Circle Group — Regulatory Filings 2024

Dec 10, 2024

PRESS RELEASE

CIRCLE Group: Contract signed for the eFTI4ALL project within the CEF transport initiative for a value of € 325,000

Milan, December 10, 2024

CIRCLE S.p.A. ("CIRCLE" or the "Company") - an Innovative SME listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, heading the Group specialized in the process analysis and the development of solutions for the digitalization of the port and intermodal logistics sectors, as well as in the international consultancy on Green Deal and energy transition topics – announces the signature of the Grant Agreement of the eFTI4ALL project, a major European initiative to improve the digitalisation of freight transport aiming to support the implementation the eFTI Regulation (EU) 2020/156, funded by the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport program. The kick off meeting was held in Brussels on November 25-26.

The eFTI4ALL project, coordinated by the Swedish Trafikverket (TRV), aims to streamline freight transport operations in Europe by replacing traditional paper documentation with an integrated electronic freight information system following the eFTI4EU project and the eFTI Regulation. With the primary goal of enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in EU logistics, the project aligns with the European Union's eFTI Regulation, which aims to promote digitalization in the freight transport sector.

The consortium of the project involves 31 beneficiaries in different EU countries, who are collectively engaged in the implementation of a unified data exchange framework that will facilitate seamless communication between economic operators and competent authorities on transport document checks. Key activities include the development of eFTI platforms, as well as the exploration of specific use cases, such as the transport of dangerous goods and multimodal operations. Among the expected results of the project there are the increased efficiency in freight transport, reduced administrative costs and concrete support for the EU's green and digital transition.

Furthermore, during the Kick-Off Meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the eFTI4EU project, represented by Jan Bergstrand (Trafikverket) as the coordinator of eFTI4ALL and Eva Killar (Estonian Ministry of Climate), the coordinator of the eFTI4EU project. This agreement aims to achieve several objectives, including leveraging mutual knowledge to enhance the outcomes of both projects, reducing efforts, and fostering synergies in the development of eFTI systems. Additionally, it seeks to coordinate communications with the European Commission to ensure transparency, cooperation, and mutual benefits, while respecting the autonomy of each

project.

The eFTI4ALL project will run until April 2028, with an allocated budget of EUR 15.28 million from the CEF grant. Circle will act as a communication and dissemination leader with an allocated budget of EUR 325,000.

Alexio Picco, Circle Group CEO, affirmed: "As communication leader of the project, Circle plays a crucial role in promoting awareness and knowledge exchange within the European logistics community. By creating a comprehensive communication framework and supporting capacity building initiatives, Circle strives to make the objectives of the eFTI4ALL project not only accessible, but also achievable for all stakeholders involved. In this way, it aligns itself with the broader goals of the European Union for the digitalization of the transport sector and with the industrial plan "Connect 4 Agile Growth".'

CEF Transport The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a funding instrument to develop high-performance, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. Managed by CINEA, CEF Transport focuses on improving connectivity, enhancing crossborder integration and using advanced technologies in the transport sector.

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Founded in Genoa in 2012, Circle S.p.A. is the Innovative SME at the head of the CIRCLE Group, the Group specialising in the analysis and development of products for the innovation and digitalisation of the port and intermodal logistics sectors and in the international consultancy on topics concerning the Green Deal and energy transition.

In addition to Circle, the Group includes the software houses Info.era, NEXT Freight (formerly 'Adele Project') and Cargo Start, acquired at the end of 2017, July 2019 and December 2022 respectively, the consulting companies Magellan Circle and Magellan Circle Italy, the NewCo NEXT Customs, as well as the subsidiary ACCUDIRE.

The synergies between the individual components of the CIRCLE Group have made it possible to expand the portfolio of solutions offered in the areas of IoT, Optimisation, Digital Twin, Big Data and Process Automation, and to strengthen the software products: Milos® - a suite aimed at all players in intermodal logistics such as inland terminals, port terminals, ports, MTOs and maritime agencies -, the Extended Port Community System, the Master SPED® and Milos® Global Supply Chain Visibility solutions, dedicated respectively to freight forwarding and logistics and to trade and industry, as well as Star Tracking®, an airport-to-airport tracking solution.

To complete the offer in the Supply Chain area, the so-called 'Federative Services' able to make the migration of customers towards a digital business model more efficient and offered in cloud mode.

Through Magellan Circle (with offices in Porto and Brussels) and Magellan Circle Italy, Circle operates in the field of advocacy at European Institutions, supporting Public Bodies and Companies by identifying their positioning at a European level (Strategic Communication and Advocacy) and funding opportunities (Eu Funding Accelerator), with a vertical focus on Green Deal and energy transition issues.

The acquisition of the 51% of shares of Cargo Start in December 2022, a company specialising in the development and sale of innovative technological products and services for air cargo, allowed Circle to strengthen its offering in a rapidly expanding segment that is strategic to the Connect 4 Agile Growth industrial path.

Circle leads the business network eXyond, which is instrumental in enhancing the offer of advanced Gate Automation solutions aimed at port and intermodal nodes.

In December 2023, Circle subscribed to a capital increase equal to 21% of the share capital of ACCUDIRE, an Innovative Startup from Veneto that provides a Collaborative Digital Platform capable of helping players along global Supply

Chains in the exchange of information and in the management of document flows accompanying goods shipments, starting first and foremost with the e-CMR (or electronic waybill, part of an international standard and transposition law just approved by the Italian Parliament).

Finally, in February 2024 Circle established the NewCo NEXT Customs, dedicated to digital customs optimisation services and functional to the continuation of initiatives aimed at the harmonisation of customs processes, a highly strategic area for the evolution of the Connect 4 Agile Growth path.

Circle S.p.A. has been listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market of Borsa Italiana since October 26, 2018 (alphanumeric code: CIRC; ISIN code ordinary shares: IT. 0005344996).

For further information Circle S.p.A. Registered office Via Giovanni Battista Pergolesi 26, 20124 Milano Operational headquarters Piazza Borgo Pila 40 (Torre A interno 46), 16129 Genova Investor Relations Mail: ir@circletouch.eu | Mobile: +39 348 3067877

Media Relations: Image Building Via Privata Maria Teresa, 11 20123 – Milano Email: circle@imagebuilding.it | Phone: +39 02 89011300

Euronext Growth Advisor: Integrae SIM S.p.A. Piazza Castello 24, 20121 Milano Email: info@integraesim.it | Phone: 02.80.50.61.60