Recent press articles/ releases:
https://www.thecleanairalliance.org/latest-news-press-releases.html
[1]
https://www.peacearchnews.com/local-news/questions-raised-in-south-surrey-by-andion-corporate-changes-7291742
The actual permit application with Metro Vancouver has been made by a separate Inc, Semiahmoo RNG GP Corp, with just 2 directors. Both former Directors of Ostara, F. Phillip Abrary and Eric Streeter, who left that company under contested circumstances, "lofty claims" and court cases from fellow shareholders.
[2a]
https://biv.com/article/2022/02/whos-getting-sued-february-7-2022
[3]
https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/straight-from-the-sewer
Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies Inc. had backing with investments from the local Temple, (certain may say cult), who are also connected with Andion in Vancouver BC.
https://apps.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/hacc/srch/pub/dsplyQckVw?selectedFilingPeriodIndex=4&selectedCharityBn=118971043RR0001&isSingleResult=true
[4]
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ983332
[5]
https://culteducation.com/group/1016-iskcon.html
[6]
https://www.ntv.iskcon.ca/team
“communications to the shareholders were false, misleading and amount to misrepresentations and negligent misrepresentations” – “the defendants scheme to sell ~ was a conspiracy with a predominant purpose of harming the plaintiffs ~ or an unlawful means conspiracy” – “the defendants made negligent misrepresentations ~ and breached a duty of care”
https://arbitrationmatters.com/b-c-recent-shift-towards-competence-competence-in-arbitration-clause-interpretation-714/
https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcsc/doc/2023/2023bcsc100/2023bcsc100.html?autocompleteStr=3-sigma%20con&autocompletePos=1
Ostara was also linked to Robert Francis Kennedy Jr, who served as a board member with Abrary & Streeter. RFK Jr. is a controversial American politician and activist who promotes anti-vaccine misinformation and public health conspiracy theories:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-robert-f-kennedy-jr-distorted-vaccine-science1/
https://web.archive.org/web/20220124023519/https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/590995-auschwitz-memorial-says-rfk-jr-speech-at-anti-vaccine-rally-exploits
The controversy with the Semiahmoo Renewable Gas refinery project revolves around "Andion" a term used very loosely to describe a game plan more than "a" company or group - as the links between the many limited liability companies is often tenuous, to say the least.
Andion have hit the news a few times, including with press releases about NRCan funding (that then got deleted and it's unclear if it was paid - a freedom of information request is pending with NRCan).
[20]
https://web.archive.org/web/20230728092748/https://www.andionglobal.com/state-of-the-art-clean-energy-facility-planned-by-semiahmoo-first-nation-and-andion-to-receive-14-4m-in-funding-from-natural-resources-canada/
“The Governments of Canada and BC are committed to working together to advance large-scale renewable energy projects needed to anchor the sector, decarbonize large industry and bring extensive global major project experience to BC,” said Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “We will work together with Indigenous partners, like the Semiahmoo First Nation, and engage with industry, labour and other essential partners, to establish a shared understanding of the key growth opportunities and interests, as well as the concrete actions required to achieve them. Our goals are for alignment with First Nations communities, and to ensure full Indigenous participation.”
https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/06/27/2695756/0/en/State-of-the-Art-Clean-Energy-Facility-Planned-by-Semiahmoo-First-Nation-and-Andion-to-Receive-14-4M-in-Funding-From-Natural-Resources-Canada.html/
Then with another reported $270m promised including BDC funding:
[21]
https://financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/andion-global-secures-270-million-to-expand-operations-and-deployment-of-waste-processing-plants-to-upcycle-organic-waste-and-create-renewable-energy
"Andion" came from the demise of "Austep" - another confusing group of companies based in Italy, who failed to perform to specification at multiple locations but 2 specific locations in North America - Rhode Island and Charlotte NC.
Austep were involved / contracted with an American company - Blue Sphere Corporation - who themselves got into difficulty. It seems that this whole Methane production industry is financially hit and miss - in our opinion, all the more reason not to pump millions of $$$ of public funds into it with zero guarantees!
We can see the manoeuvre where White Cloud come into the picture in this document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1419582/000138713117003679/blsp-8k_071917.htm
"The EBITDA Agreements for Austep were terminated on July 15th when Austep personnel shut down the plants they were managing on July 12th without notice. This effectively contractually removed these assets from the bankrupt Austep. Coincidently, another Italian company stepped in at very short notice to take over operations as a temporary stop-gap. "
But, something that we find odd, is in this section "Continuity of Performance of the North Carolina Facility and Rhode Island Facility:
According to the Official Records, on June 29, 2017, Austep entered into a Business Unit Lease Agreement (“BULA”) with Andion Italy S.r.l. (“Andion”), with the intent of assuring the regular operation of certain operations and agreements by Andion. Andion is wholly owned by Arcus Holdings Sa, a Luxembourg entity owned by White Cloud Capital II SCSp, which controls Austep Holdings S.p.A. Austep Holdings S.p.A. wholly-owns Austep and Austep USA, and Austep USA wholly-owns Auspark LLC and Austep Rhode Island LLC. Andion is not subject to the liquidation/restructuring of Austep.
(A clear indication that moving contractual assets from Austep to Andion was premeditated, and certain investigators are wondering if it is reasonable to speculate that this involved some of those funds from the multi-million dollar sums laundered via Handelsbanken in Luxembourg
(SEE BELOW)
"The BULA provides for, among other things, the transfer of Austep’ entire United States operations and, accordingly, the agreements relating to the operation of our North Carolina Facility and Rhode Island Facility; specifically, the NC Turnkey Agreement, NC O&M Agreement and RI Turnkey Agreement. The term of the BULA is three (3) months from the effective date of the BULA, and will automatically renew if not terminated by one of the parties with at least thirty (30) days’ written notice. The BULA will become effective upon execution by all parties, and is subject to finalization of negotiations with unions regarding all employees who will not be transferred with the BULA.
Presently, the NC Turnkey Agreement, NC O&M Agreement and RI Turnkey Agreement are validly in force, and the parties continue to operate, maintain, and supervise the North Carolina Facility and the Rhode Island Facility in accordance with the terms of such agreements. When the BULA becomes effective, we anticipate that Andion will continue to operate, maintain, and supervise the North Carolina Facility and the Rhode Island Facility for the foreseeable future."
This is where we think things didn't go according to plan - noting that in: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1419582/000138713117005604/blsp-10q_093017.htm it says "Through the process of Austep’s liquidation/restructuring, the Italian liquidator will compare competitive offers to acquire the operations and agreements that are the subject of the BULA; therefore, the acquirer of the agreements relating to the operation of the Company’s North Carolina Facility and Rhode Island Facility may be Andion, or potentially another purchaser." We've concluded that this is what happened - stalling Andion's anticipated revenue growth.
Much of the problem stems from the plants that Austep planned, specified and built didn't function to specification - interesting to note that the same engineers are still the ones Andion rely most on. See:
[19]
https://ecori.org/2017-10-2-anaerobic-digester-could-be-model-for-region/ and especially the comments from Robin RI who we have contacted for a statement about Andion / Austep and their quality of service and solutions as he appeared to have inside information.
Read also:
https://www.wastedive.com/news/rhode-island-first-anaerobic-digester/539063/ where it talks about equipment problems and delays, https://www.anaergia.com/about-us/media-center/largest-industrial-anaerobic-digestion-facility-in-new-england-now-part-of-the-anaergia-group/ where this company bought it and reengineered the place to make it work.
Andion Global INC is often mentioned and uses their website for the glossy brochure version of events. Main Directors: Nicholas Watkins White Clouds's founding partner and Jonas Martin-Lof White Clouds's other partner.
Jonas M-L holds a number of positions apparently, depending where you look: Executive Chairman and now CEO @ Andion Global Inc.Partner and Co-Founder @ White Cloud Capital
Head Of Investment Banking @ Nordea
https://rocketreach.co/jonas-martin-lof-email_114310138
https://stifelinstitutional.com/meet/jonas-martin-lof/
The Officers/Owners of White Cloud, in fact the whole White Cloud operation could be considered "under a cloud" also. To explain, this is their track record :
Jonas Martin-Löf & Nicholas Watkins.
Jonas Martin-Lof is the son of disgraced industrialist Sverker - ousted for "chairman Sverker Martin-Löf resigned last month after it emerged that his (only) son had been used as a financial adviser on business deals."
[7]
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/feb/11/sca-company-jet-scandal-rocks-sweden https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sverker_Martin-L%C3%B6f and https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Martin-L%C3%B6f white cloud
The father and son, and their business affairs have been comprehensively investigated and "outed" by Swedish investigative journalists.
[8]
https://sv-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/Uppdrag_granskning?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Not to mention:
[9]
https://www.tellerreport.com/news/2022-05-20-swedish-business-leaders-are-sued---after-giant-bankruptcy-in-australia.B1GtNVMrv5.html "Assignment review has previously revealed death threats, espionage and suspected money laundering in the Handelsbanken sphere.
Original source: https://www-svt-se.translate.goog/nyheter/granskning/ug/svenska-naringslivstoppar-stams-efter-jattekonkurs-i-australien?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp The other article about the threats and tactics:
[10]
https://www-svt-se.translate.goog/nyheter/granskning/ug/avslojar-dodshot-och-spionage-under-maktskiftet-i-handelsbanksfaren-riktigt-smutsigt?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp
"Among other things, Jonas Martin-Löf, son of the bank's former deputy chairman of the board, Sverker Martin-Löf, was reported for money laundering after laundering multi-million sums via Handelsbanken in Luxembourg."
[11]
https://www.banktrack.org/download/annual_report_2015_3/hb_2015_eng_annualreport.pdf
"In spring 2013, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority began an investigation into how the four major Swedish banks comply with the anti-money laundering regulations. The investigation was concluded in the spring of 2015. In May 2015, Handelsbanken received a remark and an administrative fine of SEK 35 million from the Supervisory Authority. The remark related to shortcomings in how Handelsbanken Sweden complies with the anti-money laundering regulations."
Then we look directly at White Cloud - their total financial involvement in this scandal generated over $500m of Australian Gov funding:
[12]
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fbusiness%2Ffailed-training-group-careers-australia-sent-40m-to-owners%2Fnews-story%2F95bcf2c4b0e366e3089c32a748db5996&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-2-NOSCORE&V21spcbehaviour=append
Failed trainer sent owners $40m
"Directors of failed training organisation Careers Australia, led by chairman Bob Mansfield, sent $40 million to the company’s private equity owners in 2015-16, the last year for which accounts are available. This was on top of $20.5m in dividends paid to private equity group White Cloud the previous year, and close to $600,000 in “fees” charged by the group, which operates from Mauritius, Luxembourg, London and Singapore."
There were also suggestions of possible impropriety in relation to funds obtained from government sources "entwined with lobbyists and controversy".
"The company has been at the centre of a Queensland Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) inquiry, been forced to repay tens of millions of taxpayer dollars gained from inappropriate marketing of training courses and is currently under investigation by the Federal Government training regulator over further complaints.
Careers Australia was founded by well-connected Queensland lobbyists and – even though they have now gone – the company now boasts a roster of heavy-hitting Liberal lobbyists. It has also recently emerged as a major political donor.
The extraordinary growth of Careers Australia has been underpinned in recent years by easy access to taxpayer funds, as Labor and Liberal Governments have opened doors to allow private companies to compete against public education institutions.
In a pure financial sense, the rise and rise of Careers Australia has been phenomenal.Careers Australia has become the largest and best politically-connected private training company in Australia.
In the most recent year financial records are publicly available, Careers Australia boasted a turnover of $241 million and student enrolments of 15,000. It was a phenomenal result for a company which in 2011 had a turnover of just $18.4 million from about 8000 students.
Careers Australia’s financial success, however, was very fragile."
[13]
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/scandal-ridden-careers-australia-a-liberal-major-donor-back-in-spotlight--,9413
[14]
https://thewest.com.au/business/careers-australias-40m-dividend-payout-before-it-went-bust-ng-b88488716z
[15]
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/private-colleges-vet-feehelp-loan-scandal-hit-160-million-and-counting-20160519-gozbmp
[16]
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-07/careers-australia-letter-demanded-education-dept-pay-vet-funds/8687112
[17]
https://cca.edu.au/news/comment/vet-student-loans-update-a-for-profit-provider-closes-whats-next/
“In May 2016 the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Careers Australia. It provided the undertaking after admitting that some of its marketing agents breached the ACL by making false or misleading representations and engaging in unconscionable conduct.”
[18]
https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/1086_Annual%20Report_2015-16_FA_FINAL.pdf
For Background, some of the main company details behind the Andion Semiahmoo RNG GP Corp project and their directors, as of December 1, 2023 as well as Public Information on the Andion Semiahmoo RNG Project:
1) The project applicant Semiahmoo RNG GP Corp is a company with:
2 directors / officers:
Philip Arbrary - Ostara
Eric Streeter - Ostara
There's no mention of SFN here
2) Andion Global Inc is a FEDERAL company with a secondary BC registration
Directors 6
Nicholas Watkins White Clouds's founding partner
12 Northmoor Road
Oxford OX2 6UP
United Kingdom
Jonas Martin-Lof White Clouds's other partner
Flat 5, 18 Redcliffe Square
London SW10 9JZ
United Kingdom
Oskar Backman - Equitix https://www.linkedin.com/in/oskar-backman-9660a6a2/
"joint venture with the Biogas provider Andion in Nordics as well as Italy." - https://equitix.com/team/oskar-backman/
Ostranorevagen 2
Lidingo S-181 31
Sweden
F. Phillip Abrary - Ostara
4390 Erwin Drive
West Vancouver BC V7V 1H6
Canada
Karl Erik Bengt Wahlqvist - Swiss Bank UBS https://www.ctek.com/uk/about-us/history
Via San Michele 2
Castagnola 6976
Switzerland
Nathaniel Lowebeer-Lewis - Spring lane capital and Andion - why is this page blank ? https://springlanecapital.com/andion-global-secures-270-million-to-expand-operations-and-deployment-of-waste-processing-plants-to-upcycle-organic-waste-and-create-renewable-energy/
also https://www.buyoutsinsider.com/spring-lane-raises-290m-for-missing-middle-of-energy-transition-investing/
5227 Av Casgrain
Montreal QC H2T 1X1
Canada
3) Corporation Number 10278866
Corporation Name ANDION NORTH AMERICA LIMITED
Business No. 708438122RC0001 in BC
Date of Incorporation Canada Business Corporations Act - 2017-06-13
Record Status Active
Type Non-distributing corporation with 50 or fewer shareholders
Certificates and Filings Certificate of Incorporation 2017-06-13
Corporation Name History 2017-06-13 to Present
ANDION NORTH AMERICA LIMITED
Office Address Suite 2500 Park Place
666 Burrard Street
VANCOUVER BC V6C 2X8
Canada
updated on 2023-10-05
Director details (3)
Carlo Valente -
981 Melbourne Avenue
North Vancouver BC V7R 1P1
Canada
PHILLIP ABRARY - Ostara
4390 Erwin Drive
West Vancouver BC V7V 1H6
Canada
ERIC STREETER - Ostara
240 Roche Point Drive
North Vancouver BC V7G 2M9
Canada
Problems with Andion / Taurus RNG projects in Italy, many of these projects being Austep
A recent press article about the Italian biofuel facility - quote: Rescaldina, exasperated residents:
"Enough smelly smells. We can't live anymore"
"For years we have been asking for solutions that they can't arrive until the Mozzate company is closed. I passed by there and the smell is the same. It's a smell that, depending on the wind, reaches all the way to the center of Rescaldina. A terrible smell that forces everyone to keep windows closed and to go out with clothespins on the nose".
"Also in the spotlight is the monitoring of the activity of Econord Spa, the anaerobic digestion plant for the organic fraction of waste located in via Per Gorla in Mozzate. The investigation speaks of "recurrent reports of olfactory disturbance in the area of the production site" and today the conditions exist to continue the verification process. The law provides that the official technical table must be convened, in which Ats, the province and Econord must participate."
Translated article:
https://www-ilgiorno-it.translate.goog/legnano/cronaca/basta-olezzi-maleodoranti-non-si-vive-piu-edcb958b?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp&_x_tr_hist=true
Original: https://www.ilgiorno.it/legnano/cronaca/basta-olezzi-maleodoranti-non-si-vive-piu-edcb958b
Also, we found this other article, that specifically states that the initial investigation found sufficient grounds to pass to a full investigation:
Following the checks, in fact, ARPA sent to the Municipality of Rescaldina «the report with the results of this first phase of investigation – underlines Gulizia – concluding that “there are the conditions to continue the process of verifying the nuisance as envisaged by the Phase B referred to in the " Guideline for the characterization and authorization of gaseous emissions into the atmosphere from activities with an odorous impact ". The official technical table must therefore be convened, in which ATS, the Province and Econord must also participate, which will be responsible for any olfactometric measurements that must be evaluated as part of the authorization procedures for the activity. We are waiting for the call from the Municipality of Mozzate (leader)."
Translated article:
https://www-legnanonews-com.translate.goog/aree-geografiche/alto_milanese/2023/02/20/ancora-molestie-olfattive-a-rescaldina-impossibile-aprire-le-finestre/1059484/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Original: https://www.legnanonews.com/aree-geografiche/alto_milanese/2023/02/20/ancora-molestie-olfattive-a-rescaldina-impossibile-aprire-le-finestre/1059484/
We believe this is the facility https://www-econord-it.translate.goog/index.php/impianti/?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp with some local news dating back to 2021 https://www-telesettelaghi-it.translate.goog/2021/06/19/econord-scommette-sulleconomia-circolare-la-digestione-anaerobica/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Other links related to Andion, Austep, Phillip Abrary and failed RNG facilities
https://news.cision.com/biokraft-international/r/profit-warning-mainly-driven-by-problems-with-commissioning-of-skogn-ii--norway,c3701292
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1419582/000138713117003679/blsp-8k_071917.htm
https://www.lawinsider.com/contracts/ae1E40mCDz9
[2b]
https://arbitrationmatters.com/b-c-recent-shift-towards-competence-competence-in-arbitration-clause-interpretation-714/
https://www.allabolag.se/5593357022/andion-scandinavia-ab
https://atoka.io/public/en/company/andion-italy-spa/63fc5dbdfe3c
https://contracts.justia.com/companies/blue-sphere-corp-16086/contract/325495/
https://web.archive.org/web/20220517165619/https://www.andionglobal.com/references-renewable-energy-2/#
https://web.archive.org/web/20220703153538/https://www.andionglobal.com/team/
https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/andion-technology
https://web.archive.org/web/20171023044829/http://andiontechnology.com/
https://www.canadacompanyregistry.com/companies/andion-global-inc/
https://financialpost.com/globe-newswire/state-of-the-art-clean-energy-facility-planned-by-semiahmoo-first-nation-and-andion-to-receive-14-4m-in-funding-from-natural-resources-canada
https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-likely-to-approve-settlement-over-shipyard-cleanup-fraud/
https://www.reuters.com/article/tetra-tech-canada-idUKL1N0ZI15H20150702
https://thepointer.com/article/2022-01-13/public-left-in-the-dark-as-peel-quietly-cancels-124m-organic-waste-facility
https://www.change.org/p/say-no-to-a-biofuel-plant-in-our-neighbourhood
All the companies linked directly and indirectly to the controversies behind the Andion Semiahmoo renewable natural gas (RNG) biofuel project proposal.
Canada
United Kingdom
Elsewhere & Offshore
Taurus Canada Renewable Natural Gas Corp.
Business Number (BN): 708438122
Registry ID: 10278866
Created: 2017-06-13
Previous Names
ANDION NORTH AMERICA LIMITED
Directors / Officers:
Carlo Valente, director
Daniele Chiodini, director
ERIC STREETER, director
PHILLIP ABRARY, director
As there is now a team investigating the convoluted affairs and business relationships behind Andion, including Taurus Renewable Natural Gas Corp, which is reputed to be the new "restructured" corporation moving forward with North America under the direction of F. Phillip Abrary, this page is likely to be updated regularly.
To be continued...
