REG - Accsys Technologies - Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 20

Accsys TechnologiesAnnouncement

23/06/2020 07:15

RNS Number : 7667Q
  
Accsys Technologies PLC
  
23 June 2020
  
 

AIM: AXS
Euronext Amsterdam: AXS
23 June 2020 
 
 
 
Accsys Technologies PLC
("Accsys", the "Group" or the "Company")
 
Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 March 2020
 
Continued strategic progress - strong revenue and profitability growth
 
Accsys, the fast-growing and eco-friendly company that combines chemistry and technology to create high performance, sustainable wood building products, announces its preliminary results for the financial year ended 31 March 2020 ("FY 20").




 


 


Year to 
31 March 20205


Year to
 31 March 2019




 


 


Underlying


 
Statutory


Underlying


Statutory




Total Group Revenue1 


 


€90.9m


€94.1m


€75.2m


€75.2m




Gross profit


 


€27.5m


€30.7m


€18.6m


€18.6m




EBITDA2


 


€7.0m


€10.0m


€0.9m


€0.9m




EBIT3


 


€1.4m


€4.4m


(€3.1m)


(€3.0m)




(Loss)/profit before tax


 


(€2.2m)


€1.5m


(€6.2m)


(€7.7m)




Period end net (debt)4


 


 


(€25.2m)


 


(€50.1m)




Accoya® sales volume


 


 


57,842m3


 


49,716m3




 
1 Underlying revenue excludes €3.2m Cerdia licence termination fee payable to Accsys. (See note 5 to the financial statements)
2 Underlying EBITDA is defined as Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments, depreciation and amortisation. (See note 5 to the financial statements).
3 Underlying EBIT is defined as Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments. (See note 5 to the financial statements).
4 Net debt is defined as short term and long term borrowings (including lease obligations) less cash and cash equivalents. (See note 28 to the financial statements).
5 FY 20 results reflect the adoption of IFRS 16, which resulted in an increase in Underlying EBITDA by €0.9m and a corresponding increase in depreciation of €0.9m and finance expense of €0.1m. (See note 27 to the financial statements).
 
Key highlights: 
·      Underlying group revenues up 21% with continued strong demand from existing customers for our Accoya® and Tricoya® products;
·      Underlying gross margin up to 30% (2019: 25%) as a result of higher sales volumes, an improved product mix and higher selling prices;
·      Third sequential half year period of EBITDA growth and Group now also profitable at EBIT level;
·      Accoya® segment underlying EBIT increased by 130% to €12.6m (EBIT margin of 14% (2019: 7%));
·      Cash-flow generated from operations continued to improve with a positive cash inflow for the year of €2.4m (FY 19: €0.3m);
·      €25m reduction in net debt to €25.2m resulting from proceeds from December 2019 equity issue offset by €22m strategic investment in property, plant and equipment. 

 

Operational update
·      16% increase in Accoya® volume sold, to 57,842 cubic meters, with the increase due to ongoing demand in the year being met by the expanded Accoya® plant being operational for the full year. 
·      Progressing Arnhem expansion by addition of fourth reactor:
o  Initial engineering and design work completed;
o  Commenced the detailed engineering and procurement phases;
o  Further milestones and timing of capital commitment being monitored in light of continued COVID-19 uncertainty.
·      Continued progress with our other strategic projects: working towards the construction of an Accoya® plant in the USA in a joint venture with Eastman, and a Tricoya® plant in Malaysia with PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad.
 
COVID-19 - update
 
Health and safety of our people:
·      Accsys remains committed to the health and well-being of the Group's staff and the wider communities in which we operate. We continue to follow government guidelines to keep  workplaces safe for our employees and contractors.
 
Accoya® sales:
·      As previously announced, the Group saw a significant reduction in demand at the start of the new financial year as a result of the restrictions affecting our customers' operations. Sales volumes in April were nearly half our original expectations.  
·      We have seen differences in demand between regions, with the UK being most impacted, and we are actively adjusting our Accoya® production output to meet demand as necessary. 
·      More recently, we have seen orders start to increase again as government restrictions are eased and as we reallocate resources to meet the increasing activity levels across our geographic markets in particular the USA and mainland Europe. 
·      These improvements are at an early stage however, and we continue to monitor the on-going situation closely and take appropriate measures to carefully manage our cash balance and inventory during this uncertain time;
·      We remain confident of the strong underlying demand for Accoya® wood despite current market difficulties.
 
Tricoya® Hull plant construction:
·      All work has safely resumed on the construction site following the easing of restrictions by the UK government and the implementation of new protective work procedures. 
·      The combination of time lost together with new working practices means that the plant is now expected to be completed in the first quarter of the new calendar year.  
·      The delay caused by COVID-19 is also likely to result in some additional costs however these have not yet been fully quantified and we are working to ensure the additional costs and delays are minimised and do not become material in the context of the project as a whole. 
 
 
Robert Harris, CEO commented: 
 
"We made excellent progress in FY 20 with increased Accoya® production capacity matched with increased sales, driven by continuing strong demand for our products. By combining outstanding sustainability credentials with performance that matches or improves on the alternatives, we provide a compelling value proposition for our distributors, manufacturers, specifiers, architects and end users. As sustainability continues to grow in importance across markets and societies, so does the strong appetite and enthusiasm for Accoya® and Tricoya®.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a very limited impact on the FY 20 financial year. We realised almost all of the benefits of our expansion of the Arnhem plant over the course of the year, achieving record production and sales. Our customers' ability to operate at the beginning of the new financial year was affected however, and we have managed our operations to preserve resources while still supporting our customers. We are well-positioned to resume growth plans and strategic advancement as and when market conditions further improve.
Our Accoya® expansion plan has progressed well, with planning and engineering design for the fourth reactor at an advanced stage. Progress in our Tricoya® Hull facility had accelerated in the latter part of FY2019/20. Some unavoidable delays were caused by working restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however careful planning and prioritisation allowed us to quickly restart full construction operations and will help minimise impacts on our timeline.  Demand for Tricoya®, and the unique benefits it offers in design and building, remains very strong as reflected in continued sales growth to our Tricoya® panel manufacturing partners MEDITE and FINSA.
In addition to our UK and Netherlands operations, progress in our work with Eastman Chemicals in the USA and PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad in Malaysia continue to show the promising, scalable and global potential for our growth ambitions.
We remain excited about the future long-term prospects for the Group and are endeavouring to come out of COVID-19 as a stronger and better placed business."
 
There will be a presentation relating to these results at 10:00am UK time on 23 June 2020. The presentation will take the form of a webcast and conference call, details of which are below: 
 
Webcast link (for audio and visual presentation): 
Click on the link below or copy and paste ALL of the following text into your browser: 
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/jzoic72u
 
Conference call details (audio only - not recommended for use in conjunction with the webcast link):
 
Event Passcode: 1246057
 
Local - United Kingdom:  +44 (0) 2071 928338
National free phone - United Kingdom:  0800 279 6619
Local - Amsterdam, Netherlands:  +31 (0) 207 956 614
National free phone - Netherlands:  0800 023 5015
Local - USA:  +1 6467 413 167
National free phone - USA: 18 778 709 135
 
 
Ends 
 
For further information, please contact:




Accsys Technologies PLC
Robert Harris, CEO
Will Rudge, FD


via FTI Consulting




 
Numis Securities - Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Oliver Hardy (NOMAD)
Ben Stoop


 
+44 (0) 20 7260 1000
 




 
Investec Bank plc - Joint Broker
Carlton Nelson
James Rudd
Alex Wright
 


 
+44 (0) 20 7597 5970




FTI Consulting 
Matthew O'Keeffe
Alex Le May


+44 (0) 20 3727 1340
 




 
Off the Grid (The Netherlands) 
Frank Neervoort
Yvonne Derske


 
 
+31 681 734 236
+31 622 379 666




 
 

 

Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Chairman's Statement
 
I am pleased to report on a year which has seen Accsys make continued strong progress towards our long-term objectives, and specifically we have moved into positive EBIT territory. However, we have also had our challenges and I will openly explain where we have encountered these.  
 
We are delighted to report record financial results following the continued strong demand for our Accoya® product and the full year of benefits from the third reactor in Arnhem. The fourth reactor is progressing well and is already beyond the design phase. We have also seen progress towards adding Tricoya® manufacturing capacity in Hull although, as previously announced, this project saw some notable challenges in the period under review. We have had to overcome significant construction issues which resulted in a delay to the project and additional funding being required from our shareholders in November 2019 alongside funds to further the expansion of our Accoya® plant given the strong demand for this product.  
 
Since the year-end, the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a very different set of challenges for the entire business and our overarching priority has been to ensure the safety of our people and business continuity. I am pleased with the way the entire organisation has adapted and addressed these challenges while continuing our focus on improving our health and safety performance.  While a significant amount of uncertainty remains concerning on-going COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on the economy, I am increasingly confident we will come through this period in a robust position.  Our sales channels were particularly affected during this period but there are signs of the market improving. The biggest disappointment is further delays to the Tricoya® investment in Hull where the project was delayed during the lock down and social distancing measures will result in further delays with the project now expected to be complete in the first quarter of next calendar year.
 
We welcomed Rob Harris to the Board in November 2019 and have been encouraged by the immediate positive impact he has driven with his focus on our people, capital deployment effectiveness and operational progress. We remain grateful to Paul Clegg for the stellar groundwork he put into the Company particularly in those early years of his tenure - without his drive we would not be where we are today. More recently, we have also announced that Stephen Odell will be taking over from me as Chairman in September 2020 following our AGM. I believe Stephen will be stepping into this role at an incredibly exciting time and the Group will benefit from his extensive operational and international experience as we continue into our next phase of growth. 
 
Demand for Accoya® and Tricoya® remained strong throughout the financial year and as a result our financial results benefitted from the third Accoya® reactor being at capacity for the full year, enabling underlying group revenue to increase by 21% to €90.9m for the year ended 31 March 2020.  The economies of scale associated with operating at these higher levels together with improved pricing also helped the Accoya® segment underlying EBIT to increase 130% to €12.6m. In turn, this enabled the Group to report a positive Underlying EBIT of €1.4m (2019: loss of €3.1m). 
 
The financial position of the Group improved with net debt decreasing from €50.1m to €25.2m as at 31 March 2020. While the cash in-flow from operations improved, the decrease in net debt was due to the successful completion of the equity capital raise completed in December 2019, resulting in net proceeds of €43m.  The majority of these proceeds are earmarked for the completion of the Tricoya® plant in Hull and the further expansion of our Accoya® plant in Arnhem.
 
The speed of construction of the Tricoya® plant in Hull increased in the second half of the financial year following resolution of the previously reported construction issues. Much of the site is now at an advanced state of construction with some areas being prepared for commissioning.  However, as noted above, the restrictions in place concerning the construction industry as a consequence of COVID-19 resulted in a significant proportion of construction workers temporarily stopping work for two months into the new financial year. 
 
While they have now resumed work, new working protocols means the productivity is much reduced and the remaining construction work will take longer to complete such that it is now anticipated the plant will be operational in the first quarter of the new calendar year. Some additional construction and project costs are expected however these have not yet been fully quantified and we are working to ensure the additional costs and delays are minimised and do not become material in the context of the project as a whole.
 
The preliminary design and engineering work for the fourth Accoya® reactor in Arnhem has been completed and we are now progressing with the next stage of the project which will include detailed engineering and procurement of key items of equipment.  The €22m capital project continues on budget and as scheduled with completion expected by the end of the financial year ending 31 March 2022. Given that some uncertainty remains concerning COVID-19 and its impact, we will continue to monitor the progress of the expansion project and will retain control over as much of the project expenditure and timing as possible in order to ensure the Group maintains necessary liquidity. 
 
The new financial year has been impacted by COVID-19, with sales volumes to our Accoya® customers in April nearly half of our previous expectations. More recently we have seen signs of orders beginning to increase again as some of the government restrictions are eased and markets reopen. We are regularly adjusting our production volumes to ensure we meet this increasing order volume while managing our inventory levels as efficiently as possible. We remain cautiously optimistic that sales volumes will continue to increase during the remainder of the financial year driven by the highly compelling attributes of the product in the market place and the previous demand profile.
 
In the short term we will continue to mitigate the effects of lower sales volumes by limiting non-essential expenditure and staff costs, although we anticipate easing these actions as order levels increase. We will do this because we remain confident that the medium and long-term opportunities for Accoya® and Tricoya® remain very strong and we will therefore continue our targeted investment into sales, marketing and engineering to support our growth. 
 
I believe the fundamental strengths of the Company remain unchanged and as a result we have continued to progress our projects assessing the feasibility of constructing Accoya® and Tricoya® plants in the USA and Malaysia respectively, with a view to increasing our total construction capacity from 60,000m3 today to a potential equivalent of 200,000m3 within five years.
 
As we look forward, I am also pleased to report that we have commenced a full review of how we assess Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. Over the past number of years everyone at Accsys has been immensely proud to be associated with manufacturing and selling highly sustainable building materials. This has enabled us to attain a number of sustainability accolades, including  being awarded a Green Economy mark by the London Stock Exchange in October 2019.  However we also understand the importance of ensuring this mindset is not limited to our products but is embedded in our organisation in a way which will also support our on-going growth and success, and that of all our stakeholders. We look forward to reporting on the outcome of this review and subsequent progress in future periods. We have provided some initial indications of the outcome of the first stages of this review in this Annual Report.  
 
Finally, it has been a pleasure to serve the Company for over 9 years. We now sell more in a month than in the first year I joined. Equally we now have our future in our own hands and we are more than capable of delivering on 200,000m3 of production capacity within five years. These are exciting times for our management, employees, shareholders and key partners. Execution of our plans is critical but I have confidence in our ability to deliver.
 
Patrick Shanley
Non-Executive Chairman
22 June 2020
 
 

 

Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Chief Executive's Report 
 
Introduction
 
I took over as CEO at the end of the 2019 calendar year at an incredibly exciting time. I am grateful for the support of all of our shareholders that enabled us to complete the equity capital raise in December 2019, raising €43m net proceeds, which will allow us to complete the Tricoya® plant construction and the next stage of the expansion of our Accoya® plant in Arnhem. These two projects are critical to the Group satisfying the strong demand for our products and executing our strategy.
 
We went on to complete another record breaking financial year as far as production, sales, revenue and profitability are concerned, before hitting the challenges of COVID-19 in the final days of the financial year and into the new one.
 
While COVID-19 has impacted our sales channels in the first part of the new financial year, I am confident that the Group's growth trajectory will return and that the strong fundamentals of Accsys and its products will not be affected by any longer term changes resulting from COVID-19. In addition, I share the view of many of those familiar with Accsys, that the ever-increasing focus on sustainability means that our products' environmental credentials will become only more relevant in our society and that this will help drive our on-going growth. 
 
Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE) remains a key manageable risk and priority for the Group. The Group's HSE performance was good however we will always look for improvement. Our HSE goal is clearly and simply stated; no harm to people, the environment or to property in Accsys.
 
We will continue to seek to improve our HSE performance and expectations, in particular to reflect us turning into a two operational site organisation and in anticipation of our continued growth into new locations. 
 
The Group's financial results, in particular achieving positive EBIT for the full year, mark an important step for us as we continue this growth journey. I believe the results of our Accoya® segment clearly demonstrate the significant potential returns which are achievable in the long term. I am incredibly excited by the opportunities which lie ahead for the Group and am now looking forward to the completion of the Hull Tricoya® plant, the further expansion of the Accoya® plant and working towards our first plants outside of Europe in USA and Malaysia.  
 
Our talent
 
Accsys is committed to increasing its manufacturing and sales of Accoya® and Tricoya®. However in order to achieve the growth to date and to continue to expand, we are very much reliant on our talented people.  As a result, one of my priorities since joining is to better understand what makes all of the staff at Accsys drive the business forward and I have been very pleased that we completed a detailed employee engagement survey in the final quarter of the year and we are now in the process of developing a number of key workstreams coming directly from this. 
 
Accoya® - Global performance
 




 
Accoya® segment - summary of results


 
Year ended 
31 March 
2020


 
Year ended 
31 March 
2019


 
Change - %




Accoya® sales volume - cubic metres


57,842


49,716


+16%




 


 


 


 




Underlying Accoya® segmental revenue


€90.0m


€73.9m


+22%




Accoya® sales 


€82.8m


€66.9m


+24%




Licence income1


€3.2m


€1.0m


 




Acetic acid sales


€6.7m


€5.5m


+22%




Manufacturing margin


30.0%


23.0%


Up 7%




Underlying EBITDA 


€16.9m


€9.0m


+88%




Underlying EBIT


€12.6m


€5.5m


+130%




Note 1 - FY20 Licence income has been reported as exceptional income and relates to the Cerdia termination agreement.
 
Total Accoya® sales volume for the year ended 31 March 2020 increased by 16% to 57,842 cubic metres (2019: 49,716 cubic metres). This volume coupled with price increases in January led to total Accoya® wood revenue increasing by 24% to €82.8m (2019: €66.9m). When excluding sales to MEDITE and FINSA for Tricoya® panel production, sales volumes increased by 16% to 43,708 cubic metres (2019: 37,716 cubic metres).
 
The 16% growth in Accoya® sales volumes continues to be driven by repeat business, primarily for use in windows, doors, decking and cladding, and has been fulfilled by our reliable and consistent network of global distributors.  
 
Demand for our products remained strong with the increase in sales benefiting from a full year of production capacity from the third Accoya® reactor, which commenced operation part way through the previous financial year.  The increasing order volume during the financial year meant that our sales volumes had been limited only by production capacity for much of the financial year and with COVID-19 only impacting sales in the final month. 
 
We remain appreciative for the understanding of our partners and customers throughout this period and more recently as we now work with them to start increasing orders through those sales channels which have been impacted by COVID-19.  
 
Sales volumes by region are set out in the table below:




 


2020


2019


Increase




 


m3


m3


%




UK & Ireland


15,564


13,419


16%




Tricoya®


14,134


12,000


18%




Cerdia


13,567


10,640


28%




Americas


5,935


5,602


6%




Benelux


4,201


4,179


1%




Asia-Pacific


4,118


3,553


16%




ROW


323


323


0%




 


 


 


 




 


57,842


49,716


16%




 
Sales volumes to UK & Ireland increased by 16% as we continued to ensure delivery to manufacturers producing doors, windows and conservatories as part of on-going repeat business. 
 
Sales volumes for Tricoya® largely represented sales to MEDITE although part of the increase arose from sales to FINSA ahead of their formal launch of their Tricoya® product range. 
 
The more significant increase in the Cerdia region reflected our contractual commitment with Cerdia to supply a minimum volume of Accoya®. However, in February 2020 we announced that all of our commercial arrangements with Cerdia were to end on 1 April 2020, nine months earlier than previously anticipated. As a result, Accsys is now selling Accoya® directly into central Europe and Scandinavia without any discount being applied. The €3.2m exceptional licence income represents the associated fee due to Accsys from Cerdia for the termination of these commercial agreements. 
 
The 6% increase in sales to Americas included a 13% increase in the USA. This was partially offset by a reduction in sales to Canada where a key distributor rebalanced inventory levels. Sales to the Americas were limited by a reduction in shipments in the final month of the year due to uncertainty over COVID-19 but North America remains a key target region with the largest market potential for Accoya®. 
 
Within the Benelux, sales to the Netherlands were affected by broader regulatory issues in the construction industry relating to nitrogen emissions regulations which has seen a significant number of construction projects delayed for reasons unrelated to Accoya®, although this is not anticipated to be a permanent impact. 
 
Sales to customers in Asia-Pacific grew by 16% with increases in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
 
Whilst demand continues to be strong, sales in the Rest of the World were flat as we prioritised allocations with our more established regions and customers.
 
Accoya® pricing and margin
 
Profitability improved substantially compared to the previous financial year with the manufacturing margin increasing from 23.0% to 30.0%, as a result of the benefits of operating at higher volumes following the completion of the third reactor last year together with higher sales prices. Within the financial year, the gross manufacturing margin also improved, increasing from 28.6% in the first half to 31.5% in the second half. The second half of the year benefitted from the absence of a planned maintenance shut down which enabled higher manufacturing and sales volumes. 
Raw material costs remained relatively steady, with marginal increases in raw wood costs and with net acetyls costs marginally decreasing over the year. We anticipate costs remaining relatively flat into the new financial year. 
The gross margin continued to be influenced by the quantity of material sold for Tricoya® production as well as to Cerdia, under our off-take agreement. Together this made up 48% of total volume sold in the period (2019: 46%). As set out above, the Cerdia discounted prices have ended with effect from 1 April 2020 and the discounted (market seeding) prices for Tricoya® production are expected to end with the start-up of the Hull plant.
 
Accoya® manufacturing capacity
 
We believe the long-term demand for our products remains strong with a substantial market opportunity as consumers recognise the compelling sustainable benefits of our products and substitute traditional materials.  Given the time it takes to complete the construction of a plant or the expansion of a plant, we have continued to progress with our plans for the expansion of the Arnhem plant by the addition of a fourth reactor.  This will add a further 20,000 cubic metres of capacity, taking the total annual production capacity of the Arnhem plant to 80,000 cubic metres. 
 
During the year we completed the preliminary design and engineering work or FEED (Front End Engineering and Design) package. This has enabled us to progress to the next stage of the project which will see the detailed engineering undertaken together with procurement of key equipment orders and detailed construction work contracts. 
We continue to expect the project capex to be circa €22m including the required additional chemical storage. The expanded plant is anticipated to be operational by the end of March 2022 with a three year payback assuming a two year ramp-up to full capacity. 
 
We are also progressing the project to add capacity to and enhance our wood handling equipment. This €4m project will benefit the entire Accoya® plant. This equipment is also a requirement in order to be able to satisfy the full 80,000 cubic metre capacity of the expanded chemical plant. 
 
Our discussions with Eastman Chemical Company have also continued as we plan the next stages of the study to evaluate the possibility of constructing an Accoya® plant in USA as part of a joint venture ('JV').  The initial evaluation work has progressed well and we are working towards the next stage of the evaluation which would include the completion of a site specific FEED package. It is anticipated this will be completed later in the new financial year and would enable an investment decision in respect of the full plant construction to be made. €1.5m of the proceeds of the capital raise in December 2019 are earmarked to our share of costs associated with the next stage of the project.
 
Tricoya® plant construction
 
The construction of the first dedicated Tricoya® wood chip acetylation plant has substantially progressed in the year.  All key items of equipment are on site and in place. Substantial parts of the plant have been constructed and are ready for or close to ready to be commissioned including the wood handling elements of the plant.
 
However, as reported in November 2019, we have had to overcome significant issues concerning civil engineering works which resulted in a noteworthy delay to the project and significant additional forecast project costs of €28m for the Tricoya® consortium. These issues primarily concerned the civil works associated with the acetylation tower. The core acetylation plant design was not changed during this delay.  Construction work in the latter part of FY20 accelerated following resolution of the issues.
 
Unfortunately COVID-19 has had a further impact on the construction progress. Key parts of the construction workforce stopped working for more than two months from the end of March 2020 as a result of COVID-19 working protocols. In addition, while the full workforce has recommenced work on site, social distancing guidance has resulted in different working practices being followed. The combination of the delay and changed working conditions means we now anticipate the plant will be operational in the first quarter of the new calendar year.  
 
Recruitment of the full operations team has been postponed and some of those who had already been hired have been furloughed. However, even after taking this into account, this further delay is expected to result in some additional project costs. These have not yet been fully quantified and we are working to ensure the additional costs and delays are minimised and do not become material in the context of the project as a whole. 
 
Following completion of construction, the plant will undergo a period of commissioning before full operational ramp-up can commence. We continue to expect this ramp-up to take approximately three years given it is the first plant of its type. This will allow for necessary operational refinement and modifications which may be required to achieve the full targeted 30,000 metric tonnes capacity. 
 
We continue to expect demand from MEDITE and FINSA will utilise the majority of the capacity of the Hull plant and that breakeven EBITDA is anticipated to be achievable at 40% of capacity. Current market expectations indicate we will be at that level when the plant in commissioned.
 
We have also continued to work closely with PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad ('PCG') concerning the feasibility evaluation for an integrated acetic anhydride and Tricoya® production plant in Malaysia. The initial market assessment has been completed and work is progressing on the remaining areas of the feasibility project including evaluating the site design requirements.  The timing of an investment decision will only follow after the Tricoya® plant in Hull is operational given the importance of learning from its start-up and initial operations. 
 
Intellectual Property 
 
We continue to focus on and invest heavily in the generation and protection of intellectual property ('IP') relating to the innovation associated with our acetylation processes, equipment and products, ensuring ongoing differentiation and competitive advantage in the market place. Accsys has increased its number of patent applications in the recent period to 331 in 42 countries and across 25 patent families. The number of granted patents has significantly increased to 179, including patents relating to key technologies in various countries throughout the world, noting that 19 of the 25 patent families have been granted in at least one key territory.
 
Using a combination of patents and know-how, Accsys continues to invest in the generation and protection of core IP associated with our technology for the acetylation of solid wood and wood chips, as well as on complementary technologies for use with Accoya® and Tricoya® wood products.
 
Management of valuable know-how remains an essential element of safeguarding our innovations and market position, with confidentiality protocols in place to prevent unauthorised access to such know-how. We also place strict contractual obligations on third parties collaborating with Accsys, with particular focus on minimising risks by ensuring Accsys' know-how is only shared when absolutely necessary. Controls are also placed on receiving confidential information from third parties, to prevent protection associated with our internal research efforts being compromised. Regular training ensures Company-wide awareness of the importance of protecting and controlling our know-how. Critical attention continues to be given to protecting Accsys Confidential Information and IP as it expands its' production capabilities and licensing opportunities through collaborations with third parties.
 
Our well-established trade mark portfolio continues to grow geographically and covers the key distinctive brands Accoya®, Tricoya® and the unique device under which products are marketed, alongside the corporate Accsys® brand, including transliterations in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese. All of our key brands have now been registered in over 60 countries, becoming valuable and recognisable names in the timber and panel industries. Additional trade mark registrations have increased the strength of the Company brands, with more recent and ongoing activity focused on securing protection for our new Company logo and 'Changing Wood to Change the World' slogan.
 
Accsys continues to maintain an active watch on the commercial and IP activity of third parties to monitor and take action if its IP rights are infringed, to identify potentially valuable third-party IP which could be exploited via a strategic alliance, in-licence or acquisition, and to obtain an early insight into any IP which could potentially hinder our commercial activity. The scope of the IP watch is under regular review so as to align with the increased diversity of our research programmes.
 
Careful IP management, effected via our qualified in-house IP manager, working in close conjunction with our technology, engineering, product development, marketing and commercial teams, and supported where appropriate by external patent and trade mark attorneys, ensures our IP portfolio is maintained, protected and grown in a cost-effective manner, adding value to our manufacturing and licensing businesses. The IP portfolio continues to be regularly reviewed to ensure alignment with the Company objectives, and to confirm fulfilment of obligations to current and potential future licensees. 
 
COVID-19 mitigating actions
 
As previously announced, the start of the new financial year has been impacted by COVID-19.  The impact has included a reduction in our Accoya® sales compared to our previously anticipated levels and a delay in the construction of the Tricoya® plant in Hull, as explained above. 
 
As soon as the likely impact became apparent, we worked to put in place a number of mitigating actions.  Management's priorities have been to ensure the safety and well-being of all our people, to maintain the liquidity of the Company and, as far as possible, preserve the capital raised in December 2019 to enable our current expansion projects to be completed.
 
Our Arnhem production site has remained operational throughout the entire COVID-19 period, successfully balancing supply with market demand. We have significantly reduced the non-essential staff present at the location and introduced new working protocols. Our London head office has effectively been closed throughout the period with all staff productively working remotely.  The Hull construction site saw a reduction in activity levels, as set out above. 
 
The key mitigating actions have included the Board of Directors, the Senior Management team and other senior and mid-level staff reducing their salaries by 20%. In the UK a number of employees have been furloughed, principally those relating to the Tricoya® project in Hull, given the delay in the construction.  We have also applied for compensation for payroll costs in the Netherlands under the NOW scheme, with the quantum of this benefit dependent upon the relative reduction in revenue for the first quarter. 
 
In the short term we have also sought to reduce and minimise other third party costs including sales and marketing and research and development costs. We have also frozen non-essential hires and increased focus on managing working capital.
 
We have not applied for any government backed COVID-19 related loan schemes or tax deferral schemes as we have not yet believed this to have been necessary. 
 
Outlook 
 
Accoya® sales volumes in April were 43% less than April last year with the UK in particular being impacted.  In May we successfully completed our annual maintenance stop. While our distributors continued to operate at a reduced capacity, their customers and Accoya® end-users have not been able to; either finding the restrictive working conditions initially put in place too difficult to achieve or finding that there were shortages of other required raw materials. While most regions have been impacted the severity has varied; for example orders from North America and Germany have been more resilient. 
 
More recently, we have seen order levels starting to increase in all regions as government restrictions start to be eased and markets start to reopen. Following the annual maintenance stop, our production levels have increased and we are currently operating all three Accoya® reactors. However it remains too early to conclude when customers and end users will return to their normal working levels or if the broader economic conditions and on-going uncertainty will continue to limit the effective demand in the short term.  As a result we are working to stimulate and develop new sales channels and opportunities, with a particular focus on USA and mainland Europe where we also believe there remains significant opportunity to grow our market presence. 
 
Given the relative uncertainty that COVID-19 continues to have, we will carry on adjusting our production levels and minimising costs with the intention of maximising EBITDA, preserving the Group's liquidity and as much of the capital raised in December 2019 as possible with a view to enabling both the Hull construction and further Arnhem expansion projects to be completed. We anticipate increasing expenditure and investment as our order levels increase again to support our commitment to delivering our sustained strategic objectives.
 
Looking beyond COVID-19 the long-term opportunity for Accsys remains very positive and it is important to drive new growth opportunities whilst maintaining the momentum of our longer term projects.
 
Rob Harris
Chief Executive Officer
22 June 2020

 

Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Financial Review
 




 


FY 2020


FY 2019


Change %




Underlying Group Revenue


€90.9m


€75.2m


21%




Underlying Gross Profit


€27.5m


€18.6m


48%




Underlying EBITDA


€7.0m


€0.9m


 




Underlying EBIT


€1.4m


(€3.1m)


 




Underlying (loss) before tax


(€2.2m)


(€6.2m)


 




Statutory profit/(loss) before tax


€1.5m


(€7.7m)


 




Year-end cash balance


€37.2m


€8.9m


 




Year-end net (debt) balance


(€25.2m)


(€50.1m)


 




 
Statement of comprehensive income
 
Underlying Group revenue increased by 21% to €90.9m for the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019: €75.2m). Revenue from Accoya® wood increased by 24% to €82.8m largely as a result of higher sales volumes and higher average selling prices. Included within Accoya® revenue, are sales for the manufacture of Tricoya® panels, which increased to €15.3m (2019: €11.8m). These sales are used to develop the market for Tricoya® products, ahead of the start-up of the Tricoya® plant, currently under construction in Hull.
 
Tricoya® panel revenue of €0.5m (2019: €0.6m) represented sales of Tricoya® panels, purchased from our Tricoya® licensees, to sell into other geographies in order to provide initial market seeding material for the global Tricoya® market.
 
Licence revenue of €0.3m (2019: €0.6m) was reflected in our Tricoya® segment. €1.0m of licence income recognised in the prior year was attributable to our former Accoya® licensee, Cerdia International Gmbh ('Cerdia') and was not contracted to reoccur this year. A further €3.2m of revenue has been recorded as exceptional revenue which related to the termination fee associated with the early termination of the Cerdia commercial arrangements.  The amount is to be deducted from the on-going loan from Cerdia on 1 April 2020 and will therefore reduce net debt in the new financial year. 
 
Other revenue of €7.3m (2019: €6.0m) predominantly relates to the sale of acetic acid which increased compared to the prior year given higher production levels. 
 
Underlying Gross margin increased from 25% to 30% compared to the previous year with the Accoya® manufacturing gross margin increasing from 23% to 30%. These increases were driven by economies of scale from the higher sales volumes following the ramp-up of Reactor 3 in H2 FY19 and higher average selling prices. This was partially offset by an increase in the proportion of lower margin sales. 48% of Accoya® sold in the year was sold to Cerdia or for Tricoya®, both of which are at discounted prices, compared to 46% in the prior year. As previously announced, from 1 April 2020, the commercial agreements with Cerdia have been terminated. As a result the volumes sold at a discount to Cerdia (accounting for 24% of sales volume in FY20) are expected to be sold to customers in the same region at non-discounted prices in FY21. 
 
The higher levels of gross margin for the Accoya® business, as described above, are expected to continue to be achievable over the medium to longer term.
 
Underlying other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation, increased from €17.7m to €20.5m. This increase was primarily  due to higher underlying staff costs which increased by €1.4m to €15.4m including costs associated with the change in CEO announced during the year. The increase was also due to higher recruitment and training costs (€0.5m), higher third party sales & marketing costs (€0.4m) and higher IT related costs (€0.3m). This increased cost was partially offset by the implementation of the IFRS 16 'Leases' standard, which had the effect of decreasing operating costs by €0.7m. See note 27 to the financial statements.
 
Average headcount increased by 20 compared to the prior year with the increase in headcount predominantly attributable to an increase in Arnhem operations staff following the commissioning of the third Accoya® reactor in H2 FY19 and recruitment of approximately half the required 31 operational staff for the Hull Tricoya® plant by the end of FY20.
 
Depreciation increased in the year compared to the prior year following the completion of the third reactor, the purchase of the previously leased Arnhem land and buildings (both occurring towards the end of H1 FY19) and the implementation of the IFRS 16 'Leases' standard from the beginning of this financial year. See note 27 to the financial statements.
 
Underlying finance expenses increased to €3.5m (FY19: €3.1m) due to interest payable on our loan with Cerdia no longer being capitalised following the completion of the third Accoya® reactor, and to a smaller extent, the inclusion of finance charges related to the implementation of the IFRS 16 'Leases' standard.
 

 

Other adjustments for the year include a foreign exchange gain of €0.5m (FY19: loss of €0.4m) on loans held in pounds sterling with BGF and Volantis and foreign exchange differences on cash held in pounds sterling, which is used primarily to act as a cash flow hedge against future sterling project expenditure on the new plant being constructed in Hull. The effective portion of the cash flow hedge is recognised in Other comprehensive income. An exceptional finance charge (€1.1m) was recognised in the prior year in respect of the acquisition of the land and buildings in Arnhem from Bruil. See note 5 for further details.
 
Underlying loss before tax decreased by €4.0m to €2.2m (FY19: €6.2m). After taking into account exceptional items and other adjustments, a profit before tax was reported of €1.5m (FY19: (€7.7m) loss).
 
The tax charge of €0.6m (FY19: tax credit of €0.8m) reflects the improved profitability of the Group.
 
Cash-flow
 
Cash-flow generated from operating activities of €2.4m increased compared to €0.3m in the previous year, and reflects the improving operational cash-flow being generated by the Group. 
 
At 31 March 2020, the Group held cash balances of €37.2m, representing a €28.3m increase in the year. The increase in cash in the year is principally attributable to the successful equity issue in December 2019 of €46.3m (before expenses of €3.3m) with the funds raised to fund the Arnhem plant expansion, completion of the Tricoya® plant in Hull (49% Accsys effective shareholding), preliminary work in the United States and working capital requirements related to these activities. The Group also received €9.2m of equity during the year from our Tricoya® consortium partners principally related to funding the completion of the Tricoya® plant in Hull and other Tricoya® related activities. 
 
Investment in property, plant and equipment of €22.0m during the year primarily relates to the Tricoya® plant in Hull and the construction progress made on the project during the year which was partially funded by a drawdown of €4.5m on the Tricoya® RBS facility.
 
Loan repayments (including rolled up interest) & interest payments of €5.3m occurred during the year (2019: €4.4m), with repayments to Cerdia and ABN AMRO. 
 
In the prior year, €23.0m of loan proceeds were received from ABN AMRO and Bruil to purchase the previously leased land and buildings in Arnhem, affecting both investing and financing activities, with the freehold purchase included within Property, plant & equipment, offset by the termination of the associated finance lease. See note 28 to the financial statements.
 
Financial position
 
Plant and machinery additions of €22.0m (2019: €36.7m) in the year principally consisted of the continuing Tricoya® plant construction in Hull, with the construction of the third Accoya® reactor (2019: €8.4m) completed during the prior year. The prior year also included net additions of €9.8m as a result of the purchase of the land and buildings in Arnhem, representing the purchase price of €23.0m net with €13.2m of assets which had previously been accounted for as a finance lease. 
 
Trade and other receivables increased to €15.3m (2019: €13.0m) largely as a result of the Cerdia termination fee (€3.2m) which has been raised as a receivable at the year end. The amount will be deducted from the on-going loan from Cerdia on 1 April 2020 and will therefore reduce net debt in the new financial year. Trade receivables decreased to €8.6m (2019: €10.7m) following a higher than optimal balance in the prior year.
 
Inventory levels increased in the year to €16.9m (2019: €14.0m), mainly due to finished goods increasing to €6.3m (2019: €4.3m), with the finished goods balance representing approximately 4 weeks of sales. 
 
The decrease in trade and other payables to €16.9m (2019: €20.0m) is primarily due to the timing of accruals associated with the capital projects, with Trade payables in-line with the prior year.
 
The Group has implemented the IFRS 16 'Leases' standard with effect from 1 April 2019. On adoption of the new standard, the Group recognised €2.2m of right of use assets and €2.2m of lease liabilities. The impact on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the year has been to increase underlying EBITDA by €0.9m, increase depreciation by €0.9m and increase interest expense by €0.1m. Comparative information for the prior year has not been restated. See note 27 to the financial statements. 
 
Amounts payable under loan agreements increased to €57.3m (FY19: €56.9m), with €4.5m drawn down on the Tricoya® RBS €17.2m facility during the year, as anticipated, in conjunction with funding the ongoing construction of the Tricoya® plant in Hull. The drawdown was partially offset by scheduled repayments on other loans over this period. 
 
The remainder of the Tricoya® RBS facility remains as available headroom, as well as the €6.0m committed working capital facility with ABN AMRO which was undrawn at the end of the financial year.
 
Net debt decreased by €24.9m in the year to €25.2m largely due to proceeds from the December 2019 equity issue offset by Capex investment of €22.0m and the adoption of the IFRS 16 'Leases' standard, with leased liabilities increasing by €3.1m during the year.
 
 
COVID-19 and mitigating actions
 
Unfortunately, the beginning of the FY21 financial year has been substantially impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as set out in the Chairman and CEO report.
We have continued to carry out mitigating actions to help offset the impact of lower sales and to maximise our liquidity including:
·      A continued focus on working capital management, in particular a reduction of inventory levels and close management of our debtors collections;
·      A reduction or deferral of variable pay including with the Directors and Senior Management team agreeing to a temporary 20% reduction in their base salaries effective from 1 April 2020; 
·      Utilising UK and Netherlands government schemes in respect of payroll costs; and 
·      A reduction or deferral of non-essential operating costs, capital expenditure and new recruitment.
 
Following the Group's €46.3 million (before expenses) capital raise in December 2019 the Group's balance sheet remains robust. 
·      The Group held cash balances of €37.2m at 31 March 2020, as well as €6.0m headroom on the ABN AMRO committed working capital facility and €8.5m headroom on the Tricoya® RBS €17.2m (€14.6m net) facility;
·      The ABN facilities banking covenants include a minimum EBITDA level for the Netherlands operating entity. The previous expected headroom relating to this covenant was in excess of €10m EBITDA and we therefore do not currently anticipate any issues in meeting this when taking into account the effect of the mitigating actions set out above;
·      The Board is therefore confident that the Company has adequate liquidity for the foreseeable future and is focussed on minimising the utilisation of cash resources so as to enable the execution of our longer-term capital projects.
 
We remain very confident as to the Group's long-term prospects, our business fundamentals and the significant opportunities for our sustainable products. 
 
 
Going concern
 
These consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, and at least 12 months from the date these financial statements are approved.
 
As part of the Group's going concern review, the Directors have reviewed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future taking into account the banking and finance facilities which are currently in place (see note 28 for details of these facilities) and the possible further impact of COVID-19. These forecasts indicate that, in order to continue as a going concern, the Group is dependent on achieving certain operating performance measures relating to the production and sales of Accoya® wood from the plant in Arnhem with the collection of on-going working capital items in line with internally agreed budgets. The Directors' have also considered the level and timing of capital expenditure required in relation to the new plant in Hull which is currently being built and further expansion of the Arnhem operation noting that the full forecast project cost has not yet been committed to.
 
The Directors believe that while some uncertainty always inherently remains in achieving the budget, in particular in relation to market conditions outside of the Group's control and on this occasion with the heightened risk that COVID-19 entails, that there is no material uncertainty. There are a sufficient number of alternative actions and measures within the control of the Group that can and would be taken in order to ensure on-going liquidity including reducing / deferring costs in some discretionary areas as well as larger capital projects if necessary.
 
Therefore the Directors believe that the going concern basis is the most appropriate on which to prepare the financial statements.
 
 
William Rudge
Finance Director
22 June 2020

 

Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Our Market 
 
Market Overview
 
Our products offer the world a choice to build sustainably, without compromising on quality. They open new opportunities in design, specification, building and manufacturing with their unique characteristics - the best properties of natural wood, enhanced by our acetylation process into a high performance, sustainable building material.
 
The World Economic Forum estimates that 60% of the urban development required by 2030 is yet to be built, and there is increasing focus, enthusiasm and preference for sustainable, responsible offerings in all areas of life.  The built environment is no different and with 36% of global energy use accounted for by buildings and construction, there is both a substantial opportunity and necessary obligation to reduce the environmental costs of both new buildings and refurbishments.
 
Based on our market research and intelligence, we believe that the potential market for Accoya® and Tricoya® is between 2.6 and 5.5 million cubic metres annually.  
 
Accoya® solid wood has class-leading properties that match or improve upon the unsustainable alternatives, combined with its certified sustainability credentials. Our acetylation process substantially reduces the effects of water on the wood, dramatically reducing susceptibility to swelling, shrinking and decay - all but eliminating the traditional drawbacks of wood, while enhancing the positives. 
 
Architects, specifiers, manufacturers and end-customers no longer have to choose between performance and sustainability, with Accoya® offering clear advantages over non-renewable, unsustainable and heavily polluting alternatives such as tropical hardwoods, synthetics and plastics or mined metals. 
 
In the year ended 31 March 2020 we sold 57,842 cubic metres of Accoya® utilising our expanded production capacity for a full year. With the global market for solid wood exceeding 400 million cubic metres, our target of a potential 1 million cubic metres for Accoya® still only represents the fraction of the potential opportunity.
 
The global market for Tricoya® panel products is estimated to between 1.6 million cubic metres and 4.5 million cubic metres per annum, equating to around 1% of global MDF manufacturing capacity. Sales of Accoya® for use in Tricoya® panels in FY20 were 14,134 cubic metres. 
 
Tricoya® panels' enhanced performance and suitability for use in 'wet' environments not only improves their appeal compared to traditional panel products, but also opens completely new use scenarios and design possibilities. Tricoya® displaces alternative more expensive or less easily handled products and opens up major new market opportunities in the construction sector; and sales of Tricoya® panels have increased significantly each year since their introduction to the market. 
 
Both products offer market-leading warranties and service life, along with the sustainable benefits that make them so attractive in this increasingly environmentally responsible world. New attention on the embedded carbon costs of construction, as evidenced by programmes such as Materials Passports (Europe) and Circular Economy Statements (London), are set to further increase focus on the provenance of building materials, further increasing the appeal of Accoya® and Tricoya® in the market.
 
Our Market Strategy
 
Accsys has developed as a company and has developed its markets substantially since proving the commercial viability of acetylated wood.  We have grown market share and brand awareness in the industry through market seeding under our current model of distributor supply and manufacturer support.
 
The majority of our Accoya® sales are to a network of timber distributors which in turn supply a variety of industries, principally for joinery (windows and doors), decking and cladding. Accoya® is primarily selected for use by architects, manufacturers and specifiers for its high performance characteristics. We focus on these applications as Accoya® offers particularly clear and compelling advantages over traditional alternatives, both in material performance as well as sustainability. As we expand our manufacturing capacity, we will be targeting further applications as well as meeting the demands of larger scale manufacturers and continuing to develop our product range.
 
Tricoya® panels are currently manufactured using chipped Accoya® wood, in advance of the completion of the dedicated Tricoya® wood chip acetylation plant in Hull, UK. Agreements have been secured with MEDITE & FINSA, who are expected to use the Tricoya® acetylated wood elements in place of traditional wood chip feedstock to create, market and sell Tricoya® panels. Sales of Tricoya® panels have increased significantly each year since MEDITE introduced them to the market in 2012, being used both in place of 'traditional' panels and in applications where wood panels would not have previously been feasible.
 
Our focus on marketing and selling to our distributors and their customers has been a very successful route to establish our products in the market as we challenge traditional preconceptions about material choice.  We have built and developed strong relationships with our distributor network in key territories and the training, support and engagement with their manufacturing customers mean that we have brand and product advocates throughout the value chain.
 
In the year ended 31 March 2020 we saw good growth in our main geographical markets, with UK & Ireland sales up 16% year on year to 15,564m3, mainland Europe up 20% to 17,872m3 and sales in USA increasing 13% to 5,150m3. Alongside our focus on developing the potential in the substantial USA market, we resumed direct sales and marketing across Europe following the ending of the license agreement with Cerdia from 1st April 2020 and are looking forward to both improved margins and closer relationships with our customers in the region.
 
We are seeking to significantly increase the awareness of the benefits of Accoya® with end users and consumers.  Currently our extended sales network with our partners and customers is a major driver of end-user demand - expert recommendation being highly valued in our markets - however we are already seeing evidence of Accoya® in particular gaining a very positive reputation with enthusiastic property and home owners as well.  
 
We remain focused on creating bottom-up demand to match the top-down sales proposition. An upcoming refresh of the Accoya® brand will be supported by a new website and consumer-facing digital campaigns, coupled with continued close support for the manufacturers and distributors that turn our products into doors, windows, cladding and decking ready for use.
 
The combination of our sustainable proposition with excellent performance and ownership benefits is compelling to a wide variety of audiences and consumer, industry and market trends all favour further shifts towards the benefits our products offer. By developing our multi-channel marketing strategy, we will ensure that we reach this broader range of potential customers and build on our already strong position in our markets. 

 

Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Our Business model
 
Creating value for all our stakeholders
Our differentiators
We utilise the following resources and relationships, which offer us a competitive advantage in our marketplace:
Our technology and IP
We have developed families of patents, providing robust protection over our proprietary products and processes.
42 countries in which we hold 331 patents and patent applications
Our People & Engineering expertise
Our passionate employees are key to the successful execution of the Group's strategy, together with their valuable know-how and a dedication to the future success of the Group.
45% headcount increase over past 3 years
Environment
Accoya® & Tricoya® fit perfectly in the bio-cycle of the circular economy. 
Cradle to Cradle Certified™ at the Gold level 
Strong industry relationships
We work with equipment manufacturers, wood suppliers, the acetyls industry, testing and certification bodies, and other system supply specialists, to help us develop our technology, products and their place in the market.
Industry leading brands
Our brands Accoya® and Tricoya® are globally registered trademarks, portraying our products' sustainable, high quality and long-term performance. 
64 countries in which our products are registered trademarks
Financial strength
Solid financial base to fund growth organically and through further investment.
EBIT positive for the Group this year
Accoya® Underlying EBIT up 130% vs FY19
Proven sustainability credentials
Our products are fully recyclable and lock in CO2 during their longer lifespan. We give the world a choice to build sustainably, with our wood products offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel based or man-made products.
Our activities
We combine chemistry, technology and ingenuity to make high performance wood products that are extremely durable and stable, opening new opportunities for the built environment. We continue to prove the value and quality of our products and processes, opening up growth opportunities for the Group.
            Sourcing
            We obtain timber from FSC® certified, sustainable, fast-growing forests, primarily in New Zealand and Europe.
Proprietary manufacturing
   We manufacture our wood products using our proprietary low emission, acetylation wood modification process at our existing plant in the Netherlands.
57,842 m3 Accoya® wood sold this year
Global sales and distribution
   We work with a network of global distributors to get our sustainable wood products to our customers, who utilise Accoya® and Tricoya® materials to create branded products such as windows, doors, decking, cladding, façades and other external applications.
21% revenue growth this year which continues to be driven by repeat business
 
How we are investing in our future
A key part of our business model involves focusing on growth opportunities, to take advantage of the substantial global market opportunity we believe is achievable with our products.
 
Building new plants and optimising existing sites
            We develop and optimise existing sites and processes to benefit from existing skills and leverage operational and financial scale.
We identify new international locations and appropriate partners to develop additional capacity in order to meet our longer-term growth potential in global markets.
30,000 metric tonne Tricoya® plant under construction in Hull, UK
20,000m3 Accoya® reactor approved for Arnhem
 
Research and development (R&D)
   We have developed innovative, proprietary and protected technologies which chemically modify wood through a low emissions acetylation process.
   We continue to invest in R&D, focused on optimising our existing product offering and technologies and investing in focused technology solutions, which materially enhance our productivity and cost of production.
Launch of a new coloured Accoya® product to customers from FY21- expected to provide even more choice to customers while retaining the key attributes of durability and stability.  
 
Working with business partners
   Working with business partners provides the greatest prospect for taking advantage of the substantial global market opportunity for our products. 
   We continue to work with our partners in order to achieve our objective of expanding the production footprint globally, in particular, with partners which have resources or technologies which complement our own.
Work progressing towards the construction of an Accoya® plant in the USA through a potential joint venture with Eastman Chemical Company.
 
  


Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Our strategy 
 




Strategic Objective


 
Grow product demand
 




Ambition
 


To develop market opportunities to drive revenue growth
 
KPIs: 
-       Accoya® and Tricoya® volume sold by key target geographies




Approach


-       Focus on significant and growth markets, for example Original Equipment Manufacturers and joinery market
-       Working with our customers to sell our products:
o  Building long term customer relationships
o  Targeting repeat business
o  Develop critical mass within key markets
-       Build and protect our brands 
-       Developing the substantial environmental advantages that our products offer
-       Development of partnerships to allow the above in a cost effective manner




Progress in year ended March 2020


-       Total volume sold increased by 16% to 57,842m3
o  Sales to Tricoya® customers increased by 18% to 14,134m3
o  Sales to Accoya® customers increased by 16% to 43,708m3
-       Sales volumes were close to or above production capacity for much of the year, making more significant increases in sales volumes impossible in the short term
-       Sales continued to be driven through our existing distributor base, allowing for repeat business to be continued
-       Early termination of Cerdia agreement has allowed direct relationships with key European distributors to be regained/assumed
-       Tricoya® feasibility study with PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad progressed during year and included undertaking a market evaluation study which confirmed the potential market opportunity supporting the continuation of the feasibility project.




Key results to be achieved for year ending March 2021


-       In the short term - managing the impact COVID-19 has had on our customers and end-users with a focus on limiting the short term impact on sales.
-       Completing the construction of the Tricoya® plant in Hull in order to enable a significant increase in Tricoya® production capacity
-       Increased focus on marketing to end consumers to supplement the successful approach so far which has been focussed on B2B.




 




Strategic Objective
 


 
Practice manufacturing excellence
 




Ambition
 


To grow manufacturing position in Europe, USA and Malaysia and establish new platforms in key markets in support of, and to enable, demand growth.
 
KPIs, by geography:
-       Operational manufacturing capacity 
-       Manufacturing capacity under construction




Approach


-       Safe operations, everywhere
-       Develop and optimise existing sites and leverage operational and financial scale
-       Develop existing skills to ensure continuous improvement at all locations 
-       Identify new international locations and appropriate partners to develop additional capacity in order to meet longer term growth potential in global markets
-       Product development focused on significant volume and value propositions
-       Ensuring adequate supply of raw materials at acceptable economics




Progress in year ended March 2020


-       Hull plant construction has been significantly progressed, however the previously reported delays have been resolved with work accelerating in the latter part of the financial year.




Key results to be achieved for year ending March 2021


-       Appropriately adapting working practices in light of COVID-19 given the importance of the health and safety of our people
-       Completion of the Tricoya® plant in Hull following the delays incurred last year and more recently due to COVID-19.
-       Next stages of the expansion of the Accoya® plant in Arnhem by the addition of a fourth reactor and new automated wood handling equipment. Work in the year is expected to include detailed engineering, the placement of orders for key equipment and commencement of construction works on site.  
-       Progressing work with Eastman in respect of a potential Accoya® plant in USA with commencement of site specific preliminary engineering work.
-       Continuation of feasibility project with PETRONAS Chemical Group Berhad in respect of potential Tricoya® plant in Malaysia   










Strategic 
Objective


 
Develop our technology
 




Ambition
 


To develop technology and IP programmes based on evidence and commercial viability.




Approach


-       Optimisation of existing products and technologies
-       Pursuit of focused technology solutions which materially enhance productivity and cost of production. 
 




Progress in year ended March 2020


-       Coloured Accoya® project has been significantly progressed to enable commencement of commercialisation 
-       Further progress on a number of other projects including acetylation of veneers. 




Key results to be achieved for year ending March 2021


-       Commercialisation of coloured Accoya® by working with key third parties with a view to introducing limited quantities of coloured Accoya® to the market
-       Continued development of application of acetylation to other solid wood applications
-       Define detailed and focused technology development programme for implementation based on existing assets, know-how and development programmes
-       Continue to develop and enhance our IP portfolio.




 
 




Strategic 
Objective


 
Build organisational capability
 




Ambition
 


To develop our people and organisational capability to enable us to meet our growth objectives




Approach


-       Develop, articulate and live our values and culture
-       Develop management and leadership capabilities to support growth ambition
-       Engagement and investment throughout the whole workforce
-       Develop the governance appropriate for the growth of the business
 




Progress in year ended March 2020


-       Developed framework to help fully align all Group employees' objectives and key results 
-       Completed detailed employee engagement survey
-       Rolled out corporate brand identity. 
 




Key results to be achieved for year ending March 2021


-       Embed the framework that aligns all employees' objectives and key result to the Group goals 
-       Aligning actions and decisions throughout the Company with our values and strategy 
-       Improve Employee Engagement 
-       Further develop compensation strategy to align with growth ambitions
-       Review and evolve Company's approach to ESG strategy.
 




 
 
Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 2020
 




 


 


2020


2020


2020


2019


2019


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000




 


Note


Underlying


Exceptional items and other adjustments*


Total


Underlying


Exceptional items and other adjustments*


Total




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Accoya® wood revenue


 


82,836 


- 


82,836 


66,949 


- 


66,949 




Tricoya® panel revenue


 


512 


- 


512 


634 


- 


634 




Licence revenue


 


293 


3,200 


3,493 


1,614 


- 


1,614 




Other revenue


 


7,268 


- 


7,268 


5,956 


- 


5,956 




Total revenue


3


90,909 


3,200 


94,109 


75,153 


- 


75,153 




Cost of sales


 


 
 (63,402)


- 


 (63,402)


 (56,517)


- 


 (56,517)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross profit


 


27,507 


3,200 


30,707 


18,636 


- 


18,636 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


4


 (20,540)


 (165)


 (20,705)


 (17,733)


24 


 (17,709)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


 


6,967 


3,035 


10,002 


903 


24 


927 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Depreciation and amortisation


4


 (5,603)


- 


 (5,603)


 (3,965)


- 


 (3,965)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total other operating costs


4


 (26,143)


 (165)


 (26,308)


 (21,698)


24 


 (21,674)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Operating profit/(loss)


8


1,364 


3,035 


4,399 


 (3,062)


24 


 (3,038)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Finance income


10


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 




Finance expense


11


 (3,517)


626 


 (2,891)


 (3,117)


 (1,529)


 (4,646)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Profit/(Loss) before taxation


 


 (2,153)


3,661 


1,508 


 (6,179)


 (1,505)


 (7,684)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Tax (expense)/credit


12


 (454)


 (177)


 (631)


782 


- 


782 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Profit/(Loss) for the year


 


 (2,607)


3,484 


877 


 (5,397)


 (1,505)


 (6,902)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




(Loss)/gain arising on translation of foreign operations


 


 (11)


- 


 (11)


54 


- 


54 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




(Loss)/gain arising on foreign currency cash flow hedges


 


- 


 (280)


 (280)


- 


11 


11 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total other comprehensive (loss)/income


 


 (11)


 (280)


 (291)


54 


11 


65 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year


 


 (2,618)


3,204 


586 


 (5,343)


 (1,494)


 (6,837)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year is attributable to:


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Owners of Accsys Technologies PLC


 


 (1,080)


3,204 


2,124 


 (4,337)


 (1,494)


 (5,831)




Non-controlling interests


 


 (1,538)


- 


 (1,538)


 (1,006)


- 


 (1,006)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive gain/(loss) for the year


 


 (2,618)


              3,204 


                 586 


 (5,343)


 (1,494)


 (6,837)




Basic and diluted gain/(loss) per ordinary share


14


€(0.01)


 


€0.02


€(0.04)


 


€(0.05)




 
The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
* See note 5 for details of exceptional items and other adjustments.


Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Consolidated statement of financial position as at 31 March 2020
 
Registered Company 05534340
 




 


Note


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




Non-current assets


 


 


 




Intangible assets


16


10,986 


10,790 




Property, plant and equipment


17


122,123 


105,272 




Right of use assets


27


4,536 


- 




Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss


18


- 


- 




 


 


 


 




 


 


137,645


116,062 




 


 


 


 




Current assets


 


 


 




Inventories


21


16,932 


14,008 




Trade and other receivables


22


15,308 


13,038 




Cash and cash equivalents


 


37,238 


8,857 




Corporation tax receivable


 


283 


478 




FX derivative asset


 


- 


143 




 


 


 


 




 


 


69,761 


36,524 




 


 


 


 




Current liabilities


 


 


 




Trade and other payables


23


(16,867)


(19,963)




Obligation under lease liabilities


27


(859)


(246)




Short term borrowings


28


(5,265)


(6,176)




Corporation tax payable


 


(640)


(34)




FX derivative liability


 


(330)


- 




 


 


 


 




 


 


(23,961)


(26,419)




 


 


 


 




Net current assets


 


45,800 


10,105 




 


 


 


 




Non-current liabilities


 


 


 




Obligation under lease liabilities


27


(4,262)


(1,775)




Other long term borrowing


28


(52,048)


(50,733)




 


 


 


 




 


 


(56,310)


(52,508)




 


 


 


 




Net assets


 


127,135 


73,659 




 


 


 


 




Equity


 


 


 




Share capital


24


8,114 


5,900 




Share premium account


 


186,390 


145,429 




Other reserves


25


112,551 


109,521 




Accumulated loss


 


(214,394)


(217,348)




Own shares


 


- 


(9)




Foreign currency translation reserve


 


32 


43 




 


 


 


 




Capital value attributable to owners of Accsys Technologies PLC


 


92,693 


43,536 




 


 


 


 




Non-controlling interest in subsidiaries


9


34,442 


30,123 




 


 


 


 




Total equity


 


127,135 


73,659 




 
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 22 June 2020 and signed on its behalf by
 
Robert Harris                                                                        
William Rudge                                                                                 Directors
 
The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 March 2020




 
 


Share capital Ordinary


Share premium


Other reserves


Own Shares


Foreign currency trans-

lation reserve


Accumula-ted Loss


 Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the company 


 Non-Controlling interests 


 Total Equity 




 


€000


€000


€000


€000


€000


€000


 €000 


 €000 


 €000 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Balance at

1 April 2018


                      5,576 


                140,036 


                  109,425 


                         (15)


                         (11)


                (211,830)


                            43,181 


                     30,314 


                    73,495 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period


- 


- 


11 


- 


54 


(5,896)


(5,831)


(1,006)


(6,837)




Share based payments


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


382 


382


- 


382 




Shares issued


324 


- 


- 


6 


- 


(4)


326 


- 


326 




Premium on shares issued


- 


5,421 


- 


- 


- 


- 


5,421 


- 


5,421 




Share issue costs


- 


(28)


- 


- 


- 


- 


(28)


- 


(28)




Issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests


- 


- 


85 


- 


- 


- 


85 


815 


900 




Balance at

31 March 2019


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




5,900 


145,429 


109,521 


(9)


43 


(217,348)


43,536 


30,123 


73,659 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 16


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


(76)


(76)


- 


(76)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjusted opening balance at 01 April 2019


5,900 


                145,429 


                  109,521 


                           (9)


                           43 


                (217,424)


                            43,460 


                     30,123 


                    73,583 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the period


- 


- 


(280)


- 


(11)


2,415 


2,124 


(1,538)


586 




Share based payments


- 


- 


- 


- 


- 


615 


615 


- 


615 




Shares issued


2,214 


- 


- 


9 


- 


- 


2,223 


- 


2,223 




Premium on shares issued


- 


44,281 


- 


- 


- 


- 


44,281 


- 


44,281 




Share issue costs


- 


(3,320)


- 


- 


- 


- 


(3,320)


- 


(3,320)




Issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests


- 


- 


3,310 


- 


- 


- 


3,310 


5,857 


9,167 




Balance at

31 March 2020


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




8,114 


186,390 


112,551 


- 


32 


                (214,394)


                            92,693 


                     34,442 


                  127,135 




 
Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value (note 24). 
 
Share premium account represents the excess of the amount subscribed for share capital over the nominal value of these shares, net of share issue expenses. Share issue expenses comprise the costs in respect of the issue by the Company of new shares. 
 
See note 25 for details concerning Other reserves. 
 
Non-controlling interests relates to the investment of various parties into Tricoya Technologies Limited and Tricoya Ventures UK Limited (notes 9 and 26).
 
In the prior year, own shares represented a total of 173,915 shares issued to an Employee Benefit Trust ('EBT') at nominal value on 25 June 2018. Of this amount, 145,918 shares vested on 1 July 2019 (note 15).
 
Foreign currency translation reserve arises on the re-translation of the Group's USA subsidiary's net assets which are denominated in a different functional currency, being US dollars. 
 
Accumulated losses represent the cumulative loss of the Group attributable to the owners of the parent.
 
The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.


Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Consolidated statement of cash flow for the year ended 31 March 2020
 




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




Loss before taxation before exceptional items and other adjustments


 


 (2,153)


 (6,179)




Adjustments for:


 


 


 




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


                              664 


                              611 




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and right of use assets


 


                          4,939 


                          3,354 




Net finance expense


 


                          3,352 


                          3,117 




Equity-settled share-based payment expenses


 


                              614 


                              382 




Currency translation (gains)


 


 (78)


 (38)




 


 


 


 




Cash inflows from operating activities before changes in working capital and exceptional items


 


                          7,338 


                          1,247 




 


 


 


 




Exceptional Items in operating activities (see note 5)


 


                          3,200 


                                  - 




 


 


 


 




Cash inflows from operating activities before changes in working capital


 


                        10,538 


                          1,247 




 


 


 


 




(Increase) in trade and other receivables


 


 (2,427)


 (3,693)




Increase in deferred income


 


                              190 


                              994 




(Increase) in inventories


 


 (2,924)


 (882)




(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables


 


 (3,164)


                              960 




 


 


 


 




Net cash generated from/(used in) operating activities before tax


 


                          2,213 


 (1,374)




 


 


 


 




Tax received


 


                              165 


                          1,674 




 


 


 


 




Net cash from operating activities


 


                          2,378 


                              300 




 


 


 


 




Cash flows from investing activities


 


 


 




Interest received


 


                                19 


                                70 




Investment in property, plant and equipment 


 


(22,040)


(48,166)




FX deal settlement related to hedging of Hull Capex


 


                              307 


                                  - 




Investment in intangible assets


 


 (861)


 (749)




 


 


 


 




Net cash (used in) investing activities


 


 (22,575)


 (48,845)




 


 


 


 




Cash flows from financing activities


 


 


 




Proceeds from loans


 


                          4,500 


                        26,000 




Other finance costs


 


 (79)


 (93)




(Repayment of)/Proceeds from trade facility draw down


 


 (1,825)


                          1,825 




Interest Paid


 


 (2,370)


 (1,157)




Repayment of lease liabilities


 


 (1,022)


 (12,209)




Repayment of loans/rolled up interest


 


 (2,942)


 (3,208)




Proceeds from issue of share capital


 


                        46,504 


                          5,747 




Proceeds from issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests


 


                          9,167 


                              900 




Share issue costs


 


 (3,320)


 (28)




 


 


 


 




Net cash from financing activities


 


                        48,613 


                        17,777 




 


 


 


 




Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


 


                        28,416 


 (30,768)




Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents


 


 (35)


 (73)




Opening cash and cash equivalents


 


                          8,857 


                        39,698 




 


 


 


 




Closing cash and cash equivalents


 


                        37,238 


                          8,857 




 
 
The notes form an integral part of these financial statements.
 
 
Accsys Technologies PLC
 
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2020
 
1.         Accounting Policies
 
General Information
 
The financial information set out in these preliminary results does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the periods ended 31 March 2020 or 31 March 2019. Statutory accounts for the period ended 31 March 2019 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies and those for the period ended 31 March 2020 will be delivered to the Registrar in due course; both have been reported on by the auditors. The auditors' report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2019 was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. The auditors' report on the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2020 is unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
 
Basis of accounting
 
The Group's financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention (except for certain financial instruments and equity investments which are measured at fair value), in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as endorsed by the European Union, interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their financial statements under adopted IFRS. 
 
Going Concern
 
These consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, and at least 12 months from the date these financial statements are approved.
 
As part of the Group's going concern review, the Directors have reviewed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future taking into account the banking and finance facilities which are currently in place (see note 28 for details of these facilities) and the possible further impact of COVID-19. These forecasts indicate that, in order to continue as a going concern, the Group is dependent on achieving certain operating performance measures relating to the production and sales of Accoya® wood from the plant in Arnhem with the collection of on-going working capital items in line with internally agreed budgets. The Directors' have also considered the level and timing of capital expenditure required in relation to the new plant in Hull which is currently being built and further expansion of the Arnhem operation noting that the full forecast project cost has not yet been committed to.
 
The Directors believe that while some uncertainty always inherently remains in achieving the budget, in particular in relation to market conditions outside of the Group's control and on this occasion with the heightened risk that COVID-19 entails, that there is no material uncertainty. There are a sufficient number of alternative actions and measures within the control of the Group that can and would be taken in order to ensure on-going liquidity including reducing / deferring costs in some discretionary areas as well as larger capital projects if necessary.
 
Therefore the Directors believe that the going concern basis is the most appropriate on which to prepare the financial statements.
 
Exceptional Items
 
Exceptional items are events or transactions that fall outside the ordinary activities of the Group and which by virtue of their size or incidence, have been separately disclosed in order to improve a reader's understanding of the financial statements. These include items relating to the restructuring of a significant part of the Group, impairment losses (or the reversal of previously recorded exceptional impairments), expenditure relating to the integration and implementation of significant acquisitions and other one-off events or transactions. See note 5 for details of exceptional items.
 
Business combinations
 
Where the Company has the power, either directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of another entity or business so as to obtain benefits from its activities, it is classified as a subsidiary. The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Group as if they formed a single entity. Inter-company transactions and balances between Group companies are therefore eliminated in full.
 
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method.  In the consolidated statement of financial position, the acquirer's identifiable assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained.
 
As allowed under IFRS 1, some business combinations effected prior to transition to IFRS, were accounted for using the merger method of accounting. Under this method, assets and liabilities are included in the consolidation at their book values, not fair values, and any differences between the cost of investment and net assets acquired were taken to the merger reserve.  The majority of the merger reserve arose from a corporate restructuring in the year ended 31 March 2006 which introduced Accsys Technologies PLC as the new holding company.
 
Further details concerning the Tricoya® Consortium are included in note 9.
 
Revenue from contracts with customers
 
Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration receivable. Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal will not occur based on the consideration in the contract. The following specific recognition criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised.
 
Manufacturing revenue
Revenue is recognised from the sale of goods and is measured at the amount of the transaction price received in exchange for transferring goods. The transaction price is the expected consideration to be received, to the extent that it is highly probable that there will not be a significant reversal of revenue in the future. When a customer provides untreated wood to be processed by the Group in order to produce Accoya®, revenue is recognised when the Group's performance obligations under the relevant customer contract have been satisfied, which is before the finished Accoya® has been collected by the customer. Manufacturing revenue includes the sale of Accoya® wood, Tricoya® panels and other revenue, principally relating to the sale of acetic acid.
 
Licensing fees and Marketing income
Licence fees and marketing income are recognised over the period of the relevant agreements according to the specific terms of each agreement or the quantities and/or values of the licensed product sold. The accounting policy for the recognition of licence fees is based upon satisfaction of the performance obligations set out in the contract such as an assessment of the work required before the licence is signed and subsequently during the design, construction and commissioning of the licensees' plant, with an appropriate proportion of the fee recognised upon signing and the balance recognised as the project progresses to completion. Marketing revenue, when the Company acts as principal, is recognised based on the actual work completed in the period. The amount of any cash or billings received but not recognised as income is included in the financial statements as deferred income and shown as a liability.
 
Finance income
 
Interest accrues using the effective interest method, i.e. the rate that discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset.
 
Borrowing costs
 
Finance expenses include the fees, interest and other finance charges associated with the Group's loan notes and credit facilities, which are expensed over the period that the Group has access to the loans and facilities. 
 
Foreign exchange gains or losses on the loan notes are included within finance expenses.
 
Interest on borrowings directly relating to the construction or production of qualifying assets are capitalised until such time as the assets are substantially ready for their intended use or sale. Where funds have been borrowed specifically to finance a project, the amount capitalised represents the actual borrowing costs incurred. Where the funds used to finance a project form part of general borrowings, the amount capitalised is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to relevant general borrowings of the Group during the construction period.
 
Share based payments
 
The Company awards nil cost options to acquire ordinary shares in the capital of the Company to certain Directors and employees. The Company has also previously awarded bonuses to certain employees in the form of the award of deferred shares of the Company. 
 
In addition the Company has established an Employee Share Participation Plan under which employees subscribe for new shares which are held by a trust for the benefit of the subscribing employees. The shares are released to employees after one year, together with an additional, matching share on a 1 for 1 basis.
 
The fair value of options and deferred shares granted are recognised as an employee expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at grant date and is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income over the vesting period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options or shares. 
 
The fair value of share options granted is measured using a modified Black Scholes model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest only where vesting is dependent upon the satisfaction of service and non-market vesting conditions.
 
Non-market vesting conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity instruments expected to vest at each balance sheet date so that, ultimately, the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period is based on the number of options which eventually vest.  Market vesting conditions are factored into the fair value of the options granted.  The cumulative expense is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition.
 
Dividends
 
Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.
 
Pensions
 
The Group contributes to certain defined contribution pension and employee benefit schemes on behalf of its employees. These costs are charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on an accruals basis.
 
Taxation
 
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity. 
 
Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date together with any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. Current tax includes the expected impact of claims submitted by the Group to tax authorities in respect of enhanced tax relief for expenditure on research and development.
 
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for:
 
·      the initial recognition of goodwill;
·      the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination;
·      differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. 
 
The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.
Foreign currencies
 
The individual financial statements of each Group company are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates (the functional currency). For the purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the results and financial position of each Group company are expressed in Euro, which is the functional currency of the parent Company, and the presentation currency of the consolidated financial statements.
 
In preparing the financial statements of the individual companies, transactions in currencies other than the entity's functional currencies are recognised at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions.  At each reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing at that date.  Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. 
 
Exchange differences are recognised in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.
 
For the purposes of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group's foreign operations are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the reporting date.  Income and expense items are translated at the average monthly exchange rates prevailing in the month in which the transaction took place.  Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the foreign currency translation reserve. Such translation differences are reclassified to profit and loss only on disposal or partial disposal of the overseas operation.
 
Foreign exchange hedging
 
The Group has adopted IFRS 9 hedge accounting in respect of the cash flow hedging instruments that it uses to manage the risk of foreign exchange movements impacting on future cash flows and profitability. 
 
The Group has prospectively assessed the effectiveness of its cash flow hedging using the 'hedge ratio' of quantities of cash held in the same currency as future foreign exchange cash flow quantities related to committed investment in plant and equipment. The Group has undertaken a qualitative analysis to confirm that an 'economic relationship' exists between the hedging instrument and the hedged item. It is also satisfied that credit risk will not dominate the value changes that result from that economic relationship.
 
At the end of each reporting period the Group measures the effectiveness of its cash flow hedging and recognises the effective cash flow hedge results in Other Comprehensive Income and the Hedging Effectiveness Reserve within Equity, together with its ineffective hedge results in Profit and Loss. Amounts are reclassified from the Hedging Effectiveness Reserve to Profit and Loss when the associated hedged transaction affects Profit and Loss. Further details are included in note 5.
 
Government grants
 
Government grants are recognised at their fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Group will comply with the attached conditions. When the grant relates to an expense item, it is recognised as income over the period necessary to match the grant on a systematic basis to the costs that it is intended to compensate. Where the grant relates to an asset they are credited to a deferred income account and released to the statement of comprehensive income over the expected useful life of the relevant asset on a straight line basis.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking is the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired. It is capitalised, and is subject to annual impairment reviews by the Directors. Any impairment arising is charged to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Where the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired is greater than the fair value of consideration paid, the resulting amount is treated as a gain on a bargain purchase and has been recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
 
Other intangible assets
 
Intellectual property rights, including patents, which cover a portfolio of novel processes and products, are shown in the financial statements at cost less accumulated amortisation and any amounts by which the carrying value is assessed during an annual review to have been impaired. At present, the useful economic life of the intellectual property is considered to be 20 years.  
 
Internal development costs are incurred as part of the Group's activities including new processes, process improvements, identifying new species and improving the Group's existing products. Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs are capitalised when all of the criteria set out in IAS 38 'Intangible Assets' (including criteria concerning technical feasibility, ability and intention to use or sell, ability to generate future economic benefits, ability to complete the development and ability to reliably measure the expenditure) have been met. These internal development costs are amortised on a straight line basis over their useful economic life, between 8 and 20 years.
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment charged. Cost includes the original purchase price of the asset as well as costs of bringing the asset to the working condition and location of its intended use. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset, except freehold land, over its expected useful life on a straight line basis, as follows:
 
Plant and machinery                           These assets comprise pilot plants and production facilities.  These facilities are depreciated from the date they become available for use over their useful lives of between 5 and 20 years
Office equipment                                Useful life of between 3 and 5 years
Leased land and buildings                Land held under a finance lease is depreciated over the life of the lease
Freehold land                                     Freehold land is not depreciated
 
Impairment of non-financial assets
 
The carrying amount of non-current non-financial assets of the Group is compared to the recoverable amount of the assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value may not be recoverable, or in the case of goodwill, annually.  The recoverable amount is the higher of value in use and the fair value less cost to sell. In assessing the value in use, the expected future cash flows from the assets are determined by applying a discount rate to the anticipated pre-tax future cash flows.  An impairment charge is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the assets' recoverable amount.  The revised carrying amounts are amortised or depreciated in line with Group accounting policies. A previously recognised impairment loss, other than on goodwill, is reversed if the recoverable amount increases as a result of a reversal of the conditions that originally resulted in the impairment.  This reversal is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and is limited to the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised in prior years. Assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units) for purposes of assessing impairment.  
 
Leases
 
As explained in note 2 below, the Group has changed its accounting policy for leases where the Group is the lessee. 
 
To the extent that a right-of-control exists over an asset subject to a lease, a right-of-use asset, representing the Group's right to use the underlying leased asset, and a lease liability, representing the Group's obligation to make lease payments, are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position at the commencement of the lease. 
 
The right-of-use asset is measured initially at cost and includes the amount of initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs incurred, including advance lease payments, and an estimate of the dismantling, removal and restoration costs required in terms of the lease. Depreciation is charged to the consolidated income statement so as to depreciate the right-of-use asset from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The lease term shall include the period of an extension option where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Where the lease contains a purchase option the asset is written off over the useful life of the asset when it is reasonably certain that the purchase option will be exercised. 
 
The lease liability is measured at the present value of the future lease payments, including variable lease payments that depend on an index and the exercise price of purchase options where it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if readily determinable. If the implicit interest rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate is used. Finance charges are recognised in the consolidated income statement over the period of the lease. 
 
Lease expenses for leases with a duration of one year or less and low-value assets are not recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position, and are charged to the consolidated income statement when incurred. Low-value assets are determined based on quantitative criteria.
 
Until 31 March 2019 (Prior year): 
o  Operating lease payments were recognised as an expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
 
o  Assets held under finance leases were recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. The corresponding liability to the lessor was included in the consolidated statement of financial position as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments were apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. 
 
Inventories
 
Raw materials, which consist of unprocessed timber and chemicals used in manufacturing operations, are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The basis on which cost is derived is a first-in, first-out basis.
 
Finished goods, comprising processed timber, are stated at the lower of weighted average cost of production or net realisable value.  Costs include direct materials, direct labour costs and production overheads (excluding the depreciation/depletion of relevant property and plant and equipment) absorbed at an appropriate level of capacity utilisation.  Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all expected costs to completion and costs to be incurred in selling and distribution.
 
Financial assets
 
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group's consolidated statement of financial position when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets are initially measured at fair value and in the case of investments not at fair value through profit or loss, fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs. 
 
Except where a reliable fair value cannot be obtained, unlisted shares held by the Group are classified as fair value through other comprehensive income and are stated at fair value. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in other comprehensive income, with dividends recognised in profit or loss. Where it is not possible to obtain a reliable fair value, these investments are held at cost less provision for impairment.
 
Loans and receivables, which comprise non-derivative financial assets with fixed and determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market, are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to their acquisition or issue, and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less provision for impairment.
 
Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method, less allowance for impairments. The Group has elected to apply the IFRS 9 practical expedient option to measure the value of its trade receivables at transaction price, as they do not contain a significant financing element. The Group applies IFRS 9's 'simplified' approach that requires companies to recognise the lifetime expected losses on its trade receivables. At the date of initial recognition, the credit losses expected to arise over the lifetime of a trade receivable are recognised as an impairment and are adjusted, over the lifetime of the receivable, to reflect objective evidence reflecting whether the Group will not be able to collect its debts. 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position comprise cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits, including liquidity funds, with an original maturity of three months or less. For the purpose of the statement of consolidated cash flow, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.
 
Financial liabilities 
 
Other financial liabilities
Trade payables and other financial liabilities are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
 
Loans and other borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of amounts received net of transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. There have been no modifications to the terms of the Group's loan agreements requiring disclosure under IFRS 9.
 
 
Share capital
 
Financial instruments issued by the Group are treated as equity only to the extent that they do not meet the definition of a financial liability. The Group's shares are classified as equity instruments.
 
Segmental Reporting
 
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments and has been identified as steering the committee that makes strategic decisions.
 
Alternative Performance Measures 
 
The Group presents certain measures of financial performance, position or cash flows in the Annual Report and financial statements that are not defined or specified according to IFRS. These measures, referred to as Alternative Performance Measures (APMs), are prepared on a consistent basis for all periods presented in this report. 
The most significant APMs are: 
 
Net debt 
A measure comprising short term and long-term borrowings (including lease obligations) less cash and cash equivalents. Net debt provides a measure of the Group's net indebtedness or overall leverage. 
 
Underlying EBITDA 
Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments, depreciation and amortisation. Underlying EBITDA provides a measure of the cash-generating ability of the business that is comparable from year to year.
 
Underlying EBIT 
Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments. Underlying EBIT provides a measure of the operating performance that is comparable from year to year.
 
Effective interest rate 
Net interest expense (excluding capitalisation of interest) expressed as a percentage of trailing 13-month average net debt provides a measure of the cost of borrowings.
 
 
2.         Accounting judgements and estimates
 
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
 
Accounting estimates
 
Useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment
The annual depreciation charge for property, plant and equipment is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reassessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 17 for the carrying amount of the property plant and equipment, and note 1 for the useful economic lives for each class of assets.
 
Inventories
The Group reviews the net realisable value of, and demand for, its inventory on a monthly basis to provide assurance that recorded inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value after taking into account the age and condition of inventory.
 
Commercial negotiations
The Group is party to a number of commercial negotiations in the ordinary course of business. Management consults with internal and external experts, and utilises its best estimate to account for any relevant financial effect from these negotiations (including the value of amounts to be capitalised and any payables or provisions required to settle such negotiations), when they become apparent. 
 
 
Accounting judgements
 
In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements, management has to make judgments on how to apply the Group's accounting policies and make estimates about the future. The critical judgements that have been made in arriving at the amounts recognised in the Consolidated Financial Statements and the key sources of uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying value of assets and liabilities in the next financial year are discussed below:
 
 
Revenue recognition
The Group has considered the criteria for the recognition of fee income from licensees over the period of the agreement and is satisfied that the recognition of such revenue is appropriate. The recognition of fees is based upon satisfaction of the performance obligations set out in the contract such as an assessment of the work required before the licence is signed and subsequently during the construction and commissioning of the licensees' plant, with an appropriate proportion of the fee recognised upon signing and the balance recognised as the project progresses to completion. The Group also considers the recoverability of amounts before recognising them as income. Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal will not occur.
 
Goodwill
The Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any impairment in accordance with the accounting policy stated above. The recoverable amounts of cash-generating units have been determined based on value in use calculations. These calculations require the use of judgements in relation to discount rates and future forecasts (See note 16). The recoverability of these balances is dependent upon the level of future licence fees and manufacturing revenues. While the scope and timing of the production facilities to be built under the Group's existing and future agreements remains uncertain, the Directors remain confident that revenue from own manufacturing, existing licensees, new licence or consortium agreements will be generated, demonstrating the recoverability of these balances.
 
Intellectual property rights (IPR) and property, plant and equipment
The Group tests the carrying amount of the intellectual property rights and property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net book value may not be recoverable. These calculations require the use of estimates in respect of future cash flows from the assets by applying a discount rate to the anticipated pre-tax future cash flows. The Group also reviews the estimated useful lives at the end of each annual reporting period (See note 16 & 17). The price of Accoya® wood and the raw materials and other inputs vary according to market conditions outside of the Group's control.  Should the price of the raw materials increase greater than the sales price or in a way which no longer makes Accoya® competitive, then the carrying value of the property, plant and equipment or IPR may be in doubt and become impaired. The Directors consider that the current market and best estimates of future prices mean that this risk is limited.
 
Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss
The Group has an investment in listed equity shares carried at nil value.  The investment is valued at cost less any impairment as a reliable fair value cannot be obtained since there is no active market for the shares and there is currently uncertainty around the future funding of the business. The Group makes appropriate enquiries and considers all of the information available to it in order to assess whether any impairment has occurred (See note 18).
 
Consolidation of subsidiaries
The Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances when assessing whether it meets the IFRS 10 requirements to consolidate Tricoya Technologies Limited (TTL) and Tricoya Ventures UK Limited (TVUK). The Group has consolidated the results of TTL and TVUK as subsidiaries, as it exercises the power to govern the entities in accordance with IFRS 10. See note 9.
 
New standards and interpretations in issue at the date of authorisation of these financial statements:

 
New standards, amendments and interpretations
The following amendments to Standards and a new Interpretation have been adopted for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2019:
 
•              IFRS 16 - Leases
•              Prepayments Features with Negative Compensation - Amendments to IFRS 9
•              Long-term interests in Associates and Joint Ventures - Amendments to IAS 28
•              Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015 - 2017 Cycle
•              Amendments to IAS 19 - Employees Benefits
•              IFRIC 23 - Uncertainty over income tax treatments
 
The Group had to change its accounting policies as a result of adopting IFRS 16. The Group elected to adopt the new rules retrospectively but recognised the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard on 1 April 2019. This is disclosed in note 27. The other amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected to significantly affect the current or future periods.
 
New standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted
Certain new accounting standards and interpretations have been published that are not mandatory for 31 March 2020 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the Group. These standards are not expected to have a material impact on the entity in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.
 
3.         Segmental reporting
 
The Group's business is the manufacturing of and development, commercialisation and licensing of the associated proprietary technology for the manufacture of Accoya® wood, Tricoya® wood elements and related acetylation technologies. Segmental reporting is divided between corporate activities, activities directly attributable to Accoya®, to Tricoya® or research and development activities. 
 
 
Accoya® 




 


Accoya® Segment




 


Year ended 31 March 2020

 
 






Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2020





Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2020









TOTAL


 


Year ended 31 March 2019



 






Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2019





Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2019









TOTAL




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Accoya® wood revenue


82,836 


- 


82,836 


 


66,949 


- 


66,949 




Licence revenue


5 


3,200 


3,205 


 


1,043 


- 


1,043 




Other revenue


7,187 


- 


7,187


 


5,916 


- 


5,916 




Total Revenue


90,028 


3,200 


93,228 


 


73,908 


- 


73,908 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost of sales


(62,878)


- 


 (62,878)


 


 (55,960)


- 


 (55,960)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross profit


27,150 


3,200 


30,350 


 


     17,948 


               - 


17,948 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


 (10,204)


          - 


 (10,204)


 


 (8,955)


          - 


 (8,955)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


16,946 


3,200 


20,146 


 


8,993 


- 


8,993 




Depreciation and amortisation


 (4,323)


              - 


 (4,323)


 


 (3,508)


       - 


 (3,508)




Profit from operations


     12,623 


        3,200 


         15,823 


 


       5,485 


            - 


      5,485 




 
Revenue includes the sale of Accoya®, licence income and other revenue, principally relating to the sale of acetic acid and other licensing related income. 
 
All costs of sales are allocated against manufacturing activities in Arnhem unless they can be directly attributable to a licensee. Other operating costs include all costs associated with the operation of the Arnhem manufacturing site, including directly attributable administration, sales and marketing costs.  
 
See note 5 for explanation of Exceptional items and other adjustments.
 
Average headcount = 130 (2019: 117)
 
The below table shows details of reconciling items to show both Accoya® EBITDA and Accoya® Manufacturing gross profit, both including and excluding licence and licensing related income, which has been presented given the inclusion of items which can be more variable or one-off. 




 


 


 


 


 


2020


2019




 


 


 


 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Accoya® segmental underlying EBITDA


 


 


 


 


         16,946 


               8,993 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Accoya® underlying Licence revenue


 


 


 


 


 (5)


 (1,043)




Other income, predominantly for marketing services


 


 


 


 


 (168)


 (172)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Accoya® segmental underlying EBITDA (excluding. Licence Income)


 


 


 


        16,773 


          7,778 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Accoya® segmental underlying gross profit


 


 


 


 


        27,150 


        17,948 




Accoya® underlying Licence revenue


 


 


 


 


 (5)


 (1,043)




Other income, predominantly for marketing services


 


 


 


 


 (168)


 (172)




Accoya® manufacturing gross profit


 


 


 


 


       26,977 


        16,733 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross Accoya® Manufacturing Margin


 


 


 


 


30.0%


23.0%




 
 
Tricoya®




 


Tricoya® Segment




 


Year ended 31 March 2020



 






Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2020





Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2020









TOTAL


 


Year ended 31 March 2019





 




Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2019





Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2019





 




TOTAL




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Tricoya® panel revenue


512 


- 


512 


 


634 


- 


634 




Licence revenue


  288 


- 


288 


 


571 


- 


571 




Other revenue


81 


- 


81 


 


40 


- 


40 




Total Revenue


881 


- 


881 


 


1,245 


- 


1,245 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost of sales


 (524)


- 


 (524)


 


 (557)


- 


 (557)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross profit


357 


- 


357 


 


688 


- 


688 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


 (3,210)


 (165)


 (3,375)


 


 (2,586)


24 


 (2,562)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


 (2,853)


 (165)


 (3,018)


 


 (1,898)


24 


 (1,874)




Depreciation and amortisation


 (397)


- 


 (397)


 


 (242)


- 


 (242)




Profit/(Loss) from operations


 (3,250)


 (165)


 (3,415)


 


 (2,140)


24 


 (2,116)




 
 
Revenue and costs are those attributable to the business development of the Tricoya® process and establishment of Tricoya® Hull Plant. 
 
See note 5 for explanation of Exceptional items and other adjustments.
 
Average headcount = 17 (2019: 12), noting a substantial proportion of the costs to date have been incurred via recharges from other parts of the Group or have resulted from contractors.
 
 
Corporate  




 


Corporate Segment




 


Year ended 31 March 2020







Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2020



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2020



 




TOTAL


 


Year ended 31 March 2019







Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2019



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2019





 


TOTAL




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Accoya® wood revenue


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




Licence revenue


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




Other revenue


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




Total Revenue


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost of sales


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross result


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


 (6,055)


- 


 (6,055)


 


 (5,119)


- 


 (5,119)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


 (6,055)


- 


 (6,055)


 


 (5,119)


- 


 (5,119)




Depreciation and amortisation


 (731)


- 


 (731)


 


 (175)


- 


 (175)




Loss from operations


 (6,786)


- 


 (6,786)


 


 (5,294)


- 


 (5,294)




 
Corporate costs are those costs not directly attributable to Accoya®, Tricoya® or Research and Development activities. This includes management and the Group's corporate and general administration costs including the head office in London.  
 
See note 5 for explanation of Exceptional items and other adjustments.
 
Average headcount = 23 (2019: 21)
 
Research and Development 




 


Research & Development Segment




 


Year ended 31 March 2020





 


Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2020



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2020









TOTAL


 


Year ended 31 March 2019

 
 




Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2019



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2019









TOTAL




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Accoya® wood revenue


        - 


           - 


      - 


 


       - 


         - 


         - 




Licence revenue


      - 


            - 


       - 


 


      - 


           - 


              - 




Other revenue


-


         - 


     - 


 


      - 


           - 


         - 




Total Revenue


          - 


            - 


  - 


 


          - 


         - 


       - 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost of sales


        - 


        - 


       - 


 


     - 


      - 


       - 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross result


        - 


      - 


      - 


 


     - 


      - 


       - 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


 (1,071)


       - 


 (1,071)


 


 (1,073)


            - 


 (1,073)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


 (1,071)


       - 


 (1,071)


 


 (1,073)


  - 


 (1,073)




Depreciation and amortisation


 (152)


       - 


 (152)


 


 (41)


      - 


 (41)




Loss from operations


 (1,223)


      - 


 (1,223)


 


 (1,114)


     - 


 (1,114)




 
Research and Development costs are those associated with the Accoya® and Tricoya® processes. Costs exclude those which have been capitalised in accordance with IFRS (see note 16).  
 
Average headcount = 9 (2019: 9)
 
Total




 


Total




 


Year ended 31 March 2020









Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2020



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2020









TOTAL


 


Year ended 31 March 2019









Underlying


Year ended 31 March 2019



Exceptional items & Other Adjustments


Year ended 31 March 2019

 






TOTAL




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Accoya®/Tricoya® revenue


83,348 


- 


83,348 


 


67,583 


- 


67,583 




Licence revenue


293 


3,200 


3,493 


 


1,614 


- 


1,614 




Other revenue


7,268 


- 


7,268 


 


5,956 


- 


5,956 




Total Revenue


90,909 


3,200 


94,109 


 


75,153 


- 


75,153 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost of sales


 (63,402)


- 


 (63,402)


 


 (56,517)


- 


 (56,517)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Gross profit


27,507 


3,200 


30,707 


 


18,636 


- 


18,636 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


 (20,540)


 (165)


 (20,705)


 


 (17,733)


24 


 (17,709)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




EBITDA


6,967 


3,035 


10,002 


 


903 


24 


927 




Depreciation and amortisation


 (5,603)


- 


 (5,603)


 


 (3,965)


- 


 (3,965)




Profit/(Loss) from operations


1,364 


3,035 


4,399 


 


 (3,062)


24 


 (3,038)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Finance income


- 


- 


- 


 


- 


- 


- 




Finance expense


 (3,517)


626 


 (2,891)


 


 (3,117)


 (1,529)


 (4,646)




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Profit/(Loss) before taxation


 (2,153)


3,661 


1,508 


 


 (6,179)


 (1,505)


 (7,684)




 
 
See note 5 for details of Exceptional items and other adjustments. 
 
Analysis of Revenue by geographical area of customers:
 




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




UK and Ireland


              39,208 


              32,099 




Rest of Europe


              24,962 


              19,487 




Americas


              10,949 


                9,316 




Benelux


                8,510 


                7,982 




Asia-Pacific


                6,293 


                6,099 




Rest of World


         987 


          170 




 


              90,909 


              75,153 




 
Revenue generated from three customers exceeded 10% of Group revenue of 2020. This included 62% of the revenue from the rest of Europe and relates to a mixture of Accoya®, Licensing, and Other Revenue. In addition, two other customers represented 33% and 35% respectively, of the revenue from the United Kingdom and Ireland and relate to Accoya® revenue. Revenue generated from three customers exceeded 10% of Group revenue in 2019 (73% of the revenue from the rest of Europe, and 34% and 34% respectively, of the revenue from the United Kingdom and Ireland). 
 
 
 
Assets and liabilities on a segmental basis:
 




 


Accoya®


Tricoya®


Corporate


R&D


TOTAL


Accoya®


Tricoya®


Corporate


R&D


TOTAL




 


2020


2020


2020


2020


2020


2019


2019


2019


2019


2019




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000




Non-current assets


62,143 


  70,638 


    4,773 


   91 


137,645 


  62,648 


 49,949 


   3,421 


   44 


116,062 




Current assets


  38,777 


  10,896 


   15,330 


4,758 


  69,761 


 25,504 


  9,288 


 (3,184)


 4,916 


36,524 




Current liabilities


 (11,692)


 (9,407)


 (2,833)


 (29)


(23,961)


 (17,251)


 (8,358)


 (771)


 (39)


(26,419)




Net current assets/ (liabilities)


  27,085 


  1,489 


  12,497 


4,729 


  45,800 


    8,253 


     930 


 (3,955)


4,877 


 10,105 




Non-current liabilities


 (27,740)


 (8,727)


 (19,843)


    - 


(56,310)


 (30,336)


 (3,316)


 (18,856)


     - 


(52,508)




Net assets/ (liabilities)


             61,488 


           63,400 


 (2,573)


          4,820 


              127,135 


             40,565 


           47,563 


 (19,390)


          4,921 


                 73,659 




 
 




Analysis of non-current assets (Other than financial assets and deferred tax):


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




UK


 


  75,435 


53,679 




Other countries


 


   57,979 


  58,152 




Un-allocated - Goodwill


 


   4,231 


   4,231 




 


 


 


 




 


 


 137,645 


 116,062 




 
The segmental assets in the current year were predominantly held in the UK and mainland Europe (Prior Year UK and mainland Europe). Additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets in the current year were predominantly incurred in the UK and mainland Europe (Prior Year UK and mainland Europe). There are no significant intersegment revenues.
 
4.         Other operating costs
 
Other operating costs consist of the operating costs, other than the cost of sales, associated with the operation of the plant in Arnhem, the offices in Dallas and London and certain pre-operating costs associated with the plant in Hull:
 




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Sales and marketing


        3,295 


        3,286 




Research and development


     1,071 


      1,073




Other operating costs


      6,742 


       4,922 




Administration costs


   9,432 


     8,452 




Exceptional Items and other adjustments


   165 


 (24)




 


 


 




Other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation


     20,705 


     17,709 




 


 


 




Depreciation and amortisation


     5,603 


      3,965 




 


 


 




Total other operating costs


       26,308 


     21,674 




 
Administrative costs include costs associated with Business Development and Legal departments, Intellectual Property as well as Human Resources, IT, Finance, Management and General Office and includes the costs of the Group's head office costs in London and the US Office in Dallas.
 
The total cost of €20,705,000 in the current period includes €3,375,000 in respect of the Tricoya® segment, compared to €2,562,000 in the previous year.
 
Group average headcount increased from 159 in the year to 31 March 2019, to 179 in the year to 31 March 2020.
 
During the period, €861,000 (2019: €748,000) of internal development & patent related costs were capitalised and included in intangible fixed assets, including €701,000 (2019: €600,000) which were capitalised within Tricoya Technologies Limited ('TTL'). In addition €204,000 of internal costs have been capitalised in relation to our current Arnhem Accoya® plant expansion project (2019: €395,000 - relating to third reactor expansion) and €44,000 of internal costs have been capitalised in relation to our plant build in Hull, UK (2019: €46,000). Both are included within tangible fixed assets.
 
5.         Exceptional items and other adjustments
 




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Cerdia contract termination fee - Licence revenue


    3,200 


        - 




Termination of finance lease on acquisition of land and buildings - Finance expense


         - 


 (1,140)




 


 


 




Total exceptional items


    3,200 


 (1,140)




 


 


 




Foreign exchange differences arising on Tricoya® cash held - Operating costs


 (165)


        24 




Foreign exchange differences arising on Loan Notes - incl. in Finance expense


     626 


 (389)




Foreign exchange differences on Tricoya® cash held - Other comprehensive (loss)


 (96)


 (132)




Revaluation of FX forwards used for cash-flow hedging - Other comprehensive (loss)/income 


 (184)


      143 




 


 


 




Total other adjustments


     181 


 (354)




 


 


 




Tax on exceptional items and other adjustments


 (177)


        - 




 


 


 




Total exceptional items and other adjustments


   3,204 


 (1,494)




 
 
Exceptional Items
 
The exceptional licence fee revenue of €3.2m results from the early termination of the Cerdia commercial agreements. This amount currently included in receivables will be recorded as a reduction to net debt from 1st April 2020, with the fee being offset against our loan held with Cerdia which continues.
 
An exceptional finance charge of €1.1m was recognised in the prior year as an exceptional finance expense in respect of the acquisition of the land and buildings in Arnhem from Bruil. The non-cash charge reflects the difference between the assets held under the finance lease and the finance lease liability which was terminated at the point the acquisition was completed. 
 
Other Adjustments
 
Foreign exchange differences in the Tricoya® segment have occurred due to pounds sterling held within the consortium for the ongoing Hull plant build. The Group has mitigated this currency exchange risk by adopting hedge accounting in respect of the Tricoya® plant construction under IFRS 9, Financial Instruments. The effective portion of the foreign exchange movement is recognised in other comprehensive income, with the ineffective portion recognised in Operating costs.
 
Foreign exchange differences also arise on the pounds sterling denominated loan notes, entered into in a prior period (see note 28). These exchange rate differences are included as finance expenses. 
 
 
 
6.         Employees




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




Staff costs (including Directors) consist of:


 


 




Wages and salaries


    12,249 


     11,119 




Social security costs


     1,768 


    1,747 




Other pension costs


    894 


     731 




Share based payments


      537 


     454 




 


 


 




 


     15,448 


    14,051 




 




The average monthly number of employees, including Executive Directors, during the year was as follows:


 


 




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


 


 




Sales and marketing, administration, research and engineering


 


99


90




Operating


 


80


69




 


 


 


 




 


 


179


159




 
 
7.         Directors' remuneration
 




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




Directors' remuneration consists of:


 


 


 




Directors' emoluments


 


         1,443 


   1,307 




Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes


 


       49 


     47 




 


 


 


 




 


 


 1,492 


   1,354 




 
 
Compensation of key management personnel included the following amounts:
 




 


Salary, bonus and short term benefits


 


 


Share based payments charge


 


 




 


Payment in Lieu of Notice


 


 


 




 


 


2020


2019




 


Pension


Total


Total




 


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Paul Clegg


       320 


         309 


          23 


              28 


      680 


     627 




Rob Harris


     206 


        -   


      10 


       8 


224 


       - 




William Rudge


           262 


      -   


       16 


         28 


      306 


    313 




Hans Pauli 1


      -   


      -   


      -   


      -   


    - 


  238 




 


       788 


     309 


      49 


        64 


    1,210 


   1,178 




 
 
The Group made contributions to 1 (2019: 2) Director's personal pension plan, with Paul Clegg and Robert Harris receiving cash in lieu of pension.
 
The figures in the above table are impacted by foreign exchange noting that the remuneration for P Clegg, R Harris and W Rudge are denominated in Pounds Sterling. P Clegg's remuneration included a payment in lieu of his notice period of 12 months. 
 
1 Hans Pauli amounts above for 2019 represent the remuneration received for the period to 31 December 2018, when he resigned as a Director.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.         Operating profit/(loss)
 




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




This has been arrived at after charging/(crediting):


 


 


 




 


 


 


 




Staff costs


 


 15,448 


   14,051 




Depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and right of use assets


 


  4,939 


   3,354 




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


   664 


   611 




Operating lease rentals


 


28 


   966 




Foreign exchange (gains)


 


 (81)


 (62)




Research & Development (excluding staff costs)


 


    624 


      606 




Fees payable to the Company's auditors for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements


     78 


      74 




Fees payable to the Company's auditors for other services:


 


 


 




   - audit of the Company's subsidiaries pursuant to legislation


 


      71 


         71 




   - audit related assurance services 


 


      26 


          19 




Fees payable to Group auditors for audit of subsidiaries:


 


       93 


         98 




   Total audit and audit related services:


 


     268 


     262 




 
 
In addition to the above, during the year ended 31 March 2020, fees of €273,000 relating to the working capital review for the December 2019 equity fundraise were paid to the Company's auditors (2019: nil). These fees were accounted for in Share Premium as Share issue costs. 
 
 
9.         Tricoya Technologies Limited 
 
Tricoya Technologies Limited ("TTL") was incorporated in order to develop and exploit the Group's Tricoya® technology for use within the worldwide panel products market, which is estimated to be worth more than €60 billion annually. 
 
On 29 March 2017 the Group announced the entry into and successful completion of its agreements for the financing, construction and operation of the world's first Tricoya® wood elements acetylation plant in Hull with its TTL consortium investors, being BP, MEDITE, BGF and Volantis.
 
The Hull plant will have a targeted production capacity of 30,000 metric tonnes per annum (sufficient to manufacture 40,000 cubic metres of panels) and scope to expand. 
 
Structurally, Accsys, BP Ventures, MEDITE, BGF and Volantis have invested into TTL in 2017. TTL has then invested, alongside BP Chemicals and MEDITE, in Tricoya® Ventures UK Limited ("TVUK"), a special purpose subsidiary of TTL that will construct, own and operate the Hull Plant.
 
BP have invested €29.4 million in the Tricoya® Project, including €21.4 million as equity in TVUK by BP Chemicals and €8.0 million as equity in TTL by BP Ventures. All funding was received by 31 March 2020, with €8.2m being received in the year ended 31 March 2020.
 
MEDITE have invested €12.0 million in the Tricoya® Project, including €7.5 million as equity in TTL and €4.5 million as equity in TVUK. All funding was received by 31 March 2020, with €1.0m being received in the year ended 31 March 2020.
 
In the year to 31 March 2020, the Group increased its shareholding in TTL from 76.0% to 77.8% with the investment of €9.7m and the further issue of 1,653,987 shares as a result of its continued supply of lower priced Accoya® to MEDITE, to enable continued market development ahead of the completion of the Hull Plant.
 
In the year ended 31 March 2017, BGF and Volantis invested an aggregate of £19.0 million as financial investors into both the Group and TTL. BGF and Volantis invested on similar terms but are investing separately, with BGF accounting for 65% of the £19.0 million total.
 
In the year ended 31 March 2017, TVUK entered a six-year €17.2 million (€14.6 million net) finance facility agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC in respect of the construction and operation of the Hull Plant. As at 31 March 2020 the Group have utilised €8.7m (2019: €3.6m) of the facility.
 
The Group has consolidated the results of TTL and TVUK as subsidiaries, as it exercises the power to govern the entities in accordance with IFRS 10. The non-controlling interests in both entities have been recognised in these Group financial statements. 
 
 
The "TTL Group" income statement and balance sheet, consisting of TTL and its subsidiary TVUK, are set out below:
 
TTL Group income statement: 




 


Consolidated


Consolidated




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Revenue


             881 


    1,246 




Cost of sales


 (538)


 (590)




 


 


 




Gross profit


            343 


       656 




 


 


 




Operating costs:


 


 




   Staff costs


 (2,879)


 (1,959)




   Research & development (excluding staff costs)


 (228)


 (204)




   Intellectual Property


 (203)


 (210)




   Sales & marketing


 (388)


 (486)




   Depreciation & Amortisation


 (397)


 (242)




EBIT


 (3,752)


 (2,445)




 


 


 




EBIT attributable to Accsys shareholders


 (2,214)


 (1,439)




 
TTL Group balance sheet: 




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Non-current assets


 


 




Intangible assets


            4,216 


     3,773 




Property, plant and equipment


        65,557 


    46,176 




Right of use assets


          865 


     - 




 


        70,638 


    49,949 




Current assets


 


 




Receivables due within one year


             2,378 


     2,256 




Inventory


         53 


  - 




Cash and cash equivalents


  8,399 


6,890 




FX Derivative Asset


                   - 


    143 




 


 


 




 


   10,830 


       9,289 




Current liabilities


 


 




Trade and other payables


 (18,703)


 (11,674)




FX Derivative Liability


 (330)


       - 




 


 


 




Net current assets


 (8,203)


 (2,385)




 


 


 




Net assets


   62,435 


    47,564 




 


 


 




Value attributable to Accsys Technologies


        27,993 


     17,441 




 


 


 




Value attributable to Non-controlling interest


      34,442 


     30,123 




 
 
10.       Finance income
 




 


 


 


 


2020


2019




 


 


 


 


€'000


€'000




Interest receivable on bank and other deposits*


 


 


 


               - 


       - 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 
 
*€19,000 interest received in the year ended 31 March 2020 (31 March 2019: €70,000) in relation to cash balances held in Tricoya Ventures UK Ltd was netted off with borrowing costs incurred, with the net borrowing cost amount related to the Hull project capitalised and included within property, plant and equipment. 
 
 
11.       Finance expense




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




Arnhem land and buildings lease finance charge


 


200 


274 




Foreign exchange (gain)/loss on loan notes


 


(626)


389 




Interest on loans


 


3,108 


2,739 




Interest on lease liabilities


 


101 


9 




Other finance expenses


 


108 


95 




Unwinding of Arnhem finance lease charge - exceptional item


 


- 


1,140 




 


 


 


 




 


 


  2,891 


   4,646 




 
12.       Tax expense




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




(a) Tax recognised in the statement of comprehensive income comprises:


 


 




 


 


 




Current tax charge/(credit)


 


 




UK Corporation tax on losses for the year


     - 


           - 




Research and development tax expense in respect of current year


                              28 


           55 




 


 


 




 


        28 


       55 




 


 


 




Overseas tax at rate of 15%


 (30)


         26 




Overseas tax at rate of 25%


       633 


 (863)




 


 


 




Deferred Tax


 


 




Utilisation of deferred tax asset


      - 


         - 




 


 


 




Total tax charge/(credit) reported in the statement of comprehensive income


       631 


 (782)




 


 


 




 


 


 




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




(b) The tax charge (credit) for the period is lower than the standard rate of


 


 




corporation tax in the UK (2020 & 2019: 19%) due to:


 


 




 


 


 




Profit/(Loss) before tax


      1,508 


 (7,684)




 


 


 




 


 


 




Expected tax charge/(credit) at 19% (2019 - 19%)


      287 


 (1,460)




 


 


 




Expenses not deductible in determining taxable profit


    116 


  115 




Over provision in respect of prior years


 (41)


 (863)




Tax losses for which no deferred income tax asset was recognised


      135 


    1,468 




Effects of overseas taxation


     106 


 (97)




Research and development tax charge in respect of prior years


      129 


    194 




Research and development tax (credit) in respect of current year


 (101)


 (139)




 


 


 




Total tax charge/(credit) reported in the statement of comprehensive income


     631 


 (782)




 
 
Deferred taxes at the balance sheet date have been measured using these enacted tax rates and reflected in these financial statements. 
 
13.       Dividends Paid




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




Final Dividend €Nil (2019: €Nil) per Ordinary share proposed


 


 




and paid during year relating to the previous year's results


            - 


      - 




 


 


 




 
 
 
 
14.       Profit/(Loss) per share
 
The calculation of loss per ordinary share is based on loss after tax and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.                
 




Basic and diluted earnings per share


2020


2020


2019


2019




 


Underlying


Total


Underlying


Total




 


 


 


 


 




Weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue ('000)


132,721


132,721


116,343


116,343




Profit/(Loss) for the year attributable to owners of Accsys Technologies PLC (€'000)


(1,069)


2,415


(4,391)


(5,896)




 


 


 


 


 




Basic and diluted gain/(loss) per share


€ (0.01)


€ 0.02


€ (0.04)


€ (0.05)




 
 
Basic and diluted losses per share are based upon the same figures. IAS 33 "Earning per share" defines Dilutive share options as share options which would decrease profit per share or increase loss per share. Equity options are disclosed in note 29, which if exercised, would decrease loss per share.
 
15.       Share based payments
 
The Group operates a number of share schemes which give rise to a share based payment charge. The Group operates a Long Term Incentive Plan ('LTIP') in order to reward certain members of staff including the Senior Management team and the Executive Directors. As part of the award of nil costs options under the LTIP in 2013, the recipients relinquished all share options that they held which had been awarded under the 2005 and 2008 Share Option plans. Other employees continue to hold options awarded under these earlier schemes.
 
Options - total
 
The following figures take into account options awarded under the LTIP, together with share options awarded in previous years under the 2008 Share Option schemes.
 
Outstanding options granted are as follows:
 
 




 


Number of outstanding


Weighted average remaining




 


options at 31 March


contractual life, in years




Date of grant


2020


2019


2020


2019




 


 


 


 


 




1 August 2011


    90,000 


  90,000 


         1.3 


         2.3 




19 September 2013 (LTIP)


   2,177,675 


    2,177,675 


       3.5 


       4.5 




24 June 2016 (LTIP)


    482,827 


    482,827 


         6.3 


         7.3 




20 June 2017 (LTIP)


   338,275 


   1,046,076 


         7.3 


       8.3 




18 June 2018 (LTIP)


     829,882 


   1,138,843 


          8.3 


       9.3 




25 June 2019 (LTIP)


   593,376 


   -   


     9.3 


        -   




20 November 2019 (LTIP)


    105,699 


   -   


          9.7 


     -   




23 December 2019 (LTIP)


      41,468 


     -   


           9.8 


     -   




 


 


 


 


 




Total


   4,659,202 


   4,935,421 


           5.8 


       6.6 




 
Movements in the weighted average values are as follows:




 


 


 


 


Weighted


 




 


 


 


 


average


 




 


 


 


 


exercise


 




 


 


 


 


price


Number




 


 


 


 


 


 




Outstanding at 1 April 2018


 


 


 


€ 0.15


4,499,431 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Granted during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


              1,170,159 




Forfeited during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.02


                (630,285)




Exercised during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


            (70,175)




Expired during the year


 


 


 


€ 6.12


         (33,709)




 


 


 


 


 


 




Outstanding at 31 March 2019


 


 


 


€ 0.10


         4,935,421 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Granted during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


        810,520 




Forfeited during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


       (1,086,739)




Exercised during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


                  - 




Expired during the year


 


 


 


€ 0.00


                - 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Outstanding at 31 March 2020


 


 


 


€ 0.10


       4,659,202 




 
 
The exercise price of options outstanding at the end of the year ranged between €nil (for LTIP options) and €0.50 (2019: €nil and €0.50) and their weighted average contractual life was 5.8 years (2019: 6.6 years).
 
Of the total number of options outstanding at the end of the year, 2,750,502 (2019: 2,267,675) had vested and were exercisable at the end of the year. 
 
Long Term Incentive Plan ('LTIP')
 
In 2013, the Group established a Long Term Incentive Plan, the participants of which are key members of the Senior Management Team, including Executive Directors. The establishment of the LTIP was approved by the shareholders at the AGM in September 2013. 
 
2013 LTIP Award performance conditions and 2016 outcome
 
The LTIP in 2013 awarded 4,103,456 nil cost options and 2,472,550 vested in the financial year end 31 March 2017. 2,177,675 nil cost options remain as at 31 March 2020 after allowing for forfeitures and options exercised in the year.
 
2016 LTIP Award performance conditions and 2016 outcome
 
The LTIP in 2016 awarded 1,070,255 nil cost options and 482,827 vested in the financial year end 31 March 2020. 482,827 nil cost options remain as at 31 March 2020 after allowing for forfeitures and options exercised in the year.
 
Awards made in June 2017 and LTIP Award performance conditions 
 
During the year ended March 2018, a total of 1,087,842 LTIP awards were made primarily to members of the Senior Management team including the Executive Directors:
 
The performance targets for 937,014 of these awards are as follows: 
 




Metric


Weighting (% of award)


Threshold


Target


Maximum






Vesting (% of maximum)


 


25%


50%


100%




EBITDA per share in FY20


50%


€0.04


€0.06


€0.08




Share Price Growth vs Comparator Group


50%


Median


N/A


Upper Quartile




 
·          Vesting is on a straight-line basis between points in the schedule. There is no vesting for performance below Threshold.  
·          EBITDA based on total Group EBITDA including licensing income. Appropriate adjustments may be made to the EBITDA per share metric to ensure fair and consistent performance measurement over the performance period in line with the business plan and intended stretch of the targets at the point of award.
·          Comparator group is the constituent companies of the FTSE AIM All Share Index (excluding the Resource and Financial Services Sectors)
 




Element


Element A

(Share price growth)


Element B

(EBITDA per Share)




Grant date


20 Jun 17


20 Jun 17




Share price at grant date (€)


0.88


0.88




Exercise price (€)


0.00


0.00




Expected life (years)


3


3




Contractual life (years)


10


10




Vesting conditions (Details set out above)


Share Price


EBITDA




Risk free rate


-0.60%


-0.60%




Expected volatility


20%


20%




Expected dividend yield


0%


0%




Fair value of option


€ 0.203


€ 0.814




 
 
The remaining 150,828 of the awards made in summer 2017 were specific to individuals dedicated to the Tricoya® consortium with performance measures linked to progress and development of the Tricoya® plant and its subsequent operation.
The fair value of these options were €0.814 on their Grant date.
 
All of the above awards, made in summer 2017 are subject to a three year performance period (i.e. year end March 2020) and a further two year holding period. In addition, awards are also subject to malus/ claw-back provisions. As at 31 March 2020, the expected vesting amount is estimated to be 338,275 share options.
 
Awards made in June 2018 and LTIP Award performance conditions 
 
During the prior year, a total of 1,170,160 LTIP awards were made primarily to members of the Senior Management team including the Executive Directors:
 
The performance targets for 993,220 of these awards are as follows: 
 




Metric


Weighting (% of award)


Threshold


Maximum






Vesting (% of maximum)


 


25%


100%




EBITDA per share in FY21


60%


€0.05


€0.13




Total sales volume (subject to Group EBITDA being breakeven or positive)


40%


70,000


85,000




 
·          Vesting is on a straight-line basis between points in the schedule. There is no vesting for performance below Threshold.  
·          EBITDA based on total Group EBITDA including licensing income. Appropriate adjustments may be made to the EBITDA per share metric to ensure fair and consistent performance measurement over the performance period in line with the business plan and intended stretch of the targets at the point of award.




Element


Element A

(EBITDA per share)


Element B

(Sales volume growth)




Grant date


19 Jun 18


19 Jun 18




Share price at grant date (€)


0.91


0.91




Exercise price (€)


0.00


0.00




Expected life (years)


3


3




Contractual life (years)


10


10




Vesting conditions (Details set out above)


EBITDA


Sales volume growth




Risk free rate


-0.55%


-0.55%




Expected volatility


20%


20%




Expected dividend yield


0%


0%




Fair value of option


€ 0.842


€ 0.842




 
The remaining 176,940 of the awards made in summer 2018 were specific to individuals dedicated to the Tricoya® consortium with performance measures linked to progress and development of the Tricoya® plant and its subsequent operation.
The fair value of these options were €0.842 on their Grant date.
All of the above awards, made in summer 2018 are subject to a three year performance period (i.e. year end March 2021) and a further two year holding period. In addition, awards are also subject to malus/ claw-back provisions.
 
Awards made in year ended 31 March 2020 and LTIP Award performance conditions 
 
During the year, a total of 810,520 LTIP awards were made primarily to members of the Senior Management team including the Executive Directors:
 
The performance targets for 686,049 of these awards are as follows: 
 




Metric


Weighting (% of award)


Threshold


Target


Maximum






Vesting (% of maximum)


 


25%


70%


100%




EBITDA per share in FY22


60%


€0.10


€0.14


€0.22




Total sales volume in FY22 (m3)


40%


82,000


86,000


100,000




 
·             Vesting is on a straight-line basis between the above points. 
·             Appropriate adjustments may be made to ensure fair and consistent performance measurement over the performance period in line with the business plan and intended stretch of the targets at the point of award.
·             EBITDA per share targets are set and determined so as to exclude licensing income.
 




Element


Element A

(EBITDA per share)


Element B

(Sales volume growth)




Grant date


25 Jun 19


25 Jun 19




Share price at grant date (€)


1.32


1.32




Exercise price (€)


0.00


0.00




Expected life (years)


3


3




Contractual life (years)


10


10




Vesting conditions (Details set out above)


EBITDA


Sales volume growth




Risk free rate


-0.74%


-0.74%




Expected volatility


20%


20%




Expected dividend yield


0%


0%




Fair value of option


€ 1.221


€ 1.221




 
On 20th November 2019 and 23rd December 2019, a total of 147,167 LTIP awards (included in the 686,049 LTIP awards above) were made to 2 new employees with the same performance targets as illustrated above. The fair value of these awards were €1.05 per option.
 
The remaining 124,471 of the awards made in summer 2019 were specific to individuals dedicated to the Tricoya® consortium with performance measures linked to progress and development of the Tricoya® plant and its subsequent operation.
The fair value of these options were €1.221 on their Grant date.
 
All of the above awards, made in summer 2019 are subject to a three year performance period (i.e. year end March 2022) and a further two year holding period. In addition, awards are also subject to malus/ claw-back provisions.
 
2008 Share Option schemes
 
Awards made in earlier years had no impact on the income statement in the current or prior period and given the smaller number of options remaining, no details have been disclosed.
 
Employee Benefit Trust - Share bonus award
 
Following a share issue on 25 June 2018 as part of the annual bonus, in connection with the employee remuneration and incentivisation arrangements for the period from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018, 145,918 Ordinary shares awarded in the prior year vested. No similar award were made during the year ended 31 March 2020.
 
Employee Share Participation Plan
During the year, the Company re-introduced the Employee Share Participation Plan (the 'Plan') for subscription that was initiated in a prior year and was last offered in December 2015. The Plan is intended to promote the long term growth and profitability of Accsys by providing employees with an opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in new Ordinary shares ('Shares') in the Company as an additional benefit of employment. Under the terms of the Plan, the Company issues these Shares to a trust for the benefit of the subscribing employees. The Shares are released to employees after one year, together with an additional Share on a 1 for 1 matched basis provided the employee has remained in the employment of Accsys at that point in time (subject to good leaver provisions). The Plan is in line with industry approved employee share plans and is open for subscription by employees once a year following release of the interim financial results. The maximum amount available for subscription by any employee is €5,000 per annum. In February 2020 various employees subscribed for a total of 204,612 Shares at an acquisition price of €1.095 per Share. 
 
16.       Intangible assets




 


 


Internal


Intellectual


 


 




 


 


Development


property


 


 




 


 


costs


rights


Goodwill


Total




 


 


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000




Cost


 


 


 


 


 




At 1 April 2018


 


                        6,338 


                      73,292 


                        4,231 


                      83,861 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Additions


 


                            458 


                            290 


                                - 


                            748 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


                        6,796 


                      73,582 


                        4,231 


                      84,609 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Additions


 


                            391 


                            469 


                                - 


                            860 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


                        7,187 


                      74,051 


                        4,231 


                      85,469 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Accumulated amortisation


 


 


 


 


 




At 1 April 2018


 


                        1,470 


                      71,738 


                                - 


                      73,208 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Amortisation


 


                            326 


                            285 


                                - 


                            611 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


                        1,796 


                      72,023 


                                - 


                      73,819 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Amortisation


 


                            350 


                            314 


                                - 


                            664 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


                        2,146 


                      72,337 


                                - 


                      74,483 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Net book value


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


                        5,041 


                        1,714 


                        4,231 


                      10,986 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


                        5,000 


                        1,559 


                        4,231 


                      10,790 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2018


 


                        4,868 


                        1,554 


                        4,231 


                      10,653 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 
 
The carrying value of internal development costs, intellectual property rights and goodwill on consolidation are split between two cash generating units, representing the Accoya® and Tricoya® segments. The recoverable amount of internal development costs, intellectual property rights and goodwill relating to each unit is determined based on a value in use calculation which uses cash flow projections based on Board approved financial budgets. Cash flows have been projected for a period of 12 years, including a five year forecast and seven years of 1.8% growth plus assumptions concerning a terminal value and based on a pre-tax discount rate of 10% per annum (2019: 10%). The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are:
-       the level of future licence fees and manufacturing revenues estimated by management,
-       the completion of construction of additional facilities on time (and associated output), and
-       the discount rate. 
The Directors have considered whether a reasonably possible change in assumptions may result in an impairment. The CGU most susceptible to an impairment given a change in assumptions is the Tricoya® CGU. 
The impact on the value in use determined is: 
-                                     Reduction in sales growth rate by 1% = €16m
-                                     Increase in discount rate by 1% = €13m
 
 
17.       Property, plant and equipment
 




 


 


Land and


Plant and


Office


 




 


 


buildings


machinery


equipment


Total




 


 


€'000


€'000


€'000


€'000




Cost or valuation


 


 


 


 


 




At 1 April 2018


 


        12,078 


      68,860 


     1,476 


     82,414 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Additions


 


    17,997 


    41,490 


   1,541 


   61,028 




Termination of finance lease


 


  (12,099) 


   (4,742) 


    -   


   (16,841) 




Foreign currency translation profit


 


     -   


      -   


     12 


   12 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


     17,976 


   105,608 


   3,029 


   126,613 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjustment for IFRS 16 implementation


 


     -   


  (1,932) 


    (344) 


  (2,276) 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjusted opening balance at 01 April 2019


 


    17,976 


   103,676 


     2,685 


    124,337 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Additions


 


     -   


    22,015 


  555 


   22,570 




Foreign currency translation profit


 


      -   


     -   


     3 


       3 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


    17,976 


  125,691 


    3,243 


   146,910 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Accumulated depreciation


 


 


 


 


 




At 1 April 2018


 


     933 


   19,455 


    1,191 


     21,579 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Charge for the year


 


     299 


    2,806 


    249 


   3,354 




Termination of finance lease


 


  (953) 


 (2,651) 


    -   


    (3,604) 




Foreign currency translation profit


 


      -   


      -   


  12 


    12 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


     279 


    19,610 


   1,452 


   21,341 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjustment for IFRS 16 implementation


 


    -   


   (201) 


    (208) 


   (409) 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Adjusted opening balance at 01 April 2019


 


    279 


  19,409 


   1,244 


   20,932 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Charge for the year


 


   358 


   3,287 


    207 


      3,852 




Foreign currency translation profit


 


       -   


     -   


       3 


   3 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


       637 


   22,696 


    1,454 


     24,787 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Net book value


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2020


 


    17,339 


  102,995 


   1,789 


   122,123 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2019


 


  17,697 


  85,998 


   1,577 


 105,272 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 




At 31 March 2018


 


   11,145 


       49,405 


             285 


          60,835 




 


 


 


 


 


 




 
Assets adjusted due to the implementation of the IFRS 16 standard are explained further in note 27. These relate to assets with an initial cost at 1 April 2019 of €2,276,000 and a net book value of €1,867,000 which were previously accounted for as a finance lease. During the prior year, the previously leased land and buildings in Arnhem were purchased from the landlord resulting in the finance lease, and related operating lease being terminated. The net impact of the above transaction was to increase fixed assets by €9.8m with net debt increasing by €10.9m.
 
In addition, plant and machinery assets with a net book value of €66,409,000 are held as assets under construction and are not depreciated, relating to the Hull Plant, and €725,000 relating to the further expansion of the Arnhem Plant (31 March 2019: €47,136,000 relating to the Hull Plant).
 
18.       Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss




 


 


 


 


2020


2019




 


 


 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 


 


 




Shares held in Cleantech Building Materials PLC


 


 


 


          -   


     -   




 


 


 


 


 


 




 
 
Accsys Technologies PLC has previously purchased a total of 21,666,734 unlisted ordinary shares in Diamond Wood China. On 23 December 2016, Cleantech Building Materials PLC acquired Diamond Wood China. On 19 April 2017 Cleantech Building Materials acquired the 21,666,734 shares previously owned by the Company and in return the Company has been issued with 520,001 shares in Cleantech Building Materials PLC, a listed company trading on the Nasdaq First North market in Copenhagen and the Wiener Boise of the Vienna Stock Exchange. 
 
There continues to be no active market for these shares as at 31 March 2020, and there is significant uncertainty over the future of Cleantech Building Materials PLC. As such a reliable fair value cannot be calculated and the investment is carried at a nil value (2019: nil).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The historical cost of the listed shares held at 31 March 2020 is €10m (2019: €10m). However, a provision for the impairment of the entire balance of €10m continues to be recorded as at 31 March 2020.
 
A total of 498,522 shares were held at 31 March 2020.
 
 
19.       Deferred taxation
 
The Group has a deferred tax asset of €nil (2019: €nil) relating to trading losses brought forward.
 
The Group also has an unrecognised deferred tax asset of €26m (2019: €27m) which is largely in respect of trading losses of the UK subsidiaries. The deferred tax asset has not been recognised due to the uncertainty of the timing of future expected profits of the related legal entities which is dependent on the profits attributable to licensing and future manufacturing income.
 
 
20.       Subsidiaries
 
A list of subsidiary investments, including the name, country of incorporation and proportion of ownership interest is given in note 4 to the Company's separate financial statements.
 
 
21.       Inventories




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




Raw materials and work in progress


 


       10,660 


             9,733 




Finished goods


 


     6,272 


          4,275 




 


 


 


 




 


 


     16,932 


       14,008 




 
 
The amount of inventories recognised as an expense during the year was €57,167,975 (2019: €50,174,355). The cost of inventories recognised as an expense includes a net credit of €47,982 (2019: credit of €87,090) in respect of the inventories sold in the period which had previously been written down to net realisable value. 
 
 
22.       Trade and other receivables




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




Trade receivables


 


  8,611 


    10,725 




Other receivables


 


    3,520 


        839 




VAT receivable


 


    2,552 


      910 




Prepayments


 


   625 


     564 




 


 


 


 




 


 


    15,308 


    13,038 




 
 
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables is approximately equal to their fair value. The majority of trade and other receivables is denominated in Euros, with €1,246,000 of the trade and other receivables denominated in US Dollars (2019: €798,000).
 
The age of receivables past due but not impaired is as follows:




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Up to 30 days overdue


      806 


         2,287 




Over 30 days and up to 60 days overdue


        18 


        766 




Over 60 days and up to 90 days overdue


      - 


      1 




Over 90 days overdue


       5 


          2 




 


 


 




 


     829 


       3,056 




 
In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable the Group considers any change in the credit quality of the trade receivables from the date credit was initially granted up to the reporting date. Included in the provision for doubtful debts are individually impaired trade receivables and accrued income with a balance of €25,002,000 (2019: €25,002,000) due from Diamond Wood.
 
Movement in provision for doubtful debts:




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Balance at the beginning of the year


   25,002 


    25,002 




Net increase of impairment


     237 


       - 




 


 


 




Balance at the end of the year


   25,239 


    25,002 




 
23.       Trade and other payables




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Trade payables


     7,827 


  7,936 




Other taxes and social security payable


779 


   338 




Accruals and deferred income


   8,261 


  11,689 




 


 


 




 


    16,867 


    19,963 




 
24.       Share capital




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




Allotted - Equity share capital


 


 


 




 


 


 


 




162,288,155 Ordinary shares of €0.05 each (2019: 117,988,305 Ordinary shares of €0.05 each)


      8,114 


    5,900 




 


 


 


 




 


 


     8,114 


   5,900 




In year ended 31 March 2019:
 
On 18 July 2018, 6,231,070 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") were issued to VP Participaties BV, the investment company of the Van Puijenbroek family, at a price of €0.92 per Share. Proceeds of €5,704,000 were received net of expenses of €28,000. 
 
173,915 shares were issued on 25 June 2018 to an Employee Benefit Trust ('EBT') at nominal value. In addition, of the Shares which had been issued to the EBT in the previous year, 295,874 Shares vested on 01 July 2018. Of these beneficiaries elected to sell 128,213 Shares in the market, with sale date of 02 August 2018. 
 
70,175 Shares were issued on 18 February 2019 for the benefit of an employee following the exercise of nil cost options, granted in 2013 under the Company's 2013 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). 
 
In year ended 31 March 2020:
 
On 23 December 2019, 27,239,764 Firm Placing Shares and 16,855,474 Open Offer Shares were issued as part of the capital raise to fund the Arnhem plant expansion, completion of the Tricoya® plant in Hull, preliminary work in the United States and working capital requirements related to these activities. The Shares were issued at a price of €1.05 per Ordinary share, raising gross proceeds of €46.3 million (before expenses). 
 
During the year, the Group re-introduced the Employee Share Participation Plan (see note 15 for further details). In February 2020 various employees subscribed for a total of 204,612 Shares at an acquisition price of €1.095 per Share, with these shares issued to a trust, to be released to the employees after one year, together with an additional share on a matched basis (subject to continuing employment within the Group).
In the prior year, 173,915 Shares were issued to the Employee Benefit Trust ('EBT') with these vesting on 1 July 2019. Of these Shares, beneficiaries elected to sell 106,448 Shares in the market, with a sale date of 31 July 2019.
 
25.       Other reserves




 


Capital redemp-

tion reserve


Merger reserve


Hedging Effective-ness reserve


Other reserve


Total Other reserves




 


€000


€000


€000


€000


€000




Balance at

1 April 2018


148 


 106,707 


306 


2,264 


109,425 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income for the period


- 


- 


11 


- 


11 




Issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests


- 


- 


- 


85 


85 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Balance at

31 March 2019


148 


106,707 


317 


2,349 


109,521 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive (expense) for the period


- 


- 


 (280)


- 


 (280)




Issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling interests


- 


- 


- 


3,310 


3,310 




 


 


 


 


 


 




Balance at

31 March 2020


148 


 106,707 


37 


  5,659 


 112,551 




 
The closing balance of the capital redemption reserve represents the amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of deferred shares in a previous year. 
 
The merger reserve arose prior to transition to IFRS when merger accounting was adopted.
 
The hedging effectiveness reserve reflects the total accounted for under IFRS 9 in relation to the Tricoya® segment (see note 1).
 
The other reserve represents the amounts received for subsidiary share capital from non-controlling interests net with the carrying amount of non-controlling interests issued (see note 26).
 
26.       Transactions with non-controlling interests
 
In the year ended 31 March 2019:
 
On 4 June 2018, TTL issued 339,940 shares to Titan Wood Limited. On 20 September 2018, TTL issued 289,140 shares to Titan Wood Limited. On 22 March 2019, TTL issued 691,890 shares to Titan Wood Limited. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:
                
BP Ventures (8.5%), MEDITE (11.5%), BGF (2.6%), Volantis (1.5%)
 
On 27 December 2018, TVUK issued Ordinary shares to non-controlling interests for consideration of €0.90 million. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:
 
                               BP Chemicals (31.3%, MEDITE 8.0%)
 
In the year ended 31 March 2020:
 
On 25 May 2019, TTL issued 252,464 shares to Titan Wood Limited. On 25 November 2019, TTL issued 238,024 shares to Titan Wood Limited for a consideration of €0.5m. An additional 61,976 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for a consideration of €0.1m. On 23 December 2019, TTL issued 4,620,156 shares to Titan Wood Limited for a consideration of €9.2m, and an additional 1,401,523 shares were issued in consideration for continued provision of discounted Accoya® to MEDITE for market seeding purposes. 887,643 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for a consideration of €1.8m. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:
                
BP Ventures (8.6%), MEDITE (10.2%), BGF (2.2%), Volantis (1.2%)
 
On 23 December 2019, TVUK issued 11,015,599 Ordinary shares to Tricoya Technologies Ltd for a consideration of €11.0m, and an additional 4,322,394 shares were issued in consideration for continued provision of discounted Accoya® to MEDITE for market seeding purposes. 7,268,573 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for consideration of €7.3 million. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:
 
                               BP Chemicals (30.9%, MEDITE 6.2%)
 
The total carrying amount of the non-controlling interests in TTL and TVUK at 31 March 2020 was €34.42 million (2019: €30.12 million). 
 
The Group recognised an increase in other reserves as summarised below.
 




 


 


2020


2019




 


 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 


 




Opening Balance


 


      2,925 


      2,840 




Carrying amount of non-controlling interests issued


 


 (5,857)


 (815)




Consideration paid by non-controlling interests


 


   9,167 


        900 




Share issue costs relating to non-controlling interests


 


      - 


    - 




 


 


 


 




Excess of consideration paid recognised in Group's equity


 


   6,235 


   2,925 




 
27.       Change in accounting policy
 
This note explains the effect of the adoption of IFRS 16 Leases on the Group's financial statements and discloses the new accounting policies that have been applied from 1 April 2019. The Group has adopted IFRS 16 retrospectively from 1 April 2019 but has not restated comparatives for the year ended 31 March 2019, as permitted under the specific transitional provisions in the standard. The reclassifications and the adjustments arising from the new leasing rules are therefore recognised in the opening balance sheet on 1 April 2019.
 
a) Adjustments recognised on adoption of IFRS 16:
 
On adoption of IFRS 16, the Group recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 'operating leases' under the principles of IAS 17 Leases. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee's banking borrowing rate as at 1 April 2019. The weighted average lessee's incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities on 1 April 2019 was 3.7%.
 
For leases previously classified as finance leases, the Group recognised the carrying amount of the lease asset and lease liability immediately before transition as the carrying amount of the right of use asset and lease liability at the date of initial application. The measurement principles of IFRS 16 are only applied after that date. 
 




 


€'000




Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 March 2019


      2,570 




 


 




Discounted using the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application


      2,156 




Add: finance lease liabilities recognised as at 31 March 2019


      2,021 




(Less): short term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense


     - 




(Less): low value leases recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense


 (1)




(Less): contracts reassessed as service agreements


 (64)




Add: adjustments as a result of a different treatment of extension and termination options


  156 




 


 




Lease liability recognised as at 01 April 2019


   4,268 




of which are:


 




Current lease liabilities


   684 




Non-current lease liabilities


   3,584 




 


 




 


   4,268 




 
Right of use assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognised in the statement of financial position as at 31 March 2019. There were no onerous lease contracts that would have required an adjustment to the right of use assets at the date of initial application. The recognised right of use assets relate to the following types of assets:




 


At 31 March

2020


At 01 April 2019




 


€'000


€'000




Properties


        3,708 


    2,987 




Equipment


    745 


   1,072 




Motor vehicles


   83 


      4 




 


 


 




Total right of use assets:


   4,536 


      4,063 




 
The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the Consolidated statement of financial position on 1 April 2019:
-      Property, plant and equipment - decreased by €1,867,000
-      Right of use assets - increased by €4,063,000
-      Prepayments - decreased by €148,000
-      Accruals - decreased by €123,000
-      Lease liabilities - increased by €2,247,000.
 
The net impact on retained earnings on 1 April 2019 was a decrease of €76,000.
 
The change in accounting policy affected the following items in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive income in the year ended 31 March 2020:
-      Cost of sales - decreased by €234,000
-      Other operating costs - decreased by €671,000
-      Depreciation - increased by €909,000
-      Finance expense - increased by €107,000
 
a (i) Impact on segment disclosures:
Segment assets and segment liabilities at 31 March 2020 increased as a result of the change in accounting policy. Lease
liabilities are now included in segment liabilities. The following segments are affected by the change in policy:
 




 


Adjusted EBITDA


Segment

Assets


Segment Liabilities




 


€'000


€'000


€'000




Accoya®


    306 


      1,044 


    1,159 




Tricoya®


    87 


     848


    858 




Corporate


  366 


  854 


   1,020 




R&D


    145 


 (3)


      - 




 


 


 


 




 


    904 


     2,743 


  3,037 




 
a (ii) Practical expedients applied:
 
In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the Group has used the following practical expedients permitted by the standard:
-      The use of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with reasonably similar characteristics
-      Reliance on previous assessments on whether leases are onerous
-      The accounting for operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 April 2019 as short term leases, and
-      The use of hindsight in determining the lease term where the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease.
 
The Group has also elected not to reassess whether a contract is, or contains a lease at the date of initial application. Instead, for contracts entered into before the transition date the Group relied on its assessment made applying IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 Determining whether an Arrangement contains a Lease.
 
(b) The Group's leasing activities and how these are accounted for:
 
The Group leases various offices, land, equipment and cars. Rental contracts are typically made for fixed periods of 1-10 years, although, if appropriate, a longer term may be entered into. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.
 
Until the 2020 financial year, leases of property, plant and equipment were classified as either finance or operating leases. Payments made under operating leases (net of any incentives received from the lessor) were charged to the profit and loss statement on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. From 1 April 2019, leases are recognised as a right of use asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is available for use by the Group. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the lease period to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on
the remaining balance of the liability for each period. The right of use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset's useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis.
 
Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:
-      Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;
-      Variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate;
-      Amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;
-      The exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and
-      Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.
 
The lease payments are discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate, being the rate that the Group would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar economic environment within similar terms and conditions.
 
Right of use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
-      The amount of initial measurement of lease liability;
-      Any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received;
-      Any initial direct costs; and
-      Restoration costs.
 
Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low value are recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense in the statement of comprehensive income. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets comprise of small items of office furniture and equipment.




 


Minimum lease payments




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




Amounts payable under lease liabilities:


 


 




Within one year


  1,044 


    257 




In the second to fifth years inclusive


    2,787 


   890 




After five years


3,441 


    2,706 




 


 


 




 


 


 




Less: future finance charges


 (2,151)


 (1,832)




 


 


 




 


 


 




Present value of lease obligations


      5,121 


       2,021 




 
 
28.       Commitments under loan agreements




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




Amounts payable under loan agreements:


 


 




Within one year


  5,644 


7,485 




In the second to fifth years inclusive


    61,855 


  60,366 




After five years


    1,120 


    2,713 




 


 


 




Less future finance charges


 (11,306)


 (13,655)




 


 


 




Present value of loan obligations


  57,313 


  56,909 




 
 
The change in total borrowings in the period of €0.4m consisted of an increase of a €4.5m drawdown of the Tricoya® RBS facility, offset by €1.8m repayment of the working capital facility, and other repayments in the year of €2.9m, principally €1.4m repayment on the Cerdia loan, and €1.0m repayment on the ABN loan. 
 
Facilities relating to purchase of Arnhem land and buildings:
 
On 1 August 2018 the Group entered into a package of facilities to fully finance the purchase of the land and buildings in Arnhem. The partially amortising package of loans includes the following:
-       €14.0m loan with ABN Amro Bank. The loan is partially repayable over a five year term with a final payment of €9.25m. Interest is fixed at 3% and the loan is secured on the land and buildings. 
-       €5.0m lease loan with ABN Asset Based Finance is repayable over a five year term with an implied interest rate of approximately 3%. The loan is secured on the first two Accoya® reactors.
-       €4.0m loan with Bruil, the seller and previous landlord. The balance is repayable from July 2021 to July 2023 with interest fixed at 5%. The loan is unsecured. 
 
Loan Notes:
 
On 29 March 2017 the Group issued £16.3 million (€18.4 million) of unsecured fixed rate loan notes, due 2021. £10.5 million of Loan Notes in principal were issued to Business Growth Fund ('BGF'), with £5.8 million in principal issued to Volantis. The BGF loan notes are subject to a 7% fixed interest rate for the duration of their term and the Volantis loan notes are subject to a 7% fixed interest rate until 31 December 2018, with the interest rate fixed at 9% thereafter. Interest is rolled up until 31 December 2018 on both loans, with further roll up of interest on the Volantis loan until six-monthly redemption payments of both loans commence on 31 December 2021 and end on 30 June 2023.
 
BGF is an investment company that provides long-term equity funding to growing UK companies to enable them to execute their strategic plans. Volantis is a global asset management firm specialising in alternative investment strategies and is owned by Lombard Odier.
 
Cerdia Production Facility:
 
The €9.5 million term loan facility with Cerdia Production GmbH was used to design, procure and build the Arnhem plant's third reactor. This facility is secured against the third reactor of the Arnhem chemical plant and associated assets and is subject to interest at 7.5% per annum. At 31 March 2020, the Group had €8.3m (2019: €9.7m) borrowed under this facility. Quarterly repayments of the loan commenced on 21 December 2018 until November 2025, with €1.4 million repaid in the year ended 31 March 2020 (2019: €0.9 million). 
The Group has entered into an agreement with Cerdia Producktions GmbH ("Cerdia") under which Accsys will take on responsibility for commercial activities under agreements with Cerdia relating to Accoya® wood, which terminates as of 1 April 2020 (the "Termination Agreement"). Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, payments to Accsys include fees of €3.2 million, which has been recognised as an exceptional item in the year ended 31 March 2020. The €3.2 million will be deducted from the loan balance on 1 April 2020, with subsequent repayments for the remaining term of the loan being reduced accordingly.
 
Tricoya® facility:
 
On 29 March 2017 the Company's subsidiary, Tricoya Ventures UK Limited entered into a six-year €17.2 million (€14.6 million net) finance facility agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC in respect of the construction and operation of the Hull Plant. The facility is secured by fixed and floating charges over all assets of Tricoya Ventures UK Limited. At 31 March 2020, the Group had €8.7m (2019: €3.6m) borrowed under the facility. Three drawdowns of the loans were undertaken in the period, totalling €4.5m. The facility is to be drawn down as required, and facility repayments will commence 12 months after practical completion of the Hull Plant. Interest will accrue at Euribor plus a margin, with the margin ranging from 325 to 475 basis points. 
 
Trade receivable and inventory facilities:
 
Working capital facility
The working capital facility with ABN Commercial Finance is a €6.0m credit facility secured upon the receivables and inventory of the Accoya® manufacturing business committed for a period of 5 years. At 31 March 2020, the facility was undrawn (2019: €1.8m drawn). 
 
Bank guarantee facility
The facility with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. is a contingent liability facility enabling the Group to issue bank guarantees in order to support the working capital and other operational commitments of the Group with a limit of €1.5m.
 
Both facilities are subject to interest at 2% above the ABN AMRO base rate.  
 
Reconciliation to net debt:




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Cash and cash equivalents


 37,238 


    8,857 




Less:   


 


 




Amounts payable under loan agreements


 (57,313)


 (56,909)




Amounts payable under lease liabilities (note 27)


 (5,121)


 (2,021)




 


 


 




Net debt


 (25,196)


 (50,073)




 
 
29.       Equity options
 
On 2 February 2016 the Company's subsidiary, Tricoya Technologies Limited, issued Warrants to subscribe for up to 175,000 of its Series A Preference Shares in favour of BP Ventures Limited (100,000) and Titan Wood Limited (75,000) at a price of €2.00 per Warrant Share during the "Exercise Period", which started on 2 February 2016 and runs to the earlier of either (i) 2 February 2021; (ii) the date of an Exit; and (iii) exercise of the Option.
 
On the 29 March 2017, the Company announced the formation of the Tricoya® Consortium and as part of this, funding was agreed with BGF and Volantis (see note 28). In addition to the issue of the Loan Notes the Company granted options over Ordinary Shares of the Company to BGF and Volantis exercisable at a price of £0.62 per Ordinary Share at any time until 31 December 2026 (the 'Options').
 
5,838,954 Options were issued to BGF and 3,217,383 Options were issued to Volantis. In addition, the Company agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to obtain shareholder authority at the subsequent General Meeting to grant to BGF a further option in respect of 2,610,218 Ordinary Shares and to grant to Volantis a further option in respect of 1,438,284 Ordinary Shares (the ''Additional Options'').
 
The necessary resolutions were passed at the General Meeting held on 21 April 2017 and accordingly the Additional Options have been converted to Options, such that at 31 March 2020 a total 13,104,839 Options exist (with 8,449,172 attributable to BGF and 4,655,667 attributable to Volantis). This represents 8.1% of the enlarged issued share capital of the Company as at 31 March 2020.
 
30.       Financial instruments
 
Financial instruments
 
Lease liabilities
 
Lease creditors of €5,121,000 as at 31 March 2020 (2019: €2,021,000) relates to various offices, land, equipment and cars that the Group leases (see note 27). 
 
Capital risk management
 
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to shareholders.
The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to owners of the parent Company, comprising share capital, reserves and accumulated losses.
The Board reviews the capital structure on a regular basis.  As part of that review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital.  Based on the review, the Group will balance its overall capital structure through new share issues and the raising of debt if required.
 
No final dividend is proposed in 2020 (2019: €nil). The Board deems it prudent for the Company to protect as strong a statement of financial position as possible during the current phase of the Company's growth strategy.  
 




Categories of financial instruments


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Financial asset at fair value through profit or loss


  - 


    - 




Loans and receivables


 


 




   Trade receivables


   8,611 


  10,725 




   Other receivables


  3,520 


   839 




   FX derivative liability


 (330)


    - 




   FX derivative asset


   - 


   143 




   Money market deposits in Euro


   52 


  52 




   Money market deposits in Sterling


  3,744 


  3,526 




   Money at call in Euro


24,372 


    3,308 




   Money at call in US dollars


   892 


    864 




   Money at call in Sterling


    8,178 


      1,107 




Financial liabilities at amortised cost


 


 




   Trade payables


 (7,827)


 (7,936)




   Lease liabilities


 (5,121)


 (2,021)




   Loan notes and other long term borrowings


 (57,313)


 (56,909)




 


 


 




 


 (21,222)


 (46,302)




 
Money market deposits are held at financial institutions with high credit ratings (Standard & Poor's rating of A).
All assets and liabilities mature within one year except for the lease liabilities, for which details are given in note 27 and loans, for which details are given in note 28.
 
Trade payables are payable on various terms, typically not longer than 30 days with the exception of some major capex items.
 
Market risk
 
The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
 
Financial risk management objectives
 
The Group's treasury policy is structured to ensure that adequate financial resources are available for the development of its business whilst managing its currency, interest rate, counterparty credit and liquidity risks. The Group's treasury strategy and policy are developed centrally and approved by the Board. 
 
Foreign currency risk management
 
The Group's functional currency is the Euro with the majority of operating costs and balances denominated in Euros. An increasing proportion of costs will be incurred in pounds sterling as the Group's activities associated with the Tricoya® plant in Hull increase, although future revenues will be in Euros or other currencies. The Group's Loan Notes, which were issued to fund these UK based operations, are denominated in pounds sterling. A smaller proportion of expenditure is incurred in US dollars and pounds sterling. In addition some raw materials, while priced in Euros, are sourced from countries which are not within the Eurozone. The Group monitors any potential underlying exposure to other exchange rates. The Group holds a proportion of the cash associated with the Tricoya® Consortium in pounds sterling and has purchased fx forward contracts with a nominal amount of £5.85m (2019: nominal amount of £8m) to reflect the expected costs associated with the construction of the plant in Hull and are accordingly accounted for as a cash flow hedge (see note 5).  
 
Interest rate risk management
 
The Group's borrowings are limited to fixed rate loans with BGF, Volantis, Cerdia, ABN Amro and Bruil, together with the remaining Arnhem finance lease and the lease of the office fit out and furniture in London. The interest rate in respect of the loan facility agreed with RBS Bank is variable, based on Euribor plus a variable margin. Therefore the Group is not significantly exposed to interest rate risk in relation to financial liabilities. Surplus funds are invested in short term interest rate deposits to reduce exposure to changes in interest rates. The Group does not currently enter into any interest rate hedging arrangements, although will review the need to do so in respect of the variable interest rate loan facility with RBS Bank.
 
Credit risk management
 
The Group is exposed to credit risk due to its trade receivables receivable from customers and cash deposits with financial institutions. The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk is limited to their carrying amount recognised at the balance sheet date.
 
The Group ensures that sales are made to customers with an appropriate credit history to reduce the risk where this is considered necessary. The Directors consider the trade receivables at year end to be of good credit quality including those that are past due (see note 22). The Group is not exposed to any significant credit risk exposure in respect of any single counterparty or any group of counterparties with similar characteristics other than the balances which are provided for as described in note 22.
 
The Group has credit risk from financial institutions. Cash deposits are placed with a group of financial institutions with suitable credit ratings in order to manage credit risk with any one financial institution.
 
Liquidity risk management
 
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board, which has built an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Group's short, medium and long term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profile of financial assets and liabilities.
 
Fair value of financial instruments
 
In the opinion of the Directors, there is no material difference between the book value and the fair value of all financial assets and financial liabilities.
 
31.       Capital Commitments




 


2020


2019




 


€'000


€'000




 


 


 




Contracted but not provided for in respect of property, plant and equipment


     10,859 


       15,049 




 


 


 




 
Included in the above, are amounts relating to the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts relating to the Tricoya® plant under construction in Hull. 
 
32.       Events occurring after 31 March 2020
 
The start of the new financial year has been impacted by COVID-19.  The impact has included a reduction in our Accoya® sales compared to our previously anticipated levels and a delay in the construction of the Tricoya® plant in Hull, as explained above. 
 
As soon as the likely impact became apparent we have worked to put in place a number of mitigating actions.  Management's priorities have been to ensure the safety and well-being of all our people, to maintain the liquidity of the Company and, as far as possible, preserve the capital raised in December 2019 to enable our current expansion projects to be completed.
 
Our Arnhem production site has remained operational throughout the entire COVID-19 period, successfully balancing supply with market demand. We have significantly reduced the non-essential staff present at the location and introduced new working protocols. Our London head office has effectively been closed throughout the period with all staff productively working remotely.  The Hull construction site saw a reduction in activity levels, as set out above. 
 
The key mitigating actions have included the Board of Directors, the Senior Management team and other senior and mid-level staff reducing their salaries by 20%.  In the UK a number of employees have been furloughed, principally those relating to the Tricoya® project in Hull, given the delay in the construction.  We have also applied for compensation for payroll costs in the Netherlands under the NOW scheme, with the quantum of this benefit dependent upon the relative reduction in revenue for the first quarter. 
 
In the short term we have also sought to reduce and minimise other third party costs including sales and marketing and research and development costs. We have also frozen non-essential hires and increased focus on managing working capital. 


This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
  END
 
 
FR EASKDADAEEEA