TIDMAXS

RNS Number : 1970T

Accsys Technologies PLC

23 November 2021

AIM: AXS

Euronext Amsterdam: AXS

23 November 2021

Accsys Technologies PLC

("Accsys", the "Group" or the "Company")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 September 2021

Strong revenue growth - delivering on expansion strategy

Accsys, the fast-growing and eco-friendly company that combines chemistry and technology to create high performance, sustainable wood building products, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2021 ("H1 FY 22").

 
                               H1 FY        H1 FY       Change 
                                 22           21 
 Total Group revenue         EUR 56.2m     EUR42.9m         31% 
 Underlying gross 
  profit                     EUR 17.2m     EUR14.3m         20% 
 Accoya(R) Manufacturing 
  margin(1)                    31.0%        33.5%      (250bps) 
 Underlying EBITDA(2)         EUR 4.5m     EUR4.3m           5% 
 Underlying EBIT(3)           EUR 1.5m     EUR1.6m         (6%) 
 Underlying (loss)             ( EUR 
  before tax                    0.3m)     (EUR0.1m) 
 (Loss)/profit before          ( EUR 
  tax                           0.2m)      EUR1.0m 
 Period end net cash/ 
  (debt)(4)                   EUR 2.4m    (EUR16.3m) 
 Accoya(R) sales volume      29,555m(3)   26,422m(3)        12% 
 

Key highlights:

-- Group revenue and Accoya(R) sales volumes up 31% and 12% respectively versus the prior year comparative period, which was impacted by COVID-19.

   --      Maintaining good profitability with underlying gross profit up 20%: 

o Improvement in gross profit supported by Accoya(R) sales price increases substantially offsetting higher raw material costs.

o 31% Accoya(R) manufacturing margin with 250bps decline due to changes in product sales mix.

-- 5% growth in underlying EBITDA(2) with planned investment in group organisation capability to support growth and the expected production capacity increases in 2022.

-- Strategic growth projects under our '5x' production capacity expansion target by 2025 are progressing well:

o World-first Tricoya(R) (Hull) plant - on track to commence operations by July 2022.

o Accoya(R) (Arnhem) plant - addition of a fourth reactor (+33% new capacity to 80,000m(3) ) on track to be complete by around the end of Q1 calendar year 2022.

o Accoya(R) USA JV - further project work progressing; final investment expected in coming months upon completion of financing workstream.

-- 4% increase in operating cash flow(5) with continuing good cash generation from Accoya(R) segment; Net cash of EUR2.4m includes cash of EUR60.9m at period-end to fund expansion projects including planned US JV investment; Recent Group debt refinance improving debt cost and structure.

Notes

(1) Accoya(R) Manufacturing margin is defined as Accoya(R) segmental underlying gross profit (excluding Licence income and marketing services) divided by Accoya(R) segmental revenue (excluding Licence income and marketing services) (See note 2 to the financial statements)

(2) Underlying EBITDA is defined as Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments, depreciation and amortisation, and includes the Group's attributable share of our USA joint venture's underlying EBITDA. (See note 2 to the financial statements).

(3) Underlying EBIT is defined as Operating profit/(loss) before Exceptional items and other adjustments, and includes the Group's attributable share of our USA joint venture's underlying EBIT. (See note 2 to the financial statements).

(4) Net cash/(debt) is defined as short term and long-term borrowings (including lease obligations) less cash and cash equivalents. (See note 12 to the financial statements).

(5) Group operating cashflow is Cash inflows from operating activities before changes in working capital and exceptional items.

Robert Harris, CEO, commented :

"We are pleased to report our first half results, delivering strong growth in both revenue and gross profits. This performance demonstrates further progress on our strategy and the hard work of our employees to deliver for our customers.

There is continuing high demand for our Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) products as customers focus on higher performance materials as well as on sustainability. It is this demand, which continues to exceed supply, that has enabled us to substantially offset the wider market pressures from raw materials costs and supply chain disruption through price increases.

We are progressing our strategic growth projects to increase production capacity five-fold by 2025. The construction of a fourth Accoya(R) reactor in Arnhem is progressing well and our US Accoya(R) JV with Eastman is approaching its final investment decision. With Accsys now directly project-managing the completion of our Hull Tricoya(R) facility, we have made good progress towards the plant being commercially operational by July 2022. Our expansion at Arnhem and the new Hull plant will together see Accsys double its present operating production capacity of 60,000m(3) to 120,000m(3) by July 2022.

Looking ahead we remain confident in delivering on market expectations. Longer term we believe there will be significant further demand for Accsys' higher performance, lower maintenance and more sustainable products as the world focuses on decarbonisation."

Analyst presentation

There will be a presentation relating to these results for analysts at 10:00am UK time (11:00am CET) today. 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/nbrgpb82

Conference call details (audio only - not recommended for use in conjunction with the webcast link):

Event Passcode : 3673829

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                   ir@accsysplc.com 
  Sarah Ogilvie, Investor Relations 
========================================  ====================== 
 Numis Securities (London) 
  Oliver Hardy (NOMAD), Ben Stoop           +44 (0) 20 7260 1000 
========================================  ====================== 
 Investec Bank plc (London) 
  Carlton Nelson, Alex Wright               +44 (0) 20 7597 5970 
  ABN Amro (Amsterdam) 
  Richard van Etten, Dennis van Helmond     +31 20 344 2000 
========================================  ====================== 
 FTI Consulting (UK) 
  Matthew O'Keeffe, Alex Le May             +44 (0) 20 3727 1340 
========================================  ====================== 
 Off the Grid (The Netherlands) 
  Frank Neervoort, Yvonne Derske            +31 681 734 236 
========================================  ====================== 
 

Notes to editors:

Accsys (Accsys Technologies PLC) is a fast-growing business with a purpose: changing wood to change the world. The company combines chemistry, technology and ingenuity to make Accoya(R) wood and Tricoya(R) wood elements: high performance wood products that are extremely durable and stable, opening new opportunities for the built environment and giving the world a choice to build sustainably. Accsys transforms fast-growing, certified sustainable wood into building materials with an up to 50-year warranty, locking carbon stored in the wood into useful products for decades, with performance characteristics that match or better those of non-renewable, resource-depleting and polluting alternatives. Accsys is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and on Euronext Amsterdam, under the symbols 'AXS'. Visit www.accsysplc.com

Accoya(R) solid wood is sustainable, durable, and stable with exceptional performance, finish and sustainability. Accsys' proprietary acetylation process makes the wood more dimensionally stable and because it is no longer easily digestible, extremely durable. It is one of very few building materials to be Cradle to Cradle Certified(TM) at the Gold level, with a Platinum rating for Material Health, confirming that no harmful or toxic additives or chemicals are present to leach out into the environment. Primary applications for Accoya(R) wood include windows, doors, cladding and decking, where the combination of performance and sustainability benefits compete favorably against hardwoods, plastics, metals and concrete. Visit www.accoya.com

Tricoya(R) acetylated wood elements are produced for use in the fabrication of panel products such as medium density fibreboard (MDF). Panel products made with Tricoya(R) wood elements are truly durable and stable enough for use outdoors and in wet environments, unlocking new possibilities for design and construction. They have been lauded as the first major innovation in the wood composites industry in more than 30 years and bring the flexibility of traditional panel products and sustainability benefits of wood to a whole new range of applications. Visit www.tricoya.com

Any references in this announcement to agreements with Accsys shall mean agreements with either Accsys or its subsidiary entities unless otherwise specified. 'Accsys' and 'Accsys Technologies' are trading names of Titan Wood Limited ("TWL"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Accsys Technologies PLC. Accoya (R) , Tricoya (R) and the Trimarque Device are registered trademarks owned by TWL, and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from TWL, or in the case of the Tricoya (R) registered brand trademark, from Tricoya Technologies Limited, a subsidiary of TWL with exclusive rights to exploit the Tricoya(R) brand.

Accsys Technologies PLC

Chief executive's statement

Introduction

Accsys has delivered strong revenue growth in the first half of the 2022 financial year, reflecting the continuing significant demand for our products while also investing in our manufacturing and organisational capability to deliver the growth opportunity ahead of us.

In the period we have made good strategic progress under our long-term plan to increase production capacity five-fold to 200,000 m(3) per annum in 2025. Work to expand our Arnhem plant capacity by 33% continued, and we successfully completed the equity funding and made key preparations for our planned JV to build an Accoya(R) production facility in North America. Despite challenges in the completion of the Hull Tricoya(R) plant, we have successfully taken control of the site, and are now directly managing the final completion ourselves towards commercial operations by July 2022.

This has also been an important period of investing in our business and people. New colleagues have joined bringing expertise in functional areas to help lead and deliver our growth ambitions and we have begun to increase our operating teams ready to operate our new facilities. In H1 FY22 we have continued to develop our safety culture and processes and were free of lost-time incidents in the period.

Despite wider market pressures around raw materials and supply chains across many industries in this period, Accsys has delivered a robust performance and delivered further growth in underlying EBITDA. While we have seen increases in raw material costs, we have been able to substantially offset this through increased sales prices. This resilience has been supported by the strength of our supply contracts and nature of our raw materials with a partial natural hedge created by the conversion back into acetic anhydride or sale of valuable acetyl by-product.

Summary of results

The Group has delivered strong revenue and sales volume growth while remaining capacity constrained at our Arnhem plant. Total revenue for the 6 months ended 30 September 2021 increased by 31% to EUR56.2m (H1 FY21: EUR42.9m). Accoya(R) sales volumes of 29,555 cubic metres represent a 12% increase compared to the equivalent period last year which was impacted by COVID-19. We also grew revenues through an increase in average selling prices for our high-performance wood products.

In the period manufacturing margin was 31%, just above our target 30% level, with good cash generation. Higher average sales prices were the result of product price increases that took effect during the period and in H2 FY21, which helped to substantially offset increased raw material prices and reflect the continuing strong demand in the market for our products. A change in the mix of products sold year on year also impacted the percentage margin, where sales of lower priced Accoya(R) for Tricoya(R) and tolling (where we process the wood but are not responsible for the raw wood purchase and as a result are lower priced) were higher in the prior year due to the supply chain dislocation experienced in the early stages of the pandemic.

Group underlying EBITDA increased 5% against the prior year to EUR4.5m, despite higher Group operating costs in the period through planned investment in Group organisational capabilities and people with increased headcount to support our future growth. We have closed the period with a robust balance sheet with EUR2.4m net cash, with cash of EUR60.9m including the funds raised ready for investment in our US Accoya(R) JV.

COVID-19

During the first 6 months of the 2022 financial year, we have not seen the same level of direct impact from COVID-19 on our revenue and sales as we did in the prior year. However, as with many businesses, the pandemic continues to affect the business indirectly. It has also contributed to the additional delay and challenges in completing construction and bringing production online at our Hull plant where the EPC lead contractor's agreement was terminated as previously announced.

We are continuing to operate in a more COVID-safe way to protect our people and those who we do business with. We continue to manage some supply chain effects which have impacted industries more broadly, which we detail later in these reports.

Last year during the 2021 financial year we received some government support in the Netherlands and the UK for our operations in the initial stages of the pandemic. At that time, Directors and other senior staff accepted a 20% reduction in their pre-tax salary for four months as part of our mitigation measures. Relative to many other organisations around the world, the effects of the pandemic on Accsys' financial performance has been limited by virtue of the strong underlying demand for our products and the rapid recovery in sales volumes. In H1 FY 22, after the scope of impacts and resilience became clear, we paid back in full the government grants received. In May 2021 while the Board and senior management team retained the 20% salary reduction, we paid back the salary difference to all employees below the senior-management team level, reflecting their hard work throughout that challenging period.

Accoya (R) - Global performance

 
                            Six months   Six months 
   Accoya (R) segment        ended 30     ended 30      Change 
   - summary of results      September    September 
                             2021         2020 
 Accoya (R) sales volume 
  - cubic metres            29,555       26,422       12% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Underlying Accoya(R) 
  segmental revenue         EUR55.4m     EUR41.8m     33% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Accoya (R) wood revenue    EUR48.5m     EUR38.7m     25% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Licence income             EURnil       EUR0.4m      -100% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Acetic acid sales          EUR6.8m      EUR2.6m      162% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Manufacturing margin 
  - %                       31.0%        33.5%        -2.5% pts 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Underlying EBITDA          EUR10.3m     EUR9.2m      12% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Underlying EBIT            EUR8.0m      EUR7.0m      14% 
                           -----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

The Accoya(R) business delivered good growth in volumes in the first half of FY22, despite remaining at capacity production levels and with customer demand for our product continuing to exceed supply. A 12% increase in sales volumes was the combined result of our ongoing efficiency programme to improve productivity, lower production volumes in the prior year in Q1 due to the initial stronger effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the deferral of our scheduled maintenance stop at Arnhem into the second half of FY22 to coincide with planned tie-ins for the fourth reactor project.

Accoya(R) revenue growth of 33% reflects these same factors driving the sales volume growth, and further supported by increased average sales prices in the period. These price increases reflect both the continuing strong demand from customers and higher raw material and logistics costs in our supply chain in the period. Price rises were implemented in the last financial year for all customers and have continued to benefit the first half of the 2022 financial year. In addition, we have put through further price increases in the period in June 2021 and September 2021. Average prices were also higher than the prior year period due to changes to the product mix, which included a lower proportion of material sold to Tricoya(R) customers and lower tolling sales.

Overall, we have continued to see strong underlying demand for Accoya(R) across our regions and with our Tricoya(R) panel manufacturing partners.

Our H1 FY22 regional sales trend on a period-on-period basis, primarily reflects the impact of the early stages of the pandemic on prior year sales in our different regions in H1 FY21. The strong growth in H1 FY22 sales to the UK & Ireland compares against the significant negative decline in H1 FY21 sales volume to UK & Ireland which was more acutely impacted by supply chain dislocation in the early stages of the pandemic. By comparison H1 FY21 sales volumes were stronger in Europe as we redirected volume around the UK disruption, and in this period's results this appears as a negative movement in Rest of Europe. Excluding the one-off nature of COVID-19 comparative impacts from the 2021 financial year, over-all we believe that the regional demand and sales volumes flow in our geographic markets is steady period-on-period. The exception to this is the Americas, where we are actively increasing our allocation of product volumes available to customers as we develop this market ahead of our planned US capacity expansion.

 
 Sales volume by                         H1 FY22                        H1 FY21   Increase 
  end-market 
                                              m3                             m3          % 
 UK & Ireland                              8,373                          5,878        42% 
 Rest of Europe                            5,780                          7,102      (19%) 
 Tricoya(R)                                7,092                          7,275       (3%) 
 Americas                                  3,909                          2,231        75% 
 Benelux                                   2,091                          2,461      (15%) 
 Asia-Pacific                              2,010                          1,316        53% 
 RoW                                         300                            159        89% 
 
                                          29,555                         26,422        12% 
                   =============================  =============================  ========= 
 

Accoya (R) manufacturing gross margin was 31.0% (H1 FY21: 33.5%). Whilst this is 2.5% lower than the prior year, it remains above our target range of 30% or higher. While the higher average selling price in the period more than offset the effect from the higher raw material costs, the margin also reflects a shift in the mix of types of products sold within Accoya (R) against the prior year period as explained above. In H1 FY21 we increased sales of material for Tricoya (R) and of tolling sales due to the initial supply chain disruption impacting certain geographies at the time from COVID-19 effects. In H1 FY22 these sales reverted to a normal level.

Accoya (R) strategic progress

In the period we made good progress in projects to expand our Accoya (R) production capacity and business development projects in the Netherlands, the USA, and the UK. Work continued to expand the capacity of our existing Accoya(R) plant in Arnhem by adding a fourth reactor, through which we expect to increase the site capacity by 33% to an annual production capacity of 80,000 cubic metres. Having 'broken ground' for the construction in February 2021, we received the new reactor on site in May 2021. The civil works have now been completed and the main steel structure is erected, with equipment and piping in the process of being installed.

The broader expansion project also includes increased chemical storage and an upgrade of our wood handling equipment, which will benefit the entire Arnhem plant. The expansion remains on track to be complete by around the end of Q1 calendar year 2022.

North America represents the largest potential regional market for our product, with an achievable market for Accoya(R) there of up to 948,500 cubic metres per annum within a wider addressable market of up to approximately 9.6 million cubic metres. North America is a market that Accoya(R) is already sold into, but in which we are also significantly constrained by the volume of product we can produce from our Arnhem facility. We have strong foundations for growth in the region with a number of key distributor customers in place and have rolled out our Approved Manufacturers Programme for our distributors' customers, which has been highly successful in Europe.

Under the joint venture with Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN), a world leader in the production of acetyls, we are planning to construct an Accoya(R) plant in USA with an initial approximately 40,000 cubic metres capacity at Eastman's Kingsport, Tennessee site, and replicate our existing Accoya(R) technology at Arnhem. Under the JV, Accsys holds a 60% interest and Eastman a 40% interest.

In the first half of the 2022 financial year, we have completed a number of workstreams in the planning for the plant. The detailed front-end engineering design ('FEED') of the plant has been completed. The initial plant designs will target a two-reactor 40,000 cubic metres capacity plant, while the plans and site also allow for further efficient expansion (subject to market conditions) of up to eight reactors in total. Key commercial agreements between the JV parties in relation to operational support and supply agreements, for example in relation to raw materials supply, support services, land and utilities have been well advanced and are expected to be entered into on completion of the financing work stream.

The project will be funded through a combination of equity contributions from the JV partners, and project debt finance. In May 2021, Accsys successfully completed the issuance of new shares to fund Accsys' equity share of the project, through a placing and open offer. Further details on this can be found in the Financial Review. The workstream to complete the project debt finance is continuing and we expect to finalise terms in the coming months in line with our anticipated returns.

We expect that the plant will take approximately two years to construct from the point of the final investment decision. Following construction, sales are expected to ramp up over a further two years to the plant's full production capacity. The planning to date confirms the strong financial returns from the plant itself, with a leveraged pre-tax IRR of over 20% targeted. In addition, Accsys will licence its technology to the Accoya(R) USA JV, with sales and marketing support also expected to be provided by Accsys under a separate fee bearing agreement with the Accoya(R) USA JV.

Accoya(R) Color combines the benefits of Accoya(R) wood with colour all the way through the wood from surface to core, achieved through a patented process. Since launching Accoya(R) Color in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) in Europe last year, we have seen very strong demand from our customers, with a present focus on the decking product category.

On 29 July 2021 we announced plans to expand our ability to produce Accoya(R) Color, through the acquisition of assets of the former Lignia Wood Company business in Wales, UK for consideration of EUR1.2m. Through the acquisition, which included equipment, raw wood inventory, and technology at the 50,000 square foot (4,650 square metre) manufacturing plant in Barry, Wales, Accsys has increased its ability to convert Accoya(R) wood into its new Accoya(R) Color product. The integration of the acquisition is progressing well, we successfully repurposed the site for Accoya(R) Color production and produced our first batch of Accoya(R) Color at the site in the period.

The purchased assets will allow us to accelerate our plans to grow Accoya(R) Color both in its current markets and into more geographic markets and for more product applications as part of our ongoing global growth strategy. Once integrated, the site will be expected to be able to produce up to 12,500 cubic metres of Accoya(R) Color per annum with expansion in future being possible. We therefore expect increased Accoya(R) Color sales in the medium term with its unique proposition proving attractive to customers in our target markets. This will be supported by increased sales and marketing activity overall to drive end consumer awareness and demand.

Tricoya (R)

Strategic progress

Accsys and its consortium partners in Tricoya UK Limited ('TUK') are building the world's first Tricoya (R) plant at Hull. During the period and despite ongoing challenges in progressing the plant, further progress has been made towards its completion. The plant, which is in its final stages of construction, is due to become operational by July 2022.

In April 2021 we updated our guidance and at that time we expected a three-to-six month delay to the lead contractor's schedule in completing the construction. Subsequently in early June 2021, we received a notice from the lead contractor responsible for the delivery of the plant, purporting to terminate the engineering, procurement, and construction ('EPC') agreement for the project by reason of force majeure arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2021 Accsys took over the project to complete the final stages of plant construction and conducted an extensive gap analysis to review and validate the remaining works, costs, timeline, and people required to complete the project.

On 23 August 2021 we provided an updated outlook for the completion of the project. This included an updated timeline where the plant is now anticipated to be commercially operational by July 2022. The remaining final stages of the works are being directly project managed by TUK with experienced internal and recently-added people and resources, without requiring the appointment of another lead EPC contractor. Third-party expertise and support are being brought in as and when required to complete works safely and quickly. Since 23 August various workstreams have safely re-commenced on the site with a significant increase in our own project team, improvements to project governance, and the engagement and remobilisation of key mechanical, electrical, and civil contractors.

We also announced in August 2021 that TUK and the former lead EPC contractor had entered into a settlement agreement where the parties settled and released each other from liability for claims against each other under the EPC contract, including any claims in respect of COVID-19 and outstanding contractual payments.

At that time we also reported that the total project capital cost is expected to be an additional EUR9m to EUR15m more than previously anticipated. The additional costs are largely due to the extended project duration, including the previously reported engineering changes, delays due to COVID-19, and time and recovery actions resulting from past management of, and demobilisation from, the site. The costs also reflect the settlement agreement with the former lead contractor. As a result, the total cumulative project capital cost for the plant is anticipated to be EUR90m to EUR96m.

In the process of taking over control of the site and establishing the remaining works required for completion, TUK has used third party experts to review the overall integrity of the plant. These reports have not indicated any material issues with the plant.

Recently on 8 November, after the end of the reported period, Accsys agreed funding arrangements with our TUK consortium partners relating to the anticipated costs to complete the plant. Accsys has entered into a new loan

agreement with TUK under which Accsys will lend up to EUR17m to TUK to be used towards the Hull plant construction project alongside existing funding in place for TUK. The supply and offtake agreements with TUK partners Medite (sale and purchase of Tricoya(R) wood elements) and INEOS (acetic anhydride supply) have also been updated and reflect the partners' ongoing commitment to the project.

Recently in November we successfully ran our first batch of wood chips through the first stage of the front of plant, as we begin to test and commission parts of the plant once they are completed. The introduction of wood chips is the first time that we have run the equipment in this zone of the plant in combination with our raw material wood chips, and we are looking forward to bringing more zones into commissioning as we work through the remaining works to completion.

Our planning for the plant continues to allow for the ramp-up of production to full capacity over approximately three years following start-up. This reflects that this is the first plant of its type and that various modifications and operating improvements may be identified once the plant is initially operational. Once at capacity, we continue to expect that a gross margin of approximately 40% should be achievable. Accsys remains committed to the safe completion and operation of the plant to realise the potential of the Tricoya(R) product with a large market opportunity, and ongoing high demand.

Once the Hull plant is operational, we plan to expand Tricoya(R) production in Malaysia. We have an on-going feasibility study with PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad for the construction of a Tricoya(R) plant in Malaysia. The full decision to progress with the plant will only follow after the Hull Tricoya(R) plant has been operational for a sufficient period to ensure that any engineering learnings can be factored into the Malaysian plant design.

Group Strategic Development

Technology & IP

Accsys continues to invest in growing, researching, developing and protecting its valuable portfolio of intellectual property and confidential information. Our technology covers not only the physical equipment and engineering that underpins our manufacturing and production, but also the processes and methodology we follow in our entire supply and production chain, from the way we prepare our wood to the way we market and sell Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) in the market.

We continue to carry out research and development projects on all aspects of our technology, including our process technology where we continually aim for the best efficiency and best quality for our products and production.

We have reviewed and implemented new improved procedures seeking to safeguard as much as possible our proprietary information and are working with teams across the Group to ensure better understanding of, and training on, our confidentiality protocols. In addition, enhanced procedures have been incorporated into our project management process to capture protectable technology as early as possible.

Accsys' patent portfolio totals 399 patent family members, covering 27 distinct inventions in 45 countries with over 60% of the patent family members now granted. The core technologies associated with our current and future plants for the production of Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) wood products continue to be protected by using a combination of patenting and trade secrets to maintain our differentiation in the marketplace.

Our principal trademark portfolio covers our brands Accoya(R) , Tricoya(R) , the Trimarque device and Accsys(R) , protected by registrations in over 60 countries, with continued activity focused on increasing the strength of those brands.

Accsys continues to maintain an active watch on the commercial and IP activity of third parties to ensure its IP rights are not infringed, and to identify any IP which could potentially hinder our commercial activity.

Building organisational capability

In the period we have made good progress in developing our people and organisational capabilities to manage our growth, with Accsys' average headcount increasing from 190 to 241 people . Key hires in place include new heads of departments hired last year, whom now are developing platforms for supporting our growth and ensuring that the Group can expand effectively including into new locations. The areas in which we have added these senior leaders include HSE, Technology, Engineering, IT, and Acetyls management.

We have also increased our headcount through the recruitment of new operating roles for our teams who will operate our expanded capacity at Arnhem and new capacity at Hull as these become operational and expanded our project management team at Hull in the period to oversee the project construction as previously mentioned.

In addition, we are increasing our focus on training and development and have established leadership training programmes and talent mapping, which is an ongoing but important process to ensure we have the right skills and talent in place and a pipeline to maintain this, during our growth journey.

Environment, Social and Governance

Accsys remains committed to growing and operating its business in a sustainable way. In H1 FY22 we have continued to build on the foundations we laid in November 2020 when we launched our first sustainability report and new ESG strategy. In that report we identified our 10 key material issues and impact areas and created an ESG framework that aligns with our purpose, values, and strategy, while also setting out how we contribute to five main UN Sustainable Development goals, with additional impacts on seven more.

Since November 2020, we have completed stage one of our sustainability strategy roadmap. This has included reviewing and developing our data and assessments, establishing baseline metrics, and identifying initial actions for improvement in each of our material issues. We are now working on stage two which is to set the direction of ESG development we want to make in each of our key areas.

In H1 FY22 we have made good progress in four key ESG material issue areas.

Safety

Health & Safety (HSE) remains an absolute priority for the Group and we are aiming to ensure zero harm in our operations and increase our monitoring and awareness of our safety policies and strategy as well as developing a safety-first culture across our organisation. We are monitoring a number of metrics in FY 22 as we implement this, which include increased safety observation reporting, increased safety inspections and audits, increased safety communication and awareness.

In H1 FY22 we have increased our focus on leading indicator reporting, for example increasing our rate of safety inspection tours made by our senior leadership teams on our sites and our safety observation card (SOC) reporting. SOCs are also an important tool in embedding a safety-focussed culture by increasing safety awareness. Each month we also now communicate a HSE scorecard to all staff, sharing our HSE performance and where we are against our ambition to achieve zero lost time accidents, zero major injuries whilst improving our leading HSE performance indicators. In the 2021 financial year we reported three lost time incidents (LTIs), a lagging safety indicator. In the H1 FY 22 period we have had no lost time incidents, which is a positive development, and our goal remains zero LTIs.

Accsys has also established a Board HSE committee to provide dedicated governance oversight of HSE at a Board level. Accsys considers that good HSE performance is good for business and with the continued support of our people we aim to continue to develop our safety practices and zero-harm commitment.

Energy & Climate change

We are in the process of developing our specific Energy & Climate change policy. This has included both developing the way that we assess the impact of our operations on the environment, which will lead to a robust approach and policy to reduce our impacts.

Our approach to Energy & Climate includes a focus on energy efficiency and process optimisation, assessing the carbon impact of our products and integrated climate considerations and activities (e.g. risks and opportunities) across multi-functions across the business.

Society and Communities

In the period we have begun to implement our new Society and Communities strategy, under which we have developed a more structured approach to social and environmental impact through tools such as charitable giving and employee engagement. We began working with our official charity partners and to engage our employees in our chosen charities' missions.

In September we completed a charitable employee initiative called 'Step out, to help out!'. This saw colleagues across our organisation collectively walk over 16,000km over two months in the summer to promote wellbeing throughout Accsys and in our wider society. The challenge was set up to boost employee wellbeing particularly during the pandemic which has affected daily life over the past year.

Recording their walks online and sharing photos and anecdotes along the way, the Accsys team walked a distance to cover the journey between Accsys' global office locations: from Arnhem in the Netherlands, to Hull in the UK, via our Head Office in London and on to our North American Sales Office in Dallas, USA - and then back again. As colleagues

passed each milestone stage of the journey, this also triggered Accsys to pledge donations to three charities which were chosen due to their focus on improving wellbeing in Accsys' communities, with a total of EUR10,000 donated.

Sustainable & Quality products

In the period we achieved a renewal of our Cradle to Cradle (C2C) gold certification for Accoya(R) , where C2C certified(R) is the global standard for products that are safe, circular and responsibly made. Accoya(R) wood is one of the very few building products to have acquired C2C certification on the stringent Gold level. C2C assesses the safety, circularity and responsibility of materials and products across five categories of sustainability performance, including material health where Accoya(R) achieves a platinum rating.

Outlook

In summary, we are pleased to report our first half results, delivering strong growth in both revenue and gross profits. This continued strong performance demonstrates further progress on our strategy and the hard work of our employees to deliver for our customers.

There is continuing high demand for our Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) products as customers focus on higher performance materials as well as on sustainability. It is this demand, which continues to exceed supply, that has enabled us to substantially offset the wider market pressures from raw materials costs and supply chain disruption through price increases.

We are progressing our strategic growth projects to increase production capacity five-fold by 2025. The construction of a fourth Accoya(R) reactor in Arnhem is progressing well and our US Accoya(R) JV with Eastman is approaching final investment decision. With Accsys now directly project-managing the completion of our Hull Tricoya(R) facility, we have made good progress towards having the plant commercially operational by July 2022. Our expansion at Arnhem and the new Hull plant will together see Accsys double its present operating production capacity of 60,000 cubic metres to 120,000 cubic metres by July 2022.

Looking ahead we remain confident in delivering on market expectations. Longer term we believe there will be significant further demand for Accsys' higher performance, lower maintenance and more sustainable products as the world focuses on decarbonisation.

We remain confident in the significant long-term growth opportunities ahead and in our ability to execute our strategy in pursuit of sustainable growth.

Rob Harris

Chief Executive

22 November 2021

Accsys Technologies PLC

Financial review

Introduction

Accsys has delivered a good financial performance in the first half of the 2022 financial year. As our business grows, we are seeing further growth in profit, while investing in capital projects that will see us double our production capacity by July 2022. We have also increased our investment in our people and organisation to be ready to effectively manage this growth as we shift to have multi-site, global operations.

In the period we have not seen the same level of financial or trading impact from COVID-19 as we did in the first quarter of FY21, but we continue to take actions to remain defensive to wider market conditions which are partial consequences of the pandemic.

This includes, maintaining a close focus on working capital management and debtor days, ensuring we remain less impacted by energy and wood market volatility through good supply contracts and leveraging our natural hedge from reselling our Acetic Acid by-product. We are also rebuilding our inventory levels to maintain a buffer against supply chain and shipping disruptions. Despite wider market pressures in these areas in H1 FY22, Accsys has continued to grow revenue, profit, and volumes, whilst remaining at capacity-levels of production.

In H1 FY22 Accoya(R) sales volumes grew by 12%, with a 31% increase in Revenue and 20% increase in underlying Gross Profit which reflects an increase in the average sales price and a stronger year-on-year performance against a COVID-impacted prior year period. Group underlying EBITDA increased 5% to EUR4.5m with planned increased investment in organisational capability and the recruitment of operational teams ahead of the commercial start-up of the Accoya(R) Reactor 4 expansion project in Arnhem and the Tricoya(R) plant in Hull.

The Accoya(R) business continued to perform strongly, with Accoya(R) underlying EBITDA increasing 12% to EUR10.3m, delivering Group operating cashflow before working capital changes and exceptional items of EUR5.0m (H1 FY21: EUR4.8m).

Net debt decreased EUR14.6m in the period to a Net cash position of EUR2.4m, following the May 2021 equity capital raise with net proceeds of EUR34.6m partially offset by investment in additional production capacity in Hull and Arnhem.

Statement of comprehensive income

Group revenue increased by 31% to EUR56.2m for the six months ended 30 September 2021 (H1 FY21: EUR42.9m).

Accoya(R) sales volumes were 12% higher, with the prior year period impacted by COVID-19, particularly in the first quarter (Accoya(R) sales volumes in H1 FY21 were 6% lower than in H1 FY20). To optimise timing for the Reactor 4 expansion project in Arnhem, the usual H1 annual maintenance stop has been moved to the second half of the financial year. An increase in the average sales price was driven by planned price increases in the period and prior year, which together with the increase in sales volumes resulted in revenue from Accoya(R) wood increasing by 25% to EUR48.5m.

Included within Accoya(R) wood revenue, in the Accoya(R) segment, are sales for the manufacture of Tricoya(R) panels, which increased to EUR8.5m (H1 FY21: EUR8.3m). These sales represent 24% of Accoya(R) sales volumes (HY1 FY21: 28%), and are used to develop the market for Tricoya(R) products ahead of the start-up of the Tricoya(R) plant.

Tricoya(R) wood revenue of EUR0.9m (H1 FY21: EUR1.1m), in the Tricoya(R) segment, represented sales of Tricoya(R) panels, purchased from our Tricoya(R) licensees, to sell into other geographies in order to provide initial market seeding material for the global Tricoya(R) market.

Licence revenue of EUR9k was reflected in our Tricoya(R) segment in the period. In the prior year period, EUR0.4m was reflected in the Accoya(R) segment, principally attributable to the licence agreement entered into with Accoya USA LLC, a company formed together with Eastman Chemical Company (and accounted for as a joint venture), with the intention to construct and operate an Accoya(R) wood production plant to serve the North American market.

Other revenue increased to EUR6.9m (H1 FY21: EUR2.7m) driven by higher sales prices for the sale of our acetic acid by-product.

Higher input costs were also experienced during the first half, with Anhydride pricing increasing on H1 FY21 average pricing due to higher energy commodities pricing in the market. The sale of acetic acid continued to act as a partial hedge, in the first half, to the increase in Anhydride pricing, covering over half the financial effect from the increase in Anhydride pricing. When considered as a Net Acetyls cost, the net cost increased 26% compared to H1 FY21.

Raw wood input costs were also moderately higher, however overall our pricing trend on this raw material remains more stable than the wider lumber market as we purchase appearance-grade wood under long term supply contracts with many of our partners.

Underlying Gross margin decreased from 33% to 31% compared to the prior year period, with the Accoya(R) manufacturing gross margin also decreasing by 2.5% to 31%. The decreases were principally due to the sales mix in the period, with the effect of the sales price increases, substantially offsetting the effect from the higher raw material costs, mentioned above.

Underlying other operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation, increased from EUR10.0m to EUR12.6m. This increase was due to an increase in staff costs with average Group headcount increasing by 51 to 241 for the current year period and temporary salary decreases implemented in the prior year period. This increase in headcount includes the remainder of the Hull operating team joining towards the end of H2 FY21, an increase in the Arnhem operating team ahead of the 4th reactor starting up, the Group investing in its Organisational capability with the hiring of several heads of department and other related hires in the second half of FY21, and the addition of 11 former Lignia employees who joined Accsys following the purchase of assets in Wales, to grow production of Accoya(R) Color.

Sales and marketing costs (excluding staff costs) also increased by EUR0.5m compared to the prior year period.

Depreciation and amortisation charges and underlying finance expenses were largely in line with the prior year.

Exceptional items include EUR0.1m for redundancy payments related to the purchase of assets to be utilised to manufacture Accoya(R) Color in Wales. In the prior year period, exceptional items included COVID-19 related staff support funding from the Netherlands and UK governments totalling EUR0.6m, which was reversed in H2 FY21 and repaid earlier this year.

Other adjustments for the period include a foreign exchange gain of EUR0.2m (H1 FY21: EUR0.5m) 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 and to a lesser extent, as a cashflow hedge against future sterling corporate costs. The effective portions of the cash flow hedges are recognised in other comprehensive income.

Underlying loss before tax increased EUR0.2m to EUR0.3m. After taking into account exceptional items and other adjustments, loss before tax increased by EUR1.2m to EUR0.2m (H1 FY21: profit of EUR1.0m).

The tax charge of EUR0.6m was in-line with the prior year period (H1 FY21: EUR0.6m).

Cash flow

Cash flows generated from operating activities before changes in working capital and exceptional items increased by 4% to EUR5.0m compared to EUR4.8m in the prior year period reflecting the strong operational cash flow being generated by the Group.

Inventory levels increased by EUR5.8m during the period from a lower than optimal level at the start of the year, and are expected to increase in the second half ahead of the Arnhem Reactor 4 and Hull Tricoya(R) plant start-up.

In May 2021, Accsys completed a successful Placing and open offer for an issue of shares in the Company, raising net proceeds of approximately EUR34.6 million. The net proceeds are to be used primarily to fund the Group's investment in expanding its Accoya(R) business into North America through the construction of a new Accoya(R) USA plant, through its joint venture with Eastman Chemical Company ('Eastman'), as well as to provide additional capital to support the Group's continued growth and ongoing development.

At 30 September 2021, the Group held cash balances of EUR60.9m, representing a EUR13.3m increase in the period from 31 March 2021. The cash increase in the period is attributable to the successful Placing and Open offer and cash flow generated from operating activities referred to above, partially offset by investments in tangible fixed assets of EUR17.2m, primarily reflecting the construction progress made on the Arnhem plant expansion project (EUR12.1m) and our Tricoya(R) plant construction in Hull (EUR3.7m) and the increase in inventory referred to above.

In July 2021, Accsys entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Lignia Wood Company Limited ('Lignia') and its administrators, to acquire certain assets, equipment and technology for EUR1.2m, including EUR0.5m for raw wood inventory. The purchased assets will enable Accsys to grow production and availability of Accoya(R) Color more rapidly, accelerating the launch of the product into more geographic markets and for more product applications. The acquired raw wood will be used for production of Accoya(R) at our plant in the Netherlands.

Loan repayments and interest payments were EUR3.3m during the period (H1 FY21: EUR1.9m), with the increase due to prior period repayments of EUR0.5m relating to the ABN AMRO EUR14m term loan being deferred to the end of the loan term, as a COVID-19 action taken by ABN AMRO and the beginning of contractual principal repayments on the Bruil loan from June 2021.

Financial position

Plant and machinery additions of EUR7.5m (H1 FY21: EUR9.9m) in the period largely consisted of the construction of the 4th Reactor expansion project in Arnhem (EUR12.1m), the purchase of certain assets and equipment to be utilised to grow production of manufacture Accoya(R) Color in Wales (EUR0.7m), and the Tricoya(R) plant's net reversal of EUR6m following the reversal of construction milestone related accruals (EUR11.1m) previously accounted for, following the settlement agreement entered into between Tricoya UK and Engie Fabricom UK Limited, Tricoya UK's former EPC contractor, which is partially offset by further progress costs on the project. The prior year period primarily related to construction on the Tricoya(R) plant build in Hull and initial costs related to the 4th Reactor expansion project in Arnhem.

Trade and other receivables increased to EUR12.5m (H1 FY21: EUR10.6m), primarily due to a EUR1.3m increase in VAT receivables.

Total Inventory increased to EUR18.1m (H1 FY21: EUR15.7m) from a lower than optimal level at the start of the year. Levels of Accoya(R) inventory remain low, with the finished goods balance representing approximately three weeks of sales.

The decrease in trade and other payables to EUR21.8m (H1 FY21: EUR24.8m) is primarily due to the reversal of accruals associated with the construction of the Tricoya(R) Hull plant following the settlement agreement entered into between Tricoya UK and Engie Fabricom UK Limited, offset by an increase in trade payables, primarily related to the timing of construction contract related payments.

Amounts payable under loan agreements decreased to EUR52.8m (H1 FY21: EUR54.5m) in line with contractual principal repayments.

Net debt decreased by EUR14.6m in the period to Net cash of EUR2.4m (FY21: Net debt of EUR12.2m) due to the successful Placing and Open offer (net proceeds of EUR34.6m) partially offset by Capex investments of EUR17.2m.

In October 2021 (post period-end), Accsys completed the refinance of its Group debt facilities through a new bilateral agreement with ABN AMRO, one of Accsys' existing relationship banks. The new EUR60m 3-year bilateral facilities agreement with ABN AMRO comprises a EUR45m Term Loan Facility and a EUR15m Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF'). The EUR45m Term Loan has been (post period-end) fully utilised to repay all of the Group's existing debt, with the exception of the NatWest facility held by the Tricoya(R) consortium which remains in place. The new facility significantly simplifies Accsys' debt structure, which previously included five different debt providers and commercial partners. The Term Loan is partially amortising, with 5% of the principal repayable per annum after 18 months. This, together with the RCF, will provide Accsys with greater liquidity to support the Group's growth plans. The applicable interest rate for the Term Loan will vary between an all-in cost of 1.75% and 3.25% depending on net leverage, resulting in a significant improvement compared to the previous facilities which had a weighted average cost of approximately 6%. The RCF interest rate will similarly vary, but between 2.0% and 3.5% above EURIBOR. The new facilities are secured against the assets of the Group which are 100% owned by the Company and include customary covenants such as net leverage and interest cover.

Risks and uncertainties

As described on page 37 to 45 of the 2021 Annual report, the business, financial condition or results of operations of the Group could be adversely affected by a number of risks. The Group's systems of control and protection are designed to help manage and control risks to an appropriate level rather than to eliminate them.

These specific principal risks and related mitigations (as described in the 2021 Annual report) as currently identified by Accsys' risk management process, have not changed significantly since the publication of the last Annual Report.

These risks relate to the following areas:

Health, Safety & Environment; Hull plant; Supply of Raw Materials; Sale of Products; Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) and Sustainability; Manufacturing; Expansion; IT; Licensing/Partnering; Finance; Litigation & disputes; Protection of Intellectual Property & trade secrets; Personnel; Governance, Compliance & Law; and Investor & Public relations.

Going concern

These condensed 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 assessed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future under a base scenario taking into account the Group's financial resources including the current cash position and banking and finance facilities which are currently in place, including the refinance of debt facilities shortly after the balance sheet date (See Notes 12 & 16 for details of these facilities) and the possible further impact of COVID-19.

The Directors have also assessed a severe but plausible downside scenario with reduced sales volumes and lower gross margin. 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(R) 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 possible amount and timing of capital expenditure required to complete the further expansion of the Arnhem Accoya(R) plant and in particular the Tricoya(R) plant in Hull, noting that should additional funding be required beyond what has been committed by the Tricoya(R) consortium partners to date, further consent would be required by the Tricoya(R) consortium partners for funding to be contributed. This has been considered together with the intended investment in the USA, noting that the full forecast project costs have not yet been committed to. 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.

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, under both the base scenario and severe but plausible downside scenario (both scenarios include the commitment of funding for the intended investment in the USA), there is sufficient liquidity and covenant headroom such that there is no material uncertainty with respect to going concern.

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 November 2021

Accsys Technologies PLC

Directors responsibility statement

The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

-- the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies and IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as endorsed by the European Union and as adopted for use in the United Kingdom and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group and its subsidiaries;

-- the interim management report for the six months ended 30 September 2021 gives a fair review of the information required pursuant to section 5:25d, subsections 8 and 9 of the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act.

By order of the Board

Angus Dodwell

Company Secretary

22 November 2021

Accsys Technologies PLC

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 
                    Note    Unaudited      Unaudited   Unaudited    Unaudited      Unaudited   Unaudited      Audited        Audited     Audited 
                             6 months       6 months    6 months     6 months       6 months    6 months         Year           Year        Year 
                                ended          ended       ended        ended          ended       ended        ended          ended       ended 
                              30 Sept        30 Sept     30 Sept      30 Sept        30 Sept     30 Sept     31 March       31 March    31 March 
                                 2021           2021        2021         2020           2020        2020         2021           2021        2021 
                              EUR'000        EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000     EUR'000 
                           Underlying    Exceptional       Total   Underlying    Exceptional       Total   Underlying    Exceptional       Total 
                                               items                                   items                                   items 
                                             & other                                 & other                                 & other 
                                        adjustments*                            adjustments*                            adjustments* 
 
 Accoya(R) wood 
  revenue                      48,465              -      48,465       38,676              -      38,676       91,095              -      91,095 
 Tricoya(R) 
  panel revenue                   860              -         860        1,110              -       1,110        2,091              -       2,091 
 Licence revenue                    9              -           9          402              -         402          419              -         419 
 Other revenue                  6,901              -       6,901        2,745              -       2,745        6,198              -       6,198 
-----------------  -----  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Total revenue       2         56,235              -      56,235       42,933              -      42,933       99,803              -      99,803 
 
 Cost of sales               (39,032)              -    (39,032)     (28,609)            230    (28,379)     (66,714)              -    (66,714) 
 
 Gross profit                  17,203              -      17,203       14,324            230      14,554       33,089              -      33,089 
 
 Other operating 
  costs              3       (15,655)          (151)    (15,806)     (12,769)            347    (12,422)     (28,559)            103    (28,456) 
 
 Operating 
  profit/(loss)                 1,548          (151)       1,397        1,555            577       2,132        4,530            103       4,633 
 
 Finance income                     -              -           -            1              -           1            1              -           1 
 Finance expense              (1,722)            231     (1,491)      (1,657)            485     (1,172)      (3,250)          (900)     (4,150) 
 Share of net 
  loss of joint 
  ventures 
  accounted 
  for using the 
  equity method      14          (91)              -        (91)            -              -           -        (144)              -       (144) 
 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before taxation               (265)             80       (185)        (101)          1,062         961        1,137          (797)         340 
 
 Tax expense         5          (622)              -       (622)        (587)              -       (587)      (1,251)              -     (1,251) 
 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the period                (887)             80       (807)        (688)          1,062         374        (114)          (797)       (911) 
                          -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ----------  -----------  -------------  ---------- 
 
 Items that may 
  be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Gain/(loss) 
  arising on 
  translation 
  of foreign 
  operations                      213              -         213        (153)              -       (153)            5              -           5 
 Gain/(loss) 
  arising on 
  foreign 
  currency 
  cash flow 
  hedges                            -            579         579            -          (428)       (428)            -            192         192 
 
 Total other 
  comprehensive 
  income/(loss)                   213            579         792        (153)          (428)       (581)            5            192         197 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (loss)/gain 
  for the period                (674)            659        (15)        (841)            634       (207)        (109)          (605)       (714) 
                          ===========  =============  ==========  ===========  =============  ==========  ===========  =============  ========== 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 loss for the 
 year is 
 attributable 
 to: 
 Owners of Accsys 
  Technologies 
  PLC                             219            692         911        (266)            763         497        1,279          (605)         674 
 Non-controlling 
  interests                     (893)           (33)       (926)        (575)          (129)       (704)      (1,388)              -     (1,388) 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (loss)/gain 
  for the period                (674)            659        (15)        (841)            634       (207)        (109)          (605)       (714) 
                          ===========  =============  ==========  ===========  =============  ==========  ===========  =============  ========== 
 
 Basic and 
  diluted 
  profit/(loss) 
  per ordinary 
  share              6        EUR0.00                    EUR0.00    EUR(0.00)                    EUR0.01      EUR0.01                    EUR0.00 
 

The notes set out on pages 20 to 39 form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

* See note 4 for details of exceptional items and other adjustments.

Accsys Technologies PLC

Condensed consolidated s tatement of financial position at 30 September 2021

 
                                               Unaudited    Unaudited      Audited 
                                                6 months     6 months         Year 
                                                   ended        ended        ended 
                                                 30 Sept      30 Sept     31 March 
                                       Note         2021         2020         2021 
                                                 EUR'000      EUR'000      EUR'000 
 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                      8         10,962       10,882       10,865 
 Investment accounted for 
  using the equity method               14         1,421          470          326 
 Property, plant and equipment          9        145,206      130,273      139,557 
 Right of use assets                               5,120        4,273        4,859 
 Financial asset at fair 
  value through profit or 
  loss                                                 -            -            - 
 
                                                 162,709      145,898      155,607 
                                             -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                                      18,105       15,678       12,262 
 Trade and other receivables                      12,540       10,560       12,314 
 Cash and cash equivalents                        60,921       42,967       47,598 
 Corporation tax receivable                          153          252          183 
 Derivative financial instrument                     106            -          134 
 
                                                  91,825       69,457       72,491 
                                             -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                       (21,767)     (24,803)     (29,810) 
 Obligation under lease liabilities              (1,108)        (857)        (948) 
 Short term borrowings                  12      (16,269)      (6,201)      (9,664) 
 Corporation tax payable                         (2,514)      (1,271)      (1,863) 
 Derivative financial instrument                       -        (129)            - 
 
                                                (41,658)     (33,261)     (42,285) 
                                             -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 Net current assets                               50,167       36,196       30,206 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Obligation under lease liabilities              (4,630)      (3,913)      (4,584) 
 Other long term borrowing              12      (36,535)     (48,298)     (44,626) 
 
                                                (41,165)     (52,211)     (49,210) 
                                             -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
 Total net assets                                171,711      129,883      136,603 
 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                          10         9,619        8,213        8,466 
 Share premium account                           223,035      186,383      189,598 
 Other reserves                         11       115,214      112,928      114,635 
 Accumulated loss                              (212,642)    (212,969)    (213,263) 
 Own shares                                          (5)         (36)         (36) 
 Foreign currency translation 
  reserve                                            250        (121)           37 
 
 Capital value attributable 
  to owners of Accsys Technologies 
  PLC                                            135,471       94,398       99,437 
 
 Non-controlling interest 
  in subsidiaries                                 36,240       35,485       37,166 
 
 
 Total equity                                    171,711      129,883      136,603 
 
 

The notes set out on pages 20 to 39 form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Accsys Technologies PLC

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 
                                                                                            Total 
                                                                                            equity 
                                                               Foreign                   attributable 
                                                               currency                   to equity 
                      Share                                     trans-                   shareholders 
                     capital     Share     Other       Own      lation    Accumulated       of the       Non-Controlling    Total 
                     Ordinary   premium   reserves   Shares    reserve        loss         company          interests       Equity 
                     EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000      EUR'000        EUR'000          EUR'000        EUR'000 
 Balance at 
  31 March 2020         8,114   186,390    112,551         -         32     (214,394)          92,693             34,442   127,135 
                    =========  ========  =========  ========  =========  ============  ==============  =================  ======== 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/gain 
  for the period            -         -      (428)         -      (153)         1,078             497              (704)     (207) 
 Share based 
  payments                  -         -          -         -          -           410             410                  -       410 
 Shares issued             99         -          -      (36)          -          (63)               -                  -         - 
 Premium on                 -         -          -         -          -             -               -                  -         - 
 shares 
 issued 
 Share issue 
  costs                     -       (7)          -         -          -             -             (7)                  -       (7) 
 Issue of 
  subsidiary 
  shares to 
  non-controlling 
  interests                 -         -        805         -          -             -             805              1,747     2,552 
 
 Balance at 
  30 Sept 2020 
  (unaudited)           8,213   186,383    112,928      (36)      (121)     (212,969)          94,398             35,485   129,883 
                    =========  ========  =========  ========  =========  ============  ==============  =================  ======== 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/gain 
  for the period            -         -        620         -        158         (601)             177              (684)     (507) 
 Share based 
  payments                  -         -          -         -          -           307             307                  -       307 
 Shares issued            253         -          -         -          -             -             253                  -       253 
 Premium on shares 
  issued                    -     3,215          -         -          -             -           3,215                  -     3,215 
 Share issue                -         -          -         -          -             -               -                  -         - 
  costs 
 Issue of 
  subsidiary 
  shares to 
  non-controlling 
  interests                 -         -      1,087         -          -             -           1,087              2,365     3,452 
 
 Balance at 
  31 March 2021         8,466   189,598    114,635      (36)         37     (213,263)          99,437             37,166   136,603 
                    =========  ========  =========  ========  =========  ============  ==============  =================  ======== 
 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  (expense)/gain 
  for the period            -         -        579         -        213           119             911              (926)      (15) 
 Share based 
  payments                  -         -          -         -          -           533             533                  -       533 
 Shares issued          1,153         -          -        31          -          (31)           1,153                  -     1,153 
 Premium on shares 
  issued                    -    35,531          -         -          -             -          35,531                  -    35,531 
 Share issue 
  costs                     -   (2,094)          -         -          -             -         (2,094)                  -   (2,094) 
 Issue of                   -         -          -         -          -             -               -                  -         - 
 subsidiary 
 shares to 
 non-controlling 
 interests 
 
 Balance at 
  30 Sept 2021 
  (unaudited)           9,619   223,035    115,214       (5)        250     (212,642)         135,471             36,240   171,711 
                    =========  ========  =========  ========  =========  ============  ==============  =================  ======== 
 

Share capital is the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value (note 10).

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 11 for details concerning other reserves.

Non-controlling interests relates to the investment of various parties into Tricoya Technologies Limited and Tricoya UK Limited (note 7).

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 set out on pages 20 to 39 form an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Accsys Technologies PLC

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flow for the six months ended 30 September 2021

 
                                                                 Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited 
                                                                  6 months    6 months        Year 
                                                                     ended       ended       ended 
                                                                   30 Sept     30 Sept    31 March 
                                                                      2021        2020        2021 
                                                                   EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000 
 
 (Loss)/profit before taxation before exceptional 
  items and other adjustments                                        (265)       (101)       1,137 
 Adjustments for: 
 Amortisation of intangible assets                                     366         393         803 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
  and right of use assets                                            2,643       2,372       4,934 
 Net finance expense                                                 1,722       1,656       3,352 
 Equity-settled share-based payment expenses                           533         410         717 
 Accsys portion of Licence fee received from joint 
  venture                                                                -           -         600 
 Share of net loss of joint venture                                     91           -         144 
 Currency translation (loss)/gain                                     (93)          60         110 
 
 Cash inflows from operating activities before 
  changes in working capital and exceptional items                   4,997       4,790      11,797 
 
 Exceptional Items in operating activities (see 
  note 4)                                                            (133)         595           - 
 
 Cash inflows from operating activities before 
  changes in working capital                                         4,864       5,385      11,797 
                                                                ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables                    255       2,154       (159) 
 (Decrease) in deferred income                                           -           -        (42) 
 (Increase)/decrease in inventories                                (5,843)       1,254       4,670 
 Increase in trade and other payables                                1,186         809       3,864 
 
 Net cash from operating activities before tax                         462       9,602      20,130 
 
 Tax received                                                           59          76          71 
 
 Net cash from operating activities                                    521       9,678      20,201 
                                                                ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Interest received                                                       -           2           5 
 Investment in property, plant and equipment                      (17,196)     (3,700)    (11,674) 
 Foreign exchange deal settlement related to hedging 
  of Hull capex                                                          -       (392)       (258) 
 Investment in intangible assets                                     (463)       (289)       (682) 
 Investment in joint venture                                       (1,186)           -     (1,070) 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities                            (18,845)     (4,379)    (13,679) 
                                                                ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Other finance costs                                                  (36)        (32)        (80) 
 Proceeds from trade facility draw down                                  -         827           - 
 Interest Paid                                                     (1,251)     (1,058)     (1,831) 
 Repayment of lease liabilities                                      (504)       (443)     (1,308) 
 Repayment of loans/rolled up interest                             (2,097)       (888)     (2,474) 
 Proceeds from issue of share capital                               36,684           -       3,468 
 Proceeds from issue of subsidiary shares to non-controlling 
  interests                                                              -       2,552       6,004 
 Share issue costs                                                 (2,094)         (7)         (7) 
 
 Net cash from financing activities                                 30,702         951       3,772 
                                                                ==========  ==========  ========== 
 
 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                          12,378       6,250      10,294 
 Effect of exchange gain/(loss) on cash and cash 
  equivalents                                                          945       (521)          66 
 Opening cash and cash equivalents                                  47,598      37,238      37,238 
 
 Closing cash and cash equivalents                                  60,921      42,967      47,598 
                                                                ==========  ==========  ========== 
 

The notes set out on pages 20 to 39 form an integral part of these interim financial statements.

Accsys Technologies PLC

Notes to the financial statements for the six months ended 30 September 2021

   1.       Accounting policies 

General Information

The principal activity of the Group is the production and sale of Accoya(R) solid wood and exploitation of technology for the production and sale of Accoya(R) wood and Tricoya(R) wood chips. Manufactured through the Group's proprietary acetylation processes, these products exhibit superior dimensional stability and durability compared with alternative natural, treated and modified woods as well as more resource intensive man-made materials.

The Company is a public limited company, which is listed on AIM in the United Kingdom and Euronext in the Netherlands, and is domiciled in the United Kingdom. The registered office is Brettenham House, 19 Lancaster Place, London, WC2E 7EN.

The condensed consolidated financial statements were approved on 22 November 2021. These condensed consolidated financial statements have been reviewed, not audited.

Basis of accounting

The Group's condensed consolidated financial statements in these interim results have been prepared in accordance with IFRS issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as endorsed by the European Union and as adopted for use in the United Kingdom, in particular International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 "interim financial reporting" and the AIM Rules for Companies and the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act.

On 31 December 2020, IFRS as adopted by the European Union at that date, was brought into UK law and became UK-adopted International Accounting Standards, with future changes being subject to endorsement by the UK Endorsement Board. The Group transitioned to UK-adopted International Accounting Standards in its consolidated financial statements on 1 April 2021. This change constitutes a change in accounting framework. However, there is no impact on recognition, measurement or disclosure in the period reported as a result of the change in framework.

The financial information for the six months ended 30 September 2021 and the six months ended 30 September 2020 is unaudited. The comparative financial information for the full year ended 31 March 2021 does not constitute the Group's statutory financial statements for that period although it has been derived from the statutory financial statements for the year then ended. A copy of those statutory financial statements has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and which were approved by the Board of Directors on 21 June 2021. The auditors' report on those accounts was unqualified and did not contain a statement under 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. This financial information is to be read in conjunction with the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2021, which has been prepared in accordance with both International Accounting Standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and International Financial Reporting Standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union.

The preparation of interim financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

In preparing these interim financial statements, the significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Accounting policies

No new accounting standards, amendments or interpretations have been adopted in the period which have any impact on these condensed financial statements, or are expected to affect the Group's 2022 Annual Report. The accounting policies applied for preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2021, as described in those financial statements.

Going concern

These condensed 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 assessed the Group's trading forecasts and working capital requirements for the foreseeable future under a base scenario taking into account the Group's financial resources including the current cash position and banking and finance facilities which are currently in place, including the refinance of debt facilities shortly after the balance sheet date (See Notes 12 & 16 for details of these facilities) and the possible further impact of COVID-19.

The Directors have also assessed a severe but plausible downside scenario with reduced sales volumes and lower gross margin. 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(R) 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 possible amount and timing of capital expenditure required to complete the further expansion of the Arnhem Accoya(R) plant and in particular the Tricoya(R) plant in Hull, noting that should additional funding be required beyond what has been committed by the Tricoya(R) consortium partners to date, further consent would be required by the Tricoya(R) consortium partners for funding to be contributed. This has been considered together with the intended investment in the USA, noting that the full forecast project costs have not yet been committed to. 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.

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, under both the base scenario and severe but plausible downside scenario (both scenarios include the commitment of funding for the intended investment in the USA), there is sufficient liquidity and covenant headroom such that there is no material uncertainty with respect to going concern.

Therefore the Directors believe that the going concern basis is the most appropriate on which to prepare the financial statements.

   2.    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(R) wood, Tricoya(R) wood chips and related acetylation technologies. Segmental reporting is divided between corporate activities, activities directly attributable to Accoya (R) , to Tricoya (R) or research and development activities. The Group's operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the executive committee, the chief operating decision-making body.

Accoya (R)

 
 
                                                                  Accoya(R) Segment 
                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months   12 months 
                      ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended 
                         30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March    31 March 
                  September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021        2021 
                       2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020 
                                                                                               Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL 
                 Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items 
                                    items                                  items                                & Other 
                                  & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                              Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                    EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Accoya(R) 
  wood 
  revenue            48,465             -      48,465       38,676             -      38,676       91,095             -      91,095 
 Licence 
  revenue                 -             -           -          400             -         400          400             -         400 
 Other revenue        6,895                     6,895        2,739                     2,739        6,142             -       6,142 
 Total Revenue       55,360             -      55,360       41,815             -      41,815       97,637             -      97,637 
 
 Cost of sales     (38,184)             -    (38,184)     (27,550)           230    (27,320)     (64,713)             -    (64,713) 
 
 Gross profit        17,176             -      17,176       14,265           230      14,495       32,924             -      32,924 
 
 Other 
  operating 
  costs             (9,097)         (133)     (9,230)      (7,233)           249     (6,983)     (15,725)             -    (15,725) 
 
 Profit from 
  operations          8,079         (133)       7,946        7,032           479       7,512       17,199             -      17,199 
 
 
 Profit from 
  operations          8,079         (133)       7,946        7,032           479       7,512       17,199             -      17,199 
 Share of 
  Accoya(R) 
  USA EBITDA           (91)             -           -            -             -           -        (144)             -           - 
 EBIT                 7,988         (133)       7,946        7,032           479       7,512       17,055             -      17,199 
                -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 Depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation        2,297             -       2,297        2,132             -       2,132        4,371             -       4,371 
                -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 EBITDA              10,285         (133)      10,243        9,164           479       9,644       21,426             -      21,570 
--------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 

Revenue includes the sale of Accoya(R) , 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 and in Barry (Wales) unless they can be directly attributable to a licensee. Other operating costs include depreciation of the Arnhem and Barry property, plant and equipment together with all other costs associated with the operation of the Arnhem and Barry manufacturing site, including directly attributable administration, sales and marketing costs.

See note 4 for explanation of Exceptional Items and other adjustments.

Average headcount = 159 (H1 FY21: 138)

The below table shows details of reconciling items to show both Accoya (R) EBITDA and Accoya (R) 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.

 
                                               6 months        6 months        Year 
                                                  ended           ended       ended 
                                           30 September    30 September    31 March 
                                                   2021            2020        2021 
                                                EUR'000         EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Accoya(R) segmental underlying EBITDA           10,285           9,164      21,426 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
   Accoya(R) underlying Licence Income                -           (400)       (400) 
 Accoya(R) segmental manufacturing 
  EBITDA (excluding licence income)              10,285           8,764      21,026 
                                         ==============  ==============  ========== 
 
 Accoya(R) segmental gross profit                17,176          14,265      32,924 
                                         --------------  --------------  ---------- 
  Accoya(R) Licence Income                            -           (400)       (400) 
 Accoya(R) Manufacturing gross profit            17,176          13,865      32,524 
                                         ==============  ==============  ========== 
 
 Gross Accoya(R) Manufacturing Margin             31.0%           33.5%       33.4% 
 
 
                                              6 months        6 months        Year 
                                                 ended           ended       ended 
                                          30 September    30 September    31 March 
                                                  2021            2020        2021 
                                                   EUR             EUR         EUR 
 
 Accoya(R) Manufacturing gross profit 
  - EUR'000                                     17,176          13,865      32,524 
 
 Accoya(R) sales volume - m(3)                  29,555          26,422      60,466 
 
 Accoya(R) manufacturing gross profit 
  per m(3)                                         581             525         538 
                                        ==============  ==============  ========== 
 

Tricoya(R)

 
                                                                 Tricoya(R) Segment 
                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months         12 
                      ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended     months 
                         30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March      ended 
                  September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021   31 March 
                       2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020                                  2021 
                                                                                               Underlying   Exceptional 
                 Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items      TOTAL 
                                    items                                  items                                & Other 
                                  & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                              Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                    EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000    EUR'000 
 Tricoya(R) 
  panel 
  revenue               860             -         860        1,110             -       1,110        2,091             -      2,091 
 Licence 
  revenue                 9             -           9            2             -           2           19             -         19 
 Other revenue            6             -           6            6             -           6           56             -         56 
 Total Revenue          875             -         875        1,118             -       1,118        2,166             -      2,166 
 
 Cost of sales        (848)             -       (848)      (1,059)             -     (1,059)      (2,001)             -    (2,001) 
 
 Gross profit            27             -          27           59             -          59          165             -        165 
 
 Other 
  operating 
  costs             (2,028)          (18)     (2,046)      (1,490)            72     (1,418)      (3,668)           103    (3,565) 
 
 Loss from 
  operations        (2,001)          (18)     (2,019)      (1,431)            72     (1,359)      (3,503)           103    (3,400) 
 
 
 Loss from 
  operations        (2,001)          (18)     (2,019)      (1,431)            72     (1,359)      (3,503)           103    (3,400) 
 Depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation          262             -         262          247             -         247          563             -        563 
                -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 EBITDA             (1,739)          (18)     (1,757)      (1,184)            72     (1,112)      (2,940)           103    (2,837) 
--------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  --------- 
 

Revenue and costs are those attributable to the business development of the Tricoya(R) process and establishment of Tricoya(R) Hull Plant.

See note 4 for explanation of Exceptional Items and other adjustments.

Average headcount = 36 (H1 FY21: 18), 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 
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months   12 months 
                       ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended 
                          30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March    31 March 
                   September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021        2021 
                        2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020 
                                                                                                Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL 
                  Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items 
                                     items                                  items                                & Other 
                                   & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                               Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                     EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Total Revenue             -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Cost of sales             -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Gross result              -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Other 
  operating 
  costs              (3,908)             -     (3,908)      (3,548)            16     (3,532)      (8,048)             -     (8,048) 
 
 Loss from 
  operations         (3,908)             -     (3,908)      (3,548)            16     (3,532)      (8,048)             -     (8,048) 
 
 
 Profit/(Loss) 
  from 
  operations         (3,908)             -     (3,908)      (3,548)            16     (3,532)      (8,048)             -     (8,048) 
 Depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation           416             -         416          345             -         345          715             -         715 
                 -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 EBITDA              (3,492)             -     (3,492)      (3,203)            16     (3,187)      (7,333)             -     (7,333) 
---------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 

Corporate costs are those costs not directly attributable to Accoya(R) , Tricoya(R) 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 4 for explanation of Exceptional Items and other adjustments.

Average headcount = 36 (H1 FY21: 26).

Research and Development

 
                                                           Research & Development Segment 
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months   12 months 
                      ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended 
                         30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March    31 March 
                  September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021        2021 
                       2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020 
                                                                                               Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL 
                 Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items 
                                    items                                  items                                & Other 
                                  & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                              Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                    EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Total Revenue            -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Cost of sales            -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Gross result             -             -           -            -             -           -            -             -           - 
 
 Other 
  operating 
  costs               (621)             -       (621)        (499)            10       (489)      (1,118)             -     (1,118) 
 
 Loss from 
  operations          (621)             -       (621)        (499)            10       (489)      (1,118)             -     (1,118) 
 
 
 Loss from 
  operations          (621)             -       (621)        (499)            10       (489)      (1,118)             -     (1,118) 
 Depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation           34             -          34           41             -          41           88             -          88 
                -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 EBITDA               (587)             -       (587)        (458)            10       (448)      (1,030)             -     (1,030) 
--------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ----------  -----------  ------------  ---------- 
 

Research and Development costs are those associated with the Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) processes. Costs exclude those which have been capitalised in accordance with IAS 38. (see note 8).

See note 4 for explanation of Exceptional Items and other adjustments.

Average headcount = 9 ( H1 FY21 : 8).

Total

 
                                                                        TOTAL 
                 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months   12 months 
                       ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended 
                          30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March    31 March 
                   September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021        2021 
                        2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020 
                                                                                                Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL 
                  Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items 
                                     items                                  items                                & Other 
                                   & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                               Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                     EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Accoya(R) wood 
  revenue             48,465             -      48,465       38,676             -      38,676       91,095             -      91,095 
 Tricoya(R) 
  panel 
  revenue                860             -         860        1,110             -       1,110        2,091             -       2,091 
 Licence 
  revenue                  9             -           9          402             -         402          419             -         419 
 Other revenue         6,901             -       6,901        2,745             -       2,745        6,198             -       6,198 
 Total Revenue        56,235             -      56,235       42,933             -      42,933       99,803             -      99,803 
 
 Cost of sales      (39,032)             -    (39,032)     (28,609)           230    (28,379)     (66,714)             -    (66,714) 
 
 Gross profit         17,203             -      17,203       14,324           230      14,554       33,089             -      33,089 
 
 Other 
  operating 
  costs             (15,655)         (151)    (15,806)     (12,769)           347    (12,422)     (28,559)           103    (28,456) 
 
 Profit from 
  operations           1,548         (151)       1,397        1,555           577       2,132        4,530           103       4,633 
 
 Finance income            -             -           -            1             -           1            1             -           1 
 Finance 
  expense            (1,722)           231     (1,491)      (1,657)           485     (1,172)      (3,250)         (900)     (4,150) 
 Investment in 
  joint venture         (91)             -        (91)            -             -           -        (144)             -       (144) 
 
 Profit/(Loss) 
  before 
  taxation             (265)            80       (185)        (101)         1,062         961        1,137         (797)         340 
                 ===========  ============  ==========  ===========  ============  ==========  ===========  ============  ========== 
 

See note 4 for explanation of Exceptional Items and other adjustments.

Reconciliation of underlying earnings

 
                                                       Reconciliation of underlying earnings 
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   6 months      6 months    6 months     6 months      6 months    6 months    12 months     12 months   12 months 
                      ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended        ended         ended       ended 
                         30            30          30           30            30          30     31 March      31 March    31 March 
                  September     September   September    September     September   September         2021          2021        2021 
                       2021          2021        2021         2020          2020        2020 
                                                                                               Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL 
                 Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL   Underlying   Exceptional       TOTAL                      items 
                                    items                                  items                                & Other 
                                  & Other                                & Other                            Adjustments 
                              Adjustments                            Adjustments 
                    EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000       EUR'000     EUR'000 
 
 Profit from 
  operations          1,548         (151)       1,397        1,555           577       2,132        4,530           103       4,633 
 Share of 
  Accoya(R) 
  USA EBITDA           (91)             -           -            -             -           -        (144)             -           - 
 EBIT                 1,457         (151)       1,397        1,555           577       2,132        4,386           103       4,633 
 
 Depreciation 
  and 
  amortisation        3,009             -       3,009        2,765             -       2,765        5,737             -       5,737 
 
 EBITDA               4,466         (151)       4,406        4,320           577       4,897       10,123           103      10,370 
 

Segmental reporting continued

Assets and liabilities on a segmental basis:

 
                            Accoya(R)   Tricoya(R)   Corporate      R&D        TOTAL 
                            Sept 2021   Sept 2021    Sept 2021   Sept 2021   Sept 2021 
                             EUR'000     EUR'000      EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Non-current assets            78,153       79,895       4,399         262     162,709 
                           ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Current assets                44,766        9,425      34,194       3,440      91,825 
                           ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Current liabilities         (19,198)     (10,766)    (11,599)        (95)    (41,658) 
                           ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
 Net current assets            25,568      (1,341)      22,595       3,345      50,167 
 
 Non-current liabilities     (20,006)     (10,188)    (10,836)       (135)    (41,165) 
                           ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ---------- 
 
Net assets                     83,715       68,366      16,158       3,472     171,711 
 
 
                           Accoya(R)   Tricoya(R)   Corporate      R&D        TOTAL 
                           Sept 2020    Sept 2020   Sept 2020   Sept 2020   Sept 2020 
                            EUR'000      EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Non-current assets            61,915       79,278       4,634          71     145,898 
 
 Current assets                26,982       10,325      26,637       5,513      69,457 
 
 Current liabilities          (8,604)     (16,684)     (7,941)        (32)    (33,261) 
 
 Net current assets            18,378      (6,359)      18,696       5,481      36,196 
 
 Non-current liabilities     (23,730)      (8,956)    (19,525)           -    (52,211) 
 
Net assets                     56,563       63,963       3,805       5,552     129,883 
 
 
                           Accoya(R)   Tricoya(R)   Corporate      R&D        TOTAL 
                             March        March                   March       March 
                              2021         2021     March 2021     2021        2021 
                            EUR'000      EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000     EUR'000 
 Non-current assets            64,994       85,696       4,620         297     155,607 
 
 Current assets                34,752       13,134      19,567       5,038      72,491 
 
 Current liabilities         (16,706)     (18,933)     (6,576)        (70)    (42,285) 
 
 Net current assets            18,046      (5,799)      12,991       4,968      30,206 
 
 Non-current liabilities     (21,798)      (9,990)    (17,262)       (160)    (49,210) 
 
Net assets                     61,242       69,907         349       5,105     136,603 
 

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.

Segmental reporting continued

Analysis of revenue by geographical destination:

 
                  Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                   6 months   6 months      Year 
                      ended      ended     ended 
                    30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                       2021       2020      2021 
                    EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
 UK & Ireland        21,484     17,495    41,890 
 Rest of Europe      17,184     13,136    27,187 
 Benelux              5,372      4,458    13,170 
 Americas             7,940      4,926     9,701 
 Asia-Pacific         4,192      2,858     7,360 
 Rest of World           63         60       495 
 
                     56,235     42,933    99,803 
 

Sales to UK and Ireland include the sales to MEDITE.

   3.         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 site in Barry, the offices in Dallas and London and certain pre-operating costs associated with the plant in Hull:

 
                                    Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                     6 months   6 months      Year 
                                        ended      ended     ended 
                                      30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                         2021       2020      2021 
                                      EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
Sales and marketing                     2,483      1,476     3,847 
Research and development                  587        448     1,030 
Other operating costs                   3,907      2,743     6,013 
Administration costs                    5,669      5,567    11,932 
Exceptional Items and 
 other adjustments                        151      (577)     (103) 
 
Other operating costs excluding 
 depreciation and amortisation         12,797      9,657    22,719 
 
Depreciation and amortisation           3,009      2,765     5,737 
 
Total other operating 
 costs                                 15,806     12,422    28,456 
 

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 include the costs of the Group's head office costs in London and the US office in Dallas.

The total cost of EUR15.8m in the current period includes EUR2.0m in respect of Tricoya(R) segment (H1 FY21: EUR1.4m).

Group average employee headcount increased to 241 in the period to 30 September 2021, from 190 in the period to 30 September 2020.

During the period, EUR408,000 (H1 FY21: EUR289,000) of internal development & patent related costs were capitalised and included in intangible fixed assets, including EUR301,000 (H1 FY21: EUR218,000) which were capitalised within Tricoya Technologies Limited ('TTL'). In addition, EUR187,000 of internal costs have been capitalised in relation to our Arnhem Accoya(R) plant expansion project (H1 FY21: EUR102,000) and EUR349,000 of internal costs have been capitalised in relation to our plant build in Hull, UK (H1 FY21: EUR18,000). Both are included within tangible fixed assets.

   4.         Exceptional Items and Other Adjustments 
 
                                                     Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                                      6 months   6 months      Year 
                                                         ended      ended     ended 
                                                       30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                                          2021       2020      2021 
                                                       EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
Government grant income                                      -        595         - 
Redundancy costs in relation to purchase of 
 assets to grow Accoya(R) Color production               (133)          -         - 
 
Total exceptional items                                  (133)        595         - 
 
Foreign exchange differences arising on Tricoya(R) 
 cash held - Operating costs (loss)/profit                (18)       (18)       103 
Foreign exchange differences arising on Loan 
 Notes - incl. in Finance expense profit/(loss)            231        485     (900) 
Foreign exchange differences on cash held - 
 Other comprehensive profit/(loss)                         607      (237)        18 
Revaluation of FX forwards used for cash-flow 
 hedging - Other comprehensive (loss)/profit              (28)      (191)       174 
 
Total other adjustments                                    792         39     (605) 
 
Tax on exceptional items and other adjustments               -          -         - 
 
Total exceptional items and other adjustments              659        634     (605) 
 

Exceptional Items

In July 2021, Accsys entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Lignia Wood Company Limited and its administrators, to acquire certain assets, equipment and technology along with its manufacturing plant in Barry, Wales for a consideration of EUR1.2m, including EUR0.5m for raw wood inventory (see note 15). The purchased assets will enable Accsys to grow production and availability of Accoya(R) Color more rapidly, accelerating the launch of the product into more geographic markets and for more product applications. As part of this purchase, redundancy costs of EUR133,000 were incurred in relation to staff at the Barry site.

In the previous year, the Group received government grants relating to the COVID-19 response, of which EUR460,000 was received in the Netherlands (Netherlands NOW scheme), and EUR135,000 in the UK (UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme). In the interim results, these amounts were recognised as Exceptional income. It was decided before the March 21 reporting date, given the overall performance of the Group in the year, to repay both of the government grants received, with the exceptional income reversed in the second half of the financial year ended 31 March 2021 and repaid earlier this year.

Other Adjustments

Foreign exchange differences in the Tricoya(R) segment have occurred due to pounds sterling held within the consortium for the ongoing Hull plant build, US dollars held within the Corporate segment for the equity investment into Accoya USA for the USA plant build and to a lesser extent, pounds sterling held within the Corporate segment for future sterling corporate costs.

The Group has mitigated these currency exchange risks by adopting hedge accounting 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. These exchange rate differences are included as finance expenses.

   5.         Tax expense 
 
                                                 Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                                  6 months   6 months      Year 
                                                     ended      ended     ended 
                                                   30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                                      2021       2020      2021 
                                                   EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
(a) Tax recognised in the statement 
 of comprehensive income comprises: 
 
Current tax expense/(credit) 
UK Corporation tax on losses for the 
 period                                                  -          -         - 
Research and development tax (credit)/expense 
 in respect of current period                         (31)       (45)        24 
                                                      (31)       (45)        24 
 
 
Overseas tax at rate of 15%                              9          4        11 
Overseas tax at rate of 25%                            644        628     1,216 
 
Deferred Tax 
Utilisation of deferred tax asset                        -          -         - 
 
Total tax expense reported in the statement 
 of comprehensive income                               622        587     1,251 
 
   6.         Basic and diluted profit/ (loss) per ordinary share 
 
                                               Unaudited   Unaudited   Unaudited   Unaudited     Audited   Audited 
                                                6 months    6 months    6 months    6 months        Year      Year 
                                                   ended       ended       ended       ended       ended     ended 
                                                 30 Sept     30 Sept     30 Sept     30 Sept    31 March  31 March 
                                                    2021        2021        2020        2020        2021      2021 
Basic earnings per share                      Underlying       Total  Underlying       Total  Underlying     Total 
 
Weighted average number of 
 Ordinary shares in issue ('000)                 188,322     188,322     163,823     163,823     164,890   164,890 
Profit/(Loss) for the period attributable 
 to owners of Accsys Technologies PLC 
 (EUR'000)                                             6         119       (113)       1,078       1,274       477 
 
                                                     EUR         EUR         EUR         EUR         EUR       EUR 
Basic profit/(loss) per share                       0.00        0.00      (0.00)        0.01        0.01      0.00 
 
Diluted earnings per share 
 
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares 
 in issue ('000)                                 188,322     188,322     163,823     163,823     164,890   164,890 
Equity options attributable to Volantis                -           -       4,656       4,656           -         - 
Equity options attributable to BGF                 8,449       8,449       8,449       8,449       8,449     8,449 
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares 
 in issue and potential ordinary shares 
 ('000)                                          196,771     196,771     176,927     176,927     173,339   173,339 
 
Profit/(Loss) for the year attributable 
 to owners of Accsys Technologies PLC 
 (EUR'000)                                             6         119       (113)       1,078       1,274       477 
 
                                                     EUR         EUR         EUR         EUR         EUR       EUR 
Diluted profit/(loss) per share                     0.00        0.00      (0.00)        0.01        0.01      0.00 
 
   7.         Tricoya Technologies Limited 

Tricoya Technologies Limited ("TTL") was incorporated in order to develop and exploit the Group's Tricoya(R) technology for use within the worldwide panel products market, which is estimated to be worth more than EUR60 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(R) wood elements acetylation plant in Hull with its TTL consortium investors, being INEOS (previously 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, INEOS (previously BP Ventures), MEDITE, BGF and Volantis have invested into TTL. TTL has then invested, alongside INEOS (previously BP Chemicals) and MEDITE, in Tricoya UK Limited ("Tricoya UK"), a special purpose subsidiary of TTL that will construct, own and operate the Hull Plant.

INEOS Acetyls Investments Limited ("INEOS") acquired BP Ventures' share capital of TTL and BP Chemicals share capital of Tricoya UK on 31 December 2020.

INEOS (through acquiring BP's share of TTL & Tricoya UK) have invested EUR31.8 million in the Tricoya(R) Project, including EUR23.3 million as equity in Tricoya UK and EUR8.5 million as equity in TTL. All funding was received by 31 March 2021.

MEDITE have invested EUR15.0 million in the Tricoya(R) Project, including EUR8.4 million as equity in TTL and EUR6.6 million as equity in Tricoya UK. All funding was received by 31 March 2021.

In the period to 30 September 2021, the group's shareholding in TTL remained unchanged at 76.5%.

In the year ended 31 March 2017, BGF and Volantis invested an aggregate of GBP19.0 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 GBP19.0 million total. Both of these loans have been repaid in October 2021 following the Group debt refinance (see note 16).

In the year ended 31 March 2017, Tricoya UK entered a six-year EUR17.2 million finance facility agreement with Natwest Bank PLC in respect of the construction and operation of the Hull Plant. As at 30 September 2021, the Group have utilised EUR9.6m (FY21: EUR9.3m) of the facility.

The Group has consolidated the results of TTL and Tricoya UK 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 Tricoya UK Ltd, are set out below:

TTL Group income statement:

 
                                           Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                            6 months   6 months      Year 
                                               ended      ended     ended 
                                             30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                                2021       2020      2021 
                                             EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
 
 Revenue                                         875      1,118     2,178 
 
 Cost of Sales Tricoya(R) panel                (848)    (1,059)   (1,999) 
 
 Gross profit                                     27         59       179 
 
Costs: 
  Staff costs                                (1,440)      (902)   (2,582) 
  Research & development (excluding 
   staff costs)                                (115)      (108)     (217) 
  Intellectual Property                        (106)       (77)     (255) 
  Other Operating costs                        (256)      (131)     (122) 
  Depreciation & Amortisation                  (262)      (247)     (563) 
EBIT                                         (2,152)    (1,406)   (3,560) 
 
EBIT attributable to Accsys shareholders     (1,226)      (704)   (2,172) 
 

Tricoya(R) panel revenue represents panels purchased by Tricoya Technologies Ltd from MEDITE, sold to customers in other regions as market seeding.

TTL Group balance sheet at 30 September 2021:

 
                                            Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                                             6 months   6 months       Year 
                                                ended      ended      ended 
                                              30 Sept    30 Sept   31 March 
                                                 2021       2020       2021 
                                              EUR'000    EUR'000    EUR'000 
 
Non-current assets 
Intangible assets                               4,517      4,263      4,376 
Property, Plant and Equipment                  74,106     74,187     79,999 
Right of use assets                             1,271        829      1,321 
 
                                               79,894     79,279     85,696 
 
Current assets 
Trade and other receivables                       687        772      1,232 
Inventories                                         -        151          - 
Cash and cash equivalents                       7,900      9,561     11,464 
Derivative financial instrument                   106          -        134 
 
                                                8,693     10,484     12,830 
 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other payables                     (12,208)   (17,094)   (20,159) 
Derivative financial instrument                     -      (129)          - 
 
                                             (12,208)   (17,223)   (20,159) 
 
Non-current liabilities 
Other long term borrowing                     (9,306)    (8,586)    (8,955) 
 
                                              (9,306)    (8,586)    (8,955) 
 
Net assets                                     67,073     63,954     69,412 
 
Value attributable to Accsys Technologies      30,832     28,469     32,246 
 
Value attributable to Non-controlling 
 interest                                      36,241     35,485     37,166 
 
 

TTL Group cash flows at 30 September 2021:

 
                                       Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                        6 months   6 months      Year 
                                           ended      ended     ended 
                                         30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                            2021       2020      2021 
                                         EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
Cash flows (used in)/ from operating 
 activities                                  863        755     (841) 
Cash flows (used in)/ from investing 
 activities                              (4,299)    (2,621)   (6,400) 
Cash flows (used in)/ from financing 
 activities                                (127)      3,028    10,306 
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and 
 cash equivalents                        (3,563)      1,162     3,065 
 
   8.         Intangible assets 
 
                              Internal  Intellectual 
                           Development      property 
                                 costs        rights  Goodwill    Total 
                               EUR'000       EUR'000   EUR'000  EUR'000 
 
Cost 
At 31 March 2020                 7,187        74,051     4,231   85,469 
 
Additions                           95           194         -      289 
 
At 30 September 2020             7,282        74,245     4,231   85,758 
 
Additions                          182           211         -      393 
 
At 31 March 2021                 7,464        74,456     4,231   86,151 
 
Additions                          118           345         -      463 
 
At 30 September 2021             7,582        74,801     4,231   86,614 
 
Accumulated amortisation 
At 31 March 2020                 2,146        72,337         -   74,483 
 
Amortisation                       180           213         -      393 
 
At 30 September 2020             2,326        72,550         -   74,876 
 
Amortisation                       184           226         -      410 
 
At 31 March 2021                 2,510        72,776         -   75,286 
 
Amortisation                       321            45         -      366 
 
At 30 September 2021             2,831        72,821         -   75,652 
 
 
Net book value 
 
At 31 March 2020                 5,041         1,714     4,231   10,986 
 
 
At 30 September 2020             4,956         1,695     4,231   10,882 
 
 
At 31 March 2021                 4,954         1,680     4,231   10,865 
 
 
At 30 September 2021             4,751         1,980     4,231   10,962 
 
 

Refer to note 9 for the recoverability assessment of these intangible assets.

   9.         Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                Land and       Plant         Office 
                                buildings   and machinery   equipment   Total 
                                 EUR'000       EUR'000       EUR'000    EUR'000 
Cost or valuation 
Opening balance at 31 
 March 2020                        17,976         125,691       3,243   146,910 
 
Additions                               -           9,904         198    10,102 
Foreign currency translation 
 (loss)                                 -               -         (9)       (9) 
 
At 30 September 2020               17,976         135,595       3,432   157,003 
 
Additions                               -          10,838         453    11,291 
Foreign currency translation 
 (loss)                                 -               -           -         - 
 
At 31 March 2021                   17,976         146,433       3,885   168,294 
 
Additions                               -           7,491         324     7,815 
Foreign currency translation 
 (loss)                                 -               -           2         2 
 
At 30 September 2021               17,976         153,924       4,211   176,111 
 
Depreciation 
                               ----------  --------------  ----------  -------- 
Opening balance at 31 
 March 2020                           637          22,696       1,454    24,787 
 
Charge for the period                 179           1,604         168     1,951 
Foreign currency translation 
 gain                                   -               -         (8)       (8) 
 
At 30 September 2020                  816          24,300       1,614    26,730 
 
Charge for the period                 179           1,645         183     2,007 
Foreign currency translation 
 (loss)                                 -               -           -         - 
 
At 31 March 2021                      995          25,945       1,797    28,737 
 
Charge for the period                 179           1,730         257     2,166 
Foreign currency translation 
 gain                                   -               -           2         2 
 
At 30 September 2021                1,174          27,675       2,056    30,905 
 
Net book value 
 
At 31 March 2020                   17,339         102,995       1,789   122,123 
 
 
At 30 September 2020               17,160         111,295       1,818   130,273 
 
 
At 31 March 2021                   16,981         120,488       2,088   139,557 
 
 
At 30 September 2021               16,802         126,249       2,155   145,206 
 
 

Plant and machinery assets with a net book value of EUR75,068,000 relating to the Hull Plant and EUR17,910,000 relating to the further expansion of the Arnhem Plant are held as assets under construction and are not depreciated, (31 March 2021: EUR80,853,000 relating to the Hull Plant and EUR5,716,000 relating to the further expansion of the Arnhem Plant).

In July 2021, Accsys entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Lignia Wood Company Limited and its administrators to acquire certain assets, equipment and technology along with its manufacturing plant in Barry, Wales for a consideration of EUR1.2m. See note 15 for further details. This purchase included equipment of EUR695,000 which is reflected in the additions line above.

The carrying value of the property, plant and equipment, internal development costs and intellectual property rights are split between two cash generating units (CGUs), representing the Accoya(R) and Tricoya(R) segments and the carrying value of Goodwill is allocated to the Accoya(R) segment. The recoverable amount of these CGUs are determined based on a value-in-use calculations which uses cash flow projections based on latest financial budgets and discounted at a pre-tax discount rate of 10.5% (31 March 2021: 10.5%) to determine their present value.

The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are:

-- the manufacturing revenues, operating margins and future licence fees estimated by management;

-- the completion of construction of additional facilities on time (and associated output);

-- the long term growth rate; and

-- the discount rate.

The Directors have determined that there has been no impairment to either CGU. 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(R) CGU. Key assumptions applied to this CGU were as follows:

-- a discount rate of 10.5%;

-- a long-term sales growth rate of 1.8%; and

-- Gross margin of approximately 40%.

The headroom in the value-in-use model for this CGU would be reduced to nil if the following adverse changes to those key assumptions were made in isolation:

-- a 2.5% increase to the discount rate;

-- a 1.7% reduction in the long-term sales growth rate;

-- a 6% decrease to Gross margin; and

-- an increase of 150% above assumed remaining costs to complete the plant.

   10.        Share capital 

In the period ended 30 September 2020:

1,259,449 Shares were issued on 12 May 2020 following the exercise of nil cost options, granted under the Company's 2013 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP").

727,250 shares were issued to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) on 29 June 2020 at nominal value, in lieu of cash bonuses for the year ended 31 March 2020. These shares will vest on 1 July 2021, subject to the employees continuing employment within the Group.

In the period ended 31 March 2021:

In February 2021, following the subscription by employees in the prior year for shares under the Employee Share Participation Plan (the 'Plan'), 198,219 shares were issued as 'Matching Shares' at nominal value under the Plan.

In addition, various employees newly subscribed under the Plan for 195,524 shares at an acquisition price of EUR1.43 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).

On 26 March 2021, the Company announced that Lombard Odier Asset Management (USA) Corp on behalf of 1798 Volantis Catalyst Fund II Ltd ('Volantis') exercised options over a total of 4,655,667 ordinary shares in the Company for a total consideration of GBP2,779,899 (exercise price of GBP0.5971 per ordinary share)

In the period ended 30 September 2021:

In May 2021, 20,005,325 Placing Shares and 2,418,918 Open Offer Shares were issued as part of the capital raise to fund the Company's investment in expanding its Accoya(R) business into North America through the construction of a new Accoya(R) plant in the USA through its joint venture, Accoya USA LLC, with Eastman Chemical Company (see note 14), as well as to provide additional capital to support the Company's continued growth. The Shares were issued at a price of EUR1.65 (GBP1.40) per ordinary share, raising gross proceeds of EUR36.7 million (before expenses).

629,460 Shares were issued between June to September 2021 for the benefit of current and former employees following the exercise of nil cost options, granted under the Company's 2013 Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP").

   11.        Other Reserves 
 
                                 Capital 
                                  redemp-                 Hedge                   Total 
                                   tion     Merger    Effective-ness   Other      Other 
                                  reserve   reserve      reserve       reserve   reserves 
                                  EUR000    EUR000       EUR000        EUR000    EUR000 
Balance at 30 September 2020          148   106,707            (391)     6,464    112,928 
 
Issue of subsidiary shares to 
 non-controlling interests              -         -                -     1,087      1,087 
Total Comprehensive income for 
 the period                             -         -              620         -        620 
 
Balance at 31 March 2021              148   106,707              229     7,551    114,635 
 
Issue of subsidiary shares to           -         -                -         - 
 non-controlling interests                                                              - 
Total Comprehensive (expense) 
 for the period                         -         -              579         -        579 
 
Balance at 30 September 2021          148   106,707              808     7,551    115,214 
 

The closing balance of the capital redemption reserve represents the amounts transferred from share capital on redemption of deferred shares in a prior period.

The merger reserve arose prior to transition to IFRS when merger accounting was adopted.

The hedge effectiveness reserve reflects the total accounted for under IFRS 9 in relation to the Tricoya(R) and Corporate segments.

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.

   12.        Commitments under loan agreements 
 
                                       Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
                                        6 months   6 months      Year 
                                           ended      ended     ended 
                                         30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                            2021       2020      2021 
Amounts payable under 
 loan agreements: 
Within one year                           17,358      6,703    12,012 
In the second to fifth 
 years inclusive                          40,726     56,336    49,714 
In greater than five years                     -        223         - 
 
Less future finance charges              (5,280)    (8,763)   (7,436) 
 
Present value of loan obligations         52,804     54,499    54,290 
 

The decrease in total borrowings in the period since 31 March 2021 of EUR1.5m consisted of scheduled repayments on the ABN (EUR0.5m), Bruil (EUR0.5m) & Cerdia loans (EUR0.4m), repayment on the ABN lease loan (EUR0.7m) and EUR0.2m foreign exchange gain arising on the loan notes with BGF & Volantis, offset by EUR0.8m of accrued finance charges.

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:

- EUR14.0m loan with ABN Amro Bank. The loan is partially repayable over a five year term with a final payment of EUR9.25m. Interest is fixed at 3% and the loan is secured on the land and buildings. During the prior year, repayments totalling EUR0.5m were deferred by ABN Amro Bank, as a COVID-19 action, to the end of the loan term.

- EUR5.0m 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(R) reactors.

- EUR4.0m 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 GBP16.3 million (EUR18.4 million) of unsecured fixed rate loan notes. GBP10.5 million of Loan Notes in principal were issued to Business Growth Fund ('BGF'), with GBP5.8 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 EUR9.5 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 30 September 2021, the Group had EUR3.8m (31 March 2021: EUR4.2m) borrowed under this facility. Quarterly repayments of the loan commenced on 21 December 2018 and continue until November 2025.

Tricoya(R) facility:

On 29 March 2017 the Company's subsidiary, Tricoya UK Limited entered into a six-year EUR17.2 million finance facility agreement with the Natwest Bank 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 UK Limited. At 30 September 2021, the Group had EUR9.6m (31 March 2021: EUR9.3m) borrowed under the facility. 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 facility is a EUR6.0m credit facility with ABN Commercial Finance secured upon the receivables and inventory of the Accoya(R) manufacturing business committed for a period of 5 years. At 30 September 2021, the facility was undrawn (31 March 2021: undrawn).

Bank guarantee facility*

The EUR1.5m bank guarantee facility is held with ABN AMRO Bank N.V. enabling the Group to issue bank guarantees in order to support the working capital and other operational commitments of the Group.

Both facilities are subject to interest at 2% above the ABN AMRO base rate.

* In October 2021, Accsys completed the refinance of its Group debt facilities through a new bilateral agreement with ABN AMRO, one of Accsys' existing relationship banks. The loans in place at 30 September 2021 held with ABN Amro, Cerdia, Bruil, BGF and Volantis reflected above were fully repaid in October 2021. See note 16.

Reconciliation to net (debt)/cash:

 
                                      Unaudited  Unaudited    Audited 
                                       6 months   6 months       Year 
                                          ended      ended      ended 
                                        30 Sept    30 Sept   31 March 
                                           2021       2020       2021 
 
Cash and cash equivalents                60,921     42,967     47,598 
Less: 
     Amounts payable under loan 
      agreements                       (52,804)   (54,499)   (54,290) 
     Amounts payable under lease 
      liabilities                       (5,738)    (4,770)    (5,532) 
 
Net (debt)/cash                           2,379   (16,302)   (12,224) 
 
   13.        Transactions with non-controlling interests 

In the period ended 30 September 2020:

TTL issued 372,875 shares to Titan Wood Limited for a consideration of EUR0.7m. 484,774 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for a consideration of EUR0.9m and an additional 495,311 shares were issued to MEDITE in consideration for continuing to seed the market with Tricoya(R) panels ensuring continued market development ahead of the completion of the Hull Plant. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:

BP Ventures (8.5%), MEDITE (11.4%), BGF (2.6%), Volantis (1.2%).

Tricoya UK Ltd issued 486,572 Ordinary shares to Tricoya Technologies Ltd for a consideration of EUR1.0m. 1,600,530 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for consideration of EUR1.6 million. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:

BP Chemicals (30.0%, MEDITE 8.2%).

In the period ended 31 March 2021:

On 29 October 2020, TTL issued 1,862,356 shares to Titan Wood Limited for a consideration of EUR3.7m. An additional 498,987 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for a consideration of EUR1.0m. On 31 December 2020, BP Ventures' share capital of TTL was acquired by INEOS Acetyls Investments Limited ("INEOS"). As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:

INEOS (8.5%), MEDITE (11.3%), BGF (2.6%), Volantis (1.1%)

On 29 October 2020, Tricoya UK issued 3,972,686 Ordinary shares to Tricoya Technologies Ltd for a consideration of EUR4.0m. An additional 2,452,798 shares were issued to non-controlling interests for consideration of EUR2.5m. On 31 December 2020, BP Chemicals' share capital of Tricoya UK was acquired by INEOS. As a result the non-controlling interests' shareholdings were amended to:

INEOS (30.0%, MEDITE 8.2%)

In the period ended 30 September 2021:

No shares were issued in the period to 30 September 2021.

The total carrying amount of the non-controlling interests in TTL and Tricoya UK at 30 September 2021 was EUR36.24m (2020: EUR34.42m).

 
Transactions with non-controlling         Unaudited  Unaudited   Audited 
 interests 
                                           6 months   6 months      Year 
                                              ended      ended     ended 
                                            30 Sept    30 Sept  31 March 
                                               2021       2020      2021 
                                            EUR'000    EUR'000   EUR'000 
Opening balance                               8,127      6,235     6,235 
Carrying amount of non-controlling 
 interests issued                                 -    (1,747)   (4,112) 
Consideration paid by non-controlling 
 interests                                        -      2,552     6,004 
 
Excess of consideration paid 
 recognised in Group's equity                 8,127      7,040     8,127 
 
   14.        Investment in Joint Venture 

On 11 August 2020, Accsys together with Eastman Chemical Company formed a company, Accoya USA LLC, with the intention to construct and operate an Accoya(R) wood production plant to serve the North American market.

The plant is being designed to initially produce approximately 40,000 cubic metres (17 million board feet) of Accoya(R) per annum and to allow for cost-effective expansion.

The carrying amount of the equity-accounted investment is as follows:

 
                                Unaudited  Unaudited     Audited 
                                 6 months   6 months  Year ended 
                                    ended      ended 
                                  30 Sept    30 Sept    31 March 
                                     2021       2020        2021 
                                  EUR'000    EUR'000     EUR'000 
Opening balance                       326          -           - 
Investment in Accoya(R) USA         1,186      1,070       1,070 
Less: Accsys proportion (60%) 
 of Licence fee received                -      (600)       (600) 
Loss for the year                    (91)          -       (144) 
 
Closing balance                     1,421        470         326 
 
   15.        Purchase of assets to grow Accoya(R) Color production 

In July 2021, Accsys entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Lignia Wood Company Limited and its administrators, to acquire certain assets, equipment and technology along with its manufacturing plant in Barry, Wales. The purchased assets will enable Accsys to grow production and availability of Accoya(R) Color more rapidly, accelerating the launch of the product into more geographic markets and for more product applications. The following assets were purchased:

 
                        Unaudited 
                         6 months 
                            ended 
                          30 Sept 
                             2021 
                          EUR'000 
Intellectual property          55 
Equipment                     695 
Inventory                     486 
 
                            1,236 
 
   16.        Post Balance Sheet Events 

In October 2021, Accsys completed the refinance of its Group debt facilities through a new bilateral agreement with ABN AMRO, one of Accsys' existing relationship banks. The new EUR60m 3-year bilateral facilities agreement with ABN AMRO comprises a EUR45m Term Loan Facility and a EUR15m Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF'). The EUR45m Term Loan has been (post period-end) fully utilised to repay all of the Group's existing debt, with the exception of the NatWest facility held by the Tricoya(R) consortium which remains in place. The new facility significantly simplifies Accsys' debt structure, which previously included five different debt providers and commercial partners. The Term Loan is partially amortising, with 5% of the principal repayable per annum after 18 months. This, together with the RCF, will provide Accsys with greater liquidity to support the Group's growth plans. The applicable interest rate for the Term Loan will vary between an all in cost of 1.75% and 3.25% depending on net leverage, resulting in a significant improvement compared to the previous facilities which had a weighted average cost of approximately 6%. The RCF interest rate will similarly vary, but between 2.0% and 3.5% above EURIBOR. The new facilities are secured against the assets of the Group which are 100% owned by the Company and include customary covenants such as net leverage and interest cover.

In November 2021, Accsys agreed new funding arrangements with our Tricoya UK Limited ('Tricoya UK') consortium partners relating to the anticipated costs to complete the plant. Under the arrangements:

-- Accsys has entered into a new loan agreement with Tricoya UK under which Accsys will lend up to EUR17m to Tricoya UK to be used towards the Hull plant construction project alongside existing funding in place for Tricoya UK.

-- The loan will accrue interest and be rolled up at a rate which is expected to be between 5.25 and 6.75% above EURIBOR. The loan is secured and is repayable by 30 September 2023. The supply and offtake agreements with consortia partners Medite (sale and purchase of Tricoya(R) wood elements) and INEOS (acetic anhydride supply) have been updated and reflect the partners' ongoing commitment to the project.

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November 23, 2021 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)

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