The Board of Directors of Aker Carbon Capture ASA approved the payment of a special dividend of $162mn, funded by the sale of major assets concluded in the first half of 2025. The interim report for the second quarter states that nearly all of this dividend was paid in June, except for an amount of $8.4mn corresponding to a withholding tax, which will be settled in July. This transaction illustrates the group’s strategic evolution following the sale of significant holdings.
Financial restructuring and balance sheet evolution
As of June 30, 2025, Aker Carbon Capture’s cash position stands at $18mn, compared to $176mn on March 31. This decrease is explained by the dividend payment and cash outflows related to the sale of strategic assets. The consolidated financial statements show the disappearance of the main non-current assets, notably all investments in associated companies, which stood at zero at the end of the quarter.
At the same time, the group’s equity declined from $194mn in the first quarter to $8.5mn on June 30, reflecting the impact of dividend distribution and changes in the asset structure. Non-current financial liabilities have also been reduced to zero, while current liabilities include a remaining $8.4mn related to the withholding tax on dividends payable.
Operational performance and effects of disposals
The consolidated net profit for continuing operations reached $0.19mn in the second quarter. Most of the result, however, comes from discontinued operations, which show a net profit of $451mn, mainly linked to the sale of subsidiaries and holdings. Operating expenses for the quarter were limited to $1.2mn, illustrating the reduction in the group’s operating activity. Cash flows show a net decrease of $158mn, primarily due to distributions and restructuring of the asset portfolio.
Dividend payment and tax deadlines
The payment of the special dividend of $162mn took place alongside the settlement of a previous dividend of $64mn, also completed in the second quarter. The remaining balance of the withholding tax, amounting to $8.4mn, is to be settled in July. “The distribution operation reflects Aker Carbon Capture’s intention to return a significant portion of the liquidity resulting from recent transactions to its shareholders,” the company stated in its interim report reviewed by Bloomberg on July 15.
