New presentation came out today and can be read above...looks like interest is building. I would think AJX has a high probablilty of striking a deal with the US department of defence and if they do this will rally hard. I would think news on this front cant be that far off. Consider 80% of the stock is in the top 20's hands and tightly held. Todays price action makes me think news may not be that far off. Watch this space.
Alexium has developed a Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) process that allows for surface modification and attachment of nano particles or multiple chemical functional groups to surfaces or substrates to provide functions such as flame retardant, water proofing (see attached photo), oil proofing, anti-microbial, non-stick and UV protection. Applications under development include but are not limited to textiles, paints, packaging, glass and building materials – please see attached presentation for more details.
The technology was originally developed within the U.S. Air Force for the Department of Defence (DoD) as a Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) process and in 2009 was selected as the winner of the 2009 World Best Technology Showcase voted upon by the Venture Capital Association and Fortune 500 firms. America’s Department of Defence is not able to commercialise anything that it develops and as a result John Almond (U.S. Air Force) came to Gavin Rezos (now Exec Chairman) with the technology and wanted to bring the technology to Australia for funding given that the capital markets during 2009 in America were basically frozen. As a result the Technology was backed into the ASX listed shell company, Evans and Tate and renamed.
Leveraging of the ~$30 million spent by the US Department of Defense (DoD) to develop the technology, Alexium acquired the technology from the DoD to produce solutions for commercial and military customers. AJX has since formalised relationships under exclusive patent licenses and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements with the US Airforce to expand collaborations for military and commercial applications.
RST uses significantly less energy than the existing technology and creates no waste water in the process. It does not require complex or repetitive machine processes or handling as used in other coating technologies.
The Company and its technology is now at the stage whereby they have met all key technical milestones and industry standards for flame retardancy, water repellency, and durability. For example, the flame retardant nylon must self extinguish within 6 secs and last at least 30 washes to meet military standards. As a result they expect that first revenues will be towards the end of 2012 via various agreements and tenders they are participating in. The Company is also in negotiations with multiple parties regarding geo-political exclusive deals for the technology that include, upfront, milestone and royalty payments to AJX.
While Alexium is negotiating licensing agreements and working on Specific products with fabric producers, it anticipates a combined market demand of at least four million linear yards per year with strong margins associated. AJX nylon currently sells for $3-8 a yard + $2 for RST treating while alternatives are selling for $20-30 and do not breathe and can only perform certain functions, unlike AJX’s technology where the treated item can protect from most scenarios at once and does not lose any of it existing properties.
The Company is currently in discussions with Bruck Textiles on several joint development projects and license negotiations for the Australasia region. Since 1970, Bruck has been the major supplier of Combat and Non Combat apparel fabrics for the Australian Defence Forces. Bruck is also a key supplier to Australia's leading work wear brands that operate at both retail and institutional level and is Australia’s largest fabric manufacturer.
Importantly, Alexium’s RST repellency treatments do not contain perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs) or perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOSs), which are currently used by other traditional repellency treatments, and which are now being phased out by industry and regulators for health reasons.
Given the extensive work and money spent by the DoD they currently have a 2.5% royalty over the sales in the US. Inventor Capt Geoff Owens who is Head of the Scientific section and in the DETRA (Defence Threat Reduction Agency) and has a 5% Royalty.
AJX Price at posting:
9.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
