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Quadrise Fuels International plc (QFI), an emerging manufacturer and supplier of MSAR emulsion fuels, has extended two contracts with AkzoNobel for the exclusive purchase and supply of goods and services, and for the continued exclusive joint development of emulsion fuels.

The contracts, originally signed in November 2013, replaced the original Alliance Agreement between Quadrise and AkzoNobel that was entered into in 2004. Quadrise International Limited (QIL), the fully-owned operating subsidiary of QFI, is the contracting party for the two agreements.

Commenting on the development in a statement, Quadrise said: "The contract extensions ensure continuity and on-going support from AkzoNobel for the commercialisation of MSAR projects globally, and will now run until at least November 2018."

Mike Kirk, Executive Chairman of QFI, remarked: "The extension of these agreements with our core technology partner, AkzoNobel, reinforce the commitment of both parties to commercialising the global MSAR® business. Our long-term relationship with AkzoNobel continues to underpin our ability to move the Company towards long-term commercial revenues as our major projects evolve."

Staffan Asplund, R&D Director of AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry, commented: "We are excited about the recent developments around the MSAR technology and pleased about the extended agreements between AkzoNobel and QFI. This solidifies a long-standing partnership that has led to remarkable technical progress. It is also a great example of how a unique and customized surfactant system is the essential ingredient behind a revolutionary fuel technology that will benefit several industries in the near future."

Cooperation and exclusive purchase and supply agreement

This agreement between QIL and AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry AB (ANSC) defines the commercial relationship relating to the purchase and supply of goods and associated technical services to projects in development. QIL acquires or facilitates the supply of MSAR Manufacturing Units directly from suppliers for sale to refiners. For fuel applications, QIL buys goods such as emulsifiers exclusively from ANSC, which ANSC supplies exclusively to QIL. QIL supplies goods and services directly to refiners licensed by QIL to use Quadrise MSAR Technology.

The agreement term has been extended for a further two years, expiring on 12th November 2018 unless extended by the parties.

Joint development agreement

This agreement between QIL and AkzoNobel Chemicals BV deals with joint technical programmes that support new business opportunities and are principally focussed on the formulation and processing of novel fuel emulsions to optimise performance and cost.

Intellectual property arising from these programmes (including past work such as MSAR Marine fuels development) is jointly owned. The agreement is exclusive in the field of emulsion fuels research and development. The agreement extension provides joint support for a number of specified projects now up to 10th November 2018. The overriding term of the agreement is, however, evergreen, subject to 12 months' notice for termination by either party.