Desert Control releases its H1 and Q2 2023 Report and Year-to-Date Company Update

Desert Control concludes strategic review, initiates transition to licensed operator model for the Middle East, delivers on target for the United States, and obtains key regulatory approvals. The Company closes the quarter with an outlook for significant cost reductions, improved capital efficiency, and strengthened liquidity.

Sandnes, Norway, 24 August 2023 – Desert Control AS (DSRT) announces its second quarter and first half report for the fiscal period ending 30 June 2023.

Q2 and First Half 2023 Highlights

 Corporate

• Completed strategic review, initiating the transition to a licensed operator model for the Middle East, unlocking cash, and reducing annual operating costs by >NOK 15M.
• Secured NOK 10M from a private placement and an additional ≈NOK 30M cash from asset sales and licensed operator transactions (impacting H2-2023 financials).
• Achieved >2X increase in production capacity for all existing LNC production units, significantly improving unit economics and extending the reach of deployed CAPEX.
• Received global recognition, won sustainability and environment award at the Entrepreneurship World Cup Global Finals, named Green Impact of the Year at Norwegian Impact Awards, and announced Top Innovator by the World Economic Forum and winner in the Uplink Challenge for Food Ecosystems in Arid Climates.

United States

• Secured ten new pilots in H1- 2023, delivered on target, and expanded LNC application capabilities across various new crops and segments.
• Steadily progressing toward conversion to larger deployments. Around the end of the year, the Company anticipates starting negotiations for the inaugural large-scale contract.
• Obtained regulatory approval with OMRI certification in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program for LNC in the United States.
• Achieved 30X improvement in efficiency and scalability of LNC application since July 2022. Demonstrated further operational efficiencies, including applying LNC through irrigation systems and streamlining the execution of pilot projects.

Middle East

• Signed strategic licensed operator agreement for Mawarid Holding Investment (MHI) to take full responsibility for the production, sales, and delivery of LNC in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Securing significant cost reductions by removing the need for local subsidiaries in the UAE following the transition to the licensed operator model.
• Achieved final regulatory approval by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) authorizing LNC for sale and use across all sectors in the UAE.
• Entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the signing of strategic licensed operator agreements with H-EART.

Financial Highlights Second Quarter 2023

[second quarter 2022 in brackets]

• Revenue NOK 0,5 M ²  [NOK 0,5 M]
• EBITDA NOK -19,5 M [NOK -20,3 M]
• Net Income NOK -18,2 M [NOK –16,8M]
• Gross R&D expenses NOK 0,3 M [NOK 0,9 M]

Financial Highlights First Half 2023

[first half 2022 in brackets]

• Revenue NOK 2,3 M ²  [NOK1 M]
• EBITDA NOK -42,9M [NOK -43,1M]
• Net Income NOK -37,5M [NOK –40,5M]
• Gross R&D expenses NOK 0,6 M [NOK 2,9 M]

• Total cash balance 30.06.23 (bank deposits and funds) NOK 42,0 M ¹  [NOK 122,9 M]
• Equity 30.06.2023 NOK 68,0 M (equity ratio 89,6%) [NOK 150,4 (92,4%)]

¹ Private placement of NOK 10M by issue of 1M DSRT shares to H-EART as strategic anchoring of the licensed operator partnership for KSA will be reflected in the cash balance as of August 2023.

² ≈NOK 30M (USD 2.8M) revenues from initial licensed operator agreement transactions and asset sales are anticipated to be recognized in H2-2023.