October 31, 2017
Latest U.S. Acquisition Accelerates Bioplastic Packaging Market Share Growth
Vancouver, BC – Solegear Bioplastic Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:SGB) (the “Company” or “Solegear”) is pleased to announce that it entered into a definitive agreement on December 22, 2016 with LINDAR Corporation (“LINDAR”) to acquire 100% of LINDAR’s bioplastic division for CAD$845,000, comprising 4,225,000 common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) at a deemed price of $0.20 per share (the “Asset Purchase”).
Located in Minnesota, LINDAR has been producing thermoformed packaging since 1993 and is a recognized leader in packaging innovations, including single-serve and tamper evident food packaging.
“The food industry has been most significantly impacted by consumer and regulatory concerns about safety,” said Paul Antoniadis, CEO of Solegear. “LINDAR was one of the early innovators to embrace the important role packaging design can play in ensuring food safety. By combining LINDAR’s thermoformed packaging know-how with Solegear’s commitment to engineering plant-based materials with no BPAs or phthalates, this acquisition positions Solegear with the people, infrastructure, products and pricing to further scale our business at a faster rate.”
“The opportunity to create scale and engage more customers about what’s now possible with plant-based packaging is something that is much easier to achieve with Solegear than on our own,” said Tom Haglin, President of LINDAR. “As LINDAR’s bioplastic division becomes part of the Solegear family, LINDAR will be able to capitalize on this business association by introducing new and expanded products with greater capabilities.” Haglin added: “We are excited for the opportunity to become a Solegear shareholder, and what it will bring to our current customer base as well as new clients!”
Solegear & LINDAR have also agreed to negotiate and enter into an outsourced operating agreement (the “Outsourcing Agreement”) under which LINDAR will provide certain management, operational, financing, marketing, sales, logistics, warehousing and other support services to the Company. The LINDAR team will continue to market and sell bioplastic packaging, making the transition seamless for LINDAR’s existing bioplastic customers, which includes a wide range of US retailers and food producers.
The purchased assets generated over CAD$1.3 million in revenue in 2015. Revenues generated from the purchased assets are expected to be accretive to Solegear during the current fiscal year. Issuance of the Shares to LINDAR is conditional upon execution of the Outsourcing Agreement, and completion of the Asset Purchase remains subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Shares will be issued from treasury and subject to a 24 -month hold period from the signing date of the Outsourcing Agreement.
About Solegear Bioplastic Technologies Inc.
Solegear Bioplastic Technologies Inc. (TSX-V:SGB) is an innovator in the field of next generation bioplastics made from annually renewable plant-based sources. Committed to the principles of Green Chemistry, Solegear is driven by its mission to create healthier, safer and stronger communities by fundamentally changing the way plastics are made.
Solegear’s proprietary bioplastic formulations, Polysole® and Traverse®, are designed to meet today’s social and corporate requirements to lower carbon emissions, reduce waste and remove toxicity typically associated with traditional petroleum-based plastics. Together with its partners, Solegear custom engineers, produces and distributes its high-performance bioplastics as resin, sheets and finished goods with some of the highest percentages of renewable, plant-based materials currently available in the industry.
For more information: www.solegear. ca and www.mygoodnatured.com
About LINDAR Corporation
Founded in 1993 on the principles of innovation and resourcefulness, LINDAR has grown to become a leader in plastic thermoforming of food packaging, trays and industrial OEM industries. LINDAR’s dedication to creating precisely designed, highly efficient thermoformed products is proven. LINDAR is AIB and ISO 9001:2008 certified, and extensive internal quality programs ensure customers will receive a quality product — every time. LINDAR is located in the scenic Brainerd Lakes Area of Minnesota and serves customers around the world, offering a diverse range of thermoforming services designed to not only meet the needs of customers, but truly form inspiration along the way.
On behalf of the Company:
“Paul Antoniadis” Chief Executive Officer and Director
Contact: 604-998-4058
Investor Contact:
Caleb Jeffries
Kin Communications
1-866-684-6730
SGB@kincommunications.com
Media Contact:
Elisha McCallum
FleishmanHillard Vancouver
778-668-0185
Elisha.McCallum@fleishman.ca
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Information in this news release that is not current or historical factual information may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Information regarding the acquisition of LINDAR’s bioplastic division, the entry into the Outsourced Services Agreement and the expected benefits therefrom contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws.
Implicit in this information, particularly in respect of future operating results and economic performance of the Company, are assumptions regarding the ability of the Company and LINDAR to negotiate and execute the Outsourced Services Agreement and assumptions regarding projected revenues to be generated from the acquisition of LINDAR’s bioplastic division. Specifically, we have assumed that LINDAR’s historical performance will be a reasonable basis on which to predict future operating results. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect. Readers are cautioned that actual future operating results and economic performance of the Company are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update this information at any particular time.
To the extent the Company is providing forward-oriented financial information or a financial outlook in this news release, such information/outlook is provided to demonstrate the potential of the Company and readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose.
Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the current date. The reader should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. All forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.
