Arowana is pleased to announce that we have been recertified as a B Corporation, with an upgraded verified score of 138.8—significantly higher than our initial score of 84.2 in 2018!
As one of 5,470 certified B Corps in the world—and ranking us amongst the highest of B Corps globally—we are proud to be sustainability leaders who are committed to driving positive change using business as a force for good.
Our upgraded score reflects our continued efforts and commitment to improving our positive social, environmental, and economic impact for all stakeholders through our people, companies, and business practices.
This recertification is an important milestone for us as we continue to grow as a company and strive for greater levels of impact in the world.
Visit the Arowana website for more news and insights.
Arowana is pleased to announce that its education platform, EdventureCo, has been certified as a B Corporation by the global network, B Lab. The designation is a recognition of EdventureCo’s commitment to raising business standards and creating a positive impact on the life and livelihood of its communities through education.
As a Certified B Corp, EdventureCo joins a worldwide movement of over 5,000 for-profit companies, including Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s, Education Perfect, Aesop, and Honest to Goodness, which uses business as a force for good.
EdventureCo is a premium provider of digital, soft, and future skills training that prepares the workforce of today for success tomorrow. The company operates six businesses – DDLS, Australian Institute of ICT, Auldhouse, ENS, Plain English Foundation and Everthought – whose training solutions enable learners to develop technical and human skills and, more importantly, unlock new opportunities for career growth in the changing world of work.
By upskilling today’s workforce, EdventureCo equips learners with competencies essential to thriving in a rapidly evolving future. The jobs of tomorrow will require talent that can quickly adapt to the complexities and disruptions of modern business. EdventureCo paves the way for organisations and individuals to stand on the forefront of change by empowering them with today’s most in-demand skills.
To become B Corp-certified, EdventureCo underwent B Lab’s B Impact Assessment (BIA), a rigorous assessment for benchmarking and enhancing a company’s impact performance in key areas such as governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. EdventureCo achieved an overall score of 88.5 points, well above the required score of 80 points for organisations seeking certification and above the average rating of 82.9 points for B Corp businesses in Australia.
Nicola Fowkes, EdventureCo’s General Manager of Operations, led the certification process and commented, “This is an important milestone for EdventureCo which confirms our business’s purpose of making a positive impact through education as well as our commitment to all stakeholders, especially our students, to deliver the skills they need for their future.”
“I am truly grateful for the work that has been done by Nicola and the EdventureCo team to reach this milestone. The B Corp certification process is not a pledge that you can simply sign up to – it is a serious, ongoing commitment. Any business that has chosen to go through the B Corp Certification process is required to dedicate significant resources and time. The BIA is a stringent and thorough assessment, and those companies that have attained certification should be proud of their commitment to strive for the triple bottom line,” said Benn Lim, Chief Operating & Impact Officer at Arowana.
The Directors of AWN Holdings Limited (“Group”, “AWN”), which is part of Arowana & Co.
(“Arowana”) are pleased to announce that its education platform, EdventureCo, has completed the
acquisition of all the issued share capital of Plain English Foundation Pty Ltd (“PEF”) from its
founders.
PEF is Australia’s leading provider of clear communication training and editing services. Founded
by Dr Neil James and Dr Peta Spear, in the past 15 years PEF has trained over 30,000 professionals
and evaluated over 50,000 documents for more than 300 business and government organisations.
Based in Sydney, PEF has a blue-chip client base of government and corporates including the New
South Wales and Victorian Departments of Premier and Cabinet, University of New South Wales,
AIG, Aware Super, Savills Australia and TAL Services.
PEF was founded with the mission to improve the quality of public language by making clear,
concise communication a business and government standard. The business was instrumental in
establishing the international definition of plain language, which was officially adopted by the
International Plain Language Federation. Plain language is the ideal standard for all workplace
writing and public language because it is clear, precise, readable, usable and efficient.
With a recent survey by Deloitte Access Economics and Ipsos finding that three in four interactions
with government agencies now take place online rather than face-to-face or via the telephone, the
importance of clear written communication has never been higher.
The acquisition of PEF complements EdventureCo’s existing businesses and is consistent with
AWN’s strategy of building a premium provider of digital, soft and future skills training that
prepares the workforce of today for success tomorrow.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising technology to getting the world to net-zero emissions. But what does it mean for investors?
Markets are increasingly betting that CCS will be an important part of the global net-zero transition, but investors must carefully consider the long-term risks and opportunities associated with CCS technology.
It's one thing to store carbon, and a whole other ball game to make use of it sustainably. Arowana's Santiago Tenorio-Garcés shared his perspective with MoneyWeek on the relevance of CCS, particularly for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate industrial sectors like cement and steel production, highlighting the opportunities ahead from an innovation and project viability perspective “when firms find ways to use the carbon extracted, rather than just store it”.
Find out more about CCS technologies in "How to invest in carbon capture and storage in the quest for net-zero emissions" in the latest edition of MoneyWeek.
Atlas Iron is a leading iron ore explorer, developer, and producer based out of Western Australia
LONDON, June 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tembo E-LV, has secured an order for its EV conversion kits from Atlas Iron, a leading iron ore mining company based in Perth, Western Australia, and a subsidiary of Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd (“HPPL”). Atlas Iron operates the Mt Webber, Sanjiv Ridge, and Miralga mines.
Under the leadership of the Executive Chairman, Gina Rinehart, HPPL is the most successful private company in Australia’s history, and one of the most successful private mining companies in the world.
Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to be assisting Atlas Iron in their journey towards electrification and energy efficiency. With the opening of borders across Australia and Southeast Asia, we have been increasing our engagement with other groups and expect to be announcing additional orders in due course.”
About VivoPower
VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customized and ruggedized fleet applications, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company's core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonization solutions that enable them to move toward net-zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the achievement of performance hurdles, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication and the expected returns therefrom. These statements are based on VivoPower’s management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances.
Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower’s business. These risks, uncertainties, and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events, and regulatory changes, and other factors set forth in VivoPower’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.
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Divestiture of two non-core, legacy business units, J.A. Martin Electrical contracting business and NDT business
Fast-growing J.A. Martin Solar business unit to be retained and integrated with Aevitas Kenshaw
Caret Solar also expected to be divested via a trade sale, spin off or carve out as part of strategic reorganization plan
Proceeds to be primarily reinvested in high-growth electric vehicle and sustainable energy solutions businesses
LONDON, June 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR, the “Company”) is pleased to announce the sale of two non-core business units in Australia, J.A. Martin Electrical (“JAM Electrical”) and NDT Services (“NDT”), to ARA Group Limited (“ARA”), a leading diversified industrial services group based in Australia. This is in line with VivoPower’s strategy to focus on its core electric vehicle, renewable critical power, and sustainable energy solutions businesses.
VivoPower will receive upfront consideration as well as an earnout based on FY2023 EBITDA results for the businesses (including the value of synergies) which could total up to A$10m (subject to actual FY2023 EBITDA results). VivoPower was advised on this transaction by STS Capital Partners in Singapore. The sale is expected to be completed and settled on July 1, 2022.
VivoPower is retaining its growing J.A. Martin’s Solar (“JAM Solar”) business, which will become a new division of its existing Australian business arm, Kenshaw (part of the wholly-owned Aevitas group in Australia).
Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to have taken this step to align our core business for the next decade of growth. With the JAM Solar business revenue delivering 62% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since FY2019, the sale of the non-solar business of JAM Electrical and NDT represents an opportunity for the Company to consolidate its strategic focus while divesting non-core service offerings. Key capabilities will however be retained (including for the recently awarded A$11.7m contract for Edenvale Solar Farm).
“As part of our long-term strategy to focus on our core business units, including Tembo electric vehicles, Aevitas renewable critical power, and Vivo sustainable energy solutions, we expect to also be divesting our broader Caret Solar business unit through a trade sale, carve out or spin off. This sale could be in tranches or as a whole, given interest from different groups including crypto-mining hosting companies and renewable power developers.
“Proceeds from the sale of the above non-core business units will be re-invested primarily in our fast-growing electric vehicle and sustainable energy solutions businesses.”
About VivoPower
VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customized and ruggedized fleet applications, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company's core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonization solutions that enable them to move toward net-zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the achievement of performance hurdles, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication and the expected returns therefrom. These statements are based on VivoPower’s management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower’s business. These risks, uncertainties, and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, the intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events, and regulatory changes and other factors set forth in VivoPower’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
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Arowana celebrated its 15th year Anniversary on 15 June with members of the Arowana team in Brisbane, Manila, and London enjoying a meal together and capping off the celebrations with cake.
Our resource-intensive world centers on the linear economic model of ‘take, make, use and waste’ and the plastic industry epitomizes this convention, extracting resources from the earth to make plastic packaging that is most likely used once, then thrown away. Indeed, over the last decade plastic has increasingly become a pariah, and a tangible and ever-present reminder of our over-consumption and wastefulness. Images of plastic waste strangling ocean marine life and evidence of it entering the food chain and our bodies has rightfully caused alarm and created a sense of urgency to deal with it.
According to a 2016 study by McKinsey, the World Economic Forum, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, of the annual 78 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced, 40% ended up in landfill, 32% leaked into the environment (including an estimated 8 million tonnes into oceans) and 14% was incinerated. A meager 14% was collected for recycling.
So, clearly, the linear economic model has borne a torrent of plastic waste that is contributing to environmental degradation globally. However, the solution is not ending the use of plastics, given the multitude of beneficial use cases of plastics. The solution is the reconfiguration of the plastic industry from a linear economy to a circular economy.
Material recovery, or the process of obtaining solid waste from one industry for its potential to be recycled and repurposed in another, is fundamental to resource efficiency in the circular economy. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, a circular economy model can be created through 3 key actions: (i) elimination of unnecessary plastics; (ii) innovation to ensure plastics are re-usable, recyclable or compostable; and (iii) circulation of plastic items to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.
"The solution is the reconfiguration of the plastic industry from a linear economy to a circular economy."
But crucially, there is much more to the circular economy than the obvious environmental benefits. Where the linear economic model contributes to societal inequality through supply chain practices designed to suppress costs, a circular economy can foster inclusive growth in developing countries, enabling positive social and environmental outcomes.
Indeed, social and environmental benefit can and should go hand-in-hand. Building inclusivity, such as access to jobs and fair pay, into any circular initiative, is the only way to ensure it is truly sustainable and will be a long-term success. Without local buy-in and providing livelihood opportunities, the whole system will fail to achieve its key aim of creating a vibrant green economy.
One organization, Green Antz, demonstrates how plastic waste can be addressed through a circular system, while supporting inclusive growth. It collects, recycles, and reuses plastic waste from commercial establishments and communities in the Philippines and converts it into value-added construction materials such as bricks and pavers. And through a proprietary process, these bricks and pavers turn out stronger than their conventional versions.
The plastic waste problem is particularly pronounced across the ASEAN region, where the Philippines is the region’s worst polluter, accounting for 36% of the 8 mega tonnes of global plastic waste that ended up in oceans in 2021. It is one of the world’s worst plastic polluters and innovative solutions, like that offered by Green Antz, are much needed.
To ensure it is having a positive social impact as well, Green Antz actively engages with marginalised communities that are incentivized to collect and repurpose plastic waste, earning a sustainable living from doing so. Through a “Shared Value” approach, they engage with community partners, conglomerates, and multinational companies for the collection of plastic waste whilst centralizing the production of construction materials within plastic collection centers called EcoHubs.
To date, Green Antz has established a total of 36 EcoHubs and over 100 community and corporate partnerships in the Philippines. As a result, the company has diverted 284 tonnes of plastics from landfills, created more than 150 jobs, and improved the livelihood of local communities.
It is proof that the circular economy has the scope to achieve so much more than environmental impact. With its multi-dimensional business model, Green Antz contributed towards a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
It is also very well-positioned to scale up its impact across the ASEAN region and beyond. Through its real-world knowledge of utilizing the circular economic model, Green Antz provides a blueprint for businesses that aim to generate multi-dimensional value, aligning profit with empowering people and protecting the planet. Not only does it play a part in helping communities in Southeast Asia become more resource-efficient and address the issue of plastic pollution, it also generates livelihood opportunities and encourages and mobilizes local partners in underdeveloped communities to have a stake in a greener economy.
This is just one example of how impactful the circular economy model can be. While the obvious environmental crises and growing population pressures on the world’s natural resources mean a move towards a circular system is a necessity, we should grasp the immense opportunities it offers to improve equality and distribution of wealth, only then will we achieve a truly sustainable economy.
Contract represents the largest ever solar contract for electrical works won by VivoPower
The 240MWdc solar contract for electrical works is worth A$11.7m
The Edenvale Solar Farm in Queensland, Australia will generate 425,000MWh of clean energy per year and avoid the emission of 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide
LONDON, June 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR, the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, J.A. Martin Electrical Pty Limited (“J.A. Martin”), has been awarded an A$11.7m contract to complete all electrical works for the 204MWdc Edenvale Solar Farm in Queensland, Australia.
Construction has already commenced with the project to be the fifth utility scale Australian solar farm completed by VivoPower’s Aevitas business unit in Australia, bringing the completed and contracted solar farms to over 650MWdc. Once energised, the Edenvale Solar Farm will generate approximately 425,000MWh of clean energy per year and avoid the emission of 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the amount generated by approximately 83,000 internal combustion engine vehicles.
Kevin Chin, VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Since establishing our solar solutions business in Australia, we have seen revenue grow at a 62% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since FY2019 (based on actual and forecast contracted revenue through to June 30, 2022). In addition, over the past quarter, we have seen a step change increase in the pipeline of additional solar project opportunities across the Australian market and we are very well positioned to win and deliver on further contracts.”
About VivoPower
VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on battery storage, electric solutions for customised and ruggedised fleet applications, solar and critical power technology, and services. The Company's core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonisation solutions that enable them to move toward net zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about the achievement of performance hurdles, or the benefits of the events or transactions described in this communication and the expected returns therefrom. These statements are based on VivoPower’s management’s current expectations or beliefs and are subject to risk, uncertainty, and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of VivoPower’s business. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include changes in business conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, changes in accounting interpretations, management of rapid growth, intensity of competition from other providers of products and services, changes in general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, and other factors set forth in VivoPower’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The information set forth herein should be read in light of such risks. VivoPower is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Toyota Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation,
the world’s largest car manufacturer
VivoPower has now established a Tembo Australia subsidiary and dedicated Tembo resources
to this Toyota Australia programme
VivoPower International is pleased to announce that it has executed a Design Services Agreement (DSA) with Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited (TMCA) for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tembo e-LV to be commercially engaged in relation to the next stage of design of electrification solutions for the Toyota LandCruiser 70 for off-road applications in Australia.
The DSA reflects the commercial next step in Tembo’s collaboration programme with TMCA, which was initially announced as a binding letter of intent in June 2021. VivoPower has established a Tembo subsidiary in Australia and will commit dedicated Tembo resources to this important programme.
VivoPower’s Executive Chairman and CEO, Kevin Chin said: “We are honoured to have entered into this commercial agreement with TMCA and are fully committed to working closely with the TMCA team to deliver an electrified LandCruiser 70, which is fit for purpose and safe for corporate fleets, especially for off-road use cases such as mining. In this regard, we have now dedicated a team within Tembo that is solely focused on this important TMCA project. We will also be sub-contracting our partner in Australia, GB Auto, given their dedicated mining sector experience.”
To read our full press release, and to keep up with all of VivoPower’s releases, visit the company's Press Releases page.
About VivoPower
VivoPower is a sustainable energy solutions company focused on electrification solutions for customized and ruggedized fleet applications, and solar and critical power technology and services. The Company’s core purpose is to provide its customers with turnkey decarbonization solutions that enable them to move toward net-zero carbon status. VivoPower is a certified B Corporation with operations in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
About Toyota Motor Corporation Australia
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, the world’s largest car manufacturer.
All trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
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