Agreement
Accsys Technologies PLC
25 June 2007
25th June 2007 AIM: AXS
Accsys announces 500,000 cubic metre Agreement with Skanfore
Accsys Technologies PLC ('Accsys' or 'the Company') announces that its 100%
owned subsidiary, Titan Wood Ltd., has signed a licence agency agreement with
Skanfore S.A. ('Skanfore'), who will take the rights for a nameplate capacity of
500,000 cubic metres of production of Accoya(TM) wood.
Terms of the agreement include Skanfore paying a premium of €10 million in
consideration for the right to market Accoya technology in certain markets,
principally outside Europe and North America. The premium is equivalent to 10%
of the total technology fee, at list prices, for half a million cubic metres of
Accoya(TM) wood production capacity. Skanfore will identify, introduce and lead
negotiations for licence agreements for Titan Wood's proprietary Accoya(TM) wood
production process and develop new markets for the Company. The agreement
involves sales, logistics, financing options, regional product marketing and
off-take requirements. The agreement is expected to broaden the scope and
capability of the uptake of Accoya(TM) technology around the world.
Willy Paterson-Brown, Executive Chairman, of Accsys commented, 'Accsys has
entered a new phase of growth and this agreement solidifies a relationship that
we have built over the past couple of years. Skanfore offers us a faster route
to market both for relationships with licensees but also the development and
awareness of the Accoya wood brand across a large geographic spectrum. I am
particularly pleased with Skanfore's significant financial commitment to our
business, emphasised by the scale of the premium negotiated for the rights which
represents the first meaningful licence revenue for the Company.'
David Popejoy, Managing Director of Skanfore, said: 'The more we looked into
Accoya and the potential reach of this revolutionary new product, the more we
liked it. Our business focus started in the Middle East but we now have
discussions going on in a number of different countries and regions. There is no
question the commercial interests in Accoya will accelerate considerably over
the course of the next year. We will also be working closely with Celanese to
secure long term commitments with Accoya(TM) licensees'.
The Company announced in March that commercial production of Accoya(TM) wood at
Titan Wood's new 30,000 m3 Arnhem facility was underway. The Company's order
books are full through to the end of 2007 and beyond, with production committed
into a wide range of different product applications, from civil construction to
joinery. First licence revenue has been keenly anticipated.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Accsys Technologies PLC William Paterson-Brown, +44 (0) 20 8144 2510
Executive Chairman
Collins Stewart Limited Tim Mickley / Michael O'Brien +44 (0) 20 7523 8000
Parkgreen Communications Justine Howarth / Clare Irvine +44 (0) 20 7851 7480
Notes to Editors
Skanfore LLC (www.skanfore.com) is a privately owned, diversified trading
company, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with interests in mining, engineering,
construction, finance and environmental projects. Skanfore S.A. is a BVI
company.
Titan Wood Limited (www.titanwood.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Accsys Technologies PLC (www.accsysplc.com) group of companies. Accsys
Technologies PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange AiM market under the
symbol 'AXS'.
Celanese (www.celanese.com) - As a global leader in the chemicals industry,
Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) makes products essential to everyday living.
Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured
in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with
approximately 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational
excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to
customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies.
Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees
worldwide. Celanese and Accsys signed a strategic relationship agreement in
March 2007.
Wood Acetylation is a process, which increases the amount of 'acetyl' molecules
in wood, thereby changing its physical properties. The process protects wood
from rot by making it 'inedible' to most micro-organisms and insects, without -
unlike conventional treatments - making it toxic. It also greatly reduces the
wood's tendency to swell and shrink, making it less prone to cracking and
ensuring that when painted it requires dramatically reduced maintenance.
Accoya(TM) wood (www.accoya.info) is produced using a patented process that
effectively converts sustainably grown softwoods and non-durable hardwoods into
what is best described as a 'new wood species'. Distinguished by its durability,
dimensional stability and, perhaps most importantly of all, its reliability (in
terms of consistency of both supply and quality), Accoya(TM) wood is
particularly suited to exterior applications where performance and appearance
are valued. Unlike most tropical and European hardwoods, its colour does not
degrade when exposed to ultraviolet light. Moreover, the Accoya(TM) wood
production process does not compromise the wood's strength or machinability. The
combination of UV resistance, dimensional stability, durability and retained
strength means that Accoya(TM) wood offers a wealth of new opportunities to
architects, designers and specifiers. For marine uses where weight is also
important, Accoya(TM) wood for the first time provides boat builders with a wood
that is strong, lightweight, durable and which retains its natural beauty for
far longer.
ACCOYA is a registered trademark owned by Titan Wood Limited
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange