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8-K - FORM 8-K - SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS INC | d415330d8k.htm |
EX-99.1 - EX-99.1 - SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS INC | d415330dex991.htm |
Exhibit 99.2
Editors Note: A photograph of the Yima Joint Venture Project in China is available upon request.
Synthesis Energy Systems Announced Fourth Quarter and
Fiscal 2012 Financial Results
Advancing Toward Yima Joint Venture Project Start-Up
HOUSTON, September 25, 2012 Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SYMX) (SES), today announced financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2012 ended June 30, 2012.
Significant progress has been realized in reaching several important milestones including closing of an $8.7 million Hongye strategic equity investment into SES. As announced yesterday, on September 21, 2012, SES received gross proceeds of $8,666,550 from Hongye and issued 5,777,700 shares to Hongye. Hongye is expected to pay the remaining $596,090 of their aggregate purchase price for their shares, and receive the balance of their shares, at the closing of the Zhongmo transaction, stated Robert Rigdon, president and CEO. In addition to these important financing activities, we are well into the commissioning stage of the syngas producing facilities at our Yima Joint Venture project, which is scheduled to produce its first methanol product sales late in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.
Mr. Rigdon continued, We have spent the last year advancing our business interests and pipeline of opportunities in China and elsewhere. We remain focused on delivering profitable operations from our joint ventures in China, completing ongoing strategic financing activities for our China business and converting global opportunities in our pipeline into projects. We believe these accomplishments, combined with our focus on revenue growth from operations and strategic financing, position us well to turn the corner across our current fiscal year and deliver improving financial results.
Photos of the Yima Joint Venture Project in Henan Province, China, are available at www.synthesisenergy.com.
Fourth Quarter 2012 Financial Results (Unaudited)
Total revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2012, was $284,000 versus $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The difference is primarily due to SES decision to hold the Zao Zhuang joint venture plant idle while it completes the previously reported ongoing contract restructuring discussions with its syngas customer and joint venture partner, Hai Hua. SES is owed past capacity fees from Hai Hua, amounting to $4.7 million as of June 30, 2012, and the Company is working to recover these past due fees in a newly restructured operating agreement under development. SES is actively engaged with the Weijiao Group, Hai Huas new owner, to get the Zao Zhuang Joint Venture producing syngas again and remains optimistic that a mutually beneficial agreement may be reached to improve the plants financial performance.
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Technology licensing and related services revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2012, were $284,000, versus $231,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2011. The technology licensing and related services revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, resulted primarily from coal testing studies provided to customers which are confirming the suitability of SES technology in projects they are actively developing.
The Companys operating loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 was $4.2 million versus $4.7 million reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The decrease in the operating loss was primarily attributable to a reduced loss of the ZZ Joint Venture plant and to the decrease in stock-based compensation expense.
The net loss attributable to stockholders for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 was $5.0 million or $0.10 per share versus $4.6 million or $0.09 per share for the prior years fourth quarter.
Fiscal 2012 Financial Results (Unaudited)
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012, total revenues were $3.1 million versus $10.2 million for fiscal 2011. These results included a $6.8 million decrease of product sales for the ZZ Joint Venture plant due to idling syngas production in September 2011, as mentioned previously.
Technology licensing and related services revenues were $0.9 million versus $1.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2011, and included revenues from coal testing, feasibility studies and other technical services provided in association with our technology licensing business.
The operating loss for fiscal 2012 was $18.3 million compared to an operating loss of $15.7 million for fiscal 2011. The $2.5 million of additional loss was due primarily to the ZZ Joint Venture plant.
The net loss attributable to stockholders for fiscal 2012 was $19.9 million or $0.39 per share versus $15.5 million or $0.32 per share for fiscal 2011. The increase in the net loss includes the increased operating loss from the ZZ Joint Venture plant previously mentioned and planned expenses associated with the start-up of SES Resource Solutions Joint Venture and the Yima Joint Venture.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
As of June 30, 2012, SES had cash and cash equivalents of $18.0 million and working capital of $9.9 million. As previously announced, on September 21, 2012, SES received gross proceeds of $8,666,550 from Hongye and issued 5,777,700 shares to Hongye. Hongye is expected to pay the remaining $596,090 of their aggregate purchase price for their shares, and receive the balance of their shares, at the closing of the Zhongmo transaction.
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Corporate Highlights
| Commissioning and start-up activities at the Yima Joint Venture project in China are underway. First methanol product sales are anticipated in the fourth quarter of calendar 2012. Once fully operational, SES believes that the Yima project should provide a positive impact to its financials and should be a major catalyst for further commercialization of its technology. |
| SES China has moved quickly to develop commercialization and funding opportunities. The $8.7 million of strategic investment into SES by Hongye is an important first step toward realizing the Companys key near-term objectives in China. |
| The potential strategic investment of ZJX/China Energy into SES remains active as ZJX structures its funding partners for China Energy. |
| SES and the Weijiao Group, Hai Huas new owner, are working to restructure the ZZ Joint Venture, which is expected to result in improved financial performance of the plant by sharing in profits from the integration of Hai Huas methanol unit with SES syngas unit. |
| Successfully completed testing of low volatile coal from Ncondezi Coal Company Limited under a previously announced joint study agreement. The study was intended to determine the feasibility of mining and exporting up to 15 million tons per year (Mtpa) of low volatile coal, in addition to Ncondezis planned >5Mtpa export thermal coal operation, from the Ncondezi Project in Mozambique. |
| Reported positive data from laboratory-scale testing of three Turkish lignite coals being considered for clean coal-based power generation projects in Turkey. The projects are under development by Tuten Ltd. for a large Turkish utility company that is looking to expand its clean energy portfolio. |
| SES has made significant progress in India developing a robust pipeline of potential projects and is moving closer to completing its first technology license in this country. |
Conference Call Information
Senior management will hold a conference call to review the Companys financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2012 and provide a corporate update this morning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
To access the live webcast, please log on to SES website at www.synthesisenergy.com. Alternatively, domestic callers may participate in the live telephone conference call by dialing (800) 860-2442. International callers should dial (412) 858-4600. An archived version of the webcast will be available on SES website through October 19, 2012. A telephone replay of the conference call will be available beginning approximately one hour after the completion of the call through October 19, 2012. Domestic callers can access the telephonic replay by dialing (877) 344-7529. International callers should dial (412) 317-0088. The PIN access code for the replay is 10016926.
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About Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
SES provides technology, equipment and engineering services for the conversion of low rank, low cost coal and biomass feedstocks into energy and chemical products. Its strategy is to create value through providing technology and equipment in regions where low rank coals and biomass feedstocks can be profitably converted into high value products through its proprietary U-GAS® fluidized bed gasification technology, which SES licenses from the Gas Technology Institute. U-GAS® gasifies coal cost effectively, without many of the harmful emissions normally associated with coal combustion plants. The primary advantages of U-GAS® relative to other gasification technologies are (a) greater fuel flexibility provided by the ability of SES to use all ranks of coal (including low rank, high ash and high moisture coals, which are significantly cheaper than higher grade coals), many coal waste products and biomass feed stocks; and (b) the ability of SES to operate efficiently on a smaller scale, which enables the construction of plants more quickly, at a lower capital cost, and, in many cases, in closer proximity to coal sources. SES currently has offices in Houston, Texas, and Shanghai, China. For more information on SES and SRS, please visit www.synthesisenergy.com or call (713) 579-0600.
SES Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those risks, trends and uncertainties are the early stage of development of SES, its estimate of the sufficiency of existing capital sources, its ability to successfully develop its licensing business, its ability to raise additional capital to fund cash requirements for future investments and operations including its China platform initiative, its ability to reduce operating costs, the limited history and viability of its technology, commodity prices and the availability and terms of financing opportunities, its results of operations in foreign countries, its ability to diversify, its ability to complete the restructuring of the ZZ Joint Venture, its ability to obtain the necessary approvals and permits for its future projects, the estimated timetables for achieving mechanical completion and commencing commercial operations for the Yima project as well as the ability of the Yima project to produce revenues and earnings, the sufficiency of internal controls and procedures and the ability of SES to effect the remaining transactions with Hongye and Zhongmo and our ongoing discussions with ZJX and China Energy to grow its business and generate revenues and earnings as a result of its proposed China and India platform initiatives, as well as its joint venture with Midas Resource Partners. Although SES believes that in making such forward-looking statements its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected. SES cannot assure you that the assumptions upon which these statements are based will prove to have been correct.
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Important Notice from SES
In connection with the proposed ZJX/China Energy transaction, SES has filed a preliminary proxy statement, and intends to file a definitive proxy statement, with the SEC and intends to mail the definitive proxy statement to the stockholders of SES. SES and its directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of SES in connection with the transaction. Information about the transaction is set forth in the preliminary proxy statement filed, and will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement to be filed by SES with the SEC.
You may obtain the preliminary statement and, when available, the definitive proxy statement, for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Investors should read the definitive proxy statement carefully before making any voting or investment decision because that document will contain important information.
# # #
Contact:
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc.
Kevin Kelly
Chief Accounting Officer
(713) 579-0600
Kevin.Kelly@synthesisenergy.com
MBS Value Partners, LLC (Investors)
Matthew D. Haines
Managing Director
(212) 710-9686
Matt.Haines@mbsvalue.com
Feintuch Communications (Media)
Savannah Tikotsky
Senior Account Executive
(212) 808-4903
SES@feintuchpr.com
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SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, |
Year Ended June 30, |
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2012 | 2011 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||
Revenue: |
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Product sales and other related parties |
$ | | $ | 2,290 | $ | 2,121 | $ | 8,913 | ||||||||
Technology licensing and related services |
284 | 231 | 855 | 1,245 | ||||||||||||
Other |
| | 86 | | ||||||||||||
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Total revenue |
284 | 2,521 | 3,062 | 10,158 | ||||||||||||
Costs and Expenses: |
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Costs of sales and plant operating expenses |
437 | 2,866 | 4,767 | 9,120 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
3,295 | 3,081 | 13,197 | 12,913 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
172 | 657 | 879 | 1,234 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
583 | 638 | 2,486 | 2,621 | ||||||||||||
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Total costs and expenses |
4,487 | 7,242 | 21,329 | 25,888 | ||||||||||||
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Operating loss |
(4,203 | ) | (4,721 | ) | (18,267 | ) | (15,730 | ) | ||||||||
Non-operating (income) expense: |
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Equity in losses of joint ventures |
637 | 77 | 1,881 | 363 | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency (gains) losses |
69 | (285 | ) | (548 | ) | (1,004 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income |
(11 | ) | (38 | ) | (90 | ) | (169 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense |
96 | 188 | 562 | 700 | ||||||||||||
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Net loss |
(4,994 | ) | (4,663 | ) | (20,072 | ) | (15,620 | ) | ||||||||
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
44 | 62 | 176 | 157 | ||||||||||||
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Net loss attributable to stockholders |
$ | (4,950 | ) | $ | (4,601 | ) | $ | (19,896 | ) | $ | (15,463 | ) | ||||
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Net loss per share: |
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Basic and diluted |
$ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.39 | ) | $ | (0.32 | ) | ||||
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Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
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Basic and diluted |
51,511 | 49,126 | 51,024 | 48,584 | ||||||||||||
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SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
(A Development Stage Enterprise)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
June 30, 2012 |
June 30, 2011 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 18,035 | $ | 32,176 | ||||
Accounts receivable |
316 | 2,574 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other currents assets |
2,015 | 1,382 | ||||||
Inventory |
23 | 212 | ||||||
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Total current assets |
20,389 | 36,344 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
33,942 | 35,884 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
1,126 | 1,226 | ||||||
Investment in Yima joint ventures |
33,340 | 33,520 | ||||||
Other long-term assets |
4,050 | 3,000 | ||||||
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Total assets |
$ | 92,847 | $ | 109,974 | ||||
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LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accrued expenses and accounts payable |
$ | 8,080 | $ | 6,113 | ||||
Current portion of long-term bank loan |
2,435 | 2,380 | ||||||
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Total current liabilities |
10,515 | 8,493 | ||||||
Long-term bank loan |
2,372 | 4,697 | ||||||
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Total liabilities |
12,887 | 13,190 | ||||||
Equity: |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value: 200,000 shares authorized: 52,022 and 50,850 shares issued and outstanding, respectively |
520 | 509 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
207,345 | 205,055 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during development stage |
(131,808 | ) | (111,912 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
4,802 | 3,848 | ||||||
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Total stockholders equity |
80,859 | 97,500 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries |
(899 | ) | (716 | ) | ||||
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Total equity |
79,960 | 96,784 | ||||||
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Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 92,847 | $ | 109,974 | ||||
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