Cayman Islands
|
001-40157
|
98-1577338
|
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
|
(Commission File Number)
|
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
|
999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 200
Naples, Florida
(Address of principal executive offices)
|
34108
(Zip Code)
|
☒ |
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
|
☐ |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
|
☐ |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
|
☐ |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
|
Title of each class
|
Trading Symbol(s)
|
Name of each exchange on
which
registered
|
||
Units, each consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, $0.0001 par value, and one-third of one redeemable warrant
|
TRCA.U
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
||
Class A Ordinary Shares included as part of the units
|
TRCA
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
||
Warrants included as part of the units, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50
|
TRCA WS
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
Item 1.01 |
Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
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Item 7.01 |
Regulation FD Disclosure.
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Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(d) |
Exhibits. The following
exhibits are provided as part of this Form 8-K:
|
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
|
Business Combination Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2022, by and among Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., Carbon Revolution Limited, Poppetell Limited and Poppettell Merger Sub.
|
||
Scheme Implementation Deed, dated as of November 30, 2022, by and among Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., Carbon Revolution Limited and Poppetell Limited
|
||
Sponsor Side Letter, dated as of November 29, 2022, by and among Twin Ridge Capital Sponsor, LLC, Twin Ridge Capital Sponsor Subsidiary, LLC, the independent directors party thereto, the other insiders party
thereto, Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., Carbon Revolution Limited and Poppetell Limited.
|
||
Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2022, by and between Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp. and YA II PN, LTD.
|
||
Joint United States Press Release, dated November 29, 2022.
|
||
Joint Australian Stock Exchange Announcement, dated November 30, 2022.
|
||
Investor Presentation, dated November 29, 2022.
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Dated: November 30, 2022
|
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
By:
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/s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Name:
|
William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Title:
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
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Page
|
||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
|
2
|
|
SECTION 1.01 Certain Definitions
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2
|
|
SECTION 1.02 Further Definitions
|
5
|
|
SECTION 1.03 Construction.
|
6
|
|
ARTICLE II MERGER AND SCHEME ACQUISITION
|
6
|
|
SECTION 2.01 Scheme Acquisition.
|
6
|
|
SECTION 2.02 Merger.
|
6
|
|
SECTION 2.03 Delivery of Shares.
|
8
|
|
SECTION 2.04 Stock Transfer Books
|
8
|
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SECTION 2.05 Payment of Expenses.
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8
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SECTION 2.06 Closing Deliverables
|
9
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SECTION 2.07 Tax Treatment of Scheme Acquisition and SPAC Merger
|
9
|
|
SECTION 2.08 Withholding
|
10
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SECTION 2.09 Liquidation of SPAC
|
10
|
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ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE COMPANY
|
10
|
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SECTION 3.01 Representations and Warranties
|
10
|
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SECTION 3.02 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties
|
10
|
|
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPAC
|
10
|
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SECTION 4.01
Representations and Warranties
|
10
|
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SECTION 4.02 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties
|
10
|
|
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF MERGECO AND MERGER SUB
|
11
|
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SECTION 5.01
Representations and Warranties
|
11
|
|
SECTION 5.02 Organization
|
11
|
|
SECTION 5.03 Organization Documents
|
11
|
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SECTION 5.04 Capitalization.
|
11
|
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SECTION 5.05 Authority Relative to This Agreement
|
11 | |
SECTION 5.06 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
|
12
|
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SECTION 5.07 Compliance
|
12
|
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SECTION 5.08 Board Approval; Vote Required.
|
12
|
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SECTION 5.09 No Prior Operations of Merger Sub; Post-Closing Operations
|
13
|
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SECTION 5.10 Brokers
|
13
|
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SECTION 5.11 MergeCo Registration Statement / Proxy Statement
|
13
|
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SECTION 5.12 Exclusivity of Representations and Warranties
|
13
|
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ARTICLE VI CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
|
13
|
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SECTION 6.01 Conduct of Business by the Company and MergeCo
|
13
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Page
|
||
SECTION 6.02 Claims Against Trust Fund
|
14
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ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
|
14
|
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SECTION 7.01 Registration Statement; SPAC Shareholders’ Meeting; Board Recommendation
|
14
|
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SECTION 7.02 Access to Information; Confidentiality
|
14
|
|
SECTION 7.03 Exclusivity
|
14
|
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SECTION 7.04 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification.
|
14
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SECTION 7.05 Notification of Certain Matters
|
15
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SECTION 7.06 Further Action; Reasonable Best Efforts
|
15
|
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SECTION 7.07 Conversion of MergeCo to Public Limited Company
|
15
|
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SECTION 7.08 Public Announcements
|
15
|
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SECTION 7.09 Stock Exchange Listing
|
15
|
|
SECTION 7.10 Trust Fund
|
15
|
|
SECTION 7.11 Incentive Equity Plan and Purchase Plan
|
15
|
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SECTION 7.12 No Transfer of MergeCo Shares
|
16
|
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SECTION 7.13 MergeCo and Merger Sub Obligations
|
16
|
|
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTIONS
|
16
|
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SECTION 8.01 Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party
|
16
|
|
SECTION 8.02 Frustration of Closing Conditions
|
16
|
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ARTICLE IX TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
16
|
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SECTION 9.01 Termination
|
16
|
|
SECTION 9.02 Effect of Termination
|
16
|
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SECTION 9.03 Expenses
|
16
|
|
SECTION 9.04 Amendment
|
17
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SECTION 9.05 Waiver
|
17
|
|
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
17
|
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SECTION 10.01 Notices
|
17
|
|
SECTION 10.02 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
|
18
|
|
SECTION 10.03 Severability
|
18
|
|
SECTION 10.04 Entire Agreement; Assignment
|
18
|
|
SECTION 10.05 Parties in Interest
|
18
|
|
SECTION 10.06 Governing Law
|
18
|
|
SECTION 10.07 Waiver of Jury Trial
|
19
|
|
SECTION 10.08 Headings
|
19
|
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SECTION 10.09 Counterparts
|
19
|
Page
|
||
SECTION 10.10 Specific Performance.
|
19
|
|
SECTION 10.11 No Recourse
|
20
|
Exhibit A
|
Form of SID
|
Exhibit B
|
Form of MergeCo Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
|
Schedule 1
|
Registration Rights Agreement Signatories
|
Schedule 2
|
Lock-up Agreement Signatories
|
Agreement
|
Preamble
|
Book-Entry Shares
|
Section 2.03(b)
|
Cayman Companies Act
|
Preamble
|
Certificate of Merger
|
Section 2.02(a)(i)
|
Chosen Courts
|
Section 10.06
|
Claims
|
Section 6.02
|
Closing
|
Section 2.02(a)(i)
|
Closing Date
|
Section 2.02(a)(i)
|
Company
|
Preamble
|
Contracting Parties
|
Section 10.11
|
Corporations Act
|
Preamble
|
D&O Indemnified Persons
|
Section 7.04(b)
|
D&O Tail Insurance
|
Section 7.04(c)
|
DGCL
|
Preamble
|
ICA
|
Preamble
|
Intended Tax Treatment
|
Section 2.07
|
Letter of Transmittal
|
Section 2.03(b)
|
Lock-up Agreement
|
Preamble
|
MergeCo
|
Preamble
|
MergeCo Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
|
Section 2.02(b)(iii)
|
MergeCo Board
|
Preamble
|
MergeCo Founder Warrant
|
Section 2.02(d)(iii)
|
Merger
|
Preamble
|
Merger Sub
|
Preamble
|
Merger Sub Board
|
Preamble
|
Nonparty Affiliates
|
Section 10.11
|
Outstanding Company Transaction Expenses
|
Section 2.05(a)
|
Outstanding SPAC Transaction Expenses
|
Section 2.05(b)
|
Parties
|
Preamble
|
Party
|
Preamble
|
Plan of Merger
|
Section 2.02(a)
|
Registration Rights Agreement
|
Preamble
|
SID
|
Preamble
|
Scheme Acquisition
|
Preamble
|
SPAC
|
Preamble
|
SPAC Board
|
Preamble
|
SPAC Merger Effective Time
|
Section 2.02(i)
|
Sponsor Support Agreement
|
Preamble
|
Surviving Company
|
Section 2.02(i)
|
Terminating Company Breach
|
Section 9.01(d)
|
Terminating SPAC Breach
|
Section 9.01(e)
|
Transfer Agent
|
Section 2.03(a)
|
Trust Distributions
|
Section 6.02
|
Unit Separation
|
Section 2.02(c)
|
Voting Agreement
|
Preamble
|
If to SPAC:
|
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
||
Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp.
|
Peter Seligson
|
||
999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 200
|
Kirkland & Ellis
|
||
Naples, FL 34108
|
601 Lexington Avenue
|
||
Attention: William P Russell, Jr; Sanjay
|
New York, NY 10022
|
||
Morey
|
Email: peter.segilson@kirkland.com;
|
||
Email: wrussell@twinridgecapital.com;
|
|||
smorey@twinridgecapital.com
|
and
|
||
Adam Larson; Rami Totari
|
|||
Kirkland & Ellis
|
|||
609 Main St
|
|||
Houston, TX 77002
|
Email: adam.larson@kirkland.com;
|
|||
rami.totari@kirkland.com | |||
If to the Company, MergeCo or Merger Sub:
|
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
||
Carbon Revolution Limited
|
Jocelyn M. Arel
|
||
75 Pigdons Road, Warn Ponds
|
100 Northern Avenue
|
||
VIC 3126 Australia
|
Boston, MA 02210
|
||
Attention: David Nock
|
Email: jarel@goodwinlaw.com
|
||
Email: david.nock@carbonrev.com
|
|||
and
|
|||
Jeffrey Letalien
|
|||
620 Eighth Avenue
|
|||
New York, NY 10018
|
|||
Email: jletalien@goodwinlaw.com
|
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.
|
||
By:
|
/s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Name:
|
William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Title:
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
CARBON REVOLUTION LIMITED
|
||
By:
|
/s/ James Douglas
|
|
Name:
|
James Douglas
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
|
POPPETELL LIMITED
|
||
By:
|
/s/Ronan Donohoe
|
|
Name:
|
Ronan Donohoe
|
|
Title:
|
Director
|
|
POPPETTELL MERGER SUB
|
||
By:
|
/s/Jacob William Dingle
|
|
Name:
|
Jacob William Dingle
|
|
Title:
|
Authorized Signatory
|
Carbon Revolution - Scheme implementation deed
|
|
Carbon Revolution Limited
|
80 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000 Australia
GPO Box 128 Melbourne Vic 3001 Australia
|
T +61 3 9288 1234 F +61 3 9288 1567
herbertsmithfreehills.com DX 240 Melbourne
|
7 |
Releases
|
35 |
|
7.1 |
Carbon Revolution and Carbon Revolution Board Members and officers
|
35 |
|
7.2 |
SPAC and SPAC directors and officers
|
36 |
|
7.3 |
MergeCo and MergeCo directors and officers
|
37 |
|
8 |
Public announcement
|
37 | |
8.1 |
Announcement of the Transaction
|
37 |
|
8.2 |
Public announcements
|
38 |
|
8.3 |
Required disclosure
|
38 |
|
9 |
Confidentiality
|
38 | |
10 |
Exclusivity
|
39 |
|
10.1 |
No shop and no talk
|
39 |
|
10.2 |
Fiduciary exception
|
40 |
|
10.3 |
Notification of approaches
|
40 |
|
10.4 |
Matching right
|
||
10.5 |
No current discussions regarding a Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing
Transaction
|
41 |
|
10.6 |
Compliance with law
|
43 |
|
10.7 |
Provision of information
|
43 |
|
10.8 |
Usual provision of information
|
44 |
|
11 |
Reimbursement Fee
|
45 |
|
11.1 |
Background to Reimbursement Fee
|
45 |
|
11.2 |
SPAC Reimbursement Fee triggers
|
45 |
|
11.3 |
Carbon Revolution Reimbursement Fee triggers
|
47 |
|
11.4 |
Payment of Reimbursement Fee
|
48 |
|
11.5 |
Basis of Reimbursement Fee
|
48 |
|
11.6 |
Compliance with law
|
48 |
|
11.7 |
Reimbursement Fees payable only once
|
49 |
|
11.8 |
Other Claims
|
49 |
|
11.9 |
Exclusive remedy
|
49 |
|
11.10 |
No Reimbursement Fee if Scheme Effective
|
50 |
|
11.11 |
Claims under the Deed Poll
|
50 |
|
12 |
Termination
|
50 |
|
12.1 |
Termination for material breach
|
50 |
|
12.2 |
Other termination events
|
52 |
|
12.3 |
Effect of termination
|
52 |
|
12.4 |
Termination
|
52 |
|
12.5 |
No other termination
|
53 |
|
13 |
Duty, costs and expenses
|
53 |
|
13.1 |
Stamp duty
|
53 |
|
13.2 |
Costs and expenses
|
53 |
|
14 |
GST
|
53 |
|
15 |
Notices
|
54 |
|
15.1 |
Form of Notice
|
54 |
|
15.2 |
How Notice must be given and when Notice is received
|
55 |
|
15.3 |
Notice must not be given by electronic communication
|
56 |
16 |
General
|
56 |
|
16.1 |
Governing law and jurisdiction
|
56 |
|
16.2 |
Service of process
|
56 |
|
16.3 |
No merger
|
57 |
|
16.4 |
Invalidity and enforceability
|
57 |
|
16.5 |
Waiver
|
57 | |
16.6 |
Variation
|
57 | |
16.7 |
Assignment of rights
|
57 | |
16.8 |
No third party beneficiary
|
58 |
|
16.9 |
Further action to be taken at each party’s own expense
|
58 |
|
16.10 |
Entire agreement
|
58 |
|
16.11 |
Counterparts
|
58 |
|
16.12 |
Relationship of the parties
|
58 |
|
16.13 |
Remedies cumulative
|
58 |
|
16.14 |
Exercise of rights
|
58 |
|
Schedules
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule 1
|
|
Definitions and interpretation
|
||
Schedule 2
|
88 |
|
SPAC Representations and Warranties
|
||
Schedule 3
|
||
Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties
|
95 |
|
Schedule 4
|
107 |
|
MergeCo Representations and Warranties
|
||
Schedule 5
|
||
Part 1 - Carbon Revolution capital structure
|
109 |
|
Part 2 – MergeCo and Merger Sub capital structure
|
109 |
|
Signing page
|
1 |
|
Attachment 1
|
||
Conditions Precedent certificate
|
|
Attachment 2
|
|
|
Scheme of arrangement
|
|
|
|
|
Attachment 3
|
||
Deed poll
|
||
Herbert Smith Freehills owns the copyright in this document and using it without permission is strictly prohibited.
|
1
|
Definitions and interpretation
|
1.1 |
Definitions
|
1.2 |
Interpretation
|
1.3 |
Deed components
|
2.1 |
Carbon Revolution to propose Scheme
|
(a) |
Carbon Revolution agrees to propose the Scheme on and subject to the terms and conditions of this deed.
|
(b) |
MergeCo and SPAC agree to assist Carbon Revolution to propose the Scheme on and subject to the terms and conditions of this deed.
|
(c) |
Carbon Revolution, MergeCo and SPAC agree to implement the Scheme on and subject to the terms and conditions of this deed.
|
2.2 |
SPAC Merger
|
(a) |
The SPAC agrees to propose the SPAC Proposals and SPAC Extension Proposals on and subject to the terms and conditions of this deed and the BCA.
|
(b) |
Immediately prior to implementation of the Scheme, SPAC will merge with Merger Sub (with Merger Sub being the surviving entity) and MergeCo will issue shares of MergeCo to the SPAC
Shareholders, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the BCA.
|
3.1 |
Conditions Precedent
|
(a) |
FIRB: before 5.00pm on the Business Day before the Second Court Date one of the following
has occurred:
|
(1)
|
MergeCo has received written notice under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) (FATA), by or on behalf of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia (Treasurer), advising that the Commonwealth Government has
no objections to the Transaction, either unconditionally or on terms that are acceptable to MergeCo and the SPAC acting reasonably;
|
(b) |
Restraints: between (and including) the date of this deed and 8.00am on the Second Court
Date:
|
(1) |
there is not in effect any temporary, preliminary or final order, injunction, decision or decree or other material legal restraint or prohibition issued by any court of competent
jurisdiction or other Australian, United States or Irish Government Agency; and
|
(2) |
no action or investigation is commenced or threatened by any Australian, United States or Irish Government Agency,
|
(3) |
restrains or prohibits (or could reasonably be expected to restrain or prohibit) the Scheme, completion of the Transaction or the rights of MergeCo in respect of Carbon Revolution
or the Carbon Revolution Shares to be acquired under the Scheme or the rights of Merger Sub in respect of the Merger with the SPAC; or
|
(4) |
requires the divestiture by MergeCo of any assets of the Carbon Revolution Group or of any Merger Sub Shares,
|
(e) |
Independent Expert: the Independent Expert:
|
(1) |
issues an Independent Expert’s Report which concludes that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction are in the best interests of Carbon Revolution Shareholders before the time the
Scheme Booklet is registered by ASIC; and
|
(2) |
does not change its conclusion or withdraw its Independent Expert’s Report before 8.00am on the Second Court Date.
|
(f) |
No Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence: no Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence
occurs between (and including) the date of this deed and 8.00am on the Second Court Date.
|
(g) |
No SPAC Prescribed Occurrence: no SPAC Prescribed Occurrence occurs between (and including)
the date of this deed and 8.00am on the Second Court Date.
|
(h) |
No MergeCo Prescribed Occurrence: no MergeCo Prescribed Occurrence occurs between (and
including) the date of this deed and 8.00am on the Second Court Date.
|
(l) |
BCA: at 8:00am on the Second Court Date, the BCA has not been terminated or rescinded and
has otherwise not ceased to have effect in accordance with its terms.
|
(m) |
(p) |
(q) |
CEF Agreement: as at 8.00am on the Second Court Date, the CEF Agreement remain in full
force and effect.
|
3.2 |
Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent
|
(d) |
Each party must, to the extent it is within its respective power to do so, use reasonable endeavours to procure that:
|
(2) |
there is no occurrence within its control or the control of any of its Subsidiaries that would prevent any of the Conditions Precedent being or remaining satisfied.
|
(e) |
(1) |
as expressly required, permitted or permitted not to be done, by this deed (including taking an action or omitting to take an action in response to a Competing Proposal or SPAC
Competing Transaction (as applicable) as permitted or contemplated by clause 10; or
|
(2) |
which has been consented to in writing by the other parties.
|
(f) |
Without limiting this clause 3.2 and except to the extent prohibited by a Government Agency, each party must:
|
(1) |
promptly apply for all relevant Regulatory Approvals (as applicable) and provide to the other party a copy of all those applications;
|
(4) |
consult with the other party in advance in relation to the progress of obtaining, and all material communications with Government Agencies regarding any of, the Regulatory
Approvals; and
|
(5) |
provide the other party with all assistance and information that it reasonably requests in connection with an application for a Regulatory Approval to be lodged by that other party.
|
3.3 |
Waiver of Conditions Precedent
|
(e) |
Waiver of a breach or non-satisfaction in respect of one Condition Precedent does not constitute:
|
(1) |
a waiver of breach or non-satisfaction of any other Condition Precedent resulting from the same event; or
|
(2) |
a waiver of breach or non-satisfaction of that Condition Precedent resulting from any other event.
|
3.4 |
Termination on failure of Condition Precedent
|
(1) |
the time and date specified in this deed for the satisfaction of that Condition Precedent; and
|
(2)
|
the End Date,
|
(5) |
consider extending and, if agreed, extend, the time and date specified in this deed for the satisfaction of that Condition Precedent or End Date (as applicable),
|
(1) |
the relevant Condition Precedent has been waived in accordance with clause 3.3; or
|
(2) |
the party or parties (as applicable), entitled to waive the relevant Condition Precedent in accordance with clause 3.3 confirms in writing to the other parties that it will not
rely on the event or occurrence that would or does prevent the relevant Condition Precedent from being satisfied, or would mean the relevant Condition Precedent would or will not otherwise be satisfied,
|
(c) |
A party may not terminate this deed pursuant to clause 3.4(b) if:
|
(1) |
the relevant occurrence or event, the failure of the Condition Precedent to be satisfied, or the failure of the Scheme to become Effective, arises out of a breach of clauses 3.2 or
3.5 by that party; or
|
(2) |
the relevant Condition Precedent is stated in clause 3.3 to be for the sole benefit of the other party.
|
3.5 |
Certain notices relating to Conditions Precedent
|
(a) |
the satisfaction of a Condition Precedent or of any material progress towards such satisfaction; or
|
(b) |
the happening of an event or occurrence that would, does, will, or would reasonably be likely to:
|
(1) |
prevent a Condition Precedent being satisfied; or
|
(2) |
mean that any Condition Precedent will not otherwise be satisfied,
|
4
|
Transaction steps
|
4.1
|
Scheme
|
4.2 |
No amendment to the Scheme without consent
|
4.3 |
(a)
|
The parties acknowledge that each Scheme Shareholder will be entitled to receive the Scheme Consideration in consideration for the cancellation of each Scheme Share held by
that Scheme Shareholder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this deed and the Scheme.
|
(b) |
The parties acknowledge that on Closing, each SPAC Shareholder will be entitled to receive securities in MergeCo in exchange for the SPAC securities they hold at the SPAC Merger
Effective Time (as defined in the BCA), in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BCA.
|
4.4 |
Provision of Carbon Revolution Share information
|
(b) |
The details and information to be provided under clause 4.4(a) must be provided in such form as MergeCo or its nominee may reasonably require.
|
4.5 |
(a) |
the parties agree that the Equity Incentives will be treated in the manner agreed between the parties in writing on the date of this deed; and
|
(b)
|
Carbon Revolution must ensure that all Equity Incentives which are not Carbon Revolution Shares have either been cancelled or exchanged, lapsed or vested and converted into
Carbon Revolution Shares such that there are no outstanding Equity Incentives which are not Carbon Revolution Shares on issue as at the Scheme Record Date.
|
4.6 |
Tax treatment
|
(a) |
No party has taken (or failed to take) any action or caused any action to be taken (or to fail to be taken) and will not take (or fail to take) any action or will cause any action
to be taken (or to fail to be taken) (in each case other than any action provided for or prohibited by this deed), or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance, that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger and the Scheme, as
applicable, from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.
|
(b) |
Each party agrees to act in good faith consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment and will not take any position on any U.S. Tax Return or otherwise take any U.S. Tax reporting
position inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment, unless otherwise required by a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that the Intended Tax Treatment is not correct.
|
5.1 |
Timetable
|
(a) |
Subject to clause 5.1(b), the parties must each use reasonable endeavours to:
|
(1) |
comply with their respective obligations under this clause 5; and
|
(2) |
take all necessary steps and exercise all rights necessary to implement the Transaction,
|
(c) |
Each party must keep the other informed about their progress against the Timetable and notify each other if it believes that any of the dates in the Timetable are not achievable.
|
(d) |
To the extent that any of the dates or timeframes set out in the Timetable become not achievable due to matters outside of a party’s control, the parties will consult in good faith
to agree to any necessary extension to ensure such matters are completed within the shortest possible timeframe.
|
5.2 |
Carbon Revolution’s obligations
|
(b) |
directors’ recommendation: include in the Scheme Booklet and the public announcement
contemplated by clause 8 a statement by the Carbon Revolution Board:
|
(c) |
paragraph 411(17)(b) statement: apply to ASIC for the production of:
|
(1) |
an indication of intent letter stating that it does not intend to appear before the Court on the First Court Date; and
|
(2) |
a statement under paragraph 411(17)(b) of the Corporations Act stating that ASIC has no objection to the Scheme;
|
(h) |
certificate: at the hearing on the Second Court Date provide to the Court:
|
(1) |
a certificate (signed for and on behalf of Carbon Revolution) in the form of a deed (substantially in the form of Attachment 1 – Conditions Precedent certificate) confirming whether or not the Conditions Precedent (other than the Condition Precedent in clause 3.1(d) (Court Approval)) have been satisfied or waived in accordance with this deed, a draft of which certificate must be provided by Carbon Revolution to the SPAC by 4.00pm on the date that is two Business
Days prior to the Second Court Date;
|
(2) |
any certificate provided to it by SPAC pursuant to clause 5.3(i); and
|
(3) |
any certificate provided to it by MergeCo pursuant to clause 5.4(c);
|
(k) |
Cancellation and registration: if the Scheme becomes Effective, on the Implementation Date:
|
(1) |
implement the Capital Reduction by making the necessary lodgements with ASIC and cancelling the Scheme Shares; and
|
(l) |
consultation with the SPAC in relation to Scheme Booklet: consult with the SPAC as to the
content and presentation of the Scheme Booklet including:
|
(2) |
considering and taking all reasonable and timely comments made by the SPAC into account in good faith when producing a revised draft of the Scheme Booklet;
|
(4) |
obtaining written consent from the SPAC for the form and content in which the SPAC Information appears in the Scheme Booklet; and
|
(5) |
confirming in writing to the SPAC that the Carbon Revolution Information in the Scheme Booklet does not contain any material statement that is false or misleading in a material
respect including because of any material omission from that statement;
|
(m) |
due diligence committee and verification: undertake appropriate due diligence committee and
verification processes in relation to the Carbon Revolution Information;
|
(n) |
pursuing the Bridge Financing: use reasonable endeavours to pursue and implement the Bridge
Financing on or before 31 March 2023;
|
(o) |
consultation with the SPAC in relation to Bridge Financing: in relation to the Bridge
Financing:
|
(2) |
provide a copy of any Bridge Financing term sheet that Carbon Revolution proposes to send to a potential Bridge Financing provider (Bridge Financing Term Sheet) to the SPAC and provide a copy of any material amendments made to any such Bridge Financing Term Sheet by a potential Bridge Financing provider to SPAC for the
purpose of enabling the SPAC to review and comment on the Bridge Financing Term Sheet and any material amendments to any such Bridge Financing Term Sheet; and
|
(3) |
consider and take into account all reasonable and timely comments made by the SPAC in good faith when producing a revised draft of the Bridge Financing Term Sheet and negotiations
in relation to the Bridge Financing Term Sheet and any long-form documentation to reflect the full terms of any Bridge Financing.
|
(q) |
lodgement of Regulator’s Draft: as soon as practicable, but by no later than 14 days before
the First Court Date, provide the Regulator’s Draft to ASIC for its review for the purposes of subsection 411(2) of the Corporations Act, and provide a copy of the Regulator’s Draft to the SPAC as soon as practicable thereafter;
|
(r) |
information: provide all necessary information, and procure that the Carbon Revolution
Registry provides all necessary information about the Scheme, the Scheme Shareholders and Carbon Revolution Shareholders to MergeCo, which MergeCo reasonably requires in order to:
|
(2) |
facilitate the provision by, MergeCo of the Scheme Consideration and to otherwise enable MergeCo to comply with the terms of this deed, the Scheme and the Deed Poll; and
|
(3) |
review the tally of proxy appointments and directions received by Carbon Revolution before the Scheme Meeting;
|
(t) |
registration of Scheme Booklet: take all reasonable measures within its control to cause
ASIC to register the Scheme Booklet under subsection 412(6) of the Corporations Act;
|
(u) |
representation: procure that it is represented by counsel at the Court hearings convened
for the purposes of subsection 411(1) and paragraph 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act;
|
(x) |
assistance: up to the Implementation Date and subject to legal professional privilege,
obligations of confidentiality owed to third parties and undertakings to Government Agencies, provide the SPAC and its Related Persons with reasonable access during normal business hours to information and personnel of the Carbon Revolution
Group that the SPAC reasonably requests for the purpose of collation and provision of the SPAC Information and implementation of the Transaction;
|
(y) |
compliance with laws: do everything reasonably within its power to ensure that the
Transaction is effected in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
|
(bb) |
update MergeCo Registration Statement: until the date of the SPAC Shareholders Meeting,
promptly inform SPAC of any information in relation to Carbon Revolution that Carbon Revolution is aware of that arises after the MergeCo Registration Statement has been declared effective that is necessary to ensure that the MergeCo
Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. Carbon
Revolution and SPAC must consult on the content and presentation of any update or supplement to the MergeCo Registration Statement, or where appropriate, an announcement to otherwise inform the market of the updated information contemplated
by this clause;
|
(cc) |
promote Transaction: participate in efforts reasonably requested by the SPAC to promote the
merits of the Transaction and the Scheme Consideration, including, where requested by the SPAC, meeting with key Carbon Revolution Shareholders and, in consultation with the SPAC, undertaking reasonable shareholder engagement and proxy
solicitation actions so as so promote the merits of the Transaction and encourage Carbon Revolution Shareholders to vote on the Scheme, in each case in accordance with the recommendation of the Carbon Revolution Board, subject to applicable
law and ASIC policy;
|
(dd) |
suspension of trading: apply to ASX to suspend trading in Carbon Revolution Shares with
effect from the close of trading on the Effective Date;
|
(ee) |
removal of quotation: if the Scheme becomes Effective, apply to ASX to have Carbon
Revolution removed from the official list of ASX, and quotation of Carbon Revolution Shares on the ASX terminated, with effect on and from the close of trading on the Trading Day immediately following the Implementation Date (unless
otherwise directed by the SPAC in writing);
|
(ff) |
Carbon Revolution Locked-Up Shareholders: using best endeavours to secure the execution by each of the Carbon Revolution Locked-Up Shareholders of the Outsider Lock-Up Agreement as soon as practicable after the date of this deed (for the
avoidance of doubt, Carbon Revolution will not be in breach of its obligation under this deed if any one or more of the Carbon Revolution Locked-Up Shareholders does not sign the Outsider Lock-Up Agreement);
|
(gg) |
preparation of the MergeCo Registration Statement: use reasonable best efforts to assist
MergeCo in the preparation and filing of the MergeCo Registration Statement, including by furnishing all information (including the financial statements of the Carbon Revolution Group) concerning Carbon Revolution as MergeCo may reasonably
request in connection with such actions and the preparation of the MergeCo Registration Statement. Carbon Revolution will use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cause the MergeCo Registration Statement, when filed with the SEC, to comply in
all material respects with all legal requirements applicable thereto, (ii) respond promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from the SEC concerning the MergeCo Registration Statement, (iii) cause the MergeCo
Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after filing with the SEC and (iv) to keep the MergeCo Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the
Transaction;
|
(hh) |
Proxy information: upon request by the SPAC made prior to commencement of the Scheme
Meeting, inform the SPAC of the total number of proxy votes received by Carbon Revolution:
|
(1) |
to vote in favour of the Scheme;
|
(2) |
to vote against the Scheme;
|
(3) |
to abstain from voting on the Scheme; and
|
(4) |
where the proxy may vote at the proxy’s discretion;
|
(ii) |
MergeCo Obligations: for each instance in which MergeCo has an obligation or covenant
under this deed, Carbon Revolution shall cause MergeCo to perform such obligation or covenant and shall be responsible for any failure or breach thereof by MergeCo;
|
(jj) |
Financial Statements:
|
(1) |
Carbon Revolution shall deliver to SPAC, at such time as is required by ASIC, true and complete copies of the unaudited balance sheet of Carbon Revolution as of December 31, 2022,
and the related unaudited income statement and statement of cash flows of Carbon Revolution for the six month period then ended, prepared in accordance with IFRS. Prior to the Closing, Carbon Revolution shall deliver to SPAC interim
financial information at such time and in such form as is required by ASIC.
|
(2) |
Carbon Revolution shall deliver to SPAC as promptly as practicable after the execution of the BCA with regard to clauses (i) and (iv) below, the true and complete copies of the (i)
audited consolidated statement of financial position as of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, and the related audited statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2021,
of Carbon Revolution Group, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, accompanied by the reports thereon of Carbon Revolution’s independent auditors (which reports shall be unqualified) (the “Audited Financial Statements”);
(ii) unaudited interim consolidated statement of financial position as of and for the six (6) month periods ended December 31, 2022, and the related unaudited interim statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows as
of and for the six (6) month periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, together with all related notes and schedules thereto, prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act and reviewed by Carbon Revolution’s independent
auditor in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100 issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, of Carbon Revolution and its Subsidiaries (the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and, together with the
Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”); (iii) any financial statements or similar reports of Carbon Revolution required to be included in the F-4, Proxy Statement, Form 6-K filed in connection with and announcing the
Closing or any other filings to be made with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the BCA or any Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the BCA); and (iv) management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act (as if Carbon Revolution Group were subject thereto) with respect to the periods described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, as necessary for
inclusion in the Form F-4 (including pro forma financial information). Additionally, Carbon Revolution shall use reasonable best efforts to provide as soon as reasonably practicable all other audited and unaudited financial statements of
Carbon Revolution Group, and any company or business units acquired by Carbon Revolution Group, as applicable, required under the applicable rules and regulations and guidance of the SEC to be included in the Form F-4 and/or the Form 6-K
filed in connection with and announcing the Closing (including pro forma financial information).
|
5.3 |
SPAC’s obligations
|
(d) |
representation: procure that it is represented by counsel at the Court hearings convened
for the purposes of subsection 411(1) and paragraph 411(4)(b) of the Corporations Act;
|
(e) |
Deed Poll: by no later than the Business Day prior to the First Court Date, execute and
deliver to Carbon Revolution the Deed Poll;
|
(f) |
accuracy of SPAC Information: confirm in writing to Carbon Revolution that the SPAC
Information in the Scheme Booklet does not contain any material statement that is false ormisleading in a material respect including because of any material omission from that statement;
|
(g) |
due diligence committee and verification: undertake appropriate due diligence and
verification processes in relation to the SPAC Information;
|
(h) |
consent: provide a consent and use reasonable best efforts to obtain consents from third
parties in such for as Carbon Revolution reasonably requires in relation to the form and content in which information about SPAC appears in the Scheme Booklet;
|
(i) |
certificate: before the commencement of the hearing on the Second Court Date provide to
Carbon Revolution for provision to the Court at that hearing a certificate (signed for and on behalf of the SPAC) in the form of a deed (substantially in the form of Attachment 1 – Conditions Precedent Certificate) confirming whether or not the Conditions Precedent (other than the Condition Precedent in clause 3.1(d) (Court Approval)) have been satisfied or waived in accordance with this deed, a draft of which certificate must be provided by the SPAC to Carbon Revolution by 4.00 pm on the date that is two Business Days
prior to the Second Court Date;
|
(k) |
assistance: up to (and including) the Implementation Date and subject to obligations of
confidentiality owed to third parties and undertakings to Government agencies, provide Carbon Revolution and its Related Persons with reasonable access during normal business hours to information and personnel of the SPAC that Carbon
Revolution reasonably requests for the purpose of preparation of the Scheme Booklet and implementation of the Transaction;
|
(l) |
compliance with laws: do everything reasonably within its power to ensure that the
Transaction is effected in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
|
(n) |
FPA: prior to the earlier of:
|
(1) |
despatch by Carbon Revolution of the Scheme Booklet; or
|
(2) |
despatch by MergeCo of the MergeCo Registration Statement,
|
(o) |
promote Transaction: participate in efforts reasonably requested by Carbon Revolution to
promote the merits of the Transaction and the Scheme Consideration, including, where requested by Carbon Revolution, meeting with key Carbon Revolution Shareholders and, in consultation with Carbon Revolution, undertaking reasonable
shareholder engagement and proxy solicitation actions to encourage Carbon Revolution Shareholders to vote on the Scheme, subject to applicable law and ASIC policy. SPAC shall also recommend, through the SPAC Board, that the SPAC
Shareholders adopt and approve the Transaction, the Scheme Consideration and any and all other actions and agreements in furtherance of the Transaction, unless the SPAC Board has determined after receiving written advice from SPAC’s
external legal advisers specialising in the area of corporate law that the SPAC Board, by virtue of the fiduciary or statutory duties of the SPAC Board Members, is required to change, modify, qualify or withdraw its or their recommendation;
|
(r) |
rollover relief: provide Carbon Revolution with such assistance and information as may
reasonably be requested by Carbon Revolution for the purposes of obtaining the ATO Ruling from the Australian Taxation Office.
|
5.4 |
MergeCo’s obligations
|
(a) |
MergeCo Board Approval: before 8.00am on the Second Court Date, the MergeCo Board must
approve the issuance of the MergeCo Shares to be issued as Scheme Consideration, conditional on the Scheme becoming Effective and the condition subsequent in clause 3.3 of the terms of the Scheme occurring;
|
(b) |
Scheme Consideration: if the Scheme becomes Effective, procure (to the extent permissible
under applicable law) the provision of the Scheme Consideration in the manner and amount contemplated by clause 4 and the terms of the Scheme and the Deed Poll;
|
(d) |
Deed Poll: by no later than the Business Day prior to the First Court Date, execute and
deliver to Carbon Revolution the Deed Poll;
|
(e) |
consent: provide a consent and use reasonable best efforts to obtain consents from third
parties in such form as Carbon Revolution and SPAC reasonably require in relation to the form and content in which information about MergeCo appears in the Scheme Booklet;
|
(f) |
Agree to become Carbon Revolution’s sole shareholder: if the Scheme becomes Effective, on
the Implementation Date, do all things necessary to subscribe for one Carbon Revolution Share and otherwise agree to become a member of Carbon Revolution in accordance with the constitution of Carbon Revolution as consideration for the
issuance of the Scheme Consideration;
|
(g) |
Filing of the MergeCo Registration Statement: as promptly as practicable after the
execution of this deed, MergeCo shall prepare and file with the SEC the MergeCo Registration Statement;
|
(h) |
Foreign private issuer status: use reasonable and best endeavours to qualify as a foreign
private issuer pursuant to Rule 3B-4 of the Exchange Act prior to 8.00am on the Second Court Date;
|
(i) |
Conversion of MergeCo to a Public Limited Company: prior to the First Court Date MergeCo
will convert from a private limited company to a public limited company; and
|
(j) |
rollover relief: to facilitate the availability of scrip-for-scrip rollover relief under
Subdivision 124-M of the Tax Act for eligible Scheme Shareholders:
|
(1) |
provide Carbon Revolution with such assistance and information as may reasonably be requested by Carbon Revolution for the purposes of obtaining the ATO Ruling from the Australian
Taxation Office;
|
(2) |
not make an election under section 124-795(4) of the Tax Act preventing the availability of the rollover relief; and
|
(3) |
if applicable, make any election required under Subdivision 124-M of the Tax Act in relation to the rollover.
|
5.5 |
Other Transaction Documents and associated arrangements
|
(b) |
Registration Rights Agreement: the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.
|
5.6 |
Conduct of business – Carbon Revolution
|
(2) |
keep the SPAC informed of any material developments concerning the conduct of its business;
|
(3) |
not pay, declare, determine or otherwise agree to pay any dividend or distribution;
|
(4) |
not enter into any line of business or other activities in which the Carbon Revolution Group is not engaged as at the date of this deed;
|
(5) |
provide monthly management accounts for the Carbon Revolution Group, in a timely manner to the SPAC;
|
(7) |
comply in all material respects with all applicable Authorisations, laws and regulations (including the Listing Rules);
|
(8) |
ensure that no Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence occurs;
|
(9) |
make all reasonable efforts, and procure that each other Carbon Revolution Group Member makes all reasonable efforts, to:
|
(A) |
comply with the terms of all Material Contracts;
|
(B) |
preserve and maintain the value of the businesses and assets of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(C) |
keep available the services of the Carbon Revolution Locked-up Persons and (subject to normal operating attrition rates) employees of each Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
(D) |
maintain and preserve their relationship with Government Agencies, customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with any Carbon Revolution Group Member; and
|
(E) |
ensure that there is no occurrence within their control that would constitute or be likely to constitute a Carbon Revolution Adverse Change; and
|
(10) |
use its best endeavours to ensure that no Carbon Revolution Regulated Event occurs.
|
(b) |
Nothing in clause 5.6(a) restricts the ability of Carbon Revolution to take any action:
|
(1) |
which is required or expressly permitted by this deed, the BCA or the Scheme, including for
the avoidance of doubt actions to give effect to a Superior Proposal;
|
(2) |
which has been agreed to in writing by the SPAC (which agreement must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or requested by the SPAC in writing;
|
(3) |
in connection with the marketing, underwriting, entry into and completion of the Bridge Financing and compliance with any associated disclosure requirements or the agreements
giving effect to the Bridge Financing;
|
(4) |
which is required by any applicable law, regulation or by a Government Agency;
|
(5) |
(6) |
that Carbon Revolution Fairly Disclosed in an announcement made by Carbon Revolution to ASX in the one year period prior to the date of this deed;
|
(7) |
to reasonably and prudently respond to:
|
(A) |
Carbon Revolution’s prevailing or anticipated cash flow and liquidity requirements at the relevant point in time and the need to minimise cash outflows and maximise cash inflows
and profitability between (and including) the date of this deed and the Implementation Date including: operational restructuring initiatives, acceleration of grant income, variation of customer payment terms and consensual deferral of
creditor payments;
|
(B) |
an emergency or disaster (including a situation giving rise to a risk of personal injury or damage to property, or a disease epidemic or pandemic, including the outbreak,
escalation or any impact of, or recovery from, COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Measures);
|
(C) |
changes in market conditions affecting the business of Carbon Revolution or a Carbon Revolution Group Member to a material extent;
|
(D) |
regulatory or legislative changes (including without limitation changes to subordinate legislation) affecting the business of Carbon Revolution or a Carbon Revolution Group Member
to a material extent,
|
(8) |
in connection with an actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal as contemplated by clause 10.
|
(c) |
From the date of this deed up to and including the Second Court Date unless the SPAC agrees otherwise in writing, Carbon Revolution will promptly notify the SPAC of anything of
which it becomes aware that:
|
(1) |
makes any material information publicly filed by Carbon Revolution (either on its own account or in respect of any other Carbon Revolution Group Member) to be, or reasonably likely
to be, incomplete, incorrect, untrue or misleading in any material respect;
|
(2) |
makes any of the Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties false, inaccurate, misleading or deceptive in any material respect;
|
(3) |
makes any information provided in the Disclosure Materials incomplete, incorrect, untrue or misleading in any material respect; or
|
(4) |
would constitute or be likely to constitute a Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence, a Carbon Revolution Regulated Event or a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect.
|
5.7 |
Conduct of business – SPAC
|
(a) |
Subject to clause 5.7(b), from the date of this deed up to and including the Implementation Date, and without limiting any other obligations of the SPAC under this deed, the SPAC
must:
|
(1) |
maintain the condition of its business and material assets in all material respects;
|
(2) |
keep available the services of its key employees;
|
(3) |
preserve its material relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, joint venturers and others with whom it has business dealings in all material respects;
|
(4) |
not take any action that would give rise to a SPAC Prescribed Occurrence;
|
(5) |
not amend or otherwise change the organisational documents of SPAC or form any Subsidiary of SPAC;
|
(6) |
not reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any SPAC securities, but excluding distributions from the Trust
Account to the shareholders of the SPAC upon the redemption of their shares that are required pursuant to the organisational documents of the SPAC;
|
(7) |
not pay, declare, determine or otherwise agree to pay any dividend or distribution;
|
(8) |
not issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, or authorise the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of, any shares of any class of capital stock or
other securities of SPAC, or any options, warrants, convertible securities, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including without limitation, any phantom interest) of
SPAC;
|
(9) |
not acquire (including, without limitation, by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets or any other business combination) any corporation, partnership, other
business organisation or enter into any strategic joint ventures, partnerships or alliances with any other person;
|
(10) |
other than reasonably necessary SPAC Working Capital Loans, not incur indebtedness;
|
(11) |
other than for purposes of reasonably complying with any agreements, orders, comments or other guidance from the Staff or SPAC’s auditors following the date hereof, not make any
change in any method of financial accounting or financial accounting principles, policies, procedures or practices;
|
(12) |
not make or change any material Tax election or settle or compromise any material liability relating to a Tax dispute, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any
Tax sharing, indemnification, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement, or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to or relating to any Tax audit, dispute, litigation or other proceeding;
|
(13) |
not amend the Trust Agreement or any other agreement related to the Trust Account;
|
(14) |
not enter into any line of business or other activities in which it is not engaged as at the date of this deed;
|
(15) |
promptly notify Carbon Revolution of any legal proceeding, claim or investigation which may be threatened or asserted or commenced against any it; and
|
(16) |
comply in all material respects with all applicable Authorisations, laws and regulations.
|
(b) |
Nothing in clause 5.7(a) restricts the ability of the SPAC to take any action:
|
(1) |
which is required or expressly permitted by this deed, the BCA or the Scheme;
|
(2) |
which has been agreed to in writing by Carbon Revolution (which agreement must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or requested by Carbon Revolution in writing;
|
(3) |
which is required by any applicable law or regulation by a Government Agency; or
|
(4) |
to reasonably and prudently respond to an emergency or disaster (including a situation giving rise to a risk of personal injury or damage to property, or a disease epidemic or
pandemic, including the outbreak, escalation or any impact of, or recovery from, COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Measures).
|
5.8 |
Conduct of business – MergeCo
|
(1) |
carry on business, grant any right or incur any liability;
|
(2) |
convert all or any of its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
|
(3) |
permit any transfer of its shares to occur, or any Encumbrance or trust to be created over or in respect of its shares (or any interest in them);
|
(4) |
resolve to reduce its share capital in any way or resolve to reclassify, combine, split or redeem or repurchase directly or indirectly any of its shares;
|
(5) |
undertake to:
|
(A) |
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of Parent, or agree to do any of the foregoing;
|
(B) |
enter into a buy-back agreement; or
|
(C) |
resolve to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement;
|
(6) |
make or declare, or announce an intention to make or declare, any distribution (whether by way of dividend, capital reduction or otherwise and whether in cash or in specie);
|
(7) |
undertake to:
|
(A) |
issue any shares;
|
(B) |
grant an option over its shares; or
|
(C) |
agree to make an issue of or grant an option over shares;
|
(8) |
issue or agree to issue securities or other instruments convertible into shares;
|
(9) |
adopt a new constitution or modify or repeal its constitution or a provision of it;
|
(10) |
undertake to:
|
(A) |
acquire or dispose of;
|
(B) |
agree to acquire or dispose of; or
|
(C) |
offer, propose, announce a bid or tenders for,
|
(11) |
create, or agree to create, any Encumbrance over or declares itself the trustee of any of its business or property;
|
(12) |
merge or consolidate with any other person or restructure, reorganise or completely or partially liquidates or dissolve;
|
(13) |
undergoes an Insolvency Event;
|
(14) |
enter into any agreement, contract or commitment;
|
(15) |
engage any employee;
|
(16) |
incur, assume, guarantee or become liable for any Financial Indebtedness;
|
(17) |
incur or make any expenditure;
|
(18) |
own any real or personal property;
|
(19) |
commence any legal proceedings, or threaten to do so.
|
(b) |
Nothing in clause 5.8(a) restricts the ability of MergeCo to take any action:
|
(1) |
in connection with the marketing, underwriting, entry into and completion of the Bridge Financing and compliance with any associated disclosure requirements or the agreements
giving effect to the Bridge Financing;
|
(2) |
which is required by any applicable law, regulation or by a Government Agency;
|
(3) |
which is required in order for MergeCo or any Subsidiary of MergeCo to re-register as a public limited company and/or change its name, including creating a new class of shares
and/or issuing additional shares for the purposes of re-registering as a public limited company and/or updating its memorandum and articles of association and making any regulatory filings as required by any applicable law.
|
5.9 |
Material Contract consents
|
(a) |
In respect of each Material Contract:
|
(1) |
Carbon Revolution will initiate contact with the relevant counterparties and request that they provide the consents required or appropriate for the Transaction. The SPAC and its
Related Persons must not contact any counterparties to Material Contracts without Carbon Revolution being present or without Carbon Revolution’s prior written consent (which is not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);
|
(2) |
Carbon Revolution must use reasonable endeavours to obtain such consents or confirmations as expeditiously as possible, including by providing any information reasonably required
by counterparties (but nothing in this clause 5.8 requires Carbon Revolution to incur material expense or provide material concessions to any applicable counterparties); and
|
(3) |
The SPAC must cooperate with, and provide all reasonable assistance to, Carbon Revolution to obtain such consents or confirmations, including by:
|
(A) |
providing any information required; and
|
(B) |
making officers and employees available where necessary to meet with counterparties to deal with any issues arising in relation to the relevant consent or waiver,
|
(b) |
Provided that Carbon Revolution has complied with this clause 5.8, a failure by Carbon Revolution to obtain any third party consent will not constitute a breach of this deed by
Carbon Revolution.
|
5.10 |
Appointment of directors
|
(a) |
cause the appointment of the Sponsor Nominees to the MergeCo Board;
|
(b) |
cause the appointment of the Carbon Revolution Nominees to the MergeCo Board; and
|
(c) |
ensure that all directors on the MergeCo Board, other than the Sponsor Nominees and the Carbon Revolution Nominees:
|
(1) |
resign; and
|
(2) |
unconditionally and irrevocably release MergeCo from any claims they may have against MergeCo.
|
5.11 |
Carbon Revolution Board Recommendation
|
(a) |
Carbon Revolution must procure that, subject to clause 5.11(b):
|
(1) |
the Carbon Revolution Board unanimously recommends that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme and the Capital Reduction at the Scheme Meeting in the absence
of a Superior Proposal and subject to the Independent Expert concluding in the Independent Expert’s Report (and continuing to conclude) that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction is in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders and
that the Scheme Booklet and all other public statements relating to the Transaction include statements by the Carbon Revolution Board to that effect; and
|
(2) |
each Carbon Revolution Board member provides a statement to Carbon Revolution that they:
|
(A) |
will not, prior to the Scheme Meeting (in accordance with the Timetable) dispose (or agree to dispose) of their respective Director Carbon Revolution Shares; and
|
(B) |
intend to vote, or cause to be voted, all of their respective Director Carbon Revolution Shares in favour of the Scheme and the Capital Reduction in the absence of a Superior
Proposal and subject to the Independent Expert concluding in the Independent Expert’s Report (and continuing to conclude) that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction is in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders, and authorises
the inclusion by Carbon Revolution of that statement in the Scheme Booklet and all other public statements relating to the Transaction.
|
(b) |
Carbon Revolution:
|
(1) |
must procure that the Carbon Revolution Board collectively, and the Carbon Revolution Board members individually, do not; and
|
(2) |
represents and warrants to the SPAC that, as at the date of this deed, each Carbon Revolution Board Member has confirmed that he or she does not intend to,
|
(3) |
the Independent Expert provides a report to Carbon Revolution (including either the Independent Expert’s Report or any update of, or any revision, amendment or supplement to, that
report) that concludes that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction are not in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders;
|
(4) |
Carbon Revolution has received a Competing Proposal and the Carbon Revolution Board has determined, after the procedure in clause 10.4 has been complied with, that the Competing
Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal;
|
(5) |
the change, modification, qualification or withdrawal occurs because of a requirement or request by a court or Government Agency that one or more Carbon Revolution Board members
abstain from making a recommendation that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme and the Capital Reduction after the date of this deed; or
|
(6) |
the Carbon Revolution Board has determined after receiving written advice from Carbon Revolution’s external Australian legal advisers specialising in the area of corporate law that
the Carbon Revolution Board, by virtue of the fiduciary or statutory duties of the Carbon Revolution Board Members, is required to change, modify, qualify or withdraw its or their recommendation (with a copy of such advice to be provided to
the SPAC).
|
(c) |
For the purposes of this clause 5.11, customary qualifications and explanations contained in the Scheme Booklet and any public announcements by Carbon Revolution in relation to a
recommendation to vote in favour of the Scheme and the Capital Reduction to the effect that the recommendation is made:
|
(1) |
in the absence of a Superior Proposal;
|
(2) |
in respect of any public announcement issued before the issue of the Scheme Booklet, subject to the Independent Expert concluding in the Independent Expert’s Report (and continuing
to conclude) that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction are in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders; and
|
(3) |
in respect of the Scheme Booklet and any public announcements issued at the time of or after the issue of Scheme Booklet, subject to the Independent Expert continuing to conclude
that the Scheme and the Capital Reduction are in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders,
|
(d) |
Without limiting the operation of clause 10 or the preceding provisions of this clause 5, if circumstances arise, including the receipt or expected receipt of an unfavourable
report from the Independent Expert (including either the Independent Expert’s Report or any update of, or any revision, amendment or supplement to, that report) which is reasonably likely to lead to any one or more Carbon Revolution Board
Members adversely changing, adversely modifying, adversely qualifying or withdrawing their recommendation to vote in favour of the Scheme and Capital Reduction, Carbon Revolution must:
|
(1) |
as soon as practicable, notify the SPAC of this fact; and
|
(2) |
consult with the SPAC in good faith for at least 2 Business Days after the date on which the notice under clause 5.11(d)(1) is given to consider and determine whether there are any
steps that can be taken to avoid such a change, modification, qualification or withdrawal (as applicable).
|
(e) |
A statement made by Carbon Revolution or the Carbon Revolution Board to the effect that no action should be taken by Carbon Revolution Shareholders pending the assessment of a
Competing Proposal by the Carbon Revolution Board or the completion of the matching right process set out in clause 10.4 shall not contravene this clause 5.11.
|
5.12 |
SPAC Board Recommendation
|
5.13 |
Responsibility Statements
|
(a) |
The Scheme Booklet will contain a responsibility statement to the effect that:
|
(1) |
MergeCo is responsible for the MergeCo Information contained in the Scheme Booklet;
|
(2) |
SPAC is responsible for the SPAC Information contained in the Scheme Booklet;
|
(3) |
Carbon Revolution is responsible for the Carbon Revolution Information contained in the Scheme Booklet; and
|
(4) |
the Independent Expert is responsible for the Independent Expert’s Report, and none of Carbon Revolution, MergeCo, SPAC or their respective directors or officers assumes any
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the Independent Expert’s Report.
|
(b) |
If Carbon Revolution, MergeCo and the SPAC disagree on the form or content of the Scheme Booklet, they must consult in good faith to try to settle an agreed form of the Scheme
Booklet. If after five Business Days of consultation, Carbon Revolution, MergeCo and the SPAC are unable to agree on the form or content of the Scheme Booklet:
|
(1) |
where the determination relates to SPAC Information, the SPAC will make the final determination, acting reasonably, as to the form and content of the SPAC Information; and
|
(2) |
in any other case, the final determination as to the form and content of the Scheme Booklet will be made by Carbon Revolution, acting reasonably, provided that, if the SPAC
disagrees with such final form and content, Carbon Revolution must include a statement to that effect in the Scheme Booklet.
|
5.14 |
Conduct of Court proceedings
|
(a) |
Carbon Revolution and MergeCo on the one hand and the SPAC on the other hand are entitled to separate representation at all Court proceedings affecting the Transaction.
|
(b) |
This deed does not give Carbon Revolution or the SPAC any right or power to give undertakings to the Court for or on behalf of the other of them without the other party’s written
consent.
|
6.1 |
SPAC’s representations and warranties
|
6.2 |
Carbon Revolution’s representations and warranties
|
6.3 |
MergeCo’s representations and warranties
|
6.4 |
Qualifications on representations and warranties
|
(a) |
The Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties made or given in clause 6.2 are each subject to matters that:
|
(1) |
have been Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials;
|
(2) |
have been Fairly Disclosed in:
|
(A) |
an announcement by Carbon Revolution to ASX, or
|
(B) |
a publicly available document lodged by Carbon Revolution with ASIC,
|
(3) |
are expressly required or permitted by this deed or the Scheme.
|
(c) |
The SPAC Representations and Warranties made or given in clause 6.1 are each subject to matters that have been Fairly Disclosed in any report, schedule, form, statement or other
document (including exhibits) filed with, or furnished to, the SEC by the SPAC from the date the SPAC was listed on the NYSE until the date of this deed.
|
6.5 |
Survival of representations and warranties
|
(a) |
is severable; and
|
(b) |
6.6 |
Timing of representations and warranties
|
6.7 |
No representation or reliance
|
7.1 |
Carbon Revolution and Carbon Revolution Board Members and officers
|
(a) |
MergeCo and SPAC each:
|
(1) |
releases its rights; and
|
(2) |
agrees with Carbon Revolution that it will not make, and in the case of MergeCo that after the Implementation Date it will procure that each Carbon Revolution Group Member does not
make, any claim,
|
(4) |
any disclosures containing any statement which is false or misleading whether in content or by omission; or
|
(5) |
any failure to provide information,
|
(b) |
Clause 7.1(a) is subject to any Corporations Act restriction and will be read down accordingly.
|
(c) |
Carbon Revolution receives and holds the benefit of this clause 7.1 to the extent it relates to each Carbon Revolution Indemnified Party as trustee for each of them.
|
7.2 |
SPAC and SPAC directors and officers
|
(a)
|
Carbon Revolution and MergeCo:
|
(1) |
releases its rights; and
|
(2) |
agrees with the SPAC that it will not make a claim,
|
(3) |
any breach of any representations and warranties of the SPAC in this deed or any breach of any covenant given by the SPAC in this deed;
|
(4) |
any disclosure containing any statement which is false or misleading whether in content or by omission; or
|
(5) |
any failure to provide information,
|
(b) |
Clause 7.2(a) is subject to any Corporations Act restriction and will be read down accordingly.
|
(c) |
The SPAC receives and holds the benefit of this clause 7.2 to the extent it relates to each SPAC Indemnified Party as trustee for each of them.
|
7.3
|
MergeCo and MergeCo directors and officers
|
(a) |
Carbon Revolution and SPAC each:
|
(1)
|
releases its rights; and
|
(2) |
agrees with MergeCo that it will not make a claim,
|
(3) |
any breach of any representations and warranties of MergeCo in this deed or any breach of any covenant given by MergeCo in this deed;
|
(4) |
any disclosure containing any statement which is false or misleading whether in content or by omission; or
|
(5) |
any failure to provide information,
|
(b) |
Clause 7.2(a) is subject to any Corporations Act restriction and will be read down accordingly.
|
(c) |
MergeCo receives and holds the benefit of this clause 7.2 to the extent it relates to each MergeCo Indemnified Party as trustee for each of them.
|
8.1 |
Announcement of the Transaction
|
(b) |
The Carbon Revolution announcement must include a unanimous recommendation by the Carbon Revolution Board to Carbon Revolution Shareholders that, in the absence of a Superior
Proposal and subject to the Independent Expert concluding in the Independent Expert’s Report (and continuing to conclude) that the Scheme and Capital Reduction are in the best interest of Carbon Revolution Shareholders, Carbon Revolution
Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme and the Capital Reduction and all the Carbon Revolution Board Members will vote (or will procure the voting of) all Director Carbon Revolution Shares at the time of the Scheme Meeting in favour of
the Scheme and the Capital Reduction at the Scheme Meeting.
|
8.2 |
Public announcements
|
8.3 |
Required disclosure
|
(b) |
Before any disclosure is made in reliance on clause 8.3(a), to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by the relevant law or Listing Rule:
|
(1) |
the party required to make the disclosure (Disclosing Party) must use best endeavours to
notify the other party as soon as reasonably practicable after it becomes aware that disclosure is required; and
|
(2) |
the Disclosing Party must use best endeavours to give the other party an opportunity to comment on the proposed form of the disclosure and amend any factual inaccuracy, and
consider in good faith any other comments of the other party on the form of the disclosure,
|
9 |
Confidentiality
|
10.1 |
No shop and no talk
|
(b) |
(no talk) subject to clause 10.2:
|
(4) |
communicate to any person an intention to do anything referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this clause 10.1(b),
|
10.2 |
Fiduciary exception
|
(a) |
in relation to an actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal, the Carbon Revolution Board determines acting in good faith that:
|
(1) |
after consultation with its advisers, such actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal is a Superior Proposal or could reasonably be expected to become a Superior Proposal;
and
|
(2) |
after receiving written legal advice from its external legal advisers, compliance with that clause would, or would be reasonably likely to, constitute a breach of any of the
fiduciary or statutory duties of the Carbon Revolution Board Members; or
|
(b) |
in relation to an actual, proposed or potential SPAC Competing Transaction, the SPAC Board determines acting in good faith that:
|
(1) |
after consultation with its advisers, such actual, proposed or potential SPAC Competing Transaction is a SPAC Superior Transaction or could reasonably be expected to become a SPAC
Superior Transaction; and
|
(2) |
after receiving written legal advice from its external legal advisers, compliance with that clause would, or would be reasonably likely to, constitute a breach of any of the
fiduciary or statutory duties of the SPAC Board Members,
|
(c) |
the actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing Transaction (as applicable) was not directly or indirectly brought about by, or facilitated by, a breach of
clause 10.1(a); and
|
(d) |
each action or inaction taken in reliance on this clause 10.2 is notified to the other party as soon as reasonably practicable (and in any event within 48 hours).
|
10.3 |
Notification of approaches
|
(3) |
provision by Carbon Revolution or the SPAC (as applicable), any of their Related Bodies Corporate or any of their respective Related Persons of any non-public information concerning the business or operations of the Carbon Revolution Group or the SPAC (as applicable) to any Third Party (other than a Government Agency) in
connection with, in the case of Carbon Revolution, an actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal or in the case of the SPAC, a SPAC Competing Transaction,
|
(b) |
A notification given under clause 10.3(a) must include the identity of the relevant person making or proposing the relevant actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal or SPAC
Competing Transaction (as applicable), together with all material terms and conditions of the actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing Transaction (including price and form of consideration, conditions precedent,
proposed deal protection arrangements and timetable), in each case to the extent known by Carbon Revolution or the SPAC (as applicable) or any of their Related Persons.
|
(c) |
During the Exclusivity Period, Carbon Revolution must also notify the SPAC in writing as soon as possible after it, any of its Related Bodies Corporate or any of their respective
Related Persons, becomes aware of any material developments in relation to the actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal, including in respect of any of the information previously provided to the SPAC pursuant to this clause 10.3.
|
10.4 |
Matching right
|
(a) |
Without limiting clause 10.1, during the Exclusivity Period, Carbon Revolution:
|
(c) |
Despite any other provision in this deed, a statement by Carbon Revolution or the Carbon Revolution Board to the effect that:
|
(1) |
the Carbon Revolution Board has determined that a Competing Proposal is a Superior Proposal and has commenced the matching right process set out in this clause 10.4; or
|
(3) |
constitute a change, withdrawal, modification or qualification of the recommendation by the Carbon Revolution Board Members or an endorsement of a Competing Proposal;
|
(4) |
contravene this deed;
|
(5) |
give rise to an obligation to pay the Reimbursement Fee under clause 11.2; or
|
(6) |
give rise to a termination right under clause 12.1.
|
10.5 |
(a) |
is not a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with a Third Party entered into for the purpose of facilitating any actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal
or SPAC Competing Transaction (as applicable);
|
(b) |
is not directly or indirectly participating in any discussions, negotiations or other communications, and has terminated any existing discussions, negotiations or other
communications, in relation to any actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing Transaction (as applicable), or which could reasonably be expected to lead to a Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing Transaction (as
applicable); and
|
(c) |
has ceased to provide or make available any non-public information to a Third Party where such information was provided for the purpose of facilitating, or could reasonably be
expected to lead to, a Competing Proposal or SPAC Competing Transaction (as applicable).
|
10.6 |
(a) |
If it is finally determined by a court, or the Takeovers Panel, that the agreement by the parties under this clause 10 or any part of it:
|
(1) |
constituted, or constitutes, or would constitute, a breach of the fiduciary or statutory duties of the Carbon Revolution Board;
|
(2) |
constituted, or constitutes, or would constitute, ‘unacceptable circumstances’ within the meaning of the Corporations Act; or
|
(3) |
was, or is, or would be, unlawful for any other reason,
|
(b) |
The parties:
|
(1) |
must not make or cause to be made, any application to a court or the Takeovers Panel for or in relation to a determination referred to in this clause 10.6; and
|
(2) |
if any such application is made by a Third Party, use reasonable endeavours to defend or resist such application.
|
10.7 |
(a) |
Subject to clause 10.7(b), during the Exclusivity Period, Carbon Revolution must as soon as possible and in any event within two Business Days of it being disclosed or provided to
a Third Party, make available to the SPAC:
|
(1) |
in the case of written materials, a copy of; and
|
(2) |
in any other case, a written statement of,
|
(1) |
permitted by clause 10.2; and
|
(2) |
before that information is disclosed or otherwise provided or made available to that Third Party, the Third Party has entered into a confidentiality agreement with Carbon
Revolution that contains obligations on the Third Party that are on no less onerous terms in any material respect than the obligations of the SPAC under the Confidentiality Agreement.
|
10.8 |
(a) |
making presentations or providing information to, engaging or negotiating the terms of any transaction with, Third Parties for the purposes of obtaining the
Bridge Financing;
|
(b) |
providing any information to its Related Persons;
|
(c) |
providing any information to any Government Agency;
|
(d) |
providing any information required to be provided by any applicable law, including to satisfy its obligations under the Listing Rules or to any Government
Agency;
|
(e) |
providing any information to its auditors, customers, financiers, joint venturers and suppliers acting in that capacity in the ordinary course of business; or
|
(f) |
making presentations to, or responding to enquiries from, brokers, portfolio investors, analysts and other third parties, and engaging with financiers and
potential financiers, in the ordinary course of business or promoting the merits of the Transaction.
|
11.1 |
Background to Reimbursement Fee
|
11.2 |
SPAC Reimbursement Fee triggers
|
(a) |
during the Exclusivity Period, one or more Carbon Revolution Board Members:
|
(1) |
withdraws, adversely changes, adversely modifies or adversely qualifies their support of the Scheme or their recommendation that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour of
the Scheme;
|
(2) |
fails to recommend that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme in the manner described in clause 5.11;
|
(3) |
makes a public statement:
|
(A) |
to the effect that he or she no longer supports the Scheme or the Transaction; or
|
(B) |
supporting, endorsing or recommending (including support by way of accepting or voting, or by way of stating an intention to accept or vote, in respect of any Director Carbon
Revolution Shares) a Competing Proposal (whether or not such proposal is stated to be subject to any pre-conditions),
|
(5) |
the failure to recommend, or the change to or withdrawal of a recommendation to vote in favour of the Scheme occurs because of a requirement or request by a
court or a Government Agency that one or more Carbon Revolution Board Members abstain or withdraw from making a recommendation that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme after the date of this deed due to a conflict of
interest or duty or due to a material personal interest;
|
(6) |
Carbon Revolution is entitled to terminate this deed pursuant to clause 12.1(a) or 12.1(d), and has given the appropriate termination notice to the SPAC;
|
(7) |
this deed is terminated in accordance with clause 12.2; or
|
(8) |
Carbon Revolution is entitled to terminate this deed pursuant to clause 3.4 and has given the appropriate termination notice to the SPAC;
|
(1) |
completes a Competing Proposal of a kind referred to in any of paragraphs 2, 3 or 4 of the definition of Competing Proposal; or
|
(c) |
the SPAC has terminated this deed pursuant to:
|
(1) |
12.1(a)(1) or clause 12.1(b); or
|
(2) |
clause 3.4, as a result of any of the following Conditions Precedent not being satisfied: 3.1(f) (No
Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence), 3.1(h) (No MergeCo Prescribed Occurrence), 3.1(t) (MergeCo Representations and Warranties), 3.1(s) (Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties),
|
(d) |
the Court fails to approve the terms of the Scheme for which the approval of the requisite Carbon Revolution Shareholders has been obtained as a result of a material non-compliance
by Carbon Revolution with any of its obligations under this deed; or
|
(e) |
the Scheme becomes Effective but the Merger does not occur due to a breach by Carbon Revolution or MergeCo of its obligations under this deed, the Scheme, the Deed Poll or the BCA.
|
11.3 |
Carbon Revolution Reimbursement Fee triggers
|
(a) |
during the Exclusivity Period, one or more SPAC Board Members:
|
(1) |
withdraws, adversely changes, adversely modifies or adversely qualifies their support of the Transaction or their recommendation that SPAC Shareholders vote in favour of the SPAC
Proposals and SPAC Extension Proposals; or
|
(2) |
fails to recommend that SPAC Shareholders vote in favour of the SPAC Proposals and SPAC Extension Proposals in the manner described in clause 5.12; or
|
(3) |
makes a public statement:
|
(A) |
to the effect that he or she no longer supports the Transaction; or
|
(B)
|
supporting, endorsing or recommending (including support by way of accepting or voting, or by way of stating an intention to accept or vote in respect of any SPAC Shares held
by that SPAC Board Member (or in respect of which that SPAC Board Member controls the exercise of any voting rights attaching to the SPAC Shares)) a SPAC Competing Transaction (whether or not such proposal is stated to be subject to any
pre-conditions);
|
(b) |
a SPAC Competing Transaction of any kind is announced during the Exclusivity Period (whether or not such proposal is stated to be subject to any pre-conditions) and, within 12
months of the date of such announcement a SPAC Competing Transaction completes;
|
(c) |
Carbon Revolution is entitled to terminate this deed and has terminated this deed having given the appropriate termination notice to the SPAC pursuant to:
|
(1) |
clause 12.1(a)(1);
|
(2) |
clause 12.1(d); or
|
(3) |
clause 3.4, as a result of any of the following Conditions Precedent not being satisfied: 3.1(g) (No
SPAC Prescribed Occurrence), 3.1(m)(Transaction Documents); 3.1(q) (CEF Agreement) and 3.1(u) (SPAC Representations and Warranties);
|
(d) |
the Scheme becomes Effective but the Merger does not occur due to a breach by the SPAC of its obligations under this deed, the Scheme, the Deed Poll or the BCA; or
|
(e) |
the Court fails to approve the terms of the Scheme for which the approval of the requisite Carbon Revolution Shareholders has been obtained as a result of a material non-compliance
by the SPAC with any of its obligations under this deed.
|
11.4 |
Payment of Reimbursement Fee
|
(a) |
A demand by a party for payment of the Reimbursement Fee under clause 11.2 or clause 11.3 must:
|
(1) |
be in writing;
|
(2) |
be made after the occurrence of the event in that clause giving rise to the right to payment;
|
(3) |
state the circumstances which give rise to the demand;
|
(4) |
include the information and evidence required by clause 11.5; and
|
(5) |
nominate an account in the name of the party to whom the Reimbursement Fee is to be paid.
|
(c) |
The SPAC must pay the Reimbursement Fee into the account nominated by Carbon Revolution, without set-off or withholding, within five Business Days after receiving a demand for
payment where Carbon Revolution is entitled under clause 11.3 to the Reimbursement Fee.
|
11.5 |
Basis of Reimbursement Fee
|
(a) |
fees for legal, financial and other professional advice in planning and implementing the Transaction (excluding success fees);
|
(b) |
reasonable opportunity costs incurred in engaging in the Transaction or in not engaging in other alternative acquisitions or strategic initiatives;
|
(c) |
costs of management and directors’ time in planning and implementing the Transaction;
|
(d) |
out of pocket expenses incurred by the Recipient and the Recipient’s employees, advisers and agents in planning and implementing the Transaction;
|
(e) |
any damage to the Recipient’s reputation associated with a failed transaction and the implications of that damages to the Recipient’s business,
|
(f) |
the costs actually incurred by the Recipient will be of such a nature that they cannot all be accurately ascertained; and
|
(g) |
the Reimbursement Fee is a genuine and reasonable pre-estimate of those costs.
|
11.6 |
Compliance with law
|
(a) |
If it is finally determined by a court, or the Takeovers Panel, that the agreement by the parties under this clause 11 or any part of it:
|
(1) |
constituted, or constitutes, or would constitute, ‘unacceptable circumstances’ within the meaning of the Corporations Act; or
|
(2) |
was, or is, or would be, unlawful for any other reason,
|
(b) |
The parties:
|
(1) |
must not make or cause to be made, any application to a court or the Takeovers Panel for or in relation to a determination referred to in this clause 11.6; and
|
(2) |
if any such application is made by a Third Party, use reasonable endeavours to defend or resist such application.
|
11.7 |
Reimbursement Fees payable only once
|
(a) |
Where the Reimbursement Fee becomes payable to the SPAC under clause 11.2 and is actually paid to the SPAC, the SPAC cannot make any claim against Carbon Revolution for payment of
any subsequent Reimbursement Fee.
|
(b) |
Where the Reimbursement Fee becomes payable to Carbon Revolution under clause 11.3 and is actually paid to Carbon Revolution, Carbon Revolution cannot make any claim against the
SPAC for payment of any subsequent Reimbursement Fee.
|
11.8 |
Other Claims
|
11.9 |
Exclusive remedy
|
(a) |
Where the Reimbursement Fee is paid to the SPAC under clause 11.2 (or would be payable if a demand was made), the SPAC cannot make any Claim (other than a claim for specific
performance) against Carbon Revolution or the Carbon Revolution Indemnified Parties in relation to the event or occurrence referred to in clause 11.2.
|
(b)
|
Where the Reimbursement Fee is paid to Carbon Revolution under clause 11.3 (or would be payable if a demand was made), Carbon Revolution cannot make any Claim (other than a
claim for specific performance) against the SPAC or the SPAC Indemnified Parties in relation to the event or occurrence referred to in clause 11.3.
|
11.10
|
No Reimbursement Fee if Scheme Effective
|
11.11 |
Claims under the Deed Poll
|
12 |
Termination
|
12.1 |
Termination for material breach
|
(a)
|
Carbon Revolution or the SPAC may terminate this deed by written notice to the other parties:
|
(1)
|
at any time before 8.00am on the Second Court Date, if:
|
(A) |
the SPAC (in the case of a termination by Carbon Revolution); or
|
(B) |
Carbon Revolution, MergeCo or Merger Sub (in the case of termination by the SPAC),
|
(2) |
at any time before 8.00am on the Second Court Date if the Court or another Australian, United States or Irish Government Agency (including any other court) has taken any action
permanently restraining or otherwise prohibiting or preventing the Transaction, or has refused to do anything necessary to permit the Transaction to be implemented by the End Date, and the action or refusal has become final and cannot
be appealed or reviewed or the party, acting reasonably, believes that there is no realistic prospect of an appeal or review succeeding by the End Date;
|
(3) |
in the circumstances set out in, and in accordance with, clause 3.4;
|
(4) |
if the Effective Date for the Scheme has not occurred, or will not occur, on or before the End Date; or
|
(5) |
if Carbon Revolution Shareholders have not agreed to the Scheme and Capital Reduction at the Scheme Meeting by the requisite majorities and notice is not given or sent under
clause 3.4(d).
|
(b) |
the SPAC may terminate this deed by written notice to Carbon Revolution and MergeCo at any time before 8.00am on the Second Court Date if:
|
(1) |
there is a Carbon Revolution Prescribed Occurrence or Carbon Revolution Regulated Event;
|
(2) |
any Carbon Revolution Board Member:
|
(A) |
fails to recommend the Scheme and the Capital Reduction;
|
(B) |
withdraws, adversely changes, adversely modifies or adversely qualifies their support of the Scheme or their recommendation that Carbon Revolution Shareholders vote in favour
of the Scheme; or
|
(C) |
makes a public statement indicating that he or she no longer recommends the Transaction or recommends, supports or endorses another transaction (including any Competing
Proposal but excluding a statement that no action should be taken by Carbon Revolution Shareholders pending assessment of a Competing Proposal by the Carbon Revolution Board or the completion of the matching right process set out in
clause 10.4),
|
(3) |
if in any circumstances (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where permitted by clause 10.4) Carbon Revolution enters into any legally binding agreement, arrangement or
understanding giving effect to any actual, proposed or potential Competing Proposal.
|
(c) |
Carbon Revolution may terminate this deed by written notice to the SPAC and MergeCo at any time before 8.00am on the Second Court Date if the Carbon Revolution Board or a
majority of the Carbon Revolution Board has changed, withdrawn, modified or qualified its recommendation as permitted under clause 5.11 disregarding for these purposes any statement that no action should be taken by Carbon Revolution
Shareholders pending assessment of a Competing Proposal by the Carbon Revolution Board or the completion of the matching right process set out in clause 10.4.
|
(d) |
Carbon Revolution may terminate this deed by written notice to the SPAC and MergeCo:
|
(1) |
if there is a SPAC Prescribed Occurrence;
|
(2) |
anySPAC Board Member:
|
(A) |
fails to recommend the Transaction or that SPAC Shareholders vote in favour of the SPAC Proposals and SPAC Extension Proposals in the manner described in clause 5.12;
|
(B) |
withdraws, adversely changes, adversely modifies or adversely qualifies their support of the Transaction or their recommendation that SPAC Shareholders vote in favour of the
SPAC Proposals and SPAC Extension Proposals; or
|
(C) |
makes a public statement to the effect that he or she no longer supports the Transaction or supporting, endorsing or recommending (including support by way of accepting or
voting, or by way of stating an intention to accept or vote in respect of any SPAC Shares held by that SPAC Board Member (or in respect of which that SPAC Board Member controls the exercise of any voting rights attaching to the SPAC
Shares)) a SPAC Competing Transaction (whether or not such proposal is stated to be subject to any pre-conditions),
|
(3) |
if in any circumstances the SPAC enters into any legally binding agreement, arrangement or understanding giving effect to any actual, proposed or potential SPAC Competing
Transaction; or
|
(4) |
if by 8 March 2023 the SPAC has not obtained SPAC Shareholder approval to extend the deadline for completing a business combination (as set forth in its Amended and Restated
Memorandum and Articles of Association, effective 3 March 2021) as necessary to at least 31 May 2023 or such other date as the parties reasonably agree, or if, following exercise by SPAC Shareholders of their Redemption Rights in
accordance with the SPAC Memorandum and Articles of Association in connection with the approval of the SPAC Extension Proposal, the SPAC fails to continue to satisfy the continued listing standards of the NYSE, NYSE American or NASDAQ
or would not continue to satisfy such continued listing standards until the Implementation Date, including the Continued Listing Criteria applicable to “Acquisition Companies” set forth in Section 802.01 of the NYSE Listed Company
Manual.
|
12.2 |
Other termination events
|
(a) |
This deed is terminable if agreed to in writing by the SPAC and Carbon Revolution.
|
(b) |
This deed terminates automatically, with immediate effect, if the BCA has been terminated in accordance with its terms.
|
12.3 |
Effect of termination
|
(a) |
each party will be released from its obligations under this deed, except that this clause 12.3, and clauses 1, 6.4 to 6.7, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16 (except 16.9), will
survive termination and remain in force;
|
(b) |
each party will retain the rights it has or may have against the other parties in respect of any past breach of this deed; and
|
(c) |
in all other respects, all future obligations of the parties under this deed will immediately terminate and be of no further force and effect including any further obligations
in respect of the Scheme.
|
12.4 |
Termination
|
12.5 |
No other termination
|
13 |
Duty, costs and expenses
|
13.1 |
Stamp duty
|
(a) |
must pay all stamp duties and any fines and penalties with respect to stamp duty in respect of this deed or the Scheme or the steps to be taken under this deed or the Scheme;
and
|
(b) |
indemnifies Carbon Revolution against any liability arising from its failure to comply with clause 13.1(a).
|
13.2 |
Costs and expenses
|
14 |
GST
|
(a) |
Any consideration or amount payable under this deed, including any non-monetary consideration (as reduced in accordance with clause if required) (Consideration) is exclusive of GST.
|
(b) |
Unless stated otherwise, all monetary amounts specified in this deed are specified exclusive of GST.
|
(c) |
If GST is or becomes payable on a Supply made under or in connection with this deed, an additional amount (Additional Amount) is payable
by the party providing consideration for the Supply (Recipient) equal to the amount of GST payable on that Supply as calculated by the party making the Supply (Supplier)
in accordance with the GST Law.
|
(d) |
The Additional Amount payable under clause 14(c) is payable at the same time and in the same manner as the Consideration for the Supply, and the Supplier must provide the
Recipient with a Tax Invoice. However, the Additional Amount is only payable on receipt of a valid Tax Invoice.
|
(e) |
If for any reason (including the occurrence of an Adjustment Event) the amount of GST payable on a Supply (taking into account any Decreasing or Increasing Adjustments in
relation to the Supply) varies from the Additional Amount payable by the Recipient under clause 14(c):
|
(1) |
the Supplier must provide a refund or credit to the Recipient, or the Recipient must pay a further amount to the Supplier, as applicable;
|
(2) |
the refund, credit or further amount (as the case may be) will be calculated by the Supplier in accordance with the GST Law; and
|
(3) |
the Supplier must notify the Recipient of the refund, credit or further amount within 14 days after becoming aware of the variation to the amount of GST payable. Any refund or
credit must accompany such notification or the Recipient must pay any further amount within seven days after receiving such notification, as applicable. If there is an Adjustment Event in relation to the Supply, the requirement for the
Supplier to notify the Recipient will be satisfied by the Supplier issuing to the Recipient an Adjustment Note within 14 days after becoming aware of the occurrence of the Adjustment Event.
|
(f) |
Despite any other provision in this deed if an amount payable under or in connection with this deed (whether by way of reimbursement, indemnity or otherwise) is calculated by
reference to an amount incurred by a party, whether by way of cost, expense, outlay, disbursement or otherwise (Amount Incurred), the amount payable must be reduced by the amount of any Input Tax
Credit to which that party is entitled in respect of that Amount Incurred.
|
(g) |
Any reference in this clause to an Input Tax Credit to which a party is entitled includes an Input Tax Credit arising from a Creditable Acquisition by that party but to which
the Representative Member of a GST Group of which the party is a member is entitled.
|
(h) |
Any term starting with a capital letter in this clause 14 that is not defined in this clause 14 has the same meaning as the term has in the A
New Tax System (Goods & Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth).
|
15 |
Notices
|
15.1 |
Form of Notice
|
(a) |
in writing and in English; and
|
(b) |
addressed to that party in accordance with the details nominated below (or any alternative details nominated to the sending party by Notice):
|
Party
|
Address
|
Addressee
|
Email
|
Carbon
evolution or
MergeCo
75 Pigdons Road,
Warn Ponds
VIC 3126
Australia
|
David Nock,
General Counsel and Company Secretary
|
David Nock
|
david.nock@carbonrev.com
|
with a copy to:
Herbert Smith
Freehills
|
Level 24, 80 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
|
Michael Ziegelaar
Alex Mackinnon
|
michael.ziegelaar@hsf.com
alexander.mackinnon@hsf.com
|
Party
|
Address
|
Addressee
|
Email
|
SPAC
|
999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34108
|
William P Russell Jr;
Sanjay Morey
|
wrussell@twinridgecapital.com; smorey@twinridgecapital.com
|
with a copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis
|
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Kirkland & Ellis
609 Main St
Houston, TX
77002
|
Peter Seligson
Adam Larson
Rami Totari
|
peter.segilson@kirkland.com;
adam.larson@kirkland.com; rami.totari@kirkland.com
|
15.2 |
How Notice must be given and when Notice is received
|
(a) |
A Notice must be given by one of the methods set out in the table below.
|
(b) |
A Notice is regarded as given and received at the time set out in the table below.
|
(c) |
on a day that is not a Business Day, the Notice will instead be regarded as given and received at 9.00am on the next Business Day (or 8.00am if the next Business Day is the
Second Court Date); or
|
(d) |
outside the period between 9.00am and 5.00pm (addressee’s time) on a Business Day (business hours period), then, other than in respect
of any Notice given on, and prior to 8.00am on, the Second Court Date, the Notice will instead be regarded as given and received at the start of the following business hours period.
|
Method of
giving Notice
|
When Notice is regarded as given and received
|
By email to the
nominated email
address
|
The first to occur of:
1 the sender receiving an automated message confirming delivery; or
2 two hours after the time that the email was sent (as recorded on the device from which
the email was sent) provided that the sender does not, within the period, receive an automated message that the email has not been delivered.
|
15.3 |
Notice must not be given by electronic communication
|
16 |
General
|
16.1 |
Governing law and jurisdiction
|
(a) |
This deed is governed by the law in force in Victoria, Australia.
|
(b) |
Each party irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of courts exercising jurisdiction in Victoria, Australia and courts of appeal from them in respect of any
proceedings arising out of or in connection with this deed. Each party irrevocably waives any objection to the venue of any legal process in these courts on the basis that the process has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
|
16.2 |
Service of process
|
(a) |
Without preventing any other mode of service, any document in an action (including any writ of summons or other originating process or any third or other party notice) may be
served on any party by being delivered to or left for that party at its address for service of Notices under clause 15.
|
(b) |
The SPAC irrevocably appoints Ashurst Australia (whose details are below) as its agent for the service of process in Australia in relation to any matter arising out of this
deed. If Ashurst Australia ceases to be able to act as such or have an address in Australia, the SPAC agrees to appoint a new process agent in Australia and deliver to the other parties within 5 Business Days a copy of a written
acceptance of appointment by the process agent, upon receipt of which the new appointment becomes effective for the purpose of this deed. The SPAC must inform the other parties in writing of any change in the address of its process
agent within 20 Business Days of the change.
|
(c) |
MergeCo irrevocably appoints Carbon Revolution as its agent for the service of process in Australia in relation to any matter arising out of this deed. If Carbon Revolution
ceases to be able to act as such or have an address in Australia, MergeCo agrees to appoint a new process agent in Australia and deliver to the other parties within 5 Business Days a copy of a written acceptance of appointment by the
process agent, upon receipt of which the new appointment becomes effective for the purpose of this deed. MergeCo must inform the other parties in writing of any change in the address of its process agent within 20 Business Days of the
change.
|
16.3 |
No merger
|
16.4 |
Invalidity and enforceability
|
(a) |
If any provision of this deed is invalid under the law of any jurisdiction the provision is enforceable in that jurisdiction to the extent that it is not invalid, whether it is
in severable terms or not.
|
(b) |
Clause 16.4(a) does not apply where enforcement of the provision of this deed in accordance with clause 16.4(a) would materially affect the nature or effect of the parties’
obligations under this deed.
|
16.5 |
Waiver
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
conduct
|
includes delay in the exercise of a right.
|
right
|
any right arising under or in connection with this deed and includes the right to rely on this clause.
|
waiver
|
includes an election between rights and remedies, and conduct which might otherwise give rise to an estoppel.
|
16.6 |
Variation
|
16.7 |
Assignment of rights
|
(a) |
A party may not assign, novate, declare a trust over or otherwise transfer or deal with any of its rights or obligations under this deed without the prior written consent of
the other parties or as expressly provided in this deed.
|
(b) |
A breach of clause 16.7(a) by a party shall be deemed to be a material breach for the purposes of clause 12.1(a)(1).
|
(c) |
Clause 16.7(b) does not affect the construction of any other part of this deed.
|
16.8 |
No third party beneficiary
|
16.9 |
Further action to be taken at each party’s own expense
|
16.10 |
Entire agreement
|
16.11 |
Counterparts
|
(a) |
This deed may be executed in any number of counterparts.
|
(b) |
This deed is binding on the parties on the exchange of duly executed counterparts.
|
(c) |
The parties agree that a copy of an original executed counterpart sent by email to the email address of the other parties specified in clause 15 instead of the original is
sufficient evidence of the execution of the original and may be produced in evidence for all purposes in place of the original.
|
16.12 |
Relationship of the parties
|
(a) |
Nothing in this deed gives a party authority to bind any other party in any way.
|
(b) |
Nothing in this deed imposes any fiduciary duties on a party in relation to any other party.
|
16.13 |
Remedies cumulative
|
16.14 |
Exercise of rights
|
(a) |
Unless expressly required by the terms of this deed, a party is not required to act reasonably in giving or withholding any consent or approval or exercising any other right,
power, authority, discretion or remedy, under or in connection with this deed.
|
(b) |
A party may (without any requirement to act reasonably) impose conditions on the grant by it of any consent or approval, or any waiver of any right, power, authority,
discretion or remedy, under or in connection with this deed. Any conditions must be complied with by the party relying on the consent, approval or waiver.
|
Table of contents
|
|
Definitions and interpretation
|
60
|
SPAC Representations and Warranties
|
88
|
Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties
|
95
|
MergeCo Representations and Warranties
|
107
|
Part 1 - Carbon Revolution capital structure
|
109
|
Part 2 – MergeCo and Merger Sub capital structure
|
109
|
Definitions and interpretation
|
1 |
Definitions
|
1.1 |
Definitions
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
Carbon Revolution
Locked-Up Persons
|
each of:
1 James Douglas;
2 Jacob Dingle;
3 Lucia Cade;
4 Dale McKee;
5 Mark Bernard;
6 David Nock;
7 Gerard Buckle;
8 Ashley Denmead;
9 Jo Markham;
10 Andrew Higginbotham;
11 Ron Collins;
12 Dave French;
13 Sam Casabene; and
14 Jesse Kalkman.
|
Carbon Revolution
Locked-Up
Shareholders
|
has the meaning given in clause 5.5(a).
|
Carbon Revolution
Material Adverse
Effect
|
any event, change, condition matter, circumstance or thing occurring before, on or after the date of this deed which has, or would be reasonably likely to
have, either individually or in aggregate with all such events, changes, conditions, matters, circumstances or things of a like kind that have occurred or are reasonably likely to occur, has had or would be reasonably likely to have
an adverse effect on the consolidated net assets of the Carbon Revolution Group (taken as a whole and compared to what they would have been absent the event, change, condition, matter, circumstance or thing) of at least $20 million.
|
Carbon Revolution
Nominees
|
each Carbon Revolution Board Member, each of whom has been nominated by Carbon Revolution for appointment to the MergeCo Board for the purposes of clause
5.10.
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
Carbon Revolution
Prescribed Occurrence
|
other than as:
1 required, expressly permitted or expressly contemplated by this deed, the Transaction or the
transactions contemplated by either;
2 Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials; or
3 agreed to in writing by the SPAC,
4 required by any applicable law, regulation or contract disclosed in the Disclosure Materials;
or
5 Fairly Disclosed by Carbon Revolution in an announcement made by Carbon Revolution to ASX in the
one year period prior to the date of this deed,
the occurrence of any of the following:
6 Carbon Revolution converting all or any of its shares into a larger or smaller number of
shares;
7 a Carbon Revolution Group Member
resolving to reduce its share capital in any way;
8 a Carbon Revolution Group Member:
• entering into a buy-back agreement; or
• resolving to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement under the Corporations Act;
9 a member of the Carbon Revolution
Group issuing shares or securities convertible into shares, or granting a performance right or an option over its shares, or agreeing to make such an issue or grant such an option or performance right, other than:
• in connection with the Bridge Financing;
• to a directly or indirectly wholly-owned Subsidiary of Carbon Revolution for the
purposes of implementing the Transaction;
• on vesting or exercise of, or in respect of, a Carbon Revolution Performance Right;
• to any director or employee in accordance with existing arrangements or in the ordinary course
(which existing arrangements or ordinary course remuneration cycle has been Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials);
10 a member of the Carbon Revolution Group
disposing, or agreeing to dispose, of the whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property;
11 a member of the Carbon Revolution Group
granting a Security Interest, or agreeing to grant a Security Interest, in the whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property (whether by way of a single transaction or a series of
related transactions), other than in connection with existing facilities (or the refinancing of existing facilities), a lien which arises by operation of law or legislation securing an obligation that is not yet due, in connection
with the Bridge Financing or in the ordinary course of business; or
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
12 an Insolvency Event occurs in relation to a Carbon Revolution Group Member;
or
13 a Carbon Revolution Group Member
directly or indirectly authorises, commits or agrees to take any of the actions referred to in paragraphs 6 to 12 above.
|
|
Carbon Revolution
Registry
|
Link Market Service Limited ACN 083 214 537.
|
Carbon Revolution
Regulated Event
|
other than as:
1 required or permitted by clause 5.6(b) or any other provision of this deed, the Scheme or the
transactions contemplated by either;
2 Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials;
3 agreed to in writing by the SPAC;
4 required by any applicable law, regulation, contract disclosed in the Disclosure Materials or by
a Government Agency;
5 Fairly Disclosed by Carbon Revolution in an announcement made by Carbon Revolution to ASX in the
one year period prior to the date of this deed; or
6 in the ordinary course of business,
the occurrence of any of the following:
7 acquisitions and disposals: a member of the Carbon
Revolution Group acquiring, leasing or disposing of any business, assets, entity or undertaking, whether in one or a number of transactions, where the amounts or the value involved, or reasonably expected to be involved, in such
transaction or transactions exceeds US$5 million (individually or in aggregate);
8 capex: any member of the Carbon Revolution Group
incurring, or committing to incur, in aggregate, capital expenditure which is, or is reasonably expected to be, in excess of US$5 million (other than any capital expenditure which has been Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure
Materials) or which has been committed under a contract entered into prior to the date of this deed;
9 disputes: a member of the Carbon Revolution Group:
• waiving any material third party default where the financial impact on the Carbon Revolution
Group will be in excess of US$2.5 million (individually or in aggregate); or
• accepting as a compromise of a matter less than the full compensation due to a member of the
Carbon Revolution Group where the financial impact of the compromise on the Carbon Revolution Group is more than US$2.5 million (individually or in aggregate),
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
other than as claimant in respect of the collection of trade debts arising in the ordinary course of the Carbon Revolution Group’s
business;
10 Financial Indebtedness: a member of the Carbon Revolution
Group incurring any additional, increasing any existing or issuing any additional Financial Indebtedness other than the increased utilisation of, draw down under or refinancing of existing facilities or in connection with the Bridge
Financing or where any additional Financial Indebtedness is less than US$2 million;
11 financial accommodation: a member of the Carbon
Revolution Group providing financial accommodation other than to members of the Carbon Revolution Group (irrespective of what form of Financial Indebtedness that accommodation takes);
12 accounting: a member of the Carbon Revolution Group
changing any accounting method, practice or principle used by it, other than as a result of changes in generally accepted accounting standards or principles or the interpretation of any of them;
13 employees: a member of the Carbon Revolution Group
• entering into any new employment agreement, or terminating any employment agreement, with an
individual in respect of which the aggregate annual non-discretionary compensation is greater than A$500,000, except pursuant to contractual arrangements or Carbon Revolution’s policies and guidelines in effect on the date of this
deed (to the extent such arrangements, policies and guidelines are Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials);
• paying any bonus to, or increasing the compensation of, any officer or employee of any Carbon
Revolution Group Member except where it is consistent with past practice and industry practice or pursuant to contractual arrangements or Carbon Revolution’s policies and guidelines in effect on the date of this deed (to the extent
such arrangements, policies and guidelines are Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials)) (Relevant Bonuses and Increases), where the aggregate value of all such Relevant Bonuses and
Increases exceeds US$1 million per annum;
• granting to any officer or employee of any Carbon Revolution Group Member any severance,
termination or retention pay or superannuation entitlements (or increasing any such existing entitlements) except pursuant to contractual arrangements on Carbon Revolution’s policies and guidelines in effect on the date of this deed
(to the extent such arrangements, policies and guidelines are Fairly Disclosed in the Disclosure Materials), or required by law or the terms of an award or enterprise bargaining agreement or Australian workplace agreement (or an
equivalent or similar agreement or arrangement in any other jurisdiction); or
• establishing, adopting, entering into or amending in any material respect any enterprise
bargaining agreement of any Carbon Revolution Group Member or relating to the officers or employees of any Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
2 agreed to in writing by Carbon Revolution;
3 required by any applicable law, regulation, contract; or
4 Fairly Disclosed by the SPAC to NYSE, or a publicly available document lodged by it with the SEC,
prior to the date of this deed or which would be disclosed in a search of the SEC records or NYSE announcements in relation to the SPAC or a Subsidiary of the SPAC (as relevant), prior to the date of this deed,
the occurrence of any of the following:
5 the SPAC converting all or any of its shares into a larger or smaller number of shares;
6 the SPAC or any Subsidiary of the SPAC resolving to reduce its share capital in any way;
7 the SPAC or any Subsidiary of the SPAC:
• entering into a buy-back agreement; or
• resolving to approve the terms of a buy-back agreement;
8 the SPAC or any Subsidiary of the SPAC issuing shares or securities convertible into shares, or
granting a performance right or an option over its shares, or agreeing to make such an issue or grant such an option or performance right, other than:
• to a directly or indirectly wholly-owned Subsidiary of the SPAC;
• to any director or employee in accordance with existing arrangements or in the ordinary course
(which existing arrangements or ordinary course remuneration cycle has been Fairly Disclosed by the SPAC to NYSE);
9 the SPAC or a Subsidiary of the SPAC disposing, or agreeing to dispose, of the whole, or a
substantial part, of its business or property;
10 the SPAC or a Subsidiary of the SPAC granting a Security Interest, or agreeing to grant a Security
Interest, in the whole, or a substantial part, of its business or property other than a lien which arises by operation of law or legislation securing an obligation that is not yet due; or
11 the SPAC or a Subsidiary of the SPAC is the subject of any: bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation
or reorganisation.
|
|
SPAC Proposals
|
the approval of the following proposals at the SPAC Shareholders Meeting:
1 the BCA, Scheme and the Merger;
2 the adjournment of the SPAC Shareholders Meeting pursuant to clause 5.3(p) of this deed;
3 any other proposals the parties deem necessary to give effect to the Scheme, Merger, BCA, this
deed or other transactions contemplated by the BCA or this deed, or as required by the SEC, NYSE or applicable laws and regulations.
|
Term
|
Meaning
|
Supply
|
has the meaning given in the GST Law.
|
Takeovers Panel
|
the Australian Takeovers Panel.
|
Tax
|
(a) any and all U.S., Australian and other non-U.S. federal, state, local, provincial and other taxes, levies, duties, withholdings, assessments, fees or
other charges in the nature of taxes, imposed, administered, or collected by any Government Agency, including wage taxes, income taxes, corporate taxes, capital gains taxes, franchise taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, payroll taxes,
employment taxes, withholding taxes, value added taxes, gross receipts taxes, turnover taxes, environmental taxes, car taxes, energy taxes, customs and other import or export duties, escheat or unclaimed property obligations, transfer
taxes or duties, property taxes, capital taxes, or duties, social security or other similar contributions, together with all related interest, fines, penalties, costs, charges and surcharges, whether disputed or not, (b) any liability
for any amounts of the type described in clause (a) of another Person by operation of Law (including under Treasury Regulations section 1.1502-6 or analogous U.S. state or local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor, by
contract or otherwise.
|
Tax Act
|
the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth).
|
Tax Law
|
any law relating to Tax or Duty.
|
Tax Return
|
means any return, report, statement, refund claim, election, declaration, information report, estimate or other document filed or required to be filed with
a Government Agency with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any amendments thereof.
|
Third Party
|
a person other than MergeCo or the SPAC or either of their Related Bodies Corporate or other Associates.
|
Timetable
|
the indicative timetable for the implementation of the Transaction set out in the document titled ‘Leopard Timetable’ circulated to the SPAC and Carbon
Revolution on exchange of this deed.
|
Transaction
|
the:
1 cancellation of the Scheme Shares pursuant to the Capital Reduction, issue of the Scheme
Consideration by MergeCo and issue of one Carbon Revolution Share to MergeCo through implementation of the Scheme in accordance with the terms of this deed; and
2 the Merger.
|
2 |
Interpretation
|
2.1 |
Interpretation
|
(a) |
headings and bold type are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of this deed;
|
(b) |
the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular;
|
(c) |
words of any gender include all genders;
|
(d) |
other parts of speech and grammatical forms of a word or phrase defined in this deed have a corresponding meaning;
|
(e) |
a reference to a person includes any company, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation or other body corporate and any Government Agency, as well as an individual;
|
(f) |
a reference to a clause, party, schedule, attachment or exhibit is a reference to a clause of, and a party, schedule, attachment or exhibit to this deed;
|
(g) |
a reference to any legislation includes all delegated legislation made under it and amendments, consolidations, replacements or re-enactments of any of them (whether passed by
the same or another Government Agency with legal power to do so);
|
(h) |
a reference to a document (including this deed) includes all amendments or supplements to, or replacements or novations of, that document;
|
(i) |
a reference to ‘$’, ‘A$’ or ‘dollar’ is to the lawful currency of Australia;
|
(j) |
a reference to any time is, unless otherwise indicated, a reference to that time in Melbourne, Australia;
|
(k) |
a term defined in or for the purposes of the Corporations Act, and which is not defined in clause 1.1 of this Schedule 1, has the same meaning when used in this deed;
|
(l) |
a reference to a party to a document includes that party’s successors and permitted assignees;
|
(m) |
no provision of this deed will be construed adversely to a party because that party was responsible for the preparation of this deed or that provision;
|
(n) |
any agreement, representation, warranty or indemnity in favour of two or more parties (including where two or more persons are included in the same defined term) is for the
benefit of them jointly and severally;
|
(o) |
a reference to a body (including an institute, association or authority), other than a party to this deed, whether statutory or not:
|
(1) |
which ceases to exist; or
|
(2) |
whose powers or functions are transferred to another body,
|
(p) |
a reference to an agreement other than this deed includes a deed and any legally enforceable undertaking, agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing;
|
(q) |
a reference to liquidation or insolvency includes appointment of an administrator, a reconstruction, winding up, dissolution, deregistration, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, bankruptcy, or a scheme, compromise or arrangement with creditors (other than solely with holders of securities or derivatives), or any similar procedure or, where applicable, changes in the constitution of any partnership or
Third Party, or death;
|
(r) |
if a period of time is specified and dates from a given day or the day of an act or event, it is to be calculated exclusive of that day;
|
(s) |
a reference to a day is to be interpreted as the period of time commencing at midnight and ending 24 hours later;
|
(t) |
if an act prescribed under this deed to be done by a party on or by a given day is done after 5.00pm on that day, it is taken to be done on the next day;
|
(u) |
a reference to the Listing Rules includes any variation, consolidation or replacement of these rules and is to be taken to be subject to any waiver or exemption granted to the
compliance of those rules by a party; and
|
(v) |
a reference to something being “reasonably likely” (or to a similar expression) is a reference to that thing being more likely than not to occur when assessed objectively.
|
2.2 |
Interpretation of inclusive expressions
|
2.3 |
Business Day
|
2.4 |
Reasonable Endeavours
|
(a) |
to procure absolutely that that thing is done or happens;
|
(b) |
to pay any money or to provide any financial compensation, valuable consideration or any other incentive to or for the benefit of any person:
|
(1) |
in the form of an inducement or consideration to a Third Party; or
|
(2) |
in circumstances that are commercially onerous or unreasonable in the context of this deed, except for payment of any applicable fee for the lodgement or filing of any relevant
application with any Government Agency or immaterial costs to procure that the thing is performed or occurs or does not occur;
|
(3) |
to agree to commercially onerous or unreasonable terms; or
|
(4) |
to commence any legal action or proceeding against any person.
|
SPAC Representations and Warranties
|
(a) |
(validly existing): it
is a validly existing corporation registered under the laws of its place of incorporation;
|
(b) |
(authority): the
execution and delivery of this deed by the SPAC has been properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of the SPAC, and the SPAC has taken or will take all necessary corporate action to authorise the performance of this deed
and the transactions contemplated by this deed;
|
(c) |
(power): it has full
capacity, corporate power and lawful authority to execute, deliver and perform this deed, the BCA and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated under them;
|
(d) |
(capitalisation): the
authorised capital stock of SPAC consists of 500,000,000 SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, 50,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares and 1,000,000 preference shares, par value USD $0.0001 per share. As of the date of this deed, there are no
shares of preferred stock of the SPAC outstanding. Each warrant of the SPAC is exercisable for one SPAC Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of $11.50. All outstanding equity of SPAC has
been issued and granted in compliance with all applicable securities laws and other applicable Laws and were issued free and clear of all Liens other than transfer restrictions under applicable securities laws and the organisational
documents of SPAC;
|
(e) |
(no default): neither
this deed nor the carrying out by the SPAC of the transactions contemplated by this deed, the BCA and each other Transaction Documents to which it is a party does or will conflict with or result in the breach of or a default under:
|
(1) |
any provision of the SPAC’s constituent documents;
|
(2) |
any writ, order or injunction, judgment, law, rule or regulation to which it is party or subject or by which it is bound,
|
(f) |
(deed binding): this
deed is a valid and binding obligation of the SPAC, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
|
(g) |
(SPAC Information): the
SPAC Information provided for inclusion in the Scheme Booklet, as at the date the Scheme Booklet is despatched to Carbon Revolution Shareholders, will be accurate in all material respects and will not contain any statement, in light
of the circumstances under which it was made, which is materially misleading or deceptive (with any statement of belief or opinion being honestly held and formed on a reasonable basis), including by way of omission from that
statement;
|
(h) |
(basis of SPAC Information): the SPAC Information:
|
(1) |
will be provided to Carbon Revolution in good faith and on the understanding that Carbon Revolution and each other Carbon Revolution Indemnified Party will rely on that
information for the purposes of preparing the Scheme Booklet and determining to proceed with the Transaction; and
|
(2) |
will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Corporations Act, the Corporations Regulations, RG 60, applicable Takeovers Panel guidance notes and the
Listing Rules;
|
(i) |
(Independent Expert):
all information provided by or on behalf of SPAC to the Independent Expert will be prepared and provided in good faith and on the understanding that the Independent Expert will rely on that information for the purpose of preparing the
Independent Expert’s Report;
|
(j) |
(new information): it
will, as a continuing obligation, provide to Carbon Revolution all further or new information which arises after the Scheme Booklet has been despatched to Carbon Revolution Shareholders until the date of the Scheme Meeting which is
necessary to ensure that the SPAC Information is not misleading or deceptive (including by way of omission);
|
(k) |
(Bankruptcy): SPAC is
not the subject of any bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, reorganisation or other applicable laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles;
|
(l) |
(other dealings): other
than
|
(1) |
as Fairly Disclosed to Carbon Revolution in writing by or on behalf of the SPAC on or before the date of this deed; or
|
(2) |
as contemplated by this deed, the BCA or the Transaction,
|
(m) |
(no dealings with Carbon Revolution Board Members or employees): neither it nor any of its Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any director or employee of Carbon Revolution relating in any way to the Transaction
or operations of Carbon Revolution after the Effective Date;
|
(n) |
(no interest in securities): as at the date of this deed, neither it, nor any of its Related Bodies Corporate or Associates:
|
(1) |
has a relevant interest in, or a right to acquire, any securities of Carbon Revolution (whether issued or not or held by Carbon Revolution or not); or
|
(2) |
has entered into any agreement or arrangement that confers rights the economic effect of which is equivalent or substantially equivalent to holding, acquiring or disposing of
securities in or assets of Carbon Revolution or any of its Related Bodies Corporate;
|
(o) |
(no regulatory approvals): other than as contemplated by this deed, it does not require any approval, consent, clearance, waiver, ruling, relief, confirmation, exemption, declaration or notice from any Government Agency in order to execute and perform
this deed, the BCA or the Transaction Documents;
|
(p) |
(no other financing arrangements): it is not nor will it be a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether written or oral) with a debt financier or equity financier in connection with the Transaction other than for SPAC Working
Capital Loans, and as fully disclosed to Carbon Revolution prior to the date of this deed;
|
(q) |
(SPAC Shareholder Approval) the votes on the SPAC Proposals and the SPAC Extension Proposals, and the consent of the Sponsor are the only approvals of the holders of any class of share of the SPAC necessary under any applicable law or the Listing Rules,
the SPAC’s organisational documents and any contract to which SPAC is a party or is bound necessary for SPAC to implement the Transaction in accordance with the Timetable;
|
(r) |
(trust fund) as at the date of this deed, the SPAC has
no less than $200,000,000.00 in the Trust Fund;
|
(s) |
(taxes):
|
(1) |
Each member of the SPAC Group has submitted any necessary information, notices, computations and returns to the relevant Government Agency in respect of any Tax or any Duty
relating to each member of the SPAC Group and all such documentation is true, complete and correct and prepared in compliance with applicable law;
|
(2) |
all Taxes for which a member of the SPAC Group is liable that are or have been due and payable, including any penalty or interest, have been paid or appropriately provided or
reserved for in the financial statements of the SPAC Group, and any obligation on a member of the SPAC Group under any Tax Law to withhold amounts at source on account of Tax has been complied with;
|
(3) |
there is no active, pending or threatened Tax or Duty audit relating to a member of the SPAC Group;
|
(4) |
each member of the SPAC Group has maintained proper and adequate records to enable it to comply with its obligations to:
|
(A) |
prepare and submit any information, notices, computations, returns and payments required in respect of any Tax Law;
|
(B) |
prepare any accounts necessary for the compliance with any Tax Law; and
|
(C) |
retain necessary records as required by any Tax Law;
|
(5) |
no member of the SPAC Group is, nor has been, a member or part of or otherwise subject to any income tax consolidated group, GST group or other grouping arrangements in respect
of Taxes, with an entity that is not a member of the SPAC Group;
|
(6) |
no member of the SPAC Group has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) in, or otherwise conducts a trade or business in, any jurisdiction
outside of the relevant member of the SPAC Group’s place of incorporation;
|
(7) |
to SPAC’s knowledge, no member of the SPAC Group has entered into or been party to any transaction which contravenes the anti-avoidance provisions of any Tax Law;
|
(8) |
no member of the SPAC Group has taken any action which has or might alter or prejudice any arrangement, agreement or Tax ruling which has previously been negotiated with or
obtained from the relevant Government Agency or under any Tax Law;
|
(9) |
no member of the SPAC Group is or is expected to become liable to pay, reimburse or indemnify any person in respect of any Tax because of the failure of any other person to
discharge that Tax;
|
(10) |
each member of the SPAC Group has been a resident for Tax purposes solely in the jurisdiction of its incorporation;
|
(11) |
since it commenced carrying on business or deriving income, the office of public officer of each member of the SPAC Group as required under any Tax Law has been occupied
without vacancy thereof;
|
(12) |
to the extent required by applicable law, each member of the SPAC Group has complied with the provisions of Part 3-6 of the Tax Act and no dividend or other distribution has
been paid or will be paid by SPAC:
|
(A) |
in respect of which the required franking amount (as provided for in Subdivision 202-D of the Tax Act) exceeded the franked amount (as defined in section 200-15 of the Tax Act)
of the dividend;
|
(B) |
giving rise to franking deficit tax as provided for in section 205-45 of the Tax Act;
|
(C) |
which has been franked with franking credits in excess of the maximum franking credit for the distribution (as provided for in Subdivision 202-D of the Tax Act); or
|
(D) |
which has been franked in breach of the benchmark rule and which would result in SPAC either being liable to pay over-franking tax where the franking percentage for the
distribution exceeds the entity’s benchmark franking percentage or gives rise to a franking debit where the franking percentage is less than the entity’s benchmark franking percentage (as provided for in Division 203 of the Tax Act);
|
(13) |
all documents and transactions entered into or made by a member of the SPAC Group which are required to be stamped have been duly stamped and appropriately lodged with the
relevant Government Agency, and there are no outstanding assessments of duty (including fines, penalties and interest) in respect of any document, instrument or statement which a member of the SPAC Group is liable to pay stamp duty on,
nor any requirement on the part of a member of the SPAC Group to upstamp any document or instrument in the future on account of any interim stamping or assessment nor any requirement on the part of a member of the SPAC Group to lodge
and pay stamp duty for any transaction that has occurred but for which the liability to stamp duty has not yet arisen;
|
(14) |
no member of the SPAC Group has obtained, wholly or in part, any corporate reconstruction concession, exemption or ex gratia relief from payment of duty in any Australian
jurisdiction;
|
(15) |
no event has occurred which has resulted in any duty from which a member of the SPAC Group obtained relief (including but not limited to corporate reconstruction exemption or
concession or ex gratia relief), becoming payable, and the implementation of the Scheme will not result in any such duty becoming payable;
|
(16) |
no SPAC unit is an Indirect Australian Real Property Interest within the meaning of section 855-25 of the Tax Act;
|
(17) |
each member of the SPAC Group is in material compliance with all applicable transfer pricing laws and regulations, including the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous
documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology between members of the SPAC Group. All intercompany agreements have been adequately documented, and such documents have been duly executed in a timely manner.
The prices for any property or services (or for the use of any property) provided by or to a member of the SPAC Group are arms-length prices for purposes of all applicable transfer pricing laws;
|
(18) |
no member of the SPAC Group has a share capital account that is tainted under Division 197 or section 160ARDM of the Tax Act;
|
(19) |
the commercial debt forgiveness rules contained in Division 245 of the Tax Act (or its predecessor provisions in Schedule 2C of the Tax Act) have not resulted in a net forgiven
amount (as defined in those rules) for any member of the SPAC Group;
|
(20) |
no member of the SPAC Group has claimed any research and development Tax incentives;
|
(21) |
where a member of the SPAC Group has claimed any support, financial assistance, payment, deferral or relief in connection with COVID-19 from any Government Agency or under any
law (including the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Act 2020 (Cth)), the member of the SPAC Group: has satisfied all requirements under applicable laws and
administrative practices of the Government Agency; and has satisfied, received and otherwise complied with all applicable authorisations (including administrative practices of the Government Agency), to receive such support, assistance,
payment or relief.
|
(t) |
(SEC Filings):
|
(1) |
SPAC has filed all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be field by it with the SEC together with any
amendments, restatements or supplements thereto (SPAC SEC Reports). SPAC has furnished to Carbon Revolution, true and correct copies of all amendments and modifications that have not been filed by
SPAC with the SEC to all agreements, documents and other instruments that previously had been filed by SPAC with the SEC and are currently in effect. As of their respective dates, the SPAC SEC Reports, at the time they were filed, or,
if amended, as of the date of such amendment, (i) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder; and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.
|
(2) |
Each of the financial statements (including, in each case, any notes thereto) contained in the SPAC SEC Reports was prepared in accordance with GAAP (applied on a consistent
basis) and Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K, as applicable, throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and
each fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations, changes in stockholders equity and cash flows of SPAC as at the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods indicated therein,
(subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal and recurring year‑end adjustments which have not had, and would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate be material). SPAC has no off-balance sheet
arrangements that are not disclosed in the SPAC SEC Reports. Carbon Revolution acknowledges that (i) the Staff issued the Statement, (ii) SPAC continues to review the Statement and its implications, including on the financial statements
and other information included in the SPAC SEC Reports and (iii) any restatement, revision or other modification of the SPAC SEC Reports in connection with such review of the Statement or any subsequent agreements, orders, comments or
other guidance from the Staff regarding the accounting policies of SPAC shall be deemed not material for purposes of this deed.
|
(3) |
Except as and to the extent set forth in the SPAC SEC Reports, the SPAC does not have any liability or obligation of a nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise) required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for liabilities and obligations arising in the ordinary course of SPAC’s business.
|
(4) |
SPAC is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the NYSE.
|
(5) |
SPAC has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed
to provide, in all material respects, reasonable assurance that (i) all transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and (ii) all transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of proper and
accurate financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for SPAC’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets. SPAC maintains and, for all periods covered by the SPAC’s financial statements, has maintained books and
records of SPAC in the ordinary course of business that are accurate and complete and reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of SPAC in all material respects. Carbon Revolution acknowledges that (i) the Staff issued the
Statement, (ii) SPAC continues to review the Statement and its implications, including on the financial statements and other information included in the SPAC SEC Reports and (iii) any restatement, revision or other modification of the
SPAC SEC Reports in connection with such review of the Statement or any subsequent agreements, orders, comments or other guidance from the Staff regarding the accounting policies of SPAC shall be deemed not material for purposes of this
deed.
|
(6) |
There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by SPAC to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of SPAC. SPAC
has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
|
(7) |
Neither SPAC (including any employee thereof) nor SPAC’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the
system of internal accounting controls utilised by SPAC; (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves SPAC’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting
controls utilised by SPAC; or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing, except for such material weakness in the SPAC’s internal control over financial reporting, as further described in the SPAC SEC Reports. Carbon
Revolution acknowledges that (i) the Staff issued the Statement, (ii) SPAC continues to review the Statement and its implications, including on the financial statements and other information included in the SPAC SEC Reports and (iii)
any restatement, revision or other modification of the SPAC SEC Reports in connection with such review of the Statement or any subsequent agreements, orders, comments or other guidance from the Staff regarding the accounting policies of
SPAC shall be deemed not material for purposes of this deed.
|
(8) |
As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding SEC comments from the SEC with respect to the SPAC SEC Reports.
|
(u) |
(Board Approval): The
SPAC Board, by resolutions duly and unanimously adopted by the directors voting at a meeting duly called and held and not subsequently rescinded or modified in any way, has duly (i) approved and adopted this deed and declared their
advisability and approved the Transaction; and (ii) recommended that the SPAC Shareholders approve and adopt this deed and the Transaction, and directed that this deed and the Transaction be submitted for consideration by the SPAC
Shareholders at the SPAC Shareholders Meeting. The votes on the SPAC Proposals and the SPAC Extension Proposals, and the consent of the Sponsor are the only approvals of the holders of any class of share of the SPAC necessary under
any applicable law or the Listing Rules, the SPAC’s organisational documents and any contract to which SPAC is a party or is bound necessary for SPAC to implement the Transaction in accordance with the Timetable.
|
(v) |
(Listing): The issued
and outstanding SPAC Units are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “TRCA.U.” The issued and outstanding SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares are registered pursuant
to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “TRCA.” The issued and outstanding public SPAC Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for
trading on NYSE under the symbol “TRCA WS.” As of the date of this Scheme Implementation Deed, there is no action pending or, to the knowledge of SPAC, threatened in writing against SPAC by the NYSE or the SEC with respect to any
intention by such entity to deregister the SPAC Units, the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, or public SPAC Warrants or terminate the listing of SPAC on the NYSE. None of SPAC or any of its affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to
terminate the registration of the SPAC Units, the SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares, or the public SPAC Warrants under the Exchange Act.
|
Carbon Revolution Representations and Warranties
|
(a) |
(validly existing): it is a validly existing corporation registered under the laws of its place of incorporation;
|
(b) |
(authority): the
execution and delivery of this deed by Carbon Revolution has been properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of Carbon Revolution and Carbon Revolution has taken or will take all necessary corporate action to authorise the
performance of this deed and the transactions contemplated by this deed;
|
(c) |
(power): it:
|
(1) |
has full capacity, corporate power and lawful authority to execute, deliver and perform this deed and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the
transactions contemplated under them;
|
(2) |
and each other member of the Carbon Revolution Group has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, except in relation to such other members, where the failure to have such power and authority would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect;
|
(d) |
(no default): neither
this deed nor the carrying out by Carbon Revolution of the transactions contemplated by this deed, the BCA and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party does or will conflict with or result in the breach of or a default
under:
|
(1) |
any provision of Carbon Revolution’s constitution; or
|
(2) |
any material writ, order or injunction, judgment, law, rule or regulation to which it is party or subject or by which it or any other Carbon Revolution Group Member is bound,
|
(e) |
(deed binding): this
deed is a valid and binding obligation of Carbon Revolution, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
|
(f) |
(Carbon Revolution Information) the Carbon Revolution Information contained in the Scheme Booklet, and supplied or to be supplied for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the MergeCo Registration Statement and any other doucment submitted or to be
submitted to any other Governmental Agency or any announcement or public statement regarding the Transaction contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the announcement of the Transaction under clause 8.1 of this deed) shall
not contain (1) any material statement which is materially misleading or deceptive (with any statement of belief or opinion being honestly held and formed on a reasonable basis), including by way of omission from that statement, or
(2) any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading, as at (a) the date the Scheme Booklet is
despatched to Carbon Revolution Shareholders, (b) the time such information is filed, submitted or made publicly available (provided, if such information is revised by any subsequently filed amendment or supplement to the MergeCo
Registration Statement prior to the time the MergeCo Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, this clause (b) shall solely refer to the time of such subsequent revision or supplement); (c) the time the MergeCo
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; (d) the time the SPAC Proxy Statement included in the MergeCo Registration Statement (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the SPAC Shareholders;
(e) the time of the SPAC Shareholders Meeting, except that no warranty or representation is made by Carbon Revolution with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by SPAC for
inclusion therein; or (f) the Closing (subject, in each case, to the qualifications and limitations set forth in the materials provided by Carbon Revolution or that are included in such filings and/or mailings);
|
(g) |
(basis of Carbon Revolution Information): the Carbon Revolution Information:
|
(1) |
will be prepared and included in the Scheme Booklet in good faith and on the understanding that SPAC and each other SPAC Indemnified Party will rely on that information for the
purposes of determining to proceed with the Transaction and considering and approving the SPAC Information; and
|
(2) |
will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Corporations Act, the Corporations Regulations, RG 60, applicable Takeovers Panel guidance notes and the
Listing Rules,
|
(h) |
(Independent Expert):
all information provided by or on behalf of Carbon Revolution to the Independent Expert will be prepared and provided in good faith and on the understanding that the Independent Expert will rely on that information for the purpose of
preparing the Independent Expert’s Report;
|
(i) |
(provision of information to Investigating Accountant) all information provided by or on behalf of Carbon Revolution to the
Investigating Accountant to enable the Investigating Accountant’s Report to be prepared and completed will be provided in good faith and on the understanding that the Investigating Accountant will rely upon that information for the
purpose of preparing the Investigating Accountant’s Report;
|
(j) |
(new information): it
will, as a continuing obligation (but in respect of the SPAC Information, only to the extent that SPAC provides Carbon Revolution with updates to the SPAC Information), ensure that the Scheme Booklet and MergeCo Registration Statement
are updated or supplemented to include all further or new information which arises after the Scheme Booklet has been despatched to Carbon Revolution Shareholders, and the MergeCo Registration Statement has been declared effective by
the SEC, respectively, until the date of the Scheme Meeting, and the date of the SPAC Shareholders’ Meeting, respectively, which is necessary to ensure that the Scheme Booklet and MergeCo Registration Statement (1) are not misleading
or deceptive (including by way of omission) in any material respect and (2) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they are made, not misleading;
|
(k) |
(continuous disclosure):
as at the date of this deed, Carbon Revolution:
|
(1) |
is in compliance with its continuous disclosure obligations under Listing Rule 3.1 in all material respects; and
|
(2) |
other than for this Transaction, it is not relying on the carve-out in Listing Rule 3.1A to withhold any material information from public disclosure;
|
(l) |
(capital structure): as
at the date of this deed, its capital structure, including all issued securities as at the date of this deed, is in all material respects as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 5, and other than as set out in Part 1 of Schedule 5, no other
Carbon Revolution Group Member has issued or granted (or agreed to issue or grant) any other securities, options, warrants, performance rights or other instruments which are still outstanding and may convert into shares in the
relevant Carbon Revolution Group Member and as at the date of this deed the Carbon Revolution Group Members are not under any obligation to issue or grant, and no person has any right to call for the issue or grant of, any shares,
options, warrants, performance rights or other securities or instruments as a Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
(m) |
(interest): except as
would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect, the Disclosure Materials Fairly Disclose details of any company, partnership, trust, joint venture (whether incorporated or unincorporated) or other enterprise in which
Carbon Revolution or another Carbon Revolution Group Member owns or otherwise holds any interest;
|
(n) |
(Insolvency Event): no
Insolvency Event has occurred in relation to it or another Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
(o) |
(regulatory action): no regulatory action of any nature of which it is aware been taken in
relation to it or another Carbon Revolution Group Member that would reasonably be likely to prevent or restrict its ability to fulfil its obligations under this deed or under the Scheme;
|
(p) |
(compliance): except as
would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect each member of the Carbon Revolution Group has complied with all Australian and foreign laws and regulations applicable to them and orders of Australian and foreign Government
Agencies having jurisdiction over them;
|
(q) |
(material licences):
except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect as at the date of this deed, the Carbon Revolution Group has all licences,
authorisations and permits necessary for it to conduct the business of the Carbon Revolution Group as it is being conducted as at the date of this deed;
|
(r) |
(Disclosure Materials):
it has collated and prepared all of the Disclosure Materials in good faith for the purposes of a due diligence process and in this context, as far as Carbon Revolution is aware except as would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect, the Disclosure Materials are accurate and not misleading (including by omission). For the purpose of this clause (r), the Disclosure Materials are deemed not to include any
information, document, representation, statement, view or opinion to the extent that it contains or expresses a forecast, prediction or projection or is otherwise forward looking at the date of this deed;
|
(s) |
(all information): it is not aware of any information relating to the Carbon Revolution Group or its respective businesses or operations
as at the date of this deed that has or would reasonably be expected to give rise to a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect that has not been disclosed in an announcement by Carbon Revolution to ASX or in the Disclosure Materials;
|
(t) |
(no contravention of Corporations Act or Listing Rules): since the date Carbon Revolution was admitted to the official list of ASX,
neither ASIC nor ASX has notified Carbon Revolution in writing that they have made a determination against any member of the Carbon Revolution Group for any contravention of the requirements of the Corporations Act or the Listing Rules
or any rules or regulations under the Corporations Act or the Listing Rules (other than a determination that has been withdrawn or resolved prior to the date of this deed) and, as far as Carbon Revolution is aware, no event has occurred
which would reasonably be likely to result in such a determination being made;
|
(u) |
(litigation): except as
would not have, a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
no Carbon Revolution Group Member is:
|
(A) |
a party to or the subject of any legal action, formal investigation, proceeding, dispute, claim, demand, notice, direction, inquiry, arbitration, mediation, dispute resolution
or litigation, in any such case which is material and which is not initiated by or involves any SPAC Group Member; or
|
(B) |
the subject of any ruling, judgement, order, declaration or decree by any Government Agency, in any such case which is material; and
|
(2) |
so far as Carbon Revolution is aware, there is no such legal action, investigation, proceeding, dispute, claim, demand, notice, direction, inquiry, arbitration, mediation,
dispute resolution, litigation, ruling, judgement, order, declaration or decree pending, threatened or anticipated, against any Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
(v) |
(consents and approvals) except for:
|
(1) |
the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Nasdaq or NYSE (as applicable), SEC, ASX, FIRB, or ASIC;
|
(2) |
approval of the Scheme by Court; and
|
(3) |
in relation to any grants provided by any Government Agency,
|
(4) |
the execution and delivery by it of this deed and each Transaction Document to which it is a party; or
|
(5) |
the implementation of the Scheme and the other transactions contemplated by this deed, the BCA and each Transaction Document to which it is a party,
|
(w) |
(encumbrances): as at
the date of this deed and except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect there is no Security Interest over all or any of the Carbon Revolution Group’s present or future assets or revenues;
|
(x) |
(intellectual property): except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect
|
(1) |
each Carbon Revolution Group Member owns, holds, possesses or is authorised to use all patents, patent rights, licences, inventions, copyrights, know-how (including trade
secrets and other unpatented or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems, processes or procedures), trademarks, service marks and other trade names currently used by them in connection with the business now operated
by them (Intangible Rights); and
|
(2) |
no Carbon Revolution Group Member has received any notice of any claim of infringement (and no Carbon Revolution Group Member knows of any such claim of infringement) of any
asserted rights of others with respect to the use of any of the Intangible Rights.
|
(y) |
(data protection) so far as Carbon Revolution is aware and except as would not have, a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect, there
have been no security breaches, violations of any security policy or applicable law or instances of unauthorised access to data or information used by any member of the Carbon Revolution Group. The Carbon Revolution Group maintains
commercially reasonable policies and procedures regarding data security and privacy, and administrative, technical and physical safeguards, and the foregoing policies, procedures and safeguards are, in each case and in all material
respects, in compliance with all applicable contractual obligations and applicable laws.
|
(z) |
(no defects) except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect, there is no defect, fault or other condition, actual,
potential or threatened, of any product line supplied or manufactured by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(aa) |
(no product recall) and except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect no
product of any member of the Carbon Revolution Group is involved in any product recall, an after sale warning, or an investigation by a Government Agency as to its safety or as to its compliance with applicable law or standards, or with
any warranty given or representation made by that member of the Carbon Revolution Group, and as far as Carbon Revolution is aware there are no circumstances that could give rise to such recall, warning or investigation;
|
(bb) |
(no default) no member of the Carbon Revolution Group is in default under any document, agreement or instrument binding on it or its
assets nor has anything occurred which is or would with the giving of notice or lapse of time constitute an event of default, prepayment event or similar event, or give another party a termination right or right to accelerate any right
or obligation, under the document or agreement with that effect, except where such default or occurrence would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect;
|
(cc) |
(Carbon Revolution Shares not indirect Australian real property interests) the relevant Carbon Revolution Shares held by each Scheme
Participant are not, and until (and including) the Implementation Date will not be, indirect Australian real property interests within the meaning of Division 855 of the Tax Act for the Scheme Participant;
|
(dd) |
(financial information and filings):
|
(1) |
the financial statements of the Carbon Revolution Group included (or incorporated by reference) in Carbon Revolution Reporting Documents (as defined below) (Financial Statements), including the related notes, where applicable:
|
(1) |
have been prepared from the books and records of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(A) |
have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Corporations Act and any other applicable laws and in accordance with the Accounting
Standards; and
|
(B) |
give a true and fair view in all material respects of the consolidated financial position of the Carbon Revolution Group and the consolidated results of operations and changes
in cash flows and equity of the Carbon Revolution Group as of the respective dates and for the periods therein set forth;
|
(2) |
the Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) (i) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Carbon Revolution Group, as of the
respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations, their consolidated comprehensive incomes or losses, their consolidated changes in shareholders’ equity and their consolidated cash flows for the respective
periods then ended (subject, in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, to normal year end adjustments (none of which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to Carbon Revolution’s business taken as a whole) and the
absence of footnotes or inclusion of limited footnotes), (ii) were prepared in accordance with IFRS, applied on a consistent basis during the periods covered (except as may be specifically indicated in the notes thereto and, in the case
of the Unaudited Financial Statements, the absence of footnotes or the inclusion of limited footnotes), and (iii) were prepared from, and are in accordance in all material respects with, the books and records of Carbon Revolution’s
business;
|
(3) |
each of the financial statements or similar reports of Carbon Revolution required to be included in the F-4, Proxy Statement, Form 6-K filed in connection with and announcing
the Closing or any other filings to be made with the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the BCA or any Ancillary Agreement (the financial statements described in this sentence, which the Parties acknowledge shall,
with respect to historical financial statements, solely consist of such financial statements when delivered), (i) will fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Carbon Revolution Group, as of the
respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations, their consolidated comprehensive incomes or losses, their consolidated changes in stockholders’ equity and their consolidated cash flows for the respective
periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal year end adjustments (none of which are, individually or in the aggregate, material to Carbon Revolution’s business take, (ii) prepared in
accordance with IFRS, applied on a consistent basis during the periods covered (except as may be specifically indicated in the notes thereto and, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, the absence of footnotes or the
inclusion of limited footnotes) (iii) in the case of any audited financial statements, will be audited in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB and IFRS and will contain an unqualified report of Carbon Revolution’s independent
auditor and (iv) will comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act in effect as of the date of such delivery
(including Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable).
|
(4) |
to the extent any of the books and records of each Carbon Revolution Group Member are required to be maintained in accordance with the Accounting Standards, the Corporations
Act and other applicable laws, such books and records have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with the relevant requirements;
|
(5) |
as at the date of this deed, no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has any liability of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due), other than those liabilities:
|
(C) |
that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of the Carbon Revolution Group included in its report for the full year ended 30 June 2022 (including any notes thereto),
|
(D) |
incurred in the ordinary course of business since 30 June 2022, or
|
(E) |
incurred in connection with this deed and the transactions contemplated by this deed;
|
(6) |
since 30 June 2022:
|
(A) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group, nor, to the knowledge of Carbon Revolution, any director, officer, auditor, accountant or Representative of any member of the Carbon Revolution Group, has received or otherwise had or
obtained knowledge of any complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or, to the knowledge of Carbon Revolution, oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods (including with
respect to reserves, write-downs, charge- offs and accruals) of any member of the Carbon Revolution Group or their respective internal accounting controls, including any complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that a member of the
Carbon Revolution Group has engaged in inappropriate accounting or auditing practices; and
|
(B) |
no employee of or legal adviser representing a member of the Carbon Revolution Group, whether or not employed by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group, has reported in writing evidence of a breach of securities laws, breach of
fiduciary duty or similar breach by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents to the Carbon Revolution Board or any committee thereof or the board of directors or similar governing
body of any Subsidiary of Carbon Revolution or any committee thereof, or to the knowledge of Carbon Revolution, to any officer of a member of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(2) |
since the admission of Carbon Revolution to the official list of ASX, it has timely filed with ASIC and the ASX all required material reports, schedules, prospectuses, forms, statements, notices and other documents required to be
filed with ASIC and the ASX, including any notices required to be filed by the Listing Rules (all of those documents being the “Carbon Revolution Reporting Documents”);
|
(3) |
as of its date, each Carbon Revolution Reporting Document complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Corporations Act and the Listing Rules and all rules, regulations and policy statements under the Corporations
Act and the Listing Rules; and
|
(4) |
none of the Carbon Revolution Reporting Documents as of the date of their respective filings (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this document, on the date of such amended or superseding filing) contained
an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated in it or necessary to prevent the statement made from being false or misleading in the circumstances in which it has been made;
|
(ee)
|
(certain payments) no member of the Carbon Revolution Group or, to Carbon Revolution’s knowledge, any of its respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives has,
directly or indirectly, in connection with the business of the Carbon Revolution Group: (i) made, offered or promised to make or offer any unlawful payment, loan or transfer of anything of value to or for the benefit of any
government official, candidate for public office, political party or political campaign; (ii) paid, offered or promised to make or offer any bribe, payoff, influence payment, kickback, unlawful rebate, or other similar
unlawful payment of any nature; (iii) made, offered or promised to make or offer any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenditures; (iv) established or maintained any unlawful fund of corporate
monies or other properties; (v) created or caused the creation of any false or inaccurate books and records of the Carbon Revolution Group or any of its members related to any of the foregoing; or (vi) otherwise violated any
provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, 15 U.S.C. §§78dd-1, et seq., the UK Bribery Act of 2010, or any other applicable anti-corruption or anti-bribery law;
|
(ff) |
(broker’s fees) no member of the Carbon Revolution Group, nor any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker, finder or financial adviser or incurred any liability for
any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Transaction or transactions contemplated by this deed;
|
(gg) |
(absence of certain changes or events)
|
(1) |
since 30 June 2022 through to the date of this deed, there has not been any Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect; and
|
(2) |
since 30 June 2022 through to the date of this deed, the Carbon Revolution Group has carried on its business in all material respects in the ordinary course;
|
(hh) |
(taxes) except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
it has submitted any necessary information, notices, computations and returns to the relevant Government Agency in respect of any Tax or any Duty relating to each Carbon Revolution Group Member and all such documentation is true,
complete and correct and prepared in compliance with applicable law;
|
(2) |
all Taxes for which a member of the Carbon Revolution Group is liable that are or have been due and payable, including any penalty or interest, have been paid, and any obligation on a member of the Carbon Revolution Group under any
Tax Law to withhold amounts at source on account of Tax has been complied with;
|
(3) |
there is no active, pending or threatened Tax or Duty audit relating to a member of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(4) |
each member of the Carbon Revolution Group has maintained proper and adequate records to enable it to comply with its obligations to:
|
(A) |
prepare and submit any information, notices, computations, returns and payments required in respect of any Tax Law;
|
(B) |
prepare any accounts necessary for the compliance with any Tax Law;
|
(C) |
support any position taken by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group; and
|
(D) |
retain necessary records as required by any Tax Law;
|
(5) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group is, nor has been, a member or part of or otherwise subject to any income tax consolidated group, GST group or other grouping arrangements in respect of Taxes, with an entity that is not a
member of the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(6) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) in, or otherwise conducts a trade or business in, any jurisdiction outside of the relevant member of the Carbon
Revolution Group’s place of incorporation;
|
(7) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has entered into or been party to any transaction which contravenes any anti-avoidance provisions of any Tax Law;
|
(8) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has taken any action which has altered or prejudiced or might alter or prejudice any arrangement, agreement or Tax ruling which has previously been negotiated with or obtained from the
relevant Government Agency or under any Tax Law;
|
(9) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group is or is expected to become liable to pay, reimburse or indemnify any Tax of any other person;
|
(10) |
each member of the Carbon Revolution Group has been a resident for Tax purposes solely in the jurisdiction of its incorporation;
|
(11) |
since it commenced carrying on business or deriving income, the office of public officer of each member of the Carbon Revolution Group as required under any Tax Law has been occupied without vacancy thereof;
|
(12) |
all documents and transactions entered into or made by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group which are required to be stamped have been duly stamped and appropriately lodged with the relevant Government Agency, and there are no
outstanding assessments of Duty (including fines, penalties and interest) in respect of any document, instrument or statement which a member of the Carbon Revolution Group is liable to pay stamp Duty on, nor any requirement on the
part of a member of the Carbon Revolution Group to upstamp any document or instrument in the future on account of any interim stamping or assessment nor any requirement on the part of a member of the Carbon Revolution Group to lodge
and pay stamp duty for any transaction that has occurred but for which the liability to stamp duty has not yet arisen;
|
(13) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has obtained, wholly or in part, any corporate reconstruction or corporate consolidation, concession, exemption or ex gratia relief from payment of duty in any Australian jurisdiction;
|
(14) |
no event has occurred which has resulted in any Duty from which a member of the Carbon Revolution Group obtained relief (including but not limited to corporate reconstruction or corporate consolidation, exemption or concession or
ex gratia relief), becoming payable, and the implementation of the Scheme will not result in any such Duty becoming payable;
|
(15) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group is or has been (i) a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code or (ii) treated as a U.S. corporation under Section 7874(b) of the Code;
|
(16) |
each member of the Carbon Revolution Group is in material compliance with all applicable transfer pricing laws and regulations, including the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer
pricing practices and methodology between members of the Carbon Revolution Group. All intercompany agreements have been adequately documented, and such documents have been duly executed in a timely manner. The prices for any property
or services (or for the use of any property) provided by or to a member of the Carbon Revolution Group are arm’s-length prices for the purposes of all applicable transfer pricing laws;
|
(17) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has a share capital account that is tainted under Division 197 or section 160ARDM of the Tax Act;
|
(18) |
the commercial debt forgiveness rules contained in Division 245 of the Tax Act (or its predecessor provisions in Schedule 2C of the Tax Act) have not resulted in a net forgiven amount (as defined in those rules) for any member of
the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(19) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has consented to extend or waive the time in which any Tax may be assessed or collected by any Government Agency;
|
(20) |
no member of the Carbon Revolution Group will be required to include any item in taxable income, or exclude any item of deduction, for any period ending after the Closing by reason of (i) a change in method of accounting for any
period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing, (ii) a use of an improper method of accounting for any period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing, (iii) an installment sale or open transaction disposition
made on or prior to the Closing, (iv) any prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing or (v) any intercompany transaction;
|
(21) |
no written claims have ever been made by any Government Agency in a jurisdiction where any member of the Carbon Revolution Group does not file Tax Returns that such member of the Carbon Revolution Group is or may be subject to
taxation by that jurisdiction;
|
(22) |
where a member of the Carbon Revolution Group has claimed any support, financial assistance, payment, deferral or relief in connection with COVID-19 from any Government Agency or under any law (including the Coronavirus Economic
Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Act 2020 (Cth)), the member of the Carbon Revolution Group:
|
(A) |
has satisfied all requirements under applicable laws and administrative practices of the Government Agency; and
|
(B) |
has satisfied, received and otherwise complied with all applicable authorisations (including administrative practices of the Government Agency), to receive such support, assistance, payment or relief;
|
(ii) |
(employees) except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
the Disclosure Materials accurately set out the period of service, remuneration package (including bonuses, profit share, and employee incentive plan entitlements), applicable allowances, redundancy or termination entitlements and
accrued leave (including long service leave, annual leave and personal leave) for each employee of the Carbon Revolution Group as at the date specified in the relevant Disclosure Materials;
|
(2) |
except as arising in the ordinary course of business before the Implementation Date, no Carbon Revolution Group Member is under, nor will it assume before the Implementation Date, any liability to any employee of the Carbon
Revolution Group for any pension, lump sum retiring allowance or redundancy payment or any liability with respect to annual, long service or personal leave;
|
(3) |
each Carbon Revolution Group Member materially complies with all obligations under employment contracts, industrial agreements and awards, and with all codes of conduct and practice relevant to conditions of service and to the
relations between it and the employees employed by it;
|
(4) |
no Carbon Revolution Group Member is a party to any workplace agreement with a trade union or industrial organisation, group of employees or individual employees in respect of the Carbon Revolution Group and no industrial awards or
workplace agreements apply to any employees of a Carbon Revolution Group Member;
|
(5) |
no Carbon Revolution Group Member has been involved in any dispute with any union or employee of a Carbon Revolution Group Member at any time within the 6 months preceding the date of this deed.
|
(jj) |
(superannuation) except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
the external superannuation funds disclosed in the Disclosure Materials are the only superannuation funds in operation in relation to employees of the Carbon Revolution Group and to which a Carbon Revolution Group Member
contributes or is obliged to contribute in respect of employees of the Carbon Revolution Group; and
|
(2) |
with respect to the External Superannuation Funds the prescribed minimum level of superannuation support in respect of each employee of the Carbon Revolution Group has been provided so as not to incur a shortfall amount under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth).
|
(kk) |
(real property)
|
(1) |
there are no freehold properties owned by the Carbon Revolution Group;
|
(2) |
Carbon Revolution or another member of the Carbon Revolution Group is the lessee of all leasehold estates reflected in the audited financial statements included in Carbon Revolution’s annual report for the financial year ended 30
June 2022 or acquired after that date (except for leases that have expired by their terms since that date), free and clear of all material Encumbrances and is in possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, and each
such lease is valid without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the knowledge of Carbon Revolution, the lessor, except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect; and
|
(3) |
to the knowledge of Carbon Revolution, no Carbon Revolution Group Member has received a notice to vacate or notice to quit from any third party pursuant to any real property leased by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group, except
as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect;
|
(ll) |
(Material Contracts) except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
the Disclosure Materials contain a true and complete copy of each Material Contract;
|
(2) |
each Material Contract is in full force and effect and is valid and binding on the applicable member of the Carbon Revolution Group and the relevant Carbon Revolution Group Member has in all material respects complied with and
performed all obligations required to be complied with or performed by it to date under each Material Contract;
|
(3) |
as at the date of this deed, no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has knowledge of, or has received notice of, any breach of any Material Contract by any of the other parties thereto; and
|
(4) |
as at the date of this deed, no event or condition exists which constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a material breach or default on the part of the Carbon Revolution Group or, to the knowledge of
Carbon Revolution, any other party thereto, of or under any Material Contract, or which constitutes an event of default, prepayment event or similar event, or gives another party a termination right or right to accelerate any right or
obligation (including a right or obligation to any payment or fees);
|
(mm) |
(related party transactions) no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has entered into, or agreed to enter into, a transaction which requires, or would require, the approval of the holders of
Carbon Revolution Shareholders under Chapter 10 of the Listing Rules;
|
(nn) |
(insurance) the Disclosure Materials contain complete and accurate particulars of all current insurance policies and cover notes taken out in respect of each member of the Carbon Revolution
Group (Insurances) and, except as would not have a Carbon Revolution Material Adverse Effect:
|
(1) |
each Insurance is currently in full force and effect and all applicable premiums have been paid.
|
(2) |
as at the date of this deed, there are no outstanding claims made by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group or any person on its behalf under an Insurance or an insurance policy held by a member of the Carbon Revolution Group; and
|
(3) |
as of the date of this deed, no member of the Carbon Revolution Group has received written notice of any threatened termination of, premium increase with respect to, or alteration of coverage under, any Insurance.
|
(a) |
(validly existing): each of MergeCo and Merger Sub is a validly existing corporation registered under the laws of its place of incorporation;
|
(b) |
(authority): the execution and delivery of this deed by MergeCo has been properly authorised by all necessary corporate action of MergeCo and MergeCo has taken or will take all necessary
corporate action to authorise the performance of this deed, and each other Transaction Document and the transactions contemplated by this deed;
|
(c) |
(power) it has power to enter into this deed, and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party in order to comply with its obligations under it and exercise its rights under it;
|
(d) |
(no default): neither this deed nor the carrying out by MergeCo or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this deed, the BCA and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party
does or will conflict with or result in the breach of or a default under:
|
(1) |
any provision of MergeCo’s or Merger Sub’s constituent documents (as applicable); or
|
(2) |
any writ, order or injunction, judgment, law, rule or regulation to which it is party or subject or by which it is bound,
|
(e) |
(validity of obligations): its obligations under this deed are valid and binding and are enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;
|
(f) |
(deed binding): this deed is a valid and binding obligation of MergeCo, enforceable in accordance with its terms;
|
(h) |
(basis of MergeCo Information): the MergeCo Information:
|
(1) |
will be provided to Carbon Revolution in good faith; and
|
(2) |
will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Corporations Act, the Corporations Regulations, RG 60, applicable Takeovers Panel guidance notes and the Listing Rules;
|
(i) |
(new information): it will, as a continuing obligation, provide to Carbon Revolution all further or new information which arises after the Scheme Booklet has been despatched to Carbon
Revolution Shareholders until the date of the Scheme Meeting which is necessary to ensure that the MergeCo Information is not misleading or deceptive (including by way of omission);
|
(j) |
(Insolvency Event or regulatory action): no Insolvency Event has occurred in relation to it or Merger Sub, nor has any regulatory action of any nature been taken that would reasonably be
likely to prevent or restrict its ability to fulfil its obligations under this deed, under the Deed Poll or under the Scheme;
|
(k) |
(no regulatory approvals): other than as contemplated by this deed, it does not require any approval, consent, clearance, waiver, ruling, relief,
confirmation, exemption, declaration or notice from any Government Agency in order to execute and perform this deed, the BCA or the Transaction Documents;
|
(m) |
(Brokers): No broker, finder or banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the Transaction, or the transaction contemplated under the
Transaction Documents, based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of MergeCo or Merger Sub; and
|
(n) |
(capital structure): as at the date of this deed the capital structure of MergeCo and Merger Sub is as set out in Part 2 of Schedule 5 and neither MergeCo nor Merger Sub has agreed to issue
any other shares or other securities, including any securities which may be converted or exchanged into MergeCo or Merger Sub shares or other securities.
|
Security
|
Total number on issue
|
Fully paid ordinary shares
|
206,909,911
|
Performance rights
|
1,381,551
|
Unquoted options (ASX: CBRAE)
|
4,996,896
|
Unquoted options (ASX: CBRAI)
|
6,303,901
|
Security
|
Total number on issue
|
MergeCo fully paid ordinary shares
|
100
|
Merger Sub fully paid ordinary shares
|
1
|
Carbon Revolution
|
|||
Signed sealed and delivered by
Carbon Revolution Limited
under section 127 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)
by
|
|||
sign here ►
|
/s/ James Douglas
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Dane Anthony McKee
|
Director
|
Director
|
||
print name
|
James Douglas
|
print name
|
Dane Anthony McKee
|
SPAC
|
|||
Signed sealed and delivered by
Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp in the presence of
|
Seal
|
||
sign here ►
|
/s/ William P. Russell Jr.
|
sign here ►
|
/s/ Bonnie Purcell
|
Authorised signatory
|
Witness
|
||
print name
|
William P. Russell Jr.
|
print name
|
Bonnie Purcell
|
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED for and on behalf of and as the deed of POPPETELL LIMITED by its lawfully appointed attorney l [insert name of attorney] in the presence of:
|
Seal
|
||
/s/ Rodney O’Rourke | |||
Signature of witness
|
/s/ Ronan Donohoe | ||
|
Signature of attorney | ||
Rodney O’Rourke
|
|||
Name of witness |
|
Ronan Donohoe - Director | ||
Palmerston House, Denzille Lane, Dublin 2
|
Print name of attorney | ||
Address of witness | |
||
|
|||
Solicitor
|
|||
Occupation of witness |
Notices to SPAC and the Sponsor:
|
with a copy to (which shall not constitute
|
notice):
|
|
Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp.
|
|
999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 200
|
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
|
Naples, FL 34108
|
601 Lexington Avenue
|
Attention: William P. Russell, Jr.; Sanjay Morey
|
New York, NY 10022
|
Email: wrussell@twinridgecapital.com;
|
Attention: Christian Nagler; Peter Seligson
|
smorey@twinrdigecapital.com
|
E-mail: christian.nagler@kirkland.com;
|
peter.seligson@kirkland.com
|
|
and
|
|
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
|
|
609 Main St
|
|
Houston, TX 77002
|
SPONSOR:
|
|
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL SPONSOR, LLC
|
|
By: /s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Name: William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
TRCA SUBSIDIARY:
|
|
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL SPONSOR SUBSIDIARY, LLC
|
|
By: /s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Name: William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Title: Authorized Signatory
|
|
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS:
|
|
By: /s/ Alison Burns
|
|
Alison Burns
|
|
By: /s/ Paul Henrys
|
|
Paul Henrys
|
|
By: /s/ Gary Pilnick
|
|
Gary Pilnick
|
|
OTHER INSIDERS:
|
|
By: /s/ Dale Morrison
|
|
Dale Morrison
|
|
By: /s/ Sanjay K. Morey
|
|
Sanjay K. Morey
|
By: /s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
SPAC:
|
|
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.
|
|
By: /s/ William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Name: William P. Russell, Jr.
|
|
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
|
COMPANY:
|
|
CARBON REVOLUTION LIMITED ACN 128 274 653
|
|
By: /s/ Dale McKee
|
|
Name: Dale Anthony McKee
|
|
Title: Director
|
|
MERGECO:
|
|
POPPETELL LIMITED
|
|
By: /s/ Ronan Donohoe
|
|
Name: Ronan Donohoe
|
|
Title: Director
|
(i) |
The Company shall, in its sole discretion, select the number of Advance Shares, not to exceed the Maximum Advance Amount, it desires to issue and sell to the Investor in each Advance Notice and the time it desires to deliver each
Advance Notice and the Pricing Period to be used.
|
(ii) |
There shall be no mandatory minimum Advances and no non-usages fee for not utilizing the Commitment Amount or any part thereof.
|
(e) |
Option 1 Advance Notice Volume Threshold.
|
(i) |
In connection with an Advance Notice where the Company selected an Option 1 Pricing Period, if the aggregate Daily Traded Volume traded during the applicable Option 1 Pricing Period is less than the Volume Threshold, then the number of
Advance Shares issued and sold pursuant to such Advance Notice shall be reduced to the greater of (a) 35% of the Daily Traded Volume of the Common Shares on the Principal Market during the applicable Option 1 Pricing Period, or (b) the
number of Common Shares sold by the Investor during such Option 1 Pricing Period, but not to exceed the amount requested in the Advance Notice.
|
(f) |
Option 2 Advance Notice Minimum Acceptable Price.
|
(ii) |
The total Advance Shares in respect of each Advance (after reductions have been made to arrive at the Adjusted Advance Amount, if any) shall be automatically increased by such number of Common Shares (the “Additional Shares”)
equal to the number of Common Shares sold by the Investor on such Excluded Day, if any, and the price paid per share for each Additional Share shall be equal to the MAP in effect with respect to such Advance Notice, provided that this
increase shall not cause the total Advance Shares to exceed the amount set forth in the original Advance Notice or any limitations set forth in Section 2.01(d).
|
(c) |
On or prior to the Advance Date, each of the Company and the Investor shall deliver to the other all documents, instruments and writings expressly required to be delivered by either of them pursuant to this Agreement in order to
implement and effect the transactions contemplated herein.
|
(a) |
In the event the Investor sells Common Shares after receipt of an Advance Notice and the Company fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Company agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and
obligations set forth in Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Investor harmless against any loss,
claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default.
It is accordingly agreed that the Investor shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to Applicable Laws, the Securities Act and other rules of the
Principal Market), without the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
|
(b) |
In the event the Company provides an Advance Notice and the Investor fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Investor agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in
Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Company harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense
(including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Investor and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default. It is accordingly agreed
that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to Applicable Laws, the Securities Act and other rules of the Principal Market), without
the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
|
(a)
|
Filing of a Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, or multiple Registration Statements for the resale by the Investor of the
Registrable Securities. The Company in its sole discretion may choose when to file such Registration Statements; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the ability to request any
Advances until the effectiveness of a Registration Statement.
|
(b) |
Maintaining a Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement with respect to the Shares that has been declared effective at all times
during the Commitment Period, provided, however, that if the Company has received notification pursuant to Section 2.04 that the Investor has completed resales pursuant to the Registration Statement for the full Commitment Amount, then
the Company shall be under no further obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall ensure that, when filed, each
Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement
shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which
they were made) not misleading. During the Commitment Period, the Company shall notify the Investor promptly if (i) the Registration Statement shall cease to be effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the Common Shares shall cease to be
authorized for listing on the Principal Market, or (iii) the Common Shares cease to be registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act. or (iv) the Company fails to file in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act.
|
(a) |
Establishment of a Black Out Period. During the Commitment Period, the Company from time to time may suspend the use of the Registration Statement by written notice to the Investor in the event that the Company determines in
its sole discretion in good faith that such suspension is necessary to (A) delay the disclosure of material nonpublic information concerning the Company, the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the
Company, in the best interests of the Company or (B) amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus so that such Registration Statement or Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (a “Black Out Period”).
|
(b) |
No Sales by Investor During the Black Out Period. During such Black Out Period, the Investor agrees not to sell any Common Shares of the Company pursuant to such Registration Statement, but may sell Common Shares pursuant to an
exemption from registration, if available, subject to the Investor’s compliance with Applicable Laws.
|
(c) |
Limitations on the Black Out Period. The Company shall not impose any Black Out Period that is longer than 60 consecutive days (or 90 days in any calendar year) or in a manner that is more restrictive (including, without
limitation, as to duration) than the comparable restrictions that the Company may impose on transfers of the Company’s equity securities by its directors and senior executive officers. In addition, the Company shall not deliver any
Advance Notice during any Black Out Period. If the public announcement of such material, nonpublic information is made during a Black Out Period, the Black Out Period shall terminate immediately after such announcement, and the Company
shall immediately notify the Investor of the termination of the Black Out Period.
|
(b) |
Registration of the Common Shares with the SEC. There is an effective Registration Statement pursuant to which the Investor is permitted to utilize the Prospectus thereunder to resell all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant
to such Advance Notice. The Company shall have filed with the SEC all reports, notices and other documents required under the Exchange Act and applicable SEC regulations during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the applicable
Condition Satisfaction Date or such shorter period during which the Company shall have been subject to such requirements.
|
(c) |
Authority. The Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state for the offer and sale of all the Common Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice, or shall have the availability
of exemptions therefrom. The sale and issuance of such Common Shares shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Company is subject.
|
(d) |
No Material Outside Event. No Material Outside Event shall have occurred and be continuing.
|
(e) |
Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with
by the Company at or prior to the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.
|
(f) |
No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits
any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
|
(g) |
No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Shares. The Common Shares are quoted for trading on the Principal Market and all of the Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice will be listed or quoted for trading on
the Principal Market. The issuance of Common Shares with respect to the applicable Advance Notice will not violate the stockholder approval requirements of the Principal Market.
|
(h) |
Authorized. There shall be a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Common Shares for the issuance of all of the Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice.
|
(i) |
Executed Advance Notice. The representations contained in the applicable Advance Notice shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.
|
(j) |
Consecutive Advance Notices. Except with respect to the first Advance Notice, the Company shall have delivered all Shares relating to all prior Advances.
|
(a) |
Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the Effective Date, (ii) the date on which the
Investor shall have made payment of Advances pursuant to this Agreement for Common Shares equal to the Commitment Amount, or (iii) the termination of the Merger Agreement (other than in connection with the consummation of the Business
Combination).
|
(b) |
The Company may terminate this Agreement effective upon five Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Investor; provided that (i) there are no outstanding Advance Notices, the Common Shares under which have yet to be issued, and (ii)
the Company has paid all amounts owed to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless
otherwise provided in such written consent.
|
(c) |
Nothing in this Section 10.01 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach under this Agreement, or to impair the rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the
other party of its obligations under this Agreement. Section 12.07 and the indemnification provisions contained in Article V shall survive termination hereunder.
|
(d) |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no obligation, including the obligation to issue to the Investor the Commitment Fee Shares, shall arise until the consummation of the Business Combination. If the Merger
Agreement is terminated, other than in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, then this Agreement shall be terminated and of no further effect, without any liability of any party hereunder.
|
If to the Company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, to:
|
Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp.
999 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34108
Attention: William P Russell, Jr; Sanjay Morey
Email: wrussell@twinridgecapital.com;
smorey@twinridgecapital.com
|
With a copy to (which shall not
constitute notice or delivery of process) to:
|
Peter Seligson
Kirkland & Ellis
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Email: peter.segilson@kirkland.com;
Adam Larson; Rami Totari
Kirkland & Ellis
609 Main St
Houston, TX 77002
Email: adam.larson@kirkland.com; rami.totari@kirkland.com
|
|
If to the Company following the consummation of the Business Combination, to:
|
Carbon Revolution Limited
75 Pigdons Road, Warn Ponds
VIC 3126 Australia
Attention: David Nock
Email: david.nock@carbonrev.com
|
|
With a copy (which will not constitute notice) to:
|
Peter Seligson
Kirkland & Ellis
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Email: peter.segilson@kirkland.com;
Adam Larson; Rami Totari
Kirkland & Ellis
609 Main St
Houston, TX 77002
Email: adam.larson@kirkland.com; rami.totari@kirkland.com.
Jocelyn M. Arel
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Email: jarel@goodwinlaw.com
Jeffrey Letalien
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Email: jletalien@goodwinlaw.com
|
COMPANY:
|
||
TWIN RIDGE CAPITAL ACQUISITION CORP.
|
||
By:
|
/s/ William P. Russell, Jr. |
Name:
|
William P. Russell, Jr. | |
Title:
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer |
INVESTOR:
|
||
YA II PN, Ltd.
|
||
By:
|
Yorkville Advisors Global, LP | |
Its:
|
Investment Manager |
By:
|
Yorkville Advisors Global II, LLC | ||
Its: | General Partner |
By: |
/s/ David Gonzalez
|
Name: |
David Gonzalez
|
|
Title: |
General Counsel
|
|
|
• |
Carbon Revolution is a leader in next-generation auto-tech with more than 60,000 carbon fiber wheels on the road for some of the most prestigious brands in the world.
|
• |
Carbon Revolution has been awarded 13 programs to date with global OEMs including Ford Motor Company, Ferrari NV, General Motors Company, and Renault Group, with a further six programs in progress under engineering agreements.
|
• |
Total projected revenue forecast to grow from $28.7 million in CY2022E to $90.1 million in CY2024E representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 77%.
|
• |
Estimated pro forma enterprise value of approximately $270 million.
|
• |
Transaction includes up to $60 million from a Committed Equity Facility.
|
• |
Early-Mover: Carbon Revolution’s unique and protected -- 89
granted or pending patents -- next-generation auto technology is years ahead of the competition.
|
• |
Leading Incumbent: Carbon Revolution is expected to retain
significant market share in a market characterized by high barriers to entry.
|
• |
Large Market Opportunity: Automotive passenger wheel market
of $38 billion.
|
• |
Strong and Diverse Customer Base: Nine current awarded
programs and six additional engineering programs in progress, of which four are for electric vehicles.
|
• |
Attractively Valued Entry Multiple: Pro forma enterprise
valuation of $270 million is 5.4x 2023 estimated revenue and 3.0x 2024 estimated revenue. Ninety-eight percent of 2023 and 2024 estimated revenue is under contract (awarded or engineering) based on the Company’s forecasted revenues from
those contracts.
|
• |
Rapid Revenue Growth: Total revenue forecast to grow from
$28.7 million in CY2022E to $90.1 million in CY2024E, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 77%.
|
• |
Margin Expansion: Automation investments by the Company are
driving margin expansion as the business scales, with substantial opportunity to further optimize through expansion into lower-cost geographies.
|
• |
Highly Experienced Management Team: Carbon Revolution is led
by a forward-thinking team with an average of more than 22 years of experience in automotive technology and manufacturing.
|
• |
Implied pre-money enterprise valuation of CBR of US$200 million.2
|
• |
This reflects a potential total proforma equity value of the combined group at closing of US$300.4 million3 based on a number of assumptions as footnoted.
However, CBR shareholders should be aware that actual pro forma equity value (and therefore value to CBR shareholders) will be subject to a number of factors, including the trading price of MergeCo shares following close of the Transaction,
which is unknown today and could be lower or higher than the assumed US$10 share price.
|
• |
US$200.0 million enterprise value for CBR, less net debt at 31 October 2022 of A$4.8 million converted to US$ using an exchange rate of 0.675 (exchange rate as at end of day 25 November 2022), equating to an assumed CBR equity value of
US$196.8 million. This would result in 19.7 million MergeCo shares being collectively issued to CBR shareholders at closing.
|
• |
75% redemptions assumed from SPAC shareholders, resulting in US$53.6 million of cash remaining in the SPAC trust account, which will be available for the combined group from closing. This would result in 5.4 million MergeCo shares being
collectively held by SPAC public shareholders. Shareholders should note that there is no guarantee redemptions will be 75% and based on current market experience they may be materially higher than this (as discussed further below in this
announcement).
|
• |
SPAC founders holding 5 million shares in MergeCo
|
• |
CEF assumed not to be drawn down and no FPA (as discussed later in this announcement)
|
• |
MergeCo shares to trade at US$10/share which is the amount of cash held in the SPAC’s trust account for each SPAC share on issue (excluding interest thereon). However, there is no guarantee MergeCo Shares will trade at this price
following Transaction close.
|
• |
CBR shareholders are expected to receive consideration for their CBR shares via the Scheme (the “Consideration”) consisting of an aggregate of ~19.7 million ordinary shares of MergeCo (“MergeCo Shares”) being one MergeCo Share for every
~10.5 CBR shares. This is subject to certain adjustments as detailed in this announcement.
|
• |
CBR will delist from the ASX in connection with the listing of MergeCo on either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq in the United States, and CBR’s shares will cease to be quoted or traded on the ASX;
|
• |
MergeCo has executed definitive documents in connection with a three year committed equity facility (“CEF”) of up to US$60 million in total, providing MergeCo the right to require the CEF provider, an affiliate of Yorkville Advisors
Global, LP (“Yorkville”), to purchase new MergeCo Shares at a discount to the prevailing trading price of MergeCo shares in a series of ‘advances’ with each advance being in an amount up to the greater of (i) US$10 million or (ii) the
aggregate trading volume for MergeCo Shares in either one or three trading days prior to MergeCo requesting an advance. Further detail on the CEF is provided later in this announcement – however, CBR shareholders should be aware that there
will be dilution of existing shareholders at the time of each share sale under the CEF program and depending on the quantum of shares to be issued to Yorkville and the pricing mechanism employed, there could be a material impact to
MergeCo’s share price.
|
• |
The Transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of CY2023 subject to satisfaction of a range of conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and approvals from CBR shareholders and SPAC shareholders. CBR will also
need to obtain bridge financing in order to fund its operations, including Transaction expenses, through the closing of the Transaction.
|
• |
Receipt of required regulatory approvals (including Foreign Investment Review Board approval and entry into arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland);
|
• |
Approval of the Transaction by the shareholders of both CBR and the SPAC;
|
• |
No legal orders restraining or prohibiting the Transaction from proceeding;
|
• |
No prescribed occurrences in respect of CBR, the SPAC or MergeCo occurring, and no material breaches of representations and warranties by any of them;
|
• |
The deadline for the SPAC to undertake a business combination, which is currently March 8, 2023 being extended through at least 31 May 2023;
|
• |
The execution of certain agreed ancillary documents, including a registration rights agreement;
|
• |
Approval for listing of the MergeCo Shares on either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq in the United States;
|
• |
CBR obtaining a ruling from the ATO confirming the availability of scrip for scrip rollover relief for eligible Carbon Revolution shareholders in relation to the scheme;
|
• |
consents of key counterparties of Carbon Revolution; and
|
• |
Other customary conditions to a scheme of arrangement, such as Australian court approval and an independent expert concluding the Scheme is in the best interests of CBR shareholders.
|
Cash available in SPAC trust account pre redemption (US$m)
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
214.3
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemption rate (%)
|
50.0
|
%
|
55.0
|
%
|
60.0
|
%
|
65.0
|
%
|
70.0
|
%
|
75.0
|
%
|
80.0
|
%
|
85.0
|
%
|
90.0
|
%
|
95.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash available to merged group from trust account post redemptions (US$m)
|
107.2
|
96.4
|
85.7
|
75.0
|
64.3
|
53.6
|
42.9
|
32.1
|
21.4
|
10.7
|
0.0
|
- |
Any cash remaining on CBR’s balance sheet at closing less near term debt;
|
- |
Payment of the SPAC Transaction costs which capped at US$20 million;
|
- |
The amount raised in any bridge funding, less the amount from the bridge funding which is required to be paid back at closing and which does not convert to equity; and
|
- |
Potential receipt of proceeds from forward purchase agreements (“FPAs”) of MergeCo Shares and/or debt financing, which may be secured by CBR’s intellectual property, which CBR and Twin Ridge will seek to arrange with potential lenders
before the Transaction closes (but which are not guaranteed).
|
- |
For a period of three years from closing, MergeCo has the right to require the CEF provider to purchase new MergeCo shares in a series of advances, with each advance being in an amount up to the greater of i) US$10 million or ii) the
aggregate trading volume of MergeCo shares in the one or three trading days prior to MergeCo requesting an advance.
|
- |
MergeCo can choose one of two Purchase Price Options;
|
o |
Purchase Price Option 1: The CEF provider will purchase MergeCo shares at a price equal to 95.0% of the average VWAP during the day on which the advance request was made. If the volume threshold under an advance is not reached
during the pricing period, the number of shares purchased will be reduced to the greater of (i) 35.0% of the trading volume during the pricing period, or (ii) the number of shares sold by the CEF provider during the pricing period. The
volume threshold is the amount of the advance in shares divided by 35.0%.
|
o |
Purchase Price Option 2: The CEF provider will purchase MergeCo shares at a price equal to 97.0% of the lowest VWAP of the MergeCo shares during the pricing period of three consecutive trading days commencing on the trading day
commencing after the advance notice is received by the CEF provider.
|
- |
During either pricing period, Yorkville will have the ability to hedge its position by short selling in full the quantum of shares that it is required to purchase under any advance notice. Under Purchase Price Option 2, MergeCo will have
the ability to notify Yorkville of the minimum acceptable price (“MAP”) at which it can sell the new shares. If MergeCo does not set a MAP, this may have a material and adverse impact on MergeCo’s share price depending on the quantum of
shares being sold relative to overall liquidity of MergeCo’s shares.
|
- |
The CEF provider cannot be issued MergeCo shares in an amount that would result in it holding more than 9.99% of the outstanding MergeCo Shares at any one time. In the circumstance where Yorkville is unable to dispose of its MergeCo
Shares on an ongoing basis, it will not be required to purchase additional shares under the CEF beyond an overall ownership of 9.99%, which means MergeCo may not have full access to the stated US$60m CEF capital.
|
- |
MergeCo has agreed to issue 15,000 shares to Yorkville as a ‘commitment fee’ to secure the facility.
|
- |
The Founder Shares will convert into 5 million ordinary shares in MergeCo as part of the Transaction.
|
- |
The other SPAC shareholders’ holding in MergeCo following the closing will be a function of the extent of redemptions by SPAC shareholders (as discussed above). If there are no redemptions, SPAC shareholders will hold 21.4 million
ordinary shares in MergeCo following the Transaction closing, whereas if there are 100% redemptions, their holding in MergeCo following the Transaction closing will fall to nil.
|
- |
CEF investors will receive up to US$60 million of shares in MergeCo (at MergeCo’s election), with the number of shares being issued a function of the trading prices of MergeCo shares following the transaction closing (with a discount
being applied as discussed above) and the extent to which the CEF is utilised by MergeCo.
|
Redemption rate (%)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
0
|
%
|
25
|
%
|
50
|
%
|
75
|
%
|
100
|
%
|
|||||||||||||
Issue price of shares to CEF (US$)
|
1.0
|
18.5
|
%
|
19.5
|
%
|
20.6
|
%
|
21.9
|
%
|
23.2
|
%
|
|||||||||||||
2.0
|
25.9
|
%
|
27.8
|
%
|
30.1
|
%
|
32.8
|
%
|
36.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
3.0
|
29.8
|
%
|
32.4
|
%
|
35.5
|
%
|
39.3
|
%
|
44.0
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
4.0
|
32.2
|
%
|
35.3
|
%
|
39.0
|
%
|
43.7
|
%
|
49.6
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
5.0
|
33.9
|
%
|
37.3
|
%
|
41.5
|
%
|
46.8
|
%
|
53.7
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
6.0
|
35.1
|
%
|
38.8
|
%
|
43.4
|
%
|
49.2
|
%
|
56.7
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
7.0
|
36.0
|
%
|
39.9
|
%
|
44.8
|
%
|
51.0
|
%
|
59.2
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
8.0
|
36.7
|
%
|
40.8
|
%
|
45.9
|
%
|
52.4
|
%
|
61.2
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
9.0
|
37.3
|
%
|
41.5
|
%
|
46.8
|
%
|
53.6
|
%
|
62.8
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
10.0
|
37.8
|
%
|
42.1
|
%
|
47.5
|
%
|
54.6
|
%
|
64.1
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
11.0
|
38.2
|
%
|
42.6
|
%
|
48.2
|
%
|
55.4
|
%
|
65.3
|
%
|
||||||||||||||
12.0
|
38.5
|
%
|
43.0
|
%
|
48.7
|
%
|
56.2
|
%
|
66.3
|
%
|
a) |
any FPAs are entered into, with any dilutionary impact being a function of those agreements;
|
b) |
the form of any bridge funding arrangements CBR enters into has any equity features (e.g. conversion rights into either CBR or MergeCo shares, or issuance of MergeCo warrants); and
|
c) |
Any of the outstanding MergeCo warrants which are received by SPAC warrant holders in exchange for their SPAC warrants as discussed above are exercised (noting that the exercise price of the warrants is
US$11.50 so this would likely only occur if the MergeCo share price were to trade up following closing and would also result in cash being received by MergeCo on exercise).
|
a) |
The extent of redemptions by SPAC shareholders and quantum of cash from the SPAC trust account available to MergeCo after closing (a lower redemption rate is expected to provide greater support for notional
US$10 per MergeCo share valuation);
|
b) |
The quantum of cash available in MergeCo upon Transaction close, including as a result of payment of substantial Transaction expenses, and any required reliance on the CEF to raise additional capital (the use
of which may create an overhang and have an adverse impact on the MergeCo share price);
|
c) |
Whether any bridge financing or FPA is obtained and the terms of those arrangements;
|
d) |
The success of any marketing initiatives by CBR and SPAC up until the close of the Transaction to provide greater investor support for MergeCo upon commencement of trading;
|
e) |
The financial and operating performance of CBR over the relevant period; and
|
f) |
The prevailing macro and share-market environment and overall investor sentiment for businesses such as CBR.
|
MergeCo share price (US$)
|
1.00
|
2.00
|
3.00
|
4.00
|
5.00
|
6.00
|
7.00
|
8.00
|
9.00
|
10.00
|
11.0
|
12.0
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
USD / AUD exchange rate10
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
0.675
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MergeCo share price (A$)
|
1.48
|
2.96
|
4.44
|
5.93
|
7.41
|
8.89
|
10.37
|
11.85
|
13.33
|
14.81
|
16.30
|
17.78
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MergeCo shares issued to CBR shareholders (million shares)
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
19.7
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CBR shareholder value (A$m)
|
29.2
|
58.3
|
87.5
|
116.6
|
145.8
|
174.9
|
204.1
|
233.2
|
262.4
|
291.5
|
320.7
|
349.8
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CBR shares on issue on the ASX (million shares)11
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
206.9
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Implied value of CBR shares in MergeCo (A$)
|
0.14
|
0.28
|
0.42
|
0.56
|
0.70
|
0.85
|
0.99
|
1.13
|
1.27
|
1.41
|
1.55
|
1.69
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CBR share price as at 30 Oct 2022 (A$) (the day prior to the disclosure of the potential Transaction in CBR’s Appendix 4C for the September 2022 quarter)
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
0.215
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premium (discount) to CBR shareholders (%)12
|
(34
|
%)
|
31
|
%
|
97
|
%
|
162
|
%
|
228
|
%
|
293
|
%
|
359
|
%
|
424
|
%
|
490
|
%
|
555
|
%
|
621
|
%
|
686
|
%
|
a) |
CBR will be highly unlikely to continue progressing the Transaction and may be required to pay the SPAC a reimbursement fee (discussed further below); and
|
b) |
CBR will need to consider a range of other options available to it, including the possibility of an alternative transaction or fundraising, and in the event that none of these are available, voluntary administration.
|
• |
The Transaction values CBR at a pre-money enterprise valuation of US$200 million, (~A$296.3 million),13 which ascribes a notional share price of
approximately A$1.41 per share for CBR’s shares assuming the MergeCo Share price is US$10 following closing and represents a premium of 555% to CBR’s share price of A$0.215 as at 30 October 2022 (CBR’s closing price the day prior to the
disclosure of the potential Transaction in CBR’s Appendix 4C for the September 2022 quarter);
|
• |
The Transaction will potentially unlock critical investment capital to support commercialisation and accelerate the expected path to profitability, with a number of potential funding sources being sought for MergeCo pre and post-closing
(as discussed above);
|
• |
The Transaction is anticipated to enhance the ability to demonstrate balance sheet strength to customers, which is an important enabler to winning large programs in the future; and
|
• |
If the Transaction closes, CBR will convert to a US-listed company providing access to much deeper sources of capital to support its plans for significant future growth to meet the accelerated demands of its major customers.
|
• |
The Transaction is subject to a number of conditions and may not close. For example, CBR may not be able to obtain the bridge funding necessary to operate until the Transaction closes;
|
• |
In certain circumstances, CBR will be required to pay a reimbursement fee to the SPAC should the Transaction not close;
|
• |
CBR will be delisted from the ASX should the Transaction close, and CBR shareholders will become shareholders in an Irish company that will be traded on either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq in the
United States which may have tax implications for shareholders and / or make it more difficult to trade MergeCo shares as compared to CBR shares;
|
• |
Should it close, the Transaction will dilute the interest of CBR shareholders in the underlying business of CBR, and depending on the extent of redemptions of SPAC shares, the exercise of warrants in MergeCo
and the price at which shares are issued under the CEF and any FPA, the Transaction may be highly dilutive to existing CBR shareholders;
|
• |
The Transaction is expensive and given there is no guarantee cash will be available to MergeCo from the SPAC trust account (or any cash may be used solely to fund Transaction expenses), MergeCo may be
required to rely on the CEF and in certain circumstances discussed above the full US$60 million may not be available from the CEF;
|
• |
There is no guarantee of the price at which MergeCo shares will trade following the Transaction closing and should the price of MergeCo shares trade below US$10 per share, the value received by CBR
shareholders will be less than the notional value ascribed to CBR shares under the Transaction;
|
• |
Should the Transaction proceed, it will be significantly more difficult and costly for MergeCo to raise equity capital from Australian retail investors compared to CBR, and as a result it may chose not to do
so, which will further dilute the interest of existing CBR shareholders should it undertake capital raisings; and
|
• |
MergeCo will not be subject to the same corporations laws as CBR or the ASX listing rules, and the cost of complying with corporations and securities laws in Ireland and the US may be significantly higher,
which may be disadvantageous for CBR shareholders.
|
• |
where the board of the relevant party withdraws or adversely changes their support for the Transaction and their recommendation to their shareholders to vote in favour of the transaction (subject to customary exceptions);
|
• |
where a party has been responsible for certain conditions to the Transaction not being satisfied and a resulting termination of the SID (for example because of breach of the representations and warranties it has given to the other
party);
|
• |
where a party announces a competing proposal and subsequently completes it; and
|
• |
where a party has materially breached the SID which has resulted in termination of the SID.
|
INVESTOR CONTACT
|
INVESTOR CONTACT
|
Investor Relations
|
info@twinridgecapital.com
|
Andrew Keys
|
M: +1 (212) 235 0292
|
E: investors@carbonrev.com
|
|
M: +61 (0)400 400 380
|