Velocys announced on Jan. 18 that Shell International Petroleum Co. Ltd. will no longer participate in the development of the Altalto Immingham project, a proposed 20 MM gallons per year sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility under development in the U.K.
Velocys plc (VLS.L) announces that, by mutual consent of the parties, Shell International Petroleum Company Limited (“Shell”) has withdrawn from the Altalto Joint Development Agreement.
The Altalto project has no immediate funding calls and will continue according to its existing development plan. Velocys and British Airways plc (“British Airways”) will continue to work together in order to secure finance for the Altalto Immingham plant, and will continue the discussions with potential sources of finance for the project, which have been underway for several months and indicate strong interest in this sector. Velocys, British Airways and Shell are continuing to work with HM Government on policy development to support Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”) production in the UK.
Velocys and British Airways are grateful for Shell’s support during the initial stages of the Altalto project. As the project progresses, Velocys, British Airways and potentially other new partners will focus on the next stages. Preparations are underway to apply for significant government funding for the Immingham project. Whilst there is no guarantee that such an application would be successful, the Company believes that the project is well placed to achieve this.
Following the changes above, Shell will no longer have an option over shares in Altalto Limited, nor any rights or obligations in relation to the Altalto project. There is no direct financial impact on Altalto or Velocys as a result of these changes.
Henrik Wareborn, Velocys CEO, said:
“We are looking forward to moving Altalto Immingham to the next stage of development in 2021. Altalto Immingham is the most advanced commercial SAF project in the UK and is ready to take advantage of the strong push from both Government and industry for the decarbonisation of aviation, especially using waste feedstocks.”
Sean Doyle, British Airways CEO, said:
“Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is vital to the decarbonisation of aviation and to helping us achieve our net zero target. The formation of the Jet Zero Council and the recent launch of its Sustainable Aviation Fuels Delivery Group are testament to the importance that the Government attaches to SAF. We are excited to continue to work with Velocys, with the support of Government and other private-sector partners.”
Matthew Tipper, Shell VP New Fuels, said:
“Shell are pursuing multiple opportunities across our global portfolio. On this occasion, we have decided to focus our resources on other lower-carbon fuels opportunities which leverage our own technology. We will continue to work with the aviation industry and the UK Government, as part of the Jet Zero Council, to help decarbonise UK aviation. We wish Altalto every success in the future.”
– Ends –
Certain information contained in this announcement would have constituted inside information (as defined by Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014) prior to its release as part of this announcement.
For further information, please contact:
Velocys
Henrik Wareborn, CEO
Andrew Morris, CFO
Lak Siriwardene, Head of Communications & Sustainability
+44 1865 800821
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker)
Dan Norman (Corporate Broking)
Emma Earl (Corporate Finance)
John Prior (Corporate Finance)
+44 20 7886 2500
Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited (Joint Broker)
Henry Willcocks (Corporate Broking)
Toby Gibbs (Corporate Advisory)
Sarah Mather (Corporate Advisory)
+44 20 7408 4090
Radnor Capital (Investor Relations)
Joshua Cryer
Iain Daly
+44 20 3897 1830
Field Consulting (General PR)
Robert Jeffery
+44 20 7096 7730
Notes to Editors
Velocys is an international UK-based sustainable fuels technology company. Velocys designed, developed and now licenses proprietary Fischer-Tropsch technology for the generation of clean, low carbon, synthetic drop-in aviation and road transport fuel from municipal solid waste and residual woody biomass.
Velocys is at present developing two reference projects: one in Natchez, Mississippi, USA (incorporating Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) and one in Immingham, UK, to produce fuels that significantly reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and key exhaust pollutants for aviation and road transport. Originally a spin-out from Oxford University, in 2008 the company acquired a US company based on complementary technology developed at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Velocys is headquartered in Oxford in the United Kingdom.