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Vow Green Metals AS

Interim / Quarterly Report Aug 21, 2024

3786_rns_2024-08-21_bf668a35-1ef9-4aa3-8844-7a8a9881912a.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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HALF-YEAR REPORT

First Half of 2024

Vow Green Metals

Content

Vow Green Metals AS, and its subsidiaries, VGM Operatør AS and Vow Green Metals Follum AS , ("Vow Green Metals" or "the Company") is on a mission to accelerate the world's transition to renewable materials by offering viable green alternatives to replace fossil materials in the metallurgical industry.

About Vow Green Metals
Spearheading the development of a rapidly growing biocarbon industry
Highlights – first half 2024
Key milestones and subsequent events
6.
Financial review
Results, balance sheet and cash flow
8.
Operational review and outlook
Creating shareholder value through circular and sustainable solutions
10.
Environmental, social and governance
Promoting responsible business practises and respect for the
environment, people and society
16.
Financial statements first half 2024
Facts and figures Vow Green Metals Consolidated
20.

ABOUT VOW GREEN METALS

Half-Year Report – First Half 2024 – Vow Green Metals

1.

Spearheading the development of a rapidly growing biocarbon industry.

Vow Green Metals´ strategy is to be a leading producer of biocarbon and other carbon neutral products that enabled the green transitions in hard-to-abate industries. We are on a mission to accelerate the words´s transition to renewable materials by offering green alternatives to replace fossil reduction agents in the metallurgical industry. The core of the business is to build, own and operate biocarbon production plants using state-of-the-art pyrolysis technology to turn biomass and biomass waste-streams into our core product, biocarbon. With our standardized solutions, unique access to appropriate technology, and a growing global pipeline of projects, we are upholding our first mover position in a growing market where speed and scale will be determining factors.

Building a profitable business while meaningfully reducing emissions

Leading producer of advanced biocarbon and other green products enabling low-cost renewable production at scale for the metallurgical industry

Market leader in a rapidly growing market

Clear targets to realize 200,000 tons of biocarbon production capacity by 2028, and ambition to exceed 500,000 tons within 2030

Proven technology and standardized factory modules in place

Secured IP rights to standardized plant architecture and biocarbon factory modules and unique access to proprietary technology

Vow Green Metals at a glance

Unprecedented climate effects

1 ton of biocarbon enables the reduction of ~5 tons of fossil CO2 emissions when used in the metallurgical industry

Clear 2030 ambition

Realizing projects with 500,000 tons pa. total production capacity

Mature projects

Ongoing projects with production capacity of >50,000 tons of biocarbon

Investment highlights

Industrial-scale production and R&D facility in place to deliver initial volumes of biocarbon to established partners and produce samples and develop recipes to mature new markets and new offtake partners.

Investment case thoroughly scrutinized by expert panel of governmental enterprises Siva and Eksfin and industrial and financial partners DNB, Skagerak and Vardar.

Production ongoing

Industrial scale production with 2,500 tons capacity2

Massive addressable market in Europe with demand for 56 million tons of fossil coal annually3 – high willingness to pay for sustainable reduction materials.

Long-term offtake secured for the largescale project at Hønefoss with supply agreement for 15,000 tons of biocarbon signed with Elkem, one of the world's leading providers of advance siliconbased materials.

Unique access to proven and proprietary technology and IP – Vow Green Metals' large-scale process concept recently passed 3rd party technology verification conducted by Afry.

Abatement potential

~2.5 million tons of fossil CO2 1. Equivalent to 6 percent of Norway's annual emissions1

Opportunity to realize more than 200,000 ton biocarbon production capacity with FIDs from 2024 to 2028.

Vow Green Metals' production facilities offers surplus energy and is not heavily dependant on grid capacity, making the concept a welcomed addition to any industrial hub seeking energy symbiosis.

Commercially de-risked market with metallurgical producers racing to secure access to biocarbon as first-movers have already signed long-term biocarbon offtake agreements in the Nordics.

HIGHLIGHTS – FIRST HALF 2024

Half-Year Report – First Half 2024 – Vow Green Metals

2- HIGHLIGHTS – FIRST HALF 2024

First half year 2024 – Funds raised and breaking ground at Hønefoss

  • In April, the Company announced that it was initiating a strategic process to raise capital to accelerate the realization of the Company's project portfolio. Pareto Securities was engaged to assist in the process
  • Vardar AS and Skagerak Energi AS executed a NOK 70 million investment in Vow Green Metals AS. Skagerak Energi AS, through a subsidiary, invested NOK 20 million in an equity placement and Vardar AS invested NOK 50 million in equity by debt conversion
  • The Company has established a NOK 10 million revolving credit facility with Sparebank 1 SR-Bank
  • Elkem ASA and Vow Green Metals entered into a supply agreement for the annual delivery of up to 15,000 tons of biocarbon from the large-scale Hønefoss facility

Development highlights in key projects

  • Early Production Line:
    • o The 2,500 tons early production line at Hønefoss is fully financed through a leasing agreement with Sparebank 1 SR-Bank
  • Hønefoss Facility:
    • o In April, the subsidiary, VGM Operatør AS, received an indicative term sheet to raise green debt loan financing from DNB. The indicative term sheet includes a 50 percent loan guarantee from the governmental financial enterprise, Export Finance Norway (Eksfin).
    • o Vardar AS executed NOK 50 million investment in VGM's large-scale production facility at Hønefoss in April. The investment makes Vardar AS a 25 percent shareholder in VGM Operatør AS
    • o Construction at the Hønefoss site has commenced and is expected to be completed in 2025
  • Viken park:
    • o Pre-study for core technology completed together with technology partner, Vow ASA, earlier this year
    • o Pre-study with Carbon Centric for CCU and energy offtake is ongoing

Subsequent events:

• Loan agreement for the Hønefoss facility ("VGM Operatør AS") with DNB, 50 percent guaranteed by Eksfin, of NOK 344 million was signed in July

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Half-Year Report – First Half 2024 – Vow Green Metals

3 – FINANCIAL REVIEW

Key Figures

Profit and Loss Unaudited Unaudited Audited
(Amounts in MNOK) H1-2024 H1-2023 2023
Statement of income
EBITDA (13.9) (9.4) (23.9)
Profit for the period (15.7) (9.5) (26.0)
Balance sheet Unaudited
(Amounts in MNOK) H1-2024
Total non-current assets 231.7
Total current assets 44.3
Total assets 276.0
Total equity 202.2
Total non-current liabilities 40.0
Total current liabilities 33.8
Total equity and liabilities 276.0

Financial review first half 2024

  • Vow Green Metals recorded an operating loss (EBITDA) for the first half 2024 of NOK 13.9 million. The operating loss is related to employee- and other operating expenses.
  • Expenses for salary, social security tax, and pension cost for first half of 2024 amounted to NOK 10.8 million, of which NOK 5.7 million of employee expenses was capitalized under assets under construction.
  • Other operating expenses for the first half of 2024 amounted to NOK 8.8 million and consists of legal, audit, consulting fees and other general expenses.
  • Profit before tax for the first six months of 2024 ended with a net loss of NOK 15.7 million.
  • Total non-current assets as of 30 June 2024 were NOK 231.7 million and consist mainly of the development of the Hønefoss project and recognized lease contract for the production equipment (the "early production line").
  • Total assets were NOK 276.0 million with a cash position of NOK 37.3 million.
  • Total equity of NOK 202.2 million (Equity ratio of 73%).

OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND OUTLOOK

4 – OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND OUTLOOK

The first half of 2024 was marked by significant industrial, commercial, and financial progress with the commencement of construction of the large-scale biocarbon facility at Hønefoss, the entering of a long-term supply agreement with Elkem and the welcoming of new strategic investors.

Vow Green Metals' production and test facility entered operations in the first quarter of 2024, and is continuing to ramp up its production capacity

Strategic process to ensure speed and scale initiated

On April 8, 2024, the Company announced the initiation of a strategic process to raise capital to accelerate the realization of the Company's project portfolio and global project pipeline. Pareto Securities was engaged to assist in evaluating strategic and financial options.

The Company ambition is to realize 200,000 tons of biocarbon production capacity by 2028 using its advantageous position. The full presentation is available here:

www.vowgreenmetals.com/investors/res ults-and-presentations

In May, NOK 70 million in equity was raised through a NOK 20 million cash investment from Skagerak Energipartner, a Skagerak Energi AS subsidiary, and NOK 50 million through a debt conversion by Vardar AS.

The Company remains opportunistic with regards to raising further capital to fuel its ambition to realize the significant potential in the growing biocarbon market.

Early Production Line in operation

With its production capacity of 2,500 tons of biocarbon, Vow Green Metals' early production line at Hønefoss will accelerate the Company's commercial operations by enabling the delivery of industrial volumes of biocarbon to established partners and product samples to mature new markets and relationships with industrial offtakers. The production facility employs a Biogreen pyrolysis reactor, which operates solely on electric power. This is the same technology that will be installed in the first phase of the Company's largescale plant at Hønefoss.

The facility entered operations in the first quarter of 2024, after a period of cold and hot commissioning, testing and identifying improvements which will reduce the cost and lead-time of future projects. The Company expects to rampup the production capacity over the following months.

Hønefoss first phase (10,000 tons of production capacity)

In close cooperation with Treklyngen Industripark, Vardar Varme and other partners co-located at the industrial park at Hønefoss, Eastern Norway, Vow Green Metals is building a large-scale biocarbon facility, set to become one of Europe's largest. The first phase of the biocarbon facility will have an annual production capacity of 10,000 tons of biocarbon.

Construction commenced by local entrepreneur in July 2024.

The project is forging ahead with civil works which commenced in the beginning of May 2024 and is progressing according to scheduled construction timeline. Equipment and process installation will follow in the second half of 2024. In April Vow Green Metals and Vardar Varme AS

signed an agreement for energy offtake from the plant to utilize excess heat.

The operation permit from the Norwegian Environment Agency was received during the first quarter of 2024.

Hønefoss second phase (20,000 tons of production capacity)

Vow Green Metals is planning to do a phased development of the large-scale facility at Hønefoss, with a doubling of the production capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 tons. In the second phase, the Company plans to use a large-scale pyrolysis reactor from VOW ASA and its subsidiary, C.H. Evensen. This technology is well-suited for large-scale production of biocarbon. The technology offers a hybrid-energy solution, providing additional flexibility as it can run on both gas and on electricity. In addition, the C.H. Evensen reactor is largely selfsufficient with power as it can run on the bioenergy it produces in the process of producing biocarbon. Consequently, the second phase expansion of the Hønefoss project does not depend on an expansion in the power grid capacity in the area. In the second half of 2023 Vow Green Metals decided to do a re-engineering of the large-scale plant to fit the additional process equipment related to the second phase into the buildings related to the first phase of the project to cut cost. The decision resulted in reducing complexity from two subsequent construction stages to one construction stage. The Company expects to execute a final investment

decision (FID) of the second phase before year-end.

Civil works ongoing. Picture taken in August 2024 showing groundwork in progress for feedstock handling.

Viken Park (30,000 tons of production capacity)

The Viken Park biocarbon production plant will supply the Viken Park area with bioenergy while producing biocarbon and bio-oil for industrial use, making it a key project in ensuring zero emissions industries in the area.

The Viken Park Concept

Following a successful feasibility study of the project, a pre-study for a plant with potential production capacity of 30,000 tons of biocarbon commenced last year

and has since then evolved to also include studies for a CCU concept together with Carbon Centric. The project is progressing, currently working with an energy symbioses study together with other stakeholders within the industrial park project. In addition, a pre-study for core technology is completed.

Viken Park: Preliminary 3D layout of the plot

As an important step to mature the project, Vow Green Metals has entered several strategic partnerships with the signing of Letter of Intents for feedstock and CCU and energy offtake for the largescale production facility at Viken Park. The regulatory plan for the area has been processed in Fredrikstad municipality and is currently out for consultation. The case is expected to be processed in the municipal council in October 2024, after a couple of months delay, meaning that the company now expects execute a final investment decision (FID) for the project in the first half of 2025.

Forming key partnerships

On 4 January, 2024, Vow Green Metals and Elkem ASA, one of the world's leading providers of advanced silicon-based materials, announced that they have signed a supply agreement for the annual delivery of 15,000 tons of biocarbon. In line with the Company's commercial strategy, the remaining available volume from the Hønefoss site is retained to further mature and develop collaborations with other industry offtakers.

As announced in 2023, Vardar AS, a regional renewable energy producer with operations and ownership within bioenergy, CCU, wind, solar and hydropower committed to invest NOK 100 million in Vow Green Metals. This was partly executed in 2023 with a NOK 50 million investment classified as a convertible loan in Vow Green Metals AS and 50 million as a pledged direct investment in the subsidiary holding the Hønefoss project. The latter was executed in April 2024.

The abovementioned loan was converted into equity in May. At the same time Skagerak Energipartner AS, a subsidiary of the energy company Skagerak Energi AS, invested NOK 20 million in Vow Green Metals.

Furthermore, the Company secured financing of its "Early Production Line" from Sparebank 1 SR-Bank through a leasing agreement. Sparebank 1 SR-Bank has also given a revolving credit facility of MNOK 10.

Risk and uncertainties

Vow Green Metals is exposed to several risks, and the Board and executive management are continuously monitoring the Company's risk exposure, working to improve its internal control processes and mitigation efforts. For a further description of the risk factors, please see an overview in the annual report for 2023, published on 25 April 2024. The report can be found here:

www.vowgreenmetals.com/investors/res ults-and-presentations

Outlook

Vow Green Metals is targeting to reach a production capacity of 200,000 tons of biocarbon by 2028, exceeding 500,000 tons within 2030. The Company has already matured its key projects portfolio with clear paths to realizing near-term production volumes exceeding 50,000 tons of production capacity, meaning that the company is in good shape to reach its 2028 target. The Company has formed a number of key partnerships throughout 2023 and first half of 2024, and both strategic, industrial and financial partners have joined Vow Green Metals in building a new green industry leaving the Company well positioned for further growth.

Since the fall of 2023, Vow Green Metals experienced a significant increase in the interest for biocarbon from metallurgical companies, and other industries. In January 2024, Vow Green Metals signed a long-term supply agreement for 15,000 tons of biocarbon with Elkem, one of the world's leading providers of advanced silicon-based materials. Similar contracts have been entered into by other companies in the metallurgical industry the last year, demonstrating a clear shift in the interest of using biocarbon as a key enabler for transitioning towards fossilfree production. Vow Green Metals is in dialogue with several metallurgical companies that are actively seeking to secure access to significant volumes of biocarbon, demonstrating that the market for biobased reduction agents for the metallurgical industry is commercially mature.

Since the launch of the European Green Deal in 2019, the metallurgical industry has been widely recognized as one of the most important strategic capacities of Europe, but at the same time as one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize. Most metallurgical companies have set clear ambitions to make a significant transition from fossil to biobased production. Elkem has stated that it aims to replace 40 percent of its fossil coal consumption with biocarbon by 2031. Ferroglobe and Wacker have set similar targets, with the aim to reduce emissions with 30 and 50 percent, respectively, by 2030. In this context, the Company expects to see enhanced demand for biocarbon as a solution to decarbonize Europe's traditional metallurgical industry. As coal is phased out as an energy source, it will become increasingly difficult to source high-quality coal needed for metal production. At the same time, the green transition and other macro trends, like the rise of the middle class worldwide, are creating a pull in demand for sustainable metal-based materials to be used in transportation and electronics, and silicon-based renewable technologies, such as solar PV.

The EU ETS has continued to be volatile in 2024, but stabilized at around 70 EUR per ton in the latter part of first half year 2024. In its Global Energy and Climate Model, the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects an average price of 250 USD per ton of CO2 in advanced economies by 2050. This will result in a high alternative cost of using fossil reduction materials, making biocarbon even more competitive and providing opportunity to further increase margins.

Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III) is another regulatory action that favors Vow Green Metals and its biocarbon production. The co-legislators in EU have reached an agreement to strengthen sustainability criteria for biomass by stating that woody biomass should be used according to its higher economic and environmental added value. This promotes the recovery of wood waste for biocarbon production, which will be an enabler for expanding Vow Green Metals' biocarbon production facilities in Europe in the coming years.

5.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

5 – ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

Vow Green Metals' business is climate friendly at the core, as the Company paves the way for increased biocarbon supply to the metallurgical industry, enabling largescale decarbonization of this critical hardto-abate industry. The company is also producing bio-oil and bioenergy which can replace fossile alternatives in many industries. Alongside progressing its core activities, Vow Green Metals promotes responsible business practices with respect to both the environment, people, and society. This means that the company works systematically on issues such as HSE (Health, safety and environment), non-discrimination, human and labour rights, anti-corruption, responsible sourcing, and responsible marketing practices. The Company respects fundamental human rights as described in international human rights conventions such as the UN Convention on Human Rights and the labour rights conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). To promote responsible business practices throughout the value chain, Vow Green Metals is facilitating good dialogue with its stakeholders.

Accelerating the green shift

Vow Green Metals is on a mission to accelerate the world's transition to renewable materials by offering viable green alternatives to replace fossil materials in the metallurgical industry. This industry accounts for close to ten percent of global CO2 emissions and is recognized as a hard-to-abate industry. Sourcing biocarbon is one of few viable solutions to decarbonize this industry. In some industry verticals, biocarbon is the only available and viable option to decarbonize. Vow Green Metals enables the metallurgical industry to join the green transition and achieve CO2 neutrality by replacing fossil carbon with biocarbon derived from biomass and biomass waste streams such as wood waste and demolition wood.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call of action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. Vow Green Metals recognizes the importance of all 17 SDGs and aspires to contribute to all of them. Anchored in the Company's core business and corporate strategy, Vow Green Metals naturally prioritizes and puts special emphasis on the following four SDGs:

SDG 7 Affordable and clean energy

Vow Green Metals' circular biocarbon process produces significant amounts of clean energy, which can help decarbonize several industries, or be re-used in the Company's biocarbon production process.

SDG 9 Industry, innovation, and infrastructure

Vow Green Metals is leading the way in building a biocarbon industry which enables the metallurgical industry to replace fossil reduction materials with valuable biocarbon in their metal making processes

SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production

With our environmentally friendly and circular biocarbon production process, we add value to the biomass life cycle, and thus we are enhancing circular economy. We also use SDG 12 as guidance in our procurement practices.

SDG 13 Climate action

We are producing biocarbon and other green products to combat climate change by enabling hard-to-abate industries to decarbonize their production processes

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

Vow Green Metals works actively with health, safety, and environment (HSE). The Company is ramping up operations of the early production line at Hønefoss, Eastern Norway, in addition to the commencement of construction of the large-scale facility in the same area, which calls for an increased focus on HSE. Vow Green Metals is committed to comply with strict health and safety standards and is focusing on building a strong HSE culture within the organization to ensure the highest quality and safety standards. Vow Green Metals aims to be an attractive workplace, where the individual employee can use their skills and abilities.

The Company's target is to ensure that no serious accidents occur in relation to its operations. All employees shall have a good physical, psychosocial and organizational working environment, which is better or at least as good as other companies within the same industry. Vow Green Metals aspires to be among the leaders in the industry when it comes to ensuring the least possible negative impact on the environment.

The Company has good internal controls with a systematic, well-documented and targeted approach to HSE with the purpose of preventing undesirable incidents and ensuring a good working environment, low absence due to illness rate, good profitability, and keeping emissions to a minimum. The Company has strict requirements for HSE in selecting various suppliers. In 2024, absence due to illness was 0.1 percent. Which is well below the Company's 5 percent target.

Vow Green Metals has established clear targets for its HSE efforts, laid down in the Company's HSE handbook:

  • No injuries or accidents of any kind o Injuries with absence = 0
    • per calendar year
  • o Injuries without absence < 5 per calendar year
  • Sickness leaves below 5 percent
  • The work tasks shall be meaningful, and we must have a productive working environment
  • Processing of deviation reports and improvement proposals shall be completed within 30 days
  • Waste sorting rate > 80 percent

Diversity and equal opportunities

The Company is working to prevent discrimination and to ensure equal opportunities for its employees regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, belief, disability, pregnancy, parental leave, care responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or combinations of these grounds.

GENDER COMPOSITION

As of 30 June 2024, the Company had 15 employees, of which 3 women.

The board of Vow Green Metals AS consists of 5 persons, of which 3 are women.

OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY

With high ambitions within the area of sustainability, Vow Green Metals is committed to develop its approach to this important area as the business grows. The Company's efforts within the sustainability area will be progressed further in 2024. The Company will continue its efforts to get its policy framework in place to ensure that the sustainability work is implemented widely in the business.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FIRST HALF 2024

Half-Year Report – First Half 2024 – Vow Green Metals

6 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FIRST HALF 2024

Profit and loss

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

Unaudited Unaudited Audited
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Note H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Employee expenses 2 -5 130 -2 435 -9 442
Other operating expenses 3 -8 810 -6 946 -14 464
EBITDA -13 940 -9 382 -23 906
Depreciation and amortisation 4, 5, 6 -1 225 -145 -785
EBIT -15 165 -9 527 -24 691
Finance income 5 0 1
Finance expense 7 -497 -17 -1 277
Net financial items -493 -17 -1 276
Profit before tax -15 658 -9 544 -25 967
Income tax expenses 0 0
Profit for the period -15 658 -9 544 -25 967
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent -15 615 0 0
Non-controlling interests -43 0 0
-15 658 0 0

Balance sheet

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Unaudited Unaudited Audited
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Note 30.06.2024 30.06.2023 31.12.2023
ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 4 377 83 196
Intangible assets 5 8 726 4 408 6 027
Other intangible assets 5 3 356 4 078 3 647
Assets under construction 6 167 184 96 433 126 153
Right-of-use assets 7 52 006 346 793
Total non-current assets 231 649 105 349 136 817
Current assets
Inventories 65 0 65
Other receivables 6 994 10 163 4 966
Cash and cash equivalents 8 37 312 10 300 41 323
Total current assets 44 372 20 463 46 354
Total assets 276 021 125 812 183 171
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Share capital 9 1 318 1 074 1 074
Share premium 217 552 149 872 149 872
Other reserves 53 094 3 026 3 094
Retained earnings (71 800) (37 643) (54 067)
Equity attributable to owners of the
parent 202 240 116 329 99 974
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interest 42 796 0 0
Owners of the parent 159 444 0 0
Total equity 202 240 0 0
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Long term borrowings 10 3 500 0 50 000
Non-current lease liabilities 7 36 483 84 575
Total non-current liabilities 39 983 84 50 575
Current liabilities
Trade creditors 11 18 019 6 284 8 696
Current borrowings from associates 11 969 969 20 568
Public duties payable 12 1 749 709 1 466
Current lease liabilities 7 6 297 268 231
Other current liabilities 12 6 764 1 169 1 662
Total current liabilities 33 798 9 399 32 623
Total liabilities 73 781 9 483 83 197
Total equity and liabilities 276 021 125 812 183 171

Board of Directors

Lysaker, Norway, 20 August 2024 The Board of Directors and CEO Vow Green Metals AS

Narve Reiten Chairman

Line Tønnessen Board member

Geir Kulås Board member

Kari Stine Tærum Board member

Trude Sundset Board member

Cecilie Jonassen Chief Executive Officer

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

30.06.2024

Share Share Other Other
paid in
Retained Total Non
controlling
Total
(Amounts in
1000 NOK)
capital premium reserves capital earnings interest equity
Equity at
31.12.2023 1 074 149 872 3 094 0 (54 067) 99 974 0 99 974
Profit for the
period 0 0 0 0 (15 615) (15 615) (43) (16 658)
Share capital
increase1) 244 67 680 0 7 162 0 75 086 42 838 117 924
Equity at
30.06.2024 1 318 219 628 3 094 7 162 (69 681) 159 444 42 796 202 240

30.06.2023

Share Share Other Other
paid in
Retained Total Non
controlling
Total
(Amounts in
1000 NOK)
capital premium reserves capital earnings interest equity
Equity at 125
31.12.2022 1 074 149 872 3 043 0 (28 099) 125 889 0 889
Profit for the (9
period 0 0 0 0 (9 544) (9 544) 0 544)
Share capital
increase2) 0 0 (17) 0 0 (17) 0 (17)
Equity at 116
30.06.2023 1 074 149 872 3 026 - (37 643) 116 329 - 329

31.12.2023

Share Share Other Other
paid in
Retained Total Non
controlling
Total
(Amounts in
1000 NOK)
capital premium reserves capital earnings interest equity
Equity at
31.12.2022
Profit for the
1 074 149 872 3 043 0 (28 099) 125 889 0 125
889
(25
period
Share capital
0 0 0 0 (25 967) (25 967) 0 967)
increase 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Stock options3) 0 0 52 0 0 52 0 52
Equity at 99
31.12.2023 1 074 149 872 3 094 0 (54 067) 99 974 0 974

1) Share capital increase relates to the MNOK 100 investment from Vardar AS and the NOK 20 million investement from Skagerak Energi AS. Please see note 9.

2) Share capital increase relates to the establishment of Vow Green Metals Follum AS and VGM Operatør AS.

3) Stock options were exercised in September 2022 in connection with employee stock option program.

CASH FLOW STATEMENT

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Note Unaudited
H1 2024
Unaudited
H1 2023
Audited
2023
Cash flow from operating activities
Result before income tax (15 658) (9 544) (25 967)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortisation 4, 5, 7 1 225 73 785
Interest 0 0 0
Valuation outstanding options 0 0 52
Changes in inventories 0 0 (65)
Changes in other receivables (2 028) (1 310) (3 955)
Change in current liabilities (10 892) (500) 21 290
Net cash flow from operating activities (27 353) (11 282) (7 860)
Cash flow from investing activities
Investments in tangible assets 4 (232) (35) (191)
Investments in intangible assets 5 (2 699) (3 313) (4 932)
Investments in assets under
construction 6 (31 531) (17 568) (45 790)
Investment in subsidiaries 0 0 0
Net cash flow from investing activities (34 462) (20 917) (50 912)
Cash flow from financing activities
Interest received 0 0 0
Proceeds from issuing stock 67 924 0 0
Leasing obligations (10 120) (52) (297)
Long term borrowings 10 0 0 50 000
Proceeds from Enova Grant 6 0 0 7 842
Net cash flow from financing activities 57 804 (52) 57 544
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (4 011) (32 251) (1 228)
Cash and cash equivalents at start of period 41 323 42 551 42 551
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 37 312 10 300 41 323
Non-restricted cash 36 215 9 937 40 580
Restricted cash 1 098 363 743
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 37 312 10 300 41 323

NOTE 1 GENERAL INFORMATION

VGM Operatør AS, a 75 percent owned subsidiary of Vow Green Metals AS, was established in June 2023, to own and operate the process related to Vow Green Metals AS' production plant at Hønefoss, Norway.

This interim financial information for the First Half Year 2024 has been prepared pursuant to IAS 34 «interim financial reporting». The interim Financial Reporting should be read in conjunction with the annual Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by European Union. The accounting policies implemented are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended December 2023.

NOTE 2 EMPLOYEE EXPENSES

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Salaries 7 844 5 078 13 437
Social security tax 1 285 694 2 355
Pension cost 466 307 721
Other benefits 1 192 51 1 636
Total employee expenses 10 788 6 131 18 148
Employee expenses capitalised
to investment projects (5 658) (3 696) (8 706)
Total costs recognised as
employee expenses 5 130 2 435 9 442

NOTE 3 OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Legal 536 465 1 320
Audit fees 405 375 465
Consultant fees 4 740 4 322 8 796
Listing fees 303 332 450
Other expenses 2 827 1 452 3 434
Total other operating expenses 8 810 6 946 14 464

NOTE 4 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

30.06.2024

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Office, furniture and equipment
Cost:
At 1 January 2024 267
Additions 231
At 30 June 2024 498

Depreciation and impairment:

At 1 January 2024 (71)
Depreciation this year (51)
At 30 June 2024 (122)
Carrying amount at 30 June 2024 377
Useful life
Depreciation method
3 years
Linear
30.06.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK)
Office, furniture and equipment
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 76
Additions 42
At 30 June 2023 118
Depreciation and impairment:
At 1 January 2023 (22)
Depreciation this year (13)
At 30 June 2023 (35)
Carrying amount at 30 June 2023 83
Useful life 3 years
Depreciation method Linear
31.12.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Office, furniture and equipment
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 76
Additions 191
At 31 December 2023 267

Depreciation and impairment:

At 1 January 2023 (22)
Depreciation this year (48)
At 31 December 2023 (71)
Carrying amount at 31 December 2023 196
Useful life
Depreciation method
3 years
Linear

NOTE 5 INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The company has acquired the value of the development cost for the new planned biocarbon plant at Hønefoss. Depreciation will start once the Hønefoss plant is starting production. The technical and system solutions know-how developed in the R&D project was acquired from Vow ASA with effect from 1 April 2021.

In 2022, the company implemented an ERP system. ERP depreciation started in H2 2023.

30.06.2024
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Proof of Concept Factory module Computer software
Cost:
At 1 January 2024 1 486 2 922 3 462
Additions 4 190 128 617
At 30 June 2024 5 676 3 050 4 078
Depreciation and impairment:
At 1 January 2024 0 0 (431)
Depreciation this year 0 0 (291)
At 30 June 2024 0 0 (722)
Carrying amount at 30 June
2024 5 676 3 050 3 356
Useful life 10 years 10 years 7 years
Depreciation method Linear Linear Linear
30.06.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Proof of Concept Factory module Computer software
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 743 969 3 462
Additions 743 1 953 617
At 30 June 2023 1 486 2 922 4 078
Depreciation and impairment:
At 1 January 2023 0 0 0
Depreciation this year 0 0 0
At 30 June 2023 0 0 0
Carrying amount at 30 June
2023
1 486 2 922 4 078
Useful life 10 years 10 years 7 years
Depreciation method Linear Linear Linear
31.12.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Proof of Concept Factory module Computer software
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 743 969 3 462
Additions 2 090 2 225 617
At 31 December 2023 2 833 3 194 4 078
Depreciation and impairment:
At 1 January 2023 0 0 0
Depreciation this year 0 0 (431)
At 31 December 2023 0 0 (431)
Carrying amount at 31 December
2023
2 833 3 194 3 647
Useful life 10 years 10 years 7 years
Depreciation method Linear Linear
Linear

NOTE 6 ASSETS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Vow Green Metals is currently building its first biocarbon plant at Hønefoss, Norway.

30.06.2024
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Assets under construction
Cost:
At 1 January 2024 126 153
Additions 41 031
Enova Grant 0
At 30 June 2024 167 184
Carrying amount at 30 June 2024 167 184
30.06.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Assets under construction
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 82 406
Additions 21 868
Enova Grant (7 842)
At 30 June 2023 0
Carrying amount at 31 December 2023 96 433
31.12.2023
(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Assets under construction
Cost:
At 1 January 2023 82 406
Additions 51 589
Enova Grant (7 842)
At 31 December 2023 126 153
Carrying amount at 31 December 2023 126 153

Government grants

Government grants are recognised when it is reasonably certain that the company will meet the conditions stipulated for the grants and that the grants will be received. Operating grants are recognised systematically during the grant period. Grants are deducted from the cost which the grant is meant to cover. Investment grants are capitalised and recognised systematically over the asset's useful life. Investment grants are recognised either as deferred income or as a deduction of the asset's carrying amount.

Enova has confirmed a government grant to support the company's project for industrial production of biocarbon for metallurgical industry at Follum. The grant is for 40 % of the total approved project cost but limited to MNOK 80.7. Grants will be paid in arrears based on agreed progress milestones in the project. 20% of the grant will be withheld until the final report has been submitted and approved by Enova. Grants of MNOK 38.5 has been received in June 2022 and grants of MNOK 7.8 has been received July 2023. This sums up to total grants of MNOK 46.3.

NOTE 7 ASSET LEASE

Right of use assets

30.06.2024

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
At 1 January 2023 142 651 0
Additions 0 5 338 46 756
Depreciation (71) (366) (445)
Carrying amount at 30 June 2024 71 5 624 46 311

Lease liabilities for cars are discounted with an interest rate of 3.3 per cent.

Lease liabilities for properties are discounted with an interest rate of 5.9 per cent.

In May 2024, Vow Green Metals AS secured leasing financing for the production equipment included in the "Early Production Line" at Hønefoss. The leasing financing is with SpareBank 1 SR-Bank.

Lease liabilities for process equipment are discounted with an interest rate of 8.1 per cent.

Lease liabilities recognised

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Current lease liabilities 35 1 035 5 227
Non-current lease liabilities 38 4 646 31 799
Total 73 5 681 37 026

Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Within 1 year 35 1 035 5 227
1-2 years 35 1 035 5 227
2-3 years 0 2 577 21 344
After 3 years

Leases with a lease term less than 12 months are accounted for as short-term leases.

30.06.2023

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
At 1 January 2023 284 183 0
Additions 0 12 0
Depreciation (71) (61) 0
Carrying amount at 30 June 2023 213 133 0

Lease liabilities for cars are discounted with an interest rate of 3.3 per cent.

Lease liabilities for properties are discounted with an interest rate of 5.9 per cent.

Lease liabilities recognised

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Current lease liabilities 133 135 0
Non-current lease liabilities 84 0 0
Total 216 135 0

Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Within 1 year 133 135 0
1-2 years 75 0 0
2-3 years 9 0 0
After 3 years 0 0 0

Leases with a lease term less than 12 months are accounted for as short-term leases.

31.12.2023

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
At 1 January 2023 284 183 0
Additions 0 632 0
Depreciation (142) (163) 0
Carrying amount at 31 December 2023 142 651 0

Lease liabilities for cars are discounted

with an interest rate of 3.3 per cent.

Lease liabilities for properties are discounted with an interest rate of 5.9 per cent.

Lease liabilities recognised

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Current lease liabilities 70 161 0
Non-current lease liabilities 76 499 0
Total 145 660 0

Maturity analysis - contractual undiscounted cash flows

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) Cars Properties Process
equipment
Within 1 year 70 161 0
1-2 years 70 67 0
2-3 years 6 67 0
After 3 years 0 364 0

Leases with a lease term less than 12 months are accounted for as short-term leases.

NOTE 8 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Bank deposits 36 215 9 937 40 580
Restricted cash1) 1 098 363 743
Total cash and cash equivalents 37 312 10 300 41 323
Revolving Credit Facility 10 000 0 0
Total available cash, net of restricted 46 215 9 937 40 580

1) Restricted cash comprise of withheld taxes from employee salaries.

NOTE 9 SHARE CAPITAL AND SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Number of outstanding shares at 1 January 165 227 092 165 227 092 165 227 092
Share capital reduction 0 0 0
Share capital increase1) 37 573 805 0 0
Number of outstanding shares at 30 June /
31 December 202 800 897 165 227 092 165 227 092

1) The share capital increase relates to the NOK 100 million investment from Vardar AS and the NOK 20 million investment from Skagerak Energi AS.

The NOK 100 million investment from Vardar is split into a directed share capital increase of NOK 50 million in conversion of existing debt from Vardar in VGM AS and a NOK 50 million investment in VGM Operatør AS, subscribing for 25% of the shares. The conversion price was 1.863 per share. The option conversion agreement dated 27 November 2023 will not be executed.

The NOK 20 million investment from Skagerak Energi AS was executed at a price of NOK 1.863 per share (90 day volume weighted average price from 16 May 2024), representing a 11.2% premium to closing share price for the Company's shares on 21 May 2024.

Nominal value NOK per share at 30 June /
31 December 0,0065 0,0065 0,0065
Share capital NOK at 30 June / 31
December 1 318 206 1 073 976 1 073 976

Vow Green Metals AS has one class of shares with equal rights of all shares.

Largest shareholders of Vow Green Metals AS at 30.06.2024:

Shareholder Number % share
VOW ASA 50 173 890 24,7%
Ingerø Reiten Inv. Company AS1) 31 145 000 15,4%
Vardar AS 26 838 432 13,2%
Skagerak Energipartner AS 10 735 373 5,3%
Daler Inn Limited 9 878 418 4,9%
Badin Invest Limited 8 941 767 4,4%
Clearstream Banking S.A. 5 356 686 2,6%
Trethom AS 5 111 111 2,5%
Nordnet Livsforsikring AS 4 349 414 2,1%
Exproco Limited 3 613 380 1,8%
Fondsavanse AS 3 000 000 1,5%
Citibank, N.A. 2 190 153 1,1%
Shareholders holding less than 1% of the
shares 41 467 273 20,4%
Total 202 800 897 100,0%

35

Number of shares owned by group management and board of directors at 30.06.2024:

Name Number % share
Ingerø Reiten Investment Company AS1) 31 145 000 15,4%
Kari Stine Tærum, Director 179 000 0,1%
Limamo Invest AS2) 84 000 0,1%
Line Tønnessen, Director2) 17 660 0,0%
Total 31 425 660 15,5%

1) Ingerø Reiten Investment Company AS is owned 60.98% by Narve Reiten, the Chairman of the Board of Vow Green Metals AS.

2) Line Tønnessen, Board member of Vow Green Metals AS, owns 17.660 shares privately and is a close associate to Limamo Invest AS.

NOTE 10 LONG TERM BORROWINGS

Long term borrowings

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) H1 2024 H1 2023 2023
Vardar AS 0 0 50 000
Scanship AS 3 500 0 0
Total long term borrowings 3 500 0 50 000

In November 2023, Vow Green Metals secured a long-term loan from Vardar AS of NOK 50 million. In May 2024, Vardar AS converted the NOK 50 million loan. The conversion price was NOK 1.863 per share, the same as for Skagerak Energi AS' equity investment.

NOTE 11 RELATED PARTIES

a) Balance with related parties:

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) 1H 2024 1H 2023 2023
Liabilities
Vow ASA Trade creditors 0 43 0
Reiten & Co AS
Scanship AS
Trade creditors
Trade creditors
2 000
606
0
1 163
0
1 211
Scanship AS Current borrowings from associates 969 969 20 568
Total payables to associates 1 574 2 132 21 779

36

b) Purchases:

Vow ASA will deliver process equipment and engineering support to Vow Green Metals' biocarbon plant at Hønefoss in Norway. Please see Note 11.

Other transactions with related parties is related to a service agreement entered into with Scanship AS, which is the subsidiary of its largest shareholder, Vow ASA. The service comprise accounting, IT and administration services.

c) Overview of subsidiaries:

The following subsidiary are included in the consolidated financial statements:

Company Date of acquisition/incorporation Country of
incorporation
Vow Green
Metals Follum AS
31.05.2022 Lysaker, Norway
VGM Operatør
AS
23.06.2023 Lysaker, Norway

NOTE 12 PUBLIC DUTIES PAYABLE AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

(Amounts in 1000 NOK) 1H 2024 1H 2023 2023
Public duties payable
Employee witholding tax 1 098 363 743
Social security tax 652 346 723
Total public duties payable 1 749 709 1 466
Other current liabilities
Accrued holiday pay 797 415 1 272
Other accrued expenses (34) 754 390
Other current liabilities 764 1 169 1 662

NOTE 13 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Loan agreement with DNB, 50 percent guaranteed by Eksfin, of NOK 344 million was signed in July.

In August 2024 VGM Operatør Holding AS was established as a subsidiary of Vow Green Metals AS. Through the transfer of shares VGM Operatør Holding AS owns 100 % of VGM Operatør AS, and its shares owned 75% of Vow Green Metals AS and 25% by Vardar AS.

Spearheading the development of a rapidly growing biocarbon industry.

www.vowgreenmetals.com

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