AEMETIS, INC - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2016
Commission file
number: 000-51354
AEMETIS,
INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
Nevada
|
26-1407544
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
|
20400
Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700
Cupertino,
CA 95014
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s
telephone number (including area code): (408) 213-0940
Securities
registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange
Act:
Common
Stock, Par Value $0.001
(Title of
class)
Indicate by check
mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes
☐ No ☑
Indicate by check
mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes
☐ No ☑
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be filed by Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes
☑ No ☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted
on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File
required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of
Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit and post such
files). Yes ☑ No
☐
Indicate by check
mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
☐
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated
filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated
filer
|
☐
|
Accelerated filer
☐
|
Non-accelerated
filer
|
☐ (Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller reporting
company ☑
|
Indicate by check
mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No
☑
The aggregate
market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by
non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $26,667,402 as
of June 30, 2016 based on the average bid and asked price on the
NASDAQ Markets reported for such date. This calculation
does not reflect a determination that certain persons are
affiliates of the registrant for any other purpose.
The number of
shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock on
February 28, 2017 was 19,696,447 shares.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the
Proxy Statement for the Registrant’s 2017 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K.
|
|
Page
|
|
|
PART I
|
|
|
|
|
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 1. Business
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 1A. Risk Factors
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 2. Properties
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
|
|
|
22
|
|
PART II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 9B. Other Information
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PART III
|
|
|
35.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 11. Executive Compensation
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and
Director Independence
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
|
|
|
35
|
|
PART IV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Index to Financial Statements
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
|
|
72
|
|
2
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
On one or more
occasions, we may make forward-looking statements in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, including statements regarding our
assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or
beliefs about future events or other statements that are not
historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K include, without limitation, statements
regarding management’s plans; trends in demand for renewable
fuels; trends in market conditions with respect to prices for
inputs for our products versus prices for our products; our ability
to leverage approved feedstock pathways; our ability to leverage
our location and infrastructure; our ability to incorporate
lower-cost, non-food advanced biofuels feedstock at the Keyes
plant; our ability to adopt value-add by-product processing
systems; our ability to expand into alternative markets
for biodiesel and its by-products, including continuing
to expand our sales into international markets; the impact of
changes in regulatory policies on our performance, including the
Indian government’s recent changes to tax policies, diesel
prices and related subsidies; our ability to continue to develop
new, and to maintain and protect new and existing,
intellectual property rights; our ability to adopt, develop and
commercialize new technologies; our ability to refinance our senior
debt on more commercial terms or at all; our ability to continue to
fund operations and our future sources of liquidity and capital
resources; our ability to sell additional notes under our EB-5 note
program and our expectations regarding the release of funds from
escrow under our EB-5 note program; our ability to improve margins;
and our ability to raise additional capital. Words or
phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,”
“will,” “should,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “expects,”
“intends,” “plans,” “predicts,”
“projects,” “targets,” “will likely
result,” “will continue” or similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based
on current assumptions and predictions and are subject to numerous
risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ
materially from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking
statements and related assumptions due to certain factors,
including, without limitation, the risks set forth under the
caption “Risk Factors” below, which are incorporated
herein by reference as well as those business risks and factors
described elsewhere in this report and in our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”).
We undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
We obtained the
market data used in this report from internal company reports and
industry publications. Industry publications generally
state that the information contained in those publications has been
obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy
and completeness are not guaranteed and their reliability cannot be
assured. Although we believe market data used in this
10-K is reliable, it has not been independently
verified.
Unless the context
requires otherwise, references to “we,”
“us,” “our,” and “the Company”
refer specifically to Aemetis, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
General
We are an
international renewable fuels and biochemicals company focused on
the production of advanced fuels and chemicals through the
acquisition, development, and commercialization of innovative
technologies that replace traditional petroleum-based products by
conversion of first-generation ethanol and biodiesel plants into
advanced biorefineries. We operate in two reportable geographic
segments: “North America” and
“India.” For revenue and other information
regarding our operating segments, see Note 13- Segment Information,
of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item
8 of this Form 10-K.
We were
incorporated in Nevada in 2006.
We own and operate
a 60 million gallon per year ethanol production facility located in
Keyes, California (the Keyes plant). The facility
produces its own combined heat and power (CHP) through the use of a
natural gas-powered steam turbine and reuses 100% of its process
water with zero water discharge. In addition to ethanol,
the Keyes plant produces Wet Distillers Grains (WDG), Distillers
Corn Oil (DCO), and Condensed Distillers Solubles (CDS), all of
which are sold to local dairies and feedlots as animal
feed. The primary feedstock for the production of low
carbon fuel ethanol at the Keyes facility is Number Two yellow dent
corn. The corn is procured from various Midwestern grain
facilities and shipped, via Union Pacific Rail Road, to an
unloading facility adjacent to the plant.
We also lease a
site near the Keyes plant where we plan to utilize waste-to-fuel
technology that we have licensed from LanzaTech (the LanzaTech
Technology) to build a cellulosic ethanol production facility (the
Keyes Cellulosic Ethanol Facility) capable of converting local
California biomass waste – including agricultural waste,
forest waste, dairy waste, and construction and demolition waste
– to ultra-low carbon cellulosic ethanol. The
Keyes Cellulosic Ethanol Facility plans to utilize the distillation
and logistics infrastructure at our Keyes plant. By
producing low carbon intensity cellulosic fuel ethanol, we expect
to capture higher value D3 cellulosic renewable identification
numbers and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS)
carbon credits.
3
We also own and
operate a biodiesel production facility in Kakinada, India (the
Kakinada plant) with a nameplate capacity of 150,000 metric tons
per year, which is equal to about 50 million gallons per
year. We believe this facility is one of the largest
biodiesel production facilities in India on a nameplate capacity
basis. Our objective is to continue to capitalize on the
substantial growth potential of the industry in India and address
established markets in the European Union and United States of
America.
Strategy
Key elements of our
strategy include:
North America
Leverage technology for the development and
production of additional advanced biofuels and renewable
chemicals. In March 2016, we acquired the exclusive rights
to the LanzaTech Technology for the conversion of agricultural
waste, forest waste, dairy waste, and construction and demolition
waste to ultra-low carbon fuel ethanol in California. We
intend to utilize this technology to produce advanced ethanol from
local California biomass wastes. Utilizing a phased
approach, we initially anticipate adopting the LanzaTech Technology
at the Keyes Cellulosic Ethanol Facility, which will initially be
an estimated eight million gallon per year name-plate capacity
processing unit, and eventually expand to an estimated 32 million
gallon per year name-plate production capacity plant. We also plan
on licensing the LanzaTech Technology to other existing
California-based ethanol plants. In addition, we
continue to evaluate new technology and develop technology under
our existing patents, patent pending and in-process research and
development to produce renewable chemicals and advanced fuels from
renewable feedstocks. Our objective is to continue to commercialize
this technology and expand the production of advanced biofuel
technologies and other bio-chemicals in the United
States.
Diversify and expand revenue and cash flow by
continuing to develop and adopt value-added by-product processing
systems. During April 2012, we installed a DCO
extraction unit at the Keyes plant and began extracting corn oil
for sale into the livestock feed market beginning in May
2012. During 2014, we installed a second oil extraction
system to further improve corn oil yields from this process. We
continue to evaluate and, as allowed by available financing and
incremental profitability, adopt additional value-added processes
that increase the value of the ethanol, distillers grain, corn oil
and CO2
produced at the Keyes plant, including adding liquefied
CO2
processing capability. Advanced planning is underway to
partner with a leading industrial gas supplier to build a liquid
CO2
capture plant adjacent to the Keyes plant.
Acquire, license our technologies to, or Joint
venture with other ethanol and biodiesel
plants. There are approximately 200 ethanol
plants and one hundred biodiesel plants in the U.S., as well as
plants in Brazil, Argentina, India and elsewhere, that could be
upgraded to expand revenues and improve cash flow using technology
commercially deployed or licensed by us. After
developing and commercially demonstrating technologies at the Keyes
and/or Kakinada plants, we will evaluate on an opportunistic basis
the benefit of acquiring ownership of a portion of or all of other
biodiesel production facilities, or entering into joint-venture or
licensing agreements with other ethanol, renewable diesel or
renewable jet fuel facilities.
Evaluate and pursue technology acquisition
opportunities. We intend to evaluate and pursue
opportunities to acquire technologies and processes that result in
accretive value opportunities as financial resources and business
prospects make the acquisition of these technologies advisable. In
addition, we may also seek to acquire companies, or enter into
licensing agreements or form joint ventures with companies that
offer prospects for the adoption of accretive
technologies.
Acquire additional biofuels production
facilities. On an opportunistic basis, we will
evaluate the benefit of acquiring ownership of a portion of or all
of other biodiesel production facilities, or entering into
joint-venture or licensing agreements with other ethanol, renewable
diesel or renewable jet fuel facilities.
India
Capitalize on recent policy changes by the
Government of India, particularly those reducing the subsidies on
diesel, reducing unfair taxation of feedstock, reducing
restrictions on sales of fuel into the transportation markets, and
promoting the use of renewable transportation
fuels. We plan to continue to pursue the
traditional bulk and transportation biodiesel markets in India,
which may become more economically attractive as a result of
potential changes to government tax structures (biodiesel is not
subsidized in India) and policies. With the rationalization of
indirect taxation by the introduction of Goods and Services Tax,
business to government Oil Marketing Company contracts will open
up. Additionally, with the European Union exempting Indian
biodiesel from a 6.5% import duty starting January 1, 2017, we plan
to pursue export sales and look to aggressively sell in the
European Union.
4
Expand alternative market demand for biodiesel
and its by-products. We plan to create additional
demand for our biodiesel and its by-products by developing
additional alternative markets. In 2011, we began
selling biodiesel to textile manufacturers for use as an
anti-static chemical. In the first quarter of 2012, we
completed glycerin refining and oil pre-treatment units and began
selling refined glycerin to manufacturers of paints and
adhesives. In 2012, our India subsidiary received an
Indian Pharmacopeia license, which enables the sale of refined
glycerin to the Indian pharmaceutical industry.
Continue to develop international
markets. We expect to increase sales by selling
our biodiesel into international markets. During 2014,
we completed the construction of a biodiesel distillation column,
which allows us to produce a high-quality biodiesel product meeting
European Union standards. We received the certifications
necessary to meet the International Sustainability and Carbon
Certification (ISCC) standard, allowing for further access to
European markets for our biodiesel products. During 2015, we
obtained the pathway certification permitting importation of
biodiesel into California. In 2016, the European Commission adopted
a list of new product categories originating in GSP (Generalized
System of Preferences) beneficiary countries for which GSP tariff
preferences will be suspended from January 1, 2017 until December
31, 2019. Our distilled biodiesel falls under the category giving
us at least a 6.5% tariff suspension from January 1, 2017. We
believe that this ruling will allow us to access the European
markets for our high quality distilled biodiesel.
Diversify our feedstocks from India and
international sources. We designed our Kakinada
plant with the capability to produce biodiesel from multiple
feedstocks. In 2009, we began to produce biodiesel from
non-refined palm oil (NRPO). During 2014, we further
diversified our feedstock with the introduction of animal oils and
fats, which we used for the production of biodiesel to be sold into
the European markets. The Kakinada plant is capable of
producing biodiesel from used cooking oil (UCO), which can be
supplied from China, the Middle East and other foreign markets, as
well as domestic India suppliers.
Develop and commercially deploy technologies
to produce high-margin products. The technology applicable
to the Keyes plant for the upgrade of corn oil into valuable,
high-margin products also applies to the Kakinada plant in
India. By using the existing equipment, process
controls, utilities and personnel at the Kakinada plant, we plan to
produce high-value products more quickly and at a lower capital and
operating cost than greenfield projects.
Evaluate and pursue technology acquisition
opportunities. We intend to evaluate and pursue
opportunities to acquire technologies and processes that result in
accretive value opportunities as financial resources and business
prospects make the acquisition of these technologies advisable. In
addition, we may also seek to acquire companies, or enter into
licensing agreements or form joint ventures with companies that
offer prospects for the adoption of accretive
technologies.
2016
Highlights
North America
During 2016, we
produced four products at the Keyes plant: denatured
fuel ethanol, WDG, DCO), and CDS, or corn syrup. We sold
100% of the ethanol and WDG produced to J.D. Heiskell pursuant to a
Purchase Agreement established with J.D. Heiskell. J.D.
Heiskell in turn sells 100% of our ethanol to Kinergy Marketing LLC
(“Kinergy”) and 100% of our WDG to A.L. Gilbert Co.
(“A.L. Gilbert”), a local feed and grain business. We
sell DCO to local animal feedlots (primarily poultry) as well as
other feed mills for use in various animal feed products. Small
amounts of CDS were sold to various local third parties as an
animal feed supplement.
The following table
sets forth information about our production and sales of ethanol
and its by-products in 2016 and 2015:
|
2016
|
2015
|
%
Change
|
Ethanol
|
|
|
|
Gallons Sold (in
thousands)
|
55,641
|
55,787
|
-0.3%
|
Average Sales
Price/Gallon
|
$1.78
|
$1.74
|
2.3%
|
WDG
|
|
|
|
Tons Sold (in
thousands)
|
372
|
360
|
3.3%
|
Average Sales
Price/Ton
|
$70.61
|
$79.68
|
-11.4%
|
5
Ethanol pricing for
sales to J.D. Heiskell is determined pursuant to a marketing
agreement between Kinergy and us, and is generally based on daily
and monthly pricing for ethanol delivered to the San Francisco Bay
Area as published by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), as
well as quarterly contracts negotiated by Kinergy with numerous
fuel blenders. The price for WDG is determined monthly
pursuant to a marketing agreement between A.L. Gilbert and us, and
is generally determined in reference to the local price of dry
distillers grains (DDG), corn, and other protein
feedstuffs.
India
In 2016, we
produced two products at the Kakinada plant: biodiesel and refined
glycerin. Crude glycerin produced as a by-product of the
production of biodiesel was further processed into refined
glycerin.
The following table
sets forth information about our production and sales of biodiesel
and refined glycerin in 2016 and 2015:
|
2016
|
2015
|
%
Change
|
Biodiesel
|
|
|
|
Tons sold (1)
|
16,080
|
19,523
|
-18%
|
Average Sales
Price/Ton
|
$739
|
$724
|
2%
|
Refined
Glycerin
|
|
|
|
Tons sold
|
4,413
|
4,653
|
-5%
|
Average Sales
Price/Ton
|
$582
|
$668
|
-13%
|
(1)
1 metric ton is
equal to 1,000 kilograms (approximately 2,204
pounds).
Major new
developments in 2016 include approval to use 100 percent biodiesel
(B100) in commercial vehicles, which allowed us to sell the drop-in
biofuel into major bulk commercial channels during the warmer
months of the year, and the removal of European biofuel-related
import tariffs on goods from India for approximately three years,
which is expected to favorably impact the profitability of our
Indian operations.
Competition
North America
According to the
U.S. Energy Information Agency, there were approximately 200
operating commercial fuel ethanol production facilities in the U.S.
with a combined nameplate production of approximately 14.9 billion
gallons per year in 2016. The production of ethanol is a
commodity-based business where producers compete on the basis of
price. We sell ethanol into the Northern California
market; however, since insufficient production capacity exists in
California to supply the state’s total fuel ethanol
consumption (in excess of 1.5 billion gallons annually); we compete
with ethanol transported into California from Midwestern
producers. Similarly, our co-products, principally WDG
and DCO, are sold into California markets and compete with DDG and
corn oil transported into the California markets as well as
alternative feed products.
India
With respect to
biodiesel sold as fuel, we compete primarily with the producers of
petroleum diesel, consisting of the three state-controlled oil
companies: Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum and
Hindustan Petroleum, and two private oil
companies: Reliance Petroleum and Essar Oil, all of whom
have significantly larger market shares than we do and control a
significant share of the distribution network. These
competitors may also purchase our product for blending and further
sales to their customers. We compete primarily on the
basis of price. The price of biodiesel is impacted by
the price of petroleum diesel, which, during 2015, was allowed to
float to market pricing by the Indian government. Prior
to 2015, the Indian government subsidized state-controlled oil
companies, creating a disparity between the cost of oil on the open
market and the price we could obtain from sales of
biodiesel. In 2015, the Indian government allowed for
the sale of biodiesel to bulk fuel customers. With respect to
international markets, principally the European markets, we compete
with biodiesel from Europe, Argentina, Indonesia and Malaysia, some
of which subsidize their biodiesel industry using government
payment and taxation programs to promote the sales of their
products into these markets. In 2016, European biofuel-related
import tariffs on goods from India were removed for approximately
three years, which is expected to favorably impact the
profitability of our Indian operations.
6
With respect to
biodiesel sold for manufacturing purposes, we compete with
specialty chemical manufacturers selling products into the textile
industries primarily on the basis of price. With respect to crude
and refined glycerin, we compete with other glycerin producers and
refiners selling products into the personal care, paints and
adhesive markets primarily on the basis of price and product
quality.
Customers
North America
All of our ethanol
and WDG are sold to J.D. Heiskell pursuant to a purchase
agreement. J.D. Heiskell in turn sells all of our
ethanol to Kinergy and all of our WDG to A.L.
Gilbert. Kinergy markets and sells our ethanol to
petroleum refiners and blenders in Northern
California. A.L. Gilbert markets and sells our WDG to
approximately 200 dairy and feeding operators in Northern
California.
India
During 2016, we
derived 82% and 18% of our sales from biodiesel and refined
glycerin respectively. Out of the 82% of biodiesel sales, two
customers accounted for more than 10% of our sales of biodiesel at
51% and 12%. None of our refined glycerin customers have accounted
for more than 10% of our sales on the consolidated India segment
revenues in 2016. During 2015, we derived 82%, and 18% of our sales
from biodiesel and refined glycerin, respectively. Out of the 82%
of biodiesel sales, only one customer accounted for more than 10%
of our sales of biodiesel at 56%. None of our refined glycerin
customers have accounted for more than 10% of our sales on the
consolidated India segment revenues in 2015.
Pricing
North America
We sell 100% of the
ethanol and WDG we produce to J.D. Heiskell. Ethanol
pricing is determined pursuant to a marketing agreement between
Kinergy and us and is generally based on daily and monthly pricing
for ethanol delivered to the San Francisco Bay area in California,
as published by OPIS, as well as the terms of quarterly contracts
negotiated by Kinergy with local fuel blenders and available
premiums for fuel with low carbon intensity as provided by
California’s LCFS. The price for WDG is determined
monthly pursuant to a marketing agreement between A.L. Gilbert and
us and is generally determined in reference to the price of DDG,
corn, and other protein feedstuffs, based on local pricing in
California’s Central Valley.
India
In India, the price
of biodiesel is based on the price of petroleum diesel, which
floats with changes in the price determined by the international
markets. Biodiesel sold into Europe is based on the spot
market price. We sell our biodiesel primarily to
resellers, distributors and refiners on an as-needed
basis. We have no long-term sales
contracts. Our biodiesel pricing is related to the price
of petroleum diesel, and the increase in the price of petroleum
diesel is expected to favorably impact the profitability of our
India operations.
Raw
Materials and Suppliers
North America
We entered into a
Corn Procurement and Working Capital Agreement with J.D. Heiskell
in March 2011, which we amended in May 2013 (Heiskell
Agreement). Under the Heiskell Agreement, we agreed to procure
Number Two yellow dent corn from J.D. Heiskell. We have the ability
to obtain corn from other sources subject to certain conditions;
however, in 2016, all of our corn supply was purchased from J.D.
Heiskell. Title to the corn and risk of loss pass to us
when the corn is deposited into our weigh bin. We also
purchased 80,000 tons of milo from J.D. Heiskell during
2016. The agreement is automatically renewed for
additional one-year terms. The current term is set to expire on
December 31, 2017.
India
In 2016,
all of our biodiesel was produced from NRPO. A number of
edible oil processing facilities that produce NRPO as a by-product
operate near the Kakinada. The receiving capabilities of the
Kakinada plant allow for import of feedstock using the local port
at the Kakinada plant. During 2016 and 2015, we imported crude
glycerin for further processing into refined
glycerin. In addition to feedstock, the Kakinada plant
requires quantities of methanol and chemical catalysts for use in
the biodiesel production process. These chemicals are
also readily available and sourced from a number of suppliers
surrounding the Kakinada plant. We are not dependent on
sole source or limited source suppliers for any of our raw
materials or chemicals.
7
Sales
and Marketing
North America
As part of our
obligations under the Heiskell Agreement, we entered into a
purchase agreement with J.D. Heiskell, pursuant to which we granted
J.D. Heiskell exclusive rights to purchase 100% of the ethanol and
WDG we produce at prices based upon the price established by the
marketing agreements with Kinergy and A.L. Gilbert. In
turn, J.D. Heiskell agreed to resell all the ethanol to Kinergy (or
any other purchaser we designate) and all of the WDG to A.L.
Gilbert.
In March 2011, we
entered into a WDG Purchase and Sale Agreement with A.L. Gilbert,
pursuant to which A.L. Gilbert agreed to market on an exclusive
basis all of the WDG we produce. The agreement is
automatically renewed for additional one-year terms. The
current term is set to expire on December 31, 2017.
In October 2010, we
entered into an exclusive marketing agreement with Kinergy to
market and sell our ethanol. The agreement is
automatically renewed for additional one-year terms. The
current term is set to expire on August 31, 2017.
India
We sell our
biodiesel and refined glycerin (i) to end-users utilizing our own
sales force and independent sales agents and (ii) to brokers who
resell the product to end-users. We pay a sales
commission on sales arranged by independent sales
agents.
Commodity
Risk Management Practices
North America
The cost of corn
and the price of ethanol are volatile and the correlation of these
commodities form the basis for the profit margin at our Keyes
plant. We are, therefore, exposed to commodity price
risk. Our risk management strategy is to operate in the
physical market by purchasing corn and selling ethanol on a daily
basis at the then prevailing market price. We monitor
these prices daily to test for an overall positive variable
contribution margin. We periodically explore methods of mitigating
the volatility of our commodity prices. During the fourth quarter
of 2016, we offered three month WDG contracts to our customers,
which we offset with the purchase of corn basis, and essentially
locking in our margin on this product. We may opportunistically
purchase milo when market conditions present favorable conditions
and enter into market hedges when we believe those hedge positions
mitigate volatility. Similarly, with the EPA
certification received in August 2013, we intend to
opportunistically purchase the combination of milo and biogas to
generate advanced biofuel RIN credits, when market conditions
present favorable margins.
India
The cost of NRPO
and the price of biodiesel are volatile and are generally
uncorrelated. We therefore are exposed to ongoing and
substantial commodity price risk. Our risk management
strategy is to produce biodiesel in India only when we believe we
can generate positive gross margins and to idle the Kakinada plant
during periods of low or negative gross margins. During
2014, we introduced animal oil and fats as a means of further
diversifying our feedstock and improving margins.
In addition, to
minimize our commodity risk, we modified the processes within our
facility to utilize lower cost NRPO, which enables us to reduce our
feedstock costs. Our ability to mitigate the risk of
falling biodiesel prices is more limited. The price of
our biodiesel is generally indexed to the price of petroleum
diesel, which is set by the Indian government. In January 2015, the
Indian government fully lifted subsidies for diesel by increasing
the sales price of diesel to the market price.
We have in the
past, and we may in the future, use forward purchase contracts and
other hedging strategies; however, the extent to which we engage in
these risk management strategies may vary substantially from time
to time depending on market conditions and other
factors.
8
Research
and Development
Our R&D efforts
consist of working to develop and commercialize our existing
microbial technology, to evaluate third party technologies, and to
expand the production of ethanol and other renewable bio-chemicals
in the United States. The primary objective of this development
activity is to optimize the production of ethanol using either our
proprietary, patent-pending enzyme technology for large-scale
commercial production or the evaluation of third party technologies
which have promise for large-scale commercial adoption at one of
our operating facilities. Our innovations are protected
by several issued or pending patents. We are in the
process of filing additional patents that will further strengthen
our portfolio. Some core intellectual property has been
exclusively and indefinitely licensed from the University of
Maryland. R&D expense was $0.4 million each in the years ended
2016 and 2015.
Patents
and Trademarks
We have filed a
number of trademark applications within the U.S. We do not
consider the success of our business, as a whole, to be dependent
on these trademarks. In addition, we hold ten awarded patents
in the United States. Our patents cover the
Z-microbeTM and production of
cellulosic ethanol and a technology to convert carbon chain
chemical structures. We intend to develop, maintain and
secure further intellectual property rights, and pursue new patents
to expand upon our current patent base.
We have acquired
exclusive rights to patented technology in support of the
development and commercialization of our products, and we also rely
on trade secrets and proprietary technology in developing potential
products. We continue to place significant emphasis on
securing global intellectual property rights and we are pursuing
new patents to expand upon our strong foundation for
commercializing products in development.
We have received,
and in the future we may receive additional, claims of infringement
of other parties’ proprietary rights. See Item 3.
Legal Proceedings, below. Infringement or other claims
could be asserted or prosecuted against us in the future, and it is
possible that future assertions or prosecutions could harm our
business. Any such claims, with or without merit, could
be time-consuming, result in costly litigation and diversion of
technical and management personnel, cause delays in the development
of our products, or require us to develop non-infringing technology
or enter into royalty or licensing arrangements. Such
royalty or licensing arrangements, if required, may require us to
license back our technology or may not be available on terms
acceptable to us, or at all.
Environmental
and Regulatory Matters
North America
In late 2016, the
EPA finalized the volume requirements and associated
percentage standards that apply under the RFS program in calendar
year 2017 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced
biofuel, and total renewable fuel, as well as the volume
requirement for biomass-based diesel for 2018.
The final volumes
requirements represent continued growth over historic levels. The
final percentage standards meet or exceed the volume targets
specified by Congress for total renewable fuel, biomass-based
diesel and advanced biofuel.
Renewable Fuel
Volume Requirements for 2014-2018
|
|||||
Year
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
Cellulosic biofuel
(million gallons)
|
33
|
123
|
230
|
311
|
n/a
|
Biomass-based
diesel (billion gallons)
|
1.63
|
1.73
|
1.9
|
2.0
|
2.1
|
Advanced biofuel
(billion gallons)
|
2.67
|
2.88
|
3.61
|
4.28
|
n/a
|
Renewable fuel
(billion gallons)
|
16.28
|
16.93
|
18.11
|
19.28
|
n/a
|
Source:
Environmental Protection Agency
9
Total volumes grew
1.2 billion gallons under the renewable fuel standards from 2016 to
2017, a 6 percent increase.
The volume
requirements of advanced renewable fuel, which require 50 percent
lifecycle carbon emissions reductions, grew by roughly 700 million
gallons between 2016 and 2017. The non-advanced or
“conventional” renewable fuel volume requirement
increases in 2017 meet the 15 billion gallon statutory
congressional mandate for conventional fuels.
Volume requirements
for cellulosic biofuel, which must achieve at least 60 percent
lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions, grew by 35 percent
over the 2016 standard. Volume requirements for advanced biofuels,
which is comprised of biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel, and
other biofuels that achieve at least 50 percent lifecycle
greenhouse gas emissions reductions, increased by 19 percent over
the 2016 standard.
We are subject to
federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations and permit
conditions, including those relating to the discharge of materials
into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling,
use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, and the
health and safety of our employees. These laws,
regulations and permits may, from time to time, require us to incur
significant capital costs. These include, but are not
limited to, testing and monitoring plant emissions, and where
necessary, obtaining and maintaining mitigation processes to comply
with regulations. They may also require us to make
operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the
environment. A significant violation of these laws,
regulations, permits or license conditions could result in
substantial fines, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and/or
facility shutdowns. In addition, environmental laws and
regulations change over time, and any such changes, more vigorous
enforcement policies or the discovery of currently unknown
conditions may require substantial additional environmental
expenditures.
We are also subject
to potential liability for the investigation and cleanup of
environmental contamination at each of the properties that we own
or operate and at off-site locations where we arrange for the
disposal of hazardous wastes. If significant
contamination is identified at our properties in the future, costs
to investigate and remediate this contamination as well as costs to
investigate or remediate associated damage could be
significant. If any of these sites are subject to
investigation and/or remediation requirements, we may be
responsible under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) or
other environmental laws for all or part of the costs of such
investigation and/or remediation, and for damage to natural
resources. We may also be subject to related claims by
private parties alleging property damage or personal injury due to
exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from such
properties. While costs to address contamination or
related third-party claims could be significant, based upon
currently available information, we are not aware of any material
contamination or any such third party claims. Based on
our current assessment of the environmental and regulatory risks,
we have not accrued any amounts for environmental matters as of
December 31, 2016. The ultimate costs of any liabilities
that may be identified or the discovery of additional contaminants
could materially adversely impact our results of operation or
financial condition.
In addition, the
production and transportation of our products may result in spills
or releases of hazardous substances, which could result in claims
from governmental authorities or third parties relating to actual
or alleged personal injury, property damage, or damage to natural
resources. We maintain insurance coverage against some,
but not all, potential losses caused by our
operations. Our general and umbrella liability policy
coverage includes, but is not limited to, physical damage to
assets, employer’s liability, comprehensive general
liability, automobile liability and workers’
compensation. We do not carry environmental
insurance. We believe that our insurance is adequate for
our industry, but losses could occur for uninsurable or uninsured
risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance
coverage. The occurrence of events which result in
significant personal injury or damage to our property, natural
resources or third parties that is not covered by insurance could
have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and
financial condition.
Our air emissions
are subject to the federal Clean Air Act, and similar state laws,
which generally require us to obtain and maintain air emission
permits for our ongoing operations as well as for any expansion of
existing facilities or any new facilities. Obtaining and
maintaining those permits requires us to incur costs, and any
future more stringent standards may result in increased costs and
may limit or interfere with our operating
flexibility. These costs could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of
operations. Because other ethanol manufacturers in the
U.S. are and will continue to be subject to similar laws and
restrictions, we do not currently believe that our costs to comply
with current or future environmental laws and regulations will
adversely affect our competitive position with other U.S. ethanol
producers. However, because ethanol is produced and
traded internationally, these costs could adversely affect us in
our efforts to compete with foreign producers who are not subject
to such stringent requirements.
New laws or
regulations relating to the production, disposal or emission of
carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases may require us to incur
significant additional costs with respect to ethanol plants that we
build or acquire. For example, in 2007, Illinois and
four other Midwestern states entered into the Midwestern
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord, which directs participating states
to develop a multi-sector cap-and-trade mechanism to help achieve
reductions in greenhouse gases, including carbon
dioxide. We currently conduct our North American
commercial activities exclusively in California; however, it is
possible that other states in which we plan to conduct business
could join this accord or require other carbon dioxide emissions
reductions. Climate change legislation is being
considered in Washington, D.C. this year which may significantly
impact the biofuels industry’s emissions regulations, as will
the Renewable Fuel Standard, California’s Low Carbon Fuel
Standard, and other potentially significant changes in existing
transportation fuels regulations.
10
India
We are subject to
national, state and local environmental laws, regulations and
permits, including with respect to the generation, storage,
handling, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials,
and the health and safety of our employees. These laws
may require us to make operational changes to limit actual or
potential impacts to the environment. A violation of
these laws, regulations or permits can result in substantial fines,
natural resource damages, criminal sanctions, permit revocations
and/or facility shutdowns. In addition, environmental
laws and regulations (and interpretations thereof) change over
time, and any such changes, more vigorous enforcement policies or
the discovery of currently unknown conditions may require
substantial additional environmental expenditures.
Employees
At December 31,
2016, we had a total of 144 employees, comprised of 14 full-time
and two part-time equivalent employees in our corporate offices, 45
full-time equivalent employees at the Keyes plant, one full-time
equivalent employee in our Maryland research and development
facility and 82 full-time equivalent employees in
India.
We believe that our
employees are highly-skilled, and our success will depend in part
upon our ability to retain our employees and attract new qualified
employees, many of whom are in great demand. We have never had a
work stoppage or strike, and no employees are presently represented
by a labor union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
We believe our relations with our employees are good.
Available
Information
We file reports
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We
make available on our website under “Investor
Relations,” free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and
amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after
we electronically file such materials with or furnish them to the
SEC. Our website address is www.aemetis.com. Our website address is
provided as an inactive textual reference only, and the contents of
that website are not incorporated in or otherwise to be regarded as
part of this report. You can also read and copy any materials we
file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may also obtain additional
information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains
an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information regarding issuers
that file electronically with the SEC, including us.
Item
1A. Risk Factors
We operate in an
evolving industry that presents numerous risks beyond our control
that are driven by factors that cannot be
predicted. Should any of the risks described in this
section or in the documents incorporated by reference in this
report actually occur, our business, results of operations,
financial condition, or stock price could be materially and
adversely affected. Investors should carefully consider
the risk factors discussed below, in addition to the other
information in this report, before making any investment in our
securities.
Risks
Related to our Overall Business
We are currently not profitable and historically, we have
incurred significant losses. If we incur continued
losses, we may have to curtail our operations, which may prevent us
from successfully operating and expanding our
business.
Historically, we
have relied upon cash from debt and equity financing activities to
fund substantially all of the cash requirements of our
activities. As of December 31, 2016, we had an
accumulated deficit of approximately $129.9 million. For
our fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we reported a
net loss of $15.6 million and $27.1 million,
respectively. We may incur losses for an indeterminate
period of time and may not achieve consistent
profitability. An extended period of losses or negative
cash flow may prevent us from successfully operating and expanding
our business.
11
We are dependent upon our
working capital agreements with J.D. Heiskell and Secunderabad Oils
Limited.
Our ability to
operate our Keyes plant depends on maintaining our working capital
agreement with J.D. Heiskell, and our ability to operate the
Kakinada plant depends on maintaining our working capital agreement
with Secunderabad Oils Limited ( Secunderabad Agreement).The
Heiskell Agreement provides for an initial term of one year with
automatic one-year renewals; provided, however, that J.D. Heiskell
may terminate the agreement by notice 90 days prior to the end of
the initial term or any renewal term. The current term
extends through December 31, 2017. In addition, the
agreement may be terminated at any time upon a default, such as
payment default, bankruptcy, acts of fraud or material breach under
one of our related agreements with J.D. Heiskell. The
Secunderabad Agreement may be terminated at any time by either
party upon written notice. If we are unable to maintain
these strategic relationships, we will be required to locate
alternative sources of working capital and corn or sorghum supply,
which we may be unable to do in a timely manner or at
all. If we are unable to maintain our current working
capital arrangements or locate alternative sources of working
capital, our ability to operate our plants will be negatively
affected.
Disruptions in ethanol
production infrastructure may adversely affect our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Our business
depends on the continuing availability of rail, road, port, and
storage and distribution infrastructure. In particular, due to
limited storage capacity at the Keyes plant and other
considerations related to production efficiencies, the Keyes plant
depends on just-in-time delivery of corn and milo. The delivery and
transformation of feedstock requires a significant and
uninterrupted supply of corn and milo, principally delivered by
rail, as well as other raw materials and energy, primarily
electricity and natural gas. The prices of rail, electricity and
natural gas have fluctuated significantly in the past and may
fluctuate significantly in the future. The national rail system, as
well as local electricity and gas utilities, may not be able to
reliably supply the rail logistics, electricity and natural gas
that the Keyes plant will need or may not be able to supply those
resources on acceptable terms. Any disruptions in the ethanol
production infrastructure, whether caused by labor difficulties,
earthquakes, storms, other natural disasters, or human error or
malfeasance or other reasons, could prevent timely deliveries of
corn, milo or other raw materials and energy and may require the
Keyes plant to halt production, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our results from operations are primarily dependent on the spread
between the feedstock and energy we purchase and the fuel, animal
feed and other products we sell.
The results of our
ethanol production business in the U.S. are significantly affected
by the spread between the cost of the corn and natural gas that we
purchase and the price of the ethanol, WDG and DCO that we sell.
Similarly, in India our biodiesel business is primarily dependent
on the price difference between the costs of the feedstock we
purchase (principally NRPO and crude glycerin) and the products we
sell (principally distilled biodiesel and refined
glycerin). The markets for ethanol, biodiesel, WDG, DCO
and glycerin are highly volatile and subject to significant
fluctuations. Any decrease in the spread between prices
of the commodities we buy and sell, whether as a result of an
increase in feedstock prices or a reduction in ethanol or biodiesel
prices, would adversely affect our financial performance and cash
flow and may cause us to suspend production at either of our
plants.
The price of ethanol is volatile and subject to large
fluctuations, and increased ethanol production may cause a decline
in ethanol prices or prevent ethanol prices from rising, either of
which could adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows
and financial condition.
The market price of
ethanol is volatile and subject to large fluctuations. The market
price of ethanol is dependent upon many factors, including the
supply of ethanol and the demand for gasoline, which is in turn
dependent upon the price of petroleum, which is also highly
volatile and difficult to forecast. Fluctuations in the
market price of ethanol may cause our profitability or losses to
fluctuate significantly. In addition, domestic ethanol
production capacity increased significantly in the last
decade. Demand for ethanol may not increase
commensurately with increases in supply, which could lead to lower
ethanol prices. Demand for ethanol could be impaired due to a
number of factors, including regulatory developments and reduced
United States gasoline consumption. Reduced gasoline consumption
has occurred in the past and could occur in the future as a result
of increased gasoline or oil prices.
Our indebtedness and interest expense could limit cash flow and
adversely affect operations and our ability to make full payment on
outstanding debt.
For the year ended
December 31, 2016, we recognized $11.5 million in interest expense,
primarily due to higher debt balances in 2016. Our high
levels of interest expense pose potential risks such
as:
●
A
substantial portion of cash flows from operations are used
to pay principal and interest on debt, thereby reducing the funds
available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions,
research and development and other general corporate
purposes;
●
Insufficient
cash flows from operations may force us to sell assets, or seek
additional capital, which we may not be able to accomplish on
favorable terms, if at all; and
●
The level of
indebtedness may make us more vulnerable to economic or industry
downturns.
12
Decreasing gasoline prices
may negatively impact the selling price of ethanol which could
reduce our ability to operate profitably.
The price of
ethanol tends to change in relation to the price of gasoline.
Recently, as a result of a number of factors including the current
world economy, the price of gasoline has decreased. In correlation
to the decrease in the price of gasoline, the price of ethanol has
also decreased. Decreases in the price of ethanol reduce our
revenue. Our profitability depends on a favorable spread between
our corn and natural gas costs and the price we receive for our
ethanol. If ethanol prices fall during times when corn and/or
natural gas prices are high, we may not be able to operate
profitably.
We may be unable to execute
our business plan.
The value of our
long-lived assets is based on our ability to execute our business
plan and generate sufficient cash flow to justify the carrying
value of our assets. Should we fall short of our cash
flow projections, we may be required to write down the value of
these assets under accounting rules and further reduce the value of
our assets. We can make no assurances that future cash
flows will develop and provide us with sufficient cash to maintain
the value of these assets, thus avoiding future impairment to our
asset carrying values. As a result, we may need to write
down the carrying value of our long-lived assets.
In addition, we
intend to modify or adapt third party technologies at the Keyes
plant and at the Kakinada plant to accommodate alternative
feedstocks and improve operations. After we design and
engineer a specific integrated upgrade to either or both plants to
allow us to produce products other than their existing products, we
may not receive permission from the regulatory agencies to install
the process at one or both plants. Additionally, even if
we are able to install and begin operations of an integrated
advanced fuels and/or bio-chemical plant, we cannot assure you that
the technology will work and produce cost effective products
because we have never designed, engineered nor built this
technology into an existing bio-refinery. Similarly, our
plans to add a CO2
conversion unit at the Keyes plant may not be successful as a
result of financing, issues in the design or construction process,
or our ability to sell liquid CO2 at cost effective
prices. Any inability to execute our business plan may
have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial
position and ability to pay dividends and continue as a going
concern.
We are dependent on, and
vulnerable to any difficulties of, our principal suppliers and
customers.
We buy all of the
feedstock for the Keyes plant from one supplier, J.D.
Heiskell. Under the Heiskell Agreement, we are only
permitted to purchase feedstock from other suppliers upon the
satisfaction of certain conditions. In addition, we have
contracted to sell all of the WDG, CDS, corn oil and ethanol we
produce at the Keyes plant to J.D. Heiskell. J.D.
Heiskell, in turn, sells all ethanol produced at the Keyes plant to
Kinergy Marketing and all WDG and syrup to A.L.
Gilbert. If J.D. Heiskell were to fail to deliver
adequate feedstock to the Keyes plant or fail to purchase all the
product we produce, if Kinergy were to fail to purchase all of the
ethanol we produce, if A.L. Gilbert were to fail to purchase all of
the WDG and syrup we produce, or if any of them were otherwise to
default on our agreements with them or fail to perform as expected,
we may be unable to find replacement suppliers or purchasers, or
both, in a reasonable time or on favorable terms, any of which
could materially adversely affect our results from operations and
financial results.
We may be unable to repay or refinance our Third Eye Capital
Notes upon maturity.
Under our note
facilities with Third Eye Capital Corporation (Third Eye Capital),
we owe approximately $61.6 million, excluding debt discounts, as of
December 31, 2016. Our indebtedness and interest
payments under these note facilities are currently substantial and
may adversely affect our cash flow, cash position and stock
price. The maturity date of these notes has been
extended to April 2018, although the maturity can be extended
to April 2019 upon payment of certain fees. We have been
able to extend our indebtedness in the past, but we may not be able
to continue to extend the maturity of these notes. We
may not have sufficient cash available at the time of maturity to
repay this indebtedness. We have default covenants that
may accelerate the maturities of these notes. We may not
have sufficient assets or cash flow available to support
refinancing these notes at market rates or on terms that are
satisfactory to us. If we are unable to extend the
maturity of the notes or refinance on terms satisfactory to us, we
may be forced to refinance on terms that are materially less
favorable, seek funds through other means such as a sale of some of
our assets or otherwise significantly alter our operating plan, any
of which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Additionally,
if we are unable to amend our current note purchase agreement with
Third Eye Capital, our ability to pay dividends could be
restrained.
13
Our business is dependent on external financing and cash from
operations to service debt and provide future growth.
The adoption of new
technologies at our ethanol and biodiesel plants and our working
capital requirements are financed in part through debt
facilities. We may need to seek additional financing to
continue or grow our operations. However, generally
unfavorable credit market conditions may make it difficult to
obtain necessary capital or additional debt financing on
commercially viable terms or at all. If we are unable to
pay our debt we may be forced to delay or cancel capital
expenditures, sell assets, restructure our indebtedness, seek
additional financing, or file for bankruptcy
protection. Debt levels or debt service requirements may
limit our ability to borrow additional capital, make us vulnerable
to increases in prevailing interest rates, subject our assets to
liens, limit our ability to adjust to changing market conditions,
or place us at a competitive disadvantage to our
competitors. Should we be unable to generate enough cash
from our operations or secure additional financing to fund our
operations and debt service requirements, we may be required to
postpone or cancel growth projects, reduce our operations, or may
be unable to meet our debt repayment schedules. Any one
of these events would likely have a material adverse effect on our
operations and financial position.
There can be no
assurance that our existing cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to sustain operations and to the extent that we are
dependent on credit facilities to fund operations or service debt,
there can be no assurances that we will be successful at securing
funding from our senior lender or significant shareholders. Should
we require additional financing, there can be no assurances that
the additional financing will be available on terms satisfactory to
us. Our ability to identify and enter into commercial
arrangements with feedstock suppliers in India depends on
maintaining our operations agreement with Secunderabad Oil Limited,
who is currently providing us with working capital for our Kakinada
facility. If we are unable to maintain this strategic
relationship, our business may be negatively
affected. In addition, the ability of Secunderabad to
continue to provide us with working capital depends in part on the
financial strength of Secunderabad and its banking
relationships. If Secunderabad is unable or unwilling to
continue to provide us with working capital, our business may be
negatively affected. Our ability to enter into
commercial arrangements with feedstock suppliers in California
depends on maintaining our operations agreement with J.D. Heiskell,
who is currently providing us with working capital for our Keyes
plant. If we are unable to maintain this strategic
relationship, our business may be negatively
affected. In addition, the ability of J.D. Heiskell to
continue to provide us with working capital depends in part on the
financial strength of J.D. Heiskell and its banking
relationships. If J.D. Heiskell is unable or unwilling
to continue to provide us with working capital, our business may be
negatively affected. Our consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments to the
classification or carrying values of our assets or liabilities that
might be necessary as a result of the outcome of this
uncertainty.
We may not receive
the funds we expect under our EB-5 program
Our EB-5 program
allows for the issuance of up to 72 subordinated convertible
promissory notes, each in the amount of $0.5 million due and
payable four years from the date of the note for a total aggregate
principal amount of up to $36.0 million. As of December 31, 2016,
$34 million has been raised through the EB-5 program and invested
in an Aemetis subsidiary and $1 million in investor funds remain in
an escrow account pending release approval by the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS). The $1.0 million in EB-5 program
funds remaining in escrow may require more than a year to obtain
USCIS approval. Additionally, the USCIS could deny approval of the
loans, and then we would not receive some or all of the subscribed
funds. If the USCIS takes longer to approve the release
of funds in escrow, or does not approve the loans at all, it would
have a material adverse effect on our cash flows available for
operations, and thus could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations.
We face competition for our
bio-chemical and transportation fuels products from providers of
petroleum-based products and from other companies seeking to
provide alternatives to these products, many of whom have greater
resources and experience than we do, and if we cannot compete
effectively against these companies we may not be
successful.
Our renewable
products compete with both the traditional, largely petroleum-based
bio-chemical and fuels products that are currently being used in
our target markets and with the alternatives to these existing
products that established enterprises and new companies are seeking
to produce. The oil companies, large chemical companies
and well-established agricultural products companies with whom we
compete are much larger than we are, and have, in many cases, well
developed distribution systems and networks for their
products.
In the
transportation fuels market, we compete with independent and
integrated oil refiners, advanced biofuels companies and biodiesel
companies. Refiners compete with us by selling traditional fuel
products and some are also pursuing hydrocarbon fuel production
using non-renewable feedstocks, such as natural gas and coal, as
well as processes using renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oil
and biomass. We also expect to compete with companies that are
developing the capacity to produce diesel and other transportation
fuels from renewable resources in other ways.
With the emergence
of many new companies seeking to produce chemicals and fuels from
alternative sources, we may face increasing competition from
alternative fuels and chemicals companies. As they emerge, some of
these companies may be able to establish production capacity and
commercial partnerships to compete with us. If we are unable to
establish production and sales channels that allow us to offer
comparable products at attractive prices, we may not be able to
compete effectively with these companies.
14
The high concentration of our sales within the ethanol
production industry could result in a significant reduction in
sales and negatively affect our profitability if demand for ethanol
declines.
We expect our U.S.
operations are to be substantially focused on the production of
ethanol and its co-products for the foreseeable future. We may be
unable to shift our business focus away from the production of
ethanol to other renewable fuels or competing products.
Accordingly, an industry shift away from ethanol or the emergence
of new competing products may reduce the demand for ethanol. A
downturn in the demand for ethanol could materially and adversely
affect our sales and profitability.
Our operations are subject to environmental, health, and
safety laws, regulations, and liabilities.
Our operations are
subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and
regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials
into the air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling,
use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, access to
and impacts on water supply, and the health and safety of our
employees. In addition, our operations and sales in
India subject us to risks associated with foreign laws, policies
and regulations. Some of these laws and regulations
require our facilities to operate under permits or licenses that
are subject to renewal or modification. These laws,
regulations and permits can require expensive emissions testing and
pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit actual
or potential impacts to the environment. Violations of these
laws and regulations or permit or license conditions can result in
substantial fines, natural resource damages, criminal sanctions,
permit revocations and facility shutdowns. We may not be
at all times in compliance with these laws, regulations, permits or
licenses or we may not have all permits or licenses required to
operate our business. We may be subject to legal actions
brought by environmental advocacy groups and other parties for
actual or alleged violations of environmental laws, permits or
licenses. In addition, we may be required to make
significant capital expenditures on an ongoing basis to comply with
increasingly stringent environmental laws, regulations, permit and
license requirements.
We may be liable
for the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination at
the Keyes plant and at off-site locations where we arrange for the
disposal of hazardous substances. If hazardous
substances have been or are disposed of or released at sites that
undergo investigation or remediation by regulatory agencies, we may
be responsible under CERCLA or other environmental laws for all or
part of the costs of investigation and remediation, and for damage
to natural resources. We also may be subject to related
claims by private parties alleging property damage and personal
injury due to exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from
those properties. Some of these matters may require us to expend
significant amounts for investigation, cleanup or other
costs.
New laws, new
interpretations of existing laws, increased governmental
enforcement of environmental laws or other developments could
require us to make additional significant
expenditures. Continued government and public emphasis
on environmental issues can be expected to result in increased
future investments for environmental controls at our production
facilities. Environmental laws and regulations
applicable to our operations now or in the future, more vigorous
enforcement policies and discovery of currently unknown conditions
may require substantial expenditures that could have a negative
impact on our results of operations and financial
condition.
Emissions of carbon
dioxide resulting from manufacturing ethanol are not currently
subject to permit requirements. If new laws or
regulations are passed relating to the production, disposal or
emissions of carbon dioxide, we may be required to incur
significant costs to comply with such new laws or
regulations.
Our business is affected by greenhouse gas and climate change
regulation.
The operations at
our Keyes plant will result in the emission of carbon dioxide into
the atmosphere. In March 2010, the EPA released its
final regulations on the Renewable Fuels Standard Program, or
RFS. We believe the EPA’s final RFS regulations
grandfather the Keyes facility we operate at its current capacity,
however, compliance with future legislation may require us to take
action unknown to us at this time that could be costly, and require
the use of working capital, which may or may not be available,
preventing us from operating as planned, which may have a material
adverse effect on our operations and cash flow.
A change in government policies may cause a decline in the demand
for our products.
The domestic
ethanol industry is highly dependent upon a myriad of federal and
state regulations and legislation, and any changes in legislation
or regulation could adversely affect our results of operations and
financial position. Other federal and state programs
benefiting ethanol generally are subject to U.S. government
obligations under international trade agreements, including those
under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Subsidies and
Countervailing Measures, and may be the subject of challenges, in
whole or in part. Growth and demand for ethanol and
biodiesel is largely driven by federal and state government
mandates or blending requirements, such as the Renewable Fuel
Standard (RFS). Any change in government policies could
have a material adverse effect our business and the results of our
operations.
Ethanol can be
imported into the United States duty-free from some countries,
which may undermine the domestic ethanol
industry. Production costs for ethanol in these
countries can be significantly less than in the United States and
the import of lower price or lower carbon value ethanol from these
countries may reduce the demand for domestic ethanol and depress
the price at which we sell our ethanol.
15
Waivers of the RFS
minimum levels of renewable fuels included in gasoline could have a
material adverse effect on our results of
operations. Under the Energy Policy Act, the U.S.
Department of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy, may waive the renewable
fuels mandate with respect to one or more states if the
Administrator of the EPA determines that implementing the
requirements would severely harm the economy or the environment of
a state, a region or the nation, or that there is inadequate supply
to meet the requirement. Any waiver of the RFS with
respect to one or more states would reduce demand for ethanol and
could cause our results of operations to decline and our financial
condition to suffer.
We may encounter unanticipated difficulties in converting the
Keyes plant to accommodate alternative feedstocks, new chemicals
used in the fermentation and distillation process or new mechanical
production equipment.
In order to improve
the operations of the Keyes plant and execute on our business plan,
we intend to modify the Keyes plant to accommodate alternative
feedstocks and new chemical and/or mechanical production
processes. We may not be able to successfully implement these
modifications, and they may not function as we expect them
to. These modifications may cost significantly more to
complete than our estimates. The Keyes plant may not
operate at nameplate capacity once the changes are
complete. If any of these risks materialize, they could
have a material adverse impact on our results of operation and
financial position.
We may be subject to
liabilities and losses that may not be covered by
insurance.
Our employees and
facilities are subject to the hazards associated with producing
ethanol and biodiesel. Operating hazards can cause
personal injury and loss of life, damage to, or destruction of,
property, plant and equipment and environmental
damage. We maintain insurance coverage in amounts and
against the risks that we believe are consistent with industry
practice. However, we could sustain losses for
uninsurable or uninsured risks, or in amounts in excess of existing
insurance coverage. Events that result in significant
personal injury or damage to our property or to property owned by
third parties or other losses that are not fully covered by
insurance could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial position.
Insurance
liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due to unknown
factors, including the severity of an injury, the determination of
our liability in proportion to other parties, the number of
incidents not reported and the effectiveness of our safety
program. If we were to experience insurance claims or
costs above our coverage limits or that are not covered by our
insurance, we might be required to use working capital to satisfy
these claims rather than to maintain or expand our
operations. To the extent that we experience a material
increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or
workers’ compensation claims, or unfavorable developments on
existing claims, our operating results and financial condition
could be materially and adversely affected.
Our success depends in part
on recruiting and retaining key personnel and, if we fail to do so,
it may be more difficult for us to execute our business
strategy.
Our success depends
on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly
qualified management, manufacturing and scientific personnel, in
particular our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Eric
McAfee. We do not maintain any key person insurance.
Competition for qualified personnel in the renewable fuel and
bio-chemicals manufacturing fields is intense. Our
future success will depend on, among other factors, our ability to
retain our current key personnel and attract and retain qualified
future key personnel, particularly executive
management. Failure to attract or retain key personnel
could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
operations.
Our operations subject us to risks associated with foreign
laws, policies, regulations, and markets.
Our sales and
manufacturing operations in foreign countries are subject to the
laws, policies, regulations, and markets of the countries in which
we operate. As a result, our foreign manufacturing
operations and sales are subject to inherent risks associated with
the countries in which we operate. Risks involving our
foreign operations include differences or unexpected changes in
regulatory requirements, political and economic instability,
terrorism and civil unrest, work stoppages or strikes, natural
disasters, interruptions in transportation, restrictions on the
export or import of technology, difficulties in staffing and
managing international operations, variations in tariffs, quotas,
taxes, and other market barriers, longer payment cycles, changes in
economic conditions in the international markets in which our
products are sold, and greater fluctuations in sales to customers
in developing countries. If we are unable to effectively
manage the risks associated with our foreign operations, our
business may experience a material adverse effect on the results of
our operations or financial condition.
16
We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Our operations in
countries outside the United States, including our operations in
India, are subject to anti-corruption laws and regulations,
including restrictions imposed by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act (the “FCPA”). The FCPA and similar
anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit
companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to
government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining
business. We operate in parts of the world that have experienced
governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain
circumstances; strict compliance with anti-corruption laws may
conflict with local customs and practices.
Our employees and
agents interact with government officials on our behalf, including
interactions necessary to obtain licenses and other regulatory
approvals necessary to operate our business. These interactions
create a risk that actions may occur that could violate the FCPA or
other similar laws.
Although we have
policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with local
laws and regulations as well as U.S. laws and regulations,
including the FCPA, there can be no assurance that all of our
employees, consultants, contractors and agents will abide by our
policies. If we are found to be liable for violations of the FCPA
or similar anti-corruption laws in other jurisdictions, either due
to our own acts or out of inadvertence, or due to the acts or
inadvertence of others, we could suffer from criminal or civil
penalties which could have a material and adverse effect on our
results of operations, financial condition and cash
flows.
A substantial portion of our assets and operations are located in
India, and we are subject to regulatory, economic and political
uncertainties in India.
Certain of our
principal operating subsidiaries are incorporated in India, and a
substantial portion of our assets are located in India. We intend
to continue to develop and expand our facilities in
India. The Indian government has exercised and continues
to exercise significant influence over many aspects of the Indian
economy. India’s government has traditionally maintained an
artificially low price for certain commodities, including diesel
fuel, through subsidies, but has recently begun to reduce such
subsidies, which benefits us. We cannot assure you that
liberalization policies will continue. Various factors, such as
changes in the current federal government, could trigger
significant changes in India’s economic liberalization and
deregulation policies and disrupt business and economic conditions
in India generally and our business in particular. Our
financial performance may be adversely affected by general economic
conditions and economic and fiscal policy in India, including
changes in exchange rates and controls, interest rates and taxation
policies, as well as social stability and political, economic or
diplomatic developments affecting India in the future.
Currency fluctuations between the Indian Rupee and the U.S.
dollar could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
A substantial
portion of our revenues are denominated in Rupees. We report our
financial results in U.S. dollars. The exchange rates between the
Rupee and the U.S. dollar have changed substantially in recent
years and may fluctuate substantially in the future. We
do not currently engage in any formal currency hedging of our
foreign currency exposure, and our results of operations may be
adversely affected if the Rupee fluctuates significantly against
the U.S. dollar.
We are a holding company
and there are significant limitations on our ability to receive
distributions from our subsidiaries.
We conduct
substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries and are
dependent on cash distributions, dividends or other intercompany
transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to finance our operations.
Our subsidiaries have not made significant distributions to us and
may not have funds available for dividends or distributions in the
future. The ability of our subsidiaries to transfer
funds to us will be dependent upon their respective abilities to
achieve sufficient cash flows after satisfying their respective
cash requirements, including subsidiary-level debt service on their
respective credit agreements. Our current credit agreement, the
Third Eye Capital Note Purchase Agreement, as amended from time to
time, described in the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements, requires us to obtain the prior consent of Third Eye
Capital, as the Administrative Agent of the Note holders, to make
cash distributions or any intercompany fund transfers. The ability
of our Indian operating subsidiary to transfer funds to us is
restricted by Indian laws and may be adversely affected by U.S.
federal income tax laws. Under Indian laws, our capital
contributions, or future capital contributions, to our Indian
operation cannot be remitted back to the U.S. Remittance of funds
by our Indian subsidiary to us may subject us to significant tax
liabilities under U.S. federal income tax laws.
Our Chief Executive Officer
has outside business interests that could require time and
attention.
Eric McAfee, our
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has outside business
interests which include his ownership of McAfee
Capital. Although Mr. McAfee’s employment
agreement requires that he devote reasonable business efforts to
our company and prohibits him from engaging in any competitive
employment, occupational and consulting services, this agreement
also permits him to devote time to his outside business interests
consistent with past practice. As a result, these
outside business interests could interfere with
Mr. McAfee’s ability to devote time to our business and
affairs.
17
Our business may be subject to natural forces beyond our
control.
Earthquakes,
floods, droughts, tsunamis, and other unfavorable weather
conditions may affect our operations. Natural
catastrophes may have a detrimental effect on our supply and
distribution channels, causing a delay or preventing of our receipt
of raw materials from our suppliers or delivery of finished goods
to our customers. In addition, weather conditions may
adversely impact the planting, growth, harvest, storage, and
general availability of any number of the products we may process
at our facilities or sell to our customers. The severity
of these occurrences, should they ever occur, will determine the
extent to which and if our business is materially and adversely
affected.
Our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards may be
limited.
Under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a
corporation is generally allowed a deduction in any taxable year
for net operating losses (“NOL”) carried over from
prior taxable years. As of December 31, 2016, we had U.S. federal
NOL carryforwards of approximately $161.0 million and state NOL
carryforwards of approximately $154.0 million. The
federal and state net operating loss and other tax credit
carryforwards expire on various dates between 2027 and
2036.
Our ability to
deduct these NOL carryforwards against future taxable income could
be limited if we experience an "ownership change," as defined in
Section 382 of the Code. In general, an ownership change
may result from one or more transactions increasing the aggregate
ownership of certain persons (or groups of persons) in our stock by
more than 50 percentage points over a testing period (generally
three years). Future direct or indirect changes in the ownership of
our stock, including sales or acquisitions of our stock by certain
stockholders and purchases and issuances of our stock by us, some
of which are not in our control, could result in an ownership
change. Any resulting limitation on the use of our NOL
carryforwards could result in the payment of taxes above the
amounts currently estimated and could have a negative effect on our
future results of operations and financial position.
Non-U.S. stockholders of our common stock, in certain situations,
could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the gain from the
sale, exchange or other disposition of our common
stock.
Our ethanol plant
in Keyes, California (which constitutes a U.S. real property
interest for purposes of determining whether we are a U.S. real
property holding corporation (a “USRPHC”) under the
Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act
(“FIRPTA”)), currently accounts for a significant
portion of our assets. The value of our plant in Keyes, California
relative to our real property located outside of the United States
and other assets used in our trade or business may be uncertain and
may fluctuate over time. Therefore, we may be, now or at any time
while a non-U.S. stockholder owns our common stock, a USRPHC. If we
are a USRPHC, certain non-U.S. stockholders may be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on gain on the disposition of our stock under
FIRPTA, in which case such non-U.S. stockholders would also be
required to file U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to
such gain. Whether the FIRPTA provisions apply depends on the
amount of our stock that a non-U.S. stockholder owns and whether,
at the time it disposes of our common stock, such common stock is
regularly traded on an established securities market within the
meaning of the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.
Non-U.S. stockholders should consult with their own tax
advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
sale, exchange or other disposition of our common
stock.
We are subject to covenants and other operating restrictions under
the terms of our debt, which may restrict our ability to engage in
some business transactions.
Our debt facilities
contain covenants restricting our ability, among others,
to:
●
incur additional
debt;
●
make certain
capital expenditures;
●
incur or permit
liens to exist;
●
enter into
transactions with affiliates;
●
guarantee the debt
of other entities, including joint ventures;
●
pay
dividends;
●
merge or
consolidate or otherwise combine with another company;
and
●
transfer, sell or
lease our assets.
These restrictions
may limit our ability to engage in business transactions that may
be beneficial to us, or may restrict our ability to execute our
business plan.
18
Operational difficulties at our facilities may negatively impact
our business.
Our operations may
experience unscheduled downtimes due to technical or structural
failure, political and economic instability, terrorism and civil
unrest, natural disasters, and other operational hazards inherent
to our operations. These hazards may cause personal
injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of
property, equipment, or the environment, and may result in the
suspension of operations or the imposition of civil or criminal
penalties. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover
such potential hazards and we may not be able to renew our
insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In
addition, any reduction in the yield or quality of the products we
produce could negatively impact our ability to market our
products. Any decrease in the quality, reduction in
volume, or cessation of our operations due to these hazards would
have a material adverse effect on the results of our business and
financial condition.
Our success depends on our ability to manage the growth of
our operations.
Our strategy
envisions a period of rapid growth that may impose a significant
burden on our administrative and operational resources and
personnel, which, if not effectively managed, could impair our
growth. The growth of our business will require
significant investments of capital and management’s close
attention. If we are unable to successfully manage our
growth, our sales may not increase commensurately with capital
expenditures and investments. Our ability to effectively
manage our growth will require us to substantially expand the
capabilities of our administrative and operational resources and to
attract, train, manage and retain qualified management, technicians
and other personnel. In addition to our plans to adopt
technologies that expand our operations and product offerings at
our biodiesel and ethanol plants, we may seek to enter into
strategic business relationships with companies to expand our
operations. If we are unable to successfully manage our
growth, we may be unable to achieve our business goals, which may
have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and
financial condition.
Our mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures
may not be as beneficial as we anticipate.
We have increased
our operations through mergers, acquisitions, partnerships and
joint ventures and intend to continue to explore these
opportunities in the future. The anticipated benefits of
these transactions may take longer to realize than expected, may
never be fully realized, or even realized at
all. Furthermore, partnerships and joint ventures
generally involve restrictive covenants on the parties involved,
which may limit our ability to manage these agreements in a manner
that is in our best interest. Future mergers,
acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures may involve the
issuance of debt or equity, or a combination of the two, as payment
for or financing of the business or assets involved, which may
dilute ownership interest in our business. Any failure
to adequately evaluate and address the risks of and execute on our
mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and joint ventures could have
an adverse material effect on our business, results of operations,
and financial position. In connection with such
acquisitions and strategic transactions, we may incur unanticipated
expenses, fail to realize anticipated benefits, have difficulty
incorporating the acquired businesses, our management may become
distracted from our core business, and we may disrupt relationships
with current and new employees, customers and vendors, incur
significant debt, or have to delay or not proceed with announced
transactions. The occurrence of any of these events
could have an adverse effect on our business.
EdenIQ’s attempt to terminate and failure to close the EdenIQ
Merger, and litigation pertaining to the EdenIQ Merger, may
negatively impact our business and operations.
On August 31, 2016,
the Company filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court
against EdenIQ and its CEO, Brian D. Thome. The lawsuit is based on
EdenIQ’s wrongful termination of a merger agreement that
would have effectuated the merger of the Company and EdenIQ (the
EdenIQ Merger). The relief sought includes specific performance of
the merger agreement and monetary damages, as well as punitive
damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs. We have incurred and may
continue to incur additional costs in connection with the
prosecution of the currently pending, and any future, litigation
relating to the EdenIQ Merger. We believe that our lawsuit against
EdenIQ is an enforcement of our rights under the Merger Agreement.
We cannot predict the outcome of such litigation. Such litigation
may also create a distraction for our management team and board of
directors and require time and attention. Any litigation relating
to the EdenIQ Merger or EdenIQ’s wrongful termination of and
failure to close the EdenIQ Merger would adversely affect our
ability to leverage EdenIQ’s technologies for the development
of additional advanced biofuels and renewable chemicals and could
adversely impact our ability to execute our business plan and our
financial condition and results of operations.
Our business may be significantly disrupted upon the occurrence of
a catastrophic event or cyberattack.
Our Keyes and
Kakinada plants are highly automated and rely extensively on the
availability of our network infrastructure and our internal
technology systems. The failure of our systems due to a
catastrophic event, such as an earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami,
weather event, telecommunications failure, power failure,
cyberattack or war, could adversely impact our business, financial
results and financial condition. We have developed disaster
recovery plans and maintain backup systems in order to reduce the
potential impact of a catastrophic event; however there can be no
assurance that these plans and systems would enable us to return to
normal business operations.
19
We may be unable to protect our intellectual
property.
We rely on a
combination of patents, trademarks, trade name, confidentiality
agreements, and other contractual restrictions on disclosure to
protect our intellectual property rights. We also enter
into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants,
and corporate partners, and control access to and distribution of
our confidential information. These measures may not
preclude the disclosure of our confidential or proprietary
information. Despite efforts to protect our proprietary
rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise
obtain and use our proprietary information. Monitoring
unauthorized use of our confidential information is difficult, and
we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to prevent
unauthorized use of our confidential information, particularly in
foreign countries where the laws may not protect proprietary rights
as fully as in the U.S., will be effective.
Companies in our
industry aggressively protect and pursue their intellectual
property rights. From time to time, we receive notices
from competitors and other operating companies, as well as notices
from “non-practicing entities,” or NPEs, that claim we
have infringed upon, misappropriated or misused other
parties’ proprietary rights. Our success and
future revenue growth will depend, in part, on our ability to
protect our intellectual property. It is possible that
competitors or other unauthorized third parties may obtain copy,
use or disclose our technologies and processes, or confidential
employee, customer or supplier data. Any of our existing
or future patents may be challenged, invalidated or
circumvented.
We may not be able to successfully develop and commercialize
our technologies, which may require us to curtail or cease our
research and development activities.
Since 2007, we have
been developing patent-pending enzyme technology to enable the
production of ethanol from a combination of starch and cellulose,
or from cellulose alone. In July 2011, we acquired Zymetis, Inc., a
biochemical research and development firm, with several patents
pending and in-process R&D utilizing the Z-microbe™ to
produce renewable chemicals and advanced fuels from renewable
feedstocks. Although, the viability of our technology has
been demonstrated in the lab, there can be no assurance that we
will be able to commercialize our technology. To date,
we have not completed a large-scale commercial prototype of our
technology and are uncertain at this time when completion of a
commercial scale prototype will occur. Commercialization
risks include economic financial feasibility at commercial scale,
availability of funding to complete large-scale commercial
prototype, ability of Z-microbeTM to function
at commercial scale and ability to obtain regulatory approvals, and
market acceptance of product.
Risks
related to ownership of our stock
If the trading price of our common stock fails to comply with the
continued listing requirements of NASDAQ, we could face
possible delisting.
NASDAQ delisting could materially adversely affect the market
for our shares.
Since
August 2016, our common stock has traded on
The NASDAQ Capital Market at less than $2.00 per
share. If at any time our common stock does not maintain
a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive days, as
required by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5450(a)(1),
then NASDAQ may provide written notification regarding
the delisting of our securities. At that time, we would
have the right to request a hearing to appeal
the NASDAQ determination.
We
cannot be sure that our price will comply with the requirements for
continued listing of our common shares on
The NASDAQ Capital Market, or that any appeal of a
decision to delist our common shares will be successful.
If our common shares lose their listed status on
The NASDAQ Capital Market and we are not successful in
obtaining a listing on another exchange, our common shares would
likely trade in the over-the-counter market.
If our
shares were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling our
common shares could be more difficult because smaller quantities of
shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be
delayed, and security analysts’ coverage of us may be
reduced. In addition, in the event our common shares are delisted,
broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them,
which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in
our common shares, further limiting the liquidity thereof. These
factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid
and ask prices for common shares.
Future sales and issuances of rights to purchase common stock by us
could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of
our stockholders and could cause our stock price to
fall.
We may issue equity
or convertible securities in the future. To the extent
we do so, our stockholders may experience substantial
dilution. We may sell common stock, convertible
securities, or other equity securities in one or more transactions
at prices and in a manner we determine from time to
time. If we sell common stock, convertible securities,
or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors
may be materially diluted by subsequent sales and new investors
could gain rights superior to our existing
stockholders.
Our stock price is highly volatile, which could result in
substantial losses for investors purchasing shares of our common
stock and in litigation against us.
The market price of
our common stock has fluctuated significantly in the past and may
continue to fluctuate significantly in the future. The market price
of our common stock may continue to fluctuate in response to one or
more of the following factors, many of which are beyond our
control:
●
|
|
fluctuations in the
market prices of ethanol and its co-products including WDG and corn
oil;
|
●
|
|
the cost of key
inputs to the production of ethanol, including corn and natural
gas;
|
●
|
|
the volume and
timing of the receipt of orders for ethanol from major
customers;
|
●
|
|
competitive pricing
pressures;
|
●
|
|
our ability to
produce, sell and deliver ethanol on a cost-effective and timely
basis;
|
●
|
|
the announcement,
introduction and market acceptance of one or more alternatives to
ethanol;
|
●
|
|
losses resulting
from adjustments to the fair values of our outstanding warrants to
purchase our common stock;
|
●
|
|
changes in market
valuations of companies similar to us;
|
●
|
|
stock market price
and volume fluctuations generally;
|
●
|
|
regulatory
developments or increased enforcement;
|
●
|
|
fluctuations in our
quarterly or annual operating results;
|
●
|
|
additions or
departures of key personnel;
|
●
|
|
our inability to
obtain financing; and
|
●
|
|
our financing
activities and future sales of our common stock or other
securities.
|
20
Demand for ethanol could be adversely
affected by a slowdown in overall demand for oxygenate and gasoline
additive products. The levels of our ethanol production and
purchases for resale will be based upon forecasted demand.
Accordingly, any inaccuracy in forecasting anticipated revenues and
expenses could adversely affect our business. The failure to
receive anticipated orders or to complete delivery in any quarterly
period could adversely affect our results of operations for that
period. Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of future
performance for any particular period, and we may not experience
revenue growth or profitability on a quarterly or an annual
basis.
The price at which
you purchase shares of our common stock may not be indicative of
the price that will prevail in the trading market. You may be
unable to sell your shares of common stock at or above your
purchase price, which may result in substantial losses to you and
which may include the complete loss of your investment. In the
past, securities class action litigation has often been brought
against a company following periods of high stock price volatility.
We may be the target of similar litigation in the future.
Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert
management’s attention and our resources away from our
business.
Any of the risks
described above could have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations or the price of our common stock, or
both.
We do not
intend to pay dividends.
We have not paid
any cash dividends on any of our securities since inception and we
do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on any of our
securities in the foreseeable future.
Our
principal shareholders hold a substantial amount of our common
stock.
Eric A. McAfee, our
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Laird Q.
Cagan, a former board member, in the aggregate, beneficially own
24.3% of our common stock outstanding. In addition, the
other members of our Board of Directors and management, in the
aggregate, excluding Eric McAfee, beneficially own approximately
6.0% of our common stock. Our lender, Third Eye Capital,
acting as principal and an agent, beneficially owns 9.1% of our
common stock. As a result, these shareholders, acting
together, will be able to influence many matters requiring
shareholder approval, including the election of directors and
approval of mergers and acquisitions and other significant
corporate transactions. See “Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.” The
interests of these shareholders may differ from yours and this
concentration of ownership enables these shareholders to exercise
influence over many matters requiring shareholder approval, may
have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in
control, and could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a
premium for your securities as part of a sale of the company and
may affect the market price of our securities.
The
conversion of convertible securities and the exercise of
outstanding options and warrants to purchase our common stock could
substantially dilute your investment and reduce the voting power of
your shares, impede our ability to obtain additional financing and
cause us to incur additional expenses.
Our Series B
convertible preferred stock is convertible into our common
stock. As of December 31, 2016, there were 1.3 million
shares of our Series B convertible Preferred Stock outstanding,
convertible into 130 thousand shares of our common stock on 10 to 1
ratio. Certain of our financing arrangements, such as
our EB-5 notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at
fixed prices. Additionally, there are outstanding
warrants and options to acquire our common stock issued to
employees, directors and others. As of December 31,
2016, there were outstanding warrants and options to purchase 2.0
million shares of our common stock.
Such securities
allow their holders an opportunity to profit from a rise in the
market price of our common stock such that conversion of the
securities will result in dilution of the equity interests of our
common stockholders. The terms on which we may obtain
additional financing may be adversely affected by the existence and
potentially dilutive impact of our outstanding convertible and
other promissory notes, Series B convertible preferred stock,
options and warrants. In addition, holders of our outstanding
promissory notes and certain warrants have registration rights with
respect to the common stock underlying those notes and warrants,
the registration of which involves substantial
expense.
21
North
America
Corporate Office. Our
corporate headquarters are located at 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd.,
Suite 700, Cupertino, CA. The Cupertino facility office space
consists of 9,238 rentable square feet. We extended the lease in
February 2015 for an additional five years ending on May 31,
2020. From July 2009 through July 2012, we sublet office
space consisting of 3,104 rentable square feet to Solargen, Inc.,
then from June 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, we sublet office
space consisting of 3,104 rentable square feet to Splunk Inc., at a
monthly rent rate equal to the rent charged to us by our
landlord.
Ethanol Plant in Keyes,
CA. On July 6, 2012, we acquired Cilion, Inc.,
including the Keyes plant. The Keyes plant is situated on
approximately 11 acres of land and contains 25,284 square feet of
plant building and structures. The property is located next to
Union Pacific rail road system to facilitate the transportation of
raw materials. Our tangible and intangible assets, including the
Keyes plant, are subject to perfected first liens and mortgages as
further described in Note 4. Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form
10-K.
We productively
utilize the majority of the space in these facilities.
India
Biodiesel Plant in Kakinada,
India. The Kakinada plant is situated on
approximately 32,000 square meters of land in Kakinada,
India. The property is located 7.5 kilometers from the
local seaport with connectivity through a third-party pipeline to
the port jetty. The pipeline facilitates the importing
of raw materials and exporting finished product.
India Administrative
Office. Our principal administrative, sales and
marketing facilities are located in approximately 1,000 square feet
of office space in Hyderabad, India which we lease on a month to
month rental arrangement.
We productively
utilize the majority of the space in these facilities.
On August 31, 2016,
the Company filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court
against defendants EdenIQ, Inc. (EdenIQ) and its CEO, Brian D.
Thome and Trinity Capital Investments (Trinity). The
lawsuit is based on EdenIQ’s wrongful termination of a merger
agreement that would have effectuated the merger of the Company and
EdenIQ. The lawsuit also asserts that EdenIQ and Mr.
Thome fraudulently induced the Company into assisting EdenIQ to
obtain EPA approval for a new technology, which the Company would
not have done but for the merger agreement. The relief sought
includes EdenIQ’s specific performance of the merger
agreement and monetary damages, as well as punitive damages,
attorneys’ fees, and costs.
On August 4, 2013,
GS Cleantech Corporation, a subsidiary of Greenshift Corporation
(“Greenshift”), filed a complaint in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of California –
Fresno Division against us and our subsidiary, AAFK. The case
was transferred to the Southern District of Indiana and joined to a
pending Multidistrict Litigation. The complaint alleges
infringement of patent rights assigned to Greenshift and pertaining
to corn oil extraction processes we employ and seeks royalties,
treble damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctions precluding
us from further infringement. The corn oil extraction process
we use is licensed to us by Valicor Separation Technologies LLC.
Valicor has no obligations to indemnify us. On October
23, 2014, the Court ruled that all the claims of all the patents at
issue in the case are invalid and, therefore, not infringed and
adopted this finding in our case on January 16, 2015. GS
Cleantech has said it will appeal this decision when the remaining
claim in the suit has been decided. We believe the likelihood
of Greenshift succeeding on appeal of the invalidity findings is
small since the Court’s findings included several grounds for
invalidity of each allegedly infringed patent. If Greenshift
successfully appeals the findings of invalidity, damages
may be $1 million or more. The suit also alleged that GS
Cleantech obtained the patents at issue by inequitably conducting
itself before the United States Patent Office. A trial in the
District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on that issue
was concluded and the Court found the patents unenforceable because
of inequitable conduct by GS Cleantech and its counsel before the
Patent and Trademark Office. GS Cleantech has asked the Court
to reconsider its decision, citing the existence of a recently
issued patent that the patent examiner allowed despite the
Court’s findings and the allowance of which the Court did not
consider when making its decision of inequitable conduct. GS
Cleantech has indicated it will appeal the current ruling on
inequitable conduct if the Court’s reconsideration does not
result in a change in its findings. The Court’s
reconsideration has been stayed until April 10, 2017.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
22
PART
II
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Market
Information
Our common stock is
traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol
“AMTX.” Prior to trading on NASDAQ, between
November 15, 2011 and June 5, 2014 our common stock was traded on
the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol
“AMTX.” Between December 7, 2007 and
November 15, 2011, our common stock traded on the OTC Bulletin
Board under the symbol “AEBF.” Prior to
December 7, 2007, our common stock traded on the OTC Bulletin Board
under the symbol “MWII.”
The following table
sets forth the high and low sale prices of our common stock for the
quarterly reporting periods indicated:
Quarter Ending
|
High
|
Low
|
2016
|
|
|
December
31,
|
$1.98
|
$1.09
|
September
30,
|
$2.31
|
$1.01
|
June
30,
|
$2.94
|
$1.70
|
March
31,
|
$2.83
|
$1.51
|
2015
|
|
|
December
31,
|
$3.05
|
$1.80
|
September
30,
|
$3.89
|
$2.35
|
June
30,
|
$5.05
|
$3.60
|
March
31,
|
$6.18
|
$3.39
|
Shareholders
of Record
According to the
records of our transfer agent, we had 410 stockholders of record as
of February 21, 2017. This figure does not include
"street name" holders or beneficial holders of our common stock
whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other
financial institutions.
Dividends
We have never
declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We
currently expect to retain any future earnings for use in the
operation and expansion of its business and to reduce its
outstanding debt and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in
the foreseeable future. Information with respect to
restrictions on paying dividends is set forth in Note 4. Debt of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form
10-K.
Securities
Authorized For Issuance under Equity Compensation
Plans
Our shareholders
approved our Second Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Plan
(“2007 Stock Plan”) at our 2015 Annual Shareholders
Meeting. On July 1, 2011, we acquired the Zymetis
2006 Stock Plan (“2006 Stock Plan”) pursuant to the
acquisition of Zymetis, Inc. and gave Zymetis option holders the
right to convert shares into our common stock at the same terms as
the 2006 Plan. During 2015, we established an Equity
Inducement Plan pursuant to which 100,000 shares were made
available specifically to attract human talent. Additional
information regarding the 2007 Stock Plan, 2006 Stock Plan and
other compensatory warrants may be found under the caption
“Equity Compensation Plans,” in the Proxy Statement,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
23
Sales
of Unregistered Equity Securities
None.
Item 6. Selected
Financial Data
Not
applicable.
Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is provided in
addition to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
notes to assist readers in understanding our results of operations,
financial condition, and cash flows. MD&A is
organized as follows:
●
Overview. Discussion of our
business and overall analysis of financial and other highlights
affecting us, to provide context for the remainder of
MD&A.
●
Results of Operations. An analysis
of our financial results comparing the twelve months ended December
31, 2016 and 2015.
●
Liquidity and Capital Resources. An
analysis of changes in our balance sheets and cash flows and
discussion of our financial condition.
●
Critical Accounting
Estimates. Accounting estimates that we believe are
important to understanding the assumptions and judgments
incorporated in our reported financial results and
forecasts.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included
elsewhere in this report. The following discussion
contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans,
estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in
this Report, particularly under “Part I, Item
1A. Risk Factors,” and in other reports we file
with the SEC. All references to years relate to the
calendar year ended December 31 of the particular
year.
Overview
We are an advanced
renewable fuels and biochemicals company focused on the
acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative
technologies that replace traditional petroleum-based products by
converting first generation biofuel plants into advanced
biorefineries. Founded in 2006, we own and operate a 60
million gallon per year ethanol production facility (Keyes
plant) in California’s Central Valley, where we manufacture
and produce denatured fuel ethanol, WDG, DCO and CDS, or syrup, and
a 50 million gallon per year renewable chemical and advanced fuel
production facility on the East Coast of India (Kakinada plant),
where we manufacture and produce high quality distilled biodiesel
and refined glycerin. In addition, we are
continuing to operate a research and development laboratory at the
Maryland Biotech Center, and hold a portfolio of patents and
related technology licenses for the production of renewable fuels
and biochemicals.
We continue to
evaluate the acquisition of businesses and the licensing of
technologies that expand the transition of traditional biofuels
plants to the production of valuable advanced biofuels.
During the second quarter of 2016, we announced the entry into an
agreement to acquire EdenIQ, Inc., a cellulosic ethanol technology
company. Acquiring EdenIQ would extend our ethanol
capabilities into cellulosic ethanol by providing capital light and
operationally efficient solutions that can be easily integrated
into existing corn ethanol plants. Using our position as a
producer of ethanol and biodiesel, we are also focused on the
licensing of technology and the development of capabilities that
allow for the production of advanced biofuels at facilities located
at or near our current plants.
24
North America
We produce four
products at the Keyes plant: denatured fuel ethanol,
WDG, DCO and CDS. In 2016, we sold 100% of the ethanol
and WDG we produced to J.D. Heiskell pursuant to a Purchase
Agreement established with J.D. Heiskell. DCO was sold
to J.D. Heiskell and other local animal feedlots (primarily
poultry). Small amounts of CDS were sold to various local third
parties. Ethanol pricing is determined pursuant to a marketing
agreement between us and Kinergy, and is generally based on daily
and monthly pricing for ethanol delivered to the San Francisco Bay
Area, California, as published by OPIS, as well as quarterly
contracts negotiated by Kinergy with local fuel
blenders. The price for WDG is determined monthly
pursuant to a marketing agreement between A.L. Gilbert and us, and
is generally determined in reference to the price of DDG and corn.
North American revenue is dependent on the price of ethanol and
WDG. Ethanol pricing is influenced by national inventory
levels, national ethanol production, corn prices and gasoline
demand. WDG is influenced by the price of corn, the supply of DDG,
and demand from the local dairy and feed markets. Our revenue
is further influenced by our decision to operate the Keyes plant at
any capacity level, maintenance requirements, and the influences of
the underlying biological processes. During 2016, the most
significant factors impacting revenue were the price received for
ethanol and the price received for WDG.
India
During the twelve
months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we operated the Kakinada
plant. However, our India operations were constrained by
funds available from our working capital partner, the State Bank of
India loan repayments, and by the volatility of feedstock
prices.
The India segment
has benefited from several recent governmental policy changes
beginning in October 2014 with the deregulation of diesel and the
related removal of government subsidies that artificially lowered
the price of diesel below the world oil price. In August 2015, a
policy change occurred that allowed for the sale of transportation
fuel to bulk sales customers which further opened the
markets. In October 2015, a policy change occurred that
exempted biodiesel feedstock and chemicals used in the manufacture
of biodiesel from central excise duty, including palm stearin,
methanol and sodium methoxide. This policy change had a positive
effect on the development of the markets for biodiesel products
domestically. In 2016, European biofuel-related import tariffs on
goods from India were removed for approximately three years
starting in 2017. This policy change is expected to have a positive
effect on exports of our high quality distilled biodiesel into the
European market at better margins.
North
America Segment
Revenue
Substantially all
of our North America revenues during the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015 were from sales of ethanol and WDG. During
the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we produced and
sold 55.6 million gallons and 55.8 million gallons of ethanol and
372 thousand tons and 360 thousand tons of WDG,
respectively.
Cost of Goods Sold
Substantially all
of our feedstock is procured by J.D. Heiskell. Our cost
of feedstock includes rail, truck, or ship transportation, local
basis costs and a handling fee paid to J.D.
Heiskell. Cost of goods sold also includes chemicals,
plant overhead and out bound transportation. Plant
overhead includes direct and indirect costs associated with the
operation of the Keyes plant, including the cost of electricity and
natural gas, maintenance, insurance, direct labor, depreciation and
freight. Transportation includes the costs of in-bound
delivery of corn by rail, inbound delivery of milo by ship, rail,
and truck, and out-bound shipments of ethanol and WDG by
truck. In 2016, the transportation cost for ethanol and
WDG was approximately $0.05 per gallon and $7.50 per ton,
respectively.
Pursuant to a Corn
Procurement and Working Capital Agreement with J.D. Heiskell, we
purchase all of our corn and milo from J.D.
Heiskell. Title to the corn or milo passes to us when
the corn is deposited into our weigh bin and entered into the
production process. The credit term of the corn or milo
purchased from J.D. Heiskell is five days. J.D. Heiskell
purchases our ethanol and WDG on one-day terms. The price of corn
is established by J.D Heiskell based on Chicago Board of Trade
pricing including transportation and basis, plus a handling
fee.
Sales, Marketing and General Administrative Expenses
(SG&A)
SG&A expenses
consist of employee compensation, professional services, travel,
depreciation, taxes, insurance, rent and utilities, license and
permit fees, penalties, and sales and marketing
fees. Our single largest expense is employee
compensation, including related stock compensation, followed by
sales and marketing fees paid in connection with the marketing and
sale of ethanol and WDG.
25
In October 2010, we
entered into an exclusive marketing agreement with Kinergy to
market and sell our ethanol and an agreement with A.L. Gilbert to
market and sell our WDG. The agreements expire on August
31, 2017 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and are automatically
renewed for additional one-year terms. Pursuant to these
agreements, our marketing costs for ethanol and WDG are less than
2% of sales.
Research and Development Expenses (R&D)
In 2016 and 2015,
substantially all of our R&D expenses were related to research
and development activities in Maryland.
India
Segment
Revenue
Substantially all
of our India segment revenues during the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015 were from sales of biodiesel and refined
glycerin. During the twelve months ended December 31,
2016, we sold 16.0 thousand metric tons of biodiesel and 4.4
thousand metric tons of refined glycerin. During the
twelve months ended December 31, 2015, we sold 19.5 thousand metric
tons of biodiesel and 4.7 thousand metric tons of refined
glycerin. During 2014, we completed upgrades to the
Kakinada plant for the distillation of biodiesel and testing of
waste fats and oils for the production of distilled biodiesel for
sales into international markets.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold
consists primarily of feedstock oil, chemicals, direct costs
(principally labor and labor related costs) and factory
overhead. Depending upon the costs of these inputs in
comparison to the sales price of biodiesel and glycerin, our gross
margins at any given time can vary from positive to
negative. Factory overhead includes direct and indirect
costs associated with the Kakinada plant, including the cost of
repairs and maintenance, consumables, maintenance, on-site
security, insurance, depreciation and inbound freight.
We purchase NRPO, a
non-edible feedstock, for our biodiesel unit from neighboring
natural oil processing plants at a discount to refined palm
oil. In addition, we purchase waste fats and oils from
other processing plants in India. Raw material is received by truck
and title passes when the goods are loaded at our vendors’
facilities. Credit terms vary by vendor; however, we
generally receive 15 days of credit on the purchases. We purchase
crude glycerin in the international market on letters of credit or
advance payment terms.
Sales, Marketing and General Administrative Expenses
(SG&A)
SG&A expenses
consist of employee compensation, professional services, travel,
depreciation, taxes, insurance, rent and utilities, licenses and
permits, penalties, and sales and marketing
fees. Pursuant to an operating agreement with
Secunderabad Oils Limited, we receive operational support and
working capital. We compensate Secunderabad Oils Limited
with a percentage of the profits generated from
operations. Payments of interest are identified as
interest income while payments of profits are identified as
compensation for the operational support component of this
agreement. We therefore include the portion of profits
paid to Secunderabad Oils Limited as a component of SG&A and
our SG&A component will vary based on the profits earned by
operations. In addition, we market our biodiesel and
glycerin through our internal sales staff, commissioned agents and
brokers. Commissions paid to agents are included as a
component of SG&A.
Research and Development Expenses (R&D)
Our India segment
has no research and development activities.
Results
of Operations
Year
Ended December 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended December 31,
2015
Revenues
Our revenues are
derived primarily from sales of ethanol and WDG in North America
and biodiesel and refined glycerin in India.
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
|
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$128,706
|
$129,408
|
$(702)
|
-1%
|
India
|
14,452
|
17,241
|
(2,789)
|
-16%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$143,158
|
$146,649
|
$(3,491)
|
-2%
|
26
North America. The average
price of ethanol increased by 2% to $1.78 for the year ended
December 31, 2016 compared to $1.74 per gallon in the year ended
December 31, 2015 while the ethanol sales volume slightly decreased
to 55.6 million gallons during the year ended December 31, 2016
compared to 55.8 million gallons during the year ended December 31,
2015. The slight decrease in revenues in North America
segment for the year ended December 31, 2016 reflects a decrease in
average WDG price by 11% to $70.61 per ton in the year ended
December 31, 2016 compared to $79.68 in the year ended December 31,
2015, partially offset by an increase in WDG sales volume by 3% to
372 thousand tons. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we
generated approximately 77% of revenues from sales of ethanol, and
20% of revenues from sales of WDG and 3% of revenues from DCO and
CDS sales compared to 75% of revenues from sales of ethanol, and
22% of revenues from sales of WDG and 3% of revenues from DCO and
CDS sales for the year ended December 31, 2015. For the
year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Keyes plant operations
averaged 101% of 55 million gallon per year nameplate
capacity.
India. The decrease in
revenues in the India segment for the year ended December 31, 2016
reflects a decrease in sales volume of biodiesel and refined
glycerin. Biodiesel sales volume decreased by 18% to 16.1 thousand
tons due to higher feedstock costs and lower production due to
capital constraints while the average price slightly increased by
2% to $739 per metric ton. Refined glycerin sales volume decreased
by 5% to 4.4 thousand tons while the average price per metric ton
also decreased by 13% to $582 per metric ton. For the year ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015, we generated approximately 82% of
revenue from sales of biodiesel (methyl ester), and 18% of revenue
from sales of glycerin.
Cost
of Goods Sold
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
|
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$117,040
|
$126,290
|
$(9,250)
|
-7%
|
India
|
14,519
|
16,160
|
(1,641)
|
-10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$131,559
|
$142,450
|
$(10,891)
|
-8%
|
North America. We ground
19.5 million bushels of corn which allowed us to operate the Keyes
plant at nearly its full plant capacity during the year ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015. Our cost of feedstock on a per bushel
basis decreased by 9% to $4.58 per bushel for the year ended
December 31, 2016 as compared to 2015.
India. The decrease in cost
of goods sold reflects the 16% decrease in sales of biodiesel and
refined glycerin in 2016. The cost of NRPO feedstock increased an
average of 28% to $529 per metric ton while the volume decreased by
32% to 13.8 thousand metric tons of NRPO and waste oils and fats
compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. The average price of
crude glycerin decreased by 28% to $418 per metric ton while the
volume increased by 8% to 4.3 thousand metric tons compared to the
year ended December 31, 2015.
Gross
Profit
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
|
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$11,666
|
$3,118
|
$8,548
|
274%
|
India
|
(67)
|
1,081
|
(1,148)
|
-106%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$11,599
|
$4,199
|
$7,400
|
176%
|
27
North America. Gross profit
increased by 274% in the year ended December 31, 2016 due to
decreases in feedstock costs by 9% and the usage of milo which
allowed us to receive grant income.
India. The decrease in gross
profit was attributable mainly to our feedstock costs which
averaged overall 62% of the revenues causing the decrease of 16% in
overall revenues in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to
the year ended December 31, 2015. Overall sales volume
decreased by 15% to 20.5 metric tons while the average feedstock
cost increased by 14% to $503 per metric ton.
Operating
Expenses
R&D
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
|
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$369
|
$447
|
$(78)
|
-17%
|
India
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$369
|
$447
|
$(78)
|
-17%
|
R&D expenses
decreased by 17% during the year ended December 31, 2016 due to
decreases in salaries of $30 thousand and professional and other
fees of $48 thousand.
SG&A
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
|
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$10,912
|
$11,162
|
$(250)
|
-2%
|
India
|
1,099
|
1,199
|
(100)
|
-8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$12,011
|
$12,361
|
$(350)
|
-3%
|
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
(SG&A). SG&A expenses consist primarily of salaries
and related expenses for employees, marketing expenses related to
sales of ethanol and WDG in North America and biodiesel and other
products in India, as well as professional fees, other corporate
expenses, and related facilities expenses.
North America. SG&A
expenses as a percentage of revenue in the year ended December 31,
2016 decreased to 8% as compared to 9% in the year ended December
31, 2015. The slight decrease in overall SG&A expenses in the
year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to:
(i) decrease in professional fees of $0.7 million, (ii)
decrease in salary and stock compensation expenses of
$0.2 million, offset by (iii) $0.6 million increase in taxes
and utilities and office supplies and services, (iv) increase in
marketing and travel of $0.1 million during year ended December 31,
2016.
28
India. SG&A expenses as
a percentage of revenue in the year ended December 31, 2016
increased slightly to 8% as compared to 7% in the year ended
December 31, 2015. The overall SG&A expense decreased by 8% in
the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended
December 31, 2015. The decrease was due to a decrease in plant
services, utilities, and professional fees by $0.1 million and
marketing and other expenses by $0.1 million, offset by an increase
in salaries by $0.1 million.
Other Income/Expense
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31 (in thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Inc/(dec)
|
%
change
|
North
America
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate
expense
|
$11,234
|
$9,308
|
$1,926
|
21%
|
Amortization
expense
|
5,723
|
6,715
|
(992)
|
-15%
|
Loss on debt
extinguishment
|
-
|
330
|
(330)
|
-100%
|
Loss on impairment
of goodwill and intangible assets
|
-
|
1,044
|
(1,044)
|
100%
|
Other (income)
expense
|
(254)
|
349
|
(603)
|
-173%
|
|
|
|
|
|
India
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate
expense
|
259
|
856
|
(597)
|
-70%
|
Gain on debt
extinguishment
|
(2,033)
|
-
|
(2,033)
|
-100%
|
Other
(income)
|
(80)
|
(79)
|
(1)
|
-1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$14,849
|
$18,523
|
$(3,674)
|
-20%
|
Other
(Income)/Expense. Other (income) expense consists
primarily of interest, amortization and extinguishment expense
attributable to debt facilities acquired by our parent company and
our subsidiaries, and interest accrued on the judgments obtained by
Cordillera Fund and The Industrial Company. The debt
facilities include stock or warrants issued as fees. The
fair value of stock and warrants are amortized as amortization
expense, except when the extinguishment accounting method is
applied, in which case refinanced debt costs are recorded as
extinguishment expense.
North America. Interest
expense was higher in the year ended December 31, 2016 due to
higher debt balances in 2016. The decrease in
amortization expense was due to the amortization of several
amendment fees under the Third Eye Capital Notes and Subordinated
Note refinancing fees added in 2015, offset by debt issuance costs
associated with the amendment and refinancing of Subordinated Notes
in 2016. The debt extinguishment costs were lower in the
year ended December 31, 2016 than in the corresponding period of
2015 as extinguishment accounting was not applied to two
Subordinated Notes with two accredited investors in the 2016 period
compared to the extinguishment accounting that was applied once to
Subordinated Notes that were refinanced in the 2015
period. The increase in other income in the year ended
December 31, 2016 was due to receipt of $0.5 million from a
mandated gas credit from PG&E offset by amortization of debt
guarantee fee in the first three months of 2016 compared to
increases in expenses due to amortization of a debt guarantee fee
in 2015.
India. Interest expense
decreased as a result of the payoff of the State Bank of India loan
during the year ended December 31, 2016 and principal and interest
payments of $5.0 million on working capital loan. The
gain on debt extinguishment was caused by the relief of $2.0
million of accrued interest on State Bank of India loan by paying
the final stipulated amount under the One Time Settlement sanction
letter on October 20, 2016. The slight increase in other income was
caused by other miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains
during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash
equivalents were $1.5 million at December 31, 2016, of which $1.0
million was held in North America and $0.5 million was held in our
Indian subsidiary. Our current ratio was 0.26 and 0.27,
respectively, at December 31, 2016 and 2015. We expect
that our future available capital resources will consist primarily
of cash generated from operations, remaining cash balances, EB-5
program borrowings, amounts available for borrowing, if any, under
our senior debt facilities and our subordinated debt facilities,
and any additional funds raised through sales of
equity.
29
Liquidity
Cash and cash
equivalents, current assets, current liabilities and debt at the
end of each period were as follows (in thousands):
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$1,486
|
$283
|
Current assets
(including cash, cash equivalents, and deposits)
|
7,045
|
8,002
|
Current and long
term liabilities (excluding all debt)
|
15,909
|
15,296
|
Current & long
term debt
|
111,714
|
100,895
|
Our principal
sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operations and
borrowings under various debt arrangements. During the year ended
December 31, 2016, $10.5 million in funding from the EB-5 program
was released to our subsidiary, AE Advanced Fuels, Inc.;
additionally, the EB-5 escrow account is holding funds from two
investors pending approval by the USCIS. These funds represent $1.0
million of funding that is expected to be released from the escrow
account early 2017. On October 16, 2016, we launched a new $50.0
million EB-5 Phase II funding, issuing EB-5 Notes on the same terms
and conditions as those issued under our EB-5 Phase I funding. Our
principal uses of cash have been to service indebtedness and
capital expenditures. We anticipate these uses will continue to be
our principal uses of cash in the future. Global financial and
credit markets have been volatile in recent years, and future
adverse conditions of these markets could negatively affect our
ability to secure funds or raise capital at a reasonable cost or at
all. For additional discussion of our various debt
arrangements see Note
4.Debt of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in
Part IV of this Form 10-K.
We operate in a
volatile market in which we have little control over the major
components of production costs and product revenues. As
such, we expect cash provided by operating activities to fluctuate
in future periods primarily as a result of changes in the prices
for corn, ethanol, WDG, DCO, CDS, biodiesel, waste fats and oils,
NPRO and natural gas. To the extent that we experience periods
in which the spread between ethanol prices and corn and energy
costs narrow or the spread between biodiesel prices and waste fats
and oils or palm oil and energy costs narrow, we may require
additional working capital to fund
operations.
Management believes
that through: (i) operating the Keyes plant, (ii) continuing
to incorporate lower-cost, non-food advanced biofuels feedstock at
the Keyes plant when economical, thereby increasing operating
margins, (iii) obtaining the remaining $1.0 million of EB-5 Phase I
funding from escrow and $1.0 million from fund raising, (iv)
obtaining $50.0 million in funding from EB-5 Phase II funding
currently being offered to investors, (v) refinancing senior debt
on terms more commensurate with the long-term financing of capital
assets, (vi) securing higher volumes of sales from the
Kakinada plant, (vii) continuing to expand the domestic India
markets, (viii) using the availability on the existing working
capital credit line, and (ix) sales of common stock under the ATM
registration statement, we will be able to obtain the liquidity
necessary to fund company operations for the foreseeable
future. However, there is no assurance that our
operations will generate significant positive cash flow, or that
additional funds will be available to us, through
borrowings or otherwise, on favorable terms when required, or
at all.
At December 31,
2016, the outstanding balance of principal, interest and fees, net
of discounts, on all Third Eye Capital Notes equaled $61.6
million. The current maturity date for all of the Third
Eye Capital financing arrangements is April 1, 2018; provided,
however, that pursuant to Amendment No. 13, dated March 1, 2017, we
have the right to extend the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2019 upon notice and payment of a 5%
extension fee. We intend to pay the Third Eye Capital
Notes through operational cash flow, EB-5 subordinated debt, a
senior debt refinancing and/or equity financing.
Our senior lender
has provided a series of accommodating amendments to the existing
and previous loan facilities in the past as described in further
detail in Note 4.Debt of
the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part IV of this
Form 10-K. However, there can be no assurance that our senior
lender will continue to provide further amendments or
accommodations or will fund additional amounts in the
future.
We also rely on our
working capital lines with J.D. Heiskell in California and
Secunderabad Oils Limited in India to fund our commercial
arrangements for the acquisitions of feedstock. J.D.
Heiskell currently provides us with working capital for the Keyes
plant and Secunderabad Oils Limited currently provides us with
working capital for the Kakinada plant. The ability of both
J.D. Heiskell and Secunderabad Oils Limited to continue to provide
us with working capital depends in part on both of their respective
financial strength and banking relationships.
30
Change in Working Capital and Cash Flows
During the twelve
months ended December 31, 2016, current and long term debt
increased $10.8 million primarily due to (i) additional borrowings
of $10.5 million received from the EB-5 investors, (ii) $1.5
million waiver fee, (iii) $3.1 million maturity date extension fee,
(iv) $0.3 million drawn on the promissory note for operations from
our senior lender, (v) $3.0 million drawn on the promissory note
from our senior lender for State Bank of India repayment and
payment on property tax payment settlement agreement, (vi) $0.7
million in subordinated debt extension fees, (vii) $9.0 million in
accrued interest, and (viii) $6.8 million drawn from the India
working capital loans. The increase in current and long term debt
was partially offset by decreases due to: (i) payments
of principal of $11.9 million to our senior lender, (ii) $5.0
million and $2.1 million of principal payments to our working
capital partners in India and on the State Bank of India loan, and
(iii) payments of interest of $4.9 million. Current
assets decreased by $1.0 million due to a decrease of $1.0 million
in other assets and $1.6 million in inventories offset by increase
in $1.2 million in cash and $0.4 million in accounts
receivable.
Net cash provided
by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 was
$0.4 million consisting of non-cash charges of $9.2 million, net
changes in operating assets and liabilities of $6.8 million, and
net loss of $15.6 million. The non-cash charges consisted of: (i)
$5.8 million in amortization of debt issuance costs and patents,
(ii) $4.7 million in depreciation expenses, (iii) a $0.7 million in
stock-based compensation expense, and (iv) $2.0 million in gain on
extinguishment of State Bank of India loan. Net changes in
operating assets and liabilities consisted primarily of a decrease
in (i) accounts payable of $2.1 million, (ii) inventories of $1.5
million, (iii) other assets of $0.9 million offset by an increase
in (iv) other liabilities of $0.5 million, (v) accounts receivable
of $0.4 million, and, (vi) accrued interest of $6.4
million.
Cash used by
investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 was
$0.6 million, consisting of capital expenditures of $0.5 million
from India operations and $0.2 million from US
operations.
Cash provided by
financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 was
$1.6 million, consisting primarily of proceeds from borrowings of
$10.5 million in EB-5 program, $3.3 million in promissory notes
from senior lender, $6.8 million in drawn on Secunderabad Oils
working capital loan, offset by payments of $11.9 million in
principal on senior lender debt and promissory notes, $2.1 million
on State Bank of India loan, and $5.0 million on working capital
loans in India.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We had no
outstanding off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31,
2016.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our discussion and
analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are
based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the U.S. The preparation of these financial
statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses for
each period. The following represents a summary of our
critical accounting policies, defined as those policies that we
believe are the most important to the portrayal of our financial
condition and results of operations and that require
management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments,
often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects
of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize
revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. We
consider revenue realized or realizable and earned when there is
persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the
sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably
assured. We derive revenue primarily from sales of
ethanol and related co-products, biodiesel, refined glycerin, and
refined palm oil. We recognize revenue when title
transfers to our customers, which is generally upon the delivery of
these products to a customer’s designated
location. These deliveries are made in accordance with
sales commitments and related sales orders entered into with
customers and our working capital partner J.D. Heiskell for the
Keyes plant and Secunderabad Oils Limited for the Kakinada
plant. Commitments can be offered either verbally or in
written form. The sales commitments and related sales
orders provide quantities, pricing and conditions of
sales. In this regard, sales consist of inventory
produced at the Keyes or Kakinada plant.
Revenues from sales
of ethanol and its co-products are billed net of the related
transportation and marketing charges. The transportation
component is accounted for in cost of goods sold and the marketing
component is accounted for in sales, general and administrative
expense. Revenues are recorded at the gross invoiced
amount. Additionally, our working capital partner leases
our finished goods tank and requires us to transfer legal title to
the product upon transfer of our finished ethanol to this
location. We consider the purchase of corn as a cost of
goods sold and the sale of ethanol upon transfer to the finished
goods tank as revenue on the basis that (i) we bear the risk of
gain or loss on the processing of corn into ethanol and (ii) we
have legal title to the goods during the processing time. Revenue
from nonmonetary transactions, principally in-kind by-products
received in exchange for material processing where the by-product
is contemplated by contract to provide value, is recognized at the
quoted market price of those goods received or
by-products.
31
Recoverability of Our Long-Lived Assets
Property and Equipment
Property, plant and
equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation after
assets are placed in service and are comprised primarily of
buildings, furniture, machinery, equipment, land, and plants in
North America and India. When property, plant and equipment are
acquired as part of an acquisition, the items are recorded at fair
value on the purchase date. It is our policy to depreciate capital
assets over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line
method.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles
Our long-lived
assets consist of property and equipment and intangibles. We
review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived
asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of
assets to be held and used by comparing the carrying amount of an
asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to
be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset
exceeds its estimated future cash flows, we record an impairment
charge in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset
exceeds the fair value of the asset.
Our intangibles
consist of amounts relating to in-process research and development
and patents from our acquisition of Zymetis, Inc. in 2011. We
review intangibles at an individual plant or subsidiary level for
impairment at least annually, or more frequently whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have
occurred.
The impairment test
for long-lived assets and intangibles requires us to make estimates
regarding amount and timing of projected cash flows to be generated
by an asset or asset group over an extended period of time.
Management judgment regarding the existence of circumstances that
indicate impairment is based on numerous potential factors
including, but not limited to, a decline in our future projected
cash flows, a decision to suspend operations at a plant for an
extended period of time, adoption of our product by the market, a
sustained decline in our market capitalization, a sustained decline
in market prices for similar assets or businesses, or a significant
adverse change in legal or regulatory factors or the business
climate. Significant management judgment is required in
determining the fair value of our long-lived assets and intangibles
to measure impairment, including projections of future cash
flows. Fair value is determined through various valuation
techniques including discounted cash flow models, market values and
third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Changes in estimates of fair value could result in a write-down of
the asset in a future period.
During 2015, our
annual impairment analysis indicated an impairment of goodwill.
Accordingly, we recorded approximately $1 million of impairment
charge relating to goodwill and patents, which was comprised of a
$968 thousand charge related to impairment of all goodwill
associated with our acquisition of Zymetis, Inc. in 2011 and a $76
thousand charge resulting from abandoning two filed, but not
awarded patents no longer being pursued due to changes in patent
strategy.
Our subsidiaries,
Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, which operates our Keyes plant, and
UBPL, which operates our Kakinada plant, represent our significant
long-lived assets. Both plants were tested for impairment and the
undiscounted future cash flows of each plant exceeded the carrying
value on our books, so no impairment was recorded for our
Company’s long-lived assets.
Testing for Modification or Extinguishment Accounting
During 2016 and
2015, we evaluated amendments to our debt under the ASC 470-50
guidance for modification and extinguishment
accounting. This evaluation included comparing the net
present value of cash flows of the new debt to the old debt to
determine if changes greater than 10 percent
occurred. In instances where our future cash flows
changed more than 10 percent, we recorded our debt at fair value
based on factors available to us for similar borrowings and used
the extinguishment accounting method to account for the debt
extinguishment.
32
Warrant Liability Accounting
Certain common
stock warrants issued in our equity financing are classified as
liabilities under ASC 480. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing
model as our method of valuation for warrants subject to warrant
liability accounting. Warrants subject to liability
accounting are valued on the date of issuance and re-measured at
the end of each reporting period with the change in value reported
in our consolidated statement of operations. The
determination of fair value as of the reporting date is affected by
our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly
complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are
not limited to, expected stock price volatility over the term of
the security and risk-free interest rate. In addition, the
Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of an
expected life for the securities, which we estimated based upon the
remaining term of the warrant. The primary factors
affecting the fair value of the warrant liability are our stock
price and volatility. The use of the Black-Scholes
option pricing model in this context requires the input of highly
subjective assumptions, and the model is very sensitive to changes
in inputs. Other reasonable assumptions in the pricing
model could provide differing results.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued
ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),
which supersedes all existing revenue recognition requirements,
including most industry-specific guidance. The new standard
requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers goods or
services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration
that the company expects to receive for those goods or services.
The new standard will be effective for us on January 1, 2018. We
are currently evaluating the potential impact that Topic 606 may
have on our consolidated financial position and results of
operations.
In February 2016,
the FASB issued guidance that amends the existing accounting
standards for leases. Consistent with existing guidance, the
recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash
flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its
classification. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required
to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the
balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for us beginning
January 1, 2020, and for interim periods within that year.
Early adoption is permitted and we will be required to adopt using
a modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the timing of
adoption and the impact of this guidance on our consolidated
financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2016, the
FASB issued amendments to address eight specific cash flow issues
with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice.
The amendments are effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, and
for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted.
If we decide to early adopt the amendments, we will be required to
adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are evaluating
the timing of our adoption and the impact of the amendments on our
consolidated statement of cash flows and disclosures.
In November 2016,
the FASB issued amendments to require amounts generally described
as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with
cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period
and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash
flows. The amendments are effective for us beginning January 1,
2018, and for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is
permitted. We are evaluating the timing of our adoption and the
impact of the amendments on our consolidated statement of cash
flows and disclosures.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk
Not
applicable.
Financial
Statements are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements on page 44 of this Report.
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
The information
contained in this section covers management’s evaluation of
our disclosure controls and procedures and our assessment of our
internal control over financial reporting for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Management (with
the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief
Financial Officer (CFO), carried out an evaluation of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure
controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our CEO
and CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered in this
report, our disclosure controls and procedures along with the
related internal controls over financial reporting were effective
to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be
disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported
within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange
Commission rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to
our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
33
Inherent
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management,
including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure
controls or our internal control over financial reporting will
prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control
system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s
objectives will be met. Our controls and procedures are
designed to provide reasonable assurance that our control
system’s objective will be met, and our CEO and CFO have
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective
at the reasonable assurance level. The design of a
control system must reflect the fact that there are resource
constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered
relative to their costs. Further, because of the
inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of
controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to
error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and
instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been
detected. These inherent limitations include the
realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that
breakdowns can occur because of simple error or
mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the
individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more
people, or by management override of the controls. The
design of any system of controls is based in part on certain
assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be
no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated
goals under all potential future conditions. Projections
of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls in future
periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may
become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration
in the degree of compliance with policies or
procedures.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial
Reporting.
Our management is
responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal
control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). Our internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions
and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation
of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures by us are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management
and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the
consolidated financial statements.
Under the
supervision and with the participation of our management, including
our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we
conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of the period covered by this
report based on the criteria for effective internal control
described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (“COSO”) - 2013. Based on the
results of management’s assessment and evaluation, our CEO
and CFO concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting was effective as described below.
An attestation
report from our accounting firm on internal control over financial
reporting is not included in this annual report because an
attestation report is only required under the regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission for accelerated filers and large
accelerated filers.
Changes
in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our efforts to
improve our internal controls are ongoing and focused on expanding
our organizational capabilities to improve our control environment
and on implementing process changes to strengthen our internal
control and monitoring activities.
34
Item
9B. Other Information
Third Eye Capital
Amendment
On
March 1, 2017, Third Eye Capital agreed to Amendment No. 13 to the
Note Purchase Agreement to: (i) extend the maturity date of the
Third Eye Capital Notes to April 1, 2018 in exchange for a 5%
extension fee consisting of adding $3.1 million to the outstanding
principal balance of the Note Purchase Agreement and to allow for
the further extension of the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2019, at the Company’s election, for an
additional extension fee of 5% of the then outstanding Third Eye
Capital Notes, (ii) waive the free cash flow financial covenant
under the Note Purchase Agreement for the three months ended
December 31, 2016, (iii) provide that such covenant will be deleted
prospectively from the Note Purchase Agreement, (iv) waive the
default under the Note Purchase Agreement relating to indebtedness
outstanding to Laird Q. Cagan (the “Laird Cagan subordinated
note”) and (v) waive the covenant under the Note Purchase
Agreement to permit the Company to pay off the defaulted Laird
Cagan subordinated note by issuing stock. The borrowers agreed to
use their best efforts to close the transaction to purchase assets
in Goodland, Kansas from Third Eye Capital as described in a
non-binding offer to purchase letter between an affiliate of the
Company and Third Eye Capital. As consideration for such amendment
and waiver, the borrowers agreed to pay Third Eye Capital an
amendment and waiver fee of $750 thousand to be added to the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. As
a result of the extension of the maturity date in Amendment No. 13,
the Third Eye Capital Notes are classified as non-current debt. We
will evaluate the Amendment of the Notes and will determine proper
accounting treatment in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt –
Modification and Extinguishment.
The foregoing
description of Amendment No. 13 is only a summary and does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of Amendment No. 13, Exhibit 10.70
hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and
Governance
The information
required by this Item 10 is included in our Proxy Statement for our
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
11. Executive Compensation
The information
required by this Item 11 is included in our Proxy Statement for our
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information
required by this Item 12 is included in our Proxy Statement for our
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and
Director Independence
The information
required by this Item 13 is included in our Proxy Statement for our
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
14. Principal Accounting Fees and
Services
The information
required by this Item 14 is included in our Proxy Statement for our
2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is incorporated herein by
reference.
PART
IV
Item
15. Exhibits and Financial Statement
Schedules
(a) The following
documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K:
1.
Financial Statements:
The following
financial statements of Aemetis, Inc. are filed as a part of this
Annual Report:
●
Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
●
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
●
Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
●
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
●
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit
●
Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements
35
2. Financial
Statement Schedules:
All schedules have
been omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the
information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements
and notes thereto under Item 8 in Part II of this Form
10-K.
3.
Exhibits:
INDEX
TO EXHIBITS
|
|||||||
|
|
Incorporated by
Reference
|
Filed
Herewith
|
||||
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
Form
|
File
No.
|
Exhibit
|
Filing
Date
|
|
|
1.1
|
At Market Issuance
Sales Agreement dated March 23, 2016 with FBR Capital Markets &
Co. and MLV & Co. LLC and Aemetis Inc.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
1.1
|
Mar 28,
2016
|
|
|
3.1.1
|
Articles of
Incorporation
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
3.1
|
Nov. 14,
2008
|
|
|
3.1.2
|
Certificate of
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
3.1.1
|
Nov. 14,
2008
|
|
|
3.1.3
|
Certificate of
Designation of Series B Preferred Stock
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
3.2
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
3.1.4
|
Certificate of
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
3.3
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
3.1.5
|
Certificate of
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation
|
Pre14C
|
111136140
|
|
Oct. 11,
2011
|
|
|
3.1.6
|
Certificate of
Change in Articles of Incorporation are a result of 1 for 10
reverse split to Authorized Shares and Common Shares Outstanding on
May 5, 2014
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
3.1
|
May 31,
2014
|
|
|
3.1.7
|
Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
3.1.7
|
March 16,
2017
|
X
|
|
3.2.1
|
Bylaws
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
3.4
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
4.1
|
Specimen Common
Stock Certificate
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
4.1
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
4.2
|
Specimen Series B
Preferred Stock Certificate
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
4.2
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
4.3
|
Form of Common
Stock Warrant
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
4.3
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
4.4
|
Form of Series B
Preferred Stock Warrant
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
4.4
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
10.1
|
Amended and
Restated 2007 Stock Plan
|
14A
|
000-51354
|
|
Apr. 3,
2015
|
|
|
10.2
|
Amended and
Restated 2007 Stock Plan form of Stock Option Award
Agreement
|
14A
|
000-51354
|
|
Apr. 15,
2008
|
|
|
10.3
|
Eric McAfee
Executive Employment Agreement dated September 1, 2011
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
Sep. 8,
2011
|
|
|
10.4
|
Andrew Foster
Executive Employment Agreement, dated May 22, 2007
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.7
|
Dec. 13,
2007
|
|
|
10.5
|
Todd Waltz
Executive Employment Agreement, dated March 15, 2010
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
|
May 20,
2009
|
|
|
10.6
|
Sanjeev Gupta
Executive Employment Agreement, dated September 1,
2007
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.11
|
May 20,
2009
|
|
|
10.7
|
Agreement of Loan
for Overall Limit dated June 26, 2008 between Universal Biofuels
Private Limited and State Bank of India
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
10.12
|
Aug. 14,
2008
|
|
|
10.8
|
Ethanol Marketing
Agreement, dated October 29, 2010 between AE Advanced Fuels Keyes,
Inc. and Kinergy Marketing, LLC
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
10.6
|
Dec. 1,
2010
|
|
|
10.9
|
Zymetis, Inc. 2006
Stock Incentive Plan
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.31
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.10
|
Zymetis
Inc. Incentive Stock Option Agreement
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.32
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.11
|
Zymetis Inc.
Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.33
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.12
|
First Amendment to
Ethanol Marketing Agreement dated September 6, 2011, between AE
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. and Kinergy Energy
Marketing
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Sept. 8,
2011
|
|
|
10.13
|
Form of Note and
Warrant Purchase Agreement
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jan. 1,
2012
|
|
36
10.14
|
Form of 5%
Subordinated Note
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
Jan. 1,
2012
|
|
|
10.15
|
Form of Common
Stock Warrant
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.3
|
Jan. 1,
2012
|
|
|
10.16
|
Amendment No. 6 to
Note Purchase Agreement dated April 13, 2012 among Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Keyes, Inc., Third Eye Capital Corporation, as agent, and the
Purchasers
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Apr. 19,
2012
|
|
|
10.17
|
Limited Waiver to
Note Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 2012 among Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Keyes, Inc., and Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario
corporation, as agent
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Apr. 19,
2012
|
|
|
10.18
|
Limited Waiver to
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 2012 among
Aemetis, Inc., Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario
corporation, as agent, and the Purchasers
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Apr. 19,
2012
|
|
|
10.19
|
Amendment No. 7 to
Note Purchase Agreement dated May 15, 2012 among Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Keyes, Inc., Third Eye Capital Corporation, as agent, and the
Purchasers
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
May 22,
2012
|
|
|
10.20
|
Form of Note and
Warrant Purchase Agreement
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jun. 6,
2012
|
|
|
10.21
|
Form of 5%
Subordinated Note
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jun. 6,
2012
|
|
|
10.22
|
Form of Common
Stock Warrant
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jun. 6,
2012
|
|
|
10.23
|
Note and Warrant
Purchase Agreement dated June 21, 2012 among Third Eye Capital
Corporation, Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., and Aemetis,
Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jun. 28,
2012
|
|
|
10.24
|
5% Subordinated
Promissory Note dated June 21, 2012 among Third Eye Capital
Corporation, Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., and Aemetis,
Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
Jun. 28,
2012
|
|
|
10.25
|
Form of Warrant to
Purchase Common Stock
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.3
|
Jun. 28,
2012
|
|
|
10.26
|
Note Purchase
Agreement dated June 27, 2012 among Third Eye Capital Corporation,
Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., and Aemetis, Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
July 3,
2012
|
|
|
10.27
|
15% Subordinated
Promissory Note dated June 27, 2012 among Third Eye Capital
Corporation, Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., and Aemetis,
Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
July 3,
2012
|
|
|
10.28
|
Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated July 6, 2012, among Aemetis, Inc., AE Advanced
Fuels, Inc., Keyes Facility Acquisition Corp., and Cilion,
Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
2.1
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.29
|
Stockholders’
Agreement dated July 6, 2012, among Aemetis, Inc., and Western
Milling Investors, LLC, as Security holders’
Representative.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.30
|
Amended and
Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 6, 2012 among Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., Keyes Facility Acquisition Corp.,
Aemetis, Inc., Third Eye Capital Corporation, as Administrative
Agent, and the Note holders
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.31
|
Amended and
Restated Guaranty, dated July 6, 2012 among Aemetis, Inc., certain
subsidiaries of Aemetis and Third Eye Capital Corporation, as
Agent.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.3
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.32
|
Amended and
Restated Security Agreement, dated July 6, 2012 among Aemetis,
Inc., certain subsidiaries of Aemetis and Third Eye Capital
Corporation, as Agent.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.4
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.33
|
Investors’
Rights Agreement dated July 6, 2012, by and among Aemetis, Inc.,
and the investors listed on Schedule A thereto.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.5
|
July 10,
2012
|
|
|
10.34
|
Technology License
Agreement dated August 9, 2012 between Chevron Lummus Global LLC
and Aemetis Advanced Fuels, Inc.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Aug. 22,
2012
|
|
37
10.35
|
Corn Procurement
and Working Capital Agreement dated March 9, 2011 between J.D.
Heiskell Holdings LLC and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes,
Inc.*
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.64
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.36
|
Purchasing
Agreement dated March 9, 2011 between J.D. Heiskell Holdings LLC
and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.*
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.65
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.37
|
WDG Purchase and
Sale Agreement dated March 23, 2011 between A.L. Gilbert Company
and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.66
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.38
|
Keyes Corn
Handling Agreement dated March 23, 2011 among A. L. Gilbert
Company, AE Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., and J.D. Heiskell Holdings,
LLC
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.67
|
Oct. 31,
2012
|
|
|
10.39
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of October 18, 2012 by and among Aemetis Advanced Fuels
Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario
corporation as agent, Third Eye Capital Credit Opportunities Fund
– Insight Fund, and Sprott PC Trust.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Oct. 23,
2012
|
|
|
10.40
|
Amendment No. 1 to
Revolving Line of Credit Agreement dated October 16, 2012 by and
among Aemetis International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Laird
Q. Cagan
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
Oct. 23,
2012
|
|
|
10.41
|
Note Purchase
Agreement effective as of March 4, 2011, amended January 19, 2012
and July 24, 2012 by and among AE Advanced Fuels, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and Advanced BioEnergy, LP a California limited
partnership and Advanced BioEnergy GP, LLC, a California limited
liability company.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.3
|
Oct. 23,
2012
|
|
|
10.42
|
Form of
Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note by and among AE Advanced
Fuels, Inc., a Delaware corporation and Advanced BioEnergy, LP, a
California limited partnership.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.4
|
Oct. 23,
2012
|
|
|
10.43
|
Amendment to the
Purchasing Agreement dated March 9, 2011 between J.D. Heiskell
Holdings LLC and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. dated September
29, 2012
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.72
|
Apr. 4,
2013
|
|
|
10.44
|
Agreement for
Repayment of Note by Share Issuance dated as of December 31, 2012
by and among Aemetis, Inc., Aemetis International, Inc., (formerly
known as “International Biodiesel, Inc.”), a Nevada
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Laird
Q. Cagan for himself and on behalf of all other holders of
interests in the Revolving Line of Credit (as defined in the
Agreement).
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Jan. 7,
2013
|
|
|
10.45
|
Agreement for
Repayment of Note by Share Issuance dated as of December 31, 2012
by and among Aemetis, Inc., Aemetis International, Inc., (formerly
known as “International Biodiesel, Inc.”), a Nevada
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Laird
Q. Cagan for himself and on behalf of all other holders of
interests in the Revolving Line of Credit (as defined in the
Agreement).
|
8-K/A
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Feb. 27,
2013
|
|
|
10.46
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of February 27, 2013 by and among Aemetis Advanced Fuels
Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario
corporation as agent, Third Eye Capital Credit Opportunities Fund
– Insight Fund, and Sprott PC Trust.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Mar. 11,
2013
|
|
38
10.47
|
Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement for Repayment of Note by Share Issuance dated as of April
10, 2013 by and among Aemetis, Inc., Aemetis International, Inc., a
Nevada corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and
Laird Q. Cagan for himself and on behalf of all other holders of
interests in the Revolving Line of Credit (as defined in the
Agreement).
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.77
|
Apr. 4,
2013
|
|
|
10.48
|
Amendment to the
Purchasing Agreement dated March 9, 2011 between J.D. Heiskell
Holdings LLC and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. dated January
2, 2013.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.76
|
Apr. 4,
2013
|
|
|
10.49
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No.3 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement
dated as of April 15, 2013 by and among Aemetis Advanced Fuels
Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario
corporation as agent, Third Eye Capital Credit Opportunities Fund
– Insight Fund, and Sprott PC Trust.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Apr. 16,
2013
|
|
|
10.505
|
Amendment No. 4 to
Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 19,
2013 by and among Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Aemetis, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Third Eye Capital
Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye Capital
Insight Fund
|
8-K/A
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
May 14,
2013
|
|
|
10.5
|
Special Bridge
Advance dated as of March 29, 2013 by and among Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Aemetis, Inc., a Nevada
corporation, Third Eye Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation,
as agent for Third Eye Capital Insight Fund
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
Apr. 16,
2013
|
|
|
10.51
|
Agreement For
Satisfaction of Note by Share and Note Issuance dated as of April
18, 2013 between Aemetis, Inc., Aemetis International, Inc. and
Laird Q. Cagan for himself and on behalf of all other holders of
interests in the Revolving Line of Credit dated August 17, 2009 as
amended.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Apr. 24,
2013
|
|
|
10.52
|
Amended and
Restated Heiskell Purchasing Agreement dated May 16, 2013, by and
between Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aemetis, Inc. and J.D. Heiskell
Holdings, LLC, a California limited liability company doing
business as J.D. Heiskell & Co.*
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
May 23,
2013
|
|
|
10.53
|
Amended and
Restated Aemetis Keyes Corn Procurement and Working Capital
Agreement, dated May 2, 2013, by and between Aemetis Advanced Fuels
Keyes, Inc., and J.D. Heiskell Holdings, LLC
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.2
|
May 23,
2013
|
|
|
10.54
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No.5 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of July 26, 2013 by and among Aemetis, Inc., Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc. Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc., Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent, Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
July 31,
2013
|
|
|
10.55
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No.6 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of October 28, 2013 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
8-K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Nov. 1,
2013
|
|
39
10.62
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No.7 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of May 14, 2014 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Mar. 31,
2014
|
|
|
10.64
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 8 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of November 7, 2014 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10-Q/A
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Nov. 13,
2014
|
|
|
10.65
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 9 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 12, 2015 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10K
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Mar.
12,2015
|
10.65
|
|
10.66
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 10 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of April 30, 2015 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital
Corporation, an
Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye Capital Credit
Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
May 7,
2015
|
|
|
10.67
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 11 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of August 6, 2015 by and among Aemetis,
Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2015).
|
10-Q
|
000-51354
|
10.1
|
Nov. 5,
2015
|
|
|
10.68
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 12 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 21, 2016 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.68
|
Mar. 28,
2016
|
|
|
10.69
|
Binding letter of
intent for the purchase of certain property, plant and equipment in
Goodland, Kansas by Aemetis Advanced Fuels Goodland, Inc., or such
other subsidiary of Aemetis Inc., dated March 22, 2016 from Third
Eye Capital Corporation, in its capacity as attorney-in-fact for
New Goodland Energy Center, LLC.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.69
|
Mar. 28,
2016
|
|
|
Limited Waiver and
Amendment No. 13 to Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 1, 2017 by and among Aemetis, Inc.; Aemetis
Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.; Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc.; Third Eye
Capital Corporation, an Ontario corporation, as agent for Third Eye
Capital Credit Opportunities Fund - Insight Fund, and Sprott PC
Trust.
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
10.70
|
Mar. 16,
2017
|
|
||
14
|
Code of
Ethics
|
10-K
|
000-51354
|
14
|
May 20,
2009
|
|
|
21
|
Subsidiaries of
the Registrant
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
Consent of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
||
24
|
Power of Attorney
(see signature page)
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
40
Certification of
Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
||
Certification of
Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 302
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
||
Certification of
Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
||
Certification of
Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
*Confidential
treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit. Omitted
portions have been filed separately with the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
41
AEMETIS,
INC.
Consolidated
Financial Statements
Index
To Financial Statements
|
Page
Number
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
43
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
44
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
|
45
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
46
|
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders' Deficit
|
47
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
48
-71
|
42
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of
Directors and Stockholders
Aemetis,
Inc.
We have audited the
accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aemetis, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related
consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss,
stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.
We conducted our
audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we
engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial
reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control
over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures
that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose
of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the
consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Aemetis, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended,
in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
/s/ RSM US
LLP
Des Moines,
Iowa
March 16,
2017
43
AEMETIS,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
AS
OF DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
(In thousands
except for par value)
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
Assets
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$1,486
|
$283
|
Accounts
receivable
|
1,557
|
1,166
|
Inventories
|
3,241
|
4,804
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
555
|
527
|
Other current
assets
|
206
|
1,222
|
Total current
assets
|
7,045
|
8,002
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net
|
66,370
|
70,718
|
Intangible assets,
net of accumulated amortization of $424 and $344,
respectively
|
1,300
|
1,380
|
Other
assets
|
3,095
|
3,041
|
Total
assets
|
$77,810
|
$83,141
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and stockholders' deficit
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
$7,842
|
$10,183
|
Current portion of
long term debt
|
2,027
|
5,607
|
Short term
borrowings
|
9,382
|
6,340
|
Mandatorily
redeemable Series B convertible preferred stock
|
2,844
|
2,742
|
Accrued property
taxes
|
2,648
|
2,244
|
Other current
liabilities
|
2,473
|
2,181
|
Total current
liabilities
|
27,216
|
29,297
|
|
|
|
Long term
liabilities:
|
|
|
Senior secured
notes
|
61,631
|
60,925
|
EB-5
notes
|
33,000
|
22,500
|
Long term
subordinated debt
|
5,674
|
5,523
|
Other long term
liabilities
|
102
|
190
|
Total long
term liabilities
|
100,407
|
89,138
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
deficit:
|
|
|
Series B
convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 7,235 authorized;
1,328 and 1,398 shares issued and outstanding each period,
respectively (aggregate liquidation preference of $3,984 and
$4,194, respectively)
|
1
|
1
|
Common stock,
$0.001 par value; 40,000 authorized; 19,858 and 19,619 shares
issued and outstanding, respectively
|
20
|
20
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
83,441
|
82,115
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(129,887)
|
(114,251)
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
(3,388)
|
(3,179)
|
Total stockholders'
deficit
|
(49,813)
|
(35,294)
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
and stockholders' deficit
|
$77,810
|
$83,141
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements
44
AEMETIS,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
(In thousands,
except for earnings per share)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Revenues
|
$143,158
|
$146,649
|
|
|
|
Cost of goods
sold
|
131,559
|
142,450
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit
|
11,599
|
4,199
|
|
|
|
Research and
development expenses
|
369
|
447
|
Selling, general
and administrative expenses
|
12,011
|
12,361
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss
|
(781)
|
(8,609)
|
|
|
|
Other (income)
expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
Interest rate
expense
|
11,493
|
10,164
|
Amortization
expense
|
5,723
|
6,715
|
(Gain) loss on debt
extinguishment
|
(2,033)
|
330
|
Loss on impairment
of goodwill and intangible assets
|
-
|
1,044
|
Other (income)
expense
|
(334)
|
270
|
|
|
|
Loss before income
taxes
|
(15,630)
|
(27,132)
|
|
|
|
Income tax
expense
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
$(15,636)
|
$(27,138)
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive
loss
|
|
|
Foreign currency
translation adjustment
|
(209)
|
(217)
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
$(15,845)
|
$(27,355)
|
|
|
|
Net loss per common
share
|
|
|
Basic
|
$(0.79)
|
$(1.37)
|
Diluted
|
$(0.79)
|
$(1.37)
|
|
|
|
Weighted average
shares outstanding
|
|
|
Basic
|
19,771
|
19,823
|
Diluted
|
19,771
|
19,823
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statement
45
AEMETIS,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
(In
thousands)
|
2016
|
2015
|
Operating
activities:
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
$(15,636)
|
$(27,138)
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities:
|
|
|
Share-based
compensation
|
747
|
938
|
Stock issued in
connection with consultant services
|
-
|
204
|
Depreciation
|
4,670
|
4,730
|
Debt related
amortization expense
|
5,723
|
6,715
|
Intangibles and
other amortization expense
|
126
|
129
|
Change in fair
value of warrant liability
|
(25)
|
(54)
|
(Gain) loss on
extinguishment of debt
|
(2,033)
|
330
|
Loss on
sale/disposal of assets
|
11
|
-
|
Impairment loss on
goodwill and intangible assets
|
-
|
1,044
|
Changes in
operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
(403)
|
72
|
Inventories
|
1,504
|
(450)
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
(28)
|
1,109
|
Other current
assets and other assets
|
890
|
(979)
|
Accounts
payable
|
(2,097)
|
2,020
|
Accrued interest
expense and fees, net of payments
|
6,448
|
9,800
|
Other
liabilities
|
474
|
744
|
Net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities
|
371
|
(786)
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities:
|
|
|
Capital
expenditures
|
(629)
|
(71)
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in
investing activities
|
(629)
|
(71)
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities:
|
|
|
Proceeds from
borrowings
|
20,583
|
30,331
|
Repayments of
borrowings
|
(18,956)
|
(29,293)
|
Issuance of common
stock for services, option and warrant exercises
|
-
|
23
|
Payment of debt
guarantee fee
|
-
|
(245)
|
Net cash provided
by financing activities
|
1,627
|
816
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange
rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
|
(166)
|
(8)
|
Net cash and cash
equivalents increase for period
|
1,203
|
(49)
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at beginning of period
|
283
|
332
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at end of period
|
$1,486
|
$283
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information, cash paid:
|
|
|
Interest
payments
|
$4,894
|
$478
|
Income tax
expense
|
6
|
6
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information, non-cash
transactions:
|
|
|
Proceeds from
exercise of stock options applied to accounts payable
|
-
|
21
|
Fair value of
warrants issued to subordinated debt holders
|
579
|
1,087
|
Repurchase of
common stock on revolver loan advance
|
-
|
7,479
|
Stock issued in
connection with services and interest on debt
|
-
|
432
|
Settlement of
accounts payable through transfer of equipment
|
66
|
-
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statement
46
AEMETIS,
INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
(In
thousands)
|
Series B Preferred Stock
|
Common Stock
|
Additional
|
Accumulated
|
Accumulated OtherComprehensive
|
|
||
|
Shares
|
Dollars
|
Shares
|
Dollars
|
Paid-in Capital
|
Deficit
|
loss
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2014
|
1,665
|
$2
|
20,650
|
$21
|
$87,080
|
$(87,113)
|
$(2,962)
|
$(2,972)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion
of Series B preferred to common stock
|
(267)
|
(1)
|
26
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1)
|
Options
exercised & stock-based compensation
|
-
|
-
|
146
|
-
|
981
|
-
|
-
|
981
|
Shares
issued to consultants and other services
|
-
|
-
|
50
|
-
|
204
|
-
|
-
|
204
|
Issuance
and exercise of warrants
|
-
|
-
|
270
|
1
|
1,098
|
-
|
-
|
1,099
|
Repurchase
of common stock
|
-
|
-
|
(1,600)
|
(3)
|
(7,476)
|
-
|
-
|
(7,479)
|
Issuance
of shares for Interest and additional consideration
|
-
|
-
|
77
|
1
|
228
|
-
|
-
|
229
|
Other
comprehensive loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(217)
|
(217)
|
Net
loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(27,138)
|
-
|
(27,138)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2015
|
1,398
|
1
|
19,619
|
20
|
82,115
|
(114,251)
|
(3,179)
|
(35,294)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion
of Series B preferred to common stock
|
(70)
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
747
|
-
|
-
|
747
|
Issuance
and exercise of warrants
|
-
|
-
|
232
|
-
|
579
|
-
|
-
|
579
|
Other
comprehensive loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(209)
|
(209)
|
Net
loss
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(15,636)
|
-
|
(15,636)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2016
|
1,328
|
$1
|
19,858
|
$20
|
$83,441
|
$(129,887)
|
$(3,388)
|
$(49,813)
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
47
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
1.
Nature of Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
Nature of Activities. These
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aemetis,
Inc. (formerly AE Biofuels, Inc.), a Nevada corporation, and its
wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Aemetis” or
the “Company”):
●
Aemetis Americas,
Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiary AE Biofuels, Inc., a
Delaware corporation;
●
Biofuels Marketing,
Inc., a Delaware corporation;
●
Aemetis
International, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiary
International Biofuels, Ltd., a Mauritius corporation, and its
subsidiary Universal Biofuels Private, Ltd., an India
company;
●
Aemetis
Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
●
Aemetis
Biochemicals, Inc., a Nevada corporation;
●
Aemetis Biofuels,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiary Energy Enzymes,
Inc., a Delaware corporation;
●
AE Advanced Fuels,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Aemetis Facility
Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
●
Aemetis Advanced
Fuels, Inc., a Nevada corporation;
●
Aemetis Advanced
Products Keyes, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
●
Aemetis Advanced
Fuels Goodland, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
and,
●
Aemetis Advanced
Biorefinery Keyes, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
We are an advanced
renewable fuels and biochemicals company focused on the
acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative
technologies that replace traditional petroleum-based products by
converting first generation biofuel plants into advanced
biorefineries. Founded in 2006, we own and operate a 60
million gallon per year capacity ethanol production facility
(Keyes plant) in California’s Central Valley where we
manufacture and produce ethanol, WDG, Condensed Distillers Solubles
(CDS) and distillers’ corn oil and a 50 million gallon per
year capacity renewable chemical and advanced fuel production
facility on the East Coast of India (Kakinada plant), where we
manufacture and produce high quality distilled biodiesel and
refined glycerin. In addition, we are continuing to
operate a research and development laboratory at the Maryland
Biotech Center and hold a portfolio of patents and related
technology licenses for the production of renewable fuels and
biochemicals.
Principles of Consolidation. The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its subsidiaries. All material inter-company accounts
and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
To the extent there are material differences between these
estimates and actual results, the Company’s consolidated
financial statements will be affected.
Revenue Recognition. The Company
recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an
arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or
determinable and collection is reasonably assured. The Company
records revenues based upon the gross amounts billed to its
customers. Revenue from nonmonetary transactions, principally
in-kind by-products received in exchange for material processing
where the by-product is contemplated by contract to provide value,
is recognized at the quoted market price of those goods received or
by-products.
Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold
includes those costs directly associated with the production of
revenues, such as raw material consumed, factory overhead and other
direct production costs. During periods of idle plant
capacity, costs otherwise charged to cost of goods sold are
reclassified to selling, general and administrative
expense.
Shipping and Handling Costs. Shipping
and handling costs are classified as a component of cost of goods
sold in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations.
Research and Development. Research and
development costs are expensed as incurred, unless they have
alternative future uses to the Company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company
considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity
of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company
maintains cash balances at various financial institutions
domestically and abroad. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) insures domestic cash accounts. The Company’s accounts
at these institutions may at times exceed federally insured limits.
The Company has not experienced any losses in such
accounts.
48
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Accounts Receivable. The
Company sells ethanol, wet distillers grains, condensed distillers
solubles and distillers corn oil through third-party marketing
arrangements generally without requiring collateral. The
Company sells biodiesel, glycerin, and processed natural oils to a
variety of customers and may require advanced payment based on the
size and creditworthiness of the customer. Accounts
receivables consist of product sales made to large creditworthy
customers. Trade accounts receivable are presented at original
invoice amount, net of any allowance for doubtful
accounts.The Company
maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for balances that
appear to have specific collection issues. The collection process
is based on the age of the invoice and requires attempted contacts
with the customer at specified intervals. If, after a specified
number of days, the Company has been unsuccessful in its collection
efforts, a bad debt allowance is recorded for the balance in
question. Delinquent accounts receivable are charged against the
allowance for doubtful accounts once un-collectability has been
determined. The factors considered in reaching this determination
are the apparent financial condition of the customer and the
Company’s success in contacting and negotiating with the
customer. If the financial condition of the Company’s
customers were to deteriorate additional allowances may be
required. We did not reserve any balance for allowances for
doubtful accounts in the years ended December 31, 2016 and
2015.
Inventories. Finished goods, raw
materials, and work-in-process inventories are valued using methods
which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net
realizable value (NRV). Distillers’ grains and
related products are stated at net realizable value. In
the valuation of inventories, NRV is determined as estimated
selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably
predictable costs of completion, disposal, and
transportation.
Property, Plant and Equipment.
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated
depreciation after assets are placed in service and are comprised
primarily of our buildings, furniture, machinery, equipment, land
at Keyes plant and Kakinada plant. It is our policy to depreciate
capital assets over their estimated useful lives using the
straight-line method.
The Company
evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets with finite lives
in accordance with ASC Subtopic 360-10-35 Property Plant and Equipment
–Subsequent
Measurements, which requires recognition of impairment of
long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. When events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, based on
estimated undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss would be
measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the
assets and its estimated fair value. In addition, our estimates in
coming up with forecasts for Kakinada plant which was in negative
gross margins as of December 31, 2016, we used significant
assumptions with regard to the cost of inputs mainly palm stearin,
and outputs mainly biodiesel. These assumptions were commodity
market driven but we also considered the Government regulations,
import and export tariffs, availability of alternate low cost
inputs, and potential customer agreements. We evaluated all
assumptions based on conditions which the Company believes will
become available to increase production at profitable margins in
the future.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets.
Intangible assets consist of intellectual property in the form of
patents pending, in-process research and development and goodwill.
Once the patents pending or in-process R&D have secured a
definite life in the form of a patent or product, they will be
carried at cost less accumulated amortization over their estimated
useful life. Amortization commences upon the commercial application
or generation of revenue and is amortized over the shorter of the
economic life or patent protection period.
Company intangible
assets such as goodwill have indefinite lives and as a result need
to be evaluated at least annually, or more frequently, if
impairment indicators arise. In the Company’s review, we
determined the fair value of the reporting unit using market
indicators and discounted cash flow modeling. The Company compares
the fair value to the net book value of the reporting unit. An
impairment loss would be recognized when the fair value is less
than the related carrying value, and an impairment expense would be
recorded in the amount of the difference. Forecasts of future cash
flows are judgments based on the Company’s experience and
knowledge of the Company’s operations and the industries in
which the Company operates. These forecasts could be significantly
affected by future changes in market conditions, the economic
environment, including inflation, and the purchasing decisions of
the Company’s customers.
During the year
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized
amortization expense of $80 thousand each period related to
patents. The Company expects to recognize $80 thousand in 2017,
$108 thousand in 2018, $198 thousand in 2019, $108 thousand in 2020
and 2021, and $698 thousand thereafter.
49
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
In
December 2015, pursuant to our annual goodwill impairment test, we
recorded a full impairment of goodwill amounting to $1.0 million.
Due to limitations in the our access to capital to develop the
acquired technology into a product for sale and current industry
conditions, the cash flow projections were lowered and the earnings
forecast was revised. We determine the fair value of our reporting
units utilizing discounted cash flows and incorporate assumptions
that we believe marketplace participants would
utilize.Warrant liability: The Company adopted
guidance related to distinguishing liabilities from equity for
certain warrants which contain a conditional obligation to
repurchase feature. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were
18,644 warrants with a conditional obligation to repurchase feature
that require liability treatment. As a result, a warrant liability
was recorded to recognize the fair value upon issuance of each
warrant. The Company estimates the fair value of future liability
on warrants using the Black-Scholes pricing model. Assumptions
within the pricing model include: 1) the risk-free interest rate,
which comes from the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods within
the contractual life of the warrant, 2) the expected life of the
warrants is assumed to be the contractual life of the warrants, and
3) the volatility is estimated based on an average of the
historical volatilities.
The Company
computes the fair value of the warrant liability at each reporting
period and the change in the fair value is recorded through
earnings. The key component in the value of the warrant liability
is the Company's stock price, which is subject to significant
fluctuation and is not under the Company's control. The resulting
effect on the Company's net loss is therefore subject to
significant fluctuation and will continue to be so until the
warrants are exercised, amended, or expired. Assuming all other
fair value inputs remain constant, the Company will record non-cash
expense when the stock price increases and non-cash income when the
stock price decreases.
Income Taxes. The Company
recognizes income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 Income Taxes using an asset and
liability approach. This approach requires the recognition of taxes
payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax assets
and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events
that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated
financial statements or tax returns. The measurement of current and
deferred taxes is based on provisions of enacted tax
law.
ASC 740 provides
for recognition of deferred tax assets if the realization of such
assets is more likely than not to occur. Otherwise, a valuation
allowance is established for the deferred tax assets, which may not
be realized. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded
a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due
to operating losses incurred since inception. Realization of
deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the
timing and amount of which are uncertain. Accordingly, the net
deferred tax assets were fully offset by a valuation
allowance.
The Company is
subject to income tax audits by the respective tax authorities in
all of the jurisdictions in which it operates. The determination of
tax liabilities in each of these jurisdictions requires the
interpretation and application of complex and sometimes uncertain
tax laws and regulations. The recognition and measurement of
current taxes payable or refundable and deferred tax assets and
liabilities requires that the Company make certain estimates and
judgments. Changes to these estimates or a change in judgment may
have a material impact on the Company’s tax provision in a
future period.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss per
Share. Basic net loss per share is computed by
dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period. Diluted net loss per share reflects the dilution
of common stock equivalents such as options, convertible preferred
stock, debt, and warrants to the extent the impact is
dilutive. As the Company incurred net loss for the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, potentially dilutive securities
have been excluded from the diluted net loss per share computations
as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
The following table
shows the number of potentially dilutive shares excluded from the
diluted net loss per share calculation as of December 31, 2016 and
2015:
|
As
of
|
|
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
|
|
|
Series B preferred
(1:10 post-split basis)
|
133
|
140
|
Common stock
options and warrants
|
1,975
|
1,347
|
Debt with
conversion feature at $30 per share of common stock
|
1,168
|
783
|
Total number of
potentially dilutive shares excluded from the diluted net loss per
share calculation
|
3,276
|
2,270
|
50
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Comprehensive Loss. ASC 220
Comprehensive Income
requires that an enterprise report, by major components and as a
single total, the change in its net assets from non-owner sources.
The Company’s other comprehensive loss and accumulated other
comprehensive loss consists solely of cumulative currency
translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the
financial statements of its foreign subsidiary. The investment in
this subsidiary is considered indefinitely invested overseas, and
as a result, deferred income taxes are not recorded related to the
currency translation adjustments.Foreign Currency
Translation/Transactions. Assets and liabilities of the
Company’s non-U.S. subsidiary that operates in a local
currency environment, where that local currency is the functional
currency, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in
effect at the balance sheet date; with the resulting translation
adjustments directly recorded to a separate component of
accumulated other comprehensive loss. Income and expense accounts
are translated at average exchange rates during the year.
Transactional gains and losses from foreign currency transactions
are recorded in other (income) loss, net.
Operating Segments. Operating segments
are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate
financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by
the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in
deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
Aemetis recognized two reportable geographic segments: “North
America” and “India.”
The “North
America” operating segment includes the Company’s 60
million gallons per year capacity Keyes plant in Keyes, California
and the research facilities in College Park, Maryland.
The
“India” operating segment encompasses the
Company’s 50 million gallon per year capacity biodiesel plant
in Kakinada, India, the administrative offices in Hyderabad, India,
and the holding companies in Nevada and Mauritius.
Fair Value of Financial
Instruments. Financial instruments include accounts
receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, current and
non-current portion of subordinated debt, notes payable and
long-term debt. Due to the unique terms of our notes payable,
and long-term debt and the financial condition of the Company, the
fair value of the debt is not readily determinable. The fair
value, determined using level 3 inputs, of all other current
financial instruments is estimated to approximate carrying value
due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Share-Based Compensation. The Company
recognizes share based compensation expense in accordance with ASC
718 Stock Compensation
requiring the Company to recognize expense related to the estimated
fair value of the Company’s share-based compensation awards
at the time the awards are granted adjusted to reflect only those
shares that are expected to vest.
Commitments and
Contingencies. The Company records and/or
discloses commitments and contingencies in accordance with ASC 450
Contingencies. ASC 450
applies to an existing condition, situation, or set of
circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible loss that will
ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail
to occur.
Convertible Instruments. The
Company evaluates the impacts of convertible instruments based on
the underlying conversion features. Convertible
Instruments are evaluated for treatment as derivatives that could
be bifurcated and recorded separately. Any beneficial
conversion feature is recorded based on the intrinsic value
difference at the commitment date.
Debt Modification Accounting. The
Company evaluates amendments to its debt in accordance with ASC
540-50 Debt – Modification
and Extinguishments for modification and extinguishment
accounting. This evaluation includes comparing the net
present value of cash flows of the new debt to the old debt to
determine if changes greater than 10 percent
occurred. In instances where the net present value of
future cash flows changed more than 10 percent, the Company applies
extinguishment accounting and determines the fair value of its debt
based on factors available to the Company.
51
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Recently Issued Accounting
Pronouncements.In May 2014, the
FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic 606), which supersedes all existing revenue recognition
requirements, including most industry-specific guidance. The new
standard requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the
consideration that the company expects to receive for those goods
or services. The new standard will be effective for us on January
1, 2018. We are currently evaluating the potential impact that
Topic 606 may have on our financial position and results of
operations.
In February 2016,
the FASB issued guidance which amends the existing accounting
standards for leases. Consistent with existing guidance, the
recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash
flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its
classification. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required
to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the
balance sheet. The new guidance is effective for us beginning
January 1, 2019, and for interim periods within that year.
Early adoption is permitted and we will be required to adopt using
a modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the timing of
adoption and the impact of this guidance on our consolidated
financial statements and disclosures.
In March 2016, the
FASB issued ASU 2016-09 Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment
Accounting that changes the accounting for certain aspects
of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires
excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the
income statement when the awards vest or are settled. In addition,
cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be
separately classified as a financing activity apart from other
income tax cash flows. The standard also allows the repurchase more
of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without
triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments
made on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be
presented as a financing activity on the cash flows statement, and
provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures
as they occur. The amendments also remove the requirement to delay
the recognition of an excess tax benefit until it reduces current
taxes payable. Under the new guidance the benefit will be recorded
when it arises with a cumulative effect adjustment to opening
retained earnings for previously unrecognized benefits. The new
guidance is effective for us beginning December 15, 2017. We are
evaluating the timing of adoption and the impact of this guidance
on our consolidated financial statements and
disclosures.
In August 2016, the
FASB issued amendments to address eight specific cash flow issues
with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice.
The amendments are effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, and
for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted.
If we decide to early adopt the amendments, we will be required to
adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are evaluating
the timing of our adoption and the impact of the amendments on our
consolidated statement of cash flows and disclosures.
In November 2016,
the FASB issued amendments to require amounts generally described
as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with
cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period
and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash
flows. The amendments are effective for us beginning January 1,
2018, and for interim periods within that year. Early adoption is
permitted. We are evaluating the timing of our adoption and the
impact of the amendments on our consolidated statement of cash
flows and disclosures.
2.
Inventories
Inventories consist
of the following:
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
Raw
materials
|
$1,044
|
$1,787
|
Work-in-progress
|
1,360
|
1,807
|
Finished
goods
|
837
|
1,210
|
Total
inventories
|
$3,241
|
$4,804
|
52
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
3.
Property, Plant and EquipmentProperty, plant and
equipment consist of the following:
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
Land
|
$2,713
|
$2,727
|
Plant and
buildings
|
81,755
|
81,821
|
Furniture and
fixtures
|
572
|
494
|
Machinery and
equipment
|
4,308
|
4,052
|
Construction in
progress
|
88
|
147
|
Total gross
property, plant & equipment
|
89,436
|
89,241
|
Less accumulated
depreciation
|
(23,066)
|
(18,523)
|
Total net property,
plant & equipment
|
$66,370
|
$70,718
|
Depreciation on the
components of the property, plant and equipment is calculated using
the straight-line method to allocate their depreciable amounts over
their estimated useful lives as follows:
|
Years
|
Plant and
buildings
|
20 - 30
|
Machinery and
equipment
|
5 - 7
|
Furniture and
fixtures
|
3 - 5
|
The Company
recorded depreciation expense of approximately $4.7 million each
for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Management is
required to evaluate these long-lived assets for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their
carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Based on the recent third
party appraisals of the fair value of plant assets, equipment and
land and management’s valuations using discounted cash flow
analysis, both the Keyes ethanol and animal feed production plant
and India biodiesel and glycerin processing plant reporting units
did not require impairment adjustment as of December 31, 2016 and
2015.
4.
Debt
Debt consists of
the notes from the Company’s senior lender, Third Eye
Capital, acting as Agent for the Purchasers (Third Eye Capital),
other working capital lenders and subordinated lenders as
follows:
53
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
|
December
31,
2016
|
December
31,
2015
|
Third Eye Capital
term notes
|
$6,577
|
$6,269
|
Third Eye Capital
revolving credit facility
|
24,927
|
25,870
|
Third Eye Capital
revenue participation term notes
|
11,042
|
10,526
|
Third Eye Capital
acquisition term notes
|
19,085
|
18,260
|
Cilion shareholder
seller notes payable
|
5,674
|
5,523
|
State Bank of India
secured term loan
|
-
|
4,200
|
Subordinated
notes
|
7,565
|
6,340
|
EB-5 long term
promissory notes
|
35,027
|
23,907
|
Unsecured working
capital loans
|
1,817
|
-
|
Total
debt
|
111,714
|
100,895
|
Less current
portion of debt
|
11,409
|
11,947
|
Total
long term debt
|
$100,305
|
$88,948
|
Third Eye Capital Note Purchase
Agreement
On July 6, 2012,
Aemetis, Inc. and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc.
(“AAFK”), entered into an Amended and Restated Note
Purchase Agreement with Third Eye Capital (the “Note Purchase
Agreement”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreement, Third Eye Capital extended credit in the form of (i)
senior secured term loans in an aggregate principal amount of
approximately $7.2 million to replace existing notes held by Third
Eye Capital (the “Term Notes”); (ii) senior secured
revolving loans in an aggregate principal amount of $18.0 million
(“Revolving Credit Facility”); (iii) senior secured
term loans in the principal amount of $10.0 million to convert the
prior revenue participation agreement to a note (“Revenue
Participation Term Notes”); and (iv) senior secured term
loans in an aggregate principal amount of $15.0 million
(“Acquisition Term Notes”) used to fund the cash
portion of the acquisition of Cilion, Inc. (the Term Notes,
Revolving Credit Facility, Revenue Participation Term Notes and
Acquisition Term Notes are referred to herein collectively as the
Third Eye Capital Notes). After this financing transaction, Third
Eye Capital obtained sufficient equity ownership in the Company to
be considered a related party. The Third Eye Capital Notes have a
maturity date of April 1, 2018.
On March 21, 2016,
Third Eye Capital agreed to Amendment No. 12 to the Note Purchase
Agreement to: (i) extend the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2017 in exchange for a 5% extension fee
consisting of adding $3.1 million to the outstanding
principal balance of the Revolving Credit Facility and to allow for
the further extension of the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2018, at the Company’s election, for an
additional extension fee of 5% of the then outstanding Third Eye
Capital Notes, (ii) waive the free cash flow financial covenant
under the Note Purchase Agreement for the three months ended
December 31, 2015, (iii) provide that such covenant need not be
complied with for the fiscal quarters ending March 31, June 30 and
September 31, 2016, (iv) revise the Keyes Plant market value to
note indebtedness ratio to 70%, (v) add a covenant that the Company
shall have received I-924 approval from the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) for additional EB-5 Program financing
of at least $35 million by June 1, 2016, and (vi) increase the
basket for all costs and expenses that may be reimbursed to
directors of the Company and its affiliates to $0.3 million in any
given fiscal year. As consideration for such amendment
and waiver, the borrowers agreed to pay Third Eye Capital an
amendment and waiver fee of $1.5 million to be added to the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Facility and
to deliver a binding letter of intent from Aemetis Advanced Fuels
Goodland, Inc. to acquire the plant, property and equipment located
in Goodland, Kansas and previously owned by New Goodland Energy
Center for $15,000,000 in assumed debt. In addition, a
Promissory Note dated February 9, 2016 for $0.3 million was added
to the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit
Facility as part of the Amendment No. 12 to the Note Purchase
Agreement.
54
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
On April 15, 2016,
a Promissory Note for $1.2 million (April Promissory Note) was
advanced by Third Eye Capital to Aemetis Inc., as a bridge loan
with 12% interest per annum maturing on the earlier of (a) receipt
of proceeds from any financing to Aemetis Advanced Fuels Goodland,
Inc., and (b) 60 days from the April Promissory Note date or June
14, 2016. The April Promissory Note was subject to cross default
provisions on other Third Eye Capital Notes and the waiver was
obtained on July 31, 2016 to extend the maturity date of the April
Promissory Note to September 30, 2016 with an increase in interest
per annum to 18%. On July 19, 2016 and October 12, 2016, Promissory
Notes for $0.6 million and $1.2 million respectively, were advanced
by Third Eye Capital to Aemetis Inc., as a bridge loan, with 12%
interest per annum maturing on the earlier of (a) receipt of
proceeds from any financing to Aemetis Advanced Fuels Goodland,
Inc., and (b) 60 days from the date of the Promissory Notes. As of
December 31, 2016, the Company had repaid all of the principal and
interest outstanding on April Promissory Note and July and October
Promissory Notes.
On January 31,
2017, a Promissory Note (“January 2017 Note”) for $2.1
million was advanced by Third Eye Capital to Aemetis Inc., as a
short-term credit facility for working capital and other general
corporate purposes with 14% per annum maturing on the earlier of
(a) receipt of proceeds from any financing, refinancing or other
similar transaction, (b) extension of credit by payee, as lender or
as agent on behalf of certain lenders, to the Company or its
affiliates, and (c) May 30, 2017. In addition, as part of January
2017 Note agreement, Aemetis used the $0.5 million of the total
proceeds to buy back 275 thousand common shares that were held by
Third Eye Capital. In consideration of the January 2017 Note, the
$133 thousand of total proceeds were paid to Third Eye Capital as
financing charges.
On
March 1, 2017, Third Eye Capital agreed to Amendment No. 13 to the
Note Purchase Agreement to: (i) extend the maturity date of the
Third Eye Capital Notes to April 1, 2018 in exchange for a 5%
extension fee consisting of adding $3.1 million to the outstanding
principal balance of the Note Purchase Agreement and to allow for
the further extension of the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2019, at the Company’s election, for an
additional extension fee of 5% of the then outstanding Third Eye
Capital Notes, (ii) waive the free cash flow financial covenant
under the Note Purchase Agreement for the three months ended
December 31, 2016, (iii) provide that such covenant will be deleted
prospectively from the Note Purchase Agreement, (iv) waive the
default under the Note Purchase Agreement relating to indebtedness
outstanding to Laird Q. Cagan (the “Laird Cagan subordinated
note”) and (v) waive the covenant under the Note Purchase
Agreement to permit the Company to pay off the defaulted Laird
Cagan subordinated note by issuing stock. The borrowers agreed to
use their best efforts to close the transaction to purchase assets
in Goodland, Kansas from Third Eye Capital as described in a
non-binding offer to purchase letter between an affiliate of the
Company and Third Eye Capital. As consideration for such amendment
and waiver, the borrowers agreed to pay Third Eye Capital an
amendment and waiver fee of $750 thousand to be added to the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. As
a result of the extension of the maturity date in Amendment No. 13,
the Third Eye Capital Notes are classified as non-current debt. We
will evaluate the Amendment of the Notes and will determine proper
accounting treatment in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt –
Modification and Extinguishment.
Terms of Third Eye Capital
Notes
A.
Term
Notes. As
of December 31, 2016, the Company had $6.6 million in principal and
interest outstanding under the Term Notes, net of unamortized fair
value discounts of $0.1 million. The Term Notes accrue
interest at 14% per annum.
B.
Revolving Credit
Facility. As of December 31, 2016,
AAFK had $24.9 million in principal and interest outstanding, net
of unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.5 million on the Revolving
Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility accrues
interest at the prime rate plus 13.75% (17.50% as of December 31,
2016), payable monthly in arrears.
C.
Revenue Participation Term
Notes. As
of December 31, 2016, AAFK had $11.0 million in principal and
interest outstanding, net of unamortized discounts of $0.2 million,
on the Revenue Participation Term Notes. The Revenue Participation
Term Notes accrue interest at 5% per annum.
D.
Acquisition Term
Notes. As
of December 31, 2016, Aemetis Facility Keyes, Inc. had $19.1
million in principal and interest outstanding, net of unamortized
discounts of $0.3 million, on the Acquisition Term Notes. The
Acquisition Term Notes accrue interest at prime rate plus 10.75%
(14.50% per annum as of December 31, 2016).
The Third Eye
Capital Notes contain various covenants, including but not limited
to, minimum free cash flow debt ratio and production requirements
and restrictions on capital expenditures. The Company met all
covenants except for cash flow covenant as of December 31, 2016 and
obtained a waiver in the Amendment No. 13 to the Note Purchase
Agreement with the Third Eye Capital as described
above.
The Third Eye
Capital Notes are secured by first priority liens on all real and
personal property of, and assignment of proceeds from all
government grants and guarantees from Aemetis, Inc. The
Third Eye Capital Notes all contain cross-collateral and
cross-default provisions. McAfee Capital, LLC
(“McAfee Capital”), owned by Eric McAfee, the
Company’s Chairman and CEO, provided a guaranty of payment
and performance secured by all of its Company shares. In
addition, Eric McAfee provided a blanket lien on substantially all
of his personal assets, and McAfee Capital provided a guarantee in
the amount of $8.0 million.
55
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
Cilion shareholder seller notes
payable. In connection with the Company’s
merger with Cilion, Inc., (Cilion) on July 6, 2012, the Company
issued $5.0 million in notes payable to Cilion shareholders (Cilion
Notes) as merger compensation, subordinated to the Third Eye
Capital Notes. The Cilion Notes bear interest at 3% per
annum and are due and payable after the Third Eye Capital Notes
have been paid in full. As of December 31, 2016, Aemetis
Facility Keyes, Inc. had $5.7 million in principal and interest
outstanding on the Cilion Notes.
State Bank of India secured term
loan. On June 26, 2008, Universal Biofuels
Private Limited (“UBPL”), the Company’s India
operating subsidiary, entered into a six year secured term loan
with the State Bank of India in the amount of approximately $6.0
million. The term loan is secured by UBPL’s
assets, consisting of the Kakinada plant.
On August 22, 2015,
UBPL received from the State Bank of India, a One Time Settlement
Sanction Letter allowing for, among other things, four payments
over a 360 day period amounting to $4.3 million, an interest rate
holiday for 15 days, after which the interest rate is payable at
the rate of 2% above the base rate of the Reserve Bank of India and
certain releases by both parties. The base rate was at 9.3% to 9.7%
and interest has accrued at 11.3% to 11.7%. Upon performance under
the agreement, including the payment of all stipulated amounts,
UBPL would receive relief for prior accrued interest in the amount
of approximately $2.1 million. We paid the first payment under the
settlement on August 23, 2015, the second payment under the
settlement on October 22, 2015 and the third payment under the
settlement on March 27, 2016. The final payment under the
settlement was due on August 25, 2016 with a grace period until
October 25, 2016. On October 20, 2016, the Company paid the final
stipulated amount and received relief for prior accrued interest in
the amount of approximately $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2016,
the State Bank of India loan had been repaid.
Subordinated Notes. On January
6 and January 9, 2012, AAFK entered into Note and Warrant Purchase
Agreements with two accredited investors pursuant to which it
issued $0.9 million and $2.5 million in original notes to the
investors (Subordinated Notes). The Subordinated Notes mature every
six months. Upon maturity, the notes are generally extended with a
fee of 10% added to the balance outstanding plus issuance of
warrants exercisable at $0.01 with a two year term. Interest is due
at maturity. Neither AAFK nor Aemetis may make any principal
payments under the Subordinated Notes until all loans made by Third
Eye Capital to AAFK are paid in full.
On January 1, 2016
and July 1, 2016, the Subordinated Notes were amended to extend the
maturity date and we evaluated these amendments and the refinancing
terms of the notes and determined that modification accounting was
appropriate in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt – Modification and
Extinguishment.
On January 1, 2017,
the Subordinated Notes were amended to extend the maturity date
until the earlier of (i) June 30, 2017; (ii) completion of an
equity financing by AAFK or Aemetis in an amount of not less than
$25.0 million; (iii) the completion of an Initial Public Offering
by AAFK or Aemetis; or (iv) after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, including failure to pay interest or principal when due
and breaches of note covenants. A 10% cash extension fee was paid
by adding the fee to the balance of the new note and warrants to
purchase 113 thousand shares of common stock were granted with a
term of two years and an exercise price of $0.01 per share. We will
evaluate these January 1, 2017 amendments and the refinancing terms
of the notes and determine the appropriate accounting treatment in
accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt
– Modification and Extinguishment.
On January 14,
2013, Laird Cagan, a related party, loaned $0.1 million through a
promissory note maturing on April 30, 2013 with a five percent
annualized interest rate and the right to exercise 5 thousand
warrants exercisable at $0.01 per share (Laird Cagan Note). In
January 2017, the Laird Cagan Note was amended to extend the
maturity date until the earlier of (i) December 31, 2017; (ii)
completion of an equity financing by AAFK or the Company in an
amount of not less than $25.0 million; (iii) the completion of an
initial public offering by AAFK or Company; or (iv) after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, including failure to pay
interest or principal when due and breaches of note
covenants.
At December 31,
2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had, in aggregate, the
amount of $7.6 million and $6.3 million in principal and interest
outstanding, respectively, under the Subordinated
Notes.
56
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
EB-5 long-term promissory
notes. EB-5 is a U.S. government program
authorized by the Immigration and Nationality Act designed to
foster employment-based visa preference for immigrant investors to
encourage the flow of capital into the U.S. economy and to promote
employment of U.S. workers. The Company entered into a Note
Purchase Agreement dated March 4, 2011, (as further amended on
January 19, 2012 and July 24, 2012) with Advanced BioEnergy,
LP, a California limited partnership authorized as a Regional
Center to receive EB-5 investments, for the issuance of up to 72
subordinated convertible promissory notes (EB-5 Notes) bearing
interest at 3%, with each note in the principal amount of $0.5
million and due and payable four years from the date of each note,
for a total aggregate principal amount of up to $36.0 million (EB-5
Phase I funding). The EB-5 Notes are convertible after
three years at a conversion price of $30.00 per share.
Advanced BioEnergy,
LP arranges investments with foreign investors, who each make loans
to the Keyes plant in increments of $0.5 million. The Company has
sold an aggregate principal amount of $36.0 million of EB-5 Notes
under the EB-5 Phase I funding since 2012 to the report date of
this filing. As of December 31, 2016, $34.0 million have been
released from the escrow amount to the Company, with $1.0 million
remaining in escrow and $1.0 million to be funded to
escrow. As of December 31, 2016, $34.0 million in
principal and $1.0 million in accrued interest was outstanding on
the EB-5 Notes.
On October 16,
2016, the Company launched a new $50.0 million EB-5 Phase II
funding, with plans to issue EB-5 Notes on the same terms and
conditions as those issued under the Company’s EB-5 Phase I
funding.
Unsecured working capital
loans. In November 2008, the Company entered into
an operating agreement with Secunderabad Oils Limited (Secunderabad
Oils). Under this agreement, Secunderabad Oils agreed to
provide the Company with working capital, on an as needed basis, to
fund the purchase of feedstock and other raw materials for its
Kakinada biodiesel facility. Working capital advances
bear interest at the actual bank borrowing rate of Secunderabad
Oils of 12%. In return, the Company agreed to pay
Secunderabad Oils an amount equal to 30% of the plant’s
monthly net operating profit. In the event that the
Company’s biodiesel facility operates at a loss, Secunderabad
Oils would owe the Company 30% of the losses. The
agreement can be terminated by either party at any time without
penalty. On January 1, 2016, Secunderabad Oils suspended
the agreement to use any funds provided under the agreement to buy
feedstock until commodity prices returned to economically viable
levels. On June 1, 2016, the agreement was reinitiated
on the terms described above.
During the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company made principal and
interest payments to Secunderabad Oils of approximately $4.6
million and $5.9 million, respectively. As of December
31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had approximately $0.3 million and
none outstanding under this agreement, respectively.
In
October 2016, the Company made an agreement with one of the raw
material vendors to pay 12% interest on unpaid balance of $1.9
million for supplying the palm stearin. The Company paid $0.4
million during the three months ended December 31, 2016. As of
December 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.5 million
outstanding on this raw material purchase agreement.
Scheduled debt
repayments for loan obligations follow:
Twelve months ended
December 31,
|
Debt
Repayments
|
2017
|
$11,409
|
2018
|
65,237
|
2019
|
25,000
|
2020
|
11,174
|
Total
debt
|
112,820
|
Discounts
|
(1,106)
|
Total debt, net of
discounts
|
$111,714
|
5.
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating Leases
As of December 31,
2016, the Company, through its subsidiaries, has non-cancelable
future minimum operating lease payments for various office space
locations. Future minimum operating lease payments are as
follows:
57
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Twelve months ended
December 31,
|
Future Rent
Payments
|
2017
|
$462
|
2018
|
479
|
2019
|
495
|
2020
|
209
|
Total
|
$1,645
|
The Cupertino
facility office space consists of 9,238 rentable square
feet. The current lease expires on May 31,
2020. From June 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, we
sublet office space consisting of 3,104 rentable square feet to
Splunk Inc., at a monthly rent rate equal to the rent charged to us
by our landlord.
For the years
ending December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company received from Splunk
Inc., approximately $0.1 million in rent reimbursement. For the
years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized rent
expense of $0.5 million each period.
Legal Proceedings
On August 31, 2016,
the Company filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court
against defendants EdenIQ, Inc. (EdenIQ) and its CEO, Brian D.
Thome and Trinity Capital Investments (Trinity). The
lawsuit is based on EdenIQ’s wrongful termination of a merger
agreement that would have effectuated the merger of the Company and
EdenIQ. The lawsuit also asserts that EdenIQ and Mr.
Thome fraudulently induced the Company into assisting EdenIQ to
obtain EPA approval for a new technology which the Company would
not have done but for the merger agreement. The relief sought
includes EdenIQ’s specific performance of the merger
agreement and monetary damages, as well as punitive damages,
attorneys’ fees, and costs.
On August 4, 2013,
GS Cleantech Corporation, a subsidiary of Greenshift Corporation
(“Greenshift”), filed a complaint in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of California –
Fresno Division against us and our subsidiary, AAFK. The case
was transferred to the Southern District of Indiana and joined to a
pending Multidistrict Litigation. The complaint alleges
infringement of patent rights assigned to Greenshift and pertaining
to corn oil extraction processes we employ and seeks royalties,
treble damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctions precluding
us from further infringement. The corn oil extraction process
we use is licensed to us by Valicor Separation Technologies LLC.
Valicor has no obligations to indemnify us. On October
23, 2014, the Court ruled that all the claims of all the patents at
issue in the case are invalid and, therefore, not infringed and
adopted this finding in our case on January 16, 2015. GS
Cleantech has said it will appeal this decision when the remaining
claim in the suit has been decided. We believe the likelihood
of Greenshift succeeding on appeal of the invalidity findings is
small since the Court’s findings included several grounds for
invalidity of each allegedly infringed patent. If Greenshift
successfully appeals the findings of invalidity, damages
may be $1 million or more. The suit also alleged that GS
Cleantech obtained the patents at issue by inequitably conducting
itself before the United States Patent Office. A trial in the
District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on that issue
was concluded and the Court found the patents unenforceable because
of inequitable conduct by GS Cleantech and its counsel before the
Patent and Trademark Office. GS Cleantech has asked the Court
to reconsider its decision, citing the existence of a recently
issued patent that the patent examiner allowed despite the
Court’s findings and the allowance of which the Court did not
consider when making its decision of inequitable conduct. GS
Cleantech has indicated it will appeal the current ruling on
inequitable conduct if the Court’s reconsideration does not
result in a change in its findings. The Court’s
reconsideration has been stayed until April 10, 2017.
58
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
6.
Stockholders’ Equity
The Company is
authorized to issue up to 40 million shares of common stock, $0.001
par value and 65 million shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par
value.
Convertible Preferred Stock
The following is a
summary of the authorized, issued and outstanding convertible
preferred stock:
|
Authorized
|
Shares Issued
and
|
|
|
Shares
|
Outstanding
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Series B preferred
stock
|
7,235
|
1328
|
1398
|
Undesignated
|
57,765
|
—
|
—
|
|
65,000
|
1328
|
1398
|
Our Articles of
Incorporation authorize the Company’s board to issue up to 65
million shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value, in one or more
classes or series within a class upon authority of the board
without further stockholder approval.
Significant terms
of the designated preferred stock are as follows:
Voting. Holders of the Company’s
Series B preferred stock are entitled to the number of votes equal
to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of
Series B preferred stock held by such holder could be converted as
of the record date. Cumulative voting with respect to the election
of directors is not allowed. Currently each share of Series B
preferred stock is entitled to a 0.1 vote per share of Series B
preferred stock. In addition, without obtaining the approval of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding preferred stock, the
Company cannot:
●
Increase or
decrease (other than by redemption or conversion) the total number
of authorized shares of Series B preferred
stock;
●
Effect an exchange,
reclassification, or cancellation of all or a part of the Series B
preferred stock, including a reverse stock split, but excluding a
stock split;
●
Effect an exchange,
or create a right of exchange, of all or part of the shares of
another class of shares into shares of Series B preferred stock;
or
●
Alter or change the
rights, preferences or privileges of the shares of Series B
preferred stock so as to affect adversely the shares of such
series.
Dividends. Holders of all of the
Company’s shares of Series B preferred stock are entitled to
receive non-cumulative dividends payable in preference and before
any declaration or payment of any dividend on common stock as may
from time to time be declared by the board of directors out of
funds legally available for that purpose at the rate of 5% of the
original purchase price of such shares of preferred stock. No
dividends may be made with respect to the Company’s common
stock until all declared dividends on the preferred stock have been
paid or set aside for payment to the preferred stockholders. To
date, no dividends have been declared.
Liquidation Preference. In the event of
any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company, the holders of the Series B preferred stock are
entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any payment to the
holders of the common stock, $3.00 per share plus all declared but
unpaid dividends (if any) on the Series B preferred stock. If the
Company’s assets legally available for distribution to the
holders of the Series B preferred stock are insufficient to permit
the payment to such holders of their full liquidation preference,
then the Company’s entire assets legally available for
distribution are to be distributed to the holders of the Series B
preferred stock in proportion to their liquidation preferences.
After the payment to the holders of the Series B preferred stock of
their liquidation preference, the Company’s remaining assets
legally available for distribution are distributed to the holders
of the common stock in proportion to the number of shares of common
stock held by them. A liquidation, dissolution or winding up
includes (a) the acquisition of the Company by another entity by
means of any transaction or series of related transactions to which
the Company is party (including, without limitation, any stock
acquisition, reorganization, merger or consolidation but excluding
any sale of stock for capital raising purposes) that results in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto failing to represent immediately after such transaction or
series of transactions (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or the
entity that controls such surviving entity) a majority of the total
voting power represented by the outstanding voting securities of
the Company, such surviving entity or the entity that controls such
surviving entity, or (b) a sale, lease or other conveyance of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
59
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
Conversion. Holders of Series B
preferred stock have the right, at their option at any time, to
convert any shares into common stock. Every 10 shares of preferred
stock will convert into one share of common stock, at the current
conversion rate. The conversion ratio is subject to adjustment from
time to time in the event of certain dilutive issuances and events,
such as stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations,
reclassifications, exchanges and the like. In addition, at such
time as the Registration Statement covering the resale of the
shares of common stock is declared effective, then all outstanding
Series B preferred stock shall be automatically converted into
common stock at the then effective conversion rate.
Mandatorily Redeemable Series B preferred
stock. In connection with the election of dissenters’
rights by the Cordillera Fund, L.P., at December 31, 2008 the
Company reclassified 583 thousand shares with an original purchase
price of $1.8 million out of shareholders’ equity to a
liability called “mandatorily redeemable Series B preferred
stock” and accordingly reduced stockholders’ equity by
the same amount to reflect the Company’s obligations with
respect to this matter. The obligation accrues interest
at the rate of 5.25% per year. At December 31, 2016 and
2015, the Company had accrued an outstanding obligation of $2.8
million and $2.7 million, respectively. Full cash
payment to the Cordillera Fund is past due. The Company
expects to pay this obligation upon availability of funds after
paying senior secured obligations.
7.
Outstanding Warrants
During the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted 227 thousand
and 229 thousand common stock warrants, for the extension of
certain Notes. The accredited investors received 2 year warrants
exercisable at $0.01 per share as part of note agreements. In 2015,
the Company also granted110 thousand common stock warrants outside
the Company plans to certain employees with 1/12th vesting every
three months over 3 years and to Directors with immediate vesting.
These warrants have a 10 year term and are exercisable at $2.59 per
share as part of the warrant agreement.
The weighted
average fair value calculations for warrants granted are based on
the following weighted average assumptions:
For the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015, Note investors exercised 227 thousand
and 229 thousand warrant shares at exercise prices of $0.01 per
share, respectively.
A summary of
historical warrant activity for the years ended December 31, 2016
and 2015 follows:
Description
|
For the year
ended December 31
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Dividend-yield
|
0%
|
0%
|
Risk-free interest
rate
|
0.81%
|
1.1%
|
Expected
Volatility
|
71.8%
|
80.0%
|
Expected life
(years)
|
2
|
3.62
|
Market value per
share on grant date
|
$2.56
|
$4.06
|
Exercise price per
share
|
$0.01
|
$0.85
|
|
$2.55
|
$3.85
|
60
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
|
Warrants Outstanding & Exercisable
|
Weighted - Average Exercise Price
|
Average Remaining Term in Years
|
Outstanding
December 31, 2014
|
351
|
$3.05
|
2.69
|
Granted
|
339
|
0.85
|
|
Exercised
|
(272)
|
0.21
|
|
Expired
|
(50)
|
1.30
|
|
Outstanding
December 31, 2015
|
368
|
$3.36
|
4.61
|
Exercised
|
(233)
|
0.01
|
|
Granted
|
227
|
0.01
|
|
Expired
|
(18)
|
0.01
|
|
Outstanding
December 31, 2016
|
344
|
$3.33
|
3.88
|
40 thousand of the
above outstanding warrants are not vested and exercisable as of
December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had $77
thousand of total unrecognized compensation expense related to
warrants which the Company will amortize over the 1.94 years of
weighted remaining term.
8.
Stock-Based Compensation
Common Stock Reserved for Issuance
Aemetis authorized
the issuance of 1.9 million shares of common stock under its
Zymetis 2006 Stock Plan and Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Plan
(together, the “Company Stock Plans”), which include
both incentive and non-statutory stock options. These options
generally expire five to ten years from the date of grant with a
general vesting term of 1/12th every three
months and are exercisable at any time after vesting subject to
continuation of employment.
709 thousand stock
option grants were issued on May 19, 2016 for employees and
Directors under the Company Stock Plans.10 thousand stock options
were issued on November 17, 2016 under the Company Stock Plans for
a new hire. As of December 31, 2016, 1.5 million options are
outstanding under the Company Stock Plans.
Non-Plan Stock Options
In November 2012,
the Company issued 98 thousand stock options to board members and
consultants outside of any Company stock option plan. As of
December 31, 2016, all options are vested and 89 thousand options
are outstanding.
Inducement Equity Plan Options
In March 2015, the
Directors of the Company approved an Inducement Equity Plan
authorizing the issuance of 100,000 non-statutory options to
purchase common stock. The Company issued 12 thousand
stock options on August 18, 2016 under the Inducement Equity Plan
for a new hire. As of December 31, 2016, 37 thousand options were
outstanding.
The following is a
summary of awards granted under the above Plans:
61
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
|
Shares Available
for Grant
|
Number of Shares
Outstanding
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2015
|
95
|
980
|
$5.76
|
Authorized
|
655
|
-
|
-
|
Granted
|
(721)
|
721
|
2.52
|
Forfeited/expired
|
69
|
(69)
|
4.70
|
Balance as of
December 31, 2016
|
98
|
1,632
|
$4.37
|
Vested and unvested
awards outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
follow:
|
Number of
Shares
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
Remaining
Contractual Term (In Years)
|
Average
Intrinsic Value1
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and
Exercisable
|
977
|
$5.45
|
3.28
|
$-
|
Unvested
|
655
|
2.76
|
8.66
|
-
|
Total
|
1,632
|
$4.37
|
5.44
|
$-
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and
Exercisable
|
687
|
$6.49
|
2.32
|
$-
|
Unvested
|
293
|
4.06
|
5.59
|
-
|
Total
|
980
|
$5.76
|
3.30
|
$-
|
———————
(1) Intrinsic value
based on the $1.39 and $2.90 closing price of Aemetis stock on
December 31, 2016 and 2015 respectively, as reported on the NASDAQ
Exchange and Over the Counter Bulletin Board
respectively.
Stock-based compensation for employees
Stock-based
compensation is accounted for in accordance with the provisions of
ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires the
measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all
stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on
estimated fair values on the grant date. We estimate the fair value
of stock-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is
ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the
requisite service periods using the straight-line
method.
For the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded option expense in
the amount of $0.7 million and $0.9 million,
respectively.
Valuation and Expense Information
All issuances of
stock options or other issuances of equity instruments to employees
as the consideration for services received by us are accounted for
based on the fair value of the equity instrument issued. The fair
value of options granted to employees is estimated on the grant
date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. This valuation
model for stock based compensation expense requires us to make
assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the
calculation, including the fair value of our common stock, the
expected term (the period of time that the options granted are
expected to be outstanding), the volatility of our common stock, a
risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends. We also estimate
forfeitures of unvested stock options. To the extent actual
forfeitures differ from the estimates, the difference will be
recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are
revised. No compensation cost is recorded for options that do not
vest. We use the simplified calculation of expected life described
in the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based
Payment, and volatility is based on an average of the historical
volatilities of the common stock of four entities with
characteristics similar to those of the Company. The risk-free rate
is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of
grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the
option. We use an expected dividend yield of zero, as we do not
anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. Expected
forfeitures are assumed to be zero due to the small number of plan
participants.
62
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
The weighted
average fair value calculations for options granted during years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are based on the following
assumptions:
Description
|
For the year
ended December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Dividend-yield
|
0%
|
0%
|
Risk-free interest
rate
|
1.66%
|
1.61%
|
Expected
volatility
|
77.69%
|
76.55%
|
Expected life
(years)
|
6.99
|
5.40
|
Market value per
share on grant date
|
$2.52
|
$3.69
|
Fair value per
share on grant date
|
$1.79
|
$2.27
|
As of December 31,
2016, the Company had $1.1 million of total unrecognized
compensation expense for employees which the Company will amortize
over the 2.15 years of weighted remaining term.
In addition,
Company issued 50 thousand shares in the Company’s restricted
common stock for services provided by outside consulting firms at
an exercise price of $4.26 during 2015. We determine the
fair value of the these awards granted as either the fair value of
the consideration received or the fair value of the equity
instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable.
Stock-based compensation awards issued to non-employees are
recorded in expense and additional paid-in capital in
stockholders’ deficit over the applicable service periods
based on the fair value of the awards or consideration received at
the vesting date.
9.
Agreements
Working Capital
Arrangement. Pursuant to a Corn Procurement and
Working Capital Agreement with J.D. Heiskell & Co. (J.D.
Heiskell), the Company agreed to procure whole yellow corn and
grain sorghum, primarily from J.D. Heiskell. The Company
has the ability to obtain grain from other sources subject to
certain conditions; however, in the past all the Company’s
grain purchases have been from J.D. Heiskell. Title and
risk of loss of the corn pass to the Company when the corn is
deposited into the Keyes Plant weigh bin. The term of
the Agreement expires on December 31, 2017 and is automatically
renewed for additional one-year terms. J.D. Heiskell
further agrees to sell all ethanol the Company produces to Kinergy
Marketing or other marketing purchasers designated by the Company
and all WDG the Company produces to A.L. Gilbert. The
Company markets and sells DCO to A.L. Gilbert and other third
parties. The Company’s relationships with J.D.
Heiskell, Kinergy Marketing, and A.L. Gilbert are well established
and the Company believes that the relationships are beneficial to
all parties involved in utilizing the distribution logistics,
reaching out to widespread customer base, managing inventory, and
building working capital relationships. Revenue is
recognized upon delivery of ethanol to J. D. Heiskell as revenue
recognition criteria have been met and any performance required of
the Company subsequent to the sale to J.D. Heiskell is
inconsequential. These agreements are ordinary purchase
and sale agency agreements for the Keyes plant.
63
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
The J.D. Heiskell
sales activity associated with the Purchasing Agreement, Corn
Procurement and Working Capital Agreements during
the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as
follows:
|
For the year
ended December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Ethanol
sales$
|
$95,556
|
92,729
|
Wet distillers
grains sales
|
22,016
|
24,556
|
Corn oil
sales
|
2,995
|
3,485
|
Corn/milo
purchases
|
91,234
|
97,179
|
Accounts
receivable
|
743
|
305
|
Accounts
payable
|
1,821
|
1,455
|
Ethanol and Wet Distillers Grains Marketing
Arrangement. The Company entered into an Ethanol Marketing
Agreement with Kinergy Marketing and a Wet Distillers Grains
Marketing Agreement with A. L. Gilbert. Under the terms of the
agreements, subject to certain conditions, the agreements with
Kinergy Marketing matures on August 31, 2017 and with A.L Gilbert
on December 31, 2017 with automatic one-year renewals
thereafter. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and
2015, the Company expensed marketing costs of $2.3 million and $2.2
million, respectively, under the terms of both ethanol and wet
distillers’ grains agreements.
10.
Segment Information
Aemetis recognizes
two reportable geographic segments: “North America” and
“India.”
The “North
America” operating segment includes the Company’s 60
million gallon per year capacity ethanol manufacturing plant in
Keyes, California and its technology lab in College Park, Maryland.
As the Company’s technology becomes commercialized, this
business segment will include its domestic commercial application
of second generation ethanol technology, its plant construction
projects and any acquisitions of ethanol or ethanol related
technology facilities in North America.
The
“India” operating segment includes the Company’s
50 million gallon per year capacity biodiesel manufacturing plant
in Kakinada, the administrative offices in Hyderabad, India, and
the holding companies in Nevada and Mauritius. The Company’s
biodiesel is marketed and sold primarily to customers in India
through brokers and by the Company directly.
Summarized
financial information by reportable segment for the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015 follow:
|
For the year
ended December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Revenues
|
|
|
North
America
|
$128,706
|
$129,408
|
India
|
14,452
|
17,241
|
Total
revenues
|
$143,158
|
$146,649
|
|
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
North
America
|
$117,040
|
$126,290
|
India
|
14,519
|
16,160
|
Total
cost of goods sold
|
$131,559
|
$142,450
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit (loss)
|
|
|
North
America
|
$11,666
|
$3,118
|
India
|
(67)
|
1,081
|
Total gross
profit
|
$11,599
|
$4,199
|
|
|
|
64
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
North America: In 2016 and 2015, the
majority of the Company’s revenues from sales of ethanol, WDG
and corn oil were sold to J.D. Heiskell pursuant to the Corn
Procurement and Working Capital Agreement. Sales to J.D. Heiskell
accounted for 94% and 93% of the Company’s North American
segment consolidated revenues in 2016 and 2015
respectively.
India: During the 2016, two
customers in biodiesel accounted for 51% and 12%, of the
consolidated India segment revenues compared to one customer in
biodiesel accounted for 56% of the of the consolidated India
segment revenues in 2015.
Company total
assets by segment follow:
|
As
of
|
|
|
December
31,
|
December
31,
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
|
|
|
North
America
|
$67,279
|
$69,165
|
India
|
10,531
|
13,976
|
Total
Assets
|
$77,810
|
$83,141
|
11.
Related Party Transactions
The Company owes
Eric McAfee and McAfee Capital, solely owned by Eric McAfee,
amounts of $0.4 million each period in connection with employment
agreements and expense reimbursements, which are included in
accrued expenses and accounts payable on the balance sheet as of
December 31, 2016 and 2015. For the years ended December
31, 2016 and 2015, the Company expensed $0.1 million for each
period, respectively, to reimburse actual expenses incurred for
McAfee Capital and related entities. The Company prepaid $0.2
million to Redwood Capital, a company controlled by Eric McAfee,
for the Company’s use of flight time on a corporate jet. As
of December 31, 2016, $0.1 million remained as a prepaid
expense.
As consideration
for the reaffirmation of guaranties required by Amendment No.12 to
the Notes which we entered with Third Eye Capital on March 21,
2016, the Company also agreed to pay $0.2 million in consideration
to Mr. McAfee and McAfee Capital in exchange for their willingness
to provide the guaranties. As part of the Guarantee fee agreement,
$0.2 million is accrued as of December 31, 2016.
The Company owes
various Board Members amounts totaling $1.5 million at both
December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in connection with board
compensation fees, which are included in accounts payable on the
balance sheet. For each of the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2015, the Company expensed $0.4 million each year, in
connection with board compensation fees.
On July 6, 2012,
Aemetis, Inc. and Aemetis Advanced Fuels Keyes, Inc., entered into
an Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement with Third Eye
Capital. Third Eye Capital extended credit in the form
of (i) senior secured revolving loans in an aggregate principal
amount of $18.0 million (“Revolving Credit Facility”);
(ii) senior secured term loans in the principal amount of $10.0
million to convert the Revenue Participation agreement to a Note
(“Revenue Participation Term Notes”); and (iii) senior
secured term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $15.0
million (“Acquisition Term Notes”) used to fund the
cash portion of the acquisition of Cilion, Inc. After this
financing transaction, Third Eye Capital obtained sufficient equity
ownership in the Company to be considered a related party. Please
refer to Debt - Note 4 for more information on the transactions
with Third Eye Capital.
65
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
12.
Income Tax
The Company files a
consolidated federal income tax return including all its domestic
subsidiaries. State tax returns are filed on a consolidated,
combined or separate basis depending on the applicable laws
relating to the Company and its subsidiaries.
Income tax expense
for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 consisted of
$6 thousand of state and local taxes.
During the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, there is minimal tax expense
recognized. The deferred tax liability resulted in a reduction in
the valuation allowance of the Company, as the Company believes the
reversal of the deferred tax liability will occur prior to the
expiration of the NOL carryforward. U.S. loss and foreign loss
before income taxes are as follows:
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
United
States
|
(16,316)
|
(26,241)
|
Foreign
|
686
|
(891)
|
Pretax
Income
|
(15,630)
|
(27,132)
|
Income tax benefit
differs from the amounts computed by applying the statutory U.S.
federal income tax rate (34%) to loss before income taxes as a
result of the following:
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Income tax expense
(benefit) at the federal statutory rate
|
(5,314)
|
(9,225)
|
State tax expense
(benefit)
|
(775)
|
(760)
|
Foreign tax
differential
|
(401)
|
180
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
152
|
253
|
Interest
expense
|
26
|
16
|
Goodwill
impairment
|
-
|
329
|
Other
|
127
|
113
|
Credits
|
(24)
|
(17)
|
Valuation
allowance
|
6,215
|
9,117
|
Income Tax
Expense
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
Effective Tax
Rate
|
-0.04%
|
-0.02%
|
|
|
|
The components of
the net deferred tax asset or (liability) are as
follows:
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2016
|
2015
|
Org, Start-up and
Intangible Assets
|
7,435
|
8,067
|
Stock Based
Comp
|
185
|
67
|
Prop., Plant, and
Equip.
|
(21,639)
|
(22,717)
|
NOLs and
Credits
|
66,698
|
60,603
|
Convertible
Debt
|
(5)
|
(5)
|
Ethanol
Credits
|
1,500
|
1,500
|
Debt
Extinguishment
|
612
|
1,361
|
Other,
net
|
620
|
536
|
Subtotal
|
55,406
|
49,411
|
Valuation
Allowance
|
(55,406)
|
(49,411)
|
Deferred tax assets
(liabilities)
|
-
|
-
|
66
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
Based on the
Company’s evaluation of current and anticipated future
taxable income, the Company believes it is more likely than not
that insufficient taxable income will be generated to realize the
net deferred tax assets, and accordingly, a valuation allowance has
been set against these net deferred tax assets.
The Company does
not provide for U.S. income taxes for any undistributed earnings of
the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as the Company considers
these to be permanently reinvested in the operations of such
subsidiaries and have a cumulative foreign loss. At
December 31, 2016 and 2015, these undistributed losses totaled
$10.9 million, and $11.6 million, respectively. If any earnings
were distributed, some countries may impose withholding taxes.
However, due to the Company’s overall deficit in foreign
cumulative earnings and its U.S. loss position, the Company does
not believe a material net unrecognized U.S. deferred tax liability
exists.
ASC 740
Income Taxes provides that
the tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in
the Company’s financial statements only if the position is
more-likely-than-not of being sustained on audit, based on the
technical merits of the position. Tax positions that meet the
recognition threshold are reported at the largest amount that is
more-likely-than-not to be realized. This determination requires a
high degree of judgment and estimation. The Company periodically
analyzes and adjusts amounts recorded for the Company’s
uncertain tax positions, as events occur to warrant adjustment,
such as when the statutory period for assessing tax on a given tax
return or period expires or if tax authorities provide
administrative guidance or a decision is rendered in the courts.
The Company does not reasonably expect the total amount of
uncertain tax positions to significantly increase or decrease
within the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2016, the
Company’s uncertain tax positions were not significant for
income tax purposes.
We conduct business
globally and, as a result, one or more of the Company’s
subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal
jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the
normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by
taxing authorities throughout the world, including such major
jurisdictions as India, Mauritius, and the United States. The
Company files a U.S. federal income tax return and tax returns in
three U.S. states, as well as in two foreign jurisdictions.
Penalties and interest are classified as general and administrative
expenses.
The following
describes the open tax years, by major tax jurisdiction, as of
December 31, 2016:
United States
— Federal
|
|
2005 –
present
|
|
United States
— State
|
|
2005 –
present
|
|
India
|
|
2006 –
present
|
|
Mauritius
|
|
2006 –
present
|
|
As of December 31,
2016, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $161.0 million and state net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $154.0 million. Included
in the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards are
approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million of excess stock based
compensation related deductions that will be credited to additional
paid in capital when the tax benefits realized. The Company also
has approximately $1.5 million of alcohol and cellulosic biofuel
credit carryforwards. The federal net operating loss and other tax
credit carryforwards expire on various dates between 2027 and 2036.
The state net operating loss carryforwards expire on various dates
between 2027 through 2036. Under the current tax law, net operating
loss and credit carryforwards available to offset future income in
any given year may be limited by U.S. or India statute regarding
net operating loss carryforwards and timing of expirations or upon
the occurrence of certain events, including significant changes in
ownership interests. The Company’s India subsidiary also will
have net operating loss carryforwards as of March 31, 2017, its tax
fiscal year end, of approximately $11.0 million in U.S. dollars,
which expire from March 30, 2017 to March 30, 2024.
67
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
13.
Parent Company Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The following is a
summary of the Parent Company financial statements for the years
ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:
Aemetis,
Inc. (Parent Company)
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
As of December 31,
2016 and 2015
Assets
|
2016
|
2015
|
Current
assets
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
$-
|
$-
|
Intercompany
receivables
|
12,244
|
15,609
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
270
|
315
|
Total current
assets
|
12,514
|
15,924
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and
equipment, net
|
27
|
|
Other
assets
|
54
|
54
|
|
|
|
Total
Assets
|
$12,595
|
$15,978
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
& stockholders' deficit
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
$3,039
|
$2,746
|
Mandatorily
redeemable Series B convertible preferred
|
2,844
|
2,742
|
Other current
liabilities
|
1,419
|
1,158
|
Total current
liabilities
|
7,302
|
6,646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidiary
obligation in excess of investment
|
|
|
Investment in AE
Advanced Fuels, Inc.
|
49,694
|
39,019
|
Investment in
Aemetis Americas, Inc
|
205
|
205
|
Investment in
Aemetis Biofuels, Inc.
|
2,738
|
2,741
|
Investment in
Aemetis Technologies, Inc.
|
2,405
|
2,285
|
Investment in AE
Advanced Fuels Goodland , Inc.
|
51
|
-
|
Investment in AE
Advanced Products Keyes , Inc.
|
113
|
|
Investment in
Biofuels Marketing, Inc.
|
349
|
349
|
Investment in
Aemetis International, Inc.
|
(449)
|
27
|
Total subsidiary
obligation in excess of investment
|
55,106
|
44,626
|
|
|
|
Total long term
liabilities
|
55,106
|
44,626
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
deficit
|
|
|
Series B Preferred
convertible stock
|
1
|
1
|
Common
stock
|
20
|
20
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
83,441
|
82,115
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
(129,887)
|
(114,251)
|
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
|
(3,388)
|
(3,179)
|
Total stockholders'
deficit
|
(49,813)
|
(35,294)
|
Total
liabilities & stockholders' deficit
|
$12,595
|
$15,978
|
68
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Aemetis,
Inc. (Parent Company)Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the Years Ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015
|
2016
|
2015
|
|
|
|
Equity in
subsidiary losses
|
$(10,272)
|
$(22,669)
|
|
|
|
Selling, general
and administrative expenses
|
4,818
|
3,910
|
|
|
|
Operating
loss
|
(15,090)
|
(26,579)
|
|
|
|
Other
expense
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
278
|
179
|
Other
expense
|
262
|
374
|
|
|
|
Loss before
income taxes
|
(15,630)
|
(27,132)
|
|
|
|
Income tax
expense
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
(15,636)
|
(27,138)
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive
loss
|
|
|
Foreign currency
translation adjustment
|
(209)
|
(217)
|
Comprehensive
loss
|
$(15,845)
|
$(27,355)
|
69
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share
data)
Aemetis,
Inc. (Parent Company)
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015
|
2016
|
2015
|
Operating
activities:
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
(15,636)
|
(27,138)
|
Adjustments to
reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
747
|
938
|
Stock issued in
connection with consultant services
|
-
|
204
|
Change in fair
value of warrant liability
|
(25)
|
(54)
|
Changes in assets
and liabilities:
|
|
|
Subsidiary portion
of net losses
|
10,272
|
22,669
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
45
|
294
|
Accounts
payable
|
293
|
(103)
|
Accrued interest
expense
|
284
|
197
|
Other
liabilities
|
104
|
120
|
Other
assets
|
-
|
(31)
|
Net cash used in
operating activities
|
(3,916)
|
(2,904)
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities:
|
|
|
Subsidiary
advances, net
|
3,916
|
2,816
|
Net cash provided
by investing activities
|
3,916
|
2,816
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities:
|
|
|
Issuance of common
stock for services, option and warrant exercises
|
-
|
23
|
Net cash provided
by financing activities
|
-
|
23
|
|
|
|
Net increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
(65)
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at beginning of period
|
-
|
65
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at end of period
|
$-
|
$-
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information, cash paid:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
payments
|
4,894
|
6,824
|
Income tax
expense
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures of cash flow information, non-cash
transactions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from
exercise of stock options applied to accounts payable
|
-
|
21
|
Fair value of
warrants issued to subordinated debt holders
|
578
|
1,087
|
Repurchase of
common stock on revolver loan advance
|
-
|
7,479
|
Stock issued in
connection with services and interest on debt
|
-
|
432
|
Settlement of
accounts payable through transfer of equipment
|
66
|
-
|
70
AEMETIS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular
data in thousands, except par value and per share data)
14.
Subsequent Events
Subordinated
Notes
On January 1, 2017,
the two accredited investors Subordinated Notes’ maturity was
extended until the earlier of (i) June 30, 2017; (ii) completion of
an equity financing by AAFK or Aemetis in an amount of not less
than $25 million; (iii) the completion of an Initial Public
Offering by AAFK or Aemetis; or (iv) after the occurrence of an
Event of Default, including failure to pay interest or principal
when due and breaches of note covenants. A 10 percent
cash extension fee was paid by adding the fee to the balance of the
new Note and 113 thousand in common stock warrants were granted
with a term of two years and an exercise price of $0.01 per
share.
Third Eye Capital
Promissory Note
On January 31,
2017, a Promissory Note (“January 2017 Note”) for $2.1
million was advanced by Third Eye Capital to Aemetis Inc., as a
short-term credit facility for working capital and other general
corporate purposes with 14% per annum maturing on the earlier of
(a) receipt of proceeds from any financing, refinancing or other
similar transaction, (b) extension of credit by payee, as lender or
as agent on behalf of certain lenders, to the Company or its
affiliates, and (c) May 30, 2017. In addition, as part of January
2017 Note agreement, Aemetis used the $0.5 million of the total
proceeds to buy back 275 thousand common shares that were held by
Third Eye Capital. In consideration of the January 2017 Note, the
$133 thousand of total proceeds were paid to Third Eye Capital as
financing charges.
Third Eye Capital
Amendment
On
March 1, 2017, Third Eye Capital agreed to Amendment No. 13 to the
Note Purchase Agreement to: (i) extend the maturity date of the
Third Eye Capital Notes to April 1, 2018 in exchange for a 5%
extension fee consisting of adding $3.1 million to the outstanding
principal balance of the Note Purchase Agreement and to allow for
the further extension of the maturity date of the Third Eye Capital
Notes to April 1, 2019, at the Company’s election, for an
additional extension fee of 5% of the then outstanding Third Eye
Capital Notes, (ii) waive the free cash flow financial covenant
under the Note Purchase Agreement for the three months ended
December 31, 2016, (iii) provide that such covenant will be deleted
prospectively from the Note Purchase Agreement, (iv) waive the
default under the Note Purchase Agreement relating to indebtedness
outstanding to Laird Q. Cagan (the “Laird Cagan subordinated
note”) and (v) waive the covenant under the Note Purchase
Agreement to permit the Company to pay off the defaulted Laird
Cagan subordinated note by issuing stock. The borrowers agreed to
use their best efforts to close the transaction to purchase assets
in Goodland, Kansas from Third Eye Capital as described in a
non-binding offer to purchase letter between an affiliate of the
Company and Third Eye Capital. As consideration for such amendment
and waiver, the borrowers agreed to pay Third Eye Capital an
amendment and waiver fee of $750 thousand to be added to the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. As
a result of the extension of the maturity date in Amendment No. 13,
the Third Eye Capital Notes are classified as non-current debt. We
will evaluate the Amendment of the Notes and will determine proper
accounting treatment in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt –
Modification and Extinguishment.
19. Management’s
Plan
The accompanying
financial statements have been prepared contemplating the
realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal
course of business. The Company has been reliant on
their senior secured lender to provide additional funding and has
been required to remit substantially all excess cash from
operations to the senior secured
lender. Management’s plans for the Company
include, but are not limited to:
●
Operating the Keyes
plant;
●
Continuing to
incorporate lower-cost, non-food advanced biofuels feedstock at the
Keyes plant when economical;
●
Obtaining the
remaining $1.0 million of EB-5 Phase I funding from escrow and $1.0
million from fund raising;
●
Obtaining $50.0
million in funding from EB-5 Phase II funding currently being
offered to investors;
●
Refinancing the
senior debt with a lender who is able to offer terms conducive to
the long term financing of the Keyes plant;
●
Use the
Company’s India facility as collateral for additional working
capital or for reducing current financing
costs;
●
Securing higher
volumes of shipments from the Kakinada, India biodiesel and refined
glycerin facility; and
●
Offering the
Company’s common stock by the ATM Registration
Statement.
Management believes
that through the above mentioned actions it will be able to fund
company operations and continue to operate the secured assets for
at least a year. There can be no assurance that the
existing credit facilities and cash from operations will be
sufficient or that the Company will be successful at maintaining
adequate relationships with the senior lenders or significant
shareholders. Should the Company require additional
financing, there can be no assurances that the additional financing
will be available on terms satisfactory to the
Company.
71
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
Date: March 16,
2017
|
Aemetis,
Inc.
|
|
|
|
/s/ ERIC A.
MCAFEE
|
|
Eric A.
McAfee
|
|
Chief Executive
Officer
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY
THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Eric A. McAfee and Todd A. Waltz, and each
of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with full
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign
any amendments to this report on Form 10-K and to file the same,
with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or their
substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
/s/ ERIC A.
MCAFEE
|
|
Chairman/Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
Eric A.
McAfee
|
|
(Principal
Executive Officer and Director)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/Todd Waltz
|
|
Chief Financial
Officer
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
Todd
Waltz
|
|
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Francis Barton
|
|
Director
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
Fran
Barton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lydia I. Beebe |
|
Director |
|
March 16, 2017 |
Lydia I. Beebe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John R. Block
|
|
Director
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
John R.
Block
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dr. Steven Hutcheson
|
|
Director
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
Dr. Steven
Hutcheson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Harold Sorgenti
|
|
Director
|
|
March 16,
2017
|
Harold
Sorgenti
|
|
|
|
|
72