Verde Clean Fuels Abandons Costly Plant Builds to Focus on High-Profit Tech Royalties, Slashes Costs by 50% and Pivots to Licensing

Verde Clean Fuels, Inc. (NASDAQ:VGAS) ("Verde" or the "Company") announced today a revised strategy to deploy its innovative and proprietary liquid fuels processing technology through capital-lite opportunities. In connection with its revised strategy, the Company is implementing a material cost reduction program targeting a 50% reduction in cost.

"We own a proprietary advanced-fuel conversion technology platform designed to convert low-value or stranded feedstocks into higher-value clean transportation fuels through an integrated, scalable, process-driven system. We are focused on the most optimal path to deploy our STG+® technology while being extremely disciplined with our resources. We are evaluating strategic alternatives that may be available to maximize shareholder value," said Ron Hulme, Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors.

The Company's revised strategy is focused on capital-lite opportunities to deploy its STG+® technology. Such opportunities include licensing technology and providing engineering, technical, and operational services. The Company had previously been focused on the deployment of its STG+® technology through development of capital-intensive commercial production plants. The shift in strategy is intended to identify the most effective pathways to commercialize the STG+® technology with a disciplined approach to capital allocation.

Related to its revised strategy, the Company has implemented and intends to continue implementing aggressive cost savings initiatives. Related to the change in strategy, the Company has eliminated roles related to the development of capital-intensive commercial production plants that are no longer aligned with its current operating plan. The Company's Board of Directors is being streamlined. The Company is reducing director cash compensation by 80% and current directors Martijn Dekker and Dail St. Claire will not be standing for re-election at the end of their term. The Company is targeting a 50% reduction in operating costs in 2026 as compared to 2025. The Company also issued guidance on expected cash and cash equivalents of more than $50 million by end of Q1 2026 with no changes to its current 44.5 million shares outstanding considering both Class A and Class C common stock.

In connection with these initiatives, the Company's Board of Directors has created a Restructuring Committee and appointed director Jonathan Siegler as the sole member of that committee. The Restructuring Committee's mandate includes overseeing all aspects of the Company's revised strategy and evaluation of strategic alternatives while ensuring the Company remains fully NASDAQ-compliant.