Category: Agriculture

Clean Seed licenses IP to AMVAC for $2.5-million (U.S.)

Mr. Graeme Lempriere reports
 
CLEAN SEED CAPITAL GROUP CLOSES US$5M STRATEGIC AGREEMENT WITH US BASED AMVAC, AN AMERICAN VANGUARD COMPANY
 
Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd. has closed a strategic licence and investment agreement with United States-based AMVAC Chemical Corp., a subsidiary of American Vanguard Corp.
 
Founded in 1969, American Vanguard has five decades of sustainable, responsible growth. AMVAC delivers unique solutions for the broad array of challenges to enhance agricultural productivity and safeguard public health. AMVAC has earned a place among the world's top specialty chemical providers in the world, with businesses in USA, Mexico, Central and Latin America, Europe, Brazil, Australia and Canada.
 
AMVAC is also recognized as an industry leader in closed delivery systems, like its SmartBox(R) closed delivery application system, which serves to reduce risk of exposure to users and applicators. Building on that expertise, AMVAC has developed a more advanced system called SIMPAS (Smart Integrated Multiproduct Prescriptive Application System). 

AMVAC's patented SIMPAS system enables simultaneous variable precision rate application of multiple crop protection and nutritional inputs to maximize harvest yield, minimize grower costs, optimize soil health and benefit environmental sustainability. This precision application of crop input segment runs parallel with Clean Seed's patented development of its ground-breaking highly advanced SMART Seeder and SMART Planter technologies, creating a symbiotic opportunity for both parties.

As part of this relationship, Clean Seed will license AMVAC certain intellectual property rights for a $2.5-million (U.S.) upfront fee and an ongoing royalty of certain delivery systems. Clean Seed will provide ongoing development support as the parties may mutually agree to for future growth and diversification opportunities.

AMVAC will also be investing an additional US$2,500,000 through the purchase of 6.25 million common shares of the Company at a price of US$0.40 per share (the "Offering"), bringing the total up-front investment to US$5,000,000.

Graeme Lempriere, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Clean Seed states "Our aligned objectives, to deliver sustainable meaningful results for the agricultural sector through the precise application and control of inputs, are rooted in the stewardship of our soil structure. AMVAC's leadership in the chemical business and Clean Seed's cutting edge leadership in the multi product delivery systems and related SMART Seeder and SMART Planter technologies assures a mutually beneficial relationship that strengthens our collective efforts and protects our product offerings. It has been a pleasure working with this likeminded group. I am also delighted to welcome Dr. Ulrich (Bob) Trogele, PhD to our Board of Directors and look forward to collaborating with him and the AMVAC teams on multiple levels as we share in the drive for industry leadership and innovation."

Dr. Trogele, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of AMVAC states, "AMVAC is investing into this strategic technology relationship with Clean Seed, leveraging the superior at plant technology of both companies, as they are symbiotic in providing farmers globally with sustainable soil health and precision planting solutions. When combining the multiple functions of Clean Seed's newest leading edge planter/seeder offering with the multiple precision at plant soil input potential of AMVAC's SIMPAS system, a grower will have up to eight critical inputs deployable at planting - a precision technology set of capabilities that simply is not presently available to farmers. Further, both companies look forward to collaborating in ways that take advantage of each company's technology for mutually beneficial business development. The timing is excellent, as we continue to see the precision agriculture application business growing and evolving to meet the changing demands of consumers and society. It's an honor and pleasure to join the Clean Seed Board of Directors and work with such a talented professional management team to bring innovation into the Agribusiness space."

Dr. Ulrich (Bob) Trogele, PhD

He has enjoyed a 34-year leadership career in Agribusiness, working for "large caps" such as Hoechst, Aventis and Bayer, and "mid-caps" such as Schering and FMC. He has working experience and knowledge in Europe, Asia and the Americas at all levels of Agribusiness (chemical, nutrient, seed and precision agriculture). In addition, he has worked at the country, regional and corporate general management level. Further, Dr. Trogele has been an Adjunct Professor at the Berlin School of Economics & Law for over 20 years, educating MBA's as future leaders in global business and society.

Dr. Trogele is past Vice Chair & Treasurer of Crop Life of America, past executive board member & Treasurer of the Agricultural Retailer Association, past board member of RISE, and past member of a number of industry associations in Germany, Denmark, and Ireland. Currently, he is the Treasurer and Board Member of the Crop Life Foundation, is an active board member of the Agricultural Retailer Association and Farm Journal Foundation.

The Offering

The Company did not incur any finder's fees in connection with the Offering. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering for its contribution in introducing the SMART Seeder MAX-S, its related development activities and general working capital.

Closing of the Offering is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V"). All securities issued will be subject to a regulatory hold period of four months and a day in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX-V and applicable Canadian securities laws, and such other further restrictions as may apply under foreign securities laws.

About Clean Seed Capital Group Ltd.

We are a team of innovators and business management professionals with a proven track record of game changing innovation and production of patented agricultural technologies at a high level. We pride ourselves as progress facilitators that turn solutions for modern agricultural problem into commercially viable products to fulfill new demand.

Clean Seed's SMART Seeder technologies are revolutionary seeding tools that utilize the unique synergy of sophisticated electronic metering and intuitive software control putting row-by-row variable rate technology at the forefront of agricultural innovation. Our innovations create a new class of highly accurate seeding equipment designed specifically for today's farmer.