Operating Subsidiary Achieves First Profitable Half Year, Optimistic Outlook for Second Half
SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ESGL Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ESGL) (“ESGL” or the “Company”), a leading carbon neutral, innovative enviro-tech company regenerating industrial waste into circular products, today announced its financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024.
First Half 2024 Highlights:
First-Time Subsidiary Profitability: ESGL's operating subsidiary posted its first-ever profitable half-year, a significant milestone compared to the loss recorded in first half of 2023.
Revenue Growth: Revenue for the first half of 2024 increased to US$3.49 million, a 2.8% improvement from the prior year, despite regulatory challenges and volatility in waste volumes.
Significant Reduction in Losses: Loss before taxation improved by 45.3%, reduced from US$590,000 in the first half of 2023 to US$322,000, driven by strict cost management and operational efficiencies.
Logistics Cost Savings: Logistics costs were reduced by US$527,000, a 66.6% decrease year-on-year, significantly improving the Company’s cost base.
Operational and Segment Performance:
Solid Waste Thermal Processing Solutions: Revenue grew by 8.15%, underpinned by the collection of new waste types and the expansion of the Company’s customer base.
Liquid Waste Synthesis Solutions: Revenue in this segment declined by 45.8% due to the regulatory impact on a key customer. However, the Company expects recovery in the second half of 2024.
Circular Products Sales: Sales declined by 39.1% due to lower demand for base metals, though the Company remains optimistic about improving market conditions.
Other Income: Foreign exchange gains contributed to a US$93,000 increase in other income, reflecting favorable currency movements.
Outlook for the Second Half of 2024:
ESGL is optimistic about its performance in the second half of 2024, driven by a focus on expanding its solid hazardous waste customer base and regaining liquid hazardous waste volume, while maintaining operational efficiency and achieving cost savings. Additionally, the Company is actively working to renew long-term contracts with key clients to sustain and enhance profitability.
CEO Statement:
Quek Leng Chuang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ESGL, commented: “We are proud to report that our operating subsidiary has achieved its first profitable half-year. This significant milestone reflects the strength of our strategic focus on cost efficiency and operational optimization. As we look toward the second half of 2024, we remain confident in our ability to drive sustained growth across our core segments and continue to build momentum toward long-term profitability.”
About ESGL Holdings Limited
ESGL Holdings Limited is a Singapore-based carbon-neutral enviro-tech company dedicated to transforming industrial waste into circular products. With a commitment to sustainable waste management solutions, ESGL is a leading player in the environmental solutions industry. ESGL conducts all its operations through its operating subsidiary incorporated in Singapore, Environmental Solutions (Asia) Pte. Ltd. For more information, including the Company’s filings with the SEC, please visit https://esgl.asia.
Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release may be considered to contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “will,” “shall,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “would,” “positioned,” “future,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements made in this press release regarding anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates for growth, gross margins, adjusted EBITDA, potential regional expansion, development of new products, partnerships, customer relationships, demand for waste processing, and sales of circular products. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on ESGL management’s current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by ESGL and other documents that the Company may file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as required by law.
ESGL Holdings Limited Consolidated Statement of Financial Position As at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
June 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
US$
US$
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
256,501
366,761
Trade and other receivables
985,951
1,032,522
Prepaid forward purchase agreement
-
969
Inventories
78,682
64,184
1,321,134
1,464,436
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
21,043,668
21,786,365
Intangible assets, net
2,475,974
2,381,465
23,519,642
24,167,830
Total assets
24,840,776
25,632,266
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
5,503,478
6,560,559
Lease liabilities
149,516
192,282
Borrowings
4,672,286
5,666,160
Deferred underwriting fee payable
2,153,125
2,753,125
Tax liabilities
203,020
56,540
12,681,425
15,228,666
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities (non-current)
1,852,343
1,974,524
Borrowings (non-current)
-
112,319
Deferred tax liabilities
298,000
296,000
2,150,343
2,382,843
Total liabilities
14,831,768
17,611,509
Net assets
10,009,008
8,020,757
EQUITY
Share Capital
11,892
10,892
Accumulated losses
(100,457,352
)
(99,985,928
)
Other reserves
3,422,799
3,422,799
Share premium reserve
92,183,727
89,725,052
Exchange Reserves
(123,198
)
(123,198
)
Revaluation Surplus
14,971,140
14,971,140
Total equity
10,009,008
8,020,757
ESGL Holdings Limited Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income for the Financial Periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2023
US$
US$
Revenue
3,487,879
3,394,313
Other income
282,213
189,335
Cost of inventory
(78,366
)
(407,291
)
Logistics costs
(264,638
)
(792,079
)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
(781,394
)
(758,519
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(559,340
)
(426,515
)
Employee benefits expense
(878,320
)
(639,060
)
Finance expense
(147,128
)
(158,912
)
Other operating expenses
(1,383,850
)
(991,526
)
Loss before income tax
(322,944
)
(590,254
)
Income tax expense
(148,480
)
(39,000
)
Net loss and comprehensive loss
(471,424
)
(629,254
)
Loss per share
(0.03
)
(0.10
)
Weighted average number of shares
14,000,514
6,378,267
ESGL Holdings Limited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Financial Periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
Share capital
Revaluation reserve
Exchange reserve
Share premium reserve
Other reserve
Accumulated losses
Total equity
US$
US$
US$
US$
US$
US$
US$
2023
Beginning of financial year
10,000
15,157,824
(460,481
)
-
3,422,799
(5,006,590
)
13,123,552
Issuance of new shares
3
-
-
753,587
-
-
753,590
Loss for the year
-
-
-
-
-
(629,254
)
(629,254
)
Balance as of June 30, 2023
10,003
15,157,824
(460,481
)
753,587
3,422,799
(5,635,844
)
13,247,888
2024
Beginning of financial year
10,892
14,971,140
(123,198
)
89,725,052
3,422,799
(99,985,928
)
8,020,757
Issuance of new shares
1,000
-
-
2,458,675
-
-
2,459,675
Loss for the year
-
-
-
-
-
(471,424
)
(471,424
)
Balance as of June 30, 2024
11,892
14,971,140
(123,198
)
92,183,727
3,422,799
(100,457,352
)
10,009,008
ESGL Holdings Limited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Financial Periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
June 30, 2024
June 30, 2023
US$
US$
Cash flows from operating activities
Loss before income tax
(322,944
)
(590,254
)
Adjustments for:
- Prepaid forward purchase agreement written-off
969
-
- Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
781,394
758,519
- Amortisation of intangible assets
559,340
426,515
- Interest income
(3
)
(12,002
)
- Interest expense
147,128
158,912
- Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
-
1,795
- Foreign exchange adjustment
(191,391
)
312,051
974,493
1,055,536
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
- Trade and other receivables
40,746
(687,016
)
- Inventories
(14,498
)
153,252
- Trade and other payables
(1,043,521
)
167,205
Net cash (used in)/generated from operating activities
(42,780
)
688,977
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(38,697
)
(115,334
)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
-
1,352
Additions to intangible assets
(653,849
)
(633,912
)
Interest received
3
12,002
Net cash used in investing activities
(692,543
)
(735,892
)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from bank borrowings
747,197
2,246,518
Repayment of bank borrowings
(1,691,453
)
(1,831,341
)
Shares issuance
2,459,675
753,590
Repayment of underwriting fees
(600,000
)
-
Repayments of lease liabilities
(143,228
)
(57,718
)
Interest paid
(147,128
)
(158,912
)
Net cash provided by provided by financing activities
625,063
952,137
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and bank balances
(110,260
)
905,222
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of the financial year
366,761
252,399
End of the financial periods
256,501
1,157,621
General information ESGL Holdings Limited
ESGL Holdings Limited (“ESGL” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on November 18, 2022. Following the successful completion of a business combination on August 3, 2023 (the “Business Combination”), ESGL listed on Nasdaq and became a publicly traded company. ESGL’s stock commenced trading August 4, 2023.
ESGL’s subsidiaries are as follows:
Environmental Solutions Group Holdings Limited (“ESGH”)
Environmental Solutions Group Holdings Limited is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company with limited liability on June 14, 2022. The address of its registered office is 71 Fort Street, PO Box 500, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. As a holding company with no material operations of its own, ESGH conducts all of its operations through its operating entity incorporated in Singapore, Environmental Solutions (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Environmental Solutions Asia Holdings Limited (“ESAH”)
ESAH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ESGH, was incorporated on June 29, 2022 and domiciled in the British Virgin Islands with its registered office at Mandar House, 3rd Floor, Johnson’s Ghut, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Environmental Solutions (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (“ESA”)
ESA was incorporated and domiciled in Singapore, with its registered office at 101 Tuas, South Avenue 2, Singapore 637226. ESA is a waste management, treatment and recycling company involved in the collection and recycling of hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste from customers such as pharmaceutical, semiconductor, petrochemical and electroplating companies.
As ESGL, ESGH, ESAH and ESA (collectively the “Group”) were under common control, the Business Combination constituted a reorganization under common control and are required to be retrospectively applied to the consolidated financial statements at their historical amounts. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if the existing corporate structure had been in existence throughout all periods. This includes a retrospective presentation for all equity related disclosures, including issued shares, which have been revised to reflect the effects of the reorganization in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as of June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Subsidiaries
The consolidated financial statements of the Group include:
Place of
Effective equity held by the Group
incorporation
Name of subsidiary
Principal activities
and business
2024
2023
%
%
Held by the Company
Environmental Solutions Group Holdings Limited
Investment holding company
Cayman Island
100
100
Held by Subsidiary
Environmental Solutions Asia Holdings Limited
Investment holding company
British Virgin Islands
100
100
Environmental Solutions (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
Waste management and recycling of industrial wastes
Singapore
100
100
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.