QuestAir Technologies Inc. Completes $15 Million IPO
QuestAir Technologies Inc. Completes $15 Million IPO, Begins Trading on London AIM and Toronto TSX Markets
http://www.questairinc.com
Burnaby, BC, December 22, 2004--QuestAir Technologies Inc. (AIM: QAR; TSX: QAR), a developer, manufacturer and supplier of advanced gas purification systems, announced today it has completed its Initial Public Offering, consisting of a new issue of 8.6 million common shares priced at C$1.75 per share, for gross proceeds of C$15,050,000.
QuestAirýs common shares begin trading today on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange plc and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "QAR".
Jonathan Wilkinson, President and CEO of QuestAir, said the proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the Companyýs growth, including the launch of second-generation products to serve existing and emerging markets.
"We believe our technology and products have advantages over current gas purification technologies in growing existing markets such as oil refining, biogas production and natural gas processing ý and in emerging markets such as fuel cell power plants and fuel cell vehicle refuelling stations," said Wilkinson. "We regard our joint development agreements with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company and Shell Hydrogen ý and our worldwide network of existing customers ý as validation of our plans for the future."
"Our dual listing on AIM and on the Toronto Stock Exchange gives us access to a deep capital pool, including knowledgeable investors who understand our markets, our technology and our opportunities," Wilkinson said.
The Companyýs products are based on proprietary innovations in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology that solve some of the inherent disadvantages of conventional PSA. Conventional PSA technology was introduced commercially in the 1960s and today is applied extensively in the production and purification of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen for industrial uses. QuestAir has 25 granted patents and 111 patents under application.
QuestAir has supplied its first-generation products to the industrial hydrogen and biogas processing markets, and for use in hydrogen fuelling infrastructure demonstration projects. To date, the Company has sold 49 systems to approximately 25 customers located in North America, Asia and Europe.
Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company
QuestAir has a joint development agreement with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company, which includes the development and commercialisation of PSA hydrogen purification products for a range of refinery and petrochemical applications.
Hydrogen is used in an oil refinery for the processing of crude oil into refined fuels and for removing contaminants such as sulphur. According to the Oil & Gas Journal, hydrogen consumption in the oil refining industry grew at a compound annual growth rate of 4% from 2000 to 2003. Cryogas International, a merchant gas trade publication, estimates that this will increase to between 5% and 10% through to 2010.
QuestAir management believes that the principal drivers of this growth in refinery hydrogen demand will be: an overall increase in worldwide oil production; regulations requiring lower amounts of sulphur in diesel fuel; and increased consumption of "heavy" low quality crude oil.
Shell Hydrogen
QuestAir also has a joint development agreement with Shell Hydrogen, one of the companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group that is focused on global activities in commercialising hydrogen fuel and supporting fuel cell applications. Shell Hydrogen made an equity investment of $11 million in the Company as part of the transaction. The relationship is intended to accelerate the development of the Companyýs compact hydrogen PSA systems for use in producing hydrogen from natural gas feedstock.
QuestAir management believes this relationship positions the Company to be a participant in the development of the hydrogen fuelling infrastructure that will support the future commercialisation of fuel cell vehicles.
Canaccord Capital (Europe) Limited, Canaccord Capital Corporation and CIBC World Markets Inc. acted as Agents for the company in connection with the Offering in the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada and the United States. Canaccord Capital (Europe) Limited is the Nominated Advisor and Broker to QuestAir on AIM.
QuestAir has granted to the Agents an option, exercisable in whole or in part, to purchase up to an additional 10% of the number of common shares sold pursuant to the Offering, at any time within 30 days following the closing of the Offering.
IPO/Listing statistics:
Offering Price C$1.75
Number of common shares in issue upon listing 37,261,010
Market capitalisation at Offering price C$65.2 million
Total gross proceeds of the Offering Approx. C$15,050,000
Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered as "forward looking". Such "forward looking" statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any expressed or implied results. A description of the significant risks and uncertainties affecting QuestAir and its business are contained in QuestAirýs Prospectus dated December 14, 2004, which is available for review on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, any of which could cause actual events or results to vary materially from QuestAirýs anticipated future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to review or confirm any expectations or to release publicly any revisions to any "forward-looking" statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
About QuestAir Technologies Inc.
QuestAir Technologies, Inc. is a developer, manufacturer and supplier of proprietary gas purification systems for several large international markets, including existing markets such as oil refining, biogas production and natural gas processing, and emerging markets such as fuel cell power plants and fuel cell vehicle refuelling stations. The Company has joint development agreements with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company and Shell Hydrogen, and a collaboration with FuelCell Energy. QuestAir is based in Burnaby, British Columbia and its shares trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "QAR".
For further information please contact:
QuestAir Technologies Inc.
Andrew Hall
Director, Corporate Development and External Communications
Phone: (001) 604-453-6967
Email: hall@questairinc.com
Web: www.questairinc.com
Canaccord Capital (Europe) Limited:
Mark Ashurst
Clayton Bush
Phone: 020 7518 2777
UK media contact:
Charles Ryland
Ben Willey
Eleanor Williamson
Buchanan Communications
Phone: 020 7466 5000
Canadian media contact:
John Kageorge
James Hoggan + Associates
Phone: (001) 604-739-7500