Mr. Paul Woodward reports

AETHER CATALYST SOLUTIONS, INC. ANNOUNCES THE CITY OF BURNABY JOINING URBAN SMALL MOTORS EMISSIONS ABATEMENT PROJECT

Aether Catalyst Solutions Inc. is working together with the City of Burnaby on the urban small motors emissions abatement project to evaluate Aether's emissions abatement technology on select pieces of its equipment employing small motors.

Small motors contribute significantly to urban air pollution. "Today, operating the best-selling commercial lawn mower for one hour emits as much smog-forming pollution as driving the best-selling 2017 passenger car, a Toyota Camry, about 300 miles -- approximately the distance from Los Angeles to Las Vegas" (California Air Resource Board, small engines in California fact sheet). Currently, emissions from these small motors are not subject to any emissions abatement technology. Thus, these machines are responsible for considerable volumes of urban air pollution, causing significant amounts of smog and greenhouse gas emissions.

The common argument used to justify current emission requirements for small motors has been the cost of precious-metal-based catalytic converters being too high for consumers. However, with Aether's low-cost emission-reduction technology, the cost argument will no longer be valid.

Under the terms of the MOU entered into between Aether and the City of Burnaby, the parties will co-operate to select appropriate pieces of equipment on which to install Aether's catalysts, and Aether will utilize the data generated to further optimize its small motors catalysts. Over all, the project will evaluate the use of Aether's catalysts as an effective emissions abatement solution for the City of Burnaby's municipal equipment.

Taylor Procyk, chief operating officer of Aether, commented: "We are thrilled to begin this project with the City of Burnaby. This is the first step to show how we can contribute to building a cleaner and healthier city for our friends and family."

"The City of Burnaby is committed to transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and equipment as part of its overall commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, and this project with a local Burnaby company is an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions within existing equipment until they are replaced with zero-emission alternatives," said Burnaby City Councillor Joe Keithley.

About Aether Catalyst Solutions Inc.

Aether is focused on providing an order of magnitude cost reduction in automotive catalytic converter catalyst, while meeting, or exceeding, government emission standards. Aether is working to quickly advance its technology through rapid screening of new materials directed at enhancing end-of-life conversion levels after accelerated aging. While Aether's primary focus has been automotive applications, the company is also developing catalysts to address small motors emissions -- a significant contributor to urban air pollution.