Nanoco Group plc (LON:NANO), a world leader in the development and manufacture of cadmium-free quantum dots and other specific nanomaterials emanating from our technology platform, has provided the following year end trading update ahead of the announcement of its final results for the year to 31 July 2023, which will be released in October 2023.
Overview
· Nanoco is now closer to commercial production than at any time in its 20-year history
· Nanoco is in the strongest financial position since its inception
· Nanoco’s core markets of sensing and display are forecast to experience rapid growth
· Nanoco is leveraging its Samsung litigation experience to generate further value from its IP
Operational highlights for the year
· Significant progress with our two global electronics supply chain customers:
o European electronics customer: major work package completed as planned by Nanoco in April 2023 for two materials now in final validation – awaiting final response from customer
o Major Asian chemical customer: fifth short term work package underway having successfully delivered all technical milestones in four others during FY23 / FY22
o Ongoing discussions with both major customers on longer and deeper collaborations
o European and Asian customers above have reach into thousands of their own customers
· Successfully completed consolidation of all operations into the Group’s Runcorn production site
· Expansion of workforce and organic investment in preparation for a commercial production order expected bythe end of CY23
· Nanoco and advisers actively working to pursue potential infringers of the Group’s IP
· Completed capital reduction to facilitate return of up to £40m to shareholders in early 2024
Financial highlights
· Unaudited revenues of £5.6m more than double FY22 and in line with the Board’s expectations
· Underlying adjusted EBITDA also remains in line with the Board’s expectations
· The expected impact of the litigation settlement on the Group’s income statement remains in line with the disclosures set out in Note 7 to the Interim Results for the six months ended 31 January 2023 and is still subject to statutory audit, detailed tax calculations and changes in exchange rates
· Payment and use of proceeds from the litigation settlement:
o First tranche of £62.1m received in March 2023 with majority used to pay funder and advisors
o Second $75.0m tranche due by 3 February 2024 will be wholly for Nanoco (less $3.25m Korean withholding tax)
· Unaudited cash position at 31 July 2023 of £8.2m, an increase of £2.2m since 31 January 2023
· Gross fixed cash cost base c.£0.5m per month before revenue, other operating income and tax impacts – an increase of just over £0.1m per month following investment in new staff capacity and inflationary cost increases in H2 FY23
Notice of final results
The Company expects to announce its final results for the year ended 31 July 2023 in the second half of October 2023.
Brian Tenner, Chief Executive of Nanoco, said:
“Over the last year we have made significant progress, taking Nanoco to its current inflection point. Consistent feedback from the European customer supports the expectation of commercial production by the end of this calendar year. This transition from an R&D first mover to a commercial producer of scale is underpinned by the litigation proceeds and our validated IP for which we are actively pursuing further monetisation opportunities.”
Dr Christopher Richards, Non-Executive Chairman of Nanoco, said:
“Nanoco’s experienced Board are firmly focused on delivering value for all shareholders. The litigation proceeds allow us to drive the organic business forward while underpinning our firm commitment to return up to £40m of cash to shareholders in early 2024. In addition to last year’s commercial progress, we committed to assess the option to appoint a further Non-Executive Director to the Board, based on business needs. A search process for a new independent Non-Executive Director with strong electronics sector commercial experience is well underway.
