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FutureFuel Corp. - Annual Report: 2009 (Form 10-K)

form10k.htm



 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
 
or
   
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____________ to ______________
 
Commission file number: 0-52577
 
FUTUREFUEL CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
20-3340900
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
8235 Forsyth Blvd., Suite 400
Clayton, Missouri  63105
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(805) 565-9800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title Of Each Class
 
Name Of Each Exchange On Which Registered
     
n/a
 
n/a
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
Common Stock
(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 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 or 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) 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 filed” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer                                         
Accelerated filer                                                                √
Non-accelerated filer                                           
Smaller reporting company                                               
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes No √
 
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  $74,309,760.
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 28,572,570.
 

 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
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PART I
 
Item 1. Business.
 
General Development of the Business
 
The Company
 
FutureFuel Corp. (including our wholly-owned subsidiary FutureFuel Chemical Company, the “Company” or “we”, “our” or “us”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated on August 12, 2005 under the name “Viceroy Acquisition Corporation”.  We were formed to serve as a vehicle for the acquisition by way of an asset acquisition, merger, capital stock exchange, share purchase or similar transaction of one or more operating businesses in the oil and gas industry.  On July 12, 2006, we completed an offering of 22,500,000 units, each unit consisting of one share of our common stock and one warrant to acquire one share of our common stock.  These units were issued at $8.00 per unit.  On July 21, 2006, we entered into an acquisition agreement with Eastman Chemical Company to acquire its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eastman SE, Inc., a chemical manufacturer which had just launched a biobased products platform.  Our shareholders approved the acquisition of Eastman SE, Inc. on October 27, 2006.  On October 31, 2006, the acquisition of Eastman SE, Inc. was consummated (effective after the close of business on that day) and Eastman SE, Inc. became our wholly-owned subsidiary.  In connection with such closing, we changed our name to FutureFuel Corp. and Eastman SE, Inc. changed its name to FutureFuel Chemical Company.
 
Our shares of common stock are quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”).  The OTCBB is an electronic trading service offered by the National Association of Security Dealers (“NASD”) that shows real-time quotes, last sale prices and volume information for over-the-counter equity securities.  Since our warrants must be in certificated form for the reasons set forth below in Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities -- Market Information, our warrants do not qualify for quotation on the OTCBB.  As such, our warrants are not listed or quoted on any established exchange.
 
We declared a special cash dividend on March 12, 2010 of $0.20 per share of our common stock, with a record date of March 23, 2010 and payable on April 9, 2010.
 
FutureFuel Chemical Company
 
FutureFuel Chemical Company is a Delaware corporation incorporated on September 1, 2005 under the name Eastman SE, Inc.  It owns approximately 2,200 acres of land six miles southeast of Batesville in north central Arkansas fronting the White River.  Approximately 500 acres of the site are occupied with batch and continuous manufacturing facilities, laboratories and associated infrastructure, including on-site liquid waste treatment.  The plant is staffed by approximately 464 non-union full-time employees.  FutureFuel Chemical Company manufacturers diversified chemical products and biobased products comprised of biofuels and biobased specialty chemical products.
 
In May 2009, we completed a project to increase production capacity at our Batesville facility to 59 million gallons of biodiesel per year through the addition of a new continuous processing line.  We are currently making process changes that will allow us to use high free fatty acid/low cost feedstock.  This should allow us to produce a fungible product that can be handled in pipelines as well as truck and rail transportation.  However, no assurances can be given that we will be successful.  Further, the federal blenders tax credit of $1.00 per gallon expired on December 31, 2009.  No assurances can be given that this tax credit will be renewed or, if renewed, that such renewal will be retroactive.  The non-renewal of the federal blenders tax credit will have a material adverse effect upon our biodiesel business.  See “Risk Factors” below.
 
In the chemicals segment, the demand for our core existing product lines remained in line with expectations.  We also completed plant modifications and additions to enable the processing of several new product lines.  We continue to focus on building and maintaining our reputation as a technology-driven competitive chemical producer.  We have retained a strong emphasis on cost control and efficiency improvements that, we believe, will enable us to take advantage of growth opportunities that exist as a result of conditions in the worldwide chemical industry.
 
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Financial Information about Segments
 
Unless otherwise noted, the financial data presented herein represents our consolidated operations for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2009, December 31, 2008, and December 31, 2007.  The following table sets forth: (i) our consolidated revenues from external customers for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007; (ii) our consolidated net income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007; and (iii) our total assets at December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Period
 
Revenues
from External Customers
   
Net Income
   
Total Assets
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
  $ 196,711     $ 16,992     $ 246,007  
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 198,330     $ 22,675     $ 238,126  
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 169,788     $ 8,408     $ 216,113  

We have two business reporting “segments” as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles: chemicals and biofuels.  We are not able to allocate net income and total assets between theses two business segments.  However, revenues from external customers and gross margins can be allocated between the two business segments as set forth in the following chart.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Period
 
Revenues
from
Chemical Segment
   
Revenues
from
Biofuels Segment
   
Total
Revenues
from
External
Customers
   
Gross
Margin
from
Chemical
Segment
   
Gross
Margin
from
Biofuels
Segment
   
Gross
Margin
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
  $ 143,759     $ 52,952     $ 196,711     $ 33,007     $ 1,430     $ 34,437  
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 155,553     $ 42,777     $ 198,330     $ 32,738     $ 7,679     $ 40,417  
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 144,474     $ 25,314     $ 169,788     $ 27,107     $ (9,874 )   $ 17,233  

See note 19 to our consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for adjustments to gross margins to arrive at net income.
 
Narrative Description of the Business
 
Principal Executive Offices
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 8235 Forsyth Blvd., 4th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105.  Our telephone number is (805) 565-9800.  FutureFuel Chemical Company’s principal executive offices are located at 2800 Gap Road, Highway 394 South, Batesville, Arkansas 72501-9680.  Its telephone number at such office is (870) 698-1811.
 
The Company
 
We completed the offering described above on July 12, 2006 and acquired FutureFuel Chemical Company at the close of business on October 31, 2006.  On July 11, 2008, our common stock began to be quoted on the OTCBB under the symbol “FTFL”.  Our warrants are not listed or quoted on any national exchange or any other price quotation system.
 
We own approximately 2,200 acres of land six miles southeast of Batesville in north central Arkansas fronting the White River.  Approximately 500 acres of the site are occupied with batch and continuous manufacturing facilities, laboratories and associated infrastructure, including on-site liquid waste treatment.  The plant is staffed by
 
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approximately 464 non-union full-time employees.  Land and support infrastructure are available to support expansion and business growth.  In March 2009, we acquired a granary in Marianna, Arkansas.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 69% of site revenue was derived from manufacturing specialty chemicals for specific customers (“custom manufacturing”) with 4% of revenues being derived from multi-customer specialty chemicals (“performance chemicals”) and 27% from biofuels.  Custom manufacturing involves producing unique products for individual customers, generally under long-term contracts.  The plant’s custom manufacturing product portfolio includes a bleach activator for a major detergent manufacturer, a proprietary herbicide for a major life sciences company and chlorinated polyolefin adhesion promoters and antioxidant precursors for a major chemical company.  The performance chemicals product portfolio includes polymer (nylon) modifiers and several small-volume specialty chemicals for diverse applications.
 
We are committed to growing the specialty chemical business and biofuels business, and FutureFuel Chemical Company’s biofuels platform has become a core segment of our business.  We intend to: (i) increase production capacity of biodiesel as set forth above, and will make future capacity expansions when market conditions support such an increase; and (ii) pursue commercialization of other products, including building block chemicals.  In pursuing this strategy, we will continue to establish a name identity in the biofuels business, leverage our technical capabilities and quality certifications, secure local and regional markets and expand marketing efforts to fleets and regional/national customers.  Concurrent efforts will also seek to enhance margins via: (i) volume increases; (ii) conversion cost reductions by transition to continuous processing and economies of scale; (iii) expansion of feedstock options; (iv) legislative incentives; and (v) value-enhancing applications for glycerin co-product (from the biodiesel manufacturing process).  These items are discussed in greater detail below.
 
Biofuels Business Segment
 
Overview of the Segment
 
Our biofuels segment was established in early 2005 as an initiative of the site management team to leverage technical and operational expertise as well as available manufacturing capacity to pursue business growth opportunities in addition to the legacy specialty chemicals business.  The biofuels segment had revenue of $52,952,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009, $42,777,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008, and $25,314,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
Biofuel Products
 
Our biofuels business segment currently targets biodiesel.  In addition, we sell petrodiesel in blends with our biodiesel and, from time to time, with no biodiesel added.  Our biofuels segment also includes the operation of a granary in central Arkansas that we acquired in March 2009.  The infrastructure and location of the granary provide an advantaged position related to several expansion projects we are evaluating within our biofuels segment.  We can provide no assurance that any of these expansion projects will come to fruition.  Until such time as we elect to pursue one or more of these expansion projects, we intend to continue purchasing grain from farmers in central Arkansas and reselling that grain to buyers at major agricultural centers for export out of our region.
 
Biodiesel is a sustainable, renewable transportation fuel with a growing market in the United States and internationally.
See http://www.emerging-markets.com/biodiesel/default.asp.  As an alternative to petrodiesel and other petroleum-based fuels, biodiesel has several advantages, including:
 
·  
extending domestic diesel fuel supplies;
 
·  
reducing dependence on foreign crude oil supplies;
 
·  
expanding markets for domestic and international agricultural products;
 
·  
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other gases that are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(see, e.g., http://www.cyberlipid.org/glycer/biodiesel.htm); and
 
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·  
being usable by existing diesel engines while extending their useful lives (see, e.g., http://www.cyberlipid.org/glycer/biodiesel.htm).
 
As a result of the benefits that are expected from the widespread use of biodiesel, federal and state laws (including tax laws), and governmental policy favor and in some jurisdictions require the increasing use of biodiesel instead of petrodiesel.  For example, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requires U.S. petroleum refiners and importers to blend 1.5 billion gallons of biodiesel into petrodiesel in 2010, with increased percentages of renewable fuel blending required in future years.  See “Legislative Incentives” below.
 
Biodiesel commercialization was achieved at our Batesville plant in October 2005.  Technical and operational competency developed as a supplier of specialty chemicals enabled the development of a flexible manufacturing process which can utilize the broadest possible range of feedstock oils, including soy oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, pork lard, poultry fat and beef tallow.  The Batesville plant produces B100.  B20 (20% biodiesel; 80% petrodiesel) is currently used in the facility’s diesel fleet and is available for retail sale at the site.  In the second quarter of 2009, we began offering B100, biodiesel blended with petrodiesel (B2, B5, B10 and B20 grades) and petrodiesel at our leased storage facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.  In addition, we deliver blended product to a small group of customers within our region.
 
The Biodiesel Production Process
 
Biodiesel can be made from renewable sources such as:
 
·  
crude and refined virgin vegetable oils;
 
·  
crude and refined animal fats; and
 
·  
used cooking oils and trap grease.
 
The choice of feedstock is determined primarily by the price and availability of each feedstock variety, yield loss of lower quality feedstock, and the capabilities of the producer’s biodiesel production facility.  In the United States, the majority of biodiesel historically has been made from domestically produced soybean oil.  However, our plant has been designed to process a wide variety of feedstocks to take advantage of fluctuating prices and availability of the various feedstocks.
 
The biodiesel manufacturing process has three distinct steps: the chemical reaction step, the separation step and the polishing step as shown in the following table.
 
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Table 1
 

 
Chemical Reaction.  In the chemical reaction step, a mix of biodiesel, glycerin and soap is created from the selected feedstock, methanol and a catalyst.  The collection of equipment that performs this chemical reaction step in producing biodiesel is referred to as the “reactors.”  Depending upon the type of reactor used, the mix of biodiesel, glycerin and soap produced requires differing degrees of further processing to separate the methyl esters comprising the biodiesel from the glycerin and soap, to clean or “polish” both the biodiesel and glycerin and to recover excess methanol from both the biodiesel and glycerin.  Generally, the more efficient the reactor, the less downstream processing that is required.  If the feedstock used is high in free fatty acids, a preliminary processing step may be required.  Transesterification is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by another alcohol.
 
Separation.  The methyl esters are separated from the glycerin and soap produced during the chemical reaction step.
 
Polishing.  The methyl esters are purified to remove residual catalysts and other impurities.  Any excess water and methanol is also removed and may be recycled into earlier steps in the production process train.
 
Legislative Incentives
 
Agencies of the United States government, including the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Agriculture, and many states offer biodiesel incentives or have mandates for the use of biodiesel, or both.  There are other governmental incentives that do not directly reduce the net cost of producing or blending biodiesel but that drive the demand for biodiesel.  For example, tax credits are available under the Internal Revenue Code for investment in qualifying refueling property, the Environmental Protection Agency will pay 50-100% of the cost for schools to upgrade and/or replace their buses, and programs administered by the Department of Energy indirectly require government fleet operators to purchase substantial amounts of biodiesel.  The principal federal incentives that we believe will have the greatest positive effect on our business are discussed below.
 
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The Energy Policy Act of 1992 requires government fleet operators to use a certain percentage of alternatively fueled vehicles.  The Act established a goal of replacing 10% of motor fuels with non-petroleum alternatives by 2000, increasing to 30% by the year 2010.  Currently, 75% of all new light-duty federal vehicles purchased are required to have alternative fuel capability to set an example for the private automotive and fuel industries.
 
Under the Energy Conservation Reauthorization Act of 1998, vehicle fleets that are required to purchase alternatively fueled vehicles can generate credit toward this requirement by purchasing and using biodiesel in a conventional vehicle.  Since there are few cost-effective options for purchasing heavy-duty alternatively fueled vehicles, federal and state fleet providers can meet up to 50% of their heavy-duty alternatively fueled vehicle purchase requirements with biodiesel.  The biodiesel fuel credit allows fleets to purchase and use 450 gallons of biodiesel in vehicles in excess of 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight instead of alternatively fueled vehicles.  Fleets must purchase and use the equivalent of 450 gallons of pure biodiesel in a minimum of a 20% blend to earn one credit.  Covered fleets earn one vehicle credit for every light-duty alternatively fueled vehicle they acquire annually beyond their base vehicle acquisition requirements.  Credits can be banked or sold.
 
In October 2004, Congress passed a biodiesel tax incentive, structured as a federal excise tax credit, as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  The credit amounted to one cent for each percentage point of vegetable oil or animal fat biodiesel that was blended with petrodiesel (and one-half cent for each percentage point of recycled oils and other non-agricultural biodiesel).  For example, blenders that blended B20 made from soy, canola and other vegetable oils and animal fats received a 20¢ per gallon excise tax credit, while biodiesel made from recycled restaurant oils (yellow grease) received half of this credit.  The tax incentive generally was taken by petroleum distributors and was substantially passed on to the consumer.  It was designed to lower the cost of biodiesel to consumers in both taxable and tax-exempt markets.  The tax credit was scheduled to expire at the end of 2006, but was extended in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to the end of 2008 and subsequently extended to December 31, 2009 through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.  This Act also revised the credit for recycled oils from a half credit to a full credit as described below.  The tax credit expired on December 31, 2009 and was not renewed.  If this tax credit is not renewed, its expiration may have a material adverse effect on our biodiesel business.  See “Risk Factors” below.
 
Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005 in August 2005 and included a number of provisions intended to spur the production and use of biodiesel.  In particular, the Act’s provisions include biodiesel as part of the minimum volume of renewable fuels (the renewable fuels standard or “RFS”), in the nationwide gasoline and diesel pool, with the Environmental Protection Agency being directed to determine the share to be allocated to biodiesel and other details through its rulemaking process.  The Act also extended the biodiesel tax credit to 2008 and included a new tax credit for renewable diesel.  More specifically, the RFS requires a specific amount of renewable fuel to be used each year in the nationwide gasoline and diesel pool.  The volume increases each year, from 4 billion gallons per year in 2006 to 7.5 billion gallons per year in 2012.  The Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency, beginning in 2006, to publish by November 30th of each year, “renewable fuel obligations” that will be applicable to refineries, blenders and importers in the contiguous 48 states.  There must be no geographic restrictions on where renewable fuel may be used or per-gallon obligations for the use of renewable fuel.  The renewable fuel obligations are required to be expressed in terms of a volume percentage of gasoline sold or introduced into commerce and consist of a single applicable percentage that will apply to all categories of refineries, blenders and importers.  The renewable fuel obligations are to be based on estimates that the Energy Information Association provides to the Environmental Protection Agency on the volumes of gasoline it expects will be sold or introduced into commerce.  The Environmental Protection Agency released the final rules to implement the RFS on April 10, 2007.  Under those rules, the RFS compliance period did not begin until September 1, 2007.  The applicable volume of renewable fuel under this program was 4.7 billion gallons for 2007, 5.4 billion gallons for 2008, 11.1 billion gallons for 2009, and 12.95 billion gallon for 2010.
 
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 also created a new tax credit for small agri-biodiesel producers with production capacity not in excess of 60 million gallons, of 10¢ per gallon for the first 15 million gallons of agri-biodiesel sold.  Our 2009 biodiesel production capacity did not exceed 60 million gallons and thus we qualified for this credit.  We expect that our 2010 biodiesel production capacity will not exceed 60 million gallons and that we will qualify for this credit in 2010.
 
On December 19, 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (“Energy Bill of 2007”) was enacted which, among other things, expanded the RFS.  In contrast to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, this bill provided an
 
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RFS carve-out applicable specifically to biodiesel; the RFS requirement of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 had mostly been filled by ethanol.  Beginning January 1, 2009, the Energy Bill of 2007 mandates that 500 million gallons of biomass-based diesel (biodiesel) be used per year.  On November 21, 2008, the USEPA announced that the 2009 RFS for refiners, importers, and blenders was 10.21%.  The 2008 RFS was 7.76%.  The 2009 RFS represents 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuel and includes 500 million gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel.  The mandate under the Energy Bill of 2007 increases each year and reaches 1 billion gallons per year in 2012.  Beyond 2012, the mandate is to be determined by the Environmental Protection Agency administrator in coordination with the secretaries of energy and agriculture, but with a minimum of that mandated in 2012, thus a 1 billion gallons per year floor.
 
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extended the biodiesel tax credit through December 31, 2009 and qualified all biodiesel for a $1.00 per gallon tax credit, including biodiesel made from non-virgin feedstocks such as yellow grease.  As noted above, prior legislation limited the tax credit for biodiesel manufactured from non-virgin feedstocks to $0.50 per gallon.  Also as noted above, this credit terminated on December 31, 2009 and was not renewed.
 
The federal government offers other programs as summarized in the table below.
 
Federal Agency
that Administers/
Oversees
Type of
Incentive
Who Receives
Incentive
Commonly
Known As
Summary
IRS
income tax
credit
infrastructure
providers
Alternative
Fuel
Infrastructure
Credit
Provides a tax credit in an amount equal to 50% of the cost of any qualified non-residential alternatively fueled vehicle refueling property placed into service in the United States up to $50,000 in 2009 and 2010, subject to certain limits.
         
EPA
grant program
school districts
Clean School
Bus Program
Reduces operating costs and children’s exposure to harmful diesel exhaust by limiting bus idling, implementing pollution reduction technology, improving route logistics and switching to biodiesel.  The Energy Bill of 2005 utilizes this program to grant up to a 50% cost share (depending on the age and emissions of the original bus) to replace school buses with buses that operate on alternative fuel or low-sulfur diesel, or up to 100% for retrofit projects.
         
USDA
grant program
agricultural
producers and
small
businesses
Renewable
Energy
Systems and
Energy
Efficiency
Improvements
Grant
In 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development made available $22.8 million in competitive grant funds and guaranteed loans for the purchase of renewable energy systems and energy improvements for agricultural producers and small rural businesses.  Eligible projects include biofuels, hydrogen and energy efficiency improvements, as well as solar, geothermal and wind.
         
USDA/DOE
grant program
biobased fuels
researchers
Biomass
Research and
Development
Act of 2000
Funds research, development and demonstration biomass projects with respect to renewable energy resources from the agricultural and agro-forestry sectors.  Biomass is defined as organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis.

 
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Many states are following the federal government’s lead and are offering similar programs and incentives to spur biodiesel production and use.  For example, Arkansas provides an income tax credit of 5% of the cost of the facilities and equipment used directly in the wholesale or retail distribution of biodiesel where the equipment has not been claimed in a previous tax year.  In addition, Arkansas offers a tax refund of $0.50 for each gallon of biodiesel used by a supplier to produce a biodiesel/petrodiesel mixture of not more than 2% biodiesel.  In April 2007, Arkansas passed legislation that provides for a $0.20 per gallon biodiesel producer credit and up to $50,000 in grants per site for biodiesel producers and distributors to install distribution infrastructure.  The $0.20 per gallon Arkansas producer credit is capped at 10 million gallons of production, or $2 million, per defined time intervals.  The first interval was January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.  We submitted an application for the $0.20 per gallon biodiesel producer credit for production during this 18-month interval and received the $2 million credit in March 2008.  The next funding interval was July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009.  We applied for funding under this program for biodiesel produced during this interval and received the $2 million credit in July 2009.  The current funding interval is July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.  We intend to apply for the credit in future years when and as such credit is available.  However, due to the characteristics of the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program and the State funding supporting this program, there is no certainty that credits will be funded even if the program is technically still in place.
 
Our review of state statutes reveals that approximately 46 states provide either user or producer incentives for biodiesel, several states provide both types of incentives and approximately 37 states provide incentives to biodiesel producers to build facilities in their states, typically offering tax credits, grants and other financial incentives.  As we expand our business outside of Arkansas, we will evaluate these additional state incentives to determine if we qualify for them.
 
We will continue to identify and pursue other incentives to support our business.  However, no assurances can be given that we will qualify for any such incentives or, if we do qualify, what the amount of such incentives will be.
 
BQ-9000 Status
 
The BQ-9000 program was launched in late 2005 by the National Biodiesel Board through the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission, which has full autonomy and design implementation over BQ-9000 certification.  The program requires certified and accredited companies to possess a quality manual and quality control system and employ best practices in biodiesel sampling, testing, blending, shipping, storage and distribution.  The goal of the program is to help assure quality of biodiesel from plant gate to consumer tank.  We achieved the fourth BQ-9000 certification in the nation (as of December 31, 2009, 36 biodiesel producers had achieved this quality standard - see http://www.bq-9000.org/companies/producers.aspx).  Consistent with BQ-9000, all manufactured product is tested in on-site quality control laboratories and confirmed to meet the ASTM D6751 standard.
 
Future Strategy
 
In 2009, we commercialized two biobased solvents: FutureSol FAME and FutureSol Glysol, which we intend to market.  In addition, we intend to expand our biodiesel capacity utilizing available facilities as market conditions dictate.  All future capacity will be operated primarily in continuous processing mode to realize operating economies and optimum throughput.  Existing and future processes will accommodate a wide range of feedstock oils, allowing optimization relative to supply and pricing.  However, our continued production of biodiesel will be severely limited, or eliminated entirely, in the event the United States Congress does not renew the $1.00 per gallon blenders tax credit.  See “Risk Factors”.
 
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Customers and Markets
 
We currently market our biodiesel products by truck and rail directly to customers in the United States.  Through the utilization of liquid bulk storage facilities and barge loading capabilities, we are positioned to market biodiesel throughout the United States for transportation and home heating fuel usage.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, 18 of our customers represented 80% of biofuels revenues (22% of total revenues) and 32 customers represented 20% of biofuels revenues (5% of total revenues).  Although the regional market is still being developed, we estimate that the regional direct market available to us at maturity will be at least 30 million gallons per year.
 
Competition
 
As of June 22, 2009, there was a reported 2.69 billion gallons per year of biodiesel production capacity in the United States, although only approximately 450-490 million gallons of biodiesel were actually produced in 2009.  We produced 20 million gallons or an estimated 4% of such 2009 production.  We compete with other producers of biodiesel, both locally, regionally and nationally.  There are five biodiesel plants in the state of Arkansas (two of them are under construction), but only our plant is currently operating.  There are several operating facilities in surrounding states and announced biodiesel production facilities in Arkansas and surrounding states.  We estimate that regional competitive producers had approximately 95 million gallons of capacity at the end of 2009.
 
In addition to biodiesel producers, we compete with new technologies that are being developed as alternatives to biodiesel.  For example, Biotech company LS9 Inc. has announced that it is producing renewable diesel fuel from E. coli excrement.  See
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/12/bug.diesel/index.html.  UOP, a major supplier to the petrochemical refining industry, has also reported the development of technology for the production of fungible fuels (diesel and gasoline) by hydro-processing of vegetable oils and cellulose.  See
http://www.alternatefuelsworld.com/greendiesel-greengasoline.html.  We cannot give any assurances that renewable diesel fuel (or some other product) produced by these competing technologies will not supplant biodiesel as an alternative to conventional petrodiesel.
 
Supply and Distribution
 
As a result of our feedstock-flexible process, we are able to source feedstock from a broad supplier base which includes pork, chicken and beef rendering facilities from both national and regional suppliers.  Soybean oil has been sourced from several national and regional producers.  Cottonseed oil has been sourced from a regional cooperative.  All feedstocks are currently supplied by either rail or truck.  We believe that an adequate supply of feedstocks can be sourced to support anticipated production.
 
We intend that biodiesel and other biofuels will be sold from the plant site as well as shipped to liquid bulk storage facilities for further distribution.  Sales from the plant site are made by railcar and tank truck.  Biodiesel is being delivered to liquid bulk storage facilities by company-owned tank trucks and common carriers for distribution there and for further transportation by barge or tank truck.
 
Cyclicality and Seasonality
 
The following charts depict our monthly sales of biodiesel (in gallons) for 2008 and 2009.
 
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Our sales of biodiesel have been limited in winter months.  Non-seasonal business (primarily on-road transportation) has not been sufficient regionally to generate biodiesel sales at blends greater than B5 in winter months at the end of farming activity.  Also, cold weather usage and storage properties which reduce biodiesel demand during winter months require resolution in order to fully exploit year-round demand opportunities.  Our distilled biodiesel available in mid-March 2010 should mitigate the cold weather property concern and provide more robust winter time sales.
 
Chemicals Business Segment
 
Overview of the Segment
 
Our chemicals segment manufactures diversified chemical products that are sold externally to third party customers.  This segment comprises two components: “custom manufacturing” (manufacturing chemicals for specific customers); and “performance chemicals” (multi-customer specialty chemicals).  The chemicals segment had revenue of $143,759,000, $155,553,000, and $144,474,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Chemical Products
 
Custom manufacturing involves producing unique products for individual customers, generally under long-term contracts.  Many of these products are produced under confidentiality agreements in order to protect intellectual property.  This is a service-based business where customers value technical capabilities, responsiveness and process improvement to continually improve costs and reliability.  The plant’s custom manufacturing product portfolio includes four large products or product families which are generally produced throughout the year: (i) a bleach activator for a major detergent and consumer products manufacturer; (ii) a proprietary herbicide for a major life sciences company; (iii) chlorinated polyolefin adhesion promoters (“CPOs”) for a major chemical company; and (iv) antioxidant precursors (“DIPBs”) for a major chemical company.  The portfolio also contains a number of smaller products which are produced intermittently in a “batch campaign” mode, for diverse customers and end markets.
 
Performance chemicals comprise multi-customer products which are sold based upon specification and/or performance in the end-use application.  This portfolio includes a family of polymer (nylon) modifiers and several small-volume specialty chemicals for diverse applications.  In addition, we have recently been successful in our strategy to grow our performance chemical business through new product development.  New products include a family of acetal based solvents, including dimethoxymethane, dibutoxymethane and glycerol formal, and phenol sulfonic acid, which build on our revenue stream from our sulfonations technology.  Revenue from products less than one year old in the performance chemicals business increased from approximately 1% of total performance chemicals revenue in 2008 to 14% in 2009.
 
Future Strategy
 
To build on and maintain our reputation as a technology-driven competitive chemical producer, we believe that we must continuously focus on cost control, operational efficiency and capacity utilization to maximize earnings.  The ability to utilize large scale batch and continuous production processes and a continuous focus on process
 
 
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improvements allow us to compete effectively in the custom manufacturing market and to remain cost competitive with, and for some products cost-advantaged over, our competitors.  We intend to improve margins in this area of the our business by careful management of product mix with regard to size of opportunity, timing to market, capital efficiency and matching of opportunities to assets and capabilities.
 
We expect to derive significant growth in performance chemicals as a result of the application of new technologies to the conversion of biomass and waste carbon sources in order to produce a range of specialty chemical products.  If we are successful in developing these products, they would represent a first generation of renewable chemicals that we believe would displace materials currently produced from fossil fuels.  However, no assurances can be made that we will successfully develop such products or, if developed, that they will be accepted commercially.
 
Customers and Markets
 
Our chemical products are used in a variety of markets and end uses, including detergent, agrochemical, automotive, photographic imaging, coatings, nutrition and polymer additives.  These products are generally non-cyclical; however, the customers are often the “brand owners” and therefore control factors related to demand, such as market development strategy.  In many cases, we may be unable to increase or maintain our level of sales revenue for these products.
 
All sales of the bleach activator are made to The Procter & Gamble Company pursuant to a multi-year supply agreement that was effective April 1, 2008.  Sales of the bleach activator totaled $73,466,000, $83,995,000, and $82,500,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  Additionally, all sales of a proprietary herbicide and certain other intermediates used in the production of this herbicide are made to Arysta LifeScience North America Corporation pursuant to contracts which continue year-to-year unless terminated by notice given no later than 270 days prior to the end of the current term for the herbicide and not later than 18 months prior to the current term for the intermediates.  No assurances can be given that these contracts will not be terminated.  Sales of this herbicide and its intermediates totaled $31,587,000, $34,156,000, and $25,177,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  These two customers represented approximately 53%, 60%, and 63% of our revenues in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Competition
 
Historically, there have been significant barriers to entry for competitors with respect to chemicals primarily due to the fact that the relevant technology and manufacturing capability has been held by a small number of companies.  As technology and investment have increasingly moved outside of North America, competition from multi-national chemical manufacturers has intensified, primarily from India and China.  We compete with these and other producers primarily based on price, customer service, technology, quality and reliability.  Our major competitors in this segment include large multi-national companies with specialty chemical business units, and smaller independent producers.  The multi-national competitors are often disadvantaged by poor responsiveness and customer service, while the small producers often have limited technology and financial resources.  We believe that we should be well positioned for growth due to the combination of our scale of operations, technical capabilities, and financial resources.
 
Supply and Distribution
 
Specialty chemicals are generally high unit value products sold in packaged, or low-volume bulk form, for which distribution is a relatively minor component of cost.  Most products are sold FOB the Batesville site for distribution globally.  Similarly, raw materials for these products are comparatively higher-value components that are sourced globally.  An exception will be the biofuels co-products, which will be recovered from local processing and purified or further functionalized into other products at the site.
 
Cyclicality and Seasonality
 
Our chemical products typically are not cyclical but they are sensitive to global economic conditions.  Supply and demand dynamics determine profitability at different stages of cycles and global economic conditions affect the length of each cycle.  Despite some sensitivity to global economic conditions, many of the products in the chemical segment provide a stable foundation of earnings.
 
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Backlog
 
The majority of our revenues are derived under custom manufacturing agreements with specific customers.  These customers generally provide us with forecasts of demand on a monthly or quarterly basis.  These forecasts are intended to enable us to optimize the efficiency of our production processes and generally are not firm sales orders.  As such, we do not monitor or report backlog.
 
Management Team and Workforce
 
Our executive management team at the Batesville plant consists of four individuals with a combined 100 plus years of experience in the chemicals industry, comprising technical, operational and business responsibilities.  Three of the four members of the executive team have international experience, including assignments in Europe and Asia.  The operational and commercial management group at the Batesville site includes five additional degreed professionals with an average experience of over 20 years in the chemical industry.
 
The Batesville workforce comprises approximately 464 additional full-time employees, with a total of 75 degreed professionals, including 19 chemists (10 PhDs) and 41 engineers (including 10 licensed professional engineers and 20 chemical engineers).  The site is non-unionized.  Operations personnel are highly skilled as all site manufacturing and infrastructure is fully automated and computer-controlled.  The workforce is substantially self-sufficient in the range of required operational skills and experience due to the lack of locally-available process industry infrastructure.  Voluntary attrition at the site has averaged less than 4% annually since 2006.
 
Intellectual Property
 
We consider our intellectual property portfolio to be a valuable corporate asset which we intend to expand and protect globally through a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, patents and copyrights.  As a producer of a broad and diverse portfolio of chemicals, our intellectual property relates to a wide variety of products and processes acquired through the development and manufacture of over 300 specialty chemicals during the history of the site.  Our primary strategy regarding our intellectual property portfolio will be to appropriately protect all innovations and know-how in order to provide our business segments with a technology-based competitive advantage wherever possible.  In the chemicals business segment, custom manufacturing projects are primarily conducted within the framework of confidentiality agreements with each customer to ensure that intellectual property rights are defined and protected.  In the biofuels business segment, innovations and process know-how will be vigorously protected as appropriate.  As may be necessary, we will seek to license technology from third parties that complements our strategic business objectives.  Neither our business as a whole nor any particular segment is materially dependent upon any one particular patent, copyright or trade secret.  As the laws of many foreign countries do not protect intellectual property to the same extent as the laws of the United States, we can make no assurance that we will be able to adequately protect all of our intellectual property assets.
 
Research and Development
 
We devote significant resources to our research and development programs which are primarily targeted towards two objectives:
 
·  
innovating, developing and improving biofuels processes, in particular biodiesel and other biofuels, including value-up technology and applications for co-products; and
 
·  
developing and improving processes for custom manufacturing products or performance chemicals.
 
Our research and development capabilities comprise analytical chemistry competencies to assay and characterize raw materials and products, organic chemistry expertise applied across a breadth of reaction chemistries and materials and process engineering capabilities for batch and continuous processing of both solid and liquid materials.  We believe that these core competencies, established in support of the legacy chemical business, are applicable to building a technology-based position in biofuels and associated biobased specialty products.
 
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Research and development expense incurred by us for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were $4,165,000, $3,951,000, and $3,434,000, respectively.  Substantially all of such research and development expense related to the development of new products, services and processes or the improvement of existing products, services and processes.
 
Regulatory and Environmental Matters
 
Various aspects of our operations are subject to regulation by state and federal agencies.  Biofuel and chemical operations are subject to numerous, stringent and complex laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection.  These laws and regulations may:
 
·  
require acquisition of permits regarding discharges into the air and discharge of waste waters;
 
·  
place restrictions on the handling and disposal of hazardous and other wastes; and
 
·  
require capital expenditures to implement pollution control equipment.
 
Compliance with such laws and regulations can be costly and noncompliance can result in substantial civil and even criminal penalties.  Some environmental laws impose strict liability for environmental contamination, rendering a person liable for environmental damages and cleanup costs without regard to negligence or fault.  Moreover, public interest in the protection of the environment has increased substantially in recent years.  Our operations could be adversely affected to the extent laws are enacted or other governmental action is taken that imposes environmental protection requirements that result in increased costs to the biofuels and/or chemical manufacturing industry in general.  The following provides a general discussion of some of the significant environmental laws and regulations that impact our activities.
 
The federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), and analogous state laws, impose joint and several liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original act, on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment.  These persons include the owner and operator of the site where the release occurred, past owners and operators of the site, and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances found at the site.  Responsible parties under CERCLA may be liable for the costs of cleaning up hazardous substances that have been released into the environment and for damages to natural resources.  Additionally, it is not uncommon for third parties to assert claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances or other pollutants into the environment.
 
The federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), is the principal federal statute governing the management of wastes, including the treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes.  RCRA imposes stringent operating requirements, and liability for failure to meet such requirements, on a person who is either a generator or transporter of hazardous waste or an owner or operator of a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility.  Many of the wastes generated in our manufacturing facility are governed by RCRA.
 
The federal Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) and regulations thereunder impose liability on responsible parties for damages resulting from oil spills into or upon navigable waters, adjoining shorelines or in the exclusive economic zone of the United States.  A responsible party includes the owner or operator of an onshore facility.  OPA limits liability for onshore facilities to $350 million.  These liability limits may not apply if a spill is caused by a party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, the spill resulted from violation of a federal safety, construction or operating regulation, or if a party fails to report a spill or to cooperate fully in a clean-up.  Failure to comply with OPA’s requirements may subject a responsible party to civil, criminal or administrative enforcement actions.
 
The federal Water Pollution Control Act (“Clean Water Act”) imposes restrictions and controls on the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters.  These controls have become more stringent over the years, and it is possible that additional restrictions may be imposed in the future.  Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants into state and federal waters.  The Clean Water Act provides for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for discharges of oil and other pollutants, and imposes liability on parties responsible for those discharges for the costs of cleaning up any
 
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environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting from the release.  Comparable state statutes impose liability and authorize penalties in the case of an unauthorized discharge of petroleum or its derivatives, or other pollutants, into state waters.
 
The federal Clean Air Act (“Clean Air Act”), and associated state laws and regulations, restrict the emission of air pollutants from many sources, including facilities involved in manufacturing chemicals and biofuels.  New facilities are generally required to obtain permits before operations can commence, and new or existing facilities may be required to incur certain capital expenditures to install air pollution control equipment in connection with obtaining and maintaining operating permits and approvals.  Federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with permits or other requirements of the Clean Air Act and associated state laws and regulations.
 
The federal Endangered Species Act, the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, and similar federal and state wildlife protection laws prohibit or restrict activities that could adversely impact protected plant and animal species or habitats.  Manufacturing activities could be prohibited or delayed in areas where such protected species or habitats may be located, or expensive mitigation may be required to accommodate such activities.
 
Our policy is to operate our plant and facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees and the public.  We intend to continue to make expenditures for environmental protection and improvements in a timely manner consistent with our policies and with the technology available.  In some cases, applicable environmental regulations such as those adopted under the Clean Air Act and RCRA, and related actions of regulatory agencies, determine the timing and amount of environmental costs incurred by us.
 
We establish reserves for closure/post-closure costs associated with the environmental and other assets we maintain.  Environmental assets include waste management units such as incinerators, landfills, storage tanks and boilers.  When these types of assets are constructed or installed, a reserve is established for the future costs anticipated to be associated with the closure of the site based on an expected life of the environmental assets, the applicable regulatory closure requirements and our environmental policies and practices.  These expenses are charged into earnings over the estimated useful life of the assets.  Currently, we estimate the useful life of each individual asset up to 35 years.
 
In addition to our general environmental policies and policies for asset retirement obligations and environmental reserves, we accrue environmental costs when it is probable that we have incurred a liability and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  In some instances, the amount cannot be reasonably estimated due to insufficient data, particularly in the nature and timing of the future performance.  In these cases, the liability is monitored until such time that sufficient data exists.  With respect to a contaminated site, the amount accrued reflects our assumptions about remedial requirements at the site, the nature of the remedy, the outcome of discussions with regulatory agencies and other potentially responsible parties at multi-party sites, and the number and financial viability of other potentially responsible parties.  Changes in the estimates on which the accruals are based, unanticipated government enforcement action, or changes in health, safety, environmental, chemical control regulations, and testing requirements could result in higher or lower costs.
 
Our cash expenditures related to environmental protection and improvement were approximately $9,923,000, $11,507,000, and $13,500,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  These amounts pertain primarily to operating costs associated with environmental protection equipment and facilities, but also include expenditures for construction and development.  We do not expect future environmental capital expenditures arising from requirements of environmental laws and regulations to materially increase our planned level of annual capital expenditures for environmental control facilities.
 
We believe that we have obtained in all material respects the necessary permits and licenses to carry on our operations as presently conducted.  We have reviewed environmental investigations of the properties owned by us and believe, on the basis of the results of the investigations carried out to date, that there are no material regulatory and/or environmental issues which adversely impact us.  In addition, under our acquisition agreement with Eastman Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company acquired environmental insurance with respect to environmental conditions at the Batesville plant existing as of the closing date and Eastman Chemical Company has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to indemnify FutureFuel Chemical Company with respect to such environmental conditions.
 
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Objectives
 
Our business objectives are to: (i) exploit growth opportunities in our two core business segments, biofuels and chemicals; and (ii) improve gross margins.
 
Exploit Growth Opportunities in Core Business Segments
 
We believe that we can become a market leader in biofuels by leveraging our specialty chemicals technical expertise and by fully utilizing idle site assets and infrastructure headspace, with emphasis on:
 
·  
operational expertise to produce ASTM D6751 quality biodiesel from diverse feedstocks;
 
·  
leveraging quality certifications to supply demanding biodiesel applications;
 
·  
conversion of available capacity at below new-build costs;
 
·  
service to regional markets and enhanced distribution channels to national markets;
 
·  
process improvement to reduce costs of manufacturing; and
 
·  
adding value to co-products and by-products from biofuels production.
 
We estimate that we produced 4% of all biodiesel produced in the United States during 2009.
 
We believe that we are one of the largest independent custom chemical manufacturers in North America and that we will continue to grow this business based upon:
 
·  
long term contracts for most custom manufacturing products;
 
·  
strong relationships with customers who are market leaders, leading to repeat business;
 
·  
technical capability to innovate processes, particularly the ability to apply both chemistry and engineering disciplines to solve complex technical problems;
 
·  
responsiveness and customer service from an entrepreneurial organization;
 
·  
ability to practice a range of manufacturing scale; and
 
·  
process improvement capability to achieve lowest-cost manufacturing position.
 
We intend to grow our multi-customer chemicals portfolio by developing technologies that allow us to make use of renewable feedstock in order to produce a wide range of specialty chemical products that replace or compete with chemicals produced from fossil fuels, petroleum, and/or coal.
 
Improve Gross Margins
 
We will continue to work to maximize the value of our core businesses by improving gross margins through:
 
·  
enhancing pricing processes and strategies, and optimizing biofuels channels to market;
 
·  
continuing to pursue cost reduction opportunities, including improved operational efficiency through business simplification;
 
·  
achieving high utilization of manufacturing assets;
 
·  
improving capital efficiency through high value de-bottlenecking opportunities and incremental expansions of existing assets and infrastructure; and
 
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·  
enhancing custom manufacturing project selection and portfolio mix.
 
However, no assurances can be given that these objectives will be met, in whole or in part.
 
Financial Information about Geographic Areas
 
Most of our sales are FOB the Batesville plant, although some FOB points are in other states or at foreign ports.  While many of our chemicals are utilized to manufacture products that are shipped, further processed and/or consumed throughout the world, the chemical products, with limited exceptions, generally leave the United States only after ownership has transferred from us to the customer.  Rarely are we the exporter of record, never are we the importer of record into foreign countries and we are not always aware of the exact quantities of our products that are moved into foreign markets by our customers.  We do track the addresses of our customers for invoicing purposes and use this address to determine whether a particular sale is within or outside the United States.  Our revenues for the last three fiscal years attributable to the United States and foreign countries (based upon the billing addresses of our customers) were as set forth in the following table.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Period
 
United States
   
All Foreign
Countries
   
Total
 
Year ended December 31, 2009
  $ 179,505     $ 17,206     $ 196,711  
Year ended December 31, 2008
  $ 164,963     $ 33,367     $ 198,330  
Year ended December 31, 2007
  $ 141,233     $ 28,555     $ 169,788  

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, revenues from Mexico accounted for 8%, 11%, and 11%, respectively, of total revenues.  Beginning in the third quarter of 2007 and ending in 2008, FutureFuel Chemical Company sold significant quantities of biodiesel to companies from Canada, during which time revenues from Canada became a material component of total revenues.  Revenues from Canada accounted for 0%, 5%, and 5% of total revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  Other than Mexico and Canada, revenues from a single foreign country during 2009, 2008, and 2007 did not exceed 1% of our total revenues.
 
All of our long-lived assets are located in the United States.
 
See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” below for a discussion of risks attendant to our foreign operations.
 
Available Information
 
We make available free of charge, through the “Investor Relations - SEC Filings” section of our Internet website (http://www.FutureFuelCorporation.com), our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Once filed with the SEC, such documents may be read and/or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that electronically file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
 
We make available free of charge, through the “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance” section of our website (http://www.FutureFuelCorporation.com), the corporate governance guidelines of our board of directors, the charters of each of the committees of our board of directors, and codes of ethics and business conduct for our directors, officers and employees.  Such materials will be made available in print upon the written request of any shareholder to FutureFuel Corp., 8235 Forsyth Blvd., 4th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, Attention: Investor Relations.
 
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
 
An investment in us involves a high degree of risk and may result in the loss of all or part of your investment.  You should consider carefully all of the information set out in this document and the risks attaching to an investment in us, including, in particular, the risks described below.  The information below does not purport to be an exhaustive list and should be considered in conjunction with the contents of the rest of this document.
 
Risks Associated With Our Business Activities
 
The federal excise tax credit for biodiesel expired on December 31, 2009 and Congress has not enacted legislation to extend this credit.  If the credit is not renewed, our cost of producing biodiesel will be increased, which could have an adverse effect on our financial position.
 
In October 2004, Congress passed a biodiesel tax incentive, structured as a federal excise tax credit, as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  The credit amounted to one cent for each percentage point of vegetable oil or animal fat biodiesel that was blended with petrodiesel (and one-half cent for each percentage point of recycled oils and other non-agricultural biodiesel), subsequently amended and increased to one cent.  For example, blenders that blended B20 made from soy, canola and other vegetable oils and animal fats received a 20¢ per gallon excise tax credit.  The tax incentive generally was taken by petroleum distributors and was passed on to the consumer.  It was designed to lower the cost of biodiesel to consumers in both taxable and tax-exempt markets.  The tax credit was scheduled to expire at the end of 2006, but was extended in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to December 31, 2008 and most recently it was extended to December 31, 2009.
 
Congress did not enact any legislation to extend this tax credit beyond December 31, 2009 and it expired at that time.  In December 2009, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill extending this credit to December 31, 2010.  On March 10, 2010, the United States Senate passed a similar bill as part of the American Workers, State and Business Relief Act, H.R. 4213.  In addition to extending the credit to December 31, 2010, both bills retroactively apply the credit to the beginning of 2010.  The House and Senate bills must now be reconciled before being sent to the President for his signature.  The exact timeframe for reconciling the two bills has not been set.  If the tax credit is not renewed, our biodiesel production costs will increase by $1.00 per gallon.  If biodiesel feedstock costs do not decrease significantly relative to biodiesel prices, we will realize a negative gross margin on biodiesel.  As a result, we would cease producing biodiesel, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.
 
The current volatility in global economic conditions and the financial markets may adversely affect our industry, business and results of operations.
 
The volatility and disruption to the capital and credit markets since mid-2008 have affected global economic conditions, resulting in significant recessionary pressures and declines in consumer confidence and economic growth.  These conditions have led to economic contractions in the developed economies and reduced growth rates in the emerging markets.  Despite fiscal and monetary intervention, it is possible that further declines in consumer spending and global growth rates may occur in the foreseeable future.  Reduced consumer spending may cause changes in customer order patterns including order cancellations, and changes in the level of inventory held by our customers, which may adversely affect our industry, business and results of operations.  The impact of the credit crisis and economic slowdown will vary by region and country.  The diversity of our geographic customer and operating footprint limits our reliance and exposure to any single economy.
 
These conditions have also resulted in a substantial tightening of the credit markets, including lending by financial institutions and other sources of credit and liquidity.  This tightening of the credit markets has increased the cost of capital and reduced the availability of credit.  Based on our latest discussions, we believe that our sources of credit and liquidity are able to fulfill their commitments to us as of our filing date.  We cannot predict, however, how long the current economic and capital and credit market conditions will continue, whether they will deteriorate and which aspects of our products or business could be adversely affected.  However, if current levels of economic and capital and credit market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse impact, which may be material, on our business, the cost of and access to capital and credit markets, and our results of operations.  In addition, we monitor the financial condition of our customers on a regular basis based on public information or data provided directly to us.  If the financial condition of one of our major customers was
 
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negatively impacted by market conditions or liquidity, we could be adversely impacted in terms of accounts receivable and/or inventory specifically attributable to them.
 
The industries in which we compete are highly competitive.
 
The biodiesel industry, as well as the chemical business, are highly competitive.  There is competition within these industries and also with other industries in supplying the energy, fuel and chemical needs of industry and individual consumers.  We will compete with other firms in the sale or purchase of various goods or services in many national and international markets.  We will compete with large national and multi-national companies that have longer operating histories, greater financial, technical and other resources and greater name recognition than we do.  In addition, we will compete with several smaller companies capable of competing effectively on a regional or local basis, and the number of these smaller companies is increasing.  Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and services and changes in customer requirements.  As a result of competition, we may lose market share or be unable to maintain or increase prices for our products and/or services or to acquire additional business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  Although we will employ all methods of competition which are lawful and appropriate for such purposes, no assurances can be made that they will be successful.  A key component of our competitive position, particularly given the expected commodity-based nature of many of our products, will be our ability to manage expenses successfully, which requires continuous management focus on reducing unit costs and improving efficiency.  No assurances can be given that we will be able to successfully manage such expenses.
 
Our competitive position in the markets in which we participate is, in part, subject to external factors in addition to those that we can impact.  Natural disasters, changes in laws or regulations, war or other outbreak of hostilities, or other political factors in any of the countries or regions in which we operate or do business, or in countries or regions that are key suppliers of strategic raw materials, could negatively impact our competitive position and our ability to maintain market share.
 
Increases in the construction of biodiesel production plants may cause excess biodiesel production capacity in the market.  Excess capacity may adversely affect the price at which we are able to sell the biodiesel that we produce and may also adversely affect our anticipated results of operation and financial condition.
 
In 2008 and 2009, approximately 700 million gallons and 450-490 million gallons, respectively, of biodiesel were produced in the United States.  As of June 22, 2009, there were a reported 2.69 billion gallons per year of biodiesel production capacity in the United States operated by 173 companies.  Twenty-nine companies had announced expansions totaling an addition 428 million gallons of production when completed within the next 12-18 months.  See http://www.biodiesel.org/pdf_files/fuelfactsheets/Production_Capacity.pdf.  With such biodiesel production capacity in the United States, compared to historical production levels, there is a risk that there will be a significant amount of excess biodiesel produced in the U.S., which may adversely affect the price at which we are able to sell the biodiesel that we produce and thereby adversely affect our anticipated results of operation and financial condition.
 
The U.S. biodiesel manufacturing base is contracting.  This contraction may adversely affect our ability to sell biodiesel.
 
The excess biodiesel production in the U.S. as described above has been ameliorated somewhat in 2009 in that at least two-thirds of 177 plants are idled while others have reduced production, which has resulted in approximately 450-490 million gallons of biodiesel actually produced in the United States in 2009 as compared to actual production capacity.  Further industry consolidation is expected.  While such industry consolidation addresses the issue of excess production, it could affect the willingness of potential customers to purchase biodiesel if they perceive that the biodiesel market is not a stable long-term supply of product, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
 
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Anti-subsidy and anti-dumping complaints have been filed with the European Commission concerning imports of biodiesel originating in the United States.  The existence of such complaints, and an adverse decision by the European Commission, could reduce demand for biodiesel produced in the United States.
 
Anti-subsidy and anti-dumping complaints have been filed with the European Commission concerning imports of biodiesel originating in the United States.  Although we are not a target of such complaints and do not import biodiesel into the European community, the existence of such complaints, and an adverse decision by the European Commission, could reduce demand for biodiesel produced in the United States.  Such a reduction in demand could reduce the amount of biodiesel that we sell, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.
 
Fluctuations in commodity prices may cause a reduction in the demand or profitability of the products or services we produce.
 
Prices for alternative fuels tend to fluctuate widely based on a variety of political and economic factors.  These price fluctuations heavily influence the oil and gas industry.  Lower energy prices for existing products tend to limit the demand for alternative forms of energy services and related products and infrastructure.  Historically, the markets for alternative fuels have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile.  Wide fluctuations in alternative fuel prices may result from relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and other factors that are beyond our control, including:
 
 
·
worldwide and domestic supplies of oil and gas;
 
 
·
the price and/or availability of biodiesel feedstocks;
 
 
·
weather conditions;
 
 
·
the level of consumer demand;
 
 
·
the price and availability of alternative fuels;
 
 
·
the availability of pipeline and refining capacity;
 
 
·
the price and level of foreign imports;
 
 
·
domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;
 
 
·
the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;
 
 
·
political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions; and
 
 
·
the overall economic environment.
 
These factors and the volatility of the commodity markets make it extremely difficult to predict future alternative fuel price movements with any certainty.  There may be a decrease in the demand for our products or services and our profitability could be adversely affected.
 
We are reliant on certain strategic raw materials for our operations.
 
We are reliant on certain strategic raw materials (such as acetic anhydride, pelargonic acid, soybean oil and methanol) for our operations.  We have implemented certain risk management tools, such as multiple suppliers and hedging, as appropriate, to mitigate short-term market fluctuations in raw material supply and costs.  There can be no assurance, however, that such measures will result in cost savings or that all market fluctuation exposure will be eliminated.  In addition, natural disasters, changes in laws or regulations, war or other outbreak of hostilities, or other political factors in any of the countries or regions in which we operate or do business, or in countries or regions that are key suppliers of strategic raw materials, could affect availability and costs of raw materials.
 
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While temporary shortages of raw materials may occasionally occur, these items have historically been sufficiently available to cover current requirements.  However, their continuous availability and price are impacted by natural disasters, plant interruptions occurring during periods of high demand, domestic and world market and political conditions, changes in government regulation, and war or other outbreak of hostilities.  In addition, as we increase our biodiesel capacity, we will require larger supplies of raw materials which have not yet been secured and may not be available for the foregoing reasons, or may be available only at prices higher than current levels.  Our operations or products may, at times, be adversely affected by these factors.
 
We are reliant upon two customers for a substantial amount of our sales.
 
All sales of the bleach activator are made to The Procter & Gamble Company and all sales of a proprietary herbicide and certain other intermediates used in the production of this herbicide are made to Arysta LifeScience North America Corporation.  These two customers represented approximately 53% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009.  The contract with The Procter & Gamble Company is a multi-year contract and no assurances can be given that such contract will be extended or, if extended, upon what terms.  The contracts with Arysta LifeScience North America Corporation contain certain termination provisions and no assurances can be given that these contracts will not be terminated.  The loss of these two companies as customers would have a material adverse effect on us.
 
Changes in technology may render our products or services obsolete.
 
The alternative fuel and chemical industries may be substantially affected by rapid and significant changes in technology.  Examples include competitive product technologies, such as green gasoline and renewable diesel produced from catalytic hydroforming of renewable feedstock oils and competitive process technologies such as advanced biodiesel continuous reactor and washing designs that increase throughput.  These changes may render obsolete certain existing products, energy sources, services and technologies currently used by us.  We cannot assure you that the technologies used by or relied upon by us will not be subject to such obsolescence.  While we may attempt to adapt and apply the services provided by us to newer technologies, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient resources to fund these changes or that these changes will ultimately prove successful.
 
Failure to comply with governmental regulations could result in the imposition of penalties, fines or restrictions on operations and remedial liabilities.
 
The biofuel and chemical industries are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations related to the general population’s health and safety and those associated with compliance and permitting obligations (including those related to the use, storage, handling, discharge, emission and disposal of municipal solid waste and other waste, pollutants or hazardous substances or waste, or discharges and air and other emissions) as well as land use and development.  Existing laws also impose obligations to clean up contaminated properties or to pay for the cost of such remediation, often upon parties that did not actually cause the contamination.  Compliance with these laws, regulations and obligations could require substantial capital expenditures.  Failure to comply could result in the imposition of penalties, fines or restrictions on operations and remedial liabilities.  These costs and liabilities could adversely affect our operations.
 
Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to attain and maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business segments in general and on our results of operations, competitive position or financial condition.  We are unable to predict the effect of additional environmental laws and regulations which may be adopted in the future, including whether any such laws or regulations would materially adversely increase our cost of doing business or affect our operations in any area.
 
Under certain environmental laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or contamination, or if current or prior operations were conducted consistent with accepted standards of practice.  Such liabilities can be significant and, if imposed, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
 
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Our biofuels operations may be harmed if the government were to change current laws and regulations.
 
Alternative fuels businesses benefit from tax credits and government subsidies.  If any of the state or federal laws and regulations relating to the tax credits and government subsidies change, the ability to recover capital expenditures from our alternative fuels business could be harmed.  Our biofuels platform is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the application and use of alternative energy products, including those related specifically to biodiesel.  For instance, biodiesel products benefit from being the only alternative fuel certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that fulfills the requirements of Section 211(B) of the Clean Air Act.  If agency determinations, laws, and regulations relating to the application and use of alternative energy are changed, the marketability and sales of biodiesel production could be materially adversely affected.
 
Market conditions or transportation impediments may hinder access to raw goods and distribution markets.
 
Market conditions, the unavailability of satisfactory transportation, or the location of our manufacturing complex from more lucrative markets may hinder our access to raw goods and/or distribution markets.  The availability of a ready market for biodiesel depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of biodiesel and the proximity of the plant to trucking and terminal facilities.  The sale of large quantities of biodiesel necessitates that we transport our biodiesel to other markets since the Batesville, Arkansas regional market is not expected to absorb all of our contemplated production.  Currently, common carrier pipelines are not transporting biodiesel.  This leaves trucks, barges, and rail cars as the means of distribution of our product from the plant to these storage terminals for further distribution.  However, the current availability of rail cars is limited and at times unavailable because of repairs or improvements, or as a result of priority transportation agreements with other shippers.  Additionally, the current availability of barges is limited, particularly heated barges to transport biodiesel during winter months.  If transportation is restricted or is unavailable, we may not be able to sell into more lucrative markets and consequently our cash flow from sales of biodiesel could be restricted.
 
The biodiesel industry also faces several challenges to wide biodiesel acceptance, including cold temperature limitations, storage stability, fuel quality standards, and exhaust emissions.  If the industry does not satisfy consumers that these issues have been resolved or are being resolved, biodiesel may not gain widespread acceptance which may have an adverse impact on our cash flow from sales of biodiesel.
 
Our insurance may not protect us against our business and operating risks.
 
We maintain insurance for some, but not all, of the potential risks and liabilities associated with our business.  For some risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented.  As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially and, in some instances, certain insurance policies may become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage.  As a result, we may not be able to renew our existing insurance policies or procure other desirable insurance on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.  Although we will maintain insurance at levels we believe are appropriate for our business and consistent with industry practice, we will not be fully insured against all risks which cannot be sourced on economic terms.  In addition, pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable.  Losses and liabilities from uninsured and underinsured events and delay in the payment of insurance proceeds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
If a significant accident or other event resulting in damage to our operations (including severe weather, terrorist acts, war, civil disturbances, pollution, or environmental damage) occurs and is not fully covered by insurance or a recoverable indemnity from a customer, it could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We depend on key personnel, the loss of any of whom could materially adversely affect our future operations.
 
Our success will depend to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our executive officers.  The loss of the services of one or more of these key employees could have a material adverse effect on us.  Our business will also be dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.  Acquiring or retaining these personnel could prove more difficult to hire or cost substantially more than estimated.  This could cause us to incur greater costs, or prevent us from pursuing our expansion strategy as quickly as we would otherwise wish to do.
 
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If we are unable to effectively manage the commodity price risk of our raw materials or finished goods, we may have unexpected losses.
 
We hedge our raw materials and/or finished products for our biofuels segment to some degree to manage the commodity price risk of such items.  This requires the purchase or sale of commodity futures contracts and/or options on those contracts or similar financial instruments.  We may be forced to make cash deposits available to counterparties as they mark-to-market these financial hedges.  This funding requirement may limit the level of commodity price risk management that we are prudently able to complete.  If we do not or are not capable of managing the commodity price risk of our raw materials and/or finished products for our biofuels segment, we may incur losses as a result of price fluctuations with respect to these raw materials and/or finished products.
 
In most cases we are not capable of hedging raw material and/or finished products for our chemicals segment.  Certain of our products are produced under manufacturing agreements with our customers which provide us the contractual ability to pass along raw material price increases.  However, we do not have this protection for all product lines within the chemicals segment.  If we do not or are not capable of managing escalating raw material prices and/or passing these increases along to our customers via prices for our finished products, we may incur losses.
 
If we are unable to acquire or renew permits and approvals required for our operations, we may be forced to suspend or cease operations altogether.
 
The operation of our manufacturing plant requires numerous permits and approvals from governmental agencies.  We may not be able to obtain all necessary permits (or modifications thereto) and approvals and, as a result, our operations may be adversely affected.  In addition, obtaining all necessary renewal permits (or modifications to existing permits) and approvals for future expansions may necessitate substantial expenditures and may create a significant risk of expensive delays or loss of value if a project is unable to function as planned due to changing requirements.
 
The lack of business diversification may adversely affect our results of operations.
 
It is possible that we will not consummate more than one business combination with the proceeds from our July 2006 offering and FutureFuel Chemical Company may be the only target business that we acquire.  Accordingly, the prospects for our success may be entirely dependent upon FutureFuel Chemical Company.  Unlike other entities which may have the resources to complete several business combinations of entities operating in multiple industries or multiple areas of a single industry, it is possible that we will not have the resources to diversify effectively our operations or benefit from the possible spreading of risks or offsetting of losses.
 
Our indebtedness may limit our ability to borrow additional funds or capitalize on acquisition or other business opportunities.
 
We have entered into a $50 million revolving credit facility with a commercial bank.  The restrictions governing this indebtedness (such as total debt to EBITDA limitations) may reduce our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in certain transactions or capitalize on acquisition or other business opportunities.  If we are unable to meet our future debt service obligations and other financial obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance such indebtedness and other financial transactions, seek additional equity or sell assets.
 
We expect to have capital expenditure requirements, and we may be unable to obtain needed financing on satisfactory terms.
 
We expect to make capital expenditures for the expansion of our biofuels and chemicals production capacity and complementary infrastructure.  We intend to finance these capital expenditures primarily through cash flow from our operations, borrowings under our credit facility, and existing cash.  However, if our capital requirements vary materially from those provided for in our current projections, we may require additional financing sooner than anticipated.  A decrease in expected revenues or adverse change in market conditions could make obtaining this financing economically unattractive or impossible.  As a result, we may lack the capital necessary to complete the projected expansions or capitalize on other business opportunities.
 
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We may be unable to successfully integrate future acquisitions with our operations or realize all of the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions.
 
Failure to successfully integrate future acquisitions, if any, in a timely manner may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.  The difficulties of combining acquired operations include, among other things:
 
·  
operating a significantly larger combined organization;
 
·  
consolidating corporate technological and administrative functions;
 
·  
integrating internal controls and other corporate governance matters; and
 
·  
diverting management’s attention from other business concerns.
 
In addition, we may not realize all of the anticipated benefits from future acquisitions, such as increased earnings, cost savings, and revenue enhancements, for various reasons, including difficulties integrating operations and personnel, higher and unexpected acquisition and operating costs, unknown liabilities, and fluctuations in markets.  If benefits from future acquisitions do not meet the expectations of financial or industry analysts, the market price of our shares of common stock may decline.
 
Risks Associated With Owning Our Shares and Warrants
 
The exercise of our warrants are subject to transfer and exercise requirements under the Securities Act.  In addition, our warrants are represented by definitive certificates, which could reduce the liquidity of our warrants.
 
The exercise of the warrants for shares of our common stock are subject to certain conditions designed to ensure compliance with U.S. securities laws.  More specifically, we are not obligated to deliver securities upon the exercise of a warrant unless we receive a written certification that the exercising warrant holder is neither within the U.S. nor a U.S. person and that the warrant is not being exercised on behalf of a U.S. person (as such term is defined in Regulation S of The United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  In the case of a holder who cannot make the foregoing representation, we may require that the holder provide to us a written opinion of counsel to the effect that the warrants and the shares of our common stock to be delivered upon the exercise of such warrants have been registered under the Securities Act or are exempt from registration thereunder and such securities are qualified for sale or are exempt from qualification under applicable securities laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which the registered holder resides.  (We have not, however, required this opinion in each instance in which a warrant was exercised.)  As a result, our warrants are represented by definitive certificates which contain the following legend.
 
Prior to investing in the securities or conducting any transactions in the securities, investors are advised to consult professional advisers regarding the restrictions on transfer summarized below and any other restrictions.
 
This security (or its predecessor) was originally issued in a transaction exempt from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and is a restricted security (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act).  This security may not be offered, sold or otherwise transferred in the absence of registration or an applicable exemption therefrom.  Hedging transactions involving this security may not be conducted directly or indirectly, unless in compliance with the Securities Act.  Each purchaser of this security is hereby notified that the seller of this security may be relying on the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A or Regulation S thereunder.
 
The holder of this security agrees for the benefit of the Company that (a) this security may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred, only (i) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified
 
 
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institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (ii) outside of the United\States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, (iii) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available) or (iv) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (i) through (iv) in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and (b) the holder will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of this security from it of the resale restrictions referred to in (a) above.
 
The securities represented by this certificate are subject to transfer restrictions which require that in addition to any certifications required from a transferor as set forth on the reverse of this certificate, prior to the expiration of a distribution compliance period of at least one year, the transferee certifies as to whether or not it is a US person within the meaning of Regulation S and provides certain other certifications and agreements.  Prior to permitting any transfer, the Company may request an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such transfer is to be effected in a transaction meeting the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act or is otherwise exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
 
In order to transfer or sell our warrants, holders must provide the definitive certificates to the transfer agent, who will require certain certifications, and on occasion a legal opinion, prior to issuing new warrant certificates to new warrant holders.  The Depository Trust Company, which settles electronic trades, does not allow electronic settlement until the legend has been removed and the certification requirements required under U.S. securities laws have expired.  The lack of a fully electronic settlement mechanism may have a material adverse effect on the liquidity and the price of our warrants.
 
A minimum holding period for our shares received upon exercise of our warrants will commence upon the exercise of such warrants.
 
The shares of our common stock issued upon the exercise of a warrant generally will be considered restricted securities subject to a six-month holding period as described below.  In general, a security holder who has not been our affiliate for three months may resell these securities without any restriction after satisfying the six-month holding period, provided that we are current in our SEC filings.
 
The Rule 144 holding period for the shares of our common stock received upon exercise of our warrants will start upon the exercise of such warrants.  Accordingly, holders of our warrants that exercise their warrants for cash will receive shares of our common stock subject to trading restrictions which are greater than those imposed on the trading of previously issued shares.  Such restrictions may mean the value of the shares received upon exercise of the warrants may be significantly lower, at least until the six-month holding period has expired, than the shares originally issued.
 
If our founding shareholders and Mr. Novelly or his designees exercise their registration rights, such exercise may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares of common stock.
 
Those shareholders holding shares of our common stock prior to our July 2006 offering (the “founding shareholders” see “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters -- Founding Shares Owned by the Founding Shareholders” below for a list of the founding shareholders) and Mr. Paul A. Novelly, our executive chairman of the board, or his designees, are entitled to demand that we register under the Securities Act, the resale of their shares of our common stock issued prior to our July 2006 offering (the “founding shares”) and their shares included in the units purchased in our July 2006 offering.  The demand may be made at any time after the date on which we have become a reporting company under the Exchange Act, and their founding shares have been released from escrow.  This occurred on July 12, 2009.  If our founding shareholders exercise their registration rights with respect to all of their shares of our common stock, there will be an additional 11,250,000 shares and/or up to 5,000,000 shares issued on exercise of their warrants eligible for trading in
 
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the public market.  The presence of this additional number of shares eligible for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares.
 
We may not list our common stock on a stock exchange other than the OTCBB and we may not list our warrants on any stock exchange.
 
Under the investor rights agreement that we entered into on July 12, 2006 with CRT Capital Group LLC and KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, we are obligated to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause our shares of common stock to be authorized to be quoted and/or listed (to the extent applicable) on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the NASD Automated Quotation System or the NASDAQ National Market (or, in each case, a successor thereto) or a similarly recognized national trading platform, if our common stock so qualifies.  Prior to December 2008, we did not satisfy the listing requirements of any such exchange other than the OTCBB.  Application for listing was made to the OTCBB and our shares of common stock are quoted thereon.  In December 2008, we met the listing requirements for certain of the NASDAQ markets, and we are currently assessing whether listing on a NASDAQ market is commercially reasonable.  However, no assurances can be given that we will list our common stock on such exchange, or, if listed, whether our common stock will continue to qualify for quotation or listing on such exchange or other similarly recognized national trading platform, including the OTCBB.
 
We have no obligation to list or quote our warrants on any exchange, and no assurances can be given that we will attempt to cause our warrants to be authorized to be quoted and/or listed on any exchange or recognized national trading platform.
 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
 
During 2009, we did not receive any comments from the SEC regarding our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act.
 
Item 2. Properties.
 
Our principal asset is a manufacturing plant situated on approximately 2,200 acres of land six miles southeast of Batesville in north central Arkansas fronting the White River.  Approximately 500 acres of the site are occupied with batch and continuous manufacturing facilities, laboratories and infrastructure, including on-site liquid waste treatment.  FutureFuel Chemical Company is the fee owner of this plant and the land upon which it is situated (which plant and land are not subject to any major encumbrances), and manufactures both biofuels and chemicals at the plant.  Utilization of these facilities may vary with product mix and economic, seasonal and other business conditions, but the plant is substantially utilized with the exception of facilities designated for capacity expansion of biodiesel.  The plant, including approved expansions, has sufficient capacity for existing needs and expected near-term growth.  We believe that the plant is generally well maintained, in good operating condition and suitable and adequate for its uses.
 
In February 2009, we formed FFC Grain, L.L.C. to acquire a granary in Marianna, Arkansas.  FFC Grain, L.L.C. acquired the granary in March 2009 and owns it in fee simple.
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
 
We entered into an agreement with a customer to construct, at a fixed price, a processing plant and produce a certain chemical for the customer.  We engaged a third party to act as general contractor on the construction of this plant for a guaranteed price.  That general contractor defaulted on its obligations under its contract with us and abandoned the project.  As a result, we undertook the general contractor role ourselves.  We also filed suit against our former contractor to recoup any damages that we may incur as a result of his default.  The former contractor has counterclaimed against us for amounts he asserts are due him under our contract with him.  At this time, we are unable to determine what effect the general contractor’s counterclaim will have on us or on our financial condition.
 
We are not a party to, nor is any of our property subject to, any material pending legal proceedings, other than the litigation described above and other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.  However, from time to time, we may be parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, asbestos, patent and intellectual property, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust,
 
25

health and safety and employment matters, which we expect to be handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  While we are unable to predict the outcome of any matters currently pending, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on our overall financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  However, adverse developments could negatively impact earnings or cash flows in future periods.
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
No matter was submitted by us during the fourth quarter of 2009 to a vote of holders of our securities, whether through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.
 
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PART II
 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
 
Market Information
 
Commencing July 11, 2008, shares of our common stock were quoted on the OTCBB under the symbol “FTFL”.  The high and low bid quotations on the OTCBB for our shares of common stock for 2008 for the periods during which it was quoted on the OTCBB and for 2009 are set forth in the following table.
 
 
Shares
Period
 
High
 
Low
July 11, 2008 - September 30, 2008
 
$7.00
 
$6.00
October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008
 
$6.40
 
$4.00
January 1, 2009 - March 31, 2009
 
$4.98
 
$3.83
April 1, 2009 - June 30, 2009
 
$5.15
 
$4.70
July 1, 2009 - September 30, 2009
 
$7.04
 
$5.03
October 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
 
$7.10
 
$6.00

Our warrants are not quoted or listed on any established exchange or quotation system.
 
There are currently outstanding 28,572,570 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase 19,292,930 shares of our common stock at $6.00 per share.  Under U.S. securities laws at the time of our offering, shares of our common stock and warrants that were sold or acquired on July 12, 2006 could not be re-sold until they had been held for two years, unless registered with the SEC or unless an exemption from registration was available.  The relevant U.S. securities laws were revised to reduce the holding period for non-affiliates to six months, effective February 15, 2008.  As a result, such shares and warrants (subject, in the case of warrants, to the qualification discussed below) may be sold by non-affiliates of the Company, either within or outside the U.S., without restrictions imposed by U.S. securities laws.  Affiliates of the Company, defined generally as any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company (typically directors, executive officers, and primary shareholders) remain limited in the amount and manner in which they may sell our shares and warrants.  Thus, non-affiliates who acquired our shares and warrants which were issued in our initial offering on July 12, 2006 may generally freely trade those shares and warrants in the United States.
 
Please note, however, that the exercise of the warrants for shares of our common stock are subject to certain conditions designed to ensure compliance with U.S. securities laws.  These conditions include the provision to us of a written certification that the exercising shareholder is neither within the U.S. nor a U.S. person and that the warrant is not being exercised on behalf of a U.S. person.  In the case of a holder who cannot make the foregoing representation, we may require that the holder provide to us a written opinion of counsel to the effect that the warrants and the shares of our common stock to be delivered upon the exercise of such warrants have been registered under the Securities Act or are exempt from registration thereunder and such securities are qualified for sale or are exempt from qualification under applicable securities laws of the state or other jurisdiction in which the registered holder resides.  The shares of our common stock issued upon the exercise of a warrant generally will be considered restricted securities subject to a six-month holding period.  In general, a security holder who has not been an affiliate of the Company for three months may resell these securities without any restriction after satisfying the six-month holding period, provided that we are current in our SEC filings.  Because of these restrictions, our warrants must contain an appropriate legend, which means they must be certificated.
 
Holders
 
The shares of our common stock and our warrants were held by approximately 385 and 67 holders of record, respectively, on March 4, 2010 as recorded on our transfer agents’ registers.
 
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Dividends
 
The payment of cash dividends by us is dependent upon our existing cash and cash equivalents, future earnings, capital requirements, and overall financial condition.  Based on such criteria, we paid special cash dividends of $0.70 and $0.30 per share on our common stock in 2008 and 2009, respectively.  In addition, we declared a special cash dividend on March 12, 2010 of $0.20 per share on our common stock, with a record date of March 23, 2010 and payable on April 9, 2010.  No assurances can be given that we will pay additional dividends in 2010 or thereafter or, if we do pay dividends in the future, no assurances can be given as to the amount of such dividends.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
 
Our board of directors adopted an omnibus incentive plan which was approved by our shareholders at our 2007 annual shareholder meeting on June 26, 2007.  We do not have any other equity compensation plan.  Under this plan, we are authorized to issue 2,670,000 shares of our common stock.  The shares to be issued under the plan were registered with the SEC on a Form S-8 filed on April 29, 2008.  Through December 31, 2009, we issued options to purchase 690,500 shares of our common stock and awarded an additional 39,800 shares to participants under the plan.  The following additional information regarding this plan is as of December 31, 2009.
 
Plan Category
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities
remaining available
or future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column
(a))
 
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
422,500
$6.41
1,939,700

Performance Graph
 
The following graph shows changes over the 41-month period beginning July 13, 2006 (the completion of our offering of units) through December 31, 2009 in the value of a $100 investment in: (i) our common stock; (ii) Russell 2000; and (iii) an industry group of other companies that file reports with the SEC using SIC Code 2860.  These companies are: AE Biofuels Inc., Alternative Energy Sources Inc., Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings Inc., Biofuel Energy Corp., Bluefire Ethanol Finanzierungs Inc., Cavitation Technologies Inc., China Clean Energy Inc., China Rutai International Holdings Company, Epolin Inc., Ethos Environmental Inc., Four Rivers Bioenergy Inc., Freestone Resources Inc., FutureFuel Corp., Geo Systems Chemicals Inc., Global Clean Energy Inc., Global Green Solutions Inc., Green Energy Resources Inc., Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc., Greenshift Corp., Hybrid Fuels Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Kreido Biofuels Inc., Luna Technologies International Inc., Momentum Biofuels Inc., New Generation Biofuels Holdings Inc., OM Group Inc., Originoil Inc., Orion Ethanol Inc., Pacific Ethanol Inc., Panda Ethanol Inc., Pure Biofuels Corp., Rentech Inc., Stratos Renewables Corp., Synthetech Inc., Texas Petrochemicals Inc., United Energy Corp., Verasun Energy Corp., and Westlake Chemical Corp.
 
28

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
We did not sell any of our securities within the three-year period ended December 31, 2009.
 
Purchase of Securities by Us
 
Neither we nor anyone acting on our behalf purchased during 2009 any shares of our common stock, which is the only class of our equity securities that is registered pursuant to section 12 of the Exchange Act.
 
The following chart sets forth the status of the outstanding warrants as of December 31, 2008.
 
Initial issuance of warrants
22,500,000
Warrants exercised in 2006
-
Outstanding warrants at December 31, 2006
22,500,000
Warrants exercised in 2007
-
Outstanding warrants at December 31, 2007
22,500,000
Warrants exercised in 2008
1,182,500
Outstanding warrants at December 31, 2008
21,317,500

No warrants were exercised in 2009.
 
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During 2009, our board approved the purchase by us of our outstanding warrants, whether in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3 million.  Pursuant to that authorization, during 2009, we purchased and canceled the following warrants.
 
Date
 
# of Warrants
   
Average Price Per Warrant
   
Purchase Price
 
August 1-31, 2009
    1,100,000     $0.35     $ 385,005  
October 1-31, 2009
    91,400     $0.70       63,985  
November 1-30, 2009
     450,900     $0.78        350,720  
Total
     1,642,300           $ 799,710  

As a result of those purchases, there were 19,675,200 of our warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
 
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
 
Historically, the business and assets included in FutureFuel Chemical Company were accounted for by Eastman Chemical Company in various segments of Eastman Chemical Company’s overall business.  Although FutureFuel Chemical Company was incorporated on September 1, 2005, Eastman Chemical Company did not begin transferring assets into FutureFuel Chemical Company until January 1, 2006 and completed the transfer in subsequent periods prior to the closing of our acquisition of FutureFuel Chemical Company.  Notwithstanding that FutureFuel Chemical Company was a separately incorporated entity, Eastman Chemical Company did not prepare separate financial statements for FutureFuel Chemical Company nor was it required to do so under local law or accounting rules.  Rather, the operations of the Batesville plant were reported within Eastman Chemical Company based upon the underlying products, and the revenues and expenses of the plant were presented in various segments within Eastman Chemical Company’s financial statements.  In addition, allocations to the plant of Eastman Chemical Company overhead (such as insurance, employee benefits, legal expenses and the like) were based upon assumptions made by Eastman Chemical Company and such assumptions historically did not reflect expenses which FutureFuel Chemical Company would have incurred had it been a stand-alone entity.  Since we did not acquire or succeed to all of the assets and liabilities of Eastman Chemical Company, “carve-out” financial statements have been prepared for the acquired component business, excluding the continuing operations retained by Eastman Chemical Company, and allocations for overhead components described above have been effected.
 
For purposes of preparing our financial statements, we initially accounted for the acquisition of Eastman SE, Inc. as a reverse acquisition and did not apply purchase accounting to such transaction.  On July 27, 2007, we issued a Form 8-K pursuant to Item 4.02(a) of Form 8-K, informing investors that our 2006 Annual Financial Statements should not be relied upon for the reasons set forth therein.  A copy of that Form 8-K may be obtained free of charge on our website at http://ir.futurefuelcorporation.com/sec.cfm or by requesting the same from us at FutureFuel Corp., 8235 Forsyth Blvd., 4th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105 Attn: Investor Relations.  We restated our 2006 financial statements to apply purchase accounting to our acquisition of Eastman SE, Inc., a portion of which 2006 financial statements are included herein.  See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 included in Amendment No. 3 to our Form 10 filed with the SEC on April 9, 2008 for a detailed discussion of the effects of such restatement.
 
The following tables set forth our and FutureFuel Chemical Company’s summary historical financial and operating data for the periods indicated below.  This summary historic financial and operating data has been derived from FutureFuel Chemical Company’s “carve-out” financial statements as of and for the ten months ended October 31, 2006 (the period between January 1, 2006 and the date we acquired FutureFuel Chemical Company), and the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, and our consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, all of which are included elsewhere herein or in Amendment No. 3 to our Form 10 filed with the SEC on April 9, 2008.  The information presented in the table below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and such financial statements and notes thereto.  The selected financial data for FutureFuel Chemical Company prior to our acquisition thereof represent the complete financial information prepared and provided by Eastman Chemical Company to us in conjunction with the carve out and sale of the Batesville plant to us for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, as well as the ten months ended October 31, 2006.
 
30

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
FutureFuel Corp. Consolidated
   
FutureFuel
Corp. and FutureFuel Chemical Company Combined
   
FutureFuel
Corp.
Consolidated
   
FutureFuel Chemical Company
 
Item
 
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2009
   
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2008
   
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2007
   
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2006
   
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2006
   
Ten Months Ended October 31,
2006
   
Twelve
Months
Ended December 31, 2005
 
Operating Revenues
  $ 196,711     $ 198,330     $ 169,788     $ 150,770     $ 23,043     $ 127,727     $ 119,539  
Net income (loss)
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408     $ 2,242     $ 2,717     $ (475 )   $ 381  
Earnings per common share:
                                                       
Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.84     $ 0.31     $ 0.08     $ 0.10    
NA
   
NA
 
Diluted
  $ 0.58     $ 0.82     $ 0.26     $ 0.07     $ 0.09    
NA
   
NA
 
Total Assets
  $ 246,007     $ 238,126     $ 216,113     $ 203,059     $ 203,516    
NA
    $ 114,500  
Long-term obligations
  $ 34,842     $ 34,377     $ 24,353     $ 20,740     $ 20,740    
NA
    $ 24,830  
Cash dividends per common share
  $ 0.30     $ 0.70     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.00  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 25,883     $ 36,275     $ 21,554     $ (3,960 )   $ (12,494 )   $ 8,534     $ 7,556  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  $ 21,430     $ (52,009 )   $ (29,978 )   $ (91,168 )   $ (82,619 )   $ (8,549 )   $ (6,594 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  $ (9,256 )   $ (11,466 )   $ (50 )   $ 158,229     $ 158,214     $ 15     $ (962 )

For the combined year ended December 31, 2006, operating revenues, net income (loss) and earnings per common share combine our consolidated results for the entire twelve months ended December 31, 2006 and FutureFuel Chemical Company’s results for the ten months ended October 31, 2006.  This information is for illustrative purposes only.  The consolidated company would likely have performed differently had they always been combined.  The information should not be relied on as an indication of future results that the combined company will experience after the acquisition of FutureFuel Chemical Company because of a variety of factors, including access to additional information and changes in value.
 
Our Amendment No. 3 to Form 10 Registration Statement filed with the SEC on April 9, 2008 contains all the financial statements and selected financial data for FutureFuel Chemical Company that was provided to us by Eastman Chemical Company.
 
Prior to the initiation of its biofuels program in 2005, the Batesville plant did not report financial results by business “segments” as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.  After the initiation of such program and upon divestiture, it defined two segments: chemicals and biofuels.
 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read together with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, set forth herein.  This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
 
 
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statements.  See “Forward Looking Information” below for additional discussion regarding risks associated with forward-looking statements.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 are set forth in the following chart.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 25,883     $ 36,275     $ 21,554  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  $ 21,430     $ (52,009 )   $ (29,978 )
Net cash used in financing activities
  $ (9,256 )   $ (11,446 )   $ (50 )

Operating Activities
 
Cash provided by operating activities decreased from $36,275,000 in 2008 to $25,883,000 in 2009.  The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of a $4,164,000 decrease in cash provided by the change in fair value of derivative instruments and a $9,069,000 decrease in cash provided by the change in deferred revenue.  Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in cash provided by the change in inventory.  The decrease in cash provided by the change in fair value of derivative instruments was primarily a result of a decrease in our short position of regulated options at December 31, 2009 as compared to December 31, 2008.  The decrease in cash provided by the change in deferred revenue resulted from the completion of the capital project we undertook on behalf of our customer at the end of 2008 and the resultant termination of spending on this project and reimbursements from our customer in 2009.  The increase in cash provided by the change in inventory resulted from an inventory build from 2007 to 2008, as compared to a moderate liquidation of inventory from 2008 to 2009.
 
Cash provided by operating activities increased from $21,554,000 in 2007 to $36,275,000 in 2008.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities was the result of a $14,267,000 increase in net income, a $6,852,000 increase in cash provided by the change in deferred revenue, a $3,127,000 increase in the fair value of derivative instruments and other marketable securities, a $2,468,000 increase in cash provided by the change in other assets, a $1,088,000 increase in depreciation and amortization, and a $1,325,000 increase in cash provided by the change in accounts payable, including related party balances.  Offsetting these cash flows were a $8,923,000 increase in cash used for accounts receivable, a $3,172,000 increase in cash used for inventory and a $2,712,000 increase in cash used for accrued expenses, including related party balances and other current liabilities.  Other than the changes in cash discussed above, no single item resulted in a greater or less than $1,000,000 change in cash provided from operating activities between 2007 and 2008.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities increased from $(52,009,000) in 2008 to $21,430,000 in 2009.  The increase in cash provided by investing activities was almost entirely related to the liquidation of investments in marketable securities, auction rate securities and commercial paper in 2009.  Cash used in the purchase of marketable securities decreased from $40,835,000 in 2008 to $19,999,000 in 2009.  We reported net purchases of auction rate securities of $14,985,000 in 2008 as compared to net sales of auction rate securities of $12,185,000 in 2009.  Cash provided by (used in) the net purchases of commercial paper increased from $(15,384,000) in 2008 to $15,424,000 in 2009.  Also contributing to the increase in cash provided by investing activities was an increase in cash provided by (used in) the collateralization of derivative instruments from $(7,037,000) in 2008 to $5,270,000 in 2009.  Partially offsetting the increase in cash provided by investing activities was an increase in capital expenditures from $16,436,000 in 2008 to $21,910,000 in 2009 and the purchase of $3,965,000 of preferred stock and trust preferred securities in 2009.
 
Cash used in investing activities increased from $29,978,000 in 2007 to $52,009,000 in 2008.  The aggregate amount of cash used in the purchase and sale of marketable securities, auction rate securities and commercial paper increased from $14,803,000 in 2007 to $31,647,000 in 2008 as we sought both higher yield and security for our cash.  These investments are further described under “Capital Management”.  In addition, the increase in cash used
 
32

in investing activities was attributable to a $9,826,000 increase in cash used for the collateralization of derivative instruments, which in turn resulted from a greater use of options in our hedging activities, partially offset by an increase in cash provided by restricted cash (which resulted from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality relinquishing the need for us to maintain a trust account to satisfy potential plant closure obligations).
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash used in financing activities decreased from $11,466,000 in 2008 to $9,256,000 in 2009.  The decrease in cash used in financing activities resulted from a decrease in cash used in the payment of dividends from $19,705,000 in 2008 to $8,457,000 in 2009, partially offset by a decrease in cash provided by proceeds from the issuance of stock from $8,169,000 in 2008 to $-0- in 2009, which itself resulted from no exercise of warrants or options in 2009.
 
Cash used in financing activities was $50,000 in 2007 as compared to $11,466,000 in 2008.  Financing activities during 2007 consisted solely of the payment of a bank financing fee.  Financing activities during 2008 consisted primarily of the payment of $19,705,000 in dividends offset by $8,169,000 in proceeds from the issuance of shares of our common stock.  The issuance of shares of our common stock resulted from the exercise of warrants and options.
 
Capital Expenditure Commitments
 
We had three capital projects as of December 31, 2009 with material capital expenditure commitments: (i) biofuels segment capital projects; (ii) a chemicals segment capital project; and (iii) an upgrade to lab equipment.  The biofuels segment capital projects related to improvements in our processing capabilities and continued expansion of our biodiesel segment infrastructure via additional storage, both of which are expected to improve efficiency and operational flexibility.  The biofuels segment capital projects are now complete.  The chemicals segment capital project was for the capital repair of an existing product line; this project is now complete.  The project to upgrade lab equipment is expected to be complete by the end of the second quarter of 2010.
 
For the infrastructure projects discussed immediately above as well as any additional capital projects being pursued, we typically do not enter into financial or other commitments that would preclude our ability to expand or decrease the scope of a given project or cancel it altogether.  The following were our material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 31, 2009.
 
General Purpose of the Commitment
 
December 31,
2009
 
Biofuels segment capital projects
  $ 858,000  
Chemicals segment capital project
    281,000  
Lab equipment upgrade
    276,000  
Total
  $ 1,415,000  

Historically, we finance capital requirements for our business with cash flows from operations and have not had the need to incur bank indebtedness to finance any of our operations during the periods discussed herein.
 
Credit Facility
 
We entered into a $50 million credit agreement with a commercial bank in March 2007.  The loan is a revolving facility the proceeds of which may be used for our working capital, capital expenditures, and general corporate purposes.  The facility terminates in March 2010 and we expect to renew the facility on similar terms.  Advances are made pursuant to a borrowing base.  Advances are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in our accounts receivable and inventory.  The interest rate floats at certain margins over LIBOR or base rate based upon the leverage ratio from time to time.  There is an unused commitment fee.  The ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA may not be less than 3:1.  We had no borrowings under this credit facility at December 31, 2009, 2008, or 2007.
 
33

We intend to fund future capital requirements for our businesses from cash flow generated by us as well as from existing cash and cash investments and borrowings under our credit facility.  We do not believe there will be a need to issue any securities to fund such capital requirements.
 
Special Dividend
 
On November 30, 2009, we declared a special cash dividend of $0.30 per share on our common stock, with a record date of December 1, 2009 and a payment date of December 22, 2009.  The special cash dividend amounted to $8,457,000.
 
On October 1, 2008, we declared a special cash dividend of $0.70 per share on our common stock, with a record date of October 22, 2008 and a payment date of November 11, 2008.  The special cash dividend amounted to $19,705,000.
 
We did not pay any dividends in 2007.
 
Capital Management
 
As a result of our initial equity offering and our subsequent positive operating results, we have accumulated excess working capital.  Some of this excess working capital was paid out in 2008 and 2009 as a special cash dividend.  We intend to retain the remaining cash to fund infrastructure and capacity expansion at our Batesville plant and to pursue complimentary acquisitions in the energy and chemical industries.  Given the recent and current conditions in capital markets, we intend to take a risk averse approach to managing these funds.  Third parties have not placed significant restrictions on our working capital management decisions.
 
In 2009, these funds were predominantly held in cash or cash equivalents at multiple financial institutions.  We also maintained a small position in auction rate securities.  We have selectively made investments in certain auction rate securities that we believe offer sufficient yield along with sufficient liquidity.  To date, all the auction rate securities in which we invested have maintained a mechanism for liquidity, meaning that the respective auctions have not failed, the issuers have called the instruments, or a secondary market exists for liquidation of the securities.  We classified these instruments as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and carry them at their estimated fair market value.  The fair value of these instruments approximated their par value and, including accrued interest, totaled $2,800,000 at December 31, 2009 and $14,990,000 at December 31, 2008.  Auction rate securities are typically long term bonds issued by an entity for which there is a series of auctions over the life of the bond that serve to reset the interest rate on the bonds to a market rate.  These auctions also serve as a mechanism to provide liquidity to the bond holders; as long as there are sufficient purchasers of the auction rate securities, the then owners of the auction rate securities are able to liquidate their investment through a sale to the new purchasers.  In the event of an auction failure, a situation when there are more sellers than buyers of a particular issue, the current owners of an auction rate security issue may not be able to liquidate their investment.  As a result of an auction failure, a holder may be forced to hold the particular security either until maturity or until a willing buyer is found.  Even if a willing buyer is found, however, there is no guarantee that this willing buyer will purchase the security for its carrying value, which would result in a loss being realized on the sale.  The liquidity problems recently experienced in the U.S. auction rate securities markets have generally been focused on closed-end fund and student loan auction rate securities, asset classes that we have avoided.
 
Lastly, we maintain depository accounts such as checking accounts, money market accounts and other similar accounts at selected financial institutions.
 
Results of Operations
 
In General
 
We break our chemicals business into two main product groups: custom manufacturing and performance chemicals.  Major products in the custom manufacturing group include: (i) nonanoyloxybenzene-sulfonate, a bleach activator manufactured exclusively for a customer for use in a household detergent; (ii) a proprietary herbicide (and intermediates) manufactured exclusively for a customer; (iii) two product lines (CPOs and DIPBs) produced under conversion contracts for another customer; and (iv) an industrial intermediate manufactured for a customer for use in
 
34

the antimicrobial industry.  The major product line in the performance chemicals group is SSIPA/LiSIPA, a polymer modifier that aids the properties of nylon manufactured for a broad customer base.  There are a number of additional small volume custom and performance chemical products that we group into “other products”.
 
Revenues generated from the bleach activator are based on a supply agreement with the customer.  The supply agreement stipulates selling price per kilogram based on volume sold, with price moving up as volumes move down, and vice-versa.  The current contract expires in March 2013.  We pay for raw materials required to produce the bleach activator.  The contract with the customer provides that the price received by us for the bleach activator is indexed to changes in certain items, enabling us to pass along most inflationary increases in production costs to the customer.
 
We have been the exclusive manufacturer for a customer of a proprietary herbicide and certain intermediates.  These products are facing some generic competition, and no assurances can be given that we will remain the exclusive manufacturer for this product line.  The contracts automatically renew for successive one-year periods, subject to the right of either party to terminate the contract not later than 270 days prior to the end of the then current term for the herbicide and not later than 18 months prior to the then current term for the intermediates.  No assurances can be given that these contracts will not be terminated.  The customer supplies most of the key raw materials for production of the proprietary herbicide.  There is no pricing mechanism or specific protection against cost changes for raw materials or conversion costs that we are responsible for purchasing and/or providing.
 
CPOs are chemical intermediates that promote adhesion for plastic coatings and DIPBs are intermediates for production of Eastman Chemical Company products used as general purpose inhibitors, intermediates or antioxidants.  As part of our acquisition of FutureFuel Chemical Company, we entered into conversion agreements with Eastman Chemical Company that effectively provide a conversion fee to us for CPOs and DIPB based on volume manufactured, with a minimum annual fee for both products.  In addition, the conversion agreements provide for revenue adjustments for actual price of raw materials purchased by us at standard usages.  Eastman Chemical Company provides key raw materials at no cost.  For the key raw materials, usage over standard is owed Eastman Chemical Company; likewise, any improvement over standard is owed to us at the actual price Eastman Chemical Company incurred for the key raw material.
 
In 2008, we entered into a contract with a new customer for the toll manufacture of an industrial intermediate utilized in the antimicrobial industry.  We invested approximately $10 million in capital expenditures to modify and expand our plant to produce this industrial intermediate.  The customer reimbursed these expenditures, which reimbursements have been classified as deferred revenue on our balance sheet and will be earned into income over the expected life of the product.  The contract stipulates a price curve based on volumes sold and has an inflationary pricing provision whereby we pass along most inflationary changes in production costs to the customer.  The contract expires in December 2013.
 
SSIPA/LiSIPA revenues are generated from a diverse customer base of nylon fiber manufacturers and other customers that produce condensation polymers.  Contract sales are indexed to key raw materials for inflation; otherwise, there is no pricing mechanism or specific protection against raw material or conversion cost changes.
 
Other products include agricultural intermediates and additives, imaging chemicals, fiber additives, and various specialty pharmaceutical intermediates that we have in full commercial production or in development.  These products currently are sold in small quantities to a large customer base.  Pricing for these products is negotiated directly with the customer (in the case of custom manufacturing) or is established based upon competitive market conditions (in the case of performance chemicals).  In general, these products have no pricing mechanism or specific protection against raw material or conversion cost changes.
 
We procure all of our own biodiesel feedstock and only sell biodiesel for our own account.  In rare instances, we purchase biodiesel from other producers for resale.  We have the capability to process multiple types of vegetable oils and animal fats, we can receive feedstock by rail or truck, and we have completed the construction of substantial storage capacity to acquire feedstock at advantaged prices when market conditions permit.  We recently completed a project to increase our production capacity to 59 million gallons of biodiesel per year through the addition of a new continuous processing line.  We initiated commercial production from this new line in May 2009.  By the end of the second quarter, daily production volumes from the new processing line were demonstrated at approximately 80% of nameplate capacity.  We believe we successfully demonstrated our ability to keep our former continuous processing
 
 
35

line at or near capacity for sustained periods of time as well as our ability to procure and logistically handle large quantities of feedstock.  We are currently making process changes that will allow us to use high free fatty acid/low cost feedstock.  After the alterations are made, our plant should be able to produce a fungible product that can be handled in pipelines as well as truck and rail transportation, although no assurances can be given that we will be successful.
 
Uncertainty related to our future biodiesel production relates to changes in feedstock prices relative to biodiesel prices and the $1.00 per gallon federal blenders tax credit, which terminated at the end of 2009 and has not been renewed.  See “Risk Factors” above.
 
While biodiesel is the principal component of the biofuels segment, we also generate revenue from the sale of petrodiesel both in blends with our biodiesel and, from time to time, with no biodiesel added.  Petrodiesel and biodiesel blends are available to customers at our leased storage facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  In addition, we deliver blended product to a small group of customers within our region.
 
The majority of our expenses are cost of goods sold.  Cost of goods sold include raw material costs as well as both fixed and variable conversion costs, conversion costs being those expenses that are directly or indirectly related to the operation of our plant.  Significant conversion costs include labor, benefits, energy, supplies, depreciation, and maintenance and repair.  In addition to raw material and conversion costs, cost of goods sold includes environmental reserves and costs related to idle capacity.  Finally, cost of goods sold includes hedging gains and losses recognized by us related to our biofuels segment.  Cost of goods sold is allocated to the chemicals and biofuels business segments based on equipment and resource usage for most conversion costs and based on revenues for most other costs.
 
Operating costs include selling, general and administrative, and research and development expenses.  These expense categories include expenses that were directly incurred by us.
 
The discussion of results of operations that follows is based on revenues and expenses in total and for individual product lines and do not differentiate related party transactions.
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Revenues
 
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $196,711,000 as compared to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $198,330,000, a decrease of 1%.  Revenues from biofuels increased 24% and accounted for 27% of total revenues in 2009 as compared to 21% in 2008.  Revenues from chemicals decreased 8% and accounted for 73% of total revenues in 2009 as compared to 79% in 2008.  Within the chemicals segment, revenues for 2009 changed as follows as compared to 2008: revenues from the bleach activator decreased 13%; revenues from the proprietary herbicide and intermediates decreased 8%; revenues from CPOs decreased 65%; revenues from DIPB increased 2%; and revenues from other products decreased 3%.
 
Revenues from the bleach activator and the proprietary herbicide and intermediates are together the most significant components of FutureFuel Chemical Company’s revenue base, accounting for 53% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 59% for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The decrease in revenue from the bleach activator during 2009 as compared to 2008 was attributable to lower volumes sold in 2009.  The future volume of and revenues from the bleach activator depend on both consumer demand for the product containing the bleach activator and the manufacturing, sales, and marketing priorities of our customer.  We are unable to predict with certainty the revenues we will receive from this product in the future.  With respect to the proprietary herbicide, the decrease in revenues in 2009 as compared to 2008 was primarily a result of lower volumes, although we did reduce the price of our product as a result of declines in raw material prices.
 
Revenues from CPOs and DIPB together decreased 31% during 2009.  The end market for CPOs is the automotive industry and demand for this product has been impacted by both economic conditions and an inventory build by our customer at the end of 2008.  Revenues from DIPB in 2009 were roughly in line with revenues in 2008; revenues in the second half of 2009 were sufficient to offset reduced revenues in the first half of the year related to a scheduled maintenance shutdown and reduced demand from our customer.
 
36

Increased revenues in 2009 from the biofuels segment resulted from higher volumes of biodiesel produced and sold, higher volumes of petrodiesel and biodiesel blends distributed to our regional market, and the addition of revenues from our granary.  The volume of biodiesel sold in 2009 increased 59% as compared to 2008; this was a result of new customer relationships both in our region and throughout the United States.  The volume of petrodiesel and biodiesel blends (ranging from less than 5% biodiesel to as much as 20% biodiesel) increased more than twenty-fold in 2009 as compared to 2008; this increase was primarily a result of our success with regional fuel distribution strategy.  We purchased a granary in March 2009.  Because we anticipate future synergies with our biofuels business, we include the granary’s operating results in our biofuels segment.  Granary revenues are generated from the sale of agricultural commodities, primarily soybeans, rice, and corn.
 
Cost of Goods Sold and Distribution
 
Total cost of goods sold and distribution for 2009 were $162,274,000 as compared to total cost of goods sold and distribution for 2008 of $157,913,000, an increase of 3%.
 
Cost of goods sold and distribution for 2009 for our chemicals segment were $110,752,000 as compared to cost of goods sold and distribution for 2008 of $122,815,000.  On a percentage basis, the 10% decrease in cost of goods sold and distribution was slightly greater than the 8% decrease in chemicals segment revenues.  Improved margin for the chemicals segment is a result of our continued focus on cost control as well as the growth of our biofuels segment, as some of our cost is allocated to segments based on revenue.
 
Cost of goods sold and distribution for 2009 for our biofuels segment were $51,522,000 as compared to cost of goods sold and distribution for 2008 of $35,098,000.  On a percentage basis, cost of goods sold and distribution increased 47% versus an increase in revenues of 24%.  This difference is a result of growth in our fuel distribution business, higher distribution costs, and decreases in gains from hedging activity.  In our fuel distribution business, we sell petrodiesel and biodiesel blends of less than 5% to as much as 20%.  The margin we earn on the petrodiesel resold as a stand-alone product or as a component of the biodiesel blend is less than we earn on biodiesel.  The increase in our distribution costs in 2009 is primarily related to railcar leases and rail transport charges.  Finally, our gain on hedging activity in 2009 was substantially less than in 2008.  Both the 2008 and 2009 periods include the $2,000,000 award from the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program.  Under this program, biodiesel producers in the state of Arkansas are eligible to receive $0.20 per gallon for every gallon of biodiesel produced during defined time periods, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 per period, subject to funding by the State of Arkansas.  We applied for and, in the first quarter of 2008, received the maximum $2,000,000 funding under this program for biodiesel produced between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.  We applied for and, in the third quarter of 2009, received maximum funding under the program for biodiesel produced between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.  Based on the characteristics of the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program and the State funding behind this program, we recognize income in the period funding is received.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses increased 17% from $8,236,000 in 2008 to $9,598,000 in 2009.  Compensation expense increased 24% as a result of additions to our chemical sales department and, to a lesser extent, additions to our administrative team.  Other expense increased 28%, primarily as a result of the addition of our granary and, to a lesser extent, from increased legal fees stemming from issues described under “Other Matters”.  Related party expense increased 59%, though on a dollar value basis the increase was less significant.  Related party expense is described in detail in Note 18 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 reflect our expected tax rate on reported operating earnings before income taxes.  We have determined that we do not believe that we have a more likely than not probability of realizing a portion of our deferred tax assets.  As such, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $714,000 at December 31, 2009.
 
37

Income Taxes
 
Our total liability for uncertain tax positions was $696,712 as of December 31, 2009.  We are not able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability will increase or decrease over time; however, at this time, we do not expect a significant payment related to these obligations within the next year.  See Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
 
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Revenues
 
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $198,330,000 as compared to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $169,788,000, an increase of 17%.  The increase was mainly attributable to increased volumes and prices of biodiesel and the proprietary herbicide and intermediates.  Revenues from biofuels increased 69% and accounted for 21% of total revenues in 2008 as compared to 15% in 2007.  Revenues from chemicals increased 8% and accounted for 79% of total revenues in 2008 as compared to 85% in 2007.  Within the chemicals segment, revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 changed as follows as compared to the year ended December 31, 2007: revenues from the bleach activator increased 2%; revenues from the proprietary herbicide and intermediates increased 36%; revenues from CPOs increased 11%; revenues from DIPB decreased 4%; revenues from SSIPA/LiSIPA decreased 12%; and revenues from other products increased 9%.
 
Sales volumes of the bleach activator during the year ended December 31, 2008 were unchanged from volumes for the year ended December 31, 2007 and were generally in-line with expectations.  The 2% increase in revenue was mainly attributable to higher prices that resulted from contractual inflationary increases of certain raw material prices.  We experienced relatively stable demand from this customer through 2007 and 2008.
 
Revenues from the bleach activator and the proprietary herbicide and intermediates together were the most significant components of our revenue base, together accounting for 59% of revenues in the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 64% in the year ended December 31, 2007.  The future volume of and revenues from the bleach activator depend on both consumer demand for the product containing the bleach activator and the manufacturing, sales and marketing priorities of our customer.  We are unable to predict with certainty the revenues we will receive from this product in the future.  We believe our customer for the proprietary herbicide has been able to maintain or increase its volume in light of generic competition by being more price competitive, changing its North American distribution system and developing new applications.  In addition, our customer has benefited from the general increase in planted acreage in the markets it serves.
 
Revenues from CPOs and DIPBs together increased 3% during 2008, due mainly to higher prices stemming from contractual inflationary increases of certain raw material prices and conversion costs.  Both of these products are late in their life cycle and both were negatively impacted by the automotive and housing slow down.  As a result, our customer’s demand for these products, CPOs in particular, eroded in the first quarter of 2009 and future market conditions for both CPOs and DIPBs may be challenging.  We believe our customer is actively seeking new customers and new applications for these products.
 
The majority of the increased revenues from biodiesel stemmed from higher selling prices during 2008 as compared to 2007.  In addition, gallons of biodiesel sold during 2008 were 42% greater than 2007; this volume increase was, in turn, due to stronger demand from certain key bulk customers.  There were no material shutdowns during 2008 and we leveraged our newly built storage capacity and expanded infrastructure, as well as our fleet of leased railcars, to meet customer requirements during the peak demand season for biodiesel.
 
Cost of Goods Sold and Distribution
 
Total cost of goods sold and distribution for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $157,913,000 as compared to total cost of goods sold and distribution for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $152,555,000, an increase of 4%.
 
Cost of goods sold and distribution for the year ended December 31, 2008 for our chemicals segment were $122,815,000 as compared to cost of goods sold and distribution for the year ended December 31, 2007 of $117,367,000.  On a percentage basis, cost of goods sold and distribution increased 5% as compared to an 8%
 
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increase in revenues.  This margin increase was due to: (i) our ability to pass the majority of raw material prices increases on to our customers via contractual inflationary price adjustments (although, in some cases, increases in prices of finished products via these contractual adjustments lagged increases in raw material prices); (ii) overall conversion cost control; and (iii) increased sales of biodiesel during 2008, which in turn pulled a greater share of fixed cost away from the chemicals segment as compared to 2007.
 
Cost of goods sold and distribution for 2008 for our biofuels segment were $35,098,000 as compared to cost of goods sold and distribution for 2007 of $35,188,000.  On a percentage basis, cost of goods sold and distribution did not change against increased revenues of 69%, resulting in increased margins for the biofuels segment for 2008 as compared to 2007.  These increased margins were a result of economies of scale that resulted from higher volumes of biodiesel produced and sold.  In addition, margins were favorably impacted by gains on hedging activity of $9,519,000 during 2008 as compared to losses of $6,910,000 during 2007.  The gains on hedging activity were a direct result of declining prices of heating oil and other commodities during the second half of 2008.  We managed price risk in our biofuels segment by selling heating oil futures contracts (and/or options on futures contracts) at the time of establishing price commitments for feedstock purchases, thereby preserving the per gallon margin available at the time of such commitment.  As heating oil (and biodiesel) prices declined during the second half of 2008, we recognized gains on our hedging positions and lower margins (or in some cases losses) on the sale of the physical product.  In addition, commodity price declines resulted in our cost of biodiesel (and certain associated raw material) inventory at December 31, 2008 exceeding its market value.  Cost of goods sold for 2008 included a $3,973,000 charge to reduce these inventories to market value.  The majority of this charge was attributable to the biofuels segment.  Cost of goods sold and distribution for the biofuels segment included funding from the State of Arkansas under the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program of $2,000,000.  Under this program, biodiesel producers in the state of Arkansas were eligible to receive $0.20 per gallon for every gallon of biodiesel produced during defined time periods, up to a maximum of $2,000,000 per period.  We applied for and received the maximum $2,000,000 funding under this program for biodiesel produced between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.  The next eligible application period opened July 1, 2008 and closed June 30, 2009.  We applied for the $0.20 per gallon credit for biodiesel produced during the second half of 2008.  Due to the uncertainty of funding from this program, we do not recognize a credit to cost of goods sold and distribution until such time as our application is approved and funding is received.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Operating expense increased from $7,578,000 in 2007 to $8,236,000 in 2008, or approximately 9%.  This increase was primarily the result of higher compensation expense and research and development expense.
 
Our consolidated financial statements present the four principal components of selling, general and administrative expenses: (i) compensation expense, which includes salaries, wages and benefits paid to sales and administrative personnel, as well as fees paid to directors; (ii) formation expense and cancelled offerings costs; (iii) other expense, which includes travel and entertainment, selling, advertising, third party services, charitable contributions, memberships, dues and subscriptions and overhead allocations; and (iv) related party expenses, which consist primarily of reimbursement of travel and administrative services incurred on our behalf, as well as fees for a commodity trading advisory agreement with an affiliate.
 
Selling, general and administrative expense increased $141,000 from 2007 to 2008, or approximately 3%.  This increase was a result of higher compensation expense for 2008, partially offset by the lack of formation expense or canceled offering costs in 2008, as well as a decline in other expense.  Research and development expense increased $517,000 from 2007 to 2008, or approximately 15%.  This increase was the result of customer reimbursement of certain research and development activities in 2007, which had the effect of reducing overall research and development expense in that year, as well as expanded utilization of external resources to advance certain key projects during 2008.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
The effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 reflect our expected tax rate on reported operating earnings before income taxes.  We determined that we do not believe that we have a more likely than not probability of realizing a portion of our deferred tax assets.  As such, we recorded a valuation allowance of $737,000 at December 31, 2008.  An allowance of $472,000 was recorded at December 31, 2007.
 
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Critical Accounting Estimates
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
We reduce our accounts receivable by amounts that may be uncollectible in the future.  This estimated allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of the collectibility of individual invoices and is based upon management’s evaluation of the financial condition of our customers and historical bad debt experience.  This estimate is subject to change based upon the changing financial condition of our customers.  At December 31, 2008, we recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,000, the majority of which pertained to one customer.  We recorded no allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2009.  We historically have not experienced significant problems in collecting our receivables and we do not expect this to change going forward.
 
Depreciation
 
Depreciation is provided for using the straight-line method over the associated assets’ estimated useful lives.  We primarily base our estimate of an asset’s useful life on our experience with other similar assets.  The actual useful life of an asset may differ significantly from our estimate for such reasons as the asset’s build quality, the manner in which the asset is used, or changes in the business climate.  When the actual useful life differs from the estimated useful life, impairment charges may result.  We monitor the estimate useful lives of our assets and do not currently anticipate impairment charges.
 
Asset Retirement Obligations
 
We establish reserves for closure/post-closure costs associated with the environmental and other assets we maintain.  Environmental assets include waste management units such as incinerators, landfills, storage tanks, and boilers.  When these types of assets are constructed or installed, a reserve is established for the future costs anticipated to be associated with the closure of the site based on an expected life of the environmental assets, the applicable regulatory closure requirements, and our environmental policies and practices.  These expenses are charged into earnings over the estimated useful life of the assets.  The future costs anticipated to be associated with the closure of the site are based upon estimated current costs for such activities adjusted for anticipated future inflation rates.  Unanticipated changes in either of these two variables or changes in the anticipated timing of closure/post-closure activities may significantly affect the established reserves.  As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we recorded a reserve for closure/post-closure liabilities of $680,000 and $588,000, respectively.  We monitor this reserve and the assumptions used in its calculation.  As deemed necessary, we have made changes to this reserve balance and anticipate that future changes will occur.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
For most product sales, revenue is recognized when product is shipped from our facilities and risk of loss and title have passed to the customer, which is in accordance with our customer contracts and the stated shipping terms.  Nearly all custom manufactured products are manufactured under written contracts.  Performance chemicals and biodiesel are sold pursuant to the terms of written purchase orders.  In general, customers do not have any rights of return, except for quality disputes.  However, all of our products are tested for quality before shipment, and historically returns have been inconsequential.  We do not offer volume discounts, rebates, or warranties.
 
Revenue from bill and hold transactions in which a performance obligation exists is recognized when the total performance obligation has been met.  Bill and hold transactions for four specialty chemical customers in 2009 and for three specialty chemical customers in 2008 related to revenue that was recognized in accordance with contractual agreements based on product produced and ready for use.  These sales were subject to written monthly purchase orders with agreement that production was reasonable.  The inventory was custom manufactured and stored at the customer’s request and could not be sold to another buyer.  Credit and payment terms for bill and hold customers are similar to other specialty chemical customers.  Sales revenue under bill and hold arrangements were $42,773,000, $50,527,000, and $33,494,000 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
40

Income Taxes
 
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax basis.  A future income tax asset or liability is estimated for each temporary difference using enacted and substantively enacted income tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the asset is realized or the liability settled.  Changes in the expected tax rates and laws to be in effect when the asset is realized or the liability settled could significantly affect the income tax assets and liabilities booked by us.  We monitor changes in applicable tax laws and adjust our income tax assets and liabilities as necessary.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Our only off-balance sheet arrangements in 2009 were hedging transactions.  We engage in two types of hedging transactions.  First, we hedge our biofuels sales through the purchase and sale of futures contracts and options on futures contracts of energy commodities.  This activity was captured on our balance sheet at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.  Second, we hedge our biofuels feedstock through the execution of purchase contracts and supply agreements with certain vendors.  These hedging transactions are recognized in earnings and were not recorded on our balance sheet at December 31, 2009 or December 31, 2008 as they do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument as defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  The purchase of biofuels feedstock generally involves two components: basis and price.  Basis covers any refining or processing required as well as transportation.  Price covers the purchases of the actual agricultural commodity.  Both basis and price fluctuate over time.  A supply agreement with a vendor constitutes a hedge when we have committed to a certain volume of feedstock in a future period and have fixed the basis for that volume.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2009 the payments due by period for the following contractual obligations.
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
   
Less than
1 Year
   
1-3
Years
   
4-5
Years
   
More than
5 Years
 
Long-term debt obligations(a)
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Capital lease obligations
    -       -       -       -       -  
Operating lease obligations
    2,887       818       1,084       540       445  
Purchase obligations(b)
    1,718       1,718       -       -       -  
Other long-term liabilities reflected on our balance sheet under GAAP(c)
    -       -       -       -       -  
Total
  $ 4,605     $ 2,536     $ 1,084     $ 540     $ 445  
__________
 
(a)
As of December 31, 2009, we had no borrowings under the $50 million credit agreement with Regions Bank described above.
 
(b)
Purchase obligations within less than one year include: (i) $1,415 for capital expenditure commitments related to biofuels segment capital projects, a chemicals segment expansion project, and the upgrade of lab equipment; and (ii) $303 for information technology maintenance and software license commitments.
 
(c)
Our total liability for uncertain tax positions, including interest, was $696 as of December 31, 2009.  We are not able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability will increase or decrease over time; however, at this time, we do not expect a significant payment related to these obligations within the next year.  Our liability for uncertain tax positions is a component of other noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet included elsewhere herein.  Also a component of other noncurrent liabilities is a reserve for asset retirement obligations and environmental contingencies of $680 at December 31, 2009.  We are liable for these asset retirement obligations and environmental contingencies only in certain events, primarily the closure of our Batesville, Arkansas facility.  As such, we do expect a payment related to these liabilities in the foreseeable future.
 
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Other Matters
 
We entered into an agreement with a customer to construct at a fixed price a processing plant and produce a certain chemical for the customer.  We engaged a third party to act as general contractor on the construction of this plant for a guaranteed price.  That general contractor defaulted on its obligations under its contract with us and abandoned the project.  As a result, we undertook the general contractor role ourselves.  We also filed suit against our former contractor to recoup any damages that we may incur as a result of his default.  The former contractor counterclaimed against us for amounts he asserts are due him under our contract with him.  At this time, we are unable to determine what effect the general contractor’s default and/or his counterclaim will have on us or on our financial condition.
 
We entered into an agreement with a biodiesel trade association to pay certain fees and dues to the association in order to obtain access and registration to the association’s compiled biodiesel health effects data (“HED”) required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for biodiesel manufacturers.  Manufacturers of biodiesel who pay their fair share of costs for the HED can have access to and obtain registration with the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  We brought suit against the trade association for rescission of the agreement for various reasons including, among other things, that we already paid our fair share of costs for the data to the trade association; and that the fees and dues structure of the trade association were overly excessive and against public policy.  The trade association filed suit against us for collection of alleged fees and dues owed by us to it.  At this time, we are unable to determine what effect the trade association’s suit against us will have on us or on our financial condition.
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
In recent years, general economic inflation has not had a material adverse impact on our costs and, as described elsewhere herein, we have passed some price increases along to our customers.  However, we are subject to certain market risks as described below.
 
Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices.  Commodity price risk is inherent in the chemical and biofuels business both with respect to input (electricity, coal, biofuel feedstocks, etc.) and output (manufactured chemicals and biofuels).
 
We seek to mitigate our market risks associated with the manufacturing and sale of chemicals by entering into term sale contracts that include contractual market price adjustment protections to allow changes in market prices of key raw materials to be passed on to the customer.  Such price protections are not always obtained, however, so raw material price risk remains a significant risk.
 
In order to manage price risk caused by market fluctuations in biofuel prices, we may enter into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts.  We account for these derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging, Hedging-General, Recognition.  Under this standard, the accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends upon whether it has been designated as an accounting hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship.  To qualify for designation as an accounting hedging relationship, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained.  We had no derivative instruments that qualified under these rules as designated accounting hedges in 2009 or 2008.  Changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments are recognized at the end of each accounting period and recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of goods sold.
 
Our immediate recognition of derivative instrument gains and losses can cause net income to be volatile from quarter to quarter due to the timing of the change in value of the derivative instruments relative to the sale of biofuel being sold.  As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the fair values of our derivative instruments were a net liability in the amount of $1,930,000 and $3,175,000, respectively.
 
Our gross profit will be impacted by the prices we pay for raw materials and conversion costs (costs incurred in the production of chemicals and biofuels) for which we do not possess contractual market price adjustment protection.  These items are principally comprised of animal fat and electricity.  The availability and price of these items are subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, overall economic conditions, governmental policies, commodity markets, and global supply and demand.
 
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We prepared a sensitivity analysis of our exposure to market risk with respect to key raw materials and conversion costs for which we do not possess contractual market price adjustment protections, based on average prices in 2009.  We included only those raw materials and conversion costs for which a hypothetical adverse change in price would result in a 1.5% or greater decrease in gross profit.  Assuming that the prices of the associated finished goods could not be increased and assuming no change in quantities sold, a hypothetical 10% change in the average price of the commodities listed below would result in the following change in annual gross profit.
 
(Volumes and dollars in thousands)
 
Item
 
Volume(a)
Requirements
 
Units
 
Hypothetical
Adverse
Change in
Price
   
Decrease in
Gross Profit
   
Percentage
Decrease in
Gross Profit
 
Animal fat
    146,886             
LB
    10%     $ 3,746       10.9%  
Electricity
    81             
MWH
    10%     $ 511         1.5%  
__________
 
(a)
Volume requirements and average price information are based upon volumes used and prices obtained for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009.  Volume requirements may differ materially from these quantities in future years as our business evolves.
 
We had no borrowings as of December 31, 2009 or 2008 and, as such, we were not exposed to interest rate risk for those years.  Due to the relative insignificance of transactions denominated in a foreign currency, we consider our foreign currency risk to be immaterial.

 
43

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
The following sets forth our consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and our consolidated statements of operations, statements of cash flows and statements of stockholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, together with RubinBrown LLP’s report thereon.
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
FutureFuel Corp.:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of FutureFuel Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
 
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.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes 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 FutureFuel Corp. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), FutureFuel Corp. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 15, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

/s/ RubinBrown LLP

St. Louis, Missouri
March 15, 2010


 
44

 

FutureFuel Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 65,512     $ 27,455  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $0 and $4, respectively
    21,759       20,048  
Inventory
    26,444       27,585  
Income taxes receivable
    912       792  
Prepaid expenses
    1,297       1,294  
Prepaid expenses - related parties
    23       -  
Marketable and auction rate securities
    6,811       46,411  
Other current assets
    828       4,751  
Total current assets
    123,586       128,336  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    119,248       106,320  
Intangible assets
    208       321  
Other assets
    2,965       3,149  
Total noncurrent assets
    122,421       109,790  
Total Assets
  $ 246,007     $ 238,126  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Accounts payable
  $ 14,269     $ 13,332  
Accounts payable - related parties
    556       422  
Current deferred income tax liability
    3,172       4,151  
Short term contingent consideration
    -       1,936  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    2,832       2,251  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities - related parties
    67       20  
Total current liabilities
    20,896       22,112  
Deferred revenue
    9,348       9,994  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    1,376       1,243  
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability
    24,118       23,140  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    34,842       34,377  
Total Liabilities
    55,738       56,489  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 28,190,300 issued and
   outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
    3       3  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    38       15  
Additional paid in capital
    167,598       167,524  
Retained earnings
    22,630       14,095  
Total stockholders’ equity
    190,269       181,637  
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 246,007     $ 238,126  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

 
45

 

FutureFuel Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues
  $ 194,217     $ 193,466     $ 169,732  
Revenues – related parties
    2,494       4,864       56  
Cost of goods sold
    151,359       149,122       149,181  
Cost of goods sold – related parties
    5,933       5,331       1,529  
Distribution
    4,894       3,460       1,845  
Distribution - related parties
    88       -       -  
Gross profit
    34,437       40,417       17,233  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
                       
Compensation expense
    3,605       2,907       2,502  
Formation expense and canceled offering costs
    -       -       117  
Other expense
    1,530       1,191       1,353  
Related party expense
    298       187       172  
Research and development expenses
    4,165       3,951       3,434  
      9,598       8,236       7,578  
Income from operations
    24,839       32,181       9,655  
Interest income
    403       2,965       3,567  
Interest expense
    (27 )     (26 )     (24 )
Gain (loss) on foreign currency
    (3 )     287       16  
Loss on sale of marketable securities
    (15 )     (377 )     -  
Other income (expense)
    249       (34 )     (23 )
      607       2,815       3,536  
Income before income taxes
    25,446       34,996       13,191  
Provision for income taxes
    8,454       12,321       4,783  
Net income
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408  
                         
Earnings per common share
                       
Basic
  $ 0.60     $ 0.84     $ 0.31  
Diluted
  $ 0.58     $ 0.82     $ 0.26  
Weighted average shares outstanding
                       
Basic
    28,190,300       27,029,210       26,700,000  
Diluted
    29,254,272       27,550,441       32,286,996  


 
Comprehensive income
 
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (benefit)
  of $14 in 2009, $(26) in 2008 and $34 in 2007
    23       (43 )     58  
Comprehensive income
  $ 17,015     $ 22,632     $ 8,466  

 

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

 
46

 

FutureFuel Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows provided by operating activities
                 
Net income
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    7,517       5,800       4,712  
Provision for deferred income taxes
    1,025       3,053       2,330  
Change in fair value of derivative instruments
    (1,236 )     2,928       (199 )
Loss on the sale of investments
    15       377       -  
Accretion of the discount of marketable debt securities
    -       (188 )     (127 )
Losses on disposals of fixed assets
    240       24       63  
Stock based compensation
    873       849       -  
Noncash interest expense
    22       22       21  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (1,711 )     (2,534 )     6,389  
Inventory
    1,141       (4,149 )     (977 )
Income taxes receivable
    (120 )     (793 )     -  
Prepaid expenses
    (3 )     (94 )     48  
Prepaid expenses - related parties
    (23 )     -       -  
Accrued interest on marketable securities
    5       63       (64 )
Other assets
    (19 )     1,042       (1,426 )
Accounts payable
    937       711       (323 )
Accounts payable - related parties
    134       300       9  
Income taxes payable
    -       (1,231 )     (685 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    581       (1,119 )     1,653  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities - related parties
    47       20       (40 )
Deferred revenue
    (646 )     8,423       1,571  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    112       96       191  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    25,883       36,275       21,554  
 
 
47

 
     
2009
     
2008
     
2007
 
Cash flows from  investing activities
                       
Restricted cash
    -       3,263       (136 )
Collateralization of derivative instruments
    5,270       (7,037 )     2,789  
Purchase of marketable securities
    (19,999 )     (40,835 )     (14,803 )
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities
    35,972       39,557       -  
Net sales (purchases) of auction rate securities
    12,185       (14,985 )     -  
Purchase of commercial paper
    -       (15,384 )     -  
Proceeds from the sale of commercial paper
    15,424       -       -  
Purchase of preferred stock and trust preferred securities
    (3,965 )     -       -  
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
    17       8       55  
Acquisition of a granary
    (1,252 )     -       -  
Contingent purchase price payment
    (312 )     (250 )     (172 )
Capital expenditures
    (21,910 )     (16,346 )     (17,711 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    21,430       (52,009 )     (29,978 )
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Proceeds from the issuance of stock
    -       8,169       -  
Purchase of warrants
    (799 )     -       -  
Payment of dividend
    (8,457 )     (19,705 )     -  
Excess tax benefit associated with stock options
    -       70       -  
Financing fee
    -       -       (50 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (9,256 )     (11,466 )     (50 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    38,057       (27,200 )     (8,474 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    27,455       54,655       63,129  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 65,512     $ 27,455     $ 54,655  
                         
Cash paid for interest
  $ 8     $ 4     $ 3  
                         
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 7,677     $ 11,117     $ 2,992  


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 
48

 

FutureFuel Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
Common Stock
   
Other Comprehensive
   
Additional Paid-In
   
Retained
   
Total Stockholders’
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Income
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Equity
 
Balance - December 31, 2006
    26,700,000     $ 3     $ -     $ 158,436     $ 2,717     $ 161,156  
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       58       -       -       58  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       8,408       8,408  
Balance - December 31, 2007
    26,700,000       3       58       158,436       11,125       169,622  
Special cash dividend
    -       -       -       -       (19,705 )     (19,705 )
Stock based compensation
    39,800       -       -       849       -       849  
Proceeds from the issuance of stock
    1,450,500       -       --       8,169       -       8,169  
Excess income tax benefits from exercise of stock options
    -       -       -       70       -       70  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    -       -       (43 )     -       -       (43 )
Net income
    -       -       -       -       22,675       22,675  
Balance - December 31, 2008
    28,190,300       3       15       167,524       14,095       181,637  
Special cash dividend
    -       -       -       -       (8,457 )     (8,457 )
Stock based compensation
    -       -       -       873       -       873  
Purchase of warrants
    -       -       -       (799 )     -       (799 )
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       23       -       -       23  
Net income
    -       -       -       -       16,992       16,992  
Balance - December 31, 2009
    28,190,300     $ 3     $ 38     $ 167,598     $ 22,630     $ 190,269  

 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

 

 
49

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 

1)           Nature of operations and basis of presentation
 
Viceroy Acquisition Corporation
 
Viceroy Acquisition Corporation (“Viceroy”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on August 12, 2005 to serve as a vehicle for the acquisition by way of asset acquisition, merger, capital stock exchange, share purchase or similar transaction (“Business Combination”) of one or more operating businesses in the oil and gas industry.  On July 12, 2006 Viceroy completed an equity offering (see Note 15).
 
On July 21, 2006, Viceroy entered into an acquisition agreement with Eastman Chemical Company (“Eastman Chemical”) to purchase all of the issued and outstanding stock of Eastman SE, Inc. (“Eastman SE”).  On October 27, 2006, a special meeting of the shareholders of Viceroy was held and the acquisition of Eastman SE was approved by the shareholders.  On October 31, 2006, Viceroy acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Eastman SE from Eastman Chemical.  Immediately subsequent to the acquisition, Viceroy changed its name to FutureFuel Corp. (“FutureFuel”) and Eastman SE changed its name to FutureFuel Chemical Company (“FutureFuel Chemical”).
 
Eastman SE, Inc.
 
Eastman SE was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware on September 1, 2005 and subsequent thereto operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eastman Chemical through October 31, 2006.  Eastman SE was incorporated for purposes of effecting a sale of Eastman Chemical’s manufacturing facility in Batesville, Arkansas (the “Batesville Plant”).  Commencing January 1, 2006, Eastman Chemical began transferring the assets associated with the business of the Batesville Plant to Eastman SE.
 
The Batesville Plant was constructed to produce proprietary photographic chemicals for Eastman Kodak Company (“Eastman Kodak”).  Over the years, Eastman Kodak shifted the plant’s focus away from the photographic imaging business to the custom synthesis of fine chemicals and organic chemical intermediates used in a variety of end markets, including paints and coatings, plastics and polymers, pharmaceuticals, food supplements, household detergents and agricultural products.
 
In 2005, the Batesville Plant began the implementation of a biobased products platform.  This includes the production of biofuels (biodiesel and cellulose-derived biofuels) and biobased specialty chemical products (biobased solvents, chemicals and intermediates).  In addition to biobased products, the Batesville Plant continues to manufacture fine chemicals and other organic chemicals.
 
2)           Significant accounting policies
 
Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of FutureFuel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, FutureFuel Chemical and FFC Grain, L.L.C., which was formed in February 2009 to acquire a granary in Marianna, Arkansas.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased and are carried at cost, which approximates market.  FutureFuel places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions.  At times, such investments may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance limit.
 
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts and credit risk
 
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  FutureFuel has established procedures to monitor credit risk and has not experienced significant credit losses in prior years.  Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be uncollectible in the future.  This estimated allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of the collectibility of individual
 
 
50

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
invoices and is based upon management’s evaluation of the financial condition of its customers and historical bad debt experience.  Write-offs are recorded at the time a customer receivable is deemed uncollectible.
 
Customer concentrations
 
Significant portions of FutureFuel’s sales are made to a relatively small number of customers.  All sales of a bleach activator are made to a leading North American consumer products company pursuant to a supply contract that is set to expire in May 2013.  Sales of the bleach activator totaled $73,466 for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Additionally, all sales of a herbicide and certain other intermediates used in the production of this herbicide are made to one customer.  Sales of this herbicide and its intermediates totaled $31,587 for the year ended December 31, 2009.  These two customers represented 41% of FutureFuel’s accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2009.
 
Inventory
 
FutureFuel determines the cost of substantially all raw materials and finished goods inventories by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method.  FutureFuel writes down its inventories for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the carrying value of inventory and the estimated market value based upon current demand and market conditions.
 
Financial and derivative instruments
 
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
 
FutureFuel maintains inventories of biodiesel and utilizes various derivative instruments such as regulated futures and regulated options as an economic hedge to reduce the effects of fluctuations in the prices of biodiesel.  These derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific guidelines of ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging, Hedging-General, Recognition.  While management believes each of these instruments are entered into in order to effectively manage various market risks, none of the derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as hedges primarily as a result of the extensive record-keeping requirements.
 
FutureFuel records all derivative instruments at fair value.  Fair value is determined by using the closing prices of the derivative instruments on the New York Mercantile Exchange at the end of an accounting period.  Changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in the statements of operations as a component of cost of goods sold.  FutureFuel maintains a margin account with a broker to collateralize these derivative instruments.
 
Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings; replacements and betterments are capitalized.  When FutureFuel retires or otherwise disposes of assets, it removes the cost of such asset and related accumulated depreciation from the accounts.  FutureFuel records any profit and loss on retirement or other disposition in earnings.  Asset impairments are reflected as increases in accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
 
Buildings and building equipment
20 – 39 years
Machinery and equipment
3 – 33 years
Transportation equipment
5 – 33 years
Other
5 – 33 years

51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Customer relationships
 
Customer relationships are recorded at acquisition cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 5 years.  FutureFuel reviews and evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amounts of its acquired customer contracts annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
 
Impairment of assets
 
FutureFuel evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Such events and circumstances include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in the market value of the asset, adverse changes in the extent or manner in which the asset is being used, significant changes in business climate, or current or projected cash flow losses associated with the use of the assets.  The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from such assets are separately identifiable and are less than its carrying value.  In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset.  For long-lived assets to be held for use in future operations and for fixed (tangible) assets, fair value is determined primarily using either the projected cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved or appraisal.  For long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale or other than sale, fair value is determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for disposal costs.
 
Deferred revenue
 
FutureFuel signed a contract with a customer to construct a plant on FutureFuel’s property for the manufacture of a custom chemical.  The cost of construction was funded by the customer with title and risk of loss to the equipment residing with FutureFuel.  Reimbursements were recognized as deferred revenue and amortized over the expected life of the customer relationship as product is shipped.  Production began in the fourth quarter of 2008.
 
Asset retirement obligations
 
FutureFuel establishes reserves for closure/post-closure costs associated with the environmental and other assets it maintains.  Environmental assets include but are not limited to waste management units such as destructors, landfills, storage tanks and boilers.  When these types of assets are constructed or installed, a reserve is established for the future costs anticipated to be associated with the closure of the site based on an expected life of the environmental assets, the applicable regulatory closure requirements and FutureFuel’s environmental policies and practices.  These expenses are charged into earnings over the estimated useful life of the assets.  Currently, FutureFuel estimates the useful life of each individual asset up to 35 years.  Changes made in estimates of the asset retirement obligation costs or the estimate of the useful lives of these assets are reflected in earnings as an increase or decrease in the period such changes are made.
 
Environmental costs are capitalized if they extend the life of the related property, increase its capacity and/or mitigate or prevent future contamination.  The cost of operating and maintaining environmental control facilities is charged to expense.
 
Income taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method.  Under this method, income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax basis.  A future income tax asset or liability is estimated for each temporary difference using enacted and substantively enacted income tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the asset is realized or the liability settled.  A valuation allowance is established, if necessary, to reduce any future income tax asset to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
 
 
52

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements.  ASC 740 provides that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized.  ASC 740 also provides guidance on measurement, derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  These provisions are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The adoption of these provisions did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations of FutureFuel.
 
Revenue recognition
 
For most product sales, revenue is recognized when product is shipped from our facilities and risk of loss and title have passed to the customer, which is in accordance with our customer contracts and the stated shipping terms.  All custom manufactured products are manufactured under written contracts.  Performance chemicals and biofuels are sold pursuant to the terms of written purchase orders.  In general, customers do not have any rights of return, except for quality disputes.  However, all of our products are tested for quality before shipment, and historically returns have been inconsequential.  FutureFuel does not offer volume discounts, rebates or warranties.
 
Bill and hold transactions for 2009 related to four specialty chemical customers whereby revenue was recognized in accordance with contractual agreements based on product produced and ready for use.  These sales were subject to written monthly purchase orders with agreement that production was reasonable.  The inventory was custom manufactured and stored at the customer’s request and could not be sold to another buyer.  Credit and payment terms for bill and hold transactions are similar to other specialty chemical customers.  Sales revenue under bill and hold arrangements were $42,773, $50,527, and $33,494 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Shipping and handling fees
 
Shipping and handling fees related to sales transactions are billed to customers and recorded as sales revenues.
 
Cost of goods sold and selling, general and administration expense
 
Cost of goods sold includes the costs of inventory sold, related purchasing, distribution and warehousing costs, costs incurred for shipping and handling, and environmental remediation costs.  Netted from cost of goods sold is the biodiesel tax incentive for blending biodiesel with petrodiesel.  The biodiesel tax credit amounts to one cent for each percentage point of vegetable oil or animal fat biodiesel that is blended with petrodiesel.  The credit is recognized as it is earned when biodiesel is blended with petrodiesel.
 
Selling, general and administration expense includes personnel costs associated with sales, marketing and administration, legal and legal-related costs, consulting and professional services fees, advertising expenses, and other similar costs.
 
Research and development
 
All costs identified as research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred.
 
Planned major maintenance activities
 
Expenditures for planned major maintenance activities are recognized as expense as incurred.
 
Earnings per share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (the numerator) by the weighted average number of outstanding shares (the denominator) for the period.  Diluted earnings per share are calculated in accordance with the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect of warrants and options.  The
 
53

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
computation of diluted earnings per share includes the same numerator, but the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares from the exercise of warrants and options that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued.
 
Comprehensive income
 
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  Comprehensive income comprises all changes in shareholders’ equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  FutureFuel’s OCI is comprised of gains resulting from its investment in certain marketable securities classified as available for sale (see Note 6).  For the year ended December 31, 2009, FutureFuel recorded an unrealized gain of $23, net of income taxes of $14, on these securities.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, FutureFuel recorded an unrealized loss of $43, net of income tax benefit of $26, on these securities.  For the year ended December 31, 2007, FutureFuel recorded an unrealized gain of $58, net of income taxes of $34, on these securities.
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities
 
In the ordinary course of its business, FutureFuel enters into supply and sales contracts as deemed commercially desirable.  Supply contracts are utilized to ensure the availability of raw materials used in the production process.  Sales contracts are utilized to ensure the future sale of produced product.
 
FutureFuel and its operations from time to time may be parties to or targets of lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings including product liability, personal injury, patent and intellectual property, commercial, contract, environmental, health and safety and environmental matters, which are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business.  FutureFuel accrues a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  When a single amount cannot be reasonably estimated but the cost can be estimated within a range, FutureFuel accrues the minimum amount.
 
Use of estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during a reporting period.  Estimates are used when accounting for allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset retirement obligations and income taxes as well as the evaluation of potential losses due to impairments or future liabilities.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
 
Segment reporting
 
FutureFuel identifies operating segments when separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by its chief operating decision maker in assessing the performance of those segments and in determining how to allocate resources.  FutureFuel has determined that it has two reportable segments organized along product lines -- chemicals and biofuels.
 
3)           Business combination
 
FutureFuel was incorporated on August 12, 2005 to serve as a vehicle for a business combination of one or more operating businesses in the oil and gas industry.  In 2006, FutureFuel identified such an operating business in Eastman SE.  Eastman SE, as owner of the Batesville Plant, began the implementation of a biobased products platform, including the production of biofuels (biodiesel and cellulose-derived biofuels) and biobased specialty products (biobased lubricants, solvents and intermediates).  In addition to the biobased products platform, the Batesville Plant continued the custom synthesis of fine chemicals and other organic chemicals.  On October 31, 2006, FutureFuel acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Eastman SE from Eastman Chemical for cash consideration and $0.02 per gallon of biodiesel sold by FutureFuel during the three-year period commencing on November 1, 2006 and ending on October 31,
 
 
54

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2009.  Immediately subsequent to its acquisition, Eastman SE changed its name to FutureFuel Chemical.  The results of FutureFuel Chemical have been included in FutureFuel’s results of operations since October 31, 2006.  After final purchase price adjustments, a price of $70,970 was paid for the stock of Eastman SE.  Cumulative contingent purchase price payments to Eastman Chemical based on volumes of biodiesel sold totaled $11 through December 31, 2006, $183 through December 31, 2007, $433 through December 31, 2008, and $745 through December 31, 2009.  The obligation to make this contingent payment terminated on October 31, 2009.  The contingent purchase price payments offset a contingent consideration liability that FutureFuel recorded as of the closing date of the acquisition.  This contingent consideration liability was established based upon management’s estimates, as of the closing date of the acquisition, of the volume of biodiesel that would be sold during the three-year period beginning November 1, 2006 and ending October 31, 2009.  The value of the contingent consideration liability at October 31, 2006 was $2,370.  As indicated immediately above, actual contingent purchase price payments during the three-year period totaled $745, leaving a balance of $1,625 at October 31, 2009.  As of December 31, 2009, we eliminated this remaining liability from our balance sheet as we no longer have any obligation to Eastman Chemical Company, and we simultaneously wrote-down our assets by the same amount; the elimination of the contingent consideration liability had no impact on earnings.
 
4)           Inventories
 
The carrying values of inventory were as follows as of December 31:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
At first-in, first-out or average cost (approximates current cost)
           
Finished goods
  $ 14,078     $ 15,634  
Work in process
    1,841       1,800  
Raw materials and supplies
    16,451       14,833  
      32,370       32,267  
LIFO reserve
    (5,926 )     (4,682 )
Total inventories
  $ 26,444     $ 27,585  

Inventory balances at December 31, 2009 include the impact of a $1,710 write-down to market value for biodiesel and a key biodiesel raw material.  The write-down was a result of the expired federal blender’s credit which reduced the expected selling price of biodiesel.
 
FutureFuel’s calculation of its LIFO reserve is reliant, in part, upon the Producer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (“PPI”).  For its December 31, 2008 LIFO reserve calculation, FutureFuel changed its policy to use the November preliminary PPI as opposed to the December PPI.  This change was made to enable FutureFuel to meet an accelerated closing process which, in turn, enables FutureFuel to meet the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s filing deadlines for FutureFuel’s financial statements.  The impact of this change was an increase in the LIFO reserve of $753 at December 31, 2008.  FutureFuel will continue to utilize the preliminary November PPI in future years.
 
5)           Derivative instruments
 
FutureFuel is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations.  The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is commodity price risk.  Regulated fixed price futures and option contracts are utilized to manage the price risk associated with future purchases of feedstock used in FutureFuel’s biodiesel production along with physical feedstock and finished product inventories attributed to this process.
 
FutureFuel recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated balance sheet.  FutureFuel’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific guidelines of ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging, Hedging-General, Recognition.  While management believes each of these instruments are entered into in order to effectively manage various risks, none of the derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as hedges primarily as a result of the extensive record keeping requirements.
 
55

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
The fair value of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments is determined based on the closing prices of the derivative instruments on relevant commodity exchanges at the end of an accounting period.  Changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of good sold, and amounted to a gain of $488 and $9,519 for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and a loss of $6,910 for the year ended December 31, 2007.
 
The volumes and carrying values of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments were as follows at December 31:
 
   
Asset/(Liability)
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Quantity (contracts) Long/ (Short)
   
Fair Value
   
Quantity (contracts) Long/ (Short)
   
Fair Value
 
Regulated options, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (150 )   $ (1,998 )     (875 )   $ (3,175 )
Regulated fixed price future commitments, included in other current assets
    10     $ 68       -     $ -  

The margin account maintained with a broker to collateralize these derivative instruments carried an account balance of $2,556 and $7,826 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and is classified as other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  The carrying values of the margin account and of the derivative instruments are included, net, in other current assets.
 
6)           Marketable securities
 
As of December 31, 2008, FutureFuel had made investments in certain U.S. treasury bills and notes.  As of December 31, 2008, these marketable debt securities had maturities ranging from January 2009 to March 2009.  FutureFuel anticipated these securities being sold or maturing within one year and therefore classified all marketable debt securities as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  FutureFuel designated these securities as being available-for-sale.  Accordingly, these securities were carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  At December 31, 2009 no such securities were held.
 
The fair market value of these marketable debt securities, including accrued interest, totaled $15,999 at December 31, 2008.
 
Additionally, FutureFuel has made investments in certain auction rate securities.  As of December 31, 2009, these securities had a maturity of August 2037.  FutureFuel classified these instruments as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as the issuers of these instruments have either exercised their right to repurchase or a liquid market still exists for these securities, which allows FutureFuel to exit its positions within a short period of time.  FutureFuel anticipates these securities either being sold or repurchased within the next year.  FutureFuel has designated these securities as being available-for-sale.  Accordingly, these securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  No realized gains or losses have been incurred related to these securities through December 31, 2009.
 
The fair market value of these auction rate securities approximated their par value and, including accrued interest, totaled $2,800 and $14,990 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2008, FutureFuel had investments in certain commercial paper.  These investments had maturity dates ranging from January 2009 to March 2009 and have been classified as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  FutureFuel had designated these securities as being available for sale.  Accordingly, they were recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  At December 31, 2009 no such investments were held.
 
56

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
The fair value of these investments, including accrued interest, totaled $15,422 at December 31, 2008.
 
At December 31, 2009, FutureFuel had investments in certain preferred stock and trust preferred securities.  These investments have been classified as current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.  FutureFuel has designated these securities as being available for sale.  Accordingly, they are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.  At December 31, 2008, no such investments were held.
 
The fair market value of these preferred stock and trust preferred securities, including accrued interest, totaled $4,011 at December 31, 2009.
 
7)           Property, plant and equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Land and land improvements
  $ 4,599     $ 4,570  
Buildings and building equipment
    22,325       22,023  
Machinery and equipment
    100,215       87,388  
Construction in progress
    11,564       4,447  
Accumulated depreciation
    (19,455 )     (12,108 )
Total
  $ 119,248     $ 106,320  

Depreciation expense totaled $7,404, $5,686, and $4,599 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
8)           Intangible assets
 
In connection with its acquisition of Eastman SE, a certain portion of the purchase price was allocated to the intangible asset customer relationships.  Customer relationships consisted of the following at December 31:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cost
  $ 567     $ 567  
Accumulated amortization
    (359 )     (246 )
    $ 208     $ 321  

Amortization expense totaled $113, $114, and $113 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  FutureFuel estimates that amortization expense for 2010 will be $113 and that amortization expense in 2011 will be $95.
 
9)           Other assets
 
Other assets are comprised of supplies and parts that have been held longer than 24 months and are not expected to be used in the twelve-month period subsequent to the balance sheet date.  The balance related to these items totaled $2,965 and $3,149 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
10)         Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, including those associated with related parties, consisted of the following at December 31:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Accrued employee liabilities
  $ 1,499     $ 1,248  
Accrued property, use and franchise taxes
    1,064       975  
Other
    336       48  
Total
  $ 2,899     $ 2,271  

57

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
11)         Borrowings
 
In March 2007, FutureFuel Chemical entered into a $50 million credit agreement with a commercial bank.  The loan is a revolving facility the proceeds of which may be used for working capital, capital expenditures and the general corporate purposes of FutureFuel Chemical.  The facility terminates in March 2010.  Advances are made pursuant to a borrowing base comprised of 85% of eligible accounts plus 60% of eligible direct inventory plus 50% of eligible indirect inventory.  Advances are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in accounts receivable and inventory.  The interest rate floats at certain margins over the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or base rate based upon the leverage ratio from time to time as set forth in the following table.
 
Leverage
Ratio
 
Base Rate
Margin
 
LIBOR
Margin
> 3
 
-0.55%
 
1.70%
> 2 < 3
 
-0.70%
 
1.55%
> 1 < 2
 
-0.85%
 
1.40%
< 1
 
-1.00%
 
1.25%

There is an unused commitment fee of 0.25% per annum.  Beginning December 31, 2007, and on the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, the ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges may not be less than 1.5:1.  Beginning June 30, 2007, the ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA may not exceed 3.50:1, reduced to 3.25:1 at March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008, and then 3:1 thereafter.  FutureFuel has guaranteed FutureFuel Chemical’s obligations under this credit agreement.
 
There were no borrowings at December 31, 2009 or 2008.
 
12)         Asset retirement obligations and environmental reserves
 
The Batesville Plant generates hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, the treatment, storage, transportation and disposal of which are regulated by various governmental agencies.  In addition, the Batesville Plant may be required to incur costs for environmental and closure and post closure costs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”).  FutureFuel’s reserve for asset retirement obligations and environmental contingencies was $680 and $588 as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  These amounts are recorded in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
The following table summarizes the activity of accrued obligations for asset retirement obligations:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Beginning balance
  $ 588     $ 566  
Accretion expense
    22       22  
Change in estimate
    70       -  
Balance at December 31
  $ 680     $ 588  

13)         Stock based compensation
 
The board of directors of FutureFuel adopted an omnibus incentive plan which was approved by the shareholders of FutureFuel at its 2007 annual shareholder meeting on June 26, 2007.  The purpose of the plan is to:
 
·  
Encourage ownership in FutureFuel by key personnel whose long-term employment with or engagement by FutureFuel or its subsidiaries is considered essential to its continued progress and, thereby, encourage recipients to act in FutureFuel’s shareholders’ interests and share in its success;
 
·  
Encourage such persons to remain in FutureFuel’s employ or in the employ of its subsidiaries; and
 
58

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
·  
Provide incentives to persons who are not FutureFuel employees to promote FutureFuel’s success.
 
The plan authorizes FutureFuel to issue stock options (including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options), stock awards and stock appreciation rights.  Eligible participants in the plan include: (i) members of FutureFuel’s board of directors and its executive officers; (ii) regular, active employees of FutureFuel and any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) persons engaged by FutureFuel or any of its subsidiaries to render services to FutureFuel or its subsidiaries as an advisor or consultant.
 
Awards under the plan are limited to shares of FutureFuel’s common stock, which may be shares acquired by FutureFuel, including shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but un-issued shares.  Awards are limited to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of FutureFuel’s common stock in the aggregate.
 
The plan became effective upon its approval by FutureFuel’s shareholders on June 26, 2007 and continues in effect for a term of ten years thereafter unless amended and extended by FutureFuel or unless otherwise terminated.
 
FutureFuel recognizes compensation expense in its financial statements for stock based options based upon the grant-date fair value over the requisite service period.
 
In April 2008, FutureFuel granted a total of 250,000 stock options to members of its board of directors (“Director Options”).  Additionally, the Company granted a total of 55,000 stock options to selected members of its management (“Management Options”).  An additional 5,000 Management Options were issued in September 2008 and an additional 100,000 Director Options were granted on December 10, 2008.  The options awarded in April 2008 have an exercise price equal to the average of the bid and ask price of FutureFuel’s common stock on the date of grant as established in private sales, which the board of directors determined to be the fair value of such stock on that date.  The Management Options awarded in September 2008 and the Director Options awarded in December 2008 have an exercise price equal to the closing price of FutureFuel’s common stock on the date of grant as quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.  The Director Options vested immediately upon grant.  Originally, one-third of the Management Options granted in April 2008 vested on each of the annual anniversary dates of the grant.  Those Management Options were amended in September 2008 to provide for immediate vesting.  The Management Options issued in September 2008 vested immediately upon grant.  Both the Director Options and the Management Options awarded in April 2008 expire on April 7, 2013.  The Management Options awarded in September 2008 expire on September 30, 2013.  The Director Options awarded in December 2008 expire on December 10, 2013.  FutureFuel has utilized the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model, which relies on certain assumptions, to estimate the fair value of the options it granted.
 
In December 2009, FutureFuel granted a total of 185,000 Director Options to members of its board.  Additionally, the Company granted a total of 95,500 Management Options to selected members of its management.  The options awarded in December 2009 have an exercise price equal to the closing price of FutureFuel’s common stock on the date of grant as quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.  The Director Options and Management Options vested immediately upon grant.  Both the Director Options and the Management Options expire on December 21, 2014.  FutureFuel has utilized the Black Scholes Merton option pricing model, which relies on certain assumptions, to estimate the fair value of the options it granted.
 
The assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of the options granted are provided in the following table:
 
59

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Assumptions
April 2008
Director
Options
April 2008
Management
Options
September
2008
Management
Options
December
2008 Director
Options
December
2009 Options
Expected volatility rate
46.78%
48.74%
50.63%
60.88%
73.10%
Expected dividend yield
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
Risk-free interest rate
2.03%
2.26%
2.22%
1.04%
1.12%
Expected forfeiture rate
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
Expected term in years
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5

The volatility rate for the options granted is derived from the historical stock price volatility of a peer group of companies over the same time period as the expected term of each stock option award.  The volatility rate is derived by a mathematical formula utilizing the daily closing stock price data over the expected term.  It is FutureFuel’s expectation that volatility rates for future stock option grants will be based on FutureFuel’s historical stock price volatility as FutureFuel develops a lengthier stock trading history.
 
The expected dividend yield is calculated using FutureFuel’s expected dividend amount at the date of the option grant over the expected term divided by the fair market value of FutureFuel’s common stock.
 
The risk-free interest rate is derived from the United States Federal Reserve’s published interest rates of yields for the same time period as the expected term.
 
FutureFuel only includes share-based awards expected to vest in share-based compensation expense.  The estimated forfeiture rates are based upon FutureFuel’s expected rate of forfeiture and are excluded from the quantity of awards included in share-based compensation expense.
 
FutureFuel has granted stock options in 2008 and 2009 only and therefore does not have a substantial historical record of share-based award transactions on which to base an estimate of expected term.  FutureFuel has therefore elected to utilize the “simplified” method of estimating expected term as discussed in Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 107 and No. 110.
 
On December 3, 2008, FutureFuel granted a stock award of 100 shares of its common stock to 398 of FutureFuel Chemical’s employees.  FutureFuel recognized compensation expense as a result of this award equal to the number of shares granted multiplied by the fair value of its common stock on the date of the award.  Such compensation expense was recorded as a component of cost of goods sold and totaled $225 in the twelve months ended December 31, 2008.  No such awards were granted in 2009.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, total share-based compensation expense (before tax) totaled $873, $849, and $0, respectively.  In the year ended December 31, 2009, $762, $74 and $37 of this balance was recorded as an element of selling, general and administrative expense, cost of goods sold and research and development expense, respectively.  In the year ended December 31, 2008, $225, $610 and $14 of this balance was recorded as an element of selling, general and administrative expense, cost of goods sold and research and development expense, respectively.
 
The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2009 was $3.11 per option and in 2008 was $1.52 per option.
 
60

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
A summary of the activity of FutureFuel’s stock option awards for the period beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 is presented below.
 
   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Outstanding as January 1, 2008
    -     $ -  
Granted
    410,000     $ 4.43  
Exercised
    268,000     $ 4.00  
Canceled, forfeited or expired
    -     $ -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    142,000     $ 5.25  
Granted
    280,500     $ 7.00  
Exercised
    -     $ -  
Canceled, forfeited or expired
    -     $ -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    422,500     $ 6.41  

There were 1,939,700 options available for grant at December 31, 2009.  The following table provides the remaining contractual term and weighted average exercise prices of stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2009.
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
Exercise Price
Number
Outstanding
at
December 31,
2009
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Number
Exercisable at December 31,
2009
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
$4.00
37,000
 
3.27
 
$4.00
 
37,000
 
$4.00
$5.65
100,000
 
3.95
 
$5.65
 
100,000
 
$5.65
$6.48
5,000
 
3.75
 
$6.48
 
5,000
 
$6.48
$7.00
 280,500
 
4.98
 
$7.00
 
 280,500
 
$7.00
 
 422,500
 
4.57
 
$6.41
 
 422,500
 
$6.41
 
The weighted average remaining contractual life of all exercisable options is 4.57 years.
 
The aggregate intrinsic values of total options outstanding and total options exercisable at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are $122 and $50, respectively.  Intrinsic value is the amount by which the last trade price of the common stock closest to December 31, 2009 exceeded the exercise price of the options granted.
 
The amendment of the Management Options in September 2008 referred to above resulted in the immediate recognition into expense of the estimated fair value of those options not previously recognized, which totaled $74.
 
In 2008, FutureFuel realized gross proceeds from stock option exercises of $1,072 and realized a net tax benefit of $204.  FutureFuel did not realize any proceeds on the December 3, 2008 stock grant but did realize a net tax benefit of $86.  No stock options were exercised in 2009, nor was any stock awarded.
 
61

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
14)         Provision for income taxes
 
The following table summarizes the provision for income taxes:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income before taxes - U.S.
  $ 25,446     $ 34,996     $ 13,191  
Provision for income taxes:
                       
Current
  $ 6,811     $ 8,176     $ 2,080  
Deferred
    739       2,710       2,201  
State and other
                       
Current
    843       1,093       228  
Deferred
    61       342       274  
Total
  $ 8,454     $ 12,321     $ 4,783  

Differences between the provision for income taxes computed using the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate were as follows:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Amount computed using the statutory rate of 35%, 35% and 34%, respectively
  $ 8,906     $ 12,249     $ 4,485  
Section 199 manufacturing deduction
    (237 )     (271 )     (183 )
Agri-biodiesel production credit
    (975 )     (812 )     (564 )
Credit for increasing research activities
    (144 )     (78 )     (69 )
Alternative fueling equipment credit
    (160 )     -       -  
Tax exempt interest income
    (74 )     (541 )     -  
Change in the valuation allowance
    (23 )     265       472  
State income taxes, net
    1,011       1,336       601  
Other
    150       173       41  
Provision for income taxes
  $ 8,454     $ 12,321     $ 4,783  

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of December 31:
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Deferred tax assets
           
Vacation pay
  $ 122     $ 117  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    -       2  
Agri-biodiesel production credit
    190       190  
Inventory reserves
    1,050       1,919  
Self insurance
    104       96  
Asset retirement obligation
    266       231  
Derivative instruments
    889       251  
Stock based compensation
    441       106  
Total deferred tax assets
    3,062       2,912  
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Available for sale securities
    (23 )     (9 )
Accrued expenses
    (18 )     (19 )
LIFO inventory
    (4,320 )     (5,530 )
Intangible assets
    (81 )     (126 )
Depreciation
    (25,196 )     (23,782 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
    (29,638 )     (29,466 )
Valuation allowance
    (714 )     (737 )
Net deferred tax liabilities
  $ (27,290 )   $ (27,291 )
                 
 
 
62

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
      2009       2008  
As recorded in the consolidated balance sheet
               
Current deferred tax liability
  $ (3,172 )   $ (4,151 )
Noncurrent deferred tax liability
    (24,118 )     (23,140 )
Net deferred tax liabilities
  $ (27,290 )   $ (27,291 )
 
The effective tax rates for the years December 31, 2009 and 2008 reflect FutureFuel’s expected tax rate on reported operating earnings before income tax.
 
FutureFuel’s unrecognized tax benefits, recorded as an element of other noncurrent liabilities, totaled $559 at both December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the total amount of which, if recognized, would reduce FutureFuel’s effective tax rate.
 
FutureFuel does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
 
FutureFuel records interest and penalties net as a component of income tax expense.  FutureFuel accrued a balance of $138 and $96 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, for interest or tax penalties.
 
FutureFuel and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and with various state jurisdictions.  FutureFuel was incorporated in 2005 and is subject to U.S., state and local examinations by tax authorities from 2006 forward.  FutureFuel Chemical is subject to the effects of tax examinations that may impact the carry-over basis of its assets and liabilities.
 
15)         Stockholders’ equity
 
On July 12, 2006, Viceroy and its founding shareholders entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the holders of the majority of founding shares and shares of common stock included in the units purchased in Viceroy’s July 2006 offering by a director or his designees are entitled to make up to two demands that Viceroy register with the SEC their founding shares and the shares included in the units purchased in Viceroy’s July 2006 offering.  The holders of the majority of such shares can elect to exercise these registration rights at any time after the date on which Viceroy has become a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Securities Act”), as amended, and such shares have been released from any applicable escrow agreement and lock-in deeds.  In addition, those shareholders have certain “piggyback” registration rights on registration statements filed subsequent to the date on which such shares are released from escrow or other lock up arrangements.  Viceroy agreed to bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.  There are 11,250,000 shares of Viceroy’s common stock subject to this registration rights agreement.
 
On July 12, 2006, Viceroy entered into an investor rights agreement with each of KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, Viceroy’s Nominated Advisor on the AIM, and CRT Capital Group LLC, Viceroy’s placing agent, for the benefit of the holders of its shares of common stock and warrants in which Viceroy agreed, at its cost, to provide “piggyback” registration rights as to any shares of its common stock that are not, at the time, freely saleable identical to the “piggyback” registration rights of the founding shareholders described above, plus the right to piggyback on any registration statement filed pursuant to the founding shareholders’ demand registration rights described above, provided that in the event such piggyback rights are exercised in an underwritten offering, the number of shares of Viceroy’s common stock registered will be subject to a cutback, pro rata with the founding shareholders, if the underwriter so requires.  There are 15,450,000 shares of Viceroy’s common stock subject to this investor rights agreement.
 
In 2008, 1,182,500 warrants to purchase FutureFuel’s common stock were exercised.  Proceeds from the exercise of these warrants totaled $7,095.  At December 31, 2008, warrants to purchase 21,317,500 shares of FutureFuel’s common stock were outstanding and unexercised.
 
None of FutureFuel’s warrants were exercised in 2009.  FutureFuel did repurchase and cancel 1,642,300 of its warrants for an aggregate purchase price of $799.  At December 31, 2009, warrants to purchase 19,675,200 shares of FutureFuel’s common stock were outstanding and unexercised.
 
63

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
16)         Earnings per share
 
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share was as follows:
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408  
                         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    28,190,300       27,029,210       26,700,000  
Effect of warrants
    1,045,203       487,180       5,586,996  
Effect of stock options
    18,769       34,051       -  
Weighted average diluted number of common shares outstanding
    29,254,272       27,550,441       32,286,996  
                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.60     $ 0.84     $ 0.31  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.58     $ 0.82     $ 0.26  

Certain warrants to purchase shares of FutureFuel’s common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 as they were anti-dilutive in the period.  The weighted average number of warrants excluded on this basis was 10,658,750 and 16,579,375, respectively.  Additionally, certain options to purchase shares of FutureFuel’s common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 as they were anti-dilutive in the period.  The weighted average number of options excluded on this basis was 53,750 and 1,250, respectively.
 
17)         Employee benefit plans
 
Defined contribution savings plan
 
FutureFuel currently offers its employees a company 401(k) matching savings plan, which covers substantially all employees.  Under this plan, FutureFuel matches the amount of eligible employees’ contributions, subject to specified limits, up to 6% of earnings.  Company contributions totaled $1,663, $1,763, and $1,552 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
18)         Related party transactions
 
FutureFuel enters into transactions with companies affiliated with or controlled by a director and significant shareholder.  Revenues, expenses, prepaid amounts, and unpaid amounts related to these transactions are captured on our accompanying consolidated financial statements as related party line items.  These related party transactions are summarized in the following table and further described below.
 
64

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
Related party balance sheet accounts
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Prepaid expenses
           
Income tax and consulting services
  $ 23     $ -  
Total prepaid expenses
  $ 23     $ -  
Accounts payable
               
Distribution and related services
  $ 82     $ 18  
Storage and terminalling services
    2       -  
Natural gas purchases
    472       404  
Total accounts payable
  $ 556     $ 422  
Accrued liabilities
               
Travel and administrative services
  $ 67     $ 20  
Total accrued liabilities
  $ 67     $ 20  

Related party income statement accounts
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues
                 
Biodiesel, petrodiesel and blends
  $ 2,494     $ 4,864     $ 56  
Total revenues
  $ 2,494     $ 4,864     $ 56  
Cost of goods sold
                       
Biodiesel, petrodiesel and blends
  $ 2,802     $ 2,357     $ 26  
Natural gas purchases
    2,706       2,904       1,403  
Storage and terminalling services
    334       -       79  
Income tax and consulting services
    91       70       21  
Total cost of goods sold
  $ 5,933     $ 5,331     $ 1,529  
Distribution
                       
Distribution and related services
  $ 88     $ -     $ -  
Total distribution
  $ 88     $ -     $ -  
Selling, general and administrative expense
                       
Commodity trading advisory fees
  $ 132     $ 132     $ 107  
Travel and administrative services
    166       55       65  
Total selling, general and administrative expense
  $ 298     $ 187     $ 172  

Biodiesel, petrodiesel and blends
 
FutureFuel enters into agreements to sell biofuels (biodiesel, petrodiesel, or biodiesel/petrodiesel blends) to an affiliate from time to time.  Such agreements are priced at the then current market price of biodiesel as determined from bids from other customers and/or market pricing services.  Cost of goods sold related to these sales includes variable costs and allocated fixed costs.  In addition, cost of goods sold includes allocated hedging gains (losses) for the respective period, as applicable.
 
Natural gas purchases
 
FutureFuel utilizes natural gas to generate steam for its manufacturing process and to support certain of its air and waste treatment utilities.  This natural gas is purchased through an affiliate provider of natural gas marketing services.  Expenses related to these purchases include the cost of the natural gas only; transportation charges are paid to an independent third party.
 
Storage and terminalling services
 
FutureFuel leases oil storage capacity from an affiliate under a storage and thruput agreement.  This agreement provides for the storage of biodiesel, diesel or biodiesel/petrodiesel blends, methanol, and biodiesel feedstocks in above-ground storage tankage at designated facilities of the affiliate.  Expenses
 
65

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
related to this agreement include monthly lease charges, generally on a per barrel basis, and associated heating, thruput, and other customary terminalling charges.
 
Income tax and consulting services
 
An affiliate provides professional services to FutureFuel, primarily in the area of income tax preparation and consulting.  FutureFuel also receives certain finance and accounting expertise from this affiliate as requested.  Expenses related to these services are comprised of an agreed quarterly fee plus reimbursement of expense, at cost.
 
Distribution and related services
 
Distribution and related services are comprised of barge transportation and related unloading charges for petrodiesel that were arranged and paid by an affiliate and subsequently rebilled to FutureFuel.
 
Commodity trading advisory fees
 
FutureFuel entered into a commodity trading advisory agreement with an affiliate.  Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, the affiliate provides advice to FutureFuel concerning the purchase, sale, exchange, conversion, and/or hedging of commodities as FutureFuel may request from time to time.
 
Travel and administrative services
 
FutureFuel reimburses an affiliate for travel and other administrative services incurred on its behalf.  Such reimbursement is performed at cost with the affiliate realizing no profit on the transaction.
 
Railcar sublease agreement
 
FutureFuel entered into a railcar sublease agreement with an affiliate.  Pursuant to the terms of this sublease, FutureFuel leases from the affiliate railcars upon the same terms, conditions, and price the affiliate leases the railcars.  Lease terms for individual railcars begin upon delivery of the railcars.  Forty railcars were received through December 31, 2009.  From the onset of this lease, FutureFuel has been paying lease charges directly to the entity leasing the railcars to the affiliate, as opposed to paying the affiliate itself.  Hence, no related party expense is reflected in the above table, although the affiliate has essentially been guaranteeing FutureFuel’s obligations to the lessor.  In September 2009, the master lease was modified such that the affiliate was removed and FutureFuel leases the railcars directly, with no guarantee remaining on the part of the affiliate.  Expenses related to this lease were $248, $331, and $72 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
19)         Segment information
 
FutureFuel has determined that is has two reportable segments organized along product lines – chemicals and biofuels.  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2.
 
Chemicals
 
FutureFuel’s chemicals segment manufactures diversified chemical products that are sold externally to third party customers.  This segment comprises two components: “custom manufacturing” (manufacturing chemicals for specific customers); and “performance chemicals” (multi-customer specialty chemicals).
 
Biofuels
 
FutureFuel’s biofuels business segment manufactures and markets biodiesel.  Biodiesel revenues were generally derived in one of two ways.  Revenues were generated under tolling agreements whereby customers supplied key biodiesel feed stocks which FutureFuel then converted into biodiesel at the Batesville Plant in exchange for a fixed price processing charge per gallon of biodiesel produced.  Tolling agreements were terminated in 2007.  Revenues are also generated through the sale of biodiesel to
 
66

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
customers through FutureFuel’s distribution network at the Batesville Plant and through distribution facilities available at a leased oil storage facility near Little Rock, Arkansas at negotiated prices.
 
Summary of long-lived assets and revenues by geographic area
 
All of FutureFuel’s long-lived assets are located in the U.S.
 
Most of FutureFuel’s sales are transacted with title passing at the time of shipment from the Batesville Plant, although some sales are transacted based on title passing at the delivery point.  While many of FutureFuel’s chemicals are utilized to manufacture products that are shipped, further processed and/or consumed throughout the world, the chemical products, with limited exceptions, generally leave the United States only after ownership has transferred from FutureFuel to the customer.  Rarely is FutureFuel the exporter of record, never is FutureFuel the importer of record into foreign countries and FutureFuel is not always aware of the exact quantities of its products that are moved into foreign markets by its customers.  FutureFuel does track the addresses of its customers for invoicing purposes and uses this address to determine whether a particular sale is within or without the United States.  FutureFuel’s revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 attributable to the United States and foreign countries (based upon the billing addresses of its customers) were as follows.
 
Fiscal Year
 
United States
   
All Foreign Countries
   
Total
 
December 31, 2009
  $ 179,505     $ 17,206     $ 196,711  
December 31, 2008
  $ 164,963     $ 33,367     $ 198,330  
December 31, 2007
  $ 141,233     $ 28,555     $ 169,788  

For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, revenues from Mexico accounted for 8%, 11%, and 11%, respectively, of total revenues.  Beginning in the third quarter of 2007 and ending in 2008, FutureFuel Chemical Company sold significant quantities of biodiesel to companies from Canada, during which time revenues from Canada became a material component of total revenues.  Revenues from Canada accounted for 0%, 5% and 5% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.  Other than Mexico and Canada, revenues from a single foreign country during 2009, 2008, or 2007 did not exceed 1% of total revenues.
 
Summary of business by segment
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues
                 
Chemicals
  $ 143,759     $ 155,553     $ 144,474  
Biofuels
    52,952       42,777       25,314  
Revenues
  $ 196,711     $ 198,330     $ 169,788  
Segment gross margins
                       
Chemicals
  $ 33,007     $ 32,738     $ 27,107  
Biofuels
    1,430       7,679       (9,874 )
Segment gross margins
    34,437       40,417       17,233  
Corporate expenses
    (9,598 )     (8,236 )     (7,578 )
Income before interest and taxes
    24,839       32,181       9,655  
Interest income
    403       2,965       3,567  
Interest and other income (expense)
    204       (150 )     (31 )
Provision for income taxes
    (8,454 )     (12,321 )     (4,783 )
Net income
  $ 16,992     $ 22,675     $ 8,408  

Depreciation is allocated to segment costs of goods sold based on plant usage.  The total assets and capital expenditures of FutureFuel have not been allocated to individual segments as large portions of these assets are shared to varying degrees by each segment, causing such an allocation to be of little value.
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Gross margins for the biodiesel segment for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were favorably impacted by the receipt of $2,000 from the State of Arkansas in each year resulting from our biodiesel operating cost grant application under the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program.  The 2008 funding was attributable to our biodiesel production between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 and the 2009 funding was attributable to our biodiesel production between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and both grants were calculated as $0.20 per gallon of biodiesel produced, capped at $2,000 for each year.  FutureFuel has applied for funding under this program for biodiesel produced during the period July 1 to December 31, 2009 but has not yet received notification that its application has been approved.  Based on the characteristics of the Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program and the State funding behind this program, FutureFuel recognizes income in the period funding is received.
 
20)         Fair value measurements
 
Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date.  Fair value accounting pronouncements also include a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.  Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of FutureFuel.  Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect FutureFuel’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances.  The hierarchy is broken down into three levels.  Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
The following table provides information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, on a recurring basis.
 
   
Asset/(Liability)
 
   
Fair Value at December 31,
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
Inputs Considered as
 
Description
 
2009
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Available for sale:
                       
Auction rate securities
  $ 2,800       -     $ 2,800       -  
Derivative instruments
  $ (1,930 )   $ (1,930 )     -       -  
Preferred stock and trust preferred securities
  $ 4,011     $ 4,011       -       -  

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
21)         Commitments
 
Lease agreements
 
FutureFuel has entered into lease agreements for oil storage capacity, railcars, isotainers, gas cylinders and argon tanks.  Minimum rental commitments under existing noncancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2009 were as follows:
 
2010
  $ 818  
2011
    402  
2012
    351  
2013
    331  
2014
    286  
Thereafter
    699  
Total
  $ 2,887  

Lease expenses totaled $1,446, $885, and $408 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Purchase obligations
 
FutureFuel has entered into contracts for the purchase of goods and services including contracts for the expansion of FutureFuel’s biofuels related infrastructure, the development, implementation and maintenance of an enterprise resource planning computer software package, and the licensing of a chemical modeling software product.
 
Deferred payments to Eastman Chemical
 
In connection with the purchase of shares of Eastman SE, FutureFuel agreed to pay Eastman Chemical $0.02 per gallon of biodiesel sold by FutureFuel during the three-year period commencing on October 31, 2006 and ending on October 31, 2009.  Payments to Eastman Chemical in 2009, 2008, and 2007 for this agreement totaled $312, $250, and $172, respectively.
 
22)         Quarterly financial information (unaudited)
 
   
Quarter
 
   
1st
   
2nd
   
3rd
   
4th
 
2008
                       
Revenues
  $ 43,220     $ 49,896     $ 60,585     $ 44,629  
Gross profit
  $ 10,582     $ 4,451     $ 10,880     $ 14,504  
Net income
  $ 6,160     $ 2,913     $ 5,389     $ 8,213  
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.23     $ 0.11     $ 0.20     $ 0.29  
Diluted
  $ 0.23     $ 0.11     $ 0.19     $ 0.29  
                                 
2009
                               
Revenues
  $ 39,737     $ 41,831     $ 52,263     $ 62,880  
Gross profit
  $ 6,355     $ 5,873     $ 13,650     $ 8,559  
Net income
  $ 2,821     $ 2,850     $ 7,384     $ 3,937  
Net income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.26     $ 0.14  
Diluted
  $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.25     $ 0.13  

Earnings per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented.  Therefore, the sum of the quarterly amounts will not necessarily equal the total for the year.
 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
23)         Recently issued accounting standards
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS Statement No. 161 “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS No. 161”).  The new standard is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand their effects on an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  It is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged.  The new standard also improves transparency about the location and amounts of derivative instruments in an entity’s financial statements; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  FutureFuel has concluded that SFAS No. 161 will not have a material impact on the Company’s disclosures.
 
24)         Reserve roll forwards - valuation and qualifying accounts
 
 
          Additions              
   
Balance at January 1,
2009
   
Charged
to Cost
and
Expense
   
Charged
to Other Accounts
   
Deductions
   
Balance at December 31, 2009
 
Reserve for:
                             
Doubtful accounts and returns
  $ 4     $ 1     $ -     $ 5     $ -  
LIFO inventory
    4,682       1,244       -       -       5,926  
Aged and obsolete inventory
    253       4       -       -       257  
Deferred tax valuation allowance
    737       -       -       23       714  
Aged and obsolete supplies and parts
    666       44       -       -       710  
    $ 6,342     $ 1,293     $ -     $ 28     $ 7,607  

 
          Additions              
   
Balance at January 1,
2008
   
Charged
to Cost
and
Expense
   
Charged
to Other
Accounts
   
Deductions
   
Balance at December 31, 2008
 
Reserve for:
                             
Doubtful accounts and returns
  $ 42     $ 4     $ -     $ 42     $ 4  
LIFO inventory
    1,562       3,120       -       -       4,682  
Aged and obsolete inventory
    124       129       -       -       253  
Deferred tax valuation allowance
    472       265       -       -       737  
Aged and obsolete supplies and parts
    436       230                       666  
    $ 2,636     $ 3,748     $ -     $ 42     $ 6,342  

 
          Additions              
   
Balance at January 1,
2007
   
Charged
to Cost
and
Expense
   
Charged
to Other
Accounts
   
Deductions
   
Balance at
December 31,
2007
 
Reserve for:
                             
Doubtful accounts and returns
  $ 42     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 42  
LIFO inventory
    5       1,557       -       -       1,562  
Aged and obsolete inventory
    2       122       -       -       124  
Deferred tax valuation allowance
    -       472       -       -       472  
Aged and obsolete supplies and parts
    442       (6 )                     436  
    $ 491     $ 2,145     $ -     $ -     $ 2,636  


 
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
RubinBrown LLP was engaged as the principal accountant to audit our financial statements for 2008 and 2009, and no other independent accountant was so engaged.  There were no disagreements with RubinBrown LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.
 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer and other senior management personnel, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Principal Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009 were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.  Based on this assessment, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 has been audited by our auditor, RubinBrown LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, which expressed an unqualified opinion as stated in their report, a copy of which is included below.
 
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
FutureFuel Corp.:
 
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of FutureFuel Corp. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating
 
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effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable details, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the balance sheets and related statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, and our report dated March 15, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
 
/s/ RubinBrown LLP
 
St. Louis, Missouri
March 15, 2010
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting as a result of our evaluation that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2009.
 

 
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PART III
 
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
 
Identification of Directors
 
Our directors are as follows.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Director
Since
 
Term
Expires
Paul A. Novelly, executive chairman of the board
 
66
 
2005
 
2012
Lee E. Mikles, chief executive officer and president
 
54
 
2005
 
2011
Edwin A. Levy
 
72
 
2005
 
2010
Thomas R. Evans
 
55
 
2006
 
2011
Richard L. Knowlton
 
77
 
2007
 
2012
Paul G. Lorenzini, chief operating officer
 
70
 
2007
 
2012
Donald C. Bedell
 
68
 
2008
 
2010

There is no arrangement or understanding between any of the above directors and any other person pursuant to which such person was or is to be selected as a director.
 
Identification of Executive Officers
 
Our executive officers are as follows.
 
Name
 
Position
 
Age
 
Officer
Since
Paul A. Novelly
 
Executive chairman of the board
 
66
 
2005
Lee E. Mikles
 
Chief executive officer and president
 
54
 
2005
Paul G. Lorenzini
 
Chief operating officer
 
70
 
2008
Douglas D. Hommert
 
Principal financial officer, executive vice president, secretary and treasurer
 
54
 
2005

There is no arrangement or understanding between any of the above officers and any other person pursuant to which such person was or is to be selected as an officer.
 
Identification of Certain Significant Employees
 
The following individuals are executive officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company who are expected to make significant contributions to our business.
 
Name
 
Position
 
Age
 
Officer
Since
David Baker
 
Senior vice president - operations support
 
63
 
2006
Gary Hess
 
Senior vice president - commercial operations
 
58
 
2006
Benjamin Ladd
 
Chief financial officer and treasurer
 
33
 
2006
Samuel Dortch
 
Senior vice president - operations
 
61
 
2007

Family Relationships
 
There is no family relationship between any of our executive officers and directors.
 
Business Experience
 
Paul A. Novelly has been our chairman of the board since inception.  For at least the past five years, Mr. Novelly has been chairman and chief executive officer of Apex Oil Company, Inc., a privately-held company based in St. Louis, Missouri engaged in the trading, storage, marketing, and transportation of petroleum products, including
 
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liquid terminal facilities in the Midwest and Eastern United States, and towboat and barge operations on the inland waterway system.  Mr. Novelly is president and a director of AIC Limited, a Bermuda-based oil trading company, chairman and a director of World Point Terminals Inc., a publicly-held Canadian company based in Calgary which owns and operates petroleum storage facilities in the United States, and chief executive officer of St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, which provides corporate management services.  He currently serves on the board of directors at Boss Holdings, Inc., a distributor of work gloves, boots and rainwear, and other consumer products, and within the past five years also served on the board of directors of Intrawest Corporation, a company in the destination resorts and adventure travel industry, and The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc., a broker-dealer and global securities and investment firm.
 
Lee E. Mikles has been our chief executive officer and a member of our board since inception.  In addition, he served as our principal financial officer before our acquisition of FutureFuel Chemical Company and thereafter through January 31, 2008.  Mr. Mikles was chairman of Mikles/Miller Management, Inc., a registered investment adviser and home to the Kodiak family of funds, between 1992 and 2005.  He was also chairman of Mikles/Miller Securities, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, between 1999 and 2005.  Additionally, Mr. Mikles has served on the board of directors of Pacific Capital Bankcorp., Official Payments Corporation, Coastcast Corporation, Nelnet, Inc., Imperial Bank and Imperial Bancorp.  He currently serves on the board of directors of Boss Holdings, Inc. and is the chair of the audit committee for Boss Holdings, Inc.
 
Paul G. Lorenzini has been a member of our board since January 2007 and our chief operating officer since April 21, 2008.  In January 1970, Mr. Lorenzini co-founded Packaging Consultants, Inc., a distribution business supplying packaging materials to the food industry.  In 1983, Bunzl PLC, a supplier of supermarket and food service packaging, acquired Packaging Consultants, Inc.  Mr. Lorenzini continued to work for Bunzl PLC and in 1986 became president of Bunzl USA.  He subsequently became the chief executive officer of Bunzl USA and retired in July 2004 with the title of chairman emeritus.  Mr. Lorenzini served as a director of Bunzl PLC between 1999 and 2004.
 
Douglas D. Hommert has been our executive vice president, secretary, and treasurer since inception. He was a member of our board from inception through January 14, 2008.  He became our principal financial officer on February 1, 2008.  Mr. Hommert has been executive vice president and general counsel of Apex Oil Company, Inc. since September 2002.  Between October 1988 and September 2002, he was a partner in the St. Louis law firm of Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, L.C.  With that firm, he practiced in the areas of business law, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, financing and partnerships.  He was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in 1982.
 
Edwin A. Levy has been a member of our board since November 2005.  In 1979, Mr. Levy co-founded Levy, Harkins & Co., Inc., an investment advisory firm, where he now serves as chairman of the board and individual advisor.  Mr. Levy was a director of Traffix, Inc. between November 1995 and 2006, and served as a member of its audit committee and stock options committee.  He is a director of World Point Terminals Inc., a publicly-held Canadian company based in Calgary which owns and operates petroleum storage facilities in the United States, and in the past five years was a director of Forward Industries, Inc., a publicly-held company in the business of designing, manufacturing and distributing custom carrying case solutions.
 
Thomas R. Evans has been a member of our board since May 2006.  Since June 2004, he has served as president and chief executive officer of Bankrate, Inc., an Internet based aggregator of financial rate information.  Mr. Evans was elected to Bankrate, Inc.’s board of directors in May 2004.  From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Evans was chairman and chief executive officer of Official Payments Corporation, an Internet processor of payment to government entities.
 
Richard L. Knowlton has been a member of our board since January 2007.  Between 1956 and 1995, Mr. Knowlton worked for Hormel Foods Corporation, a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded meat and food products.  He started as a merchandising manager and became the president and chief operating officer in 1979.  He became the chief executive officer and chairman of the board in 1981 and retired in 1995.  Mr. Knowlton currently serves as a director on The Hormel Foundation and the Horatio Alger Association and is a member of the Business Advisory Council for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, the Mayo Laboratory Services Advisory Board and the Eisenhower Medical Center Board.  Mr. Knowlton served as a director of NG America Insurance Holdings, Inc. between 2000 and 2005 and SUPERVALU INC. between 1994 and 2005.
 
74

Donald C. Bedell has been a member of our board since March 17, 2008.  Mr. Bedell is chairman of the board of privately held Castle Partners and its affiliates, based in Sikeston, Missouri, which operate over 35 skilled nursing, health care, pharmaceutical, hospice, and therapy facilities throughout Missouri and other states.  Mr. Bedell is a director of several privately held commercial banks, including First Community Bank of Batesville, Arkansas and is a member of the executive committee of such bank and its holding company.  He is also a director of World Point Terminals Inc., serving as chairman of World Point’s Corporate Governance and Human Resources Committees.  FutureFuel Corp.’s chairman, Paul A. Novelly, is the chairman of the board of World Point Terminals Inc.
 
David Baker was the vice president - manufacturing operations of FutureFuel Chemical Company between October 31, 2006 and October 14, 2007 and has been senior vice president - operations support since October 15, 2007.  In 1967, he joined Eastman Chemical Company’s filter products division in Kingsport, Tennessee as a development engineer.  In 2001, Mr. Baker was named managing director of Eastman Chemical Company’s Peboc division, relocating to the United Kingdom.  The Peboc division manufactures specialty chemicals including active pharmaceutical ingredients.  In August 2005, Mr. Baker relocated to Kingsport as a business development manager in performance chemicals exclusive manufacturing.  Mr. Baker is a registered professional engineer and past president of the East Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers.
 
Gary Hess was the vice president - commercial operations of FutureFuel Chemical Company between October 31, 2006 and October 14, 2007, senior vice president - sales and marketing between October 15, 2007 and March 12, 2008 and senior vice president - commercial operations since March 13, 2008.  Mr. Hess was the vice president for commercial operations for Bayer Corporation, where he had responsibility for sales, marketing, customer service, purchasing, research and development and quality control, prior to joining Eastman Chemical Company in December 2002 as the market development executive for agrochemicals.  During his tenure with Bayer Corporation, Mr. Hess resided two years in Germany where he directed the market development efforts in pharmaceutical intermediates and photographic chemicals.  In 2004, he was appointed to the position of global business leader for exclusive manufacturing with responsibility for sales, marketing and business development.
 
Benjamin Ladd became FutureFuel Chemical Company’s chief financial officer on October 31, 2006.  From October 2003 to October 2006, Mr. Ladd was a fund manager and financial consultant for St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP.  In this position, he assisted with the management of capital in the equity and derivative markets worldwide and was responsible for all financial analysis and reporting related to the firm’s merchant banking and consulting activities.  From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Ladd served in various capacities for Green Manning & Bunch, Ltd., a middle-market investment banking firm in Denver, Colorado.
 
Samuel Dortch was the vice president - operations services of FutureFuel Chemical Company between July 30, 2007 and October 14, 2007 and has been senior vice president - operations since October 15, 2007.  In 1972, Mr. Dortch joined Eastman Chemical Company’s technical services division in Kingsport, Tennessee as a development chemical engineer.  He has served in numerous management positions in Kingsport, Batesville and at Eastman Kodak’s Kirby, England facility.  In 2004, Mr. Dortch became manager of research and development at the Batesville plant and director of research and development in December 2006.
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
To our knowledge, based upon the reports provided to us under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, all filings required under such section were timely filed by each person who at any time during 2009, was our director or officer or who was a beneficial owner of more than 10% of our common stock, other than Paul G. Lorenzini with respect to purchases made of our common stock in November and December 2009.  Mr. Lorenzini is our director and chief operating officer.
 
Code of Ethics
 
We adopted a code of ethics and business conduct that applies to all of our employees and the employees of our subsidiaries, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.  A copy of this code of ethics and business conduct has been posted on our Internet website and may be accessed at http://ir.futurefuelcorporation.com/governance.cfm.  We will provide any person, without charge, a copy of such code of ethics and business conduct upon request to FutureFuel Corp., 8235 Forsyth Blvd., 4th Floor, Clayton, Missouri 63105, attention: Investor Relations.
 
75

Nominating Committee
 
Our board established a nominating committee and adopted a charter for such nominating committee.  A copy of this nominating committee charter is posted on our Internet website and may be accessed at http://ir.futurefuelcorporation.com/governance.cfm.  The nominating committee charter contains procedures for Company shareholders to submit recommendations for nomination to our board.  There have not been any changes to those procedures since that charter was attached as an exhibit to our Form 10 Registration Statement filed with the SEC on April 24, 2007.
 
Audit Committee
 
We have a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, and have adopted an audit committee charter.  A copy of this audit committee charter has been posted on our Internet website and may be accessed at
http://ir.futurefuelcorporation.com/governance.cfm.  The current members of the audit committee are as follows:
 
Thomas R. Evans
Edwin A. Levy
Richard L. Knowlton
 
Audit Committee Expert
 
Our board of directors determined that each member of our audit committee is an audit committee financial expert.  Each such member of our audit committee is independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in the listing standards applicable to us.
 
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
 
General
 
Our board of directors has established a remuneration committee.  The remuneration committee’s responsibilities include, among other things, determining our policy on remuneration to our (that is, FutureFuel Corp.’s) officers and directors and the executive officers and directors of FutureFuel Chemical Company.  We paid each of our directors $25,000 for 2009.  We determined for 2009 not to pay salaries, bonuses, or other forms of cash compensation (other than stock options) to any of our executive officers (in their capacities as such) (other than certain executive officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company).  The remuneration committee did approve the awarding of certain stock options to our directors and executive officers in 2009 as described below.  No compensation for our directors or executive officers (other than certain executive officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company) has been set at this time for the calendar year 2010.  Rather, our board believes it is more appropriate to set such compensation later in the year when 2010 results are capable of reasonable estimation.
 
In 2009, we paid salaries, bonuses, and other forms of compensation to the officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company as described below.  For purposes of the following discussion of executive compensation, the term “executive officers” includes executive officers of both FutureFuel Corp. and FutureFuel Chemical Company.  Only Paul A. Novelly, Lee E. Mikles, Paul G. Lorenzini, and Douglas D. Hommert have been elected officers of FutureFuel Corp. by our board of directors.
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
The elements of our compensation program include base salary, bonuses, and certain retirement, insurance, and other benefits generally available to all employees.  In addition, our board adopted an Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) which was approved by our shareholders at our 2007 annual meeting on June 26, 2007.  The Incentive Plan provides equity-based compensation to our executive officers and our directors.
 
Cash Salaries and Bonuses
 
We determined not to pay cash salaries or bonuses to Messrs. Novelly, Mikles, Lorenzini or Hommert for 2009.  Our executive chairman, Mr. Novelly, receives compensation from our affiliate, St. Albans Global Management,
 
76

Limited Partnership, LLLP.  Our chief executive officer, Mr. Mikles, receives compensation from existing business enterprises and investments, none of which are affiliated with us.  Our executive vice president, secretary and treasurer, Mr. Hommert, receives compensation from our affiliate, Apex Oil Company, Inc.  None of Messrs. Novelly, Mikles, Lorenzini or Hommert received any increase in their salary, bonus, or other income to compensate them for their services to us.  As to our other executive officers, we continued their base salaries paid for 2008 with a modest percentage increase for 2009.
 
For the year 2009, we established a bonus pool for the employees of our subsidiary, FutureFuel Chemical Company.  The total bonus target amount was determined at 10% of the estimated (as of the end of November 2009) after-tax earnings of FutureFuel Chemical Company for the year ended December 31, 2009, subject to certain adjustments.  We believe the 10% amount was reasonable and provides an incentive for such employees to continue implementing the business plan that we have installed at FutureFuel Chemical Company.  FutureFuel Chemical Company employees hired after January 1, 2009 received $250.  Eligible employees hired prior to January 1, 2009 received 48 hours of pay at their normal hourly rate.  Salaried employees of FutureFuel Chemical Company received an additional bonus amount ranging from $0 to $40,000, with the larger bonuses going to FutureFuel Chemical Company’s executive officers as determined by FutureFuel Chemical Company’s board of directors.  The bonuses were paid in cash on December 18, 2009.
 
We expect to establish an annual cash bonus program for fiscal years commencing after 2009 in an amount equal to 10% of after-tax earnings of FutureFuel Chemical Company, subject to certain adjustments, but solely on a discretionary basis.  In determining actual bonus payouts for such years, we expect that the remuneration committee will consider performance against Company performance goals to be established, as well as individual performance goals.  We expect that this annual cash bonus program will apply to certain key employees of FutureFuel Chemical Company in addition to the executives whose compensation is described herein.  The actual amount of bonuses, if any, will be determined near the end of our fiscal year.
 
Omnibus Incentive Plan
 
Our board of directors adopted the Incentive Plan, which was approved by our shareholders at our 2007 annual shareholder meeting on June 26, 2007.  The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to:
 
·  
encourage ownership in us by key personnel whose long-term employment with or engagement by us or our subsidiaries (including FutureFuel Chemical Company) is considered essential to our continued progress and, thereby, encourage recipients to act in our shareholders’ interests and share in our success;
 
·  
encourage such persons to remain in our employ or in the employ of our  subsidiaries; and
 
·  
provide incentives to persons who are not our employees to promote our success.
 
The Incentive Plan authorizes us to issue stock options (including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options), stock awards, and stock appreciation rights.  To date, options for 690,500 shares of stock and awards of 39,800 shares of stock have been made.  We will consider issuing additional stock options, stock awards, and/or stock appreciation rights pursuant to the criteria set forth below.  However, no determinations have been made for 2010.
 
Eligible participants in the Incentive Plan include: (i) members of our board of directors and our executive officers; (ii) regular, active employees of us or of any of our subsidiaries; and (iii) persons engaged by us or by any of our subsidiaries to render services to us or our subsidiaries as an advisor or consultant.
 
Awards under the Incentive Plan are limited to shares of our common stock, which may be shares reacquired by us, including shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but un-issued shares.  Awards will be limited to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock in the aggregate, or approximately 2,670,000 shares as of the date of adoption of the Incentive Plan.
 
The Incentive Plan will be administered by our board’s remuneration committee (the “Administrator”).  The Administrator may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Incentive Plan.  The Administrator may delegate
 
77

to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Incentive Plan and any of the functions assigned to the Administrator in the Incentive Plan.  Such delegation may be revoked at any time.  All decisions, determinations, and interpretations by the Administrator regarding the Incentive Plan and the terms and conditions of any award granted thereunder will be final and binding on all participants.
 
The Incentive Plan became effective upon its approval by our shareholders on June 26, 2007 and continues in effect for a term of ten years thereafter unless amended and extended by us or unless earlier terminated.  The individuals and number of persons who may be selected to participate in the Incentive Plan in the future is at the discretion of the Administrator and, therefore, are not determinable at this time.  Likewise, the number of stock options, stock awards, and stock appreciation rights that will be granted, or that would have been granted during the last completed fiscal year if the Incentive Plan had been in effect, to eligible participants pursuant to the Incentive Plan are not determinable at this time.
 
The Administrator may grant a stock option or provide for the grant of a stock option either from time to time in the discretion of the Administrator or automatically upon the occurrence of events specified by the Administrator, including the achievement of performance goals or the satisfaction of an event or condition within the control of the participant or within the control of others.  Each option agreement must contain provisions regarding: (i) the number of shares of common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the option; (ii) the type of option; (iii) the exercise price of the shares and the means of payment for the shares; (iv) the term of the option; (v) such terms and conditions on the vesting or exercisability of the option as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator; (vi) restrictions on the transfer of the option and forfeiture provisions; and (vii) such further terms and condition not inconsistent with the plan as may be determined from time to time by the Administrator.  Unless otherwise specifically determined by the Administrator or otherwise set forth in the Incentive Plan, the vesting of an option will occur only while the participant is employed or rendering services to us or one of our subsidiaries, and all vesting will cease upon a participant’s termination of employment for any reason.
 
The Administrator may grant annual performance vested options.  Performance will be tied to annual cash flow targets (our consolidated income plus depreciation plus amortization) in amounts to be determined.  Annual performance vested options will vest 25% for each year that the annual cash flow target is achieved (with provisions for subsequent year catch-ups).
 
The Administrator may grant cumulative performance vested options.  Performance will be tied to cumulative cash flow in amounts to be determined for periods to be determined.
 
The Administrator may issue other options based upon the following performance criteria either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit, subsidiary, or business segment, either individually, alternatively, or in any combination, and measured either annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Administrator: (i) cash flow; (ii) earnings (including gross margin, earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, and net earnings); (iii) earnings per share; (iv) growth in earnings or earnings per share; (v) stock price; (vi) return on equity or average shareholders’ equity; (vii) total shareholder return; (viii) return on capital; (ix) return on assets or net assets; (x) return on investment; (xi) revenue; (xii) income or net income; (xiii) operating income or net operating income; (xiv) operating profit or net operating profit; (xv) operating margin; (xvi) return on operating revenue; (xvii) market share; (xviii) overhead or other expense reduction; (xix) growth in shareholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or a peer group index; (xx) strategic plan development and implementation; and (xxi) any other similar criteria.
 
Such options will vest and expire (including on a pro rata basis) on such terms as may be determined by the Administrator from time to time consistent with the terms of the Incentive Plan.
 
The Administrator may award our common stock to participants.  The grant, issuance, retention, or vesting of each stock award may be subject to such performance criteria and level of achievement versus these criteria as the Administrator determines, which criteria may be based on financial performance, personal performance evaluations, or completion of service by the participant.  Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, upon the participant’s termination of employment other than due to death or retirement, the unvested portions of the stock award and the shares of our common stock subject thereto will generally be forfeited.  Unless otherwise provided for
 
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by the Administrator, if a participant’s termination of employment is due to death or retirement, all outstanding stock awards will continue to vest provided certain conditions to be determined are met.  Unless otherwise provided for by the Administrator, if a participant’s termination of employment is due to his death, a portion of each outstanding stock award granted to such participant will immediately vest and all forfeiture provisions and repurchase rights will lapse as to a prorated number of shares of common stock determined by dividing the number of whole months since the grant date by the number of whole months between the grant date and the date that the stock award would have fully vested.
 
The Administrator may grant stock appreciation rights either alone or in conjunction with other awards.  The Administrator will determine the number of shares of common stock to be subject to each award of stock appreciation rights.  The award of stock appreciation rights will not be exercisable for at least six months after the date of grant except as the Administrator may otherwise determine in the event of death, disability, retirement, or voluntary termination of employment of the participant.  Except as otherwise provided by the Administrator, the award of stock appreciation rights will not be exercisable unless the person exercising the award of stock appreciation rights has been at all times during the period beginning with the date of the grant thereof and ending on the date of such exercise, employed by or otherwise performing services for us or one of our subsidiaries.
 
In the event there is a change in control of the Company, as determined by our board, our board may, in its discretion: (i) provide for the assumption or substitution of, or adjustment to, each outstanding award; (ii) accelerate the vesting of awards and terminate any restrictions on cash awards or stock awards; and (iii) provide for the cancellation of awards for a cash payment to the participant.
 
Retirement Benefits
 
We adopted a 401(k) plan for FutureFuel Chemical Company which is generally available to all of its employees.
 
Founder’s Grant
 
Certain of our executive officers were granted founders shares as described herein.  Please refer to the discussion under “Item 12. - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters - Founding Shares Owned by the Founding Shareholders” below.
 
Life Insurance and Other Employee Benefits
 
Our executive officers who are not officers of FutureFuel Corp. participate in employee welfare plans (life insurance, medical insurance, disability insurance, vacation pay, and the like) maintained by FutureFuel Chemical Company for all of its employees.  We do not provide life insurance or other employee benefits for our executive officers who have been elected to officer positions with both FutureFuel Corp. and FutureFuel Chemical Company.
 
The Remuneration Committee
 
Our remuneration committee currently consists of Mr. Bedell, Mr. Knowlton, and Mr. Levy.  Each of these individuals is an “independent director” under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and an “outside director” within the meaning of §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
79

Summary Compensation Table
 
Our executive officers were paid the following compensation for the three-year period ended December 31, 2009.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
Person
Year
   
Salary
   
Bonus(e)
   
Stock
Awards(d)
   
Option Awards(f)
   
All Other
Compensa-tion(b)
   
Total
Paul A. Novelly(c)
Executive chairman
FutureFuel Corp.
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
    100,000
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
   171,050
   341,450
               0
 
$
$
$
      25,000
      25,000
      25,000
 
$
$
$
    196,050
    366,450
    125,000
Lee E. Mikles(c)
Chief executive officer
FutureFuel Corp.
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
    171,050
      12,797
               0
 
$
$
$
      25,000
      25,000
      25,000
 
$
$
$
    196,050
      37,797
      25,000
Paul G. Lorenzini(c)
Chief operating officer
FutureFuel Corp.
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
    100,000
    100,000
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
    171,050
    127,967
               0
 
$
$
$
      25,000
      25,000
      25,000
 
$
$
$
    196,050
    152,967
    125,000
Douglas D. Hommert(c)
Executive vice president, secretary and treasurer, FutureFuel Corp.
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
               0
Benjamin Ladd(a)
Chief financial officer and treasurer, FutureFuel Chemical Company
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
    169,999
    163,943
    147,117
 
$
$
$
      46,865
      74,788
      27,885
 
$
$
$
               0
         525
             0
 
$
$
$
      33,003
      14,584
               0
 
$
$
$
     10,719
     11,586
     99,547
 
$
$
$
    260,586
    265,426
    274,549
David Baker(a)
Senior vice president - operations support, FutureFuel Chemical Company
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
    169,998
    170,957
    170,005
 
$
$
$
      46,865
      75,173
      28,270
 
$
$
$
             0
        525
            0
 
$
$
$
     33,000
     14,584
               0
 
$
$
$
      14,045
      14,266
      24,634
 
$
$
$
    263,908
    275,505
    222,909
Gary Hess(a)
Senior vice president - commercial operations, FutureFuel Chemical Company
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
    169,999
    170,623
    170,000
 
$
$
$
      46,865
      75,173
      18,268
 
$
$
$
            0
       525
           0
 
$
$
$
     33,000
     14,584
               0
 
$
$
$
      15,443
      14,633
      11,359
 
$
$
$
    265,307
    275,538
    199,628
Samuel Dortch(a)
Senior vice president, operations, FutureFuel Chemical Company
2009
2008
2007
 
$
$
$
    169,998
    176,298
    145,000
 
$
$
$
      46,865
      74,692
      27,788
 
$
$
$
               0
               0
          525
 
$
$
$
     33,000
     14,584
               0
 
$
$
$
      14,955
      20,381
        9,689
 
$
$
$
    264,818
    286,480
    182,477
__________
 
(a)
Executive officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company for the years indicated.
 
(b)
For Messrs. Novelly, Mikles, and Lorenzini, includes $25,000 in directors fees for 2009, 2008, and 2007 as described below.  For our executive officers, includes our contributions (including accrued contributions) to vested and unvested defined contribution plans and the dollar value of any insurance premiums paid by, or on behalf of, us during or for the covered fiscal year with respect to life and disability insurance for the benefit of the named person.  2007 includes a relocation allowance of $13,077 for Mr. Baker, and nondeductible moving expenses (grossed up) of $78,746 and deductible moving expenses (not grossed up) of $11,123 for Mr. Ladd.  2008 includes $6,003 of moving expenses for Mr. Dortch, exclusive of $14,686 in deductible moving expenses paid directly to movers.  The above amounts do not include travel expenses reimbursed pursuant to Company policy.
 
(c)
Our executive officers for the years indicated.  We reimbursed an affiliate of Mr. Mikles $100,000 in 2008 and 2007 as set forth above for expenses incurred by such affiliate in 2008 and 2007 in connection with Mr. Mikles performing services for us and FutureFuel Chemical Company in 2008 and 2007.  We reimbursed an affiliate of Mr. Novelly $100,000 in 2008 as set forth above for expenses incurred by such affiliate in 2008 in connection with Mr. Novelly performing services for us and FutureFuel Chemical Company in 2008.
 
(d)
Calculated at the number of shares awarded multiplied by the average between the high and low trade prices of shares of our common stock on the OTCBB on the date of the award.
 
(e)
2007 amounts were earned in 2007 but paid in 2008.
 
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(f)
Represents the grant date valuation of the awards under FASB ASC Topic 718.  Assumptions used for determining the value of option awards reported here are set forth in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
 
None of the above-named persons is a party to an employment agreement or employment arrangement with us or with FutureFuel Chemical Company.
 
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
 
We adopted the Incentive Plan but did not make any awards thereunder until 2008.  In April 2008, we granted a total of 55,000 stock options to selected members of our management.  An additional 5,000 management options were issued in September 2008.  The options awarded in April 2008 had an exercise price equal to the average of the bid and ask price of our common stock on the date of grant as established in private sales, which our board of directors determined to be the fair market value of such stock on that date.  The management options awarded in September 2008 had an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant as quoted on the OTCBB.  Originally, one-third of the management options granted in April 2008 vested on each of the annual anniversary dates of the grant.  Our compensation committee determined that it was in our best interests if those options were to vest immediately.  Accordingly, those management options were amended in September 2008 to provide for immediate vesting.  The management options issued in September 2008 vested immediately upon grant.  The management options awarded in April 2008 expire on April 7, 2013.  The management options awarded in September 2008 expire on September 30, 2013.  On December 3, 2008, we awarded an aggregate of 39,800 shares of our common stock to employees of FutureFuel Chemical Company.  These shares vested upon grant.
 
In 2009, we awarded 280,500 stock options to our directors, executive officers, and certain other members of our management.  These options vested upon grant, had an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant as quoted on the OTCBB, and expire upon December 21, 2014 if not exercised by that date.
 
The following tables set forth certain information regarding the awards to our executive officers and certain officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company of options and shares of our common stock under the Incentive Plan.
 
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Grants of Plan-Based Awards
     
Estimated Future Payout Under
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
       
Name
Grant
Date
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
All Other Option
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying Options(#)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
Paul A. Novelly
Executive chairman
FutureFuel Corp.
04/07/08
12/10/08
12/21/09
100,000
100,000
55,000
100,000
100,000
55,000
100,000
100,000
55,000
0
0
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00
Lee E. Mikles
Chief executive officer
FutureFuel Corp.
04/07/08
12/21/09
10,000
55,000
10,000
55,000
10,000
55,000
0
0
$4.00
$7.00
$4.00
$7.00
Paul G. Lorenzini
Chief operating officer
FutureFuel Corp.
04/07/08
12/21/09
100,000
55,000
100,000
55,000
100,000
55,000
0
0
$4.00
$7.00
$4.00
$7.00
Douglas D. Hommert
Executive vice president,
secretary and treasurer, and
principal financial officer,
FutureFuel Corp.
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
0
0
n/a
n/a
Benjamin Ladd
Chief financial officer and
treasurer, FutureFuel Chemical
Company
04/07/08
12/03/08
12/21/09
10,000
100
10,612
10,000
100
10,612
10,000
100
10,612
0
0
$4.00
n/a
$7.00
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00
David Baker
Senior vice president -
operations support, FutureFuel
Chemical Company
04/0708
12/03/08
12/21/09
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
0
0
$4.00
n/a
$7.00
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00
Gary Hess
Senior vice president - sales and
marketing, FutureFuel
Chemical Company
04/07/08
12/03/08
12/21/09
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
0
0
$4.00
n/a
$7.00
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00
Samuel Dortch
Senior vice president,
operations, FutureFuel
Chemical Company
04/07/08
12/03/08
12/21/09
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
10,000
100
10,611
0
0
$4.00
n/a
$7.00
$4.00
$5.65
$7.00

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
 
The following table sets forth information concerning unexecuted options, stock that has not vested, and equity incentive plan awards as of December 31, 2009 with respect to our executive officers.
 
 
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (3) Unexercisable
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Number of Shares or
Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That Have Not Vested (#)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value
of Unearned Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
Paul A. Novelly
55,000
0
0
$7.00
12/21/14
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Lee E. Mikles
55,000
0
0
$7.00
12/21/14
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Paul G. Lorenzini
55,000
0
0
$7.00
12/21/14
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Douglas D. Hommert
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Benjamin Ladd
10,612
0
0
$7.00
12/21/14
0
0
0
0
David Baker
10,000
10,611
0
0
$4.00
$7.00
04/07/13
12/21/14
0
0
0
0
Gary Hess
10,611
0
0
$7.00
12/21/14
0
0
0
0
Sam Dortch
10,000
10,611
0
0
$4.00
$7.00
04/07/13
12/21/14
0
0
0
0

Option Exercises and Stock Vested
 
The following table sets forth the number of options exercised by each of our executive officers in 2009, and stock awards which vested in such individual in 2009.
 
82

 
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Name                                           
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
Value Realized
on Exercise
($)
Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)
Paul A. Novelly
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Lee E. Mikles
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Paul G. Lorenzini
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Douglas D. Hommert
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Benjamin Ladd
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
David Baker
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Gary Hess
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
Sam Dortch
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           
n/a           

Compensation of Directors
 
We awarded 5,000 stock options to each of our directors in December 2009.  These options vested upon grant, had an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant as quoted on the OTCBB, and expire upon December 21, 2014 if not exercised by that date.  Consistent with prior years, we also paid each of our directors $25,000 for the year 2009.
 
The following is the compensation our directors earned for 2009.
 
Director
 
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
   
Stock
Awards
   
Option
Awards(a)
   
Non-
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensa-
tion
   
Change in Pension
Value and
Non-
Qualified Deferred Compensa-
tion
Earnings
   
All Other
Compensa-
tion
   
Total
 
Paul A. Novelly
  $ 25,000     $ 0    
(b)
    $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 25,000  
Lee E. Mikles
  $ 25,000     $ 0    
(b)
    $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 25,000  
Edwin A. Levy
  $ 25,000     $ 0     $ 15,550     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 40,550  
Thomas R. Evans
  $ 25,000     $ 0     $ 15,550     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 40,550  
Richard L. Knowlton
  $ 25,000     $ 0     $ 15,550     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 40,550  
Paul G. Lorenzini
  $ 25,000     $ 0    
(b)
    $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0  
Donald C. Bedell
  $ 25,000     $ 0     $ 15,550     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 40,550  
__________
 
(a)
The amounts reported represent the grant date fair value of options vested in 2009 and recognized as expense in our financial statements in 2009, measured in accordance with ASC 718.
 
(b)
Messrs. Novelly, Mikles and Lorenzini also received compensation as executive officers and their stock options are included in the discussion above regarding our executive officers.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
The members of our remuneration committee during 2009 were Mr. Bedell, Mr. Knowlton, and Mr. Levy and the committee was chaired by Mr. Bedell.  None of such individuals are or have been an officer or employee of the Company.
 
Mr. Novelly, our executive chairman of the board, and Mr. Mikles, our chief executive officer and one of our directors, are both directors of Boss Holdings, Inc.  Mr. Novelly is a member of Boss Holdings, Inc.’s compensation committee and Mr. Mikles is a member of its audit committee.  Mr. Novelly, Mr. Levy (one of our directors and a member of our remuneration committee), and Mr. Bedell (one of our directors and a member of our remuneration committee) are directors of World Point Terminals Inc.; World Point Terminals Inc. does not have a separate compensation committee.
 
83

 
Compensation Committee Report
 
The remuneration committee of our board has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis set forth above with our management.  Based on this review and discussions, the remuneration committee recommended to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Donald C. Bedell, Richard L. Knowlton, and Edwin A. Levy
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
 
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
Our board of directors adopted an omnibus incentive plan which was approved by our shareholders at our 2007 annual shareholder meeting on June 26, 2007.  We do not have any other equity compensation plan.  Under this plan, we are authorized to issue 2,670,000 shares of our common stock.  The shares to be issued under the plan were registered with the SEC on a Form S-8 filed on April 29, 2008.  Through December 31, 2009, we issued options to purchase 690,500 shares of our common stock and awarded an additional 39,800 shares to participants under the plan.  The following additional information regarding this plan is as of December 31, 2009.
 
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
422,500
 
1,939,700

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
As of the date of this report, 28,572,570 shares of our common stock are issued and outstanding and we have issued warrants to purchase 19,292,930 additional shares of our common stock, of which 19,292,930 are unexercised.  The shares of common stock are our only voting securities issued and outstanding.  The following table sets forth the number and percentage of shares and warrants owned by all persons known by us to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our shares of common stock and warrants as of March 11, 2009.
 
 
Common Stock
 
Warrants
 
Fully Diluted
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Common
Stock
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Warrants
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Common
Stock and
Warrants(f)
Paul A. Novelly,
    8235 Forsyth Blvd., 4th Floor,
    Clayton, MO 63105(a)
11,547,500
40.4%
 
6,012,600
31.2%
 
17,560,100
36.7%
Lee E. Mikles,
    1486 E. Valley Road,
    Santa Barbara, CA 93108(b)
2,256,875
7.9%
 
59,375
0.3%
 
2,316,250
4.8%
SOF Investments, L.P.,
    645 5th Avenue, 21st Floor,
    New York, NY 10022(c)
1,800,000
6.3%
 
1,800,000
9.3%
 
3,600,000
7.5%
 
 
84

 
 
Common Stock
 
Warrants
 
Fully Diluted
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownersh
Percent of
Common
Stock
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Warrants
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Common
Stock and
Warrants(f)
Fir Tree, LLC, Camellia Partners, LLC,
    Jeffrey Tannenbaum and Andrew Fredman,
    505 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor,
    New York, NY 10017(d)
0
0.0%
 
1,350,000
7.0%
 
1,350,000
2.8%
Burlingame Equity Investors, LP,
    One Market Street,
    Spear Street Tower, Suite 3750,
    San Francisco, California 94105(e)
567,350
2.0%
 
1,972,500
10.2%
 
2,539,850
5.3%
Osmium Special Situations Fund Ltd.,
    Canon’s Court, 22 Victoria Street,
    Hamilton, Bermuda DO HM 11(g)
4,212,292
14.7%
 
3,014,150
15.6%
 
7,226,442
15.1%
David M. Knott,
    485 Underhill Blvd., Suite 205,
    Syosset, New York 11791-3419(h)
2,204,380
7.7%
 
1,763,900
9.1%
 
3,968,280
8.3%
__________
 
(a)
Includes 10,822,500 shares of common stock and 6,012,600 warrants held by St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, 625,000 shares of common stock held by Apex Holding Co. and 100,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Novelly.  Mr. Novelly is the chief executive officer of both of these entities and thereby has voting and investment power over such shares, but he disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of a minor pecuniary interest.
 
(b)
Includes 2,110,000 shares of common stock held by Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996 and 100,000 shares of common stock held by Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999.  Also includes 12,500 warrants held by the Alison L. Mikles Irrevocable Trust.  Miss Mikles is the minor child of Mr. Mikles and lives in Mr. Mikles household.  However, Mr. Mikles is not the trustee of such trust and disclaims beneficial ownership.  Also includes 46,875 shares of common stock and 46,875 warrants held by Lori Mikles, the spouse of Mr. Mikles.  Mr. Mikles disclaims beneficial ownership thereof.
 
(c)
Based solely upon review of a Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2008, we understand that SOF Investments, L.P. is the record and direct beneficial owner of the shares and warrants listed above, MSD Capital, L.P. is the general partner of SOF Investments, L.P. and may be deemed to indirectly beneficially own securities owned by SOF Investments, L.P., and MSD Capital Management LLC is the general partner of MSD Capital, L.P.  Except as set forth in this footnote, we have no knowledge as to the beneficial owners of these entities.
 
(d)
Based solely upon information contained in a Form 3 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2008 and a Form 4 filed on July 17, 2008, Fir Tree, L.L.C. is the general partner of Fir Tree Value Master Fund, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Fir Tree Value”), and Camellia Partners, LLC is the general partner of Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Fir Tree Capital Opportunity”).  Fir Tree, L.L.C. and Camellia Partners, LLC hold indirectly the common stock through the accounts of Fir Tree Capital Opportunity and Fir Tree Value; Jeffrey Tannenbaum, a principal of Fir Tree, L.L.C. and Camellia Partners, LLC, and Andrew Fredman, another principal of Camellia Partners, LLC, at the time of purchase, controlled the disposition and voting of the common stock.  Except as set forth in this footnote, we have no knowledge as to the beneficial owners of these entities.
 
(e)
Based solely upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 12, 2010.  Burlingame Equity Investors, LP beneficially owns 376,067 shares of common stock and 1,330,668 warrants.  Burlingame Equity Investors II, LP beneficially owns 45,787 shares of common stock and 164,410 warrants.  Burlingame Equity Investors (Offshore) Ltd. beneficially owns 72,994 shares of common stock and 477,422 warrants.  Burlingame Special Opportunities III, LP owns 72,504 shares of common stock.  Burlingame Asset Management, LLC is the general partner of Burlingame Equity Investors, LP, Burlingame Equity Investors II, LP, and Burlingame Special Opportunities III, LP, and is the investment manager of Burlingame Equity Investors (Offshore) Ltd. and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares and warrants held by them.  Mr. Blair E. Sanford is the managing member of Burlingame Asset Management, LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the shares and warrants held by it.  Except as set forth in this footnote, we have no knowledge as to the beneficial owners of these entities.  Subsequent to the filing of the Schedule 13G/A. these entities exercised, in the aggregate, 332,270 warrants.  However, we do not know how these exercises were allocated amongst this group.
 
85

(f)
Assumes the exercise of all warrants issued and outstanding as of the date of this report.
 
(g)
Based solely on Schedule 13Gs, Form 3 and Form 4s filed with the SEC.  Mr. Chris Kuchanny, as chairman and chief executive officer of Osmium Special Situations Fund Ltd., may, by virtue of such position, be deemed to have beneficial ownership of such shares and warrants.  Mr. Kuchanny disclaims beneficial ownership other than the portion of such shares and warrants which relates to his individual economic interest in Osmium Special Situations Fund Ltd.  Except as set fort in this footnote, we have no knowledge as to the beneficial owners of Osmium Special Situations Fund Ltd.
 
(h)
Based solely on Schedule 13G, Form 3 and Form 4s filed with the SEC.  Knott Partners, L.P. beneficially owns 895,900 shares of common stock and 883,800 warrants.  Shoshone Partners, L.P. beneficially owns 236,630 shares of common stock and 355,300 warrants.  Mulsanne Partners, L.P. beneficially owns 178,400 shares of common stock.  Knott Partners Offshore Master Fund, L.P. beneficially owns 824,150 shares of common stock and 454,200 warrants.  69,300 shares of common stock and 70,600 warrants are held in accounts managed by Dorset Management Corporation.  David M. Knott is the managing member of Knott Partners Management, LLC, a general partner of Knott Partners, L.P. and the sole director of Dorset Management Corporation.  Knott Partners Management, LLC is: (i) the sole general partner of Shoshone Partners, L.P., Knott Partners Offshore Master Fund, L.P. and Mulsanne Partners, L.P.; and (ii) the managing general partner of Knott Partners, L.P.  As a result of Mr. Knott’s interests in Knott Partners Management, LLC and in Dorset Management Corporation, Mr. Knott has investment discretion and control of the securities described above.  Mr. Knott may be deemed to beneficially own an indirect pecuniary interest in the securities described above as a result of its performance-related fee.  Except with respect to Knott Partners, L.P., Knott Partners Offshore Master Fund, L.P. and Shoshone Partners, L.P., in which Mr. Knott owns a beneficial interest, Mr. Knott disclaims beneficial ownership therein except to the extent ultimately realized.  Each of Knott Partners, L.P., Knott Partners Offshore Master Fund, L.P., Shoshone Partners, L.P., Mulsanne Partners, L.P. and each of the managed accounts disclaims beneficial ownership of securities reported as owned by any other party.  Except as set forth in this footnote, we have no knowledge as to the beneficial owners of these entities.
 
Security Ownership of Management
 
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock and warrants as of the date of this report by each of our directors and executive officers and the executive officers of FutureFuel Chemical Company.  Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them and none of such shares or warrants have been pledged as security.
 
 
Common Stock
 
Warrants
 
Fully Diluted
Name of Beneficial Owner
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Common
Stock
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Warrants
 
Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership
Percent of
Common
Stock and
Warrants(d)
Paul A. Novelly(a)
11,547,500
40.4%
 
6,012,600
31.2%
 
17,560,100
36.7%
Lee E. Mikles(b)
2,256,875
7.9%
 
59,375
0.3%
 
2,316,250
4.8%
Douglas D. Hommert(c)
260,000
0.9%
 
--
0.0%
 
260,000
0.5%
Edwin A. Levy
260,000
0.9%
 
--
0.0%
 
260,000
0.5%
Thomas R. Evans
30,000
0.1%
 
30,000
0.2%
 
60,000
0.1%
Richard L. Knowlton
160,000
0.6%
 
--
0.0%
 
160,000
0.3%
Paul G. Lorenzini(e)
400,000
1.4%
 
--
0.0%
 
400,000
0.8%
Donald C. Bedell
10,000
0.0%
 
--
0.0%
 
10,000
0.0%
David Baker
6,650
0.0%
 
--
0.0%
 
6,650
0.0%
Gary Hess
10,100
0.0%
 
--
0.0%
 
10,100
0.0%
Sam Dortch
100
0.0%
 
--
0.0%
 
100
0.0%
Ben Ladd
20,100
0.1%
 
--
0.0%
 
20,100
0.0%
                 
All directors and executive officers
14,961,325
52.4%
 
6,101,975
31.6%
 
21,063,300
44.0%
__________
 
(a)
Includes 10,822,500 shares of common stock and 6,012,600 warrants held by St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, 625,000 shares of common stock held by Apex Holding Co., and 100,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Novelly.  Mr. Novelly is the chief executive officer of both of these entities and thereby has voting and investment power over such shares, but he disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of a minor pecuniary interest.
 
86

(b)
Includes 2,110,000 shares of common stock held by Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996 and 100,000 shares of common stock held by Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999.  Also includes 12,500 warrants held by the Alison L. Mikles Irrevocable Trust.  Miss Mikles is the minor child of Mr. Mikles and lives in Mr. Mikles household.  However, Mr. Mikles is not the trustee of such trust and disclaims beneficial ownership.  Also includes 46,875 shares of common stock and 46,875 warrants held by Lori Mikles, the spouse of Mr. Mikles.  Mr. Mikles disclaims beneficial ownership thereof.
 
(c)
Includes 260,000 shares of common stock held by the Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust, which is a trust established by Mr. Hommert for the benefit of his descendants, of which Mr. Hommert is the trustee.
 
(d)
Assumes the exercise of all warrants issued and outstanding as of the date of this report.
 
(e)
Includes 50,000 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Lorenzini’s spouse.  Mr. Lorenzini disclaims beneficial ownership thereof.
 
Founding Shares Owned by the Founding Shareholders
 
Prior to our July 2006 offering, there were 5,625,000 shares of our common stock issued as follows (“founding shares”).
 
Founding Shareholder
 
Shares
 
Relationship to the Company
St. Albans Global Management, Limited
   Partnership, LLLP
 
2,250,000
 
Shareholder (affiliate of Mr. Novelly)
Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust
 
2,000,000
 
Shareholder (affiliate of Mr. Mikles)
Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust
 
250,000
 
Shareholder (affiliate of Mr. Hommert)
Edwin A. Levy
 
250,000
 
Director and Shareholder
Joe C. Leach
 
250,000
 
Shareholder
Edwin Wahl
 
150,000
 
Shareholder
Jeffery Call
 
150,000
 
Shareholder
Mark R. Miller
 
100,000
 
Shareholder
Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust
 
100,000
 
Shareholder (affiliate of Mr. Mikles)
Ken Fenton
 
75,000
 
Shareholder
RAS1, LLC
 
50,000
 
Shareholder

Change in Control
 
We are not aware of any arrangement the operation of which may at a date subsequent to the date of this report result in a change in control of us.
 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
 
Transactions with Related Persons
 
Sales of Products
 
From time to time, we may sell to Apex Oil Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates biofuels (including biodiesel) produced by us, and Apex Oil Company, Inc. and/or its affiliates may sell to us diesel fuel, gasoline, and other petroleum products for use in our biofuels business.  Such sales will be at then posted prices for comparable products plus or minus applicable geographical differentials.
 
Lease of Centrifuge
 
We executed an agreement with South Riding Point Holding, Ltd. to lease a centrifuge at a lease rate of $750 per day.  This lease commenced upon delivery and installation of the centrifuge, which occurred in March 2009.  South Riding Point Holding, Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of World Point Terminals Inc., an affiliate of Mr. Novelly.  The lease terminated on September 30, 2009 and the centrifuge was returned to us.
 
87

Other related party transactions are detailed in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
 
Review, Approval, or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
 
Any transaction in which we (or one of our subsidiaries) are a participant, the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 5% of our net income, total assets or total capital, and in which any party related to us has or will have a direct or indirect material interest must be approved by a majority of the disinterested members of our board of directors as fair to us and our shareholders.  This policy was adopted by our board on January 8, 2007 and can be found through the “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance” section of our internet website (http://www.FutureFuelCorporation.com).  All of the agreements described above in this Item 13 have been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of our board of directors.
 
In addition, we adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct which sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for our directors, officers, and employees and the directors, officers, and employees of our subsidiaries.  This Code is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote: (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by us; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to appropriate persons identified in this Code; and (v) accountability for adherence to this Code.  This Code was adopted by our board on November 30, 2005, is in writing, and can be found through the “Investor Relations - Corporate Governance” section of our internet website (http://www.FutureFuelCorporation.com).
 
Each of the transactions described above (under the caption “Transactions with Management, Promoters and Others”) was undertaken in compliance with our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and approved by a majority of the disinterested members of our board of directors.
 
Director Independence
 
The SEC has promulgated Rule 10A-3, which sets forth the independence requirements for members of an audit committee.  The following members of our board of directors are independent under the SEC’s definitions of independence:
 
Edwin A. Levy
Thomas R. Evans
Richard L. Knowlton
Donald C. Bedell
 
In addition, each member of our board of directors’ remuneration, audit, and nominating committees are comprised of directors who are independent under such definitions.
 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
 
Audit Fees
 
During fiscal 2009 and 2008, we incurred $292,000 and $307,000, respectively, for audit and financial statement review services from RubinBrown LLP.
 
Audit-Related Fees
 
During fiscal 2009 and 2008, we incurred $13,130 and $12,000, respectively, for employee benefit plan audits from RubinBrown LLP.
 
Tax Fees
 
During fiscal 2009 and 2008, we incurred fees of $15,500 and $15,100, respectively, for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services from RubinBrown LLP.
 
88

All Other Fees
 
No other fees were incurred by us from RubinBrown LLP in fiscal 2009 or 2008.
 
Pre-Approval Policies
 
Our audit committee approves the engagement of our independent auditors prior to their rendering audit or non-audit services and sets their compensation.  Pursuant to SEC regulations, our audit committee approves all fees payable to the independent auditors for all routine and non-routine services provided.  Our audit committee considers and approves the budget for the annual audit and financial statement review services prior to the initiation of the work.  Non-routine services in the ordinary course of business which are not prohibited under SEC regulation, such as tax planning, tax compliance, and other services generally, are pre-approved on a case-by-case basis.
 
Forward Looking Information
 
This report contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements”.  When used in this document, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend”, and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on current management assumptions and are subject to uncertainties and inherent risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.  We caution you therefore that you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as statements of historical fact or as guarantees or assurances of future performance.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market, and regulatory conditions as well as, but not limited to, the following:
 
·  
conflicts of interest of our officers and directors;
 
·  
potential future affiliations of our officers and directors with competing businesses;
 
·  
the control by our founding shareholders of a substantial interest in us;
 
·  
the highly competitive nature of the chemical and alternative fuel industries;
 
·  
fluctuations in energy prices may cause a reduction in the demand or profitability of the products or services we may ultimately produce or offer or which form a portion of our business;
 
·  
changes in technology may render our products or services obsolete;
 
·  
failure to comply with governmental regulations could result in the imposition of penalties, fines, or restrictions on operations and remedial liabilities;
 
·  
the operations of our biofuels business may be harmed if the applicable government were to change current laws and/or regulations;
 
·  
we may engage in hedging transactions in an attempt to mitigate exposure to price fluctuations in petroleum product transactions and other portfolio positions which may not ultimately be successful; and
 
·  
we may not continue to have access to capital markets and commercial bank financing on favorable terms and we may lose our ability to buy on open credit terms.
 
Although we believe that the expectations reflected by such forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information currently available to us, no assurances can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  All forward-looking statements included herein and all subsequent oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as to their particular dates.
 
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PART IV
 
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
(a)         List separately all financial statements filed as part of this report.
 
 
1.  
FutureFuel Corp.’s audited consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the related consolidated Statements of Operations, Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
 
(b)         Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
 
 
2.
Acquisition Agreement dated July 21, 2006 between FutureFuel Corp. and Eastman Chemical Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 2 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
3.1.
Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed on June 27, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1.f to Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 filed February 29, 2008)
 
 
3.2.
FutureFuel Corp.’s Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2.a to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
4.1.
Stock Escrow Agreement dated July 12, 2006 among FutureFuel Corp., Capita IRG (Offshore) Limited, St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996, Douglas D. Hommert as Trustee of the Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust, Edwin A. Levy, Joe C. Leach, Mark R. Miller, RAS LLC, Edwin L. Wahl, Jeffery H. Call and Ken Fenton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
4.2.
Warrant Deed dated July 12, 2006 between FutureFuel Corp. and Capita IRG (Offshore) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007); Addendum to Warrant Deed dated July 18, 2008 between FutureFuel Corp. and Computershare Investor Services (Channel Islands), Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2009)
 
 
4.3
Insider Letters dated July 12, 2006 to FutureFuel Corp., CRT Capital Group LLC and KBC Peel Hunt Ltd from the following persons: (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.3 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
4.3a
Paul Anthony Novelly
 
 
4.3b
St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP
 
 
4.3c
Lee E. Mikles
 
 
4.3d
Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999
 
 
4.3e
Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996
 
 
4.3f
Douglas D. Hommert
 
 
4.3g
Douglas D. Hommert as Trustee of the Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust
 
 
4.3h
Edwin A. Levy
 
 
4.3i
Joe C. Leach
 
 
4.3j
Mark R. Miller
 
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4.3k
RAS LLC
 
 
4.3l
William J. Doré
 
 
4.3m
Thomas R. Evans
 
 
4.3n
Edwin L. Wahl
 
 
4.3o
Jeffery H. Call
 
 
4.3p
Ken Fenton
 
 
4.4.
Investor Rights Agreement dated July 12, 2006 among FutureFuel Corp., CRT Capital Group LLC and KBC Peel Hunt Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.4 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
4.5.
Registration Rights Agreement dated July 12, 2006 among FutureFuel Corp., St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996, Douglas D. Hommert as Trustee of the Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust, Edwin A. Levy, Joe C. Leach, Mark R. Miller, RAS LLC, Edwin L. Wahl, Jeffery H. Call and Ken Fenton (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.5 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
4.6.
Lock-in Deed dated July 12, 2006 among FutureFuel Corp., KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, St. Albans Global Management, Limited Partnership, LLLP, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Gift Trust dated October 6, 1999, Lee E. Mikles as Trustee of the Lee E. Mikles Revocable Trust dated March 26, 1996, Douglas D. Hommert as Trustee of the Douglas D. Hommert Revocable Trust, Edwin A. Levy, Paul Anthony Novelly, Lee E. Mikles, Douglas D. Hommert, Thomas R. Evans and William J. Doré (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.6 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.1.
Placing Agreement dated July 12, 2006 among CRT Capital Group LLC, KBC Peel Hunt Ltd, FutureFuel Corp. and FutureFuel Corp.’s Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.1 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.2.
Offshore Registrar Agreement dated July 12, 2006 between FutureFuel Corp. and Capita IRG (Offshore) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007); Registrar Agreement dated June 27, 2008 between FutureFuel Corp. and Computershare Investor Services (Channel Islands) Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2009)
 
 
10.3.
Warrant Solicitation Fee Letter dated July 12, 2006 between FutureFuel Corp. and CRT Capital Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.4.
Storage and Thruput Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between FutureFuel Chemical Company and Center Point Terminal Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10. to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.5
Commodity Trading Advisor Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between FutureFuel Chemical Company and Apex Oil Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.6
Service Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between FutureFuel Corp. and Pinnacle Consulting, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.6 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.7
Purchase Agreement made and entered into as of April 1, 2008 between The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC and Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, as buyer, and FutureFuel Chemical Company, as seller (portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2008.)
 
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10.8
Custom Manufacturing Agreement dated September 1, 1992 between Tomen Corporation and Eastman Kodak Company, as amended October 2, 1992, February 1, 1993, March 19, 1993, September 28, 1995, October 30, 1998, May 24, 1999, November 10, 1999, December 12, 2000 and July 25, 2006 (portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.8 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.9
Conversion Agreement dated October 1, 1993 between Tomen Corporation and Eastman Chemical Company, as amended March 7, 1994, May 13, 1994, May 17, 1994, June 14, 1994, July 19, 1994, August 17, 1994, February 10, 1995, May 25, 1995, October 15, 1997, March 27, 1998, June 23, 1998, September 29, 1998, October 30, 1998, November 10, 1999 and July 25, 2006 (portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.9 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.10
Credit Agreement dated March 14, 2007 between FutureFuel Chemical Company and Regions Bank (portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.10 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.11
Revolving Credit Promissory Note dated March 14, 2007 executed by FutureFuel Chemical Company and payable to the order of Regions Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.11 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.12
Security Agreement -Accounts and Inventory dated March 14, 2007 executed by FutureFuel Chemical Company in favor of Regions Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.12 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.13
Continuing Unlimited Guaranty Agreement dated March 14, 2007 executed by FutureFuel Corp. in favor of Regions Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.13 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.14
Car Subleasing Agreement dated November 1, 2006 between Apex Oil Company, Inc. and FutureFuel Chemical Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.14 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.15
Time Sharing Agreement dated April 18, 2007 between Apex Oil Company, Inc. and FutureFuel Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.15 to Form 10 filed April 24, 2007)
 
 
10.16
Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.16 to Amendment No. 1 to Form 10 filed June 26, 2007)
 
 
11.
Statement re Computation of per Share Earnings
 
 
21.
Subsidiaries of FutureFuel Corp.
 
 
23
Consent of RubinBrown LLP
 
31(a).     Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of chief executive officer
 
31(b).     Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of principal financial officer
 
32.          Section 1350 Certification of chief executive officer and principal financial officer
 

 
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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.
 
FUTUREFUEL CORP.



By: /s/ Douglas D. Hommert                                                                                                
Douglas D. Hommert, Executive Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer



/s/ Paul A. Novelly                                                                                     
Paul A. Novelly, Director



/s/ Lee E. Mikles                                                                                                
Lee. E. Mikles, Director and Chief Executive Officer



/s/Edwin A. Levy                                                                                                
Edwin A. Levy, Director



/s/ Thomas R. Evans                                                                                     
Thomas R. Evans, Director



/s/ Richard L. Knowlton                                                                                                
Richard L. Knowlton, Director



/s/ Paul G. Lorenzini                                                                                     
Paul G. Lorenzini, Director and Chief Operating Officer



/s/ Donald C. Bedell                                                                                     
Donald C. Bedell, Director

 
Date:  March 15, 2010
 
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