Orbite Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - March 31, 2016) - Orbite Technologies Inc. (TSX:ORT)(OTCQX:EORBF) ("Orbite", or the "Company") announced today the filing of its Financial Statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. During the fourth quarter, the Company reported a loss before net finance expense (income) and taxes of $3.9 million, down 23.5% from $5.1 million for the same period in 2014. For the full year, loss before net finance expense (income) decreased by 13.9%, or $2 million, from $14.4 million to $12.4 million, as compared to fiscal 2014.

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had an aggregate cash and short-term investments balance of $2.6 million, and positive working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $4.2 million. Subsequent to year end, in fiscal 2016 to date, the Company has raised capital, strengthening its working capital position, with net proceeds of $10 million through a bought deal financing and the exercise of share purchase warrants.

All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise.

Full year and Subsequent Events Highlights

Operational

• Throughout the year, the Company progressed well towards completion and commissioning of its high purity alumina facility in Cap-Chat. Pictures documenting the construction phase can be found on the Company's website at http://bit.ly/1U5E1pk
  
  
• On March 7, 2016, the Company confirmed the installation of critical calcination system components, which had been withheld by a supplier in breach of the contract between the two companies. The Company also confirmed commissioning of the feed system for delivering Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate crystals ("ACH") into the decomposer and completion of the cold start-up of the decomposer and calciner and associated air and steam supply system, as well as the testing and cold start-up of the acid capture system of the decomposer. These are the initial steps towards hot commissioning of the calcination system and subsequent full commissioning and start-up of the plant.
  
  
• On March 15, 2016, the Company announced that due to the complexity of the piping to be installed at its HPA plant, and the tight quarters for installation, piping installation advanced at one third of the budgeted installation rate. A comprehensive review of installation costs already incurred and still required to install specialty piping, led to an increase of the capital budget by approximately $9.9 million. To incorporate the impact of the slower installation pace, the start of commercial production was pushed into Q2 of 2016 instead of Q1 as previously contemplated. To preserve working capital, the Company reduced the number of external contractors on site, the consequence of which is the later than originally estimated plant completion and start-up.
  
  
• On March 21, 2016, the Company announced it was in discussions with the Government of Québec and Investissement Québec ("IQ") concerning funding towards completion of the HPA plant. The Company is also working on other financing alternatives including leveraging the Company's Investment Tax Credits ("ITC") for 2016, which are estimated at $5.6 million, as security for non-dilutive debt, along similar lines as the Company has managed in the past. The Company also confirmed it was continuing with the commissioning of individual plant systems, including the calcination system.
  
  

Management commentary

"Despite the additional delays caused by the speed of piping installation and related increase in construction costs, we have progressed well with plant construction, and are confident in securing the required funds towards completion of the project," stated Glenn Kelly, CEO of Orbite. "Considering the positive progress of our commissioning activities to date, we are also confident in fully commissioning the plant and its subsequent start-up, signalling Orbite's transformation from a technology development company to a commercial entity. We have a unique and strong technology capable in delivering 5N+ HPA, which has sparked interest from a variety of end users. Additionally, our growing IP on waste monetization has created further interest among waste owners and potential partners in the execution on our waste monetization strategy."

Continued highlights

Financing

• On April 6, 2015, the Company completed the first tranche of a financing under its base shelf prospectus for an aggregate amount of $10 million, $8.5 million of which was through a bought deal. On May 6, 2015, the Company announced its underwriter had exercised in full its option to purchase additional units for an amount of $5 million.
  
  
• On October 6, 2015, the Company entered into a revised loan agreement with the government of Québec regarding its $2 million non-interest bearing loan, whereby the first principal payment date was deferred to January 2020.
  
  
• On October 16, 2015, the Company redeemed all outstanding 2012 debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $25 million plus accrued interests.
  
  
• On October 20, 2015, the Company entered into amendments to its contribution agreements with Canada Economic Development for the $800,000 and the $4.0 million of non-interest bearing secured loans contracted on September 4, 2009 and February 5, 2014, respectively.
  
  
• On November 5, 2015, the Company completed a secured debt financing totalling up to C$22 million (US$16.95 million) comprised of a C$8.5 million (US$6.5 million) revolving credit facility, term loan A (C$0.6 million, or US$0.45 million) and term loan B (C$13.0 million, or US$10.0 million). The credit facility and term loans bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("Libor") rate, which shall be no less than 0.5% plus 6.5%.
  
  
• The Company also announced on November 5, 2015 that Investissement Québec ("IQ") had agreed to increase the amount of its second secured bridge loan, initially granted in June 2015 in the amount of $5 million, to $7.6 million, collateralized against the Company's ITC receivable for the 2015 and subsequent financial years, with interest payable at prime plus 3.5%. The Company also used $3.0 million of its November 5 financing proceeds to repay in full the bridge loan contracted with IQ to finance the Company's 2014 ITC.
  
  
• On February 3, 2016, the Company completed the first portion of a public offering of units in the amount of $8.5 million, including $4.0 million on a bought deal basis. On March 4, 2016, the Company amended the terms of the Underwriter's Option related to the offering whereby the number of additional units that the Underwriter may purchase was increased and the Underwriter's Option was extended to April 15, 2016.
  
  
• On February 29, 2016, the Company filed a Notice of intent to force the conversion of all outstanding 5% unsecured convertible debentures due April 6, 2020, of which approximately $0.2 million of principal remained outstanding at such time. The conversion is expected to occur April 7, 2016.
  
  

Samples

• Since the beginning of 2015, the Company has shipped a total of 25 samples to 19 prospective customers. Sample purity was customized to meet specific customer application requirements and ranged from 4N5 to 5N+. With the shipment of samples, the Company has entered the supplier qualification program for these prospective customers. Initial feedback has been positive and several customers requested multiple samples. The samples were produced using a modified, low-volume calcination set up, utilizing ACH, the HPA precursor, produced at the Company's HPA facility in Cap-Chat.

Board of Directors

• On June 4, 2015, Orbite announced the passing of Mr. Peter Crossgrove, a director of the Company.
  
  
• On July 23, 2015, Orbite announced the passing of Mr. Christian Van Houtte, a director of the Company.
  
  
• On February 23, 2016, Orbite announced the appointment of Mr. Pierre Gignac to the Board of Directors.
  
  

Patents & technology development

• Throughout 2015 and subsequent to year's end, the Company continued to strengthen its patent portfolio, and received 17 patents as well as 6 patent allowances, which are yet to be delivered. Four of the delivered patents and two of the allowed and to be delivered patents relate to Orbite's Red Mud and Fly Ash monetization technology in a number of jurisdictions, such as Canada, the U.S., Russia and Australia.
  
  
• The Company's expanding intellectual property portfolio puts it in a strong position to pursue its waste monetization initiatives.
  
  
• In January 2016, Orbite announced it conducted preliminary research indicating that gold recovery from fly ash (which can contain up to 7.5 grammes per tonne of gold) using its waste monetization technology is potentially feasible and that it filed a provisional patent application titled "Processes for Recovering Noble Metals from Various Materials". Depending on the composition of the feedstock and on the recovery ratio, the potential extraction of gold could increase the value of recoverable products from fly ash to US$550 per tonne.
  
  

Summary of Q4 2015 Financial Results

Revenues and earnings

The Company is a development stage company and has no revenues.

Net loss for Q4 2015 increased by $3.3 million to $6.8 million, as compared to the same period in the prior year. Net loss for the year was $15.4 million, as compared to $12.4 million for fiscal 2014. The increases in net loss for the quarter and fiscal year are principally due to an increase in net finance expenses, resulting from non-cash mark to market adjustments relating to the 2013, series X and 2015 convertible debentures, the changes in fair value of derivative instruments, and the charge taken on redemption of the 2012 convertible debt, resulting from the accelerated accretion of the interest.

HPA plant operations

HPA plant operations include administration, operating and maintenance costs for the HPA plant in Cap-Chat. HPA plant operation expenses increased by $0.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2015, and increased by $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to 2014. The increase during the fourth quarter compared to Q4 2014 is due mainly to salaries, consulting fees, training of personnel, environmental services and share-based payments, partially offset by energy, repair and maintenance, and security services. The increase during 2015 compared to 2014 is due mainly to salaries, consulting fees, training of personnel, insurance and share-based payments, partially offset by environmental services and energy.

General and administrative charges

General and administration charges consist mostly of personnel related costs (salaries and benefits), share-based payment expenses, consulting, accounting, business development, legal, and investor relation costs relating to head office activities. General and administrative costs increased by $0.4 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same period of 2014 and decreased by $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 2014. The increase during the fourth quarter is attributable mainly to an increase in salaries, professional and consulting fees, partially offset by a decrease in share-based payment, while the decrease for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 is mainly due to a decrease in share-based payments.

Write-off for redesign

Write-off for redesign decreased by $1.8 million for both the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014, as no other redesign related write-offs were incurred during the year.

Financial position

Cash and short-term investments and working capital

As at December 31, 2015, the Company had an aggregate cash and short-term investments balance of $2.6 million, and positive working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $4.2 million.

To date in fiscal 2016, the Company has raised financing net proceeds of $10 million through bought deal financings and the exercise of share purchase warrants, which improved Orbite's working capital position since December 31, 2015.

Financing activities

A more comprehensive description of the Company's financing activities is provided in the Company's MD&A and other filings on www.sedar.com

Extension of $2M Loan from Government of Québec

On October 6, 2015, the Company entered into a revised agreement with the government of Québec regarding its $2 million non-interest bearing loan contracted on March 24, 2010, whereby the first principal payment date was deferred to January 2020 and the last principal payment date in January 2024.

Redemption of 2012 Convertible Debentures

On October 16, 2015, the Company redeemed all outstanding 2012 debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $25 million plus accrued interests. As per the terms of the Trust Indenture, for each $1,000 principal amount of debentures redeemed, the Company issued 285.714 class A share purchase warrants exercisable until December 13, 2017 at a price of $3.50. Accordingly, all of the security granted by the Company to secure the 2012 debentures was released and discharged.

Amendments to Contribution Agreements - CED

On October 20, 2015, the Company entered into amendments to its contribution agreements with Canada Economic Development for the $0.8 million and $4.0 million of non-interest bearing secured loans, contracted on September 4, 2009 and February 5, 2014, respectively. The amendments provide that the $4.0 million loan payable in 10 semi-annual installments, which were to begin in April 2017, have now been deferred to January 2020.

$22M Secured Debt Financing

On November 5, 2015, the Company completed a secured debt financing totalling up to C$22 million (US$16.95 million) in the aggregate (the "Facility"). The Facility is comprised of a C$8.5 million (US$6.5 million) revolving credit facility, term loan A (C$0.6 million, or US$0.45 million) and term loan B (C$13.0 million, or US$10.0 million). The credit facility and term loans will bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (or Libor) rate, which shall be no less than 0.5%, plus 6.5%.

A portion of the revolving credit facility and term loan A will be repayable as ITC payments for the 2014 financial year are received by the Company, while the term loan B principal is repayable in 36 equal monthly installments starting December 1, 2016. The balance of the revolving credit facility will be used to finance the Company's eligible receivables.

Short term loan

The Company used $3.0 million of the proceeds of its November 5 financing to repay, in full, the bridge loan contracted with IQ to finance the Company's 2014 ITC. The security granted to IQ on the Company's 2014 ITC was subsequently discharged.

The Company also announced on November 5, 2015 that Investissement Québec had agreed to increase the amount of its second secured bridge loan, initially granted in June 2015 in the amount of $5 million, to $7.6 million. This loan is collateralized against the Company's ITC receivables for the 2015 and subsequent financial years, with interest payable at prime plus 3.5%.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash (including short-term portion) decreased by $12.2 million during 2015, compared to December 31, 2014. These funds include an amount of US$3 million borrowed under the Facility, which may not be used until certain conditions are met.

Property, plant, and equipment

The Company recorded a net increase in Property, plant, and equipment ("PP&E") of $21.0 million in 2015, as compared to 2014. Gross investments of $29.8 million, primarily in the construction of the Company's HPA plant, were offset partially through $8.5 million in investment tax credits.

Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash flows used in operating activities increased by $1.2 million and decreased by $2.8 million during the quarter and year ended December 31, 2015 respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.

Cash flows used for operations, which is cash flows used in operating activities, adjusted for certain non-cash working capital items and net interest payments, increased by $0.7 and $0.6 million for the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2015 respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014.

Cash flows from non-cash working capital items increased by $0.3 million and decreased by $3.4 million during the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the same periods of 2014.

The increase in cash flows used for operations during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 is due mainly to HPA Plant operations and general administrative charges. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2015 is due mainly to HPA Plant operations, offset partially by a reduction in general and administrative expenses.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash flows from financing activities decreased by $7.6 million and by $10.4 million during the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the same periods in 2014. The decrease for the quarter is due mainly to the redemption of the $25 million 2012 convertible debentures, offset by the proceeds from the long-term debt financing and the short-term loan, as well as the issuance of shares, warrants, rights and exercise of options. The decrease for 2015 year end compared to 2014 is principally due to lower proceeds from issuance of shares and the redemption of the 2012 convertible debentures, offset by lower debt financing received in 2014.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $16.1 and $13.3 million during the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2015 respectively, compared to the same periods in 2014. The decreases for the quarter and the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014, are due to changes in restricted cash and receipts from investment tax credits receivable on property, plant and equipment, partially offset by the investments in HPA Plant construction.

Conference call

Orbite management will hold a conference call and provide a live audio webcast today, March 31, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) to discuss the Company's financials and provide an update on the Company's HPA project.

The call will be held in English. The Q&A session will be in English and French.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

Date:	March 31, 2016
Time:	10:00 a.m. (EDT)
Dial in number:	+1 888 231-8191
	+1 647 427-7450

Webcast: http://bit.ly/1pvxI1e

Taped replay:	+1 855 859-2056
	+1 514 807-9274
	+1 416 849-0833
Encore password:	75246822
Available until:	12:00 midnight (ET), Thursday, April 7 2016

Notice to Reader

The information provided in this press release is entirely qualified by the disclosures in the Company's Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, which are available at www.orbitetech.com and under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

About Orbite

Orbite Technologies Inc. is a Canadian cleantech company whose innovative and proprietary processes are expected to produce alumina and other high-value products, such as rare earth and rare metal oxides, at one of the lowest costs in the industry, and in a sustainable fashion, using feedstocks that include aluminous clay, kaolin, nepheline, bauxite, red mud, fly ash as well as serpentine residues from chrysotile processing sites. Orbite is currently in the process of finalizing its first commercial high-purity alumina (HPA) production plant in Cap-Chat, Québec and has completed the basic engineering for a proposed smelter-grade alumina (SGA) production plant, which would use clay mined from its Grande-Vallée deposit. The Company's portfolio contains 16 intellectual property families, including 32 patents and 101 pending patent applications in 11 different countries and regions. The first intellectual property family is patented in Canada, USA, Australia, China, Japan and Russia. The Company also operates a state of the art technology development center in Laval, Québec, where its technologies are developed and validated.

Forward-looking statements

Certain information contained in this document may include "forward-looking information". Without limiting the foregoing, the information and any forward-looking information may include statements regarding projects, costs, objectives and future returns of the Company or hypotheses underlying these items. In this document, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good-faith beliefs with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These risks uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described in the section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) entitled "Risk and Uncertainties" as filed on March 30, 2016 on SEDAR, including those under the headings "Recent increase in budgeted capital costs will require additional financing and may adversely impact our prospects", "We will need to raise capital to continue our growth" and "Development Goals and Time Frames".

The Company does not intend, nor does it undertake, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this document to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.