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Circa Group AS

Investor Presentation Nov 25, 2021

3570_rns_2021-11-25_a41bff46-c52f-4605-b401-289f7f9e218b.pdf

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DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE OF BIOCHEMICALS AT SCALE

Q3 RESULTS PRESENTATION

25 November 2021

Agenda

INTRODUCTION

Q3 RESULTS OVERVIEW

FINANCIAL REPORT

RESOLUTE UPDATE

PRODUCT AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT

OUTLOOK

Circa is enabling the transition to lower carbon & sustainable production of advanced bio-based materials

The world demands change from toxic fossil-based chemicals to a better alternative - Circa is part of the answer.

• Circa converts waste biomass into a platform molecule that enables the production of high value bio-based chemicals. Our patented technology equips industries to innovate safer, more sustainable and better chemical products.

  • We plan to grow our manufacturing capacity to 80,000 tonnes per year (tpa) by 2030, refining our technology and optimising our cost base and yield as we scale.
  • In parallel we develop markets for Cyrene™ a bio-solvent that often out-performs and is up to 80% less carbon intense than NMP and DMF, substances of very high concern identified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

• Cyrene™ is a levoglucosenone (LGO) derivative, a platform molecule that has the potential for many more derivatives to be commercialised in high-margin applications, such as drug discovery and production of biopolymers.

Today we report on our Q3 progress building an industrial scale plant and developing markets for its novel products.

Q3 results overview

  • Cashflow remains at expected levels
  • Royalty agreement with University of York renegotiated
  • rates reduce from 4% to 1.5% for quantities up to 1,000 tpa and 2% to 0.75% over 1,000 tpa
  • ReSolute cost increases advised to market 14 October 2021
  • finance options being worked on include re-allocation of capital resources, financial support from regional grants, supplier and export funding programs
  • new scope brings in new suppliers, increased yields and annual opex reduction opportunities (approx €2m)
  • Further distribution agreement opportunities underway with distributors (OQEMA and DKSH)
  • Textile opportunity underway with major Korean supplier to tier one brand
  • Invitation to EU COP 26 panel on bioeconomy enabling climate transition
  • Tone Leivestad commences as CFO
  • Appointment of Philipp Morgenthaler as head of global manufacturing
  • New product development team in place, led by Dr Marc Hein

Spend remains in line with expected quarterly run rate

Q321 Income statement

(EUR)

Q3 2021 Q2 2021 Q3 2020 YTD 2021 YTD 2020
Product sales 3,288 11,835 52,734 16,457 70,195
Other revenue 1,728 31,049 1,168,694 36,843 1,660,707
Total revenue 5,016 42,884 1,221,428 53,300 1,730,902
Cost of sales 73,039 75,014 41,947 211,408 222,010
Employee benefit expenses 604,259 601,844 133,725 2,849,973 411,494
Other operating expenses 709,392 802,622 662,845 3,047,657 3,962,130
Total operating expenses 1,386,690 1,479,480 838,517 6,109,039 4,595,635
Operating result -1,381,674 -1,436,596 382,911 -6,055,739 -2,864,733
Net financial income/ expenses -208,322 -114,954 -29,211 -530,093 -33,917
Net profit/ loss before tax -1,589,996 -1,551,550 353,700 -6,585,831 -2,898,650
Tax expenses
Net profit/ loss -1,589,996 -1,551,550 353,700 -6,585,831 -2,898,650
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign exchange gains/(losses) 15,997 22,707 17,193
Total comprehensive profit/ loss for the period -1,573,999 -1,528,843 353,700 -6,568,639 -2,898,650
  • FC5 continues to provide product for Cyrene sales and trial product to customers
  • Q321 employee and other operational expenses continue to be in line with the quarterly run rate
  • Financial expense is mainly related to unrealized FX (NOK account in Circa Group AS) and negative interests related to the EUR account

And focus on cash remains critical

Q321 Assets

(EUR) 30.09.2021 30.06.2021 31.12.2020 30.09.2020
ASSETS
Tangible assets 874 964 571 281 53 196 2 361
Total non-current assets 874 964 571 281 53 196 2 361
Inventory 44 306 33 748 49 899 37 156
Short term receivables 262 578 408 500 1 708 519 77 601
Cash and cash equivalent 46 849 307 49 717 972 4 724 408 243 975
Total current assets 47 156 191 50 160 220 6 482 826 358 732
Total assets 48 031 155 50 731 501 6 536 022 361 094
  • ReSolute™ capex is EUR 565k gross in Q321. Total capex is offset by the BBI contribution of EUR 261k.
  • Decrease in short term receivables, reduction is mainly due to retroactive VAT included in Q2 after Circa Group AS has been registered for VAT.
  • Cash in Q3 used on:
  • Operation activities EUR 2.3 millions, related to operations in the quarter, as well as payments for STI and Wood where expenses are included in previous periods.
  • ReSolute payments EUR 565k

Circa remains well-funded

Q321 Equity and liability

(EUR) 30.09.2021 30.06.2021 31.12.2020 30.09.2020
EQUITY
Issued and paid in equity 54 013 611 56 808 253 7 335 180 7 141 563
Other equity -11 695 589 -12 882 966 -7 685 095 -8 235 540
Non-controlling interests
Total equity 42 318 023 43 925 288 -349 915 -1 093 977
LIABILITIES
Employee benefits 639 647 550 482 0 0
Other non-current liabilities 0 0 562 590 0
Total non-current liabilities 639 647 550 482 562 590 0
Employees and related 646 830 989 966 32 408 10 373
Borrowings 0 0 0 0
Trade and other payables 248 019 803 112 179 363 430 071
Public duties and related 40 334 47 754 0 0
Other current liabilities 4 138 303 4 414 900 6 111 576 1 014 626
Total current liabilities 5 073 486 6 255 732 6 323 347 1 455 071
Total liabilies 5 713 133 6 806 213 6 885 937 1 455 071
Total equity and liabilies 48 031 155 50 731 501 6 536 022 361 094
  • Total Equity is EUR 42.3 mill as of Q321
  • Decrease in Trade payables is mainly due to payment to Wood (EUR 400k)
  • Decrease in Employee and related is mainly due to short term incentives (STI) related to the IPO that are paid out in Q3 (EUR 326k)
  • Decrease in Other current liabilities are mainly due to utilization of the Horizon 2020-grant of EUR 261k in Q321

Activities following capex announcement Oct 14th are building confidence in the estimate - and opportunities for non dilutionary financing

  • Activities to reduce capex as well as various financing options is building confidence. The work is ongoing, and with a conservative approach, the cash forecast is presently unchanged from the announcement at October 14th.
  • Circa Group's available cash balance as per Q321 is approximately €47m
  • Available cash balance in the two year period includes outgoing cash balance as per Q321, BBI grant of €5m (55 %) and an assumption of €3m in other grants, which is considered conservative (current commitments approx €1.35m)
  • Cash spending on ReSolute plant is given as a range from €50-55m based on the most recent estimates. The graph is based on the highest figure.
  • Circa has a well funded and long financial runway. The company is working with various financing options, such as exploring grants and vendor financing opportunities, and will update the forecast as soon as they are confirmed.

Based on preliminary phasing of ReSolute cash spending. Final phasing after value engineering may impact the timing of cash flows

ReSolute plant progresses, with increasing support from local communities and governments

ReSolute timetable and capex expectations remain as advised in October

  • Significant savings opportunities being studied / negotiated include:
  • On site conversion of char to energy (>€2m opex/year).
  • Internalise waste water treatment (€1m capex savings)
  • Increase in capacity based on improvements in FC5 operations: approx 20%.
  • Working with LUKE on sustainable pre-reactor fractionation. – Not anticipated for start-up, but upside is ~25-30% capacity uplift.
  • Ongoing optimisation work is lowering capex risk for FC6 (10 000+ tonnes) large scale plant.

Product and market development

  • Engagement with Merck continues, discussions extended to levoglucosenone derivatives
  • Momentum building in the development of new commercial relationships to distribute Cyrene™:
  • OQEMA for UK and Euro market opportunities.
  • DKSH in Australian and Asian agrochemical markets.
  • Chinese research published using Cyrene™ to remove CO2 and convert into value-added chemicals.
  • Recent Shell patent on Cyrene™ use in distillation processes to replace high-C product.
  • Strong visibility at key events:
  • October 6: Spoke on Cyrene™ as a replacement for substances of very high concern at ECHA Safer Chemicals conference.
  • October 20: Participated in COP 26 panel following invitation from EU Deputy DG Climate. "The Role of Life Sciences in Delivering Climate Neutrality" alongside BASF and Tetra Pak.

LGO Derivatives: Focused on 4 target markets

HEALTH SCIENCE & PHARMACEUTICALS

  • \$140 B (CAGR of 5.1%)
  • Targeting derivatives that are well aligned with known intermediates used in API and genomics applications

AGRICHEMICALS – INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

  • \$2.6 B (16% CAGR)
  • Focus on sustainable production of unique and difficult to obtain molecules which are well suited and prevalent in the application

FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES

  • \$8.9 B for Dairy (CAGR 3.9%) and Convenience Foods (CAGR 5.5%)
  • Development of useful precursors and targeted end-use products

BIO-POLYMERS

  • \$26.1 B (CAGR 7.3%)
  • Investigating the synthesis of unique bio-based monomers for use in the production of novel polyester and polyacrylate polymer systems

  • Grow LGO platform in niche applications that are high value and high growth

  • Provide unique solutions that offer value through:
  • Sustainability
  • Simplified synthetic
  • pathways
  • Scalability
  • Secure Supply

We are leveraging robust scientific evidence to progress the use of LGO and its derivatives:

HEALTH SCIENCE & PHARMACEUTICALS

Merck MSD used an LGO derivative to synthesize MK1026, currently in Phase II trial for treatment of lymphoma.

Research partner showing positive in-vivo results using an LGO derivative for the potential treatment of breast cancer.

Provider of wound care applications evaluating 2-deoxy-D-ribose synthesized from LGO.

FLAVORS, FRAGRANCES & AGRICHEMICALS

Range of lactone structures are known and readily accessible from LGO.

Project to scale up the production of dairy lactone from LGO.

Working with a partner in the synthesis of pheromones from LGO for use in pest management applications.

BIO-POLYMER APPLICATIONS

EU CHAMPION project: Circa providing LGO derived monomers to create sustainable bio-based polymer.

Active discussions with a leading paint and coatings brand to produce LGO based monomers for use in products.

Our objective is to demonstrate commercially viable production capability at scale quickly, leading to meaningful commercial engagements in each of our target areas

Accelerating corporate climate commitments puts \$2.6 trillion of chemical revenue under scrutiny

40 $+34%$
30 per year
20 $+7%$
1.0
$\overline{O}$
per year

2030 targets are driving industry transition, and Circa is scaling low-carbon alternatives for this technology cycle

TRANSITION TO A LOW CARBON ECONOMY SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES IN DEMAND


COP26
has drawn attention
to the hard to abate
sectors, including chemicals

Accountability for interim
targets towards net zero
addressing every scope

A few systemically
important carbon emitters

Fossil solvent customers
demand an alternative
account for the bulk of
emissions

sets net zero targets
BASF
in March 2021

What was seen as a burden
is increasingly being framed
as a way for boards to
manage risk, and a
market opportunity for
those that have the

Royal Dutch Shell, under
pressure to increase
emissions reductions,
departs the Netherlands

Industry bodies withhold
foresight to act support for new entrants
Drivers Industry in transition Market development Demand for Cyrene™

Accountability for interim
targets towards net zero
addressing every scope

Target markets with strong
sustainability drivers and in
applications where Cyrene™

Tier 1 textile engagement
underway and engagement
with major Korean supplier

Fossil solvent customers
demand an alternative
has out-performed NMP and
DMF

Ongoing interest from
major industrial

sets net zero targets
BASF
in March 2021

Interest from textiles in PU
leather manufacture
conglomerates to
understand Cyrene™
and volume availability

Royal Dutch Shell, under
pressure to increase
emissions reductions,
departs the Netherlands

Industry bodies withhold
support for new entrants

Graphene applications
highlight Cyrene™
as
solvent of choice

Shell patent demonstrates
Cyrene™
performance in
petroleum distillation
application

Momentum building in the
development commercial
relationships to distribute
Cyrene™
OQEMA and
DKSH

SUSTAINABILITY

Circa Group AS Sjølyst plass 2 0278 Oslo Norway

Contact CEO – Tony Duncan [email protected] CFO – Tone Leivestad [email protected]

This presentation contains statements regarding the future in connection with Circa Group's growth initiatives, profit figures, outlook, strategies and objectives. All statements regarding the future are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, and many factors can lead to actual profits and developments deviating substantially from what has been expressed or implied in such statements.

ReSolute start-up timetable remains as advised in October

Oct-21 Nov-21 Dec-21 Jan-22 Feb-22 Mar-22 Apr-22 May-22 Jun-22 Jul-22 Aug-22 Sep-22 Oct-22 Nov-22 Dec-22 Jan-23 Feb-23 Mar-23 Apr-23 May-23 Jun-23 Jul-23 Aug-23 Sep-23 Oct-23 Nov-23 Dec-23
Schedule M13 M14 M15 M16 M17 M18 M19 M20 M21 M22 M23 M24 M25 M26 M27 M28 M29 M30 M31 M32 M33 M34 M35 M36 M37 M38 M39
Q1 Year 2 Q2 Year 2 Q3 Year 2 Q4 Year 2 Q1 Year 3 Q2 Year 3 Q3 Year 3 Q4 Year 3 Q1 Year 3
Reactor Engineering Design
• Valmet Basic Engineering Design
Permitting
• EPC BoP Detail Engineering
FEL-4 Equipment Procurement & Manufacturing
FEL-4 Equipment Delivery at site
FEL-4 Construction
FEL-4 Erection
FEL-4 E&I Installation
COMMISSIONING - Cold
COMMISSIONING - Hot
Start-up

Circa converts waste biomass to high-value biochemicals

Biocoal is a valuable by-product from the production process and will be used for industry and heating, offtake for 100% of biocoal volumes

Polymers

Paints Coatings Flavours Fragrance

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