Nothing has changedSomething has changed, or maybe something has to change.
If you recall 7/2/2020 press release, quite a detailed and very optimistic update on its iron ore pelletization torches business;
Client A On April 30th, 2020, the Company announced the successful completion of the first phase of a torch modeling contract with Client A which successfully demonstrated that replacing fossil fuel burners with PyroGenesis’ proprietary plasma torch (i) had absolutely no ancillary detrimental effects anywhere in the process or with their furnaces, (ii) resulted in significant greenhouse gas reduction while at the same time, (iii) projecting significant additional benefits. The subsequent phases were to be completed by June 30th, 2020 and were geared to further quantify the benefits of transitioning to plasma torches. These phases have been extended for up to six weeks with this additional data being incorporated into an ideal plasma torch configuration for this client. Equipment purchase discussions are expected to be completed by the end of August, and incorporate the ideal plasma torch configuration identified during the modelling process, with the ultimate goal being to eliminate GHG emissions from all their plants.
Client B On June 11 th , 2020 the Company announced that it had signed a second multi-phase torch modelling contract with Client B, aimed at evaluating the performance of PyroGenesis’ proprietary torches in an existing iron ore industrial furnace with the goal of replacing existing fossil fuel burners with PyroGenesis’ plasma torches. The first phase, as expected, is to be completed by mid-August. During the first phase, which is progressing as expected, Client B has already entered into active equipment purchase discussions with PyroGenesis.
New Development – Client C A new potential client (“Client C”), who is not only a significant player in the iron ore pelletization industry but is also a major player in the steel industry, has entered into active equipment purchase discussions with the Company. There seems to be a high probability that Client C may bypass the modelling phase altogether, however it is PyroGenesis’ preference to incorporate a modeling phase if at all practical. “Once again, although there is no certainty that any of these relationships will result in anything substantial, we are extremely pleased with the responses and the speed at which things are moving with this offering,” said Mr. Peter Pascali, CEO and President of PyroGenesis. “As would be prudent under the circumstances, PyroGenesis has taken steps to ensure that any reasonable requests from our clients can be met in a timely fashion, and to their full satisfaction. Barring any unforeseen events, we believe that it is entirely reasonable that initial torch equipment purchases will be placed in Q3 2020.”
Followed in 9/11/2020 by the following; press release;
“There seems to be an indication that certain comments made by a fund manager in the course of an interview lead to this decline. In the interview it appears that one could conclude that he suggested that he did not expect more than 1 to 2 torches to be sold by PyroGenesis within the next 3-6 months,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, CEO and President of PyroGenesis. “Although I respect analysis done by third parties, I am also aware of the challenges that this presents to these same very same analysts who, by the very nature of the job, are always on the outside looking in. This is also exasperated by the pressure they have of providing insight within sound bites. Having said that I can confirm that the Company has visibility on more torch orders than that alluded to in the interview. In fact, I can confirm that the current status of torch negotiations with various clients anticipate closing more than 1-2 torch deals in well under 3 months, let alone 3-6 months. These comments are not meant to reflect badly on the analyst in question, but merely to provide additional insight that only a CEO with full information can, and which I felt, under the circumstances, was necessary.”
So if a CEO with full information could have said that, but not concretized...
Something has changed.