Half Year Results

RNS Number : 2193S

AMTE Power PLC

08 March 2023

 

AMTE POWER PLC

("AMTE Power" or the "Company")

Market-leading UK technology developer and manufacturer of battery cells for specialised applications in global markets

Half Year Results and Conclusion of Strategic Review

"Strategic Review drives vision and shapes evolutionary changes at AMTE Power"

AMTE Power Plc, a leading UK developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist applications in global markets, announces its results for the half year ended 31 December 2022 and the conclusion of its new CEO's strategic review.

Alan Hollis, CEO of AMTE Power, commented:

"I am pleased to report that AMTE Power continued to make good progress in the half year ended 31 December 2022, with progress continuing in line with market expectations of loss before tax for the full financial year.

"Since my arrival at AMTE Power I have been undertaking a strategic review of the people, markets, products, operational capability, functional capability and processes with a clear focus on positioning the business for success through commercialisation of its products and scaling up of the organisation to support our ambitious plans to accelerate routes to market.

"AMTE Power has rich technical capabilities and a highly differentiated product range across multiple markets. We have identified where the business needs to be positioned as a market leading cell provider for specialist applications, with planned scale up at our existing manufacturing facility in Thurso, Scotland and the UKBIC, ahead of Gigafactory scales of production in due course in our proposed new facility.

"AMTE Power is one of the few manufacturers of battery cells in the UK today and has three products in development that are close to commercialisation with samples already in the hands of customers for testing from whom we are receiving positive feedback.

"This strong foundation underpins our growth plans and, combined with the renewed vision and the team's energy, means we look forward with confidence and focus to the year ahead."

Operational Highlights:

Ultra High Power

· Fully functional and operationally tested cells (A-samples) leading to UN38.3 certification and abuse testing to be completed in H1 2023

· Planning to supply samples to customers in Q2 2023

· Production planning at UKBIC ("UK Battery Industrialisation Centre") for larger scale production

Ultra Safe

· Initial order received for Ultra Safe cells and focus on strengthening the opportunity pipeline

· A-Samples already shipped to customers in Q1

Ultra Prime

· Initial batch of cells produced at Thurso shipped to customer

Financial Highlights:

Half Year Financial Performance reflects continued investment in commercialisation plans

· Turnover of £0.55 million (H1 2022: £0.82 million)

· Loss before tax of £3.72 million (H1 2022: loss £2.65 million)

Balance sheet strength underpins investment phase

· Cash and cash equivalents of £1.21 million (H1 2022: £6.26 million)

· £2 million of convertible bond facility remains undrawn

Current trading:

· Focus on converting opportunities to orders with in excess of 100% of planned capacity already covered by existing MoU's / JDA's.

· Cost base continuing in line with market expectations for the current year

· Positive outlook with healthy pipeline

Refined focus following new CEO strategic review:

· Growth Strategy increasingly focused on accelerating the evolution of AMTE Power from technology research to full commercialisation of products in order to capitalise on unique market opportunities.

· Products aligned to the growing high performance and fuel cell electric vehicles ("FCEV") sectors, battery energy storage systems ("BESS") and other specialist markets.

· Fully functional and operationally tested cells leading to UN38.3 certification and abuse testing to be completed for all products during H1 2023.

· Dundee remains the preferred site for AMTE Power's new facility, with the long-term objective of Gigafactory scale.

· Investment strategy to accelerate time to market by scaling up production capabilities at Thurso facility and UKBIC:

o  Ultra Prime commercial contract signed and initial batch of cells shipped

o  Investment to support scale up at Thurso planned to commence in 2023

o  Phased ramp up of Ultra Prime and Ultra Safe cells at Thurso and Ultra High Power at UKBIC

o  Planned Gigafactory scale of production for Ultra Safe and Ultra High Power will be our proposed Gigafactory  

o  Ultra Prime will continue to be manufactured at Thurso

· Senior leadership team bolstered with augmented skills and resources critical to scale up the business and drive ambitious plans

o  Appointment of Anita Breslin, Chief Finance Officer

o  Appointment of Wes Simons, Corporate Development Director

o  Appointment of John Valentine, Supply Chain Director

ESG is central to our business, and we continue to make good progress against our ESG strategy targets. In partnership with the leadership team, our sustainability lead and our third party consultant, we have developed an ESG strategy that comprises six pillars aligned to a number of the key goals identified in the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. We have already made significant progress having already achieved scope 1 and 2 emissions of 337 tonnes CO₂ equivalent for FY 2022, secured 100% renewable electricity saving 136 tonnes CO₂ equivalent, been recommended for accreditation to ISO14001 at Thurso and started to include sustainability as a key criteria within our procurement policies. Without a focus on this metric our current outturn would have been 472 tonnes CO₂ equivalent. We have also shipped samples to a recycling company to test and confirm recyclability of product and process wastes.   

Outlook:

· Developing capabilities to scale up and commercialise whilst retaining R&D expertise at our core 

· Healthy pipeline:

o  Five MoUs and development agreements for the supply of Ultra High Power

o  First order received for Ultra Safe

o  One supplier agreement already in place for Ultra Prime

o  Samples for two of our three products already in customer hands with positive feedback

· Continue to focus on converting existing customer pipeline

· Complete investment plans to increase production capacity at our existing facility in Thurso

· Continue to make progress on new facility planned for start of production in 2026 and eventual Gigafactory scale

· Secure supply chain through responsible sourcing

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE UK VERSION OF REGULATION (EU) NO 596/2014 WHICH IS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED.

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Anita Breslin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

Enquiries:

AMTE Power plc	Tel: [phone]
Alan Hollis (Chief Executive Officer)
Anita Breslin (Chief Financial Officer)
WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD and Joint Broker)	Tel: [phone]
Chris Fielding / James Bavister (Corporate Finance)
Fraser Marshall (Corporate Broking)
Panmure Gordon (Joint Broker)	Tel: [phone]
John Prior / James Sinclair-Ford (Corporate Finance)
Hugh Rich (Corporate Broking)
Camarco (Financial PR)	Tel: [phone] / 4981
Ginny Pulbrook / Tom Huddart / Rosie Driscoll

About AMTE Power

AMTE Power was founded in 2013 and is a leading UK developer and manufacturer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist markets. In March 2021, the Company was admitted to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on launching a series of next generation battery cells based on new chemistries and cell structures that are designed to solve key problems in power delivery, energy performance, and safety. These new products are targeted at a range of specialist markets including the electric vehicle industry and energy storage sector.

AMTE Power's purpose-built cell manufacturing facility in Thurso, Scotland has the second largest cell manufacturing capacity in the UK and the Company also has a product development team based in Oxford. AMTE's proposed Gigafactory in Dundee, Scotland is expected to be capable of producing over 8 million battery cells per annum enabling the Company to rapidly scale up cell production.

For further information visit the Company's website: www.amtepower.com

Chief Executive's Statement

Introduction

AMTE Power is the only manufacturer in the UK with three highly differentiated battery cells in development that are close to commercialisation.

I am pleased to report that the business has continued to make good progress in the half year ended 31 December 2022.

Since joining AMTE Power, I have been undertaking a strategic review of the people, markets, products, operational capability, functional capability, and processes with a clear focus on positioning the business for success through commercialisation of its products and scaling up of the organisation to support our ambitious plans and to accelerate routes to market.

The business has rich technical capabilities and a strong foundation to support future growth, with planned scale up at our existing manufacturing facility in Thurso and the UKBIC ahead of full-scale Giga rates of production in due course at a proposed new facility.

Refined focus following new CEO strategic review:

Our ambition is to grow AMTE Power production to c.1GWh per annum in due course. In order to achieve this, our growth strategy is increasingly focused on accelerating the evolution from technology research to full commercialisation of our core products to capitalise on the unique market opportunities ahead.

Achieving this ambition and accelerating time to market will require:

· Scaling up of AMTE Power's existing battery cell manufacturing equipment and expertise at the production facility in Thurso, complemented by cell manufacturing at the UKBIC

· Commercialisation of three core products: Ultra High Power, Ultra Safe and Ultra Prime

· Increasing production rates towards the long-term objective of Gigafactory scale at the proposed facility in Dundee, Scotland

· Ensuring AMTE Power has a secure supply chain in place

· Investing in our people to build a team with the skill and resources necessary to support future growth

Our products are aligned to the growing FCEV, BESS and other specialist markets. We are aiming to achieve A-samples leading to UN38.3certification for all products during H1 2023 which enables initial customer testing.

AMTE Power's purpose-built cell manufacturing facility in Thurso has the second largest cell manufacturing capacity in the UK. The investment to support scale up at Thurso is planned to commence in 2023 where we will begin a phased ramp up of the production of our Ultra Prime cell, to meet the supply agreement in place, and our Ultra Safe cells. In tandem, we are planning to increase the manufacture of our Ultra High Power cell at the UKBIC.

Dundee remains the preferred site for AMTE Power's new facility, with the long-term objective of Gigafactory scale. We plan for production of our Ultra Safe and Ultra High Power cells to begin at the proposed Dundee facility in 2026, with Ultra Prime continuing to be manufactured at Thurso.

To support our growth ambitions, we have bolstered the senior leadership team during the period with the appointments of Anita Breslin as Chief Finance Officer, Wes Simons as Corporate Development Director and John Valentine as Supply Chain Director. We are delighted to have them at AMTE Power as we build a team with the experience, skills and resources necessary to scale up and commercialise the business.  The achievements of the existing AMTE Power staff must also be recognised for their fantastic contribution so far to take us to where we are today and their passion and experience for the business, augmented with our ambitious future plans is essential in driving the business forward.

Operational Overview

During the first half of the current financial year, good progress continued to be made across our core product range as we move towards full commercialisation and meeting growing demand across all applications.

Ultra High Power

Our target market for the Ultra High Power cells is high power density cells for all FCEV, high-performance BEV and high-power automotive applications. This includes becoming a first mover, in the European market which is forecast to grow to c.50GWh by 2030.

We have non-binding MoUs and development agreements in place for the Ultra High Power cell with key automotive partners including Cosworth, Viritech, MAHLE Powertrain, TAE (Sprint) power solutions and BMW. During the first half of this calendar year, we expect to complete UN38.3 certification and abuse testing of fully functional and operationally tested A-sample cells and commence first commercialisation by supplying A-samples to our customers in Q2 2023. Production planning is in place for larger scale production at UKBIC in readiness for the expected demand for high power cells across our target market.

Ultra Safe

Our Ultra Safe cell is well suited to the battery storage market, which is set to grow in Europe to approximately 300GWh by 2030, of which AMTE forecasts approximately 10% is expected to be based on sodium-ion by 2030, as a result of the need to speed up the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy. Battery storage will play an increasingly pivotal role between green energy supplies and responding to electricity demands via the grid.

The Ultra Safe product is a greener, safer and cheaper alternative to other technologies and driven by this increasing demand for continuous power and energy storage systems in critical infrastructures, adoption of renewable energy grid storage and balancing solutions.

During the first half of 2023, the business received an initial order for Ultra Safe cells. Going forward, we will continue to focus on strengthening the opportunity pipeline. A-Samples have already been shipping to customers in Q1 for Ultra Safe and Ultra Prime for customer testing.

Ultra Prime

Our Ultra Prime cell is designed for use in some of the most difficult environments, with very high energy density, high-temperature performance and low self-discharge. The nature of the work undertaken in decarbonising industries such as construction, mining, oil and gas, and agriculture requires a combination of high power and range. With this, and a growing engagement with the rail industry, we expect additional volume orders from outside of our core markets, supporting us further to expand our manufacturing footprint in line with our plans.

During the period, we carried out customer testing of prototype cells in accordance with the agreement already in place for supply of this cell into subsea applications. The Ultra Prime cell is on track to be produced from Thurso with commercial start of production in 2023.

Financial Review: half year to end December 2022

For the 6-month period ended December 2022 the Group's turnover was £0.55m, 32% less than H1 2022 (£0.81m). Grant funding income for the period was £0.47m, down from £0.62m in the first half year of 2022. Similarly commercial revenue fell from £0.16m H1 2022 to £0.07m in H1 2023. The reduction in revenue reflects the reduced strategic investment in research and development, moving away from contract manufacturing and continued focus towards commercialising the three core products.

The Group's loss before tax for the period was £3.72m (H1 2022 loss £2.65m) impacted by the commencement of scaling the organisation and financing costs of £0.40m incurred in the period related to the Arena convertible bond. Group loss after tax was £3.67m (H1 2022, loss £2.65m).

At the half year end, cash and cash equivalents amounted to £1.21m (H1 2022; £6.26m), with two fifths (£2m) of the Arena convertible bond facility unutilised.

Outlook

AMTE Power is one of the only manufacturers in the UK with three highly differentiated battery cells in development that are close to commercialisation. The business is readying itself to scale up and commercialise whilst retaining R&D expertise at our core.

The business has a healthy pipeline, with five MoU and development agreements for the supply of Ultra High Power; the first order received for Ultra Safe; an existing agreement in place for Ultra Prime; and A samples for two of our three products already in customer hands, with positive feedback received so far.

We will continue to focus on converting our existing customer pipeline while completing investment plans that will enable the business to increase production capacity at our facility in Thurso, in addition to our arrangements at UKBIC. Led by our new supply chain director, the business is working to ensure we have a secure supply chain through responsible sourcing as we progress towards Giga rates of production at our proposed Gigafactory in Dundee, which is planned to start production in 2026.

AMTE Power has a positive outlook supported by its healthy pipeline. Customer testing is underway, and we are focused on converting opportunities to orders and the cost base continues in line with market expectations for the full year. We are excited about the opportunities ahead.

Alan Hollis

Chief Executive Officer

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the Period Ended 31 December 2022

		Unaudited		Audited
		6 months ended 31 December 2022	6 months ended 31 December 2021	Year ended 30 June 2022
		£	£	£
Turnover		546,080	815,174	2,193,759
Turnover analysed by class of business:
Revenue		73,733	162,371	238,084
Grant income		472,347	652,803	1,955,675
Cost of sales		(551,011)	(780,966)	(2,511,367)
Gross (loss)/profit		(4,931)	34,208	(317,608)
Other operating income		115,962	143,887	478,030
Administrative expenses		(3,902,290)	(2,729,257)	(5,916,772)
Operating loss		(3,791,259)	(2,551,162)	(5,756,350)
Investment revenues		15,996	26,226	7,345
Finance costs		(208,790)	(120,991)	(233,307)
Fair value gains or losses on derivatives		276,500	-	-
Other gains and losses		(9,077)	-	(14,547)
Loss before taxation		(3,716,630)	(2,645,927)	(5,996,859)
Income tax		50,026	(8,130)	158,749
Loss and total comprehensive income for the period		(3,666,604)	(2,654,057)	(5,838,110)

Basic loss per share (pence per share)	8	(10.17)	(7.47)	(16.33)
Diluted loss per share (pence per share)	8	(10.17)	(7.47)	(16.33)

All results were derived from continuing operations.

		Unaudited				Audited
	Notes	31 December 2022		31 December 2021 Restated		30 June 2022
		£		£		£
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Intangible assets	4	25,857,405		22,552,109		24,067,313
Property, plant and equipment	5, 6	2,468,828		2,187,527		2,362,153
Investments		2		41,163		9,079
		28,326,235		24,780,799		26,438,545
Current assets
Inventories		693,599		363,555		714,668
Investments Trade and other receivables		- 1,162,484		- 1,953,071		2,000,000 2,163,173
Current tax recoverable		534,402		361,500		379,077
Cash and cash equivalents		1,214,894		6,264,710		906,917
		3,605,379		8,942,836		6,163,835
Total assets		31,931,614		33,723,635		32,602,380
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Borrowings	7	(26,343)		(5,636)		(30,522)
Lease liabilities		(349,785)		(115,667)		(203,052)
Licence liabilities		(1,109,219)		(830,229)		(985,704)
Provisions		-		-		(9,927)
Derivative financial instruments	7	(75,000)		(7,002)		(3,538)
Trade and other payables		(1,728,086)		(1,151,565)		(2,222,108)
Deferred revenue		(46,565)		(28,564)		(28,564)
		(3,334,998)		(2,138,663)		(3,483,415)
Non-current liabilities
Borrowings	7	(2,231,185)		(75,636)		(45,681)
Lease liabilities		(792,894)		(817,993)		(778,183)
Licence liabilities		(17,945,620)		(16,766,525)		(17,368,390)
Long term provisions		(210,000)		(209,495)		(200,000)
Deferred revenue		(2,753,568)		(2,421,131)		(2,582,685)
		(23,933,267)		(20,290,780)		(20,974,939)
Total liabilities		(27,268,265)		(22,429,443)		(24,458,354)
Net assets		4,663,349		11,294,192		8,144,026
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position As at 31 December 2022 EQUITY
Called up share capital		181,170		179,943		179,943
Share premium account		330,869		21,330,877		200,485
Share option reserve		589,429		505,625		536,879
Retained earnings		3,561,881		(10,722,253)		7,226,719
Total equity		4,663,349		11,294,192		8,144,026

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity For the Period Ended 31 December 2022  `	Share capital		Share premium		Share option reserve		Retained earnings		Total equity attributable to owners of the parent
	£		£		£		£		£
Audited balance at 1 July 2021	176,223		20,808,951		821,641		(8,400,855)		13,405,960
Loss and total comprehensive income	-		-		-		(2,654,057)		(2,654,057)
Share option expense	-		-		16,643		-		16,643
Issue of share capital	-		-		-		-		-
Exercise of share options	3,720		521,926		(331,693)		331,693		525,646
Share option forfeit	-		-		(966)		966		-
Unaudited balance at 31 December 2021 as restated (note 9)	179,943		21,330,877		505,625		(10,722,253)		11,294,192
Loss and total comprehensive income Capital reduction	- -		- (21,130,392)		- -		(3,184,053) 21,130,392		(3,184,053) -
Share option expense	-		-		33,887		-		33,887
Share option forfeit	-		-		(2,633)		2,633		-
Audited balance at 30 June 2022	179,943		200,485		536,879		7,226,719		8,144,026
Loss and total comprehensive income	-		-		-		(3,666,604)		(3,666,604)
Share capital issued	1,227		130,384		-		-		131,611
Share option expense	-		-		54,316		-		54,316
Share option forfeit	-		-		(1,766)		1,766		-
Unaudited balance at 31 December 2022	181,170		330,869		589,429		3,561,881		4,663,349

Consolidated Statement of Cashflows For the period ended 31 December 2022			Unaudited		Audited
			6 months ended 31 December 2022	6 months ended 31 December 2021	Year ended 30 June 2022
			£	£	£
Cash flow from operating activities
Loss after taxation			( 3,666,604)	(2,654,057)	(5,838,110)
Adjustment for:
Share of results of associates and joint ventures Taxation charge			9,077 (50,026)	- 8,130	14,547 (158,749)
Taxation charge - RDEC included in operating income			(105,300)	(129,630)	(212,864)
Finance costs			208,790	120,991	240,391
Investment income			(15,996)	(21,762)	(7,345)
Fair value movement on derivatives			(276,500)	(4,464)	(7,928)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment			278,248	181,320	397,485
Amortisation of intangible assets			76,276	76,275	152,553
Decrease in provisions			505	413	845
Deferred income released to P&L			-	(14,257)	(28,514)
Share-based payment expense			54,316	16,643	50,530
Changes in working capital:
Decrease/(increase) in inventories			21,069	(82,889)	(434,002)
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables			824,851	(443,094)	(658,913)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables			(662,600)	193,778	1,266,905
Cash absorbed by operations			(3,303,894)	(2,752,603)	(5,223,169)
Interest paid			(59,438)	(48,442)	(96,403)
Income tax refunded			-	-	232,536
Net cash used in operating activities			(3,363,332)	(2,801,045)	(5,087,036)
Cash flow from investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets			(653,735)	(529,121)	(964,481)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment			(48,190)	(133,408)	(368,542)
Sale/(purchase) of investments Government grants received			2,000,000 231,186	- 135,707	(2,000,000) 311,567
Interest received			15,996	4,225	7,345
Net cash from /(used in) investing activities			1,545,257	(522,597)	(3,014,111)
Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of own shares			-	839,173	839,173
Proceeds from issue of convertible loan notes			2,580,000
Repayment of borrowings			(14,344)	(14,729)	(19,798)
Payment of lease obligations			(189,604)	(67,258)	(175,727)
Payment of licence obligations			(250,000)	(441,250)	(908,000)
Net cash from financing activities			2,126,052	315,936	(264,352)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			307,977	(3,007,706)	(8,365,499)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period			906,917	9,272,416	9,272,416
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period			1,214,894	6,264,710	906,917
Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities:
	At 1 July 2021	Financing cash flows	Inception	Non-cash movement	At 31 December 2021
	£	£	£	£	£
Borrowings	96,001	(14,729)	-	-	81,272
Lease liabilities	1,000,918	(67,258)	-	-	933,660
Licence liabilities	16,864,548	(441,250)	-	1,173,456	17,596,754
	17,961,467	(523,237)	-	1,173,456	18,611,686
	At 1 January 2022	Financing cash flows	Inception	Non-cash movement	At 30 June 2022
	£	£	£	£	£
Borrowings	81,272	(5,069)	-	-	76,203
Lease liabilities	933,660	(108,469)	156,044	-	981,235
Licence liabilities	17,596,754	(466,750)	-	1,224,090	18,354,094
	18,611,686	(580,288)	156,044	1,224,090	19,411,532
	At 1 July 2022	Financing cash flows	Inception	Non-cash movement	At 31 December 2022
	£	£	£	£	£
Borrowings (including convertible loan notes)	76,203	(14,344)	2,580,000	(384,331)	2,257,528
Lease liabilities	981,235	(189,604)	351,048	-	1,142,679
Licence liabilities	18,354,094	(250,000)	-	950,745	19,054,839
	19,411,532	(453,948)	2,931,048	566,414	22,455,046

Notes to the Financial Statements

For the period ended 31 December 2022

1.  General Information

AMTE Power plc is a public company incorporated in the England and Wales. The address of its registered office is Suite 1, 3rd Floor 11-12 St. James's Square, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4LB.

AMTE Power Plc is a developer of lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells for specialist markets. Such customers, which include manufacturers of high-performance vehicles, energy storage solutions and specialist engineering equipment, are not the primary focus of the international battery cell manufacturers and thereby offer a significant and scalable opportunity for the Group.

2.  Accounting policies

2.1. Basis of preparation

The financial information set out in these interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended 31 December 2022 is unaudited. The financial information presented are not statutory accounts prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, and are prepared only to comply with AIM requirements for interim reporting. Statutory accounts for the year ended 30 June 2022, on which the auditors gave an audit report which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006, have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS).

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using consistent accounting policies as those adopted in the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022.

2.2. Basis of consolidation

The interim condensed consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company AMTE Power Plc together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group's share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2022. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group's financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Entities in which the group holds an interest and which are jointly controlled by the group and one or more other venturers under a contractual arrangement are treated as joint ventures. Entities other than subsidiary undertakings or joint ventures, in which the group has a participating interest and over whose operating and financial policies the group exercises a significant influence, are treated as associates.

Investments in joint ventures and associates are carried in the group at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the group's share of the net assets of the entity, less any impairment in value. The carrying values of investments in joint ventures and associates include acquired goodwill.

If the group's share of losses in a joint venture or associate equals or exceeds its investment in the joint venture or associate, the group does not recognise further losses unless it has incurred obligations to do so or has made payments on behalf of the joint venture or associate.

2.3. Going Concern

As at 31 December 2022 the Group had net assets of £4,663,349 and cash and cash equivalents of £1,214,894.  As set out in the 30 June 2022 financial statements, the Group is dependent on the continued support of its shareholders in the development of its three core cells which are expected to reach mass production by the end of 2023.

The £5m loan facility referred to in the annual report has been completed as set out in note 7 with £3m of funding drawn down.  The remaining £2m will be drawn down as required. We also reported that additional funds will need to be raised by April 2023 and good progress is being made with these negotiations. Those funds will finance the Group through to the summer 2023 when the directors plan to raise further capital which will be predicated on meeting the milestones within the production plans for each of the Group's three core cells.  The directors remain confident that the fundraising prospects for the Group remain strong.

While the Directors remain confident that necessary funds will be available as and when required, as at the date of this report the future required funding arrangements are not secured, and accordingly there is material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt over the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The interim financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The interim financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the Group was unable to continue as a going concern.

3.  Segmental analysis

Operating segments are determined by the chief operating decision maker based on information used to allocate the Group's resources. The information as presented to internal management is consistent with the statement of comprehensive income. It has been determined that there is one operating segment, the development of battery cells. In the periods covered in the interim condensed consolidated financial information, the Group operated mainly in the United Kingdom. All non-current assets are located in the United Kingdom.

4.  Intangible fixed assets

The Group's intangible fixed assets, which include Development Battery Cells and IP Rights, had additions of £2,113,205 in the six months to 31 December 2022 (six months to 31 December 2021: £1,811,839; 12 months to 30 June 2022: £3,602,025).

The Group capitalised the development costs relating to the products it is developing, in line with IAS 38, however it has not yet amortised the costs. The Group also records the value of the IP Rights it holds through licences. The amortisation of the IP Rights and the interest arising from the licence obligations has been capitalised into the intangible assets (Development Battery Cells) whilst the battery cells are being developed. Amortisation of IP Rights were £323,112 (six months to 31 December 2021: £257,836; 12 months to 30 June 2022: £532,821).

No impairments of intangible assets were made.

5.  Property, plant and equipment

There were no significant movements on tangible fixed assets (excluding right-of-use assets as disclosed below) over the period of the interim accounts.

6.  Right-of-use assets

The Group has lease contracts for buildings and equipment used in its operations, which have the following lease terms:

· Leased equipment has terms of between 3 and 5 years,

· Property leases have terms of under 3 years in the case of office space near Oxford and for 10  

  years for manufacturing facility in Thurso,

· The sub-lease has a duration of under 3 years.

Right-of-use assets include additions of £339,113, £312,068 being property and the remining £12,045 equipment, for the six months to 31 December 2022 (six months to 31 December 2021: £nil; 12 months to 30 June 2022: £nil).  £312,068 being property and the remining £12,045 equipment, for The charge for depreciation was £141,603 (six months to 31 December 2021: £87,445; 12 months to 30 June 2022: £174,887). Within this depreciation charge relating to property was £119,146 (six months to 31 December 2021: £69,212; 12 months to 30 June 2022: £138,423).

7.  Convertible loan notes

On 4 November 2022, the company authorised the issue of £5,000,000 convertible loan notes ("CLN"). The CLN are to be issued in three tranches and as at the time of signing, £3,000,000 loan notes have been issued through a subscription agreement dated 11 November 2022, using terms agreed on 14 October 2022; the remaining £2,000,000 CLN can be drawn at least 60 days after the first tranche.

The CLN carry no coupon but are issued at a discount of 8% and are redeemable either in cash at a premium of 15% or via a conversion to ordinary share capital of the company at a 5% discount to specified average recent market prices of those shares, within 2 years of drawdown. In addition, 1,829,269 warrants have been issued to the CLN holders at zero additional cost. The warrants permit a subscription for a further £1.5m of ordinary shares at a fixed price of £0.8204 per share. These warrants can be exercised at any time until the third anniversary.

The CLN are provisionally included within 'borrowings' (non-current liabilities) and 'derivative financial instruments' (current liabilities). The debt element is subject to finance charges at a provisional rate of 24.27% per annum. The derivative portion is re-measured at fair value at each reporting date with any fair value gains/losses recognised immediately in the profit or loss account.

£150,000 of the £3,000,000 CLN were converted to equity in November 2022.

8.  Earnings per share

The calculation of the basic loss per share is based on the following data:

Number of shares	6 months ended 31 December 2022		6 months ended 31 December 2021		Year ended 30 June 2022
Weighted average number of ordinary shares for diluted earnings per share	36,036,615		35,535,654		35,755,700

In all periods presented the Group has incurred losses and as such has not presented any dilutive shares  in accordance with IAS 33 'Earnings per share'. However, the Group does have a number of share options and warrants that would dilute the earnings per share should the Group become profitable.

Earnings (all attributable to equity shareholders of the company)	6 months ended 31 December 2022		6 months ended 31 December 2021		Year ended 30 June 2022
	£		£		£
Loss for the period from continued operations	(3,666,604)		(2,654,057)		(5,838,110)
Earnings per share for continuing operations
Basic earnings per share (pence per share)	(10.17)		(7.47)		(16.33)
Diluted earnings per share (pence per share)	(10.17)		(7.47)		(16.33)

9.  Restatement

The comparative share premium and retained earnings balances as at 31 December 2021 have been restated. On presentation of the unaudited interim financial statements for that period, the accumulated share option expense relating to the options exercised during the period had been allocated to share premium. Upon review of IFRS 2 this was reallocated to retained earnings. This restatement brings the accounting in line with how it was presented in the audited 30 June 2022 financial statements.

 

END

 

 

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