Company announcement 1/2023 - THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN
Herning, Denmark 1 March, 2023 – Re-Match Holding A/S (“Re-Match” or the “Company”), a pioneer within sustainable recycling of artificial turf is pleased to announce that it today has entered into a transaction agreement with Nordic Alpha Partners Fund I K/S (“Nordic Alpha Partners” or “NAP”), Euros Co-Invest (D) AB (“Verdane”) and Project Astro BidCo ApS (the “Offeror”) (which is a company controlled by Verdane), concerning several future capital raises in connection with investments by Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane directly or indirectly through the Offeror, totaling gross proceeds of up to DKK 235m, as well as the Offeror’s voluntary unregulated public offer to all shareholders to acquire shares in Re-Match (the "Transaction Agreement"). In the Public Tender Offer, shareholders in Re-Match will be offered to (i) sell their shares in Re-Match for DKK 7.00 per share, or (ii) exchange their shares in Re-Match to shares in the Offeror at a 1:1 ratio (the "Public Tender Offer").
Highlights
Background to the the Public Tender Offer
The Public Tender Offer is a result of a process of investigating funding opportunities initiated and conducted by the board of directors of Re-Match (excluding board members affiliated with Nordic Alpha Partners as described further below) (the “Board”) to identify possible solutions to the Company’s capital needs in the short term and to fund operations in the long-term, including construction of new factories and expansion of operations internationally, in consultation with ABG Sundal Collier Denmark, branch of ABG Sundal Collier ASA (“ABG”). During the process, the Company has been in dialogue with other potential investors in relation to similar and alternative solutions for the Company to raise capital and continue operations. The Board has evaluated the alternative possible solutions and has unanimously resolved to recommend the shareholders of the Company to accept the Public Tender Offer.
Since the initial expression of interest from the Offeror, the Board has followed a fair and thorough process where the independence of deliberations and decision-making have been carefully safeguarded in the interest of all shareholders. Vice-Chairperson, Laurits Bach Sørensen, and board member, Jakob Fuhr Hansen, both representing the largest shareholder in Re-Match, Nordic Alpha Partners, have been determined to have a conflict of interest, and hence, they have not participated in any deliberations and decision-making of the Board with respect to the Public Tender Offer and the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement. Accordingly, all references to the Board herein are to the Board, excluding Laurits Bach Sørensen and Jakob Fuhr Hansen.
The Offeror is a newly incorporated Danish company, Project Astro BidCo ApS, established for the purpose of making the unregulated voluntary public tender offer. As at the date hereof, the Offeror is a private company wholly owned by Verdane. Following completion of the Public Tender Offer, if made in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Transaction Agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, the Offeror will be owned by Nordic Alpha Partners, Verdane, the Founders, and the Re-Match shareholders that have accepted to exchange their shares in Re-Match to shares in the Offeror. The Offeror will be controlled by Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane pursuant to a Majority Shareholders’ Agreement (as defined below).
The completion of the Public Tender Offer will, among other customary conditions, be subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of at least 90% of the issued and outstanding share capital and voting rights of Re-Match, excluding treasury shares, including such shares and voting rights held by the Offeror upon expiration of the offer period set out in the Offer Document, as well as any regulatory approvals as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement.
The Offeror, Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane being the largest shareholders of Re-Match, as well as the two founders, Nikolaj Magne Larsen (CEO) (through MLI Portfolio Holding ApS) and Dennis Andersen (through DACH Invest ApS), have, subject to completion of the Public Tender Offer, agreed to enter into a shareholders’ agreement (the "Majority Shareholders' Agreement") concerning their shareholdings in Re-Match. Other shareholders, who accept the Public Tender Offer and exchange their shares in Re-Match with shares in the Offeror (excl. shares received by exercising warrants which will be sold), will as a requisite for accepting the Public Tender Offer automatically agree to become parties to a minority shareholders' agreement (the "Minority Shareholders' Agreement”) concerning their shareholdings in Re-Match. The Minority Shareholders' Agreement will be appended to the Offer Document when published.
As at the date hereof, the Offeror has received irrevocable undertakings from shareholders in Re-Match to acquire their shares in Re-Match, representing around 89% of the issued and outstanding shares and voting rights in Re-Match including shares to be issued as part of tranche 1a. The acquisition of such shares will not take place as part of the Public Tender Offer but settle one day prior to settlement of the Public Tender Offer, and will be conditional upon the Offeror having announced the results of the Public Tender Offer and having confirmed that the Public Tender Offer will proceed to completion.
Company update and comments
Re-Match has since its initial public offering and public listing in 2021 conducted the planned investment in its Dutch factory, which was completed in late 2022. However, during 2022 the Company experienced an increased cash burn from operations and unexpected capital expenditures due to both internal and external factors such as e.g. an abnormal increase in energy prices. As a result, Re-Match is facing an imminent funding need as the Company does not have available cash and liquidity to fund its short-term operations and will not be able to reach profitability without additional capital.
The Company has strived to solve its short- and long-term funding requirements in one combined solution. In this regard, the Board has been mindful to accommodate different shareholder preferences and optimise the terms and conditions of the Public Tender Offer and in all investigated potential transactions, including the price of any new shares issued. However, due to the current general negative stock market sentiment, including a significant decrease in share prices and a reduced market liquidity, for especially smaller non-profitable companies, it has been deemed unrealistic to utilise Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market to raise capital and to continue as a listed entity.
Moreover, Re-Match has recently discovered intellectual property rights registered in the United States, which may or may not require that Re-Match takes certain legal or commercial actions. However, Re-Match is currently in the process of making the relevant analysis with the assistance of advisers and no conclusion has yet been made on the need hereof, or if adjustments would be relevant or commercially viable to be made to Re-Match’s factory blueprint.
It is the general opinion and consensus among the key stakeholders involved in the transaction, including the Board and the Offeror, that the Transaction will provide potential future benefits for both the Company and shareholders. With the new capital and funding strategy in place, the Company can focus on operations and growing the business, continuing its mission to improve sustainability and benefit the environment.
Meanwhile, it has been of the utmost importance for the Board to ensure that the private minority shareholders have the opportunity to roll over their current investment in the Company into the new ownership structure and hence continue being shareholders in Re-Match. Many of the shareholders have supported the Company for many years, and the Board, the Company, Nordic Alpha Partners, and Verdane welcome existing shareholders of Re-Match to become co-owners alongside them and to participate in the expected future value creation of the Company.
Henrik Grand Petersen, Chairperson of the Board of Re-Match, said:
“Today is an important milestone for Re-Match in our efforts to expand our unique, patented recycling process of worn-out artificial turfs which converts a massive, rapid growing, global waste problem into a sustainable business and job creation while significantly reducing plastic and CO2 pollution. Further, the Company will as a consequence of the public tender offer receive several capital injections during the next twelve months which we otherwise considered unattainable in the public markets under the current conditions. The fact that two reputable investors have come together with a funding plan for the Company, amounting up to DKK 235m, is considered a strong vote of confidence in Re-Match, the management team and the Company’s future growth potential. In conclusion, the Board finds the public tender offer attractive for all shareholders of Re-Match and also believe that a de-listing of the Company will enable a greater ability to execute on Re-Match’s strategy which includes investing in new factories and rapidly expand the Company’s factory concept globally.”
Nikolaj Magne Larsen, CEO and co-founder of Re-Match, said:
Re-Match has since its beginning recycled more than 140,000 tonnes of artificial turf, ensuring that plastic fibers corresponding to more than 630 million plastic bags have been reused instead of being incinerated or disposed as waste. In addition to our operations in Herning, we have constructed and on the planned schedule started operations in our new factory in Tiel, the Netherlands, based on our optimal and highly efficient blueprint. The proceeds from the new investment vehicle created by Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane will enable us to continue and potentially accelerate our factory roll-out plan, which is both to the benefit of our business and of the green agenda. On this background, I and the rest of the management team look very much forward to our new collaboration with Verdane and the continued cooperation with Nordic Alpha Partners.”
Laurits Bach Sørensen, Partner at Nordic Alpha Partners, said:
“Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane fully support Re-Match’s strategy of globally expanding its factory blueprint recycling concept for the artificial turf industry, as it has succeeded with in the Netherlands. Our longstanding investment in Re-Match is based on our confidence in its unique market position, exhaustive know-how, hardworking employees and the company’s substantial sustainability impact. The fact that Verdane, with more than DKK 30bn under management, pursues this opportunity is a strong validation of what the company has achieved and should be considered great news for the Danish GreenTech exports and the Company as it now has the financial backing to fully realise its global potential.”
Merle Price, Director at Verdane, said:
“We believe Re-Match represents a unique opportunity to invest in a market leader in a niche industry with a proven technology and a genuine purpose of dealing with a global waste problem. Re-Match is a strong fit with our focus on sustainability and decarbonisation. Verdane has made a significant number of investments in both the circular economy and industrial companies dedicated to the green agenda, and has extensive experience helping businesses turn sustainability into a competitive advantage and financial results. We also see several areas where we can contribute to the Company's operations and future growth, particularly with the support of Elevate, our in-house team of operational experts and functional advisors. Verdane has a long track record of scaling companies globally into the larger industrial growth stage, and we look forward to working together in partnership with Re-Match’s management team, Nordic Alpha Partners, and any existing shareholder who decides to roll over in the new ownership structure, to fuel the continued growth of the Company.”
Trading update
Re-Match expects the Q4 2022 financial results to be significantly negatively impacted by the already announced temporary shutdown of the production at the Herning factory in Q4, a decision based on the overall higher costs driven primarily by historically high energy prices. Consequently, the Company has not been able to produce and sell the budgeted amount of front- and back-end products which has a direct impact on revenue. Although the Q4 financials are still not available but in the process of being prepared and subject to auditor’s review and audit, the consequence of stopping normal production to mitigate the impact of the energy prices and the preparations for production in the Netherlands with additional employees leading to both lower revenue and lower profitability (loss) in Q4 2022 relative to Q4 2021. The financial implications of Q4 2022 will also lead to lower profitability in 2022 compared to 2021, as stated in connection with the Q3 Trading Update. Given the financial development in full year 2022, the Company is in a challenging financial situation, with a short-term liquidity shortfall and will need to secure funds to continue its operations.
The construction of the new blueprint factory located in Tiel, the Netherlands, was completed according to plan in December 2022 and is expected to reach full production in July 2023. The factory is currently performing better than expected in terms of tonnes produced per hour and the Company is currently working towards an accelerated ramp-up plan to reach full production capacity earlier than originally anticipated.
The Public Tender Offer
In the Public Tender Offer, if made, shareholders in Re-Match will be offered to either:
The Offer Price of DKK 7.00 values the total share capital of Re-Match at a market capitalisation of approximately DKK 201 million and is final and will not be subject to a potential increase from the Offeror.
The Offer Price represents a premium of 9.9% to the closing price on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market on 28 February 2023, a premium of 3.3% compared to the volume weighted average price in the past 30 trading days and a premium of 12.8% compared to the volume weighted average price in the past 90 trading days.
The Public Tender Offer provides the shareholders of Re-Match the option to either settle in cash at the Offer Price by accepting the Cash Consideration, or to continue being an indirect shareholder in Re-Match through their shareholding in the Offeror by accepting the Share Consideration at their own discretion. By accepting the Share Consideration, shareholders may participate in the future development of the Company.
The Public Tender Offer will include a four week offer period and commence on the backbone of the extraordinary general meeting (“EGM”), scheduled on or around 22 March 2023.
Completion of the Public Tender Offer will be subject to certain conditions, including a minimum acceptance threshold of at least 90% of the issued and outstanding share capital and voting rights of the Company as well as regulatory approvals.
The funding structure
The contemplated transaction will ensure the Company gross proceeds of DKK 50m during March 2023 and additionally, DKK 25m conditionally on completion of the Public Tender Offer. The DKK 50m are separated into two tranches: 1a) comprising DKK 35.4m at a share price of DKK 7.00; and 1b) comprising DKK 14.6m at a price per share of the higher of DKK 7.00 or market price. On completion of the Public Tender Offer, the Company will raise an additional DKK 25m from Offeror via funding by Nordic Alpha Partners (c. DKK 5m) and Verdane (c. DKK 20m) at a share price with an adjustment mechanism such that all shares subscribed or purchased in tranche 1a, tranche 1b and tranche 1c have an average subscription price of DKK 7.00. I.e. on average, the share price in tranche 1a, 1b, and 1c will be DKK 7.00. The adjustment mechanism will be described in the Offer Document.
In addition, Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane will during the next year further fund the Company through the Offeror with up to DKK 160 million (Nordic Alpha Partners with c. DKK 50m and with Verdane c. DKK 110m) at a price per share of DKK 8.5 subject to the terms and conditions of the Transaction Agreement including completion of certain financial milestones related to the Company’s factory in Tiel, where the proceeds will be used to fund operations and in the long-term constructing new factories and expansion of operations internationally. DKK 75 million of this tranche will be funded at Verdane and NAP’s full discretion (Nordic Alpha Partners with c. DKK 25m and with Verdane c. DKK 50m) while the DKK 85 million is committed funding if the milestones are achieved. Other shareholders having exchanged their shares to shares in the Offeror will be offered to participate in this funding round at the same price per share as Verdane and NAP.
Moreover, shareholders accepting the Share Consideration will be required to accept a shareholders’ agreement and the articles of association of the Offeror pursuant to which the following terms will apply amongst others:
Timetable of the transaction
Advisers
ABG Sundal Collier Denmark, branch of ABG Sundal Collier ASA, Norge, is acting as financial adviser to Re-Match. Gorrissen Federspiel Advokatpartnerselskab is acting as legal adviser to Re-Match.
Carnegie Investment Bank, branch of Carnegie Investment Bank AB, Sverige, is acting as financial adviser to Verdane in connection with the Public Tender Offer and capital increases described herein. Plesner Advokatpartnerselskab is acting as legal adviser to Verdane.
Moalem Weitemeyer Advokatpartnerselskab is acting as legal adviser to Nordic Alpha Partners.
For further information (also on behalf of Nordic Alpha Partners and Verdane), please contact:
Re-Match Holding A/S
Spokesperson: Nikolaj Magne Larsen, CEO, Re-Match A/S
Contact coordinated by Martin Plambek, CMO
Mobile: +45 52 11 11 25
Email: mp@re-match.com
About Re-Match
Re-Match is an artificial turf recycler headquartered in Herning, Denmark, where the Company also operates its first factory while the second, larger factory is located in the Netherlands. The Company’s patented recycling process enables artificial turfs to be disposed in a sustainable way. Re-Match sources worn-out artificial turfs, for which the Company is paid a gate fee. The Company then processes the turfs through its mechanical recycling process and subsequently sells the clean recycled output materials back to turf producers, installers as well as other industries – ready to be used in new production cycles.
More info: https://re-match.com/
About Project Astro BidCo ApS
Project Astro BidCo ApS is a newly incorporated, private Danish company established under the laws of Denmark by Verdane and is acting as a special purpose acquisition vehicle in connection with the Offer. Following the settlement of the Offer, Project Astro BidCo ApS will also be owned by Nordic Alpha Partners and any other minority shareholders who have opted for the roll-over alternative and exchanged shares in Re-Match for shares in Project Astro BidCo ApS.
About Nordic Alpha Partners
Nordic Alpha Partners is a Nordic and DACH based growth equity fund established in 2017, investing in sustainable HARDTECH companies with the potential to pioneer and accelerate the global green transformation. NAP’s investment approach is based on a highly active and operationally supporting ownership model which in combination with a self-developed value creation model enable visionary founders to fast scale from local players to global market leaders. Nordic Alpha Partners, has been the lead investor in Re-Match since 2019, having invested more than 100mDKK, including being the largest investor in the IPO in 2021.
More info: https://napartners.dk/
About Verdane
Verdane is a specialist growth investment firm that partners with tech-enabled and sustainable European businesses to help them reach the next stage of international growth. Verdane can invest as a minority or majority investor, either in single companies or through portfolios of companies. Verdane funds hold over €4.5 billion in total commitments and have made over 140 investments in fast-growing businesses since 2003. Verdane’s team of over 140 investment professionals and operating experts, based out of Berlin, Munich, Copenhagen, Helsinki, London, Oslo and Stockholm, is dedicated to being the preferred growth partner to tech-enabled and sustainable businesses in Europe.
More info: www.verdane.com
Certified Advisor:
Daniel Sand
Email:dsd@beierholm.oaklins.com
Beierholm Corporate Finance P/S
Østergade 26B
1100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Important notice
The Offer will not be subject to the relevant rules in Chapter 8 of the Danish Capital Markets Act and Danish Takeover Order, as the shares of Re-Match Holding A/S is not admitted to trading on a regulated market. The Offer Document has not been and will not be reviewed or approved by the Danish FSA.
This announcement is not a public takeover offer and this announcement does not represent a formal decision by Verdane or the Offeror to make a public takeover offer within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Danish Takeover Order (Executive Order no. 636 dated 15 May 2020). If and when the Offeror formally launches an offer, it will be made in the form of an offer document, which is not subject to and will not be approved by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority.
This announcement is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly (in whole or in part) in or into any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction or where such action would require prospectuses, filings or other measures. This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a notice to an extraordinary general meeting, an offer document, an exemption document or a prospectus and as such, does not constitute or form part of and should not be construed as, an offer to sell, or the solicitation or invitation of any offer to buy, acquire or subscribe for, any securities or any other financial instruments in Re-Match or the Offeror or an inducement to enter into investment activity. Any decision with respect to the tendering of securities in Re-Match should be made solely on the basis of an actual offer document to be published prior to the commencement of the offer period related to the Offer as well as on an independent analysis of the information contained therein.
NO OFFERING IS BEING MADE TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY NOT BE USED FOR, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, OR FORM PART OF, AN OFFER BY, OR INVITATION BY OR ON BEHALF OF, RE-MATCH OR THE OFFEROR, OR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF RE-MATCH OR THE OFFEROR, TO PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR THE SOLICITATION TO BUY SECURITIES BY ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION. NO ACTION HAS BEEN OR WILL BE TAKEN IN ANY JURISDICTION BY RE-MATCH OR THE OFFEROR THAT WOULD PERMIT AN OFFERING OF SHARES OF RE-MATCH OR THE OFFEROR OR POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF A PROSPECTUS IN ANY JURISDICTION, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EXPLICITLY DISCLOSED BY RE-MATCH OR THE OFFEROR.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Re-Match's control and all of which are based on Re-Match's current beliefs and expectations about future events. Forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "aim", "anticipate", “assess”, "assume", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "hope", "intend", "may", "objective", "plan", "position", "potential", "predict", "project", "risk", "seek", "should", "target", "will" or "would" or the highlights or the negatives thereof, other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this announcement and include statements that reflect Re-Match's intentions, beliefs or current expectations and projections about their respective future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, anticipated growth, targets, strategies and opportunities and the markets in which they respectively operate, and the anticipated timing of the proposed transactions. These forward-looking statements and other statements contained in this announcement regarding matters that are not historical facts involve predictions. No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved; actual events or results may differ materially as a result of risks and uncertainties facing Re-Match. Such risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to vary materially from the future results indicated, expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this announcement speak only as of the date of this announcement. The information contained in this announcement is subject to change without notice and, except as required by applicable laws and regulations, Re-Match expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based and nor does it intend to. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. As a result of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual future events or otherwise.
Transaction conditions
The making of, and completion of the Offer, is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions as will be more fully described in an offer document to be published prior to the commencement of the offer period. Consequently, there can be no certainty that completion of the Offer will be forthcoming.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.