The Carbonxt Group Ltd (ASX: CG1) share price is right back where it started today. After falling in morning trade then touching an intraday high of 25 cents mid afternoon, the Carbonxt share price has now returned to its opening price of 23 cents.
This comes after the Australia-based company announced a commercial agreement with United States manufacturer, Kentucky Coal Processing.
Carbonxt develops and markets activated carbon (AC) products. These pellets capture mercury and sulphur in a gas or liquid phase from coal fired power station emissions. Used within industrial settings, Carbonxt's products aim to reduce the harmful air pollutants in the environment.
What's the deal?
According to today's release, Carbonxt will expand its manufacturing capacity to produce AC pellets on an industrial scale through the deal with Kentucky Coal Processing.
The company advised that an investment group will construct a specialty AC plant to expand its current capability. It's expected that the facility will be fully operational sometime before the second quarter of FY22.
Carbonxt said the partnership with Kentucky will enable it to purchase the AC pellets at a cost rate basis. Any sales margins that are made will be split between both companies. Carbonxt noted this structure eliminates the need for third-party materials, thereby lowering its overall production costs.
In addition, the company said that while the expansion plans are underway, it will focus efforts on its existing operations at the Arden Hills facility.
Carbonxt revealed that AC pellets sell at around US$2,500 to US$3,500 per tonne, depending on the industrial application and specification. The new plant will have a target of 11,000 tonnes per year, giving potential revenue of US$38.5 million.
The initial term of the agreement is valid for 3 years with options to extended further from both parties. Carbonxt will be responsible for sales and maintaining customer relationships.
Words from the managing director
Carbonxt managing director Warren Murphy welcomed the agreement, saying:
We are delighted to be able to double our capacity and eliminate financial bottlenecks, as well as reducing inventory levels and freeing up further cash that have held back the growth of our industrial pellet business.
This partnership will enable Carbonxt to focus on technology and marketing. The alliance also frees up capacity at the Arden Hills pellet facility and allows that facility to focus on fewer products with higher efficiencies with our current tolling relationship. We look forward to a long and successful relationship.
About the Carbonxt share price
After dropping steeply from its 50 cent peaks in January to hit a 52-week low of 12 cents in March, the Carbonxt share price has been on a mini roller-coaster ride.
At the current share price, Carbonxt has a market capitalisation of around $32 million.
