Three-dimensional printer 3D Group is seeking a presence on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).
Privately-owned 3D Group and ASX-listed entity Oz Brewing have agreed that Oz Brewing will acquire 3D Group for more than 1.4 billion Oz Brewing shares, plus 750 million options.
Perth-based Oz Brewing has a market capitalisation of just over $2 million at its Wednesday closing price, and its shares are currently worth less than one cent each.
3D Group managing director Frank Pertile said the transaction with Oz Brewing would effectively be a "reverse takeover".
Should the transaction be completed, with various shareholder and regulatory approvals, and a capital raising, Oz Brewing would change its activities to 3D printing.
Oz Brewing, which made a loss of $636,000 in 2013 and a loss of $825,000 in 2012, lists its main activity as the brewing and distribution of beer through a joint venture with Ironbark Brewery in Western Australia.
Three-dimensional printing is also known as "additive manufacturing".
It is a process under which an industrial "robot" or printer produces a three-dimensional object by laying down successive layers of material, under computer control.
3D Group wants to become Australia's leading 3D printing company.
"From an Australian perspective there's been a dearth of tech investment opportunities for Australian investors for quite some time," Mr Pertile told AAP.
An ASX listing would help 3D Group raise funds to expand its manufacture of industrial-size and custom-made 3D printers, and the provision of 3D printing services to the product development, architecture, healthcare and education sectors.
Mr Pertile said 3D Group also wants to get 3D printers into primary schools around Australia for approved curriculum programs, so that children can have the skills for jobs of the future.
3D Group was also considering a "retail kiosk" where consumers can have themselves or objects scanned and have a three-dimensional likeness printed.
3D Group is also involved in research looking at the potential use of graphite and graphene in 3D printing.
Mr Pertile said 3D Group hopes to be trading on the ASX in mid-December.
Shares in Oz Brewing were 0.3 cents higher at 0.8 cents at 1445, with more than 35.5 million shares changing hands.
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