FUEL TECH, INC. - Quarter Report: 2012 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012

or

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-33059

FUEL TECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Fuel Tech, Inc.

27601 Bella Vista Parkway

Warrenville, IL 60555-1617

630-845-4500

www.ftek.com

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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  x    No  ¨

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 definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

On May 8, 2012 there were outstanding 23,309,665 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant.

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FUEL TECH, INC.

Form 10-Q for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012

INDEX

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FUEL TECH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per-share data)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FUEL TECH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FUEL TECH, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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FUEL TECH, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2012

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per-share data)

Fuel Tech is a fully integrated company that uses a suite of advanced technologies to provide boiler optimization, efficiency improvement and air pollution reduction and control solutions to utility and industrial customers worldwide. Originally incorporated in 1987 under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles as Fuel-Tech N.V., Fuel Tech became domesticated in the United States on September 30, 2006, and continues as a Delaware corporation with its corporate headquarters at 27601 Bella Vista Parkway, Warrenville, Illinois, 60555-1617. Fuel Tech maintains an Internet website at www.ftek.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available through our website as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file or furnish the reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also available on our website are the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, as well as the charters of the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees of the Board of Directors. All of these documents are available in print without charge to stockholders who request them. Information on our website is not incorporated into this report.

Fuel Tech’s special focus is the worldwide marketing of its nitrogen oxide (NO_x) reduction and FUEL CHEM^® technologies. The Air Pollution Control (APC) technology segment reduces NO_x emissions in flue gas from boilers, incinerators, furnaces and other stationary combustion sources by utilizing combustion optimization techniques and Low NO_x and Ultra Low NO_x Burners; NO_xOUT^® and HERT™ High Energy Reagent Technology™ SNCR systems; systems that incorporate Advanced SCR (ASCR™) and NO_xOUT CASCADE^® technologies, ULTRA™ and NO_xOUT-SCR^® technologies; and Ammonia Injection Grid (AIG) and Graduated Straightening Grid (GSG™) technologies. Fuel Tech’s APC technology business is materially dependent on the continued existence and enforcement of worldwide air quality regulations. The FUEL CHEM technology segment improves the efficiency, reliability and environmental status of combustion units by controlling slagging, fouling and corrosion, as well as the formation of sulfur trioxide, ammonium bisulfate, particulate matter (PM_2.5), carbon dioxide, and unburned carbon in fly ash through the addition of chemicals into the fuel or via TIFI^® Targeted In-Furnace Injection™ programs. Fuel Tech has other technologies, both commercially available and in the development stage, all of which are related to APC and FUEL CHEM processes or are similar in their technological base. We have expended significant resources in the research and development of new technologies in building our proprietary portfolio of air pollution control, fuel and boiler treatment chemicals, computer modeling and advanced visualization technologies. Fuel Tech’s business is materially dependent on the continued existence and enforcement of worldwide air quality regulations.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the balance sheet and results of operations for the periods covered have been included and all significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations of all acquired businesses have been consolidated for all periods subsequent to the date of acquisition.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Revenues from the sales of chemical products are recorded when title transfers, either at the point of shipment or at the point of destination, depending on the contract with the customer.

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Fuel Tech uses the percentage of completion method of accounting for equipment construction and license contracts that are sold within the Air Pollution Control technology segment. Under the percentage of completion method, revenues are recognized as work is performed based on the relationship between actual construction costs incurred and total estimated costs at completion. Construction costs include all direct costs such as materials, labor, and subcontracting costs, and indirect costs allocable to the particular contract such as indirect labor, tools and equipment, and supplies. Revisions in completion estimates and contract values are made in the period in which the facts giving rise to the revisions become known and can influence the timing of when revenues are recognized under the percentage of completion method of accounting. Such revisions have historically not had a material effect on the amount of revenue recognized. The completed contract method is used for certain contracts when reasonably dependable estimates of the percentage of completion cannot be made. When the completed contract method is used, revenue and costs are deferred until the contract is substantially complete, which usually occurs upon customer acceptance of the installed product. Provisions are made for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had one contract in progress that was identified as a loss contract and a provision for loss in the amount of $38 was recorded in the three-month period then ended.

Fuel Tech’s APC contracts are typically eight to sixteen months in length. A typical contract will have three or four critical operational measurements that, when achieved, serve as the basis for us to invoice the customer via progress billings. At a minimum, these measurements will include the generation of engineering drawings, the shipment of equipment and the completion of a system performance test.

As part of most of its contractual APC project agreements, Fuel Tech will agree to customer-specific acceptance criteria that relate to the operational performance of the system that is being sold. These criteria are determined based on mathematical modeling that is performed by Fuel Tech personnel, which is based on operational inputs that are provided by the customer. The customer will warrant that these operational inputs are accurate as they are specified in the binding contractual agreement. Further, the customer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the operating condition information; all performance guarantees and equipment warranties granted by us are void if the operating condition information is inaccurate or is not met.

Accounts receivable includes unbilled receivables, representing revenues recognized in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts under the percentage of completion method of accounting. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, unbilled receivables were approximately $12,685 and $7,262, respectively, and are included in accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts were $2,214 and $3,895, at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Such amounts are included in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

Fuel Tech has installed over 700 units with APC technology and normally provides performance guarantees to our customers based on the operating conditions for the project. As part of the project implementation process, we perform system start-up and optimization services that effectively serve as a test of actual project performance. We believe that this test, combined with the accuracy of the modeling that is performed, enables revenue to be recognized prior to the receipt of formal customer acceptance.

Cost of sales includes all internal and external engineering costs, equipment and chemical charges, inbound and outbound freight expenses, internal and site transfer costs, installation charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, project personnel travel expenses and other direct and indirect expenses specifically identified as project- or product line-related, as appropriate (e.g., test equipment depreciation and certain insurance expenses). Certain depreciation and amortization expenses related to tangible and intangible assets, respectively, are also allocated to cost of sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include the following categories except where an allocation to the cost of sales line item is warranted due to the project- or product-line nature of a portion of the expense category: salaries and wages, employee benefits, non-project travel, insurance, legal, rent, accounting and auditing, recruiting, telephony, employee training, Board of Directors’ fees, auto rental, office supplies, dues and subscriptions, utilities, real estate taxes, commissions and bonuses, marketing materials, postage and business taxes. Departments comprising the selling, general and administrative line item primarily include the functions of executive management, finance and accounting, investor relations, regulatory affairs, marketing, business development, information technology, human resources, sales, legal and general administration.

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At the time of purchase, marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale as management has the intent and ability to hold such securities for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell available-for-sale securities would be based on various factors, including, but not limited to asset/liability management strategies, changes in interest rates or prepayment risks, and liquidity needs. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, recorded in equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income (OCI). Our marketable securities consist of a single equity investment with a fair value of $81 and no cost basis at March 31, 2012.

Purchases and sales of securities are recognized on a trade date basis. Realized securities gains or losses are reported in other income/(expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. On a quarterly basis, we make an assessment to determine if there have been any events or circumstances to indicate whether a security with an unrealized loss is impaired on an other-than-temporary (OTTI) basis. This determination requires significant judgment. OTTI is considered to have occurred (1) if management intends to sell the security, (2) if it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the present value of the expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. The credit-related OTTI, represented by the expected loss in principal, is recognized in non-interest income, while noncredit-related OTTI is recognized in OCI. For securities which we do expect to sell, all OTTI is recognized in earnings. Presentation of OTTI is made in the income statement on a gross basis with a reduction for the amount of OTTI recognized in OCI. Once an other-than-temporary impairment is recorded, when future cash flows can be reasonably estimated, future cash flows are re-allocated between interest and principal cash flows to provide for a level-yield on the security. We have not experienced any other-than-temporary impairments during the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effects of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and the nil coupon non-redeemable convertible unsecured loan notes. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock units, and of the nil coupon non-redeemable convertible unsecured loan notes. The following table sets forth the weighted-average shares used in calculating the earnings per share for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Fuel Tech has a stock-based employee compensation plan, referred to as the Fuel Tech, Inc. Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan), under which awards may be granted to participants in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), Performance Awards, Bonuses or other forms of share-based or non-share-based awards or combinations thereof. Participants in the Incentive Plan may be Fuel Tech’s directors, officers, employees, consultants or advisors (except consultants or advisors in capital-raising transactions) as the directors determine are key to the success of Fuel Tech’s business. The amount of shares that may be issued or reserved for awards to participants under a 2004 amendment to the Incentive Plan is 12.5% of outstanding shares calculated on a diluted basis. At March 31, 2012, Fuel Tech had approximately 682,000 equity awards available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.

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Stock-based compensation is included in selling, general, and administrative costs in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The components of stock-based compensation for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

As of March 31, 2012, there was $3,927 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Incentive Plan.

Stock Options

Stock options granted to employees under the Incentive Plan have a 10-year life and they vest as follows: 50% after the second anniversary of the award date, 25% after the third anniversary, and the final 25% after the fourth anniversary of the award date. Fuel Tech calculates stock compensation expense for employee option awards based on the grant date fair value of the award, less expected annual forfeitures, and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year service period of the award. Stock options granted to members of our board of directors vest immediately. Stock compensation for these awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized in expense immediately.

Fuel Tech uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock options. The principal variable assumptions utilized in valuing options and the methodology for estimating such model inputs include: (1) risk-free interest rate – an estimate based on the yield of zero–coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2) expected volatility – an estimate based on the historical volatility of Fuel Tech’s Common Stock for a period equal to the expected life of the option; and (3) expected life of the option – an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.

Stock option activity for Fuel Tech’s Incentive Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was as follows:

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Non-vested stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was as follows:

As of March 31, 2012, there was $740 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (RSUs) granted to employees vest over time based on continued service (typically vesting over a period between one to three years in equal installments). Such time-vested RSUs are valued at the date of grant using the intrinsic value method. Compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

In addition to the time vested RSUs described above, in March 2012 and 2011, the Company entered into performance-based RSU agreements (the Agreements) with each of the Company’s President/Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President Marketing & Sales and Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations. The Agreements provide each participating executive the opportunity to earn three types of awards with each award type specifying a targeted number of RSUs that may be granted to each executive based on either the individual performance of the executive or the Company’s relative performance compared to a peer group, as determined by the award type. The Compensation and Nominating Committee of our Board of Directors (the Committee) determines the extent to which, if any, RSUs will be granted based on the achievement of the applicable performance criteria specified in the Agreement. This determination will be made following the completion of the applicable performance period (each a “Determination Date”). Such performance based awards include the following:

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At March 31, 2012, there is $3,187 of unrecognized compensation costs related to restricted stock unit awards to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years.

A summary of restricted stock unit activity for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 is as follows:

Deferred Directors Fees

In addition to the Incentive Plan, Fuel Tech has a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (Deferred Plan). Under the terms of the Deferred Plan, Directors can elect to defer Directors’ fees for shares of Fuel Tech Common Stock that are issuable at a future date as defined in the agreement. In accordance with ASC 718, Fuel Tech accounts for these awards as equity awards as opposed to liability awards. In the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, Fuel Tech recorded $17 and $20, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense under the Deferred Plan.

At March 31, 2012, Fuel Tech had 1,478,000 weighted-average stock awards outstanding that were not dilutive for the purpose of inclusion in the calculation of diluted earnings per share but could potentially become dilutive in future periods.

On June 30, 2011, Fuel Tech amended its existing revolving credit facility (the Facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A (JPM Chase) to extend the maturity date through June 30, 2013. The amendment decreases the total borrowing base of the facility to $15,000 from $25,000 and contains a provision to increase the facility up to a total principal amount of $25,000 upon approval from JPM Chase. The Facility is unsecured, bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread range of 250 basis points to 375 basis points, as determined under a formula related to the Company’s leverage ratio, and has the Company’s Italian subsidiary, Fuel Tech S.r.l., as a guarantor. Fuel Tech can use this Facility for cash advances and standby letters of credit. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings on the amended or previous credit facilities.

The Facility contains several debt covenants with which the Company must comply on a quarterly or annual basis, including a maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (or “Leverage Ratio”, as defined in the Facility) of 1.5:1.0 based on the four trailing quarterly periods. Maximum funded debt is defined as all borrowed funds, outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees. EBITDA includes after tax earnings with add backs for interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expenses. In addition, the Facility covenants include an annual capital expenditure limit of $10,000 and a minimum tangible net worth of $50,000, adjusted upward for 50% of net income generated and 100% of all capital issuances. At March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants specified by the Facility.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees totaling approximately $2,054 and $1,374, respectively, on its domestic credit facility in connection with contracts in process. Fuel Tech is committed to reimbursing the issuing bank for any payments made by the bank under these instruments. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no cash borrowings under the domestic revolving credit facility and approximately $12,946 and $13,626, respectively, was available for future borrowings. The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.25% per year on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.

On June 30, 2011, Beijing Fuel Tech Environmental Technologies Company, Ltd. (Beijing Fuel Tech), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuel Tech, entered into a new revolving credit facility (the China Facility) agreement with JPM Chase for RMB 35 million (approximately $5,545), which expires on June 29, 2012. This new credit facility replaced the previous RMB 45 million facility that expired on June 30, 2011. The facility is unsecured, bears interest at a rate of 125% of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Base Rate, and is guaranteed by Fuel Tech. Beijing Fuel Tech can use this facility for cash advances and bank guarantees. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Beijing Fuel Tech has borrowings outstanding in the amount of $1,188 and $1,181, respectively. These borrowings were subject to interest rates of approximately 8.2% and 7.6% at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

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At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees totaling approximately $467 and $750, respectively, on its Beijing Fuel Tech revolving credit facility in connection with contracts in process. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, approximately $3,890 and $3,580 was available for future borrowings.

In the event of default on either the domestic facility or the China facility, the cross default feature in each allows the lending bank to accelerate the payments of any amounts outstanding and may, under certain circumstances, allow the bank to cancel the facility. If the Company were unable to obtain a waiver for a breach of covenant and the bank accelerated the payment of any outstanding amounts, such acceleration may cause the Company’s cash position to deteriorate or, if cash on hand were insufficient to satisfy the payment due, may require the Company to obtain alternate financing to satisfy the accelerated payment.

Interest payments in the amount of $25 and $40 were made during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Fuel Tech segregates its financial results into two reportable segments representing two broad technology segments as follows:

The “Other” classification includes those profit and loss items not allocated by Fuel Tech to each reportable segment. Further, there are no intersegment sales that require elimination.

Fuel Tech evaluates performance and allocates resources based on reviewing gross margin by reportable segment. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (Note 1 in our annual report on Form 10-K). Fuel Tech does not review assets by reportable segment, but rather, in aggregate for Fuel Tech as a whole.

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Information about reporting segment net sales and gross margin are provided below:

Information concerning Fuel Tech’s operations by geographic area is provided below. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer. Assets are those directly associated with operations of the geographic area.

Fuel Tech issues a standard product warranty with the sale of its products to customers. Our recognition of warranty liability is based primarily on analyses of warranty claims experienced in the preceding years as the nature of our historical product sales for which we offer a warranty are substantially unchanged. This approach provides an aggregate warranty accrual that is historically aligned with actual warranty claims experienced.

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Changes in the warranty liability, which is included in other accrued liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets, for the three months March 31, 2012, and 2011, are summarized below:

The Company’s effective tax rates of 38.0% and 50.8% for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 34% due primarily to state taxes, stock-based compensation, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates, foreign losses incurred with no related tax benefit, changes in state tax rates, tax credits, and non-deductible meals and entertainment expenses.

Fuel Tech had unrecognized tax benefits of $667, including penalties and interest, as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, all of which, if ultimately recognized, will reduce Fuel Tech’s annual effective tax rate.

Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. Fuel Tech has two reporting units which are reported in the FUEL CHEM^® technology segment and the APC technology segment. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, goodwill allocated to the FUEL CHEM technology segment was $1,723 while goodwill allocated to the APC technology segment was $19,328.

Goodwill is allocated to each of our reporting units after considering the nature of the net assets giving rise to the goodwill and how each reporting unit would enjoy the benefits and synergies of the net assets acquired. Our last fair value measurement test, performed annually as of October 1, revealed no indications of impairment. There were no indications of goodwill impairment in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

Fuel Tech reviews other intangible assets, which include customer lists and relationships, covenants not to compete, patent assets, tradenames, and acquired technologies, for impairment on a recurring basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that impairment indicators exist, a further analysis is performed and if the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates of future cash flows are made, however, the actual cash values that could be realized may differ from those that are estimated. There were no indications of intangible asset impairment in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company applies authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. This guidance defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis and clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the standard establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

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The fair value of our marketable securities was $81 and $57 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and was determined using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 fair value measurements). Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized based on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. We had no assets or liabilities that were valued using level 2 or level 3 inputs and therefore there were no transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

The carrying amount of our short-term debt and revolving line of credit approximates fair value due to its short-term nature and because the amounts outstanding accrue interest at variable market-based rates.

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended disclosure requirements for the presentation of comprehensive income. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income (OCI) as part of the statement of changes in equity. Under the amended guidance, all changes in OCI are to be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive financial statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to this accounting standard which defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement. This guidance was effective as of the beginning of our 2012 fiscal year. Accordingly, we have presented the components of net income and other comprehensive income for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 as two separate but consecutive statements. We will continue to monitor the FASB’s activities related to the deferral of the presentation and disclosure of reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income, but it will only affect our financial statement presentation and will have no impact to our consolidated financial results.

In August 2011, Fuel Tech’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $6 million of its outstanding common shares through December 31, 2012. This program was completed in the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The share repurchase program was funded through the Company’s existing cash on hand. Purchases made pursuant to the program were made in the open market. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases was determined by the Company in its discretion and was subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements, and other factors.

During the course of the share repurchase program, Fuel Tech repurchased an aggregate of 1,036,350 common shares for a total cost of approximately $6,000 including commissions of approximately $38. These acquired shares have been retired and are no longer shown as issued or outstanding shares. The following table summarizes our share repurchase program since its inception:

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FUEL TECH, INC.

Results of Operations

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $25,212 and $22,622, respectively, representing an 11% increase in consolidated revenue for our first quarter of 2012.

The Air Pollution Control (APC) technology segment generated revenues of $15,714 for the three months ended March 31, 2012, an increase of $4,622 or 42% from the prior year. This increase is due to higher contract bookings during the third and fourth quarter of 2011 and reflects work progress on those construction projects during the first quarter of 2012.

Consolidated APC backlog at March 31, 2012 was $22,200 versus backlog at March 31, 2011 of $14,500. Our current backlog consists of US domestic projects totaling $16,500 and international projects totaling $5,700. A majority of the backlog as of March 31, 2012 should be recognized as revenue in fiscal 2012, although the timing of such revenue recognition in 2012 is subject to the timing of the expenses incurred on existing projects.

The FUEL CHEM^® technology segment generated revenues of $9,498 for the three months ended March 31, 2012, a decrease of $2,032 or 18%, versus the prior year. This decrease is due to attrition at existing customer accounts in part due to the soft electric demand market and low natural gas prices. These factors led to unscheduled outages and combustion units operating at less than full capacity which resulted in a corresponding decrease in our quarter over quarter revenue. Also contributing to the decrease was a non-recurring sale of low margin installation-related work totaling $1,000 in the first quarter of 2011.

Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was 52% and 51%, respectively. The cost of sales percentage for the APC technology segment increased to 56% from 50% in the comparable prior-year period, primarily due to product mix. For the FUEL CHEM technology segment, the cost of sales percentage decreased to 47% from 51% in the comparable prior-year quarter due to the mix of customer business and the low margin installation work mentioned above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $8,994 and $7,951, respectively. Of the $1,043 increase in SG&A for the current quarter $402 is due to employee related expenses, $574 is due to higher commission and bonus accruals resulting from increased revenue, $344 is due to consulting and professional fee increases, and the remaining amount of $150 is due to miscellaneous offsetting items which are not material. Offsetting these amounts was a $427 decrease in stock compensation expense due to the vesting of options granted in earlier periods with a comparatively higher grant date fair value than more recent grants and a forfeiture true-up adjustment for unvested, forfeited options.

Research and development expenses for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $506 and $402, respectively. The Company plans to continue focusing on increased R&D efforts in the pursuit of commercial applications for its technologies outside of its traditional markets, and in the development and analysis of new technologies that could represent incremental market opportunities.

Interest expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 totaled $25 and $40, respectively, and relates to borrowings under the Beijing Fuel Tech Facility.

Income tax expense for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $945 and $1,385, respectively, and reflective of the Company’s net income for the respective quarters. The Company is projecting a consolidated effective tax rate of 38.0% for 2012.

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

At March 31, 2011, Fuel Tech had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments on hand of $31,136 and working capital of $43,473 versus $28,286 and $43,626 at December 31, 2011, respectively.

Operating activities provided cash of $5,475 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012. This increase in cash from operations was due to cash generation of $10,660 resulting from net income plus non-cash expenses of $2,515 and collection of outstanding accounts receivable balances of $8,145, offset by payments of outstanding accounts payable balances, accrued expenses and other items of $5,185. Investing activities used cash of $788 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 due to purchases of property, equipment, and patents. Financing activities used cash of $1,889 for the repurchase of common stock.

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On June 30, 2011, Fuel Tech amended its existing revolving credit facility (the Facility) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A (JPM Chase) to extend the maturity date through June 30, 2013. The amendment decreases the total borrowing base of the facility to $15,000 from $25,000 and contains a provision to increase the facility up to a total principal amount of $25,000 upon approval from JPM Chase. The Facility is unsecured, bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a spread range of 250 basis points to 375 basis points, as determined under a formula related to the Company’s leverage ratio, and has the Company’s Italian subsidiary, Fuel Tech S.r.l., as a guarantor. Fuel Tech can use this Facility for cash advances and standby letters of credit. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings on the amended or previous credit facilities.

The Facility contains several debt covenants with which the Company must comply on a quarterly or annual basis, including a maximum Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (or “Leverage Ratio”, as defined in the Facility) of 1.5:1.0 based on the four trailing quarterly periods. Maximum funded debt is defined as all borrowed funds, outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees. EBITDA includes after tax earnings with add backs for interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expenses. In addition, the Facility covenants include an annual capital expenditure limit of $10,000 and a minimum tangible net worth of $50,000, adjusted upward for 50% of net income generated and 100% of all capital issuances. At March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants specified by the Facility.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees totaling approximately $2,054 and $1,374, respectively, on its domestic credit facility in connection with contracts in process. Fuel Tech is committed to reimbursing the issuing bank for any payments made by the bank under these instruments. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no cash borrowings under the domestic revolving credit facility and approximately $12,946 and $13,626, respectively, was available for future borrowings. The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.25% per year on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.

On June 30, 2011, Beijing Fuel Tech Environmental Technologies Company, Ltd. (Beijing Fuel Tech), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuel Tech, entered into a new revolving credit facility (the China Facility) agreement with JPM Chase for RMB 35 million (approximately $5,545), which expires on June 29, 2012. This new credit facility replaced the previous RMB 45 million facility that expired on June 30, 2011. The facility is unsecured, bears interest at a rate of 125% of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Base Rate, and is guaranteed by Fuel Tech. Beijing Fuel Tech can use this facility for cash advances and bank guarantees. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Beijing Fuel Tech has borrowings outstanding in the amount of $1,188 and $1,181, respectively. These borrowings were subject to interest rates of approximately 8.2% and 7.6% at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit and bank guarantees totaling approximately $467 and $750, respectively, on its Beijing Fuel Tech revolving credit facility in connection with contracts in process. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, approximately $3,890 and $3,580 was available for future borrowings.

In the event of default on either the domestic facility or the China facility, the cross default feature in each allows the lending bank to accelerate the payments of any amounts outstanding and may, under certain circumstances, allow the bank to cancel the facility. If the Company were unable to obtain a waiver for a breach of covenant and the bank accelerated the payment of any outstanding amounts, such acceleration may cause the Company’s cash position to deteriorate or, if cash on hand were insufficient to satisfy the payment due, may require the Company to obtain alternate financing to satisfy the accelerated payment.

In the opinion of management, Fuel Tech’s expected near-term revenue growth will be driven by the timing of penetration of the utility marketplace via utilization of its TIFI technology, by utility and industrial entities’ adherence to the NO_x reduction requirements of the various domestic environmental regulations, and by the expansion of both business segments in non-U.S. geographies. Fuel Tech expects its liquidity requirements to be met by the operating results generated from these activities.

Contingencies and Contractual Obligations

Fuel Tech issues a standard product warranty with the sale of its products to customers as discussed in Note K. The warranty liability balance during the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by approximately $20.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and reflect Fuel Tech’s current expectations regarding future growth, results of operations, cash flows, performance and business prospects, and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Fuel Tech has tried to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to Fuel Tech and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors,” which could cause Fuel Tech’s actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Fuel Tech undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances or for any other reason. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Fuel Tech’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Foreign Currency Risk Management

Fuel Tech’s earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into foreign currency forward contracts nor into foreign currency option contracts to manage this risk due to the immaterial nature of the transactions involved.

Fuel Tech is also exposed to changes in interest rates primarily due to its debt facilities (refer to Note I to the consolidated financial statements). A hypothetical 100 basis point adverse move in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield curve would not have a materially adverse effect on interest expense during the upcoming year ended December 31, 2012.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Fuel Tech maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls designed to ensure (a) that information required to be disclosed in Fuel Tech’s filings under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Fuel Tech’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d -15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report, and they have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

We are from time to time involved in litigation incidental to our business. We are not currently involved in any litigation in which we believe an adverse outcome would have a material effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, or prospects.

In 2011, Fuel Tech filed a series of civil actions in the Second People’s Intermediate Court of Beijing against Liu Minghui, Zhu Limin and related parties who formerly worked with Fuel Tech (collectively, the Defendants.) In the actions, Fuel Tech seeks damages and equitable relief based upon alleged unfair competition due to misappropriation of Fuel Tech’s property and trade secrets and other misconduct in China by the Defendants, and Fuel Tech also has asserted prior ownership rights over Chinese patents filed in China by certain of the Defendants pertaining to air pollution control technologies. Certain of the Defendants have filed actions before the Chinese Patent Review Board seeking to invalidate two China patents held by Fuel Tech for use in China relating to its ULTRA™ product line. These actions are in various stages, but management does not currently believe that based on the facts at hand that resolution of the actions would have a material adverse impact on Fuel Tech’s business in China.

The risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 have not materially changed.

In August 2011, Fuel Tech’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $6 million of its outstanding common shares through December 31, 2012. This program was completed in the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The share repurchase program was funded through the Company’s existing cash on hand. Purchases made pursuant to the program were made in the open market. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases was determined by the Company in its discretion and was subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements, and other factors.

During the course of the share repurchase program, Fuel Tech repurchased an aggregate of 1,036,350 common shares for a total cost of approximately $6,000 including commissions of approximately $38. These acquired shares have been retired and are no longer shown as issued or outstanding shares. The following table summarizes our share repurchase program since its inception:

a. Exhibits (all filed herewith)

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FUEL TECH, INC.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

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