26 June 2024
Directa
Plus plc
("Directa Plus" or
the "Company" or, together with its subsidiaries, the
"Group")
FY23
Final Results
Directa Plus (AIM: DCTA), a leading producer
and supplier of graphene-based products for use in consumer and
industrial markets, announces final results for the year ended 31
December 2023.
Financial highlights
· Product
sales and service revenue in line with previous year at €10.53m
(2022: €10.86m)
· Total income
(including grants) in line with previous year at €10.86m (2022:
€11.28m)
· Adjusted
LBITDA* decreased by 19% to €2.56m (2022: €3.15m)
· Loss before
tax improved by 19% to €4.31m (2022: €5.33m)
· Reported
(basic) Loss per share improved at €0.06 (2022: €0.07)
· Cash and
cash equivalents at year end of €2.39m (2022: €5.73m)
· Total patents granted at year end of 86 (2022: 80)
* Adjusted LBITDA represents loss from operating activities
before tax, interest, depreciation and amortization,
adjusted by
inventory write-offs, non-recurring legal expenses and onerous
contract provision (please refer to the CFO statement for further
details).
Target
market progress
Environmental
Remediation (69% of revenue (2022: 75%))
· Grafysorber®
technology rapidly gaining commercial traction as evidenced by the
Group's largest contract to date of €5.5m with LIBERTY Galati.
· Successful
demonstration of pilot plant for the continuous treatment of
produced water using Grafysorber®, further broadening the
range of potential applications of Grafysorber®.
·
Opportunity pipeline for Grafysorber® has continued to build
strongly.
Textiles
(30% of revenue (2022:
23%))
· Extended
key customer agreements including with Miguel Caballero MC
Armor in Latin America and Grassi SpA, who doubled order levels on
2022.
· Strengthened
partnerships in the Year, extending graphene-enhanced products to
consumers, with the launch of a new product, GRAPHITO, with
Candiani Denim.
Others
· Directa Plus
signed a strategically important deal to acquire the proprietary
know-how to prepare tailored graphene compounds, initially for use
in Batteries and Polymers.
· The Group
entered into a strategic alliance with The SPECTRUM Group, to
support Directa Plus' expansion into the military technology sector
in the US.
· The Group was awarded a new tender by the Italian Region of
Lombardy as part of its 'Ricerca & Innova' programme to further
develop Graphene Plus (G+) air filtration applications.
Post-period end
Within the Group's Environmental Division,
Directa Plus acquired a further 49% stake in its subsidiary Setcar
taking the Group's holding to 99.95%. This represents an exciting
opportunity to take further control of the environmental supply
chain and to maximise the returns for the Group against an
expectation of accelerating growth in the shorter term. The total
consideration was equal to €1.5 million, of which €1 million
provided by Nant Capital LLC with a financing facility.
The Group is encouraged by a significant
interest for Grafysorber® in North America, the Middle East and
Southeast Asia, and by an increased demand in the defence sector,
for both personnel protection and comfort, which is leading to the
creation of a dedicated business unit.
The Group has recently announced the launch of a
fundraise of gross £6.9 million, by way of a placing and
subscription. The proceeds from the raise will be used to fund the
acquisition of the minority interests in Setcar, for specific
capital expenditures within the Environmental division and the
production line, and as capital for growth by strengthening the
commercial and operational division and providing working capital
to facilitate the acceleration of in both the Group's primary and
secondary vertical markets. The capital increase will be effective
after the General Meeting approval to be held on 27 June
2024.
Commenting on
the results, Giulio Cesareo, Founder & CEO, said:
"The
Group delivered a good operational and financial performance in
FY23, benefiting from improved margins driven by the growing value
of our technology, successful investment in innovation, and a
reduction
in direct costs. We also secured our largest contract
to date with LIBERTY Galati demonstrating the building momentum for
the Group's products and solutions.
"Our
increased stake in Setcar and the significant opportunities ahead,
together with the capital increase to be finalised by the end of
June 2024, provide confidence in the long-term success of the
Group."
For further information please visit or
contact:
Directa Plus
plc
|
+39 02 36714458
|
Giulio Cesareo, CEO
|
|
Giorgio Bonfanti, CFO
|
|
|
|
Cavendish
Capital Markets Limited
(Nominated Adviser and Joint
Broker)
|
+44 131 220 6939
|
Neil McDonald
|
|
Adam Rae
|
|
|
|
Singer
Capital Markets Securities Limited (Joint
Broker)
|
+44 20 7496 3069
|
Rick Thompson
|
|
Phil Davies
|
|
|
|
Alma
Strategic Communications
|
+44 20 3405 0205
|
Justine James
|
directaplus@almastrategic.com
|
Hannah Campbell
|
|
Kinvara Verdon
|
|
Notes to
Editors
Directa Plus (www.directa-plus.com) is one of
the largest producers and suppliers of graphene-based products for
use in consumer and industrial markets. The Company's graphene
manufacturing capability uses proprietary patented technology based
on a plasma super expansion process. Starting from natural
graphite, each step of Directa Plus' production process -
expansion, exfoliation and drying - creates graphene-based
materials and hybrid graphene materials ready for a variety of uses
and available in various forms such as powder, liquid and
paste.
This proprietary production process uses a
physical process, rather than a chemical process, to process
graphite into pristine graphene nanoplatelets, which enables
Directa Plus to offer a sustainable, non-toxic product, without
unwanted by-products.
Directa Plus' products are made of hybrid
graphene materials and graphene nano-platelets. The products
(marketed as G+(R)) have multiple applications due to its
properties. These G+(R) products can be categorised into various
families, with different products being suitable for specific
practical applications.
Directa Plus was established in 2005 and is
based in Lomazzo (Como, Italy) and has been listed on the AIM
market of the London Stock Exchange since May 2016. Directa Plus
holds the Green Economy Mark from London Stock Exchange which
recognises companies that contribute to the global green
economy.
Chairman's
statement
I am pleased to report a year of solid
progress for Directa Plus, delivering against our four strategic
pillars across each of our key verticals, particularly
Environmental Remediation and Textiles, driven by a growing market
demand for our graphene technology. Businesses are increasingly
concerned with providing more sustainable products and solutions
and our G+ technology has the ability to sit at the heart of this
transformation globally.
The leadership team has focussed on client
delivery and strengthening the business; improving its margins,
securing new contracts, and further developing our
technology.
With this continued development, the Group has
built a significant pipeline of opportunities and tenders at
various stages of development and across all verticals, including
potential participation in a major contract being sought by Setcar.
In order to invest further in the delivery of the Group's strategic
plan, the Company announced a £6.9 million fundraise, post period
end, on 11 June 2024 effected through a placing and subscription.
The fundraise is expected to complete before the end of June,
subject to the approval of shareholders at a General Meeting to be
held on 27 June 2024, and will place the Group in a strong position
to accelerate its growth and path to profitability.
Delivering on our strategy
We remain focused on delivering
across the four pillars of our growth strategy: a unique, low-cost
graphene production process; the manufacture of pristine graphene
nanoplatelets free of chemical pollutants and tailored to
customers' needs; a reduced time to market for new products,
benefitting from considerable accumulated knowhow and strong IP;
and market reach leveraged through carefully assessed
partnerships.
The graphene market is growing at
pace and Directa Plus has never been in a stronger position to
capitalise on the building momentum. In 2023, the global graphene
market was worth $195.7m and is expected to reach $256.7m in 2024
and grow at a CAGR of 35.1% from 2024 to 2030[1].
Good progress has been made in
implementing our strategy in respect of our two main verticals -
Environmental Remediation and Textiles - and we continue to assess
and conservatively invest in other opportunities and new markets,
in advance of the foreseeable growth in the graphene market. Post
year end we increased our holding in Setcar S.A., our Environmental
Remediation subsidiary, to 99.95%, to accelerate the
commercialisation of our Grafysober technology and to capture value
from the crystallisation of pipeline opportunities within the
Environmental vertical. The €1.5m cost of acquisition was
compelling to us and was part funded by a €1m loan from our major
shareholder Nant Capital LLC which is to be repaid out of the
proceeds of the fundraise.
Strengthening our offering
Directa Plus has made considerable
progress in strengthening its offering and we have seen increasing
traction for our products, resulting in exciting new contract wins,
including in new markets, and strengthened partnerships.
Of particular note is the €5.5m,
three-year contract secured by Setcar with LIBERTY Galati, the
Group's largest contract to date. We also strengthened our
partnerships in the year, extending graphene-enhanced products to
consumers. We launched a new product, GRAPHITO, with Candiani
Denim, and expanded our collaboration with Miguel Caballero MC
Armor, solidifying Directa Plus as a partner and a driver of
product innovation and sustainable textiles.
Alongside a clear focus on growing
our core markets, we remain committed to investing appropriately in
new markets and opportunities, capitalising on the growing demand
for graphene and positioning ourselves for the high growth in the
market. Notably, Directa Plus singed a landmark deal to acquire the
proprietary know-how to prepare tailored graphene compounds,
initially for use in Batteries and Polymers. The Group also entered
a strategic alliance with The SPECTRUM Group, to support Directa
Plus' expansion into the military technology sector in the
US.
ESG
Directa Plus's product is chemical
free and involves a low energy consumption production process. As
businesses across all sectors are progressively turning towards
more sustainable solutions, our graphene technology can confer
material improvements in the performance and sustainability of our
customers' products. Our Grafysober® technology, which is fast
gaining traction, substitutes for the use of oil-based products and
can be advantageously applied to oil and chemical decontamination,
produced water and steel mill wastes.
We have built a strong and
dedicated team to drive the growth of the business, and we
recognise the value in supporting our employees to both maintain
the ethos of the business and achieve the best return on effort.
The Board is committed to pursuing good corporate governance and
understands its importance in promoting the long-term growth of the
business.
Summary and looking ahead
Directa Plus made good progress in
2023, securing new contracts, expanding into new markets and, in
particular, growing its pipeline of opportunities. The Group
strengthened its offering to serve its customers, met a growing
demand for graphene and delivered against its growth strategy to
advance the Group towards profitability. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank our team for their dedication and hard work
over the past year.
As the graphene market is forecast
to expand considerably in 2024 and beyond, the Group has never been
better positioned to capture the significant opportunities ahead
and to deliver value across our growing network of partners and
customers.
Richard Hickinbotham
Chairman
25 June 2024
Chief
Executive Officer's Review
In FY23 Directa Plus secured new
contracts in all verticals and across key geographies. This
reflects the growing appetite for our graphene technology and its
applications globally. During the year we focused heavily on
improving margins through several commercial actions, including
benefit from an increasing appreciation of the value of our
technology, successful investment in innovation, direct cost
reduction and the optimisation of our production process., We are
now a more robust business that is well positioned to
scale.
Directa Plus delivered revenues
for FY23 of €10.5m, with a 19% decrease in adjusted LBITDA (€2.56m)
vs 2022, which was in line with consensus market expectations.
Year-end cash at €2.4m was 14% ahead of expectations, reflecting
the Board's continued focus on improved gross margins and cash
management.
We continued to deliver across the
four pillars of our strategy - Process, Product, Time to Market and
Partnerships - in all key verticals, and I am proud of the progress
made in particular in our two core verticals, Environmental and
Textiles, where we prioritised actions to shorten our time to
market and secure new contracts. Highlights in the year included a
€5.5m three-year contract with LIBERTY Galati in the Group's
Environmental division and an expansion of our contract with MC
Armor in Latin America in Textiles.
As part of our strategy, we are
also focused on investing appropriately in other valuable
opportunities where we foresee significant future demand for our
graphene, as demonstrated by the accelerated development of the
Group's graphene compounds for applications in the battery and
polymer markets and the launch of Graphito, an eco-denim textile,
in June 2023.
The Group is in the process of
completing a capital raise post-period end, bolstering our ability
to drive sustainable growth and financial returns through strategic
investments.
Market opportunity
The global market for graphene is
expected to grow significantly over the next 10 years. In 2023 the
global graphene market was valued at USD 195.7 million and is
projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.1%
from 2024 to 2030.[2] The market is also expected to witness significant growth
from increasing demand from research institutes and multinational
companies for research and development.
The market opportunity for our
graphene-based products is evident within our two main verticals.
In Environmental, our Grafysorber® decontamination solution is
gaining relevance and is proving to be more effective than other
traditional offers available in the market. With an increased focus
on Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives globally,
corporations and governments are turning to more sustainable
methods to positively impact the environment and Directa Plus'
products can play a critical role in this creation. In textiles,
our graphene technology is experiencing greater traction,
particularly in the defence and workwear sectors, where G+ can play
an important role due to its advanced properties that provide
tangible benefits to the final user. Within these verticals, we
strengthened our position in Europe during the Year and are now
exploring new geographical market opportunities such as North
America and Southeast Asia.
In addition to our two main
verticals, part of the Group's strategy is focused on investing in
valuable opportunities in which we have identified an increased
market demand for graphene. We believe, for a relatively
conservative investment, we can develop products that can generate
high commercial traction, with a fast time to market, such as
paints and batteries. The Group made good progress in these areas
in FY23, securing new wins, grants and expanding our partner
network.
Directa Plus' graphene-based paint
solution provides enhanced anti-flame and anti-corrosion properties
compared to normal paints and in 2023 we continued working with
Pigmentsolution GmbH, a European distributor of speciality
chemicals and ingredients, to support the development and
distribution of Directa Plus's new patented Graphene Plus product,
Grafyshield G+, initially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and
Poland, with the potential for further expansion in
Europe.
The Group is currently exploring
the use of G+ applications in the batteries, polymers and concrete
industries and in December 2023 we signed a landmark agreement with
an Italian innovator to acquire, for a modest cost, the proprietary
know-how for a system capable of preparing tailored graphene
compounds. The acquired technology accelerates our route to market
by combining our proven G+® technology with a complementary system
to produce market ready low-cost solutions, initially for batteries
and polymers. The global market for batteries and polymers is
experiencing exponential growth, driven by technological
advancements, and increasing demand for sustainable materials,
fuelled by the increase in demand for electric vehicles and the
expansion of renewable energy storage systems. Similarly, the
polymer industry is evolving with a focus on high-performance,
sustainable materials, opening up new opportunities for innovation
and growth.
Environmental Remediation (69% of annual
revenue)
The Environmental division is the
biggest driver of growth for Directa Plus and in recent years we
have secured significant new contracts globally thanks to our
well-proven and unique Grafysorber® technology. It is a hybrid
graphene-based solution for treating water sludges and emulsions
containing hydrocarbons and is at least five times more effective
than current technologies - absorbing more than 100 times its own
weight of oil-based pollutants which may then be
recovered.
The Group's environmental
remediation activities are principally carried out through Setcar,
a subsidiary company based in Romania, which has accelerated the
commercialisation of Grafysorber. In FY23, Setcar secured Directa
Plus' largest contract to date with LIBERTY Galati, the largest
integrated steel producer in Romania, to provide a solution for the
treatment of oily mills sludge produced in the manufacturing of
steel. This €5.5m three-year contract has the potential for further
expansion up to a total value of €8.0m. Post-period end, Setcar
renewed its contract with FORD Otosan, an automotive business in
Romania owned by Ford Motor Company, for the fifth time, to deliver
Total Waste Management Services (TWM) for a total value of €1.9m.
Since the first contract was signed with FORD Otosan in 2020,
following the Group's acquisition of Setcar, the annual contract
value has now increased by a total of c. 46%.
Post-period end, the Group
acquired a further 49% stake in Setcar, taking our shareholding to
99.95%. This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for
Directa Plus to take further control of the environmental supply
chain and capture maximum value from the commercial offering made
possible by our Grafysorber technology. Setcar is located in
Braila, a location with high potential as it is just 10 km from the
Ukraine border, on the Danube River. Braila has a river port and is
a free zone. We believe Braila has potential to be a gateway to the
forthcoming reconstruction of Ukraine and that the acquisition will
also accelerate our ability to capture a larger share of the
significant global environmental market from a highly strategic
area.
The Group also launched a pilot
for a new concept for produced water treatment using Grafysorber®,
through Setcar, and is in line with the Group's strategy to adopt
new technologies that can decontaminate and limit the waste of
precious elements such as water.
Through integration with
Setcar, Grafysorber has been developed over the past few years to
generate new products and processes to enable the provision of
environmental services. This has enabled us to secure larger
contracts as evidenced in FY23 and now with multiple market
opportunities, we are confident in further international expansion
for this division.
Textiles (30% of annual revenue)
Directa Plus has a growing
customer base within its Textiles vertical, evidenced by the
increase in divisional revenues and growth in meters of produced
product in FY23 as we expanded our range of applications. This year
we have experienced an increased appetite for our products across
the workwear and defence industries, where we see that the benefits
of our technology are understood the most.
Workwear
In May 2023, the Group secured a
new exclusive agreement with longstanding customer, Grassi SpA
('Grassi'), to expand the use of its Graphene Plus Thermal Planar
Circuit® (PTC®) technology in the workwear and military markets.
Grassi is a leading Italian workwear and outerwear manufacturer
with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability and was the
first manufacturer in the textiles vertical to integrate Directa
Plus' G+® technologies into its product line. Directa Plus has been
working in partnership with Grassi since 2017 to provide the
workwear industry with sustainable clothing and has already
supplied over 250,000 linear meters of graphene-treated lining to
Italian public organisations. In 2023 alone, Grassi more than
doubled its orders on previous 2022 levels. This expansion of our
contract adds to the Company's recurring revenue stream on its
Graphene Plus PTC® technology and demonstrates the continuing
appetite from end users across the textile industry for garments
which have no biological or environmental impact. The Group is
currently in discussions with other international manufacturers for
the use of Directa Plus' G+ technologies.
Defence
We experienced good traction in
the defence sector in FY23 where we predict increasing volumes in
the near-term as a result of ongoing developments with partners and
potential customers. In December 2023, we announced a significant
expansion of our contract with CIA Miguel Caballero, a prominent
manufacturer of bulletproof vests and personal protective equipment
(PPE), who we have partnered with since July 2022, as the
manufacturer had exceeded their minimum contractual orders for the
year. This demonstrates the appetite from CIA Miguel Caballero to
use our innovative solutions as a way to produce safer, more
advanced protective wear for individuals in high-risk
professions.
Directa Plus also signed a
strategic partnership with The SPECTRUM Group, a US strategic
advisory and government relations firm, to explore the potential of
G+® technologies in the US defence sector, in FY23. Spectrum will
leverage its expertise and extensive network to support Directa
Plus in driving its business expansion into the military technology
sector. Since partnering with Spectrum, we have attended eight
exhibitions for textiles from which we have generated several
prospects that are testing industrial production with our
technology, with potential opportunities in 2024, demonstrating the
benefit partnerships can bring.
Luxury
During the year, Directa Plus
launched GRAPHITO, in collaboration with Candiani Denim (Candiani),
an international textile producer based in Italy, focused on
innovation and sustainability. GRAPHITO is an eco-denim textile and
represents a significant advancement in the sustainable fashion
industry by addressing denim's environmental impact and extending
the lifespan of denim garments. Directa Plus has been involved in
the luxury market following our inception and continues to see
orders and interest from well-known brands in the development of
innovative, technical new products to add to their collections,
providing the Group with confidence in the exciting opportunities
ahead.
Air filters
Within the air filters space, the
Group was awarded a new tender by the Italian Region of Lombardy as
part of its 'Ricerca & Innova' programme to further develop
Graphene Plus air filtration applications. The project is for an
18-month period and has a total value of c.€400,000, enabling the
Group to continue investing in and developing our air filter
applications, leveraging the antiviral and antimicrobial properties
of our G+ technology.
Intellectual Property
As at December 2023, the Group's
patent portfolio comprised 86 patents granted and 46 pending,
grouped into 22 families. This has increased from 80 patents
granted and 37 pending, in December 2022.
We aim to create value from our
wide IP portfolio. Discussions on licensing contracts are ongoing
with potential for further patent applications and awards in
2024.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Environmental, Social and
Governance considerations are an important part of what drives
Directa Plus' business.
Graphene Plus is a unique product,
produced in a unique and sustainable way; G+® products are obtained
through a proprietary patented process based on the physical
transformation of natural graphite, characterised by: (i) a
water-based process, (ii) no added chemistry, (iii) a high purity,
and (iv) zero discharge of hazardous chemicals.
In our production process we
consider raw materials supply chains, energy consumption, water and
wastewater, atmospheric emissions, the production of waste and any
effect on biodiversity. We are constantly assessing our production
processes, working with recognised environmental organisations to
ensure the safety and sustainability of our products. Our method of
producing G+® always uses low energy consumption and generates low
waste, making the entire process environmentally
friendly.
With regards to our
commercialisation strategy, it is our mandate to only work with
environmentally responsible industrial partners, and to seek to
improve products in existing markets. This means that we can help
produce and sell better quality products than are currently
available, with better performance and longer life for
end-users.
In December 2021 Directa Plus
received the Green Economy Mark from the London Stock Exchange,
with over 75% of revenue contributions derived from the
Environmental Remediation division.
Directa Plus employees are
critical to the Group's success and the Board is focused on
supporting each employee where possible. We are a responsible
employer and carefully consider all aspects of employee rights,
equal opportunities, health and safety at work and training and
education. We also have a remuneration policy intended to attract,
retain, and motivate high-calibre executives to deliver outstanding
shareholder returns and at the same time maintain an appropriate
compensation balance with the other employees of the
Group.
With respect to our local
community, Directa Plus is well-known and deeply rooted in the
Milan area. We promote our regional economy by identifying local
suppliers, with whom it is possible to structure lasting
partnerships. We believe it is essential to actively contribute to
initiatives that can have a positive impact on the social fabric of
the area.
The Board also fully supports good
corporate governance and recognises that it enhances its
decision-making processes by improving the success of the Company
and increasing shareholder value over the medium to
long-term.
ESG Rating
In 2022 Directa Plus engaged
Integrum, an independent ESG ratings agency with the objective to
gather initial data upon which the Company can enhance its ESG
reporting and practices for transparency for all stakeholders.
Integrum assessed and scored the Company against robust frameworks
and was then ranked relative to specific sub-sector peers and
overall rating of "B". Integrum reinstated the "B" rating for
Directa Plus's performance in FY23.
Outlook
The Group delivered a good
operational and financial performance in FY23, strengthening our
path towards profitability. Our performance continues to provide
confidence in our ability to capitalise on new market opportunities
and leverage key partnerships to support expansion. We have
continued to perform in line with our stated strategy to position
ourselves as a much stronger business.
We are seeing increasing traction
in graphene technology and its applications globally and I am
confident we have the right strategy and team in place to capture
this growing market demand.
Giulio Cesareo
Chief
Executive Officer
25 June 2024
Chief
Financial Officer's Review
The key focus in 2023 has been on
improving margins and tightly managing the Group's cash resources,
demonstrated by this year's financial performance. The finance team
has remained focussed on supporting the Group's strategic decision
making, managing financial resources efficiently and mitigating
risks.
The Group continues to invest in
line with its strategic plan to accelerate business growth and
accelerate its path towards profitability. The capital raise to be
finalised by the end of June 2024, subject to the shareholders'
approval, will play a critical role in accelerating this growth
through strengthening the operational and financial capabilities of
the Group.
Key Performance
Indicators
The Board measures the performance
of the Group through several important KPIs. As a growing business
operating across different vertical markets, identifying measurable
data that will provide useful insight year-on-year is not always
straightforward but the KPIs below aim to help shareholders
navigate the Group's progress:
·
Product sales and service revenue was in line with previous
year at €10.53m (2022: €10.86m)
· Total
income (including grants) was in line with previous year at €10.86m
(2022: €11.28m)
·
Adjusted LBITDA* decreased by 19% to €2.56m (2022: €3.15m),
in line with market expectations
· Loss
before tax improved by 19% to €4.31m (2022: €5.33m)
·
Reported (basic) Loss per share improved to €0.06 (2022:
€0.07)
· Cash
and cash equivalents at year end of €2.39m (2022: €5.73m) was ahead
of market expectations
* Adjusted EBITDA loss represents results from operating
activities before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation,
adjusted by one-off provisions, inventory write-offs, non-recurring
legal expenses and onerous contract provision (details
overleaf).
Financial
review
2023 continued to be a difficult trading environment
as markets globally faced challenges stemming from adverse
macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, following high inflation
in 2022 and resulting in significantly higher interest rates during
the year.
The Group has continued to strategically address the
inevitable inflationary cost increases to preserve and improve
margins whilst conserving cash. During FY23, this resulted in:
· Successful
renegotiation of the Group's main contracts, reflecting the value
our customers place on our technology and solutions.
· Achieving
some significant reduction in direct production cost (approximately
60-70%) through targeted investments in our production process,
and
· Optimisation
of general expenses.
Whilst revenue remained flat, these efforts yielded
positive results delivering an improved adjusted LBITDA position of
19% vs 2022 at €2.56m.
In response to the high interest rates prevailing in
the market, the Group also implemented a more cautious treasury
management strategy, with the objective of securing improved levels
of interest on cash held in bank accounts, thereby mitigating cash
consumption by a further €46k in 2023.
Cash at the year-end was €2.39 million, with the
benefit of a reduction in the monthly cash burn rate during
FY23.
Post-period end, the Group's fundraise, to be
finalised by the end of June 2024 subject to the shareholders'
approval, will generate gross proceeds of c. £6.9 million through a
placing and subscription, involved the issuance of up to 37,805,551
new Ordinary Shares at a price of 18p each. The capital raised will
be utilised to accelerate additional investment in the development
of both primary and secondary vertical markets, to shorten the path
to profitability, and maintain momentum on the medium/long term
opportunities.
The proceeds from the capital raise will be applied
as follows:
· £1.5 million
for the Setcar acquisition - approximately £860,000 to repay the
loan provided by Nant Capital LLC which was used to part pay the
€1.5 million acquisition of the minority interest (49%) in Setcar
alongside £0.6 million to strengthen the internal cash resources of
Setcar;
· £1.1 million
for capital expenditure in dedicated equipment within the
Environmental division and improvements in the production line with
a Nitrogen production unit to replace Argon; and
· £2.4 million
for capital for growth by strengthening the commercial and
operational capabilities of the Directa Plus team:
o £1.0 million for
new hires for the internal salesforce alongside agents and
professional services to access to new markets (US and Asia) and
adding a new expert engineer alongside additional technical and
operating hires in Setcar;
o £0.4 million to
strengthen the operational capabilities and professional support to
improve the production line and further the direct cost
reduction;
o £0.5 million to
maintain momentum on other opportunities focused on research and
development.
· The balance
of the fundraise to go towards general working capital needs to
support growth.
Looking ahead, the Group's short-term priorities
remain focused on reducing cash consumption and enhancing
profitability.
Alternative
performance measures
This report includes both statutory and adjusted
financial measures, the latter of which the Directors believe
better reflect the underlying performance of the Group by excluding
certain items that if included could distort a reader's
understanding of the results.
The table below shows a reconciliation of statutory
and adjusted measures for LBITDA and Loss before taxation.
€
million
|
2023
|
2022
|
Result from operating activities
|
(4.18)
|
(5.02)
|
(+) Depreciation and
amortisation
|
1.27
|
1.40
|
LBITDA
|
(2.91)
|
(3.61)
|
(+) One-off provision
|
0.28
|
0.00
|
(+) Inventory write-off
|
0.17
|
0.11
|
(+) Lawsuit expenses
|
0.05
|
0.16
|
(+/-) Onerous contracts
provision
|
(0.15)
|
0.19
|
Adjusted LBITDA
|
(2.56)
|
(3.15)
|
€
million
|
2023
|
2022
|
Loss before tax
|
(4.31)
|
(5.33)
|
(+) One-off provision
|
0.28
|
0.00
|
(+) Inventory write-off
|
0.17
|
0.11
|
(+) Lawsuit expenses
|
0.05
|
0.16
|
(+/-) Onerous contracts
provision
|
(0.15)
|
0.19
|
(+/-) FX gain/loss
|
(0.03)
|
0.20
|
Adjusted Loss before tax
|
(3.99)
|
(4.67)
|
Adjustments refer to:
· a bad
debt provision of €0.28 million referred to unpaid receivables
referred to contracts carried out in 2021 and 2022;
· an
inventory write-off of €0.17 million in 2023 and €0.11 million in
2022, attributable to obsolete Co-Masks which are now experiencing
a low market demand following the end of the Covid-19
pandemic. The obsolete Co-Masks are now fully
written-off;
· legal
costs of €0.05 million in 2023 and €0.16 million in 2022 linked to
the protection of Directa Plus' IP portfolio and disbursements
relating to a lawsuit that dates back to 2017;
· a
provision of €0.19 million in 2022 for the total expected loss on
the conclusion of an onerous long-term contract where recovery was
deemed uncertain under IFRS15, which was reversed out in 2023 after
the conclusion of the contract, and provision of €0.04 million
accounted in 2023 for the total expected loss in 2024 on the
conclusion of an onerous long-term contract in Laos; and
·
non-cash exchange rate effects, especially on the conversion
of GBP cash balances to Euro.
A description of the principal risks and
uncertainties facing the Group is set out in the Directors' Report
of the Annual Report.
Giorgio
Bonfanti
Chief Financial Officer
25 June 2024
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
In Euro
|
Note
|
|
31-Dec-23
|
31-Dec-22
|
|
|
Continuing operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
3
|
|
10,530,395
|
10,856,144
|
|
|
Other income
|
3
|
|
332,963
|
424,926
|
|
|
Changes in inventories of finished
goods and work in progress
|
|
|
(247,961)
|
(191,510)
|
|
|
Raw materials and consumables
used
|
6
|
|
(5,350,490)
|
(5,856,661)
|
|
|
Employee benefits
expenses
|
7
|
|
(4,444,577)
|
(4,424,087)
|
|
|
Depreciation and
amortisation
|
11/12
|
|
(1,270,193)
|
(1,403,932)
|
|
|
Other expenses
|
8
|
|
(3,734,813)
|
(4,421,177)
|
|
|
Results (used in) operating activities
|
|
|
(4,184,676)
|
(5,016,298)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income
|
9
|
|
72,270
|
5,904
|
|
|
Finance expenses
|
9
|
|
(194,660)
|
(317,804)
|
|
|
Net finance costs
|
|
|
(122,390)
|
(311,900)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before tax
|
|
|
(4,307,066)
|
(5,328,198)
|
|
|
Tax income
|
10
|
|
31,718
|
53,197
|
|
|
Loss after tax from continuing operations
|
|
|
(4,275,348)
|
(5,275,001)
|
|
|
Loss of the year
|
|
|
(4,275,348)
|
(5,275,001)
|
|
|
Other Comprehensive expense items that will not
be reclassified to profit or loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined Benefit Plan
re-measurement gains and losses
|
20
|
|
(10,769)
|
(6,790)
|
|
|
Other comprehensive expense for the year (no tax
impact)
|
|
|
(10,769)
|
(6,790)
|
|
|
Total comprehensive expense for the year
|
|
|
(4,286,117)
|
(5,281,791)
|
|
|
Loss attributable to
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owner of the Parent
|
|
|
(3,856,103)
|
(4,822,044)
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
|
(419,245)
|
(452,957)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,275,348)
|
(5,275,001)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive expense attributable
to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Company
|
|
|
(3,866,872)
|
(4,828,834)
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
|
|
(419,245)
|
(452,957)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,286,117)
|
(5,281,791)
|
|
|
Loss per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic loss per share
|
24
|
|
(0.06)
|
(0.07)
|
|
|
Diluted loss per
share
|
24
|
|
(0.06)
|
(0.07)
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
|
|
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
|
In Euro
|
Note
|
31-Dec-23
|
31-Dec-22
|
31-Dec-23
|
31-Dec-22
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets
|
11
|
1,436,684
|
1,664,666
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Investments
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
18,622,777
|
30,260,336
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
12
|
3,290,809
|
3,861,151
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Other receivables
|
14
|
162,923
|
69,720
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
4,890,416
|
5,595,537
|
18,622,777
|
30,260,336
|
|
|
Inventories
|
5
|
881,450
|
1,121,912
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
14
|
4,396,748
|
4,115,846
|
96,265
|
114,884
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalent
|
16
|
2,393,303
|
5,727,768
|
1,024,286
|
3,787,989
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
7,671,501
|
10,965,526
|
1,120,551
|
3,902,873
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
12,561,917
|
16,561,063
|
19,743,328
|
34,163,209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
17
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
|
|
Share premium
|
17
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Translation
Reserve
|
17
|
(44,902)
|
(39,161)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Accumulated losses
|
17
|
(33,882,143)
|
(30,069,844)
|
(19,770,339)
|
(5,346,322)
|
|
|
Equity attributable to owners of Group
|
|
5,460,213
|
9,278,253
|
19,616,919
|
34,040,936
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
17
|
1,121,911
|
1,546,887
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Total equity
|
|
6,582,124
|
10,825,140
|
19,616,919
|
34,040,936
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans and borrowings
|
18
|
1,528,108
|
1,378,141
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
19
|
183,056
|
395,260
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Employee benefits
provision
|
20
|
357,520
|
554,444
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Other payables
|
21
|
64,014
|
64,366
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Deferred tax
liabilities
|
15
|
-
|
33,095
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
2,132,698
|
2,425,306
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Loans and borrowings
|
18
|
742,904
|
767,677
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Lease liabilities
|
19
|
206,509
|
239,068
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Trade and other
payables
|
21
|
2,856,835
|
2,112,875
|
126,409
|
122,273
|
|
|
Provision
|
22
|
40,847
|
190,997
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
3,847,095
|
3,310,617
|
126,409
|
122,273
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
5,979,793
|
5,735,923
|
126,409
|
122,273
|
|
|
Total equity and liabilities
|
|
12,561,917
|
16,561,063
|
19,743,328
|
34,163,209
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has taken advantage of
the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006
and has not presented its own statement of comprehensive income in
these financial statements. The Company loss after tax for the year
was €14,509,549 (2022: €1,200,138). The loss in 2023 was mainly
attributable to the impairment loss on the investment held by
Directa Plus plc in Directa Plus S.p.A. for a total amount of c.
€13.6 million. An impairment trigger was identified following a
decrease in the market capitalisation of the Group over the last 12
months.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Euro
|
Share Capital
|
Share
premium
|
Foreign curreny translation
reserve
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
Total
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
Total
equity
|
Balance at 31 December 2021
|
205,393
|
39,159,027
|
(23,109)
|
(25,352,139)
|
13,989,172
|
2,041,938
|
16,031,110
|
Total comprehensive expense
for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss of the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4,822,044)
|
(4,822,044)
|
(452,957)
|
(5,275,001)
|
Total other comprehensive
expense
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,790)
|
(6,790)
|
-
|
(6,790)
|
Total comprehensive expense for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4,828,834)
|
(4,828,834)
|
(452,957)
|
(5,281,791)
|
Capital raised and exercise of
share option
|
76
|
22,762
|
.
|
|
22,838
|
-
|
22,838
|
Expenditure related to the
issuance of shares
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Translation reserve
|
-
|
-
|
(16,052)
|
-
|
(16,052)
|
-
|
(16,052)
|
Share-based payment
decrease
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
111,130
|
111,130
|
-
|
111,130
|
Increase in share capital of
Setcar
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(42,094)
|
(42,094)
|
Balance at 31 December 2022
|
205,469
|
39,181,789
|
(39,161)
|
(30,069,843)
|
9,278,254
|
1,546,887
|
10,825,141
|
Total comprehensive expense
for the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss of the year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,856,103)
|
(3,856,103)
|
(419,245)
|
(4,275,348)
|
Total other comprehensive
expense
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(10,769)
|
(10,769)
|
-
|
(10,769)
|
Total comprehensive expense for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,866,872)
|
(3,866,872)
|
(419,245)
|
(4,286,117)
|
Translation reserve
|
-
|
-
|
(5,741)
|
-
|
(5,741)
|
(5,731)
|
(11,472)
|
Share-based payment
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
54,573
|
54,573
|
-
|
54,573
|
Balance at 31 December 2023
|
205,469
|
39,181,789
|
(44,902)
|
(33,882,143)
|
5,460,213
|
1,121,911
|
6,582,124
|
COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
|
Share
|
Accumulated
|
Total
|
|
|
In Euro
|
capital
|
premium
|
deficit
|
equity
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2021
|
205,393
|
39,159,027
|
(4,220,247)
|
35,144,173
|
|
|
Loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
(1,200,138)
|
(1,200,138)
|
|
|
Capital raised and exercise of share option
|
76
|
22,762
|
-
|
22,838
|
|
|
Expenditure related to the
issuance of shares
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
-
|
-
|
74,063
|
74,063
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2022
|
205,469
|
39,181,789
|
(5,346,322)
|
34,040,936
|
|
|
Loss for the year
|
-
|
-
|
(14,509,549)
|
(14,509,549)
|
|
|
Capital raised and exercise of share option
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Expenditure related to the
issuance of shares
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
-
|
-
|
85,532
|
85,532
|
|
|
Balance at 31 December 2023
|
205,469
|
39,181,789
|
(19,770,339)
|
19,616,919
|
|
CONSOLIDATED AND COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH
FLOWS
|
|
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
|
In
Euro
|
Note
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss for the year before
tax
|
|
(4,307,066)
|
(5,328,198)
|
(14,509,549)
|
(1,200,138)
|
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
12
|
817,611
|
861,125
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
11
|
452,582
|
542,807
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Disposal loss on tangible
assets
|
|
24,014
|
20,509
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Share-based payment
expense
|
7
|
54,573
|
111,130
|
85,532
|
74,063
|
|
|
Finance
income
|
9
|
(72,270)
|
(5,904)
|
(39,214)
|
-
|
|
|
Finance
expense
|
|
175,350
|
303,044
|
3,018
|
209,818
|
|
|
Interest of lease
liabilities
|
9
|
19,310
|
14,760
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Impairment of
investments
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
13,602,359
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
(2,835,896)
|
(3,480,727)
|
(857,854)
|
(916,257)
|
|
|
Decrease/(Increase) in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
inventories
|
|
240,461
|
248,963
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
- trade and other
receivables
|
14
|
(374,105)
|
(694,450)
|
18,619
|
90,407
|
|
|
- trade and other
payables
|
|
712,208
|
120,918
|
4,136
|
(49,545)
|
|
|
- provisions and employee
benefits
|
|
(224,170)
|
28,819
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
- Other provision
|
22
|
(150,150)
|
190,997
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
(2,631,652)
|
(3,585,480)
|
(835,099)
|
(875,395)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
received
|
9
|
46,108
|
5,904
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Investment in intangible
assets
|
|
(213,538)
|
(415,195)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Investment in
subsidiary
|
13
|
-
|
-
|
(1,964,800)
|
(4,580,000)
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment
|
|
(271,281)
|
(759,821)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
(438,711)
|
(1,169,112)
|
(1,964,800)
|
(4,580,000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Capital raise and
exercise of share options
|
17
|
-
|
22,838
|
-
|
22,838
|
|
|
Interest on loan and other
financial costs
|
9
|
(159,225)
|
(97,456)
|
(3,018)
|
(2,042)
|
|
|
New borrowings
|
18
|
945,278
|
988,938
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
18
|
(820,084)
|
(1,312,840)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Repayment of lease liabilities
|
|
(244,762)
|
(223,197)
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
New lease liabilities
|
|
-
|
191,700
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Net cash (used in)/ from financing
activities
|
(278,793)
|
(430,017)
|
(3,018)
|
20,796
|
|
|
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalent
|
(3,349,156)
|
(5,184,609)
|
(2,802,917)
|
(5,434,599)
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of the
year
|
5,727,768
|
11,130,468
|
3,787,989
|
9,430,364
|
|
|
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash
equivalents
|
14,691
|
(218,091)
|
39,214
|
(207,776)
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalent at end of the year
|
2,393,303
|
5,727,768
|
1,024,286
|
3,787,989
|
|
NOTES TO THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER
2023
1. Basis of
preparation
a) Statement of
compliance
These consolidated and parent Company
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IFRSs). The
principal accounting policies are summarised below. They have all
been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding
year, unless otherwise stated.
All notes, except as otherwise indicated, are
presented in Euros ("€").
I.
Going Concern
The going concern assessment of the Parent
Company has been performed as part of the Group's going concern
assessment.
The Group meets its working capital
requirements through the receipt of revenues from the provision of
its services and sale of products mainly in Europe, the management
of capital and operating expenditure, the working capital and other
borrowing facilities available to it and from the issue of equity
capital.
The conflict in Ukraine and Middle East, high
inflation and increased interest rates by the Central Banks have
been an additional cause of uncertainty over the macro-economic
outlook, affecting both the political and business environments.
These events have had a significant impact on global economies and
markets, and on the operations and operational funding of companies
experiencing widespread inflationary cost pressures and supply
chain disruption.
Management believes that the Group has the
systems and protocols in place to address the challenges, however
at the date of approval of these financial statements it is not
clear how long the current circumstances are likely to last and
what the long-term impact will be.
The Group held cash and cash equivalents of
Euro 2.39 million at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: Euro
5.73 million) and is currently funded through Euro 6.79 million of
shareholder equity and Euro 2.27 million of loans and bank debt,
most of which are repayable over four years. As of 31 May 2024, the
Group held €0.86m of gross cash. Post period, on 11 June 2024 the
Group announced the launch of a fundraise of £6.9 million, by way
of a placing and subscription, to fund the acquisition of the
minority interests of its subsidiary Setcar and to sustain the
expected high growth of the business. The capital raise will be
effective subject to shareholders' approval at a General Meeting to
be held on 27 June 2024.
The Directors prepared a cash flow forecast
for the Group and the Parent Company for the period to December
2025 to assess if there is sufficient liquidity in place to support
the plan and strategy for the future development of the Group. This
forecast showed that the Group and the Parent Company, subject to
the finalisation of the capital raise, will have sufficient
financial headroom for the entire forecast period if reasonably
plausible downside scenario do not occur. In respect of the capital
raise, at the date of signing these financial statements, the
Company has a formal commitment by participating investors and the
success of the capital raise is only dependent on the shareholders'
approval during the General Meeting to be held on 27 June 2024.
There is however no guarantee that the capital raise will complete,
and within the necessary timeframe, nor that the funding to meet
the Group's obligations will be secured. In the event the fund
raise is not approved or does not complete, the Group will
immediately need to seek alternative forms of funding, such as debt
financing or sale of assets.
In addition, the Directors, in formulating the
plan and strategy for the future development of the business,
considered reasonably plausible downside scenarios, including
reductions in forecast revenues and gross margin. Under those
stressed scenarios which considered the funding from the proposed
capital raise, the Group could exhaust its cash resources before
December 2025, and therefore be required to raise additional
funding which is not guaranteed.
As such, the Parent Company and the Group are
dependent on raising the required funds from the successful
completion of the proposed capital raise within the necessary
timeframe; and are also dependent on raising additional funding in
the event that plausible downside scenarios occur, which are not
guaranteed.
These events or conditions indicate that a
material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the
Group and Parent Company's ability to continue as going concerns
and therefore, the Group and the Parent Company may be unable to
realise their assets or discharge their liabilities in the normal
course of business. The Directors review regularly updates to the
scenario planning such that it can put in place mitigating actions
and maintain the viability of the company and will keep
stakeholders informed as necessary.
Based on the analysis above, and that it is in
the interest of the Company's shareholders to approve and finalise
the capital raise, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that
the capital raise will be successful with the required funds and
within the necessary timeframe and, in the event of the stress test
scenario occurring, the Group and the Company will be able to raise
additional funding and will have adequate resources to support
their activities for the foreseeable future. The Directors have
concluded that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis
of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements. The
financial statements have therefore been prepared on the going
concern basis. The financial statements do not include the
adjustments that would result if the Group and the Company were
unable to continue as going concerns.
b) Basis of
consolidation
I.
Subsidiaries
Where the Company has control over an
investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an
investee if all three of the following elements are present: power
over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee,
and the ability of the investor to use its power to affect those
variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and
circumstances indicate that there may be a change in any of these
elements of control.
The total comprehensive income of non-wholly
owned subsidiaries is attributed to owners of the parent and to the
non-controlling interests in proportion to their relative ownership
interests.
II.
Transactions eliminated on consolidation
The consolidated financial statements present
the results of the Company and its subsidiaries ("the Group") as if
they formed a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances
between group companies are therefore eliminated in
full.
III.
Non-controlling interest
Non-controlling interest in the net assets of
the consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the
Group's equity. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of
those interests at the date of the original business combination
and the non-controlling shareholder's share changes in equity since
the date of the combination. The non-controlling interest's share
of losses, where applicable, are attributed to the non-controlling
interests irrespective of whether the non-controlling shareholders
have a binding obligation and are able to make an additional
investment to cover the losses.
c) Functional and
presentation currency
These financial statements are presented in
Euro ("€") and is considered by the Directors to be the most
appropriate presentation currency to assist the users of the
financial statements. The functional currency of the Company and of
the Italian operating subsidiaries is Euro ("€"). The functional
currency of the Romanian subsidiary is Romanian Leu.
d) Use of estimates
and judgements
The preparation of the financial statements in
conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgements,
estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting
policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. The
estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical
experience and various other factors that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances and the results of which form
the basis of making judgements about carrying values of assets and
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.
Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are
reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are
recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised if the
revision affects only that period.
Critical estimates and judgements that have
the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the
financial statements and/or have a significant risk of resulting in
a material adjustment within the next financial year are as
follows.
Estimates
Management identified the following estimates
for the preparation of the financial statements. The
Group has not made any material judgments.
I.
Valuation of share based payments
The estimation related to share-based payment
expenses includes the selection of an appropriate valuation option
pricing model, consideration as to the inputs necessary for the
valuation model chosen, and the estimation of the number of awards
that will ultimately vest. Inputs subject to estimation relate to
the future volatility of the share price which has been estimated
based on the historical observed volatility from trading in the
Company's shares, over a historical period of time between the date
of the grant and the date of exercise. Management has used a
Monte-Carlo model to calculate the fair value of the awards which
include market based performance conditions. Further disclosure of
inputs relevant to the calculations is set out in note 25 to the
financial statements.
II.
Carrying value of goodwill
The carrying value of goodwill, and the cash
generating units (CGUs) to which it relates, is assessed annually
for impairment through comparing the recoverable amount to the
CGU's carrying value. To determine the recoverable amount of the
CGU, being the Group a public company listed on the AIM market of
the London Stock Exchange, Management considers the Group's market
capitalisation at the end of the reporting period as an indicator
of its fair value. If the market capitalisation exceeds the CGU's
carrying value, no impairment is needed. Further disclosure of
evaluations is set out in note 11 to the financial
statements.
III.
Valuation of inventory
Inventories are
stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The cost
of inventories comprises of net prices paid for materials
purchased, production labour cost and factory overhead. Net
realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all
estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in
marketing, selling and distribution. Inventory provisions are
recognised for slow-moving, obsolete or unsalable inventory and are
reviewed on a six-monthly basis. The valuation of Inventory
includes key estimates and judgments made by Management including
normal production capacity, market demand and selling
opportunities. If actual demand or usage were to be lower than
estimated, additional inventory provisions for excess or obsolete
inventory may be required.
IV.
Investments
Judgement is required over the recoverability
of any amounts invested into subsidiary companies, Management
considers the Group's market capitalisation at the end of the
reporting period as an indicator of the fair value of the assets
owned and managed by these subsidiaries. As each of the
subsidiaries are owned (directly or indirectly) by the Company the
creditworthiness of the subsidiary is the same as the
creditworthiness of the Company. Further details are
set out in note 13.
V.
Revenue recognition and long-term contract accrued
income
The determination of anticipated costs for
completing a contract is based on estimates that can be affected by
a variety of factors such as potential variances in scheduling and
cost of materials along with the availability and cost of qualified
labour and subcontractors, productivity, and possible claims from
subcontractors.
The determination of anticipated revenues
includes the contractually agreed revenue and may also involve
estimates of future revenues from claims and unapproved variations,
if such additional revenues can be reliably estimated and it is
considered probable that they will be recovered.
A variation results from a change to the scope
of the work to be performed compared to the original contract
signed. An example of such contract variation could be a change in
the project specification, whereby costs related to such variation
might be incurred prior to the client's formal contract amendment
signature. A claim represents an amount expected to be collected
from the client or a third party as reimbursement for costs
incurred that are not part of the original contract.
A modification is only then accounted for as a
separate contract if the goods and services are distinct in that
the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own. In
both cases, management's judgments are required in determining the
probability that additional revenue will be recovered from these
variations and in determining the measurement of the
amount to be recovered. As risks and uncertainties are
different for each project, the sources of variations between
anticipated costs and actual costs incurred will also
vary for each project. The long-term nature of certain arrangements
usually results in significant estimates related to scheduling and
prices. The determination of estimates is based on internal
policies as well as historical experience. Furthermore, management
regularly reviews underlying estimates of project profitability. In
FY23 the Group applied this accounting treatment for one specific
long-term contract in its Environmental Remediation services in
Laos.
VI.
Onerous contract provision
The determination of the minimum unavoidable
loss to complete a contract is based on estimates that could be
affected by a variety of factors including cost of materials, cost
of labour, productivity and variations. Management reviews
all contracts on a regular basis to identify indications that a
contract may be onerous. Where sufficient evidence exists that a
contract will be onerous Management provide for the total
anticipated loss on the contract immediately.
2. Significant
accounting policies
a) Functional
currency
The financial statements of each Group company
are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment
in which that company operates (the functional currency). The
consolidated financial statements record the results and financial
position of each Group company in Euro, which is the functional
currency of the Company and the presentational currency for the
consolidated financial statements.
I. Transaction
and balances
Transactions in foreign currencies are
converted into the respective functional currencies at initial
recognition, using the exchange rates at the transaction date.
Monetary assets and liabilities at the end of the reporting period
are translated at the rates ruling at the reporting date.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities are not retranslated. All
exchange differences are recognised in profit or loss. On
consolidation, the results of overseas operations not in Euro are
translated at the rates approximating to those ruling when the
transactions took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas
operations are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date.
Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets
at closing rate and the results of overseas operations at actual
rate are recognised in other comprehensive income.
b) Financial
instruments
There are no other categories of financial
assets other than those listed below:
I.
Trade and other receivables and amount due from
subsidiaries
Trade and other receivables and amounts due
from subsidiaries are recognised and carried at the original
invoice amount less any provision for impairment.
The Group recognises a loss allowance for
expected credit losses ("ECL") on financial assets that are
measured at amortised cost which comprise mainly of trade
receivables. The amount of expected credit losses is updated at
each reporting date to reflect changes in credit risk since initial
recognition of the respective financial instrument.
The Group always recognises lifetime ECL on
trade receivables. The expected credit losses on these financial
assets are estimated using a provision matrix based on the Group's
historical credit loss experience, adjusted for factors that are
specific to the debtors, general economic conditions and an
assessment of both the current as well as the forecast direction of
conditions at the reporting date, including time value of money
where appropriate.
II. Cash
and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise demand
deposits with an original maturity of up to 3 months which are
readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an
insignificant risk of change in value.
There are no other categories of financial
liabilities other than those listed below:
III. Trade and other
payables
Trade payables are stated at their amortised
cost.
IV. Financial
liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments
are classified according to the substance of the contractual
arrangements entered into. At initial recognition, financial
liabilities are measured at their fair value, minus transaction
costs that are directly attributable, and are subsequently measured
at amortised cost.
An equity instrument is any contract that
evidences a residual interest in the asset of the Group after
deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the
Company are recorded at the proceeds received net of direct issue
costs.
V.
Leases
On commencement of a contract which gives the
Group the right to use assets for a period of time in exchange for
consideration, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a
lease liability. The right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which
is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any
initial direct costs incurred by the Group, an estimate of any
costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease,
and any lease payment made in advance of the lease commencement
date (net of any incentives received). The Group depreciates the
right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis from the lease
commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of
the right-of-use asset or the end of the lease term. The Group also
assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators
exist. At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease
liability at the present value of the lease payment unpaid at that
date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if
that rate is readily available or the Group's incremental borrowing
rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease
liability are made up of fixed payments, variable payments based on
an index or rate, amounts expected to be payable under a residual
value guarantee and payments arising from options reasonably
certain to be exercised. Subsequent to initial measurement, the
liability will be reducing for payment made and increased for
interest. It is remeasured to reflect any reassessment or
modification, or if there are changes in in-substance fixed
payments. When the lease liability is remeasured, the corresponding
adjustment is reflected in the right-of-use asset, or profit and
loss if the right-of-use asset is already reduced to
zero.
c) Share
capital
Ordinary shares are classified as equity.
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares
or options are netted off against share premium.
d) Property, plant and
equipment
I. Recognition and
measurement
Property, plant and equipment are measured at
cost less accumulated depreciation, Government grants received
(where applicable) and accumulated impairment losses.
Costs capitalised include expenditure that are
directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset.
When parts of an item of property, plant and
equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as
separate items (major components) of property, plant and
equipment.
Any gain or loss on disposal of an item of
property, plant and equipment (calculated as the difference between
the net proceeds from disposal and the carrying amount of the item)
are recognised in profit or loss.
II. Subsequent
costs
Subsequent expenditure is capitalised only
when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated
with the expenditure will flow to the Group. Ongoing
repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
III. Depreciation
Items of property, plant and equipment are
depreciated on a straight-line basis in the statement of
comprehensive income over the estimated useful lives of each
component.
Items of property, plant and equipment are
depreciated from the date that they are installed and are ready for
use, or in respect of internally constructed assets, from the date
that the asset is completed and ready for use.
The estimated useful lives of significant
items of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
·
IT equipment from 3 to 5 years
·
Industrial equipment, office equipment and plant and
machinery from 5 to 10 years
Depreciation methods, useful lives and
residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted
where appropriate.
e) Intangible
assets
Intangible assets are measured at cost less
accumulated amortisation and Government grants received (where
applicable). The carrying value of intangible assets is reviewed
annually for impairment.
Patent rights acquired and development
expenditure are recognised at cost.
Expenditure on internally developed products
is capitalised if it can be demonstrated that:
- it is technically feasible to develop the
product
- adequate resources are available to complete
the development
- there is an intention to complete and sell
the product
- the Group is able to sell the
product
- sale of the product will generate future
economic benefits, and
- expenditure on the project can be measured
reliably.
Capitalised development costs are amortised
over the period the Group expects to benefit from selling the
products developed (Useful Economic Life). The amortisation expense
is included within the cost of sales in the consolidated statement
of comprehensive income.
Development expenditure not satisfying the
above criteria and expenditure on the research phase of internal
projects are recognised in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income as incurred.
Capitalised development expenditure is
measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment
losses.
Other intangible assets that are acquired by
the Group and have finite useful lives are measured at cost less
accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment
losses.
I.
Amortisation
Intangible assets are amortised on a
straight-line basis in profit or loss over their estimated useful
lives, from the date that they are available for use. The estimated
useful lives of significant intangible assets are as
follows:
·
Patents concerning G+® technology
generate significant value to the Group over a period of 20 years,
in line with the legal duration of the patent and their useful
lives. However, given the risk of technical obsolescence, such
costs are amortised over a period of 10 years.
·
Brand: 5 years
·
Development costs concerning personnel capitalized: 5
years
·
Others: 5 years
f)
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
net realisable value. The cost of inventories comprises of net
prices paid for materials purchased, production labour cost and
factory overhead. Net realisable value represents the estimated
selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to
be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. Inventory
provisions are recognised for slow-moving, obsolete or unsalable
inventory and are reviewed on a six-month basis.
g)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of
a business combination over the Group's interest in the fair value
of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities
acquired.
Cost comprises the fair value of assets given,
liabilities assumed and equity instruments issued, plus the amount
of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree plus, if the
business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the
existing equity interest in the acquiree. Contingent
consideration is included in cost at its acquisition date fair
value and, in the case of contingent consideration classified as a
financial liability, remeasured subsequently through profit or
loss.
Goodwill is capitalised as an intangible asset
with any impairment in carrying value being charged to the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Where the fair
value of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent
liabilities exceed the fair value of consideration paid, the excess
is credited in full to the consolidated statement of comprehensive
income on the acquisition date.
h)
Impairment
Impairment tests on goodwill and other
intangible assets with indefinite useful economic lives are
undertaken annually at the financial year end. Other
non-financial assets are subject to impairment tests whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying
amount may not be recoverable. For the purpose of impairment
testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of
assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are
largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups
of assets (CGUs). The Group's CGUs generally align with each
subsidiary. The recoverable amount is then estimated. The
recoverable amount of an asset or a CGU is the greater of its net
present value and its fair value less costs to sell.
Net present value is generally computed as the
present value of the future cash flows, discounted to present value
using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to
the asset.
An impairment loss is recognised if the
carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its estimated
recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in profit or
loss. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated
first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to
the unit and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other
assets in the unit on a pro rata basis.
An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is
not reversed. In respect of other assets, impairment losses
recognised in prior years are assessed at each reporting date for
any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An
impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the
estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment
loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying
amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been
determined, net of depreciation and amortisation, if no impairment
loss had been recognised.
i) Employee
benefits
Defined benefit scheme surpluses and deficits
are measured at:
-
The fair value of plan assets at the reporting date;
less
-
Plan liabilities calculated using the projected unit credit
method discounted to its present value using yields available on
high quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating
to the terms of the liabilities; plus
-
Unrecognised past service costs; less
-
The effect of minimum funding requirements agreed with scheme
trustees.
Remeasurements of the net defined obligation
are recognised directly within equity. The
remeasurements include:
-
Actuarial gains and losses
-
Return on plan assets (interest exclusive)
-
Any asset ceiling effects (interest exclusive).
Service costs are recognised in profit or loss
and include current and past service costs as well as gains and
losses on curtailments.
Net interest expense (income) is recognised in
profit or loss and is calculated by applying the discount rate used
to measure the defined benefit obligation (asset) at the beginning
of the annual period to the balance of the net defined benefit
obligation (asset), considering the effects of contributions and
benefit payments during the period.
Gains or losses arising from changes to scheme
benefits or scheme curtailment are recognised immediately in profit
or loss.
Settlements of defined benefit schemes are
recognised in the period in which the settlement occurs.
For more information, please see note
20.
j)
Revenues
The Group operates diverse businesses and
accordingly applies different methods for revenue recognition,
based on the principles set out in IFRS 15.
The revenue and profits recognised in any
reporting period are based on the delivery of performance
obligations and an assessment of when control is transferred to the
customer. In determining the amount of revenue and profits to
record, and associated balance sheet items, management is required
to review performance obligations within individual contracts. This
may involve some judgemental areas.
Revenue is recognised either when the
performance obligation in the contract has been performed (so
'point in time' recognition) or 'over time' as control of the
performance obligation is transferred to the customer.
For each performance obligation to be
recognised over time, the Group applies a revenue recognition
method that faithfully depicts the Group's performance in
transferring control of the goods or services to the customer. This
decision requires assessment of the real nature of the goods or
services that the Group has promised to transfer to the
customer.
·
Revenues from sale of graphene-based products are typically
recognised at a point in time when goods are delivered to the customer as with this, the
customer gains the right of control over the goods.
However, for export sales, control might also be
transferred when delivered either to the port of departure or port
of arrival, depending on the specific terms of the contract with a
customer.
·
Revenues from services relates mainly to environmental
services provided by Setcar which are recognised:
o at a point in
time basis when contracts include an obligation to process waste
once the process occurred according with the contract in
place.
o at the point
in time when the waste is delivered to our platform with no further
performance obligations.
o over time in
accordance with agreed project milestones being
delivered.
Fixed price long-term service agreements are
recognised over time according to the stage of completion reached
in the contract by measuring the proportion of costs incurred for
work performed relative to the total estimated costs.
The Group excludes the measure of progress of
any goods or services for which the entity has not transferred
control to a customer, such as costs which are excluded from the
progress measurement including those costs related to
inefficiencies or unproductive time.
Contract costs are recognised in the income
statement when incurred. When it is probable that the total
contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected
loss is recognised immediately. As per IAS 37 an onerous contract
is a contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the
obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits
expected to be received under it. In line with the principles of
IAS 37 the loss will be recognised if there is a present
obligation, payment is probable and the amount can be estimated
reliably. The amount recognised will be the best estimate of the
expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the
balance sheet date.
k) Government
grants
Government grants are recognised when there is
reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the relevant
conditions and the grant will be received. Grants are recognised in
profit or loss on a systematic basis where the Group has recognised
the initial expenses that the grants are intended to
compensate. Where a grant has been
received as a contribution for property, plant and equipment, or
capitalised development costs, the income received has been
credited against the asset in the statement of financial
position.
l) Finance
income and finance costs
Finance income comprises interest income on
funds invested. Interest income is recognised in the profit or
loss, using the effective interest method. Finance costs comprise
interest expense on borrowings.
Borrowing costs that are not directly
attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a
qualifying asset are recognised in profit or loss using the
effective interest method.
m)
Investments in subsidiaries (Company only)
Investments are stated at their cost less any
provision for impairment (for details refer to note h).
n)
Taxation
Tax expense comprises current and deferred
tax. Current and deferred tax is recognised in the profit or loss
except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or
items recognised directly in equity or in other comprehensive
income.
Current tax is the expected tax payable or
receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax
rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and
any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous
years.
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used
for taxation purposes.
Deferred tax is not recognised for:
·
temporary differences on the initial recognition of assets or
liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and
that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or
loss;
·
temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries
and jointly controlled entities to the extent that it is probable
that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future;
and
·
taxable temporary differences arising on the initial
recognition of goodwill.
Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that
are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they
reverse, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the
reporting date.
A deferred tax asset is recognised for
deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable
that future taxable profits will be available against which they
can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting
date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable
that the related tax benefit will be realised.
Changes in
accounting standards
a) New
standards, interpretations and amendments effective from January
2023
Insurance contracts - IFRS
37:
IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts is a comprehensive
new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering
recognition and measurements, presentation and disclosure. IFRS 17
replaces IFRS 4 insurance contracts. IFRS 17 applies to all types
of insurance contracts (i.e. life, non-life, direct insurance and
re-insurance), regardless of the type of entities that issue them
as well as to certain guarantees and financial instruments with
discretionary participation features; a few scope exceptions will
apply. The overall objective of IFRS 17 is to provide a
comprehensive accounting model for insurance contracts that is more
useful and consistent for insurers, covering all relevant
accounting aspects. IFRS 17 is based on a general
model, supplemented by:
- a specific
adaptation for contracts with direct participation features (the
variable fee approach);
- a simplified
approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly for short
duration contracts.
The new standard had no impact on the Group's
consolidated financial statements.
Definition of accounting estimates -
AMENDMENTS TO IAS 8
The amendments to IAS 8 clarify the
distinction between changes in accounting estimates, changes in
accounting policies and the correction of errors. They also clarify
how entities use measurement techniques and inputs to develop
accounting estimates.
The amendments had no impact on the Group's
consolidated financial statements.
Disclosure of accounting policies -
AMENDMENTS TO IAS 1 AND IFRS PRACTICE STATEMENT 2
The amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality
Judgements provide guidance and examples to help entities
apply materiality judgements to accounting policy disclosures. The
amendments aim to help entities provide accounting policy
disclosures that are more useful by replacing the requirement for
entities to disclose their "significant" accounting policies with a
requirement to disclose their "material" accounting policies and
adding guidance on how entities apply the concept of materiality in
making decision about accounting policy disclosures.
The amendments have not had any impact on the
measurement, recognition or presentation of any items in the
Group's financial statements.
Deferred tax related to assets and
liabilities arising from a single translation - AMENDMENTS TO IAS
12
The amendments to IAS 12 Income Tax narrow the scope of the
initial recognition exception, so that it no longer applies to
transactions that give rise to equal taxable and deductible
temporary differences such as leases and decommissioning
liabilities.
The amendments had no impact on the Group's
consolidated financial statements.
International tax reform - Pillar Two
model rules - AMENDMENTS TO IAS 12
The amendments to IAS 12 have been introduced
in response to the OECD's BEPS Pillar Two rules and
include:
- a mandatory
temporary exception to the recognition and disclosure of deferred
taxes arising from the jurisdictional implementation of the Pillar
Two model rules; and
- disclosure
requirements for affected entities to help users of the financial
statements better understand an entity's exposure to Pillar Two
income taxes arising from that legislation, particularly before its
effective date.
The mandatory temporary exception - the use of
which is required to be disclosed- applies immediately. The
remaining disclosure requirements apply for annual reporting
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, but not for any
interim periods ending on or before 1 December 2023.
The amendments have had no impact as the
effective tax rate for the Group is higher than the 15% minimum
rate proposed in the OECD's BEPS Pillar Two rules. Further
disclosure has been included in note 10.
b) New standards, interpretations and
amendments not yet effective
There are a number of standards, amendments to
standards, and interpretation which have been issued by the IASB
that are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has
decided not to adopt early.
The following amendments are effective for the
period beginning 1 January 2024:
-
liability in a Sale and Leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16
Leases);
-
classification of Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements);
-
non-current Liabilities with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of
Financial Statements);
-
supplier Finance Arrangements
(Amendments to IAS 7 Statements of Cash Flows and IFRS 7 Financial
Instruments. Disclosures).
The following amendments are effective for the
period beginning 1 January 2025:
- lack of
Exchangeability (Amendments to IAS 21 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange
Rates)
The Group is currently assessing the impacts
of these new accounting standards and amendments. The Group does
not believe that the amendments to IAS 1will have a significant
impact on the classification of its long-term debt as its
classification is consistent with the contractual arrangement. The
Group does not expect any other standards issued by the IASB, but
are yet to be effective, to have a material impact on the
Group.
3. Operating
segments
IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be
identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the
Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision
makers (CEO, CFO and COO), as defined in IFRS 8, in order to
allocate resources to the segments and to assess its
performance.
For management purposes, also considering the
materiality the Group is organized into the following
segments:
-
Textile
-
Environmental
-
Others
Textile and Environmental were considered by
Management the most advanced strategic segments in terms of
commercial readiness. Management's strategic needs are constantly
monitored and an update of the segments will be provided if
required.
Segment profit/(loss) represents the
profit/(loss) earned by each segment, including all the direct
costs that are directly correlated with the segment. Overhead,
assets and liabilities not directly attributable to a specific
segment have been allocated as Head Office.
As the business evolves this is an area that
will be assessed on a regular basis and additional segmental
reporting will be provided at the appropriate time.
-In euro
|
Textile
|
Environmental
|
Others
|
Headoffice
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
3,203,752
|
7,229,677
|
96,966
|
-
|
10,530,395
|
Cost of Sales*
|
(2,078,194)
|
(4,161,253)
|
(64,508)
|
-
|
(6,303,955)
|
Gross Profit
|
1,125,558
|
3,068,424
|
32,458
|
-
|
4,226,440
|
Other income
|
62,251
|
16,295
|
112,515
|
141,902
|
332,963
|
Other expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
R&D expenses
|
(125,704)
|
-
|
(5,645)
|
-
|
(131,349)
|
Advisory
|
(8,545)
|
(298,058)
|
(174,587)
|
(1,085,389)
|
(1,566,579)
|
Operating expenses
|
(267,946)
|
(3,175,696)
|
(104,128)
|
(2,228,188)
|
(5,775,958)
|
D&A
|
(386,930)
|
(858,445)
|
(24,818)
|
-
|
(1,270,193)
|
Operating Profit/ (Loss)
|
398,684
|
(1,247,480)
|
(164,205)
|
(3,171,675)
|
(4,184,676)
|
Net financial costs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(122,390)
|
(122,390)
|
Tax
|
-
|
31,718
|
-
|
-
|
31,718
|
Profit/(loss) of the year
|
398,684
|
(1,215,762)
|
(164,205)
|
(3,294,065)
|
(4,275,348)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
3,991,458
|
7,839,333
|
731,126
|
-
|
12,561,917
|
Total liabilities
|
2,501,851
|
3,346,950
|
130,992
|
-
|
5,979,793
|
*Includes Changes in
inventories of finished goods.
-In euro
|
Textile
|
Environmental
|
Others
|
Headoffice
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
2,460,398
|
8,136,050
|
259,696
|
-
|
10,856,144
|
Cost of Sales*
|
(1,677,952)
|
(5,281,884)
|
(157,619)
|
-
|
(7,117,455)
|
Gross Profit
|
782,446
|
2,854,166
|
102,077
|
-
|
3,738,689
|
Other income
|
161,271
|
113,865
|
23,415
|
126,375
|
424,926
|
Other expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
R&D expenses
|
(186,587)
|
(420)
|
(76,988)
|
-
|
(263,995)
|
Advisory
|
(94,784)
|
(421,042)
|
(45,000)
|
(1,055,002)
|
(1,615,828)
|
Operating expenses
|
(411,727)
|
(3,057,472)
|
(90,439)
|
(2,336,519)
|
(5,896,157)
|
D&A
|
(329,964)
|
(1,038,337)
|
(35,632)
|
-
|
(1,403,933)
|
Operating Loss
|
(79,345)
|
(1,549,240)
|
(122,567)
|
(3,265,146)
|
(5,016,298)
|
Net financial costs
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(311,900)
|
(311,900)
|
Tax
|
-
|
53,197
|
-
|
-
|
53,197
|
Loss of the year
|
(79,345)
|
(1,496,043)
|
(122,567)
|
(3,577,046)
|
(5,275,001)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
4,582,368
|
11,164,786
|
813,909
|
-
|
16,561,063
|
Total liabilities
|
1,849,107
|
3,633,655
|
253,161
|
-
|
5,735,923
|
*Includes Changes in
inventories of finished goods.
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Sale of products
|
3,323,174
|
3,171,133
|
Sale of services
|
7,207,221
|
7,685,011
|
Government grants
|
160,015
|
171,135
|
Other
|
172,948
|
253,791
|
Total
income
|
10,863,358
|
11,281,070
|
Geographical breakdown of revenues
is:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Italy
|
3,031,727
|
2,663,918
|
Romania
|
7,211,161
|
8,096,804
|
Rest of the world
|
287,507
|
95,422
|
Total
|
10,530,395
|
10,856,144
|
In 2023 the three main customers accounted for
more than 10% of Group revenues for sales of products and services.
This largest customer accounted for 17% of revenues (€1,769,827),
the second for 13% (€1,364,472), whilst the third for 12%
(€1,303,949).
Other Income of €332,963 mainly include
Government Grants for €160,015 and R&D Expenditure Credit
(RDEC) for €27,000. The RDEC is an Italian incentive scheme (art.3
DL 145/2013) designed to encourage companies to invest in research
and development. The credit can be used to reduce corporation tax
or to offset outstanding payables related to social
security.
4. Government
Grants
Information regarding government
grants:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Green.Tex
|
-
|
11,299
|
Techfast
|
-
|
136,421
|
Filiere
|
112,515
|
23,415
|
Ricerca e Innova
|
47,500
|
-
|
Total
|
160,015
|
171,135
|
In 2023 Directa Plus concluded the
activities related to the 'Filiere' project and obtained the funds
in early 2024.
In July 2023, the Company was
awarded a project tender from the Italian Region of Lombardy as
part of its Ricerca &
Innova programme to further develop Graphene Plus (G+) air
filtration applications. It is a 18-month project for a total value
of c.€400,000 which includes a non-repayable grant of €142,500 and
a zero-interest loan €264,642 which will be repaid over seven
years. This award will enable Directa Plus to continue investing
and developing its air filter applications, leveraging the
antiviral and antimicrobial properties of its G+
technologies.
The key terms
of government grants are:
|
|
|
Filiere
|
Ricerca e Innova
|
Starting date
|
|
|
2022
|
2023
|
Ending date
|
|
|
2023
|
2024
|
Duration (months)
|
|
|
12
|
18
|
Total amount
|
|
|
135,930
|
407,142
|
Final report submitted
|
|
|
Yes
|
On-going
|
There are no capital commitments built into
the ongoing grants. Government grants have been recognised within
other income in the income statement and as other receivables in
the balance sheet.
5.
Inventory
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Finished products
|
627,078
|
917,280
|
Spare parts
|
109,492
|
93,292
|
Raw material
|
144,880
|
111,340
|
Total
|
881,450
|
1,121,912
|
As of 31 December 2023, the decrease in the
inventory value was partially driven by a c. a €170k write-off of
the Co-Masks value still in stock, as the gradual Covid-19 pandemic
de-escalation has slowed down the sales of Directa Plus's face
masks.
The finished products mainly referred to
Directa Plus SpA. Spare parts inventory was required
to enhance maintenance efficiency and is composed of a small number
of critical items with a material cost per unit.
6. Raw materials and
consumables
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Raw materials & consumables
|
3,898,083
|
4,796,333
|
Textile products
|
1,452,407
|
1,060,328
|
Total
|
5,350,490
|
5,856,661
|
The decrease in raw materials and consumables
is mainly linked to the sales and services provided in the Group's
Environmental Remediation vertical. The increase in the textile
products is a result of the business growth in this
vertical.
7. Employee benefits
expenses
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Wages and salaries
|
3,797,869
|
3,578,948
|
Social security costs
|
456,405
|
573,778
|
Employee benefits
|
98,062
|
144,277
|
Share option expense
|
54,573
|
111,130
|
Other costs
|
141,536
|
146,116
|
Total
|
4,548,445
|
4,554,249
|
Capitalised cost in "Intangible
assets"
|
(103,868)
|
(130,162)
|
Total charged to the Income Statement
|
4,444,577
|
4,424,087
|
The average number of employees (excluding
non-executive directors) during the period was as
follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
Sales and Administration
|
30
|
32
|
Engineering, R&D and production
|
157
|
159
|
Total
|
187
|
191
|
The total average number of employees of the
Group as at 31 December 2023 was 187 (2022: 191), of which 162 were
employed by Setcar.
The Directors' emoluments (including
non-executive directors) are as follows:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Wages and salaries
|
738,935
|
768,055
|
Total
|
738,935
|
768,055
|
The aggregate emoluments (wages, salaries and
social contributions) of the highest paid Director totalled €393k
(2022: €406k).
Group's share-base payment expenses were
€54,573, of which €85,532 accounted for in the Parent Company
accounts as directly attributable to the Executive Directors, more
than offset by cost reverse-outs in Directa Plus SpA due to awards
cancellations and expiries (€30,959).
8. Other
expenses:
|
2023
€
|
2022
€
|
Audit of the Group and Company financial
statements
|
120,485
|
108,525
|
Audit of the subsidiaries' financial
statements
|
45,504
|
37,735
|
Other non-audit services provided by Group's
auditor
|
5,709
|
7,780
|
Tool manufacturing
|
281,182
|
504,411
|
Analyses & tests
|
101,180
|
224,451
|
Travel
|
171,585
|
145,045
|
Technical consultancies
|
353,403
|
316,966
|
Shipping and logistic expenses
|
358,793
|
446,894
|
Insurance
|
189,551
|
186,145
|
Marketing
|
25,112
|
15,718
|
Legal, tax and administrative
consultancies
|
1,143,050
|
1,286,662
|
Other expenses mainly include professional
services (such as audit, legal, tax and administrative
consultancies), R&D/technical consultancies and tests, travels,
shipping/logistic and insurance.
9. Net
Finance expenses
Finance expenses include:
|
|
2023
€
|
2022
€
|
Interest Income
|
|
(46,108)
|
(5,904)
|
Interest on loans and other financial
costs
|
|
159,225
|
82,696
|
Interest on lease liabilities
|
|
19,310
|
14,760
|
Interest cost for benefit plan
|
|
16,125
|
18,309
|
Foreign exchanges (gains)/losses
|
|
(26,162)
|
202,039
|
Total
|
|
122,390
|
311,900
|
The raise in interest rates by the Central
Banks over the year directly affected the interest on loans and
other financial costs. This effect was partially offset by positive
interest rates of €46,108.
In the year the Group benefited from foreign
exchange gains of €26,162 (2022: €202,039 losses).
10.
Taxation
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Current tax expense
|
(1,384)
|
(1,581)
|
Deferred tax recovery
|
33,102
|
54,778
|
Total Tax
income
|
31,718
|
53,197
|
Reconciliation of tax
rate
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Loss before tax
|
(4,307,066)
|
(5,328,198)
|
Italian statutory tax rate
|
24%
|
24%
|
|
(1,033,696)
|
(1,278,768)
|
Impact of temporary differences
|
42,633
|
93,175
|
Losses recognised
|
(10,915)
|
(39,978)
|
Impact of tax rate in foreign
jurisdiction
|
(44,936)
|
(60,007)
|
Losses not utilised
|
1,078,632
|
1,338,775
|
Total Tax
income
|
31,718
|
53,197
|
Tax losses are carried forward and not
recognised as a deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty regarding
generating future taxable profits. Tax losses carried
forward are €39,285,232 (€35,720,602 in 2022).
11.
Intangible assets
Cost
|
Development
cost
|
Patents
|
Goodwill
|
Other
|
Brands
|
Total
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Balance at 31/12/2021
|
3,280,147
|
718,047
|
293,957
|
280,983
|
371,021
|
4,944,155
|
Additions
|
130,162
|
274,740
|
-
|
9,974
|
-
|
414,876
|
Currency translation diff.
|
2
|
-
|
38
|
25
|
52
|
117
|
Balance at 31/12/2022
|
3,410,311
|
992,787
|
293,995
|
290,982
|
371,073
|
5,359,148
|
Additions
|
103,868
|
120,769
|
-
|
1,813
|
-
|
226,450
|
Currency translation diff
|
(62)
|
-
|
(1,486)
|
(1,022)
|
(2,029)
|
(4,599)
|
Balance at 31/12/2023
|
3,514,117
|
1,113,556
|
292,509
|
291,773
|
369,044
|
5,580,999
|
Amortisation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31/12/2021
|
2,478,569
|
435,425
|
-
|
83,292
|
154,592
|
3,151,878
|
Amortisation 2022
|
371,719
|
81,670
|
-
|
14,964
|
74,454
|
542,807
|
Currency translation diff.
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
25
|
(230)
|
(203)
|
Balance at 31/12/2022
|
2,850,290
|
517,095
|
-
|
98,281
|
228,816
|
3,694,482
|
Amortisation 2023
|
259,029
|
107,185
|
-
|
12,138
|
74,230
|
452,582
|
Currency translation diff.
|
(62)
|
-
|
-
|
(1,015)
|
(1,672)
|
(2,749)
|
Balance at 31/12/2023
|
3,109,257
|
624,280
|
-
|
109,404
|
301,374
|
4,144,315
|
Carrying amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 31/12/2021
|
801,578
|
282,622
|
293,957
|
197,691
|
216,429
|
1,792,277
|
Balance at 31/12/2022
|
560,021
|
475,692
|
293,995
|
192,701
|
142,257
|
1,664,666
|
Balance at 31/12/2023
|
404,860
|
489,276
|
292,509
|
182,369
|
67,670
|
1,436,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As disclosed in note 2(e) development costs
capitalised in the year are mainly based on time spent by employees
who are directly engaged in the development of the
G+® technology.
Management carried out an impairment test on
goodwill accounted following the acquisition of Setcar S.A. in
2019.
The CGU is represented by Setcar itself, whose
carrying amount as of 31 December 2023 was €4.6m. A calculation of
goodwill based on a discounted cash flow method is considered to be
subject to a high degree of estimation uncertainty given
fluctuations in the Groups EBIT. For this reason, the carrying
value of the Group's goodwill has been assessed against other
indicators, including the Groups market capitalisation, which as of
31 December 2023 was c. €18.6 million, and significantly in excess
of the net assets of the Group.
12. Property,
plant and equipment
|
Industrial
Equipment
|
Computer
Equipment
|
Office
Equipment
|
Plant &
Machinery
|
Land
|
ROU Assets
|
Under
Const.
|
Total
|
Cost
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
31/12/2021
|
1,621,051
|
84,616
|
181,189
|
4,632,110
|
587,640
|
779,128
|
2,407
|
7,888,141
|
Additions
|
430,272
|
2,477
|
8,737
|
317,042
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
758,528
|
Disposals
|
(39,333)
|
-
|
(48,935)
|
(206,642)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(294,910)
|
FX trans. diff.
|
(261)
|
-
|
160
|
786
|
83
|
-
|
(45)
|
723
|
31/12/2022
|
2,011,729
|
87,093
|
141,151
|
4,743,296
|
587,723
|
779,128
|
2,362
|
8,352,482
|
Additions
|
107,973
|
1,787
|
4,181
|
22,455
|
-
|
-
|
134,885
|
271,281
|
Disposal
|
(64,123)
|
-
|
(1,964)
|
(91,897)
|
-
|
-
|
(2,362)
|
(160,346)
|
FX trans. diff.
|
(13,238)
|
-
|
(540)
|
(17,381)
|
(3,214)
|
-
|
(764)
|
(35,137)
|
31/12/2023
|
2,042,341
|
88,880
|
142,828
|
4,656,473
|
584,509
|
779,128
|
134,121
|
8,428,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
31/12/2021
|
822,067
|
53,119
|
145,468
|
2,624,999
|
-
|
259,522
|
-
|
3,905,175
|
Depreciation
|
267,411
|
10,211
|
38,873
|
442,228
|
-
|
102,402
|
-
|
861,125
|
Disposal
|
(23,926)
|
(1,591)
|
(47,378)
|
(201,507)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(274,402)
|
FX trans. diff
|
(637)
|
-
|
122
|
(52)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(567)
|
31/12/2022
|
1,064,915
|
61,739
|
137,085
|
2,865,668
|
-
|
361,924
|
-
|
4,491,331
|
Depreciation
|
283,337
|
9,795
|
20,814
|
407,183
|
-
|
96,482
|
-
|
817,611
|
Reclass
|
31,842
|
-
|
(31,842)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Disposal
|
(64,057)
|
-
|
(1,964)
|
(84,437)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(150,458)
|
FX trans. diff
|
(8,942)
|
-
|
(451)
|
(11,620)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(21,013)
|
31/12/2023
|
1,307,095
|
71,534
|
123,642
|
3,176,794
|
-
|
458,406
|
-
|
5,137,471
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying amounts
|
|
31/12/2021
|
778,742
|
31,496
|
55,965
|
2,007,110
|
587,640
|
519,606
|
2,407
|
3,982,966
|
31/12/2022
|
914,973
|
25,353
|
35,911
|
1,877,628
|
587,723
|
417,204
|
2,362
|
3,861,151
|
31/12/2023
|
735,246
|
17,346
|
19,186
|
1,479,679
|
584,509
|
320,722
|
134,121
|
3,290,809
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset held under financial leases with a net
book value of €419,296 are included in the above table
within Plant & Machinery.
13.
Investments in subsidiaries
Details of the Company's subsidiaries as at 31
December 2023 are as follows:
|
|
|
Shareholding
|
Subsidiaries
|
Country
|
Principal activity
|
2023
|
2022
|
Directa Plus S.p.a.
|
Italy
|
Producer and supplier of
graphene-based materials and related products
|
100%
|
100%
|
Directa Textile Solutions
S.r.l.
|
Italy
|
Commercialise textile membranes,
including graphene-based technical and high-performance
membranes
|
73.5%
|
73.5%
|
Setcar S.A.
|
Romania
|
Waste management and
decontamination services business
|
51%
|
51%
|
Subsidiaries
|
Place of Business
|
Registered Office and place of business
|
Directa Plus S.p.a.
|
Italy
|
Via Cavour 2, Lomazzo (CO)
Italy
|
Directa Textile Solutions
S.r.l.
|
Italy
|
Via Cavour 2, Lomazzo (CO)
Italy
|
Setcar S.A.
|
Romania
|
Str. Gradinii Publice 6, Braila
Romania
|
The Company's investment as capital
contributions in Directa Plus Spa are as follows:
|
Directa Spa
|
At 31
December 2021
|
25,680,336
|
Additions
|
4,580,000
|
At 31
December 2022
|
30,260,336
|
Additions
|
1,964,800
|
Impairment
Loss
|
(13,602,359)
|
At 31
December 2023
|
18,622,777
|
14. Trade and
other receivables
Current
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Account receivables
|
3,645,064
|
2,964,480
|
-
|
-
|
Tax receivables
|
482,800
|
687,670
|
24,489
|
24,230
|
Other receivables
|
268,884
|
463,696
|
71,776
|
90,654
|
Total
|
4,396,748
|
4,115,846
|
96,265
|
114,884
|
Non-current
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Other receivables
|
162,923
|
69,720
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
162,923
|
69,720
|
-
|
-
|
Group account receivables of €3,645,064 are
mainly composed by six major clients, covering 69% of the total
amount.
Group Tax Receivables are composed of Italian
VAT receivables of €213,482, UK VAT receivables of €24,489,
Romanian VAT receivables of €105,326, RDEC Tax Credit receivables
of €97,432 and other Italian Tax receivables of €42,071.
Other receivables are mainly composed of
governments grants for €134,978 and prepayments for
€120,339.
Non-current other receivables
refer for €162,923 to specific projects where the collection
of a certain amount, although due, is postponed to the end of the
project itself.
As at 31 December 2023 the ageing of account
receivables was:
|
|
|
Days overdue
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
€
|
€
|
|
0-60
|
3,477,705
|
2,841,939
|
|
61-180
|
146,505
|
69,607
|
|
181-365
|
20,854
|
13,465
|
|
365 +
|
-
|
39,469
|
|
Total
|
3,645,064
|
2,964,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Group recognises a loss allowance for
expected credit losses on trade receivables. As at 31 December 2023
the Group recognised provision for €460,894 mainly referred to
Setcar's overdue debts.
15. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
59,647
|
98,694
|
Deferred tax (assets)
|
(59,647)
|
(65,599)
|
Total
|
-
|
33,095
|
Tax losses are carried forward and not
recognised as a deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty regarding
generating future taxable profits.
The deferred tax liabilities arise from the
capitalisation of development costs and defined benefit scheme are
detailed below:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Deferred tax liabilities Cost
Capitalized
|
27,929
|
48,269
|
Deferred tax liabilities
Other
|
(363)
|
(9,788)
|
Deferred tax liabilities arising
from acquisition
|
31,718
|
33,095
|
Deferred tax assets - incl.
consolidation adjustment
|
(59,284)
|
(38,481)
|
Total
|
-
|
33,095
|
|
|
|
|
|
16. Cash and
cash equivalents
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Cash at bank
|
2,389,687
|
5,721,538
|
1,024,286
|
3,787,989
|
Cash in hand
|
3,616
|
6,230
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
2,393,303
|
5,727,768
|
1,024,286
|
3,787,989
|
17.
Equity
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Share Capital
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
205,469
|
Share Premium
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
39,181,789
|
Foreign currency translation
reserve
|
(44,902)
|
(39,161)
|
-
|
-
|
Accumulated deficit
|
(33,882,143)
|
(30,069,844)
|
(19,770,339)
|
(5,346,322)
|
Non-controlling interests
|
1,121,911
|
1,546,887
|
-
|
-
|
Balance at 31
December
|
6,582,124
|
10,825,140
|
19,616,919
|
34,040,936
|
Share
Capital
|
Number
of ordinary
shares
|
Share capital
(€)
|
|
|
|
At 31 December 2021
|
66,032,126
|
205,393
|
Share issue on 28 February
*
|
25,523
|
76
|
At 31 December 2022
|
66,057,649
|
205,469
|
At 31 December 2023
|
66,057,649
|
205,469
|
|
|
|
* On 28 February 2022, 25,523 ordinary shares
with a nominal value of £0.0025 each were issued as effect of the
exercise of option of ordinary shares for a Directa Plus SpA
employee.
Share
Premium
|
|
|
Share
|
|
|
In euro
|
|
premium
|
|
|
At 31 December 2021
|
|
39,159,027
|
|
|
Shares issued
|
|
22,762
|
|
|
Expenditure relating to the
raising of shares
|
|
-
|
|
|
At 31 December 2022
|
|
39,181,789
|
|
|
Shares issued
|
|
-
|
|
|
At 31 December 2023
|
|
39,181,789
|
|
On 28 February 2022, 25,523 ordinary shares
were issued as effect of the exercise of option of ordinary shares
for a Directa Plus SpA employee, at a price of £0.75 each. The
Company accounted for €22,762 of gross share premium reserve. No
other shares were issued during 2023.
Share
capital
Financial instruments issued by the Directa
Plus Group are treated as equity only to the extent that they do
not meet the definition of a financial liability. The Directa Plus
Group's ordinary shares are classified as equity
instruments.
Share
premium
To the extent that the company's ordinary
shares are issued for a consideration greater than the nominal
value of those shares (in the case of the company, £0.0025 per
share), the excess is deemed Share Premium. Costs directly
associated with the issuing of those shares are deducted from the
share premium account, subject to local statutory
guidelines.
Foreign
currency translation reserve
Exchange differences resulting from the
consolidation process of Setcar are recognised in the
translation reserve for an amount of € 44,902.
Non-
controlling interest
Non-controlling interest refers to the
minority shareholders of the company who own less than 50% of the
overall share capital.
As of 31 December 2023, non-controlling
interest is composed by 49% of Setcar S.A. and 26.46% of Directa
Textile Solutions Srl.
18. Loans and
borrowings
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Non-current loans and borrowings
|
1,528,108
|
1,378,141
|
-
|
-
|
Current loans and borrowings
|
742,904
|
767,677
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
2,271,012
|
2,145,818
|
-
|
-
|
In
euro
|
2023
|
Current
|
Non-current
|
Repayment
|
Interest rate
|
Bank of Transilvania
|
603,021
|
241,208
|
361,813
|
36-months
|
Variable
6.22 % ROBOR 3M + 2,5%/year
|
Bank of Transilvania IMM INV
|
321,115
|
113,310
|
207,805
|
60-months
|
Variable
6.22 % ROBOR 3M +2.5% MARJA BANK
|
Bank of Transilvania IMM INVEST PROIECT POIM
punte
|
51,270
|
51,270
|
-
|
9-Months
|
Variable
6.5 % Robor 6M+4.20%/Year
|
Bank of Transilvania IMM INVEST PROIECT POIM
tva
|
16,101
|
16,101
|
-
|
12-Months
|
Variable
6.5 % Robor 6M+4.20%/Year
|
Bank of Transilvania IMM INVEST PROIECT POIM
inv
|
34,638
|
12,226
|
22,412
|
36-Months
|
Variable
6.5 % Robor 6M+3.65%/Year
|
Intesa San Paolo
|
207,564
|
74,804
|
132,760
|
72-months
|
1.5%/year + EURIBOR 3M
|
Intesa San Paolo
|
15,730
|
6,250
|
9,480
|
72-months
|
1.5%/year + EURIBOR 3M
|
Intesa San Paolo
|
438,540
|
123,561
|
314,979
|
72-months
|
1.5%/year + EURIBOR 3M
|
Banca Popolare di Sondrio
|
394,824
|
101,215
|
293,609
|
72-months
|
1.5%/year + EURIBOR 3M
|
Ricerca e Innova (Finlombarda)
|
185,240
|
-
|
185,240
|
84-months
|
-
|
Reconciliation of liabilities arising
from financing activities
|
Cash flows
|
Non-cash
flows
|
|
1 January
23
|
Capital
repayments
|
Liabilities
acquired
|
Accrued
interests
|
Loan conversion into
equity
|
31 December
23
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Borrowings
|
2,145,818
|
820,084
|
945,278
|
-
|
-
|
2,271,012
|
Total
|
2,145,818
|
820,084
|
945,278
|
-
|
-
|
2,271,012
|
Net debt
reconciliation
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Loans and borrowings
|
2,271,012
|
2,145,818
|
Lease liabilities
|
389,565
|
634,328
|
Less: cash and cash
equivalent
|
(2,393,303)
|
(5,727,768)
|
Net Debt
|
267,274
|
(2,947,622)
|
Total equity
|
6,582,124
|
10,825,140
|
Debt to capital ratio (%)
|
4.06%
|
(27.23%)
|
|
|
|
|
19. Leases
liabilities
The following table details the movement in
the Group's lease obligations for the period ended 31 December
2023:
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
€
|
€
|
Non-current lease
liabilities
|
|
183,056
|
395,260
|
Current lease
liabilities
|
|
206,509
|
239,068
|
Total
|
|
389,565
|
634,328
|
20. Employee
benefits provision
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
€
|
€
|
Employee benefits
|
|
357,520
|
554,444
|
Total
|
|
357,520
|
554,444
|
Provisions for benefits upon termination of
employment primarily related to provisions accrued by Italian
companies for employee retirement, determined using actuarial
techniques and regulated by Article 2120 of the Italian Civil
code. The benefit is paid upon retirement as a lump sum, the
amount of which corresponds to the total of the provisions accrued
during the employees' service period based on payroll costs as
revalued until retirement. Following the changes in the law
regime, from January 1, 2007, accruing benefits have been
contributing to a pension fund or a treasury fund held by the
Italian administration for post-retirement benefits (INPS).
For companies with less than 50 employees it will be possible to
continue this scheme as in previous years. Therefore,
contributions of future TFR provisions to pension funds or the INPS
treasury fund determines that these amounts will be treated in
accordance to a defined contribution scheme, not subject to
actuarial evaluation. Amounts already accrued before 1 January 2007
continue to be accounted for a defined benefit plan and to be
assessed on actuarial assumptions.
The breakdown for 2022 and 2023 is as
follows:
In Euro
Amount at 31
December 2021
|
500,535
|
Service cost
|
76,108
|
Interest cost
|
18,309
|
Actuarial losses
|
6,790
|
Benefit paid
|
(47,298)
|
Amount at 31
December 2022
|
554,444
|
Service cost
|
14,170
|
Interest cost
|
16,125
|
Actuarial losses
|
10,769
|
Benefit paid
|
(237,988)
|
Amount at 31
December 2023
|
357,520
|
Variables
analysis
Detailed below are the key variables applied
in the valuation of the defined benefit plan
liabilities.
|
2023
|
2022
|
Annual rate interest
|
3.30%
|
3.30%
|
Annual rate inflation
|
2.10%
|
2.10%
|
Annual increase TFR
|
7.41%
|
7.41%
|
Tax on revaluation
|
17.00%
|
17.00%
|
Social contribution
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
Increase salary male
|
2.20%
|
2.20%
|
Increase salary female
|
2.10%
|
2.10%
|
Rate of turnover male
|
2.00%
|
2.00%
|
Rate of turnover female
|
1.80%
|
1.80%
|
Sensitivity
analysis
Detailed below are tables showing the impact
of movements on key variables:
Actuarial
hypothesis - 2023
|
Decrease 10%
|
Increase 10%
|
|
|
|
Variation
|
|
Variation
|
|
|
Rate
|
DBO €
|
Rate
|
DBO €
|
Increase salary
|
Male
|
1.95%
|
(3,049)
|
2.45%
|
4,064
|
Female
|
1.85%
|
2.35%
|
Turnover
|
Male
|
1.00%
|
(16,078)
|
3.00%
|
14,551
|
Female
|
0.80%
|
2.80%
|
Interest rate
|
|
3.05%
|
8,582
|
3.55%
|
8,582
|
Inflation rate
|
|
1.85%
|
(5,468)
|
2.35%
|
(5,468)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.
Trade and Other payables
Non-current
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Other payables
|
64,014
|
64,366
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
64,014
|
64,366
|
-
|
-
|
Current
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Trade payables
|
1,693,569
|
1,088,849
|
1,846
|
28,915
|
Employment costs
|
184,838
|
264,627
|
-
|
-
|
Other payables
|
978,428
|
759,399
|
124,563
|
93,358
|
Total
|
2,856,835
|
2,112,875
|
126,409
|
122,273
|
22.
Provision
Current
|
Group
|
Company
|
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Provision
|
40,847
|
190,997
|
-
|
-
|
Total
|
40,847
|
190,997
|
-
|
-
|
The 2023 provision of €40,847 relates to the
expected future losses expected to be incurred on an onerous
long-term contract in Laos, where the recovery of excess costs is
deemed uncertain under IFRS15.
The 2022 provision of €190,997 related to the
expected future losses incurred on an onerous long-term contract in
Guatemala that was completed in the year.
23. Financial
instruments
Financial
risk management
The Group's business activities expose the
Group to the following financial risks:
a) Market
risk
Market risk arises from the Group's use of
interest bearing, tradable and foreign currency financial
instruments. It is the risk that the fair value of future cash flow
of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in
interest rates or foreign exchange rates. As at 31 December 2023
the Group is exposed to variable interest rate risk for the loans
issued by Setcar and by Directa Plus SpA under the Italian
Government Covid-19 Recovery Plan. Despite the rise in interest
rates by the Central Banks over the recent months, those loans,
being 90% guaranteed by the Italian Government, bear a relatively
low interest rate (1.5% + EURIBOR) and, if the interest rate had
increased or decreased by 200 basis points during the year the
reported loss after taxation would not have been materially
different to that reported.
b) Capital
Risk
The Group's objectives for managing capital
are to safeguard the Group's ability to continue as going concern,
so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and
benefits for other stakeholders and to provide an adequate return
to shareholders by pricing products and services commensurately
with the level of risk. There were no changes in the Group's
approach to capital management during the year.
c) Credit
Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to
the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument
fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Group's credit risk
is primarily attributable to its trade receivables that the Company
consider defaulted if any instalment is unpaid more than sixty (60)
days past its original due date or where there is evidence that
identifies the debtor's state of insolvency.
The Group's cash and cash equivalents and
restricted cash are held with major financial institutions. The
Group monitors credit risk by reviewing the credit quality of the
financial institutions that hold the cash and cash equivalents and
restricted cash.
The Group's trade receivables consist of
receivables for revenue mainly in Italy and Romania. Management
believes that the Group's exposure to credit risk is manageable and
currently the Group's standard payment terms are 30 to 60 days from
date of invoice are largely met from the clients. At
the end of the period, 90% of account receivables have an ageing
less of 60 days and refers to orders delivered close to the year
end. As at 31 December 2023 the Group recognised a cumulated bad
debt provision for €460,894.
Every new customer is internally analysed for
creditworthiness before the Group's standard payment and delivery
terms and conditions are offered. Advance payment usually applies
for the first order and the exposure to credit risk is approved and
monitored on an ongoing basis individually for all significant
customers. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by
the carrying amount of each financial asset in the statement of
financial position. The Group does not require collateral in
respect of financial assets.
d) Exposure to credit
risk
Group
|
Note
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
|
€
|
€
|
Trade receivables
|
14
|
3,645,064
|
2,964,480
|
Cash and cash equivalent
|
16
|
2,393,303
|
5,727,768
|
Total
|
|
6,038,367
|
8,692,248
|
The largest customer within trade receivables
accounts for 21% of debtors. Management continually monitors this
dependence on the largest customers and are continuing to develop
the commercial pipeline to reduce this dependence, spreading
revenues across a variety of customers.
e) Liquidity
risk
It is the risk that the Group will encounter
difficulty in meeting its financial obligations as they fall due.
Liquidity risk arises from the Group's management of working
capital and the finance charges and principal repayments on its
debt instruments. The Group manages liquidity risk by
maintaining adequate reserves and banking facilities and by
continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows. The Board
reviews regularly the cash position to ensure there are sufficient
resources for working capital requirements and to meet the Group's
financial commitments.
2023
|
Carrying amount
|
Up to 1 year
|
1 -5 years
|
Financial
liabilities
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Trade payables
|
1,693,569
|
1,693,569
|
-
|
Lease liabilities
|
389,565
|
206,509
|
183,056
|
Loans
|
2,271,012
|
742,904
|
1,528,108
|
Total
|
4,354,146
|
2,642,982
|
1,711,164
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
Carrying amount
|
Up to 1 year
|
1 -5 years
|
Financial
liabilities
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
Trade payables
|
1,088,849
|
1,088,849
|
-
|
Lease liabilities
|
634,328
|
239,068
|
395,260
|
Loans
|
2,145,818
|
767,677
|
1,378,141
|
Total
|
3,868,995
|
2,095,594
|
1,773,401
|
f) Currency
risk
The Group usually raises money issuing shares
in pounds, it follows that the Group usually holds sterling bank
accounts as result of capital raise. Sterling bank accounts are
mainly used to manage expenses of the Company (such as UK advisors,
LSE fees and costs related to the Board) in UK. The cash held in
Sterling continues to be subject to currency risk.
|
EUR
|
Cash held in GBP
|
973,722
|
If the exchange rate EUR/GBP increase by 10%
the impact on P&L would be a loss equal to €0.1 million (if
decrease by 10% would be a profit equal to €0.1
million).
The Group holds accounts also in other
currency (such as USD and RON) but just for business purposes and
for not material amount.
24. Earnings
per share
|
|
Change in number of ordinary
shares
|
Total number of ordinary
shares
|
Days
|
Weighted number of ordinary
shares
|
|
|
At 31 December 2022
|
25,523
|
66,057,649
|
365
|
66,053,593
|
|
|
Existing shares
|
-
|
66,057,649
|
365
|
66,057,649
|
|
|
At 31 December 2023
|
-
|
66,057,649
|
365
|
66,057,649
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
Diluted
|
|
|
2023
€
|
2022
€
|
2023
€
|
2022
€
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss attributable to the owners of
the Parent
|
|
(3,856,103)
|
(4,822,044)
|
(3,856,103)
|
(4,822,044)
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares in issue during the year
|
|
66,057,649
|
66,053,593
|
-
|
-
|
Fully diluted average number of
ordinary shares during the year
|
|
-
|
-
|
67,052,006
|
67,189,085
|
Loss per share
|
|
(0.06)
|
(0.07)
|
(0.06)
|
(0.07)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The effect of anti-dilutive potential ordinary
shares is ignored in calculating the diluted loss per
share.
25. Share
Schemes
The 2020 Employees' Share Scheme is
administered by the Remuneration Committee.
The Directors are entitled to grant awards
over up to 10 per cent of the Company's issued share capital from
time to time.
Under the 2020 Employees' Share Scheme, in
November 2020 1,801,000 options over Ordinary Shares were granted
to key employees and additional 150,000 options were granted to an
Executive Director in June 2021 under the same Scheme. As of 31
December 2023, the total number of outstanding Ordinary Shares
awards is 150,000.
At the date of this report, an additional
331,046 share options had vested in 2020 under the 2016 Employees'
and NED Share Schemes that have not yet been exercised.
The main terms of the 2020 Employee's Share
Schemes are set out below:
Eligibility
All persons who at the date on which an award
is granted under the Employees' Share Scheme are employees (or
employees who are also office-holders) of a member of the Group and
are eligible to participate. The Remuneration Committee decides to
whom awards are granted under the Employees' Share Scheme, the
number of Ordinary Shares subject to an award, the exercise date(s)
(subject to the below) and the conditions which must be achieved
for the award to be exercisable.
Types of Award
Awards granted under the Employees' Share
Scheme have the form of market value share options. "Market value
share options" are share options with an exercise price equal to
the market value of a share at the date of grant. The right to
exercise the award is generally dependent upon the participant
remaining an officer or employee throughout the performance period.
This is subject to the good leaver provisions. Awards granted under
the Share Schemes will not be pensionable.
Individual Limits
The value of Ordinary Shares over which an
employee or Executive Director may be granted awards under the
Employees' Share Scheme in any financial year of the Company shall
not exceed 200 per cent of his basic rate of salary at the date of
grant.
Variation of share
capital
Awards granted under the Share Schemes may be
adjusted to reflect variations in the Company's share
capital.
Vesting of awards
Outstanding awards will vest over three years
in equal one third tranches on each anniversary of the grant date
to the extent that the market-based performance targets have been
met. Vested awards may generally be exercised between the third and
tenth anniversaries from the date of grant. 75% of vested shares
can be exercised after the third anniversary, while the remaining
25% from the fourth.
The inputs to the Monte-Carlo simulation were
as follows:
|
Monte-Carlo simulation
|
|
|
|
|
Market value shares (1st granting
Nov20)
|
Market value shares (2nd granting
Jun21)
|
Share price
|
|
60p
|
127p
|
Exercise price
|
|
66p
|
118.20p
|
Expected volatility
|
|
54%
|
61%
|
Compounded Risk-Free Interest Rate
|
|
0.10%
|
0.16%
|
Expected life
|
|
6 years
|
6 years
|
Number of options issued*
|
|
1,801,000
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Number of options issued is an input of the
Monte-Carlo simulation and refers to the total options granted by
the Company in November 2020 and June 2021. This is not
representing any option issued in the period.
Details of the number of share options
outstanding are as follows:
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Outstanding at start of
period
|
1,801,000
|
1,688,000
|
1,503,000
|
Granted during the
period
|
150,000
|
-
|
-
|
Cancelled during the
period
|
-263,000
|
-185,000
|
-358,000
|
Expired during the
period
|
-
|
-
|
-331,669
|
Vested during the
period
|
-
|
-
|
-663,331
|
Outstanding at end of
period
|
1,688,000
|
1,503,000
|
150,000
|
Exercisable period option
price
|
66-118p
|
66p-118p
|
66p-118p
|
Grant date
|
12 Nov 20 - 15 Jun
21
|
12 Nov 20 - 15 Jun
21
|
12 Nov 20 - 15 Jun 21
|
Exercisable date
|
12 Nov 23 - 15 Jun
24
|
12 Nov 23 - 15 Jun
24
|
12 Nov 23 - 15 Jun 24
|
Cancelation of share options during the period
relates to the resignation of employees. Share options expired over
the period refer to those performance share options that did not
meet the performance criteria on the third anniversary of their
granting. Vested share options are Market share options that met
the criteria on each anniversary.
26. Related
parties
Transactions between the Company and its
subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on
consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
Remuneration
of key management personnel
The below figures represent remuneration of
key management personnel for the Group, who are part of the
Executive Management Team but not part of the Board of Directa Plus
PLC. The remuneration is set out below in aggregate for each of the
categories specified in IAS 24 'Related Party
Disclosures'.
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Short-term employee benefits and
fees
|
129,065
|
227,159
|
Social security costs
|
39,837
|
74,423
|
|
168,902
|
301,582
|
The decrease in the 2023 remuneration is
mainly explained by the layoff of an executive manager.
For Directors remuneration please see
Director's Remuneration Report.
Other
transaction Group
Other related party transactions during the
year under review are shown in the table below:
|
2023
|
2022
|
|
€
|
€
|
Sale of products
|
-
|
6,625
|
Products are sold on normal commercial terms
and conditions.
27. Contingent Liabilities and
Commitments
The group has the following contingent
liabilities relating to bank guarantees on operating lease
arrangements and government grants.
|
|
2023
€
|
2022
€
|
Bank guarantees
|
|
38,435
|
38,435
|
|
|
|
|
28. Post
Balance Sheet events
In February 2024, Directa Plus SpA signed a
conditional share sale purchase agreement with GVC Investment
Company Ltd to acquire a further 48.96% stake in Setcar S.A.
Following completion of the Acquisition in May 2024, Directa Plus'
shareholding in Setcar increased from 50.99% to 99.95%. The total
consideration was equal to €1.5 million, of which €1 million
provided by Nant Capital LLC with a financing facility. The
acquisition represents an opportunity for Directa Plus to take
further control of the environmental supply chain and capture
maximum value from the commercial offering made possible by the
Grafysorber® technology.
On 11 June 2024, the Group announced the
launch of a proposed capital increase of £6.9 million gross capital
raise, to be finalised by the end of June 2024 subject to the
shareholders' approval, to fund the acquisition of the minority
interests of its subsidiary Setcar and sustain the expected high
growth of the business.