; changes in demand for our fertilizer products due to a decline in agricultural product prices, lack of available credit, weather conditions, government policies or other factors beyond our control; sales of our magnesium products being affected by various factors that are not within our control; our ability to secure approvals and permits from the authorities in Israel to continue our phosphate mining operations in Rotem; volatility or crises in the financial markets; uncertainties surrounding the proposed withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union; hazards inherent to mining and chemical manufacturing; the failure to ensure the safety of our workers and processes; cost of compliance with environmental legislative and licensing restrictions; laws, regulations and physical impacts of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions; litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings; exposure to third party and product liability claims; product recalls or other liability claims as a result of food safety and food-borne illness concerns; insufficiency of insurance coverage; closing of transactions, mergers and acquisitions; war or acts of terror and/or political, economic and military instability in Israel and its region; filing of class actions and derivative actions against the Company, its executives and Board members; and other risk factors discussed under “Item 3 – Key Information— D. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 5, 2020.

Forward–looking statements speak only as at the date they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

This press release for the third quarter of 2020 (hereinafter – “the Press Release”) should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report published by the Company on Form 20–F as at and for the year ended December 31, 2019 (hereinafter – the “Annual Report”), the report for the third quarter of 2020 (hereinafter – “the Quarterly Report”) and the report for the first quarter and second quarter of 2020 published by the Company (the “prior quarterly reports”), including the description of the events occurring subsequent to the date of the statement of financial position, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As part of the Press Release and Quarterly Report, the Company updated the disclosures provided in the Annual Report, to the extent there were material developments since the publication date of the Annual Report, on March 5, 2020 and the prior quarterly reports, on May 12, 2020 and July 29, 2020, and up to the publication date of the Quarterly Report.

[1] The reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference and the information on, or accessible through, our website is not intended to be part of this Form 6-K.

 


INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS


PRESS CONTACT


Peggy Reilly Tharp


Dudi Musler


Or-li Kasuto Madmon


VP, ICL Global Investor Relations


Director, Investor Relations


Scherf Communications


+1-314-983-7665


+972-3-684-4448


+972-52-4447750


[email protected]


[email protected]



[email protected]

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icl-reports-resilient-third-quarter-2020-results-301171627.html

SOURCE ICL

ASSA ABLOY´s divestiture of CEDES in Switzerland to capiton AG completed

– ASSA ABLOY has closed the sale of its sensor technology business CEDES in Switzerland to capiton AG.

PR Newswire

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — CEDES is a leading sensor technology company in the elevator and door industry. CEDES was established in 1986 and has some 320 employees. The company is headquartered in Landquart, Switzerland. Sales in 2019 amounted to about 51 MEUR.

The transaction will have a neutral effect on ASSA ABLOY’s operating margin.

The divestiture will be de-consolidated from ASSA ABLOY as of November 2020.
 

For more information, please contact:

Nico Delvaux, President and CEO
tel. no: +46 8 506 485 82
Erik Pieder, CFO and Executive Vice President
tel. no: +46 8 506 485 72 
Björn Tibell, Head of Investor Relation
tel. no: +46 70 275 67 68
 

 

About ASSA ABLOY

The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. The Group operates worldwide with 49,000 employees and sales of SEK 94 billion. The Group has leading positions in areas such as efficient door openings, trusted identities and entrance automation. ASSA ABLOY’s innovations enable safe, secure and convenient access to physical and digital places. Every day, we help billions of people experience a more open world.

 

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/assa-abloy/r/assa-abloy-s-divestiture-of-cedes-in-switzerland-to-capiton-ag-completed,c3235550

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SOURCE ASSA ABLOY

VAPORESSO Sponsored ‘Modfather Vapes’ East Lancashire Hospice Charity Night

PR Newswire

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — On Friday 30th Oct. 2020, an internationally renowned vaping brand, VAPORESSO, sponsored a charity auction night held by local vaping store, Modfather Vapes, in honor of East Lancashire Hospice. The event was held via livestream on the Modfather Vapes’ official Facebook page and featured a number of interesting challenges and an auctioning off of vaping equipment in order to raise money to provide care and financial support to people in need.

“The money raised for the hospice will go towards helping many people and their families. We are a company that prides itself on giving back to our community and we look forward to doing it again. We hope, in this way, we can help out those in need,” the owner of Modfather Vapes said.

According to the feedback received by the hosting team, the event was very well-received. People love to help others, and this was an ideal way for them to show their kindness whilst also receiving vaping devices at a discounted price. The live show lasted for 7 hours and was attended by more than 2,000 people who made over 2600+ comments. The event raised a significant amount of funds, which had been donated to the East Lancashire Hospice.

As the main event sponsor, VAPORESSO fully supported Modfather Vapes in their hosting of the event and offered to provide the most updated vaping products for auction in the charity sale. The night was a great success and Modfather Vapes have decided to frequently host similar livestream shows on their official Facebook page to raise funds for the other needy institutions.

Owned by global vaping R&D giant and the vaping industry’s first publicly listed company, SMOORE International, VAPORESSO has inherited the company’s sense of responsibility. VAPORESSO shows great passion for making contributions to society, not only through its innovative and high-quality vaping products but also by giving back to communities in need. During the pandemic, VAPORESSO utilized its POWERSHOP channel to help international partners and local stores in the UK get through the testing times.

Regardless of industry or company, this year is destined to be an unusual year all round. Only with a strong sense of social responsibility and a willingness to support each other, can we overcome these difficulties together.

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vaporesso-sponsored-modfather-vapes-east-lancashire-hospice-charity-night-301171616.html

SOURCE VAPORESSO

Veeco Announces Exchange Transaction to Retire $125 Million of Its 2.70% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2023

PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Veeco Instruments Inc. (“Veeco”) (NASDAQ: VECO) today announced that it has entered into a privately negotiated exchange agreement under which it will retire $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Veeco’s outstanding 2.70% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Original Notes”) in exchange for the issuance of $132.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Veeco’s new 3.50% Convertible Senior Exchange Notes due 2025 (the “New Notes”) and a cash payment to the holder in the amount of $1.1 million in respect of accrued and unpaid interest on the Original Notes to be exchanged. Following the exchange transaction, $131.7 million in aggregate principal amount of the Original Notes will remain outstanding with the terms unchanged.

The New Notes will mature on January 15, 2025 and will pay interest semiannually at a rate of 3.50% per year. The New Notes have an initial conversion rate of 41.6667 shares of Veeco’s common stock per $1,000 original principal amount of New Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $24.00 per share), subject to adjustment in certain events. The initial conversion price represents an approximately 58.6% premium over the closing sale price of Veeco’s common stock on November 11, 2020. Conversions of the New Notes will be settled in cash, shares of Veeco’s common stock or a combination thereof, at Veeco’s election.

The holder of the New Notes may convert all or a portion of its notes at its option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding October 15, 2024, only upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and during certain time periods. On or after October 15, 2024 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding January 15, 2025, the holder may convert its New Notes at any time, without condition.

Veeco may be required to repurchase for cash the New Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the New Notes) at a repurchase price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain corporate events, the conversion rate on the New Notes will increase.

The New Notes will not be redeemable by Veeco prior to January 15, 2023. On or after January 15, 2023, Veeco may redeem for cash all or any portion of the New Notes if the last reported sale price of Veeco’s common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which Veeco provides notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to certain limited exceptions).

Veeco anticipates that the closing of the exchange transaction will occur on or about November 17, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.

Neither the New Notes, nor any shares of Veeco’s common stock issuable upon conversion of the New Notes, have been, nor will be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, such securities may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.



No Solicitation



This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities law of any such jurisdiction.



About Veeco



Veeco is an innovative manufacturer of semiconductor process equipment. Our proven ion beam, laser annealing, lithography, MOCVD, and single wafer etch & clean technologies play an integral role in the fabrication and packaging of advanced semiconductor devices. With equipment designed to optimize performance, yield and cost of ownership, Veeco holds leading technology positions in the markets it serves.



Forward-looking Statements



To the extent that this news release discusses expectations or otherwise makes statements about the future, such statements are forward-looking and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. These factors include Veeco’s ability to close the transaction described in this news release on the terms and within the time anticipated and other risks discussed in the Risk Factors, Business Description and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of Veeco’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, in the Risk Factors and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations sections of Veeco’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020, and in Veeco’s Current Reports on Form 8-K and press releases. Veeco does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

Veeco Contacts:      
Investors: Anthony Bencivenga (516) 252-1438 [email protected]
Media: Kevin Long (516) 714-3978 [email protected]  

Gold Fields Limited: Operational update for the quarter ended 30 September 2020

PR Newswire

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Gold Fields Limited (NYSE: GFI) (JSE: GFI) remains in a strong financial position. During Q3 2020, there was a further decrease in the net debt balance (including leases) to US$1,159m at 30 September 2020 from US$1,239m at 30 June 2020, after taking into account the interim dividend payment of US$85m. This implies a net debt to EBITDA of 0.68x, compared to 0.84x at end June 2020. The net debt balance (excluding leases) decreased to US$796m from US$876m at the end of June 2020.

Full results are available on the company website:

www.goldfields.com

Enquiries

Investors
Avishkar Nagaser
Tel:  +27 11 562-9775
Mobile:  +27 82 312 8692
Email : [email protected]

Thomas Mengel

Tel:  +27 11 562 9849
Mobile:  +27 72 493 5170
Email:  [email protected]

Media

Sven Lunsche
Tel:  +27 11 562-9763
Mobile:  +27 83 260 9279
Email :  [email protected]

Notes to editors

About Gold Fields

Gold Fields is a globally diversified gold producer with nine operating mines in Australia, Peru, South Africa and West Africa (including the Asanko JV), as well as one project in Chile. We have total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of 2.2Moz, attributable gold-equivalent Mineral Reserves of 51.3Moz and Mineral Resources of 115.7Moz. Our shares are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and our American depositary shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Sponsor: J.P. Morgan Equities South Africa (Pty) Ltd

 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gold-fields-limited-operational-update-for-the-quarter-ended-30-september-2020-301171610.html

SOURCE Gold Fields Limited

GVC sets out a clear strategy for sustainability, growth and innovation

PR Newswire

LONDON, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GVC Holdings PLC (LSE: GVC), the global sports-betting and gaming group whose brands include Ladbrokes, Coral, bwin, Sportingbet, partypoker and BetMGM, is today setting out ambitious plans for the future under its two core strategic pillars of sustainability and growth.

These plans will be driven by the Group’s leading proprietary technology and supported by a range of strategic initiatives, launched today. They include a new corporate identity, a commitment to operating in 100% regulated markets, and new technology-driven protection for customers.

To reflect the Group’s ambition to be the world leader in sports betting and gaming entertainment, GVC is today announcing that, subject to shareholder approval, it will be renamed as Entain plc.  

“Today marks an exciting new chapter for the Group, and an important step forward in achieving our ambition of being the world leader in sports betting and gaming,” said Shay Segev, Chief Executive. “Under our new corporate identity, we will continue to use our unique technology platform to grow in both existing and new markets, innovate, reach new audiences, enhance the customer experience, and provide industry-leading levels of player protection.

We are absolutely committed to pursuing the highest standards of corporate governance, to providing outstanding career development opportunities for our colleagues, and to supporting the communities in which we operate.”




Sustainability Charter Launched


The Group underpinned its commitment to raising standards in responsible gaming with the launch of a new Sustainability Charter today, committing to:  

  • An exclusive focus on regulated markets: a commitment that, by the end of 2023, 100% of the Group’s revenue will come from markets that are nationally regulated – with 99% from regulated or regulating markets by the end of 2020
  • Continuing to lead on responsible gambling: launching the Advanced Responsibility & Care (“ARC”) programme, which uses proprietary technology to further enhance player protection through additional checks as well as improved monitoring and interventions
  • Embedding responsible gambling into our remuneration policy
  • Pursuing the highest standards of corporate governance
  • Investing in people and local communities with the launch of the Entain Foundation, which is committed to donating £100 million over the next five years to provide further support to the international communities in which we operate. In the UK this includes our new Pitching In programme, to support grass roots sports and sports people.


Growth: four key drivers

We have a range of exciting growth opportunities that can significantly increase the scale of the Group over the next three to five years.  These opportunities are based on four strategic imperatives:

  1. Leadership in the US: we have a clear ambition to be the leading operator in the US through BetMGM, our joint venture with MGM Resorts.
  2. Grow our core markets: we have achieved a huge amount in our existing markets, but there is still substantial headroom for further growth.
  3. Enter new markets: we see significant opportunities for expansion into new regulated markets through organic opportunities as well as M&A.
  4. Expand to new audiences: new technology-enabled forms of entertainment are constantly emerging, and we intend to be at the forefront of capturing them.  For instance, eSports and digital gaming are becoming the hub for a rapidly growing audience out of which are evolving new betting markets, and we see significant potential for us in this area.

For further details, please visit: https://gvc-plc.com/news/

About GVC Holdings PLC

GVC Holdings PLC (LSE:GVC) is a FTSE100 company and is one of the world’s largest sports-betting and gaming groups, operating both online and in the retail sector. The Group owns a comprehensive portfolio of established brands; Sports Brands include bwin, Coral, Crystalbet, Eurobet, Ladbrokes, Neds and Sportingbet; Gaming Brands include CasinoClub, Foxy Bingo, Gala, Gioco Digitale, partypoker and PartyCasino. The Group owns proprietary technology across all of its core product verticals and in addition to its B2C operations provides services to a number of third-party customers on a B2B basis. The Group has also entered into a joint-venture with MGM Resorts to capitalise on the sports-betting and gaming opportunity in the US. The Group is tax resident in the UK with licenses in more than 20 countries, across five continents.

For more information see the Group’s website: www.gvc-plc.com 

Cision View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gvc-sets-out-a-clear-strategy-for-sustainability-growth-and-innovation-301171354.html

SOURCE GVC Holdings plc

Ultimovacs Announces Third Quarter 2020 Result Presentation

Ultimovacs Announces Third Quarter 2020 Result Presentation

OSLO, Norway–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ultimovacs ASA (“Ultimovacs”, ticker ULTIMO), a pharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapies against cancer, announces its third quarter 2020 results today. A presentation by the Company’s management team will take place today on a webcast at 09:00 CEST.

The presentation can be followed as a live webcast, accessible directly through this link or through the link displayed under Reports and Presentations in the investor section of Ultimovacs’ corporate website www.ultimovacs.com.

Highlights for the third quarter of 2020:

  • In the INITIUM trial, a total of twelve patients have been enrolled as per reporting date (compared to three patients reported in the previous quarterly report). INITIUM is a randomized, multi-center Phase II trial evaluating UV1 as a treatment for first-line patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.
  • In the NIPU trial, a total of six patients have been enrolled as per reporting date (compared to four patients reported in the previous quarterly report). NIPU is a randomized, multi-center Phase II trial in which UV1 is investigated as a second-line treatment in mesothelioma.
  • The Covid-19 situation has so far had fairly limited impact regarding site openings and patient inclusion in the Phase II clinical trials. The longer-term effect of the pandemic on the biotech industry and the general ability to conduct clinical trials is still uncertain.
  • In the fully enrolled US-based Phase I trial in malignant melanoma, positive topline results from the first cohort of 20 patients were announced in September 2020. The results confirm achievement of the primary endpoints of safety and tolerability and indicate initial signs of clinical response; the 12-month Overall Survival (OS) rate was 85% and median Progression Free Survival (mPFS) was not reached after 12 months.
  • Five-year overall survival data from the Phase I trial evaluating UV1 as maintenance therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer was reported in October 2020. The results confirm achievement of the primary endpoints of safety and tolerability and indicate encouraging initial signals of long-term survival benefit. At the five-year landmark, the OS rate was 33% and mPFS was 10.7 months. (Post-period event)
  • In May 2020, Ultimovacs announced a collaboration with a non-specified big pharma company and a leading European oncology clinical trial group to evaluate UV1 in a third Phase II clinical trial. As communicated in September 2020, finalization of the agreement and announcement of the collaboration is expected during the fourth quarter of 2020.
  • The regulatory approval is now in place to start the Phase I TENDU trial. This trial will investigate a prostate cancer specific vaccine based on the TET technology. The first patient is expected to be enrolled in the first quarter of 2021.
  • Total operating expenses amounted to MNOK 31.1 in Q3-20 and MNOK 98.6 YTD. Cash flow from operations was MNOK -29.6 in Q3-20. Total cash and cash equivalents were reduced by MNOK 29.2 during Q3-20, amounting to MNOK 453.5 as per 30 September 2020.

The full report and presentation are also available under Reports and Presentations in the investor section of Ultimovacs’ corporate website www.ultimovacs.com.

About Ultimovacs

Ultimovacs’ UV1 universal cancer vaccine candidate leverages the high prevalence of the human telomerase (hTERT) to be effective across the dynamic stages of the tumor’s growth and its microenvironment. By directing the immune system to hTERT antigens that are present in over 80% of all cancers, UV1 drives CD4 helper T cells to the tumor with the goal of activating an immune system cascade to increase anti-tumor responses. Ultimovacs’ strategy is to clinically demonstrate UV1’s impact in a range of cancers and in several immunotherapy combinations while expanding our pipeline of cancer vaccine therapies, convinced that a universal approach may be the key to achieving better outcomes for patients.

For further information, please visit www.ultimovacs.com

Carlos de Sousa, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +47 908 92507

Hans Vassgård Eid, CFO

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +47 482 48632

KEYWORDS: Norway Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Pharmaceutical Health Oncology Clinical Trials

MEDIA:

Logo
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Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Notification of relevant change to significant shareholder

ST HELIER, Jersey, Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (“Caledonia” or the “Company”) (NYSE AMERICAN: CMCL; AIM: CMCL) announces that it received notification on November 11, 2020, from BlackRock, Inc., which is a “significant shareholder” of the Company as defined by the AIM Rules for Companies, that it has increased its interest in the Company and on November 10, 2020 crossed a particular threshold for notification of its holdings in the Company. A copy of the notification is below.

TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible)i
 
1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attached
ii
:
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer (please mark with an “X” if appropriate)
Non-UK issuer X
2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an “X”)
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights X
An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments  
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights  
Other (please specify)iii:  
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligation
iv
Name BlackRock, Inc.
City and country of registered office (if applicable) Wilmington, DE, USA
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.)v
Name  
City and country of registered office (if applicable)  
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
vi
:
10/11/2020
6.
Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY):
11/11/2020
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
  % of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A) % of voting rights through financial instruments
(total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B) Total number of voting rights of issuervii
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 5.07%   0.47%   5.55%   12,118,823
Position of previous notification (if applicable) 4.80%   0.64%   5.45%    

8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reached
viii
A: Voting rights attached to shares
Class/type of

shares

ISIN code (if possible)
Number of voting rights
ix
% of voting rights
Direct

(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)
Indirect

(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)
Direct

(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)
Indirect

(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)
JE00BF0XVB15   615,577   5.07%  
         
         
SUBTOTAL 8. A 615,577 5.07%  
 
B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a))
Type of financial instrument Expiration

date
x
Exercise/

Conversion Period
xi
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is

exercised/converted.
% of voting rights
Securities Lending     25,200 0.20%  
         
         
    SUBTOTAL 8. B 1 25,200 0.20%  
 
B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b))
Type of financial instrument Expiration

date
x
Exercise/

Conversion Period
xi
Physical or cash

settlement
xii
Number of voting rights % of voting rights
CFD     Cash 32,901 0.27%  
           
           
      SUBTOTAL 8.B.2 32,901 0.27%  
 

9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the applicable box with an “X”)
Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuerxiii  
Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entityxiv (please add additional rows as necessary) X
Name
xv
% of voting rights if it equals
or is higher than the
notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through
financial instruments if it equals or is
higher than the notifiable threshold



Total of both if it equals or is
higher than the notifiable
threshold



See Attachment      
 
10. In case of proxy voting, please identify:
Name of the proxy holder  
The number and % of voting rights held  
The date until which the voting rights will be held  
 
11. Additional information
xvi

BlackRock Regulatory Threshold Reporting Team

James Michael

020 7743 3650

Place of completion 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL, U.K.
Date of completion 11 November, 2020



Section 9 Attachment

Name
xv
% of voting rights if it equals
or is higher than the
notifiable threshold
% of voting rights
through financial instruments
if it equals or is higher than
the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals
or is higher than the
notifiable threshold
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC      
BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC      
BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.      
BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, National Association      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Ltd.      
BlackRock HK Holdco Limited      
BlackRock Lux Finco S.a.r.l.      
BlackRock Japan Holdings GK      
BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
Trident Merger, LLC      
BlackRock Investment Management, LLC      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
BlackRock International Holdings, Inc.      
BR Jersey International Holdings L.P.      
BlackRock Holdco 3, LLC      
BlackRock Canada Holdings LP      
BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC      
BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 4, LLC      
BlackRock Holdco 6, LLC      
BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc.      
BlackRock Fund Advisors      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
       
BlackRock, Inc.      
BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.      
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.      
BlackRock Capital Holdings, Inc.      
BlackRock Advisors, LLC      
       

For further information please contact:

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Mark Learmonth
Camilla Horsfall

Tel: +44 1534 679 800
Tel: +44 7817841 793
   
WH Ireland (Nomad & Broker)

Adrian Hadden/James Sinclair-Ford

Tel: +44 20 7220 1751
   
Blytheweigh

Tim Blythe/Megan Ray  

Tel: +44 207 138 3204
   
3PPB

Patrick Chidley
Paul Durham

Tel: +1 917 991 7701
Tel: +1 203 940 2538

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.