NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 May (Form 10-Q)

ntic20210531_10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2021

☐ 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: 001-11038

____________________

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

41-0857886

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4201 Woodland Road

P.O. Box 69

Circle Pines, Minnesota 55014

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(763) 225-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.02 per share	NTIC	Nasdaq Global Market

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒

Smaller reporting company ☒

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

As of July 9, 2021, there were 9,109,861 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

May 31, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Description		Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2021 (unaudited) and August 31, 2020	3

	Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and 2020	4

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and 2020	5

	Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and 2020	6

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021 and 2020	7

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	31

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	32

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	32

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	32

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	33

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	33

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	33

Item 5.	Other Information	33

Item 6.	Exhibits	33

SIGNATURES		35

_________________

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements that are within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. For more information, see “Part I. Financial Information – Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Forward-Looking Statements.”

_________________

As used in this report, references to “NTIC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” unless the context otherwise requires, refer to Northern Technologies International Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, all of which are consolidated on NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

As used in this report, references to: (1) “NTIC China” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.; (2) “NTI Europe” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH; (3) “Zerust Mexico” refer to NTIC’s wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, ZERUST-EXCOR MEXICO, S. de R.L. de C.V; and (4)“NTI Asean” refer to NTIC’s majority-owned holding company subsidiary, NTI Asean LLC, which holds investments in certain entities that operate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, including the following countries: Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

NTIC’s consolidated financial statements do not include the accounts of any of its joint ventures. Except as otherwise indicated, references in this report to NTIC’s joint ventures do not include any of NTIC’s wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries.

As used in this report, references to “EXCOR” refer to NTIC’s joint venture in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz – Technologien und Produkte GmbH.

As used in this report, references to “Tianjin Zerust” refer to NTIC’s former joint venture in China, Tianjin-Zerust Anticorrosion Co., Ltd.

All trademarks, trade names or service marks referred to in this report are the property of their respective owners.

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2021 (UNAUDITED)

AND AUGUST 31, 2020 (AUDITED)

	May 31, 2021			August 31, 2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,880,923		$	6,403,032
Available for sale securities		5,125,052			5,544,722
Receivables:
Trade, excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $120,000 at May 31, 2021 and $90,000 at August 31, 2020		11,165,605			8,072,212
Trade, joint ventures		1,040,049			475,900
Fees for services provided to joint ventures		1,427,240			927,286
Income taxes		247,895			19,907
Inventories		11,306,598			10,961,796
Prepaid expenses		1,035,046			797,495
Total current assets		37,228,408			33,202,350

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET		7,177,012			7,110,789

OTHER ASSETS:
Investments in joint ventures		26,937,857			24,090,826
Deferred income taxes		223,739			209,729
Patents and trademarks, net		746,305			802,006
Operating lease right of use asset		486,854			658,788
Total other assets		28,394,755			25,761,349
Total assets	$	72,800,175		$	66,074,488

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	4,103,932		$	3,205,241
Income taxes payable		166,574			310,922
Accrued liabilities:
Payroll and related benefits		2,295,421			1,314,978
Other		873,280			880,118
Current portion of operating lease		113,688			386,345
Total current liabilities		7,552,895			6,097,604
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
Operating lease, less current portion		373,166			272,443
Total long-term liabilities		373,166			272,443

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)

EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.02 par value per share; authorized 15,000,000 shares as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020; issued and outstanding 9,109,861 and 9,099,990, respectively		182,197			182,000
Additional paid-in capital		17,992,518			17,415,043
Retained earnings		45,917,757			42,472,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(2,717,935	)		(3,410,438	)
Stockholders’ equity		61,374,537			56,659,415
Non-controlling interests		3,499,577			3,045,026
Total equity		64,874,114			59,704,441
Total liabilities and equity	$	72,800,175		$	66,074,488

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020

	Three Months Ended May 31,					Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020			2021		2020
NET SALES:
Net sales, excluding joint ventures	$	14,164,604	$	9,071,072		$	38,619,353	$	36,105,009
Net sales, to joint ventures		1,253,920		673,751			2,361,165		1,504,997
Total net sales		15,418,524		9,744,823			40,980,518		37,610,006
Cost of goods sold		10,152,582		6,499,102			26,997,582		24,991,487
Gross profit		5,265,942		3,245,721			13,982,936		12,618,519

JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS:
Equity in income from joint ventures		2,033,536		811,787			5,779,260		3,466,581
Fees for services provided to joint ventures		1,589,621		876,706			4,388,866		3,491,244
Total joint venture operations		3,623,157		1,688,493			10,168,126		6,957,825

OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling expenses		3,171,657		2,487,396			8,745,433		8,484,928
General and administrative expenses		2,072,195		2,213,552			6,125,151		6,608,352
Research and development expenses		1,066,493		950,127			3,217,410		2,918,163
Total operating expenses		6,310,345		5,651,075			18,087,994		18,011,443

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		2,578,754		(716,861	)		6,063,068		1,564,901

INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE)		7,632		(73,378	)		85,191		15,881

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		2,586,386		(790,239	)		6,148,259		1,580,782

INCOME TAX EXPENSE		276,338		142,285			929,588		869,945

NET INCOME (LOSS)		2,310,048		(932,524	)		5,218,671		710,837

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS		256,132		32,697			589,781		283,674

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC	$	2,053,916	$	(965,221	)	$	4,628,890	$	427,163

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic	$	0.23	$	(0.11	)	$	0.51	$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.21	$	(0.11	)	$	0.47	$	0.05

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES ASSUMED OUTSTANDING:
Basic		9,109,861		9,099,990			9,107,243		9,096,981
Diluted		9,972,000		9,099,990			9,829,052		9,312,914
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.065	$	0.00		$	0.13	$	0.13

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020

	Three Months Ended May 31,					Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020			2021		2020
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	2,310,048	$	(932,524	)	$	5,218,671	$	710,837
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) –FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT		262,267		(281,177	)		757,273		(313,844	)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		2,572,315		(1,213,701	)		5,975,944		396,993
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON- CONTROLLING INTERESTS		266,771		(21,492	)		654,551		205,989
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC	$	2,305,544	$	(1,192,209	)	$	5,321,393	$	191,004

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020

	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY – THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020
										Accumulated
					*Additional*					*Other*			*Non-*
	*Common Stock*				*Paid-in*		*Retained*			*Comprehensive*			*Controlling*			*Total*
	*Shares*		*Amount*		*Capital*		*Earnings*			*Income (Loss)*			*Interests*			*Equity*

BALANCE AT FEBRUARY 28, 2021		9,104,636	$	182,093	$	17,793,646	$	44,455,982		$	(2,969,563	)	$	3,232,806		$	62,694,964
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan		5,225		104		38,038		—			—			—			38,142
Stock option expense		—		—		160,834		—			—			—			160,834
Dividends paid to shareholders		—		—		—		(592,141	)		—			—			(592,141	)
Net income		—		—		—		2,053,916			—			256,132			2,310,048
Other comprehensive gain		—		—		—		—			251,628			10,639			262,267
BALANCE AT MAY 31, 2021		9,109,861	$	182,197	$	17,992,518	$	45,917,757		$	(2,717,935	)	$	3,499,577		$	64,874,114

BALANCE AT FEBRUARY 28, 2020		9,097,236	$	181,945	$	16,707,207	$	45,202,903		$	(4,602,349	)	$	3,302,160		$	60,791,866
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan		2,754		55		28,532		—			—			—			28,587
Stock option expense		—		—		339,652		—			—			—			339,652
Dividend received by non-controlling interest		—		—		—		—			—			(200,000	)		(200,000	)
Net (loss) income		—		—		—		(965,221	)		—			32,697			(932,524	)
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—		—			(226,988	)		(54,189	)		(281,177	)
BALANCE AT MAY 31, 2020		9,099,990	$	182,000	$	17,075,391	$	44,237,682		$	(4,829,337	)	$	3,080,668		$	59,746,404

	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY – NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020
											Accumulated
					*Additional*						*Other*			*Non-*
	*Common Stock*				*Paid-in*			*Retained*			*Comprehensive*			*Controlling*			*Total*
	*Shares*		*Amount*		*Capital*			*Earnings*			*Income (Loss)*			*Interests*			*Equity*

BALANCE AT AUGUST 31, 2020		9,099,990	$	182,000	$	17,415,043		$	42,472,810		$	(3,410,438	)	$	3,045,026		$	59,704,441
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan		9,871		197		74,137			—			—			—			74,334
Stock option expense		—		—		503,338			—			—			—			503,338
Dividends paid to stockholders		—		—		—			(1,183,943	)		—			—			(1,183,943	)
Dividend received by non-controlling interest		—		—		—			—			—			(200,000	)		(200,000	)
Net income		—		—		—			4,628,890			—			589,781			5,218,671
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			692,503			64,770			757,273
BALANCE AT MAY 31, 2021		9,109,861	$	182,197	$	17,992,518		$	45,917,757		$	(2,717,935	)	$	3,499,577		$	64,874,114

BALANCE AT AUGUST 31, 2019		9,086,816	$	181,736	$	16,013,338		$	44,992,719		$	(4,593,178	)	$	3,074,679		$	59,669,294
Stock options exercised		6,823		137		(137	)		—			—			—			—
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan		6,351		127		64,068			—			—			—			64,195
Stock option expense		—		—		998,122			—			—			—			998,122
Dividends paid to stockholders		—		—		—			(1,182,200	)		—			—			(1,182,200	)
Dividend received by non-controlling interest		—		—		—			—			—			(200,000	)		(200,000	)
Net income		—		—		—			427,163			—			283,674			710,837
Other comprehensive loss		—		—		—			—			(236,159	)		(77,685	)		(313,844	)
BALANCE AT MAY 31, 2020		9,099,990	$	182,000	$	17,075,391		$	44,237,682		$	(4,829,337	)	$	3,080,668		$	59,746,404

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2021 AND 2020

	Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021			2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	5,218,671		$	710,837
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation		503,338			998,122
Allowance for doubtful accounts		30,000			—
Depreciation expense		681,484			637,030
Amortization expense		151,710			175,465
Loss on disposal of property and equipment and patents		—			173,809
Equity in income from joint ventures		(5,779,260	)		(3,466,581	)
Dividends received from joint ventures		3,505,455			5,648,153
Deferred income taxes		(8,526	)		109,646
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Receivables:
Trade, excluding joint ventures		(2,904,707	)		2,065,641
Trade, joint ventures		(564,149	)		(32,904	)
Fees for services provided to joint ventures		(499,954	)		391,880
Income taxes		(223,024	)		174,623
Inventories		(177,927	)		(1,729,133	)
Prepaid expenses and other		(223,457	)		368,769
Accounts payable		703,100			(882,962	)
Income tax payable		(162,615	)		40,983
Accrued liabilities		803,555			(2,370,845	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,053,695			3,012,533

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment		—			2,190
Purchase of available for sale securities		(800,000	)		(4,000,000	)
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities		1,219,670			2,114,565
Purchases of property and equipment		(723,441	)		(375,087	)
Investments in patents		(96,009	)		(79,139	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(399,780	)		(2,337,471	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividend received by non-controlling interest		(200,000	)		(200,000	)
Dividends paid on NTIC common stock		(1,183,943	)		(1,182,200	)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan		74,334			64,195
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,309,609	)		(1,318,005	)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		133,585			(163,093	)


NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(522,109	)		(806,036	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD		6,403,032			5,856,758

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	5,880,923		$	5,050,722

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all necessary adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, and present fairly the consolidated financial position of Northern Technologies International Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the results of the Company’s operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, the changes in stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, and the Company’s cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP).

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. These consolidated financial statements also should be read in conjunction with the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section appearing in this report.

Operating results for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending August 31, 2021.

The Company evaluates events occurring after the date of the consolidated financial statements requiring recording or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandated restrictions on the Company’s business as well as the businesses of its joint ventures, customers and suppliers, disruption to the Company’s business and the manufacture and sale of its products and services has occurred in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and is expected to continue during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

2. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which revises guidance for the accounting for credit losses on financial instruments within its scope, and in November 2018, issued ASU No. 2018-19 and in April 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-04 and in May 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-05, and in November 2019, issued ASU No. 2019-11, which amended the standard. The new standard introduces an approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments and modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. The new approach to estimating credit losses (referred to as the current expected credit losses model) applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities are required to apply the standard’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company is still evaluating the impact of this ASU.

Although there are several other new accounting pronouncements issued or proposed by the FASB, which the Company has adopted or will adopt, as applicable, the Company does not believe any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or operating results.

3. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

	May 31, 2021		August 31, 2020
Production materials	$	4,574,380	$	3,866,791
Finished goods		6,732,218		7,095,005
	$	11,306,598	$	10,961,796

4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	May 31, 2021			August 31, 2020
Land	$	310,365		$	310,365
Buildings and improvements		8,516,604			8,167,783
Machinery and equipment		5,242,174			4,940,912
		14,069,143			13,419,060
Less accumulated depreciation		(6,892,131	)		(6,308,271	)
	$	7,177,012		$	7,110,789

5. PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS, NET

Patents and trademarks, net consisted of the following:

	May 31, 2021			August 31, 2020
Patents and trademarks	$	3,003,862		$	2,907,852
Less accumulated amortization		(2,257,557	)		(2,105,846	)
	$	746,305		$	802,006

Patent and trademark costs are amortized over seven years. Costs incurred related to patents and trademarks are capitalized until filed and approved, at which time the amounts capitalized to date are amortized, and any further costs, including maintenance costs, are expensed as incurred. Amortization expense is estimated to be $200,000 in each of the next four fiscal years.

6. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

The consolidated financial statements of the Company’s foreign joint ventures are initially prepared using the accounting principles accepted in the respective joint ventures’ countries of domicile. Amounts related to foreign joint ventures reported in the below tables and the accompanying consolidated financial statements have subsequently been adjusted to conform with U.S. GAAP in all material respects. All material profits on sales recorded that remain on the consolidated balance sheet from the Company to its joint ventures and from joint ventures to other joint ventures have been eliminated for financial reporting purposes.

Financial information from the audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company’s joint venture in Germany, Excor Korrosionsschutz – Technologien und Produkte GmbH (EXCOR), and all the Company’s other joint ventures are summarized as follows:

	As of May 31, 2021
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Current assets	$	68,123,606	$	30,658,702	$	37,464,904
Total assets		72,216,965		33,027,046		39,189,919
Current liabilities		16,369,403		3,570,261		12,799,142
Noncurrent liabilities		1,225,790		—		1,225,790
Joint ventures’ equity		54,621,772		29,456,785		25,164,987
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity		26,937,857		14,728,395		12,209,462
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings		24,702,778		14,697,490		10,005,288

	Three Months Ended May 31, 2021
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Net sales	$	31,959,539	$	12,103,263	$	19,856,276
Gross profit		14,280,775		6,863,786		7,416,989
Net income		4,051,518		2,068,326		1,983,192
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures		2,033,536		1,039,576		993,960
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures		181,952		—		181,952

	Nine Months Ended May 31, 2021
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Net sales	$	87,795,284	$	32,196,843	$	55,598,441
Gross profit		39,802,014		18,661,980		21,140,034
Net income		11,540,949		6,351,721		5,189,228
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures		5,779,260		3,182,691		2,596,569
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures		3,505,455		1,809,900		1,695,555

	As of August 31, 2020
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Current assets	$	55,825,418	$	25,742,619	$	30,082,799
Total assets		60,295,587		28,449,772		31,845,815
Current liabilities		11,002,867		2,424,565		8,578,302
Noncurrent liabilities		365,274		—		365,274
Joint ventures’ equity		48,927,446		26,025,207		22,902,239
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ equity		24,090,826		13,012,606		11,078,220
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of joint ventures’ undistributed earnings		21,855,747		12,981,701		8,874,046

	Three Months Ended May 31, 2020
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Net sales	$	18,782,233	$	7,753,631	$	11,028,602
Gross profit		8,647,784		4,478,739		4,169,045
Net income		1,610,524		1,071,899		538,625
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures		811,787		536,540		275,247
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures		89,227		—		89,227

	Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
	Total		EXCOR		All Other
Net sales	$	68,531,897	$	26,102,046	$	42,429,851
Gross profit		31,107,491		15,066,309		16,041,182
Net income		6,920,047		4,492,254		2,427,793
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s share of equity in income from joint ventures		3,466,581		2,246,930		1,219,651
Northern Technologies International Corporation’s dividends received from joint ventures		5,648,153		4,675,850		972,303

7. CORPORATE DEBT

The Company has a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank, National Association (PNC Bank) of $3,000,000. No amounts were outstanding under the line of credit as of May 31, 2021 or the prior line of credit as of August 31, 2020. Outstanding advances under the line of credit bear interest at (i) (A) a per annum rate equal to the “London Interbank Offered Rate” for a one month period determined and applied each business day until the next business date, or if greater (B) 0.75%, plus (ii) 3.25%. The maturity date of the line of credit was extended to January 7, 2022.

As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company did not have any letters of credit outstanding with respect to the letter of credit sub-facility available under the revolving line of credit with PNC Bank. As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company had $104,363 of letters of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank that are performance based and set to expire in 2021 and 2022.

8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On April 23, 2020, the Company announced the temporary suspension of its quarterly cash dividend pending clarity on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Company. On January 15, 2021, the Company announced the reinstatement of its quarterly cash dividend. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the following dates in the following amounts to holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the following record dates:

Declaration Date	Amount	Record Date	Payable Date
January 15, 2021	$0.065	February 3, 2021	February 17, 2021
April 23, 2021	$0.065	May 5, 2021	May 19, 2021

During the nine months ended May 31, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the following dates in the following amounts to holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the following record dates:

Declaration Date	Amount	Record Date	Payable Date
October 22, 2019	$0.065	November 6, 2019	November 20, 2019
January 22, 2020	$0.065	February 5, 2020	February 19, 2020

During the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company repurchased no shares of its common stock.

The Company issued 4,646 and 3,597 shares of common stock on September 1, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP). The Company issued 5,225 and 2,754 shares of common stock on March 1, 2021 and 2020, respectively, under the ESPP. The ESPP is compensatory for financial reporting purposes. As of May 31, 2021, 74,822 shares of common stock remained available for sale under the ESPP.

9. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share assumes the exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method, if dilutive. There was no dilution for the three months ended May 31, 2020 due to the loss position of the Company. 71,273 shares were excluded from the computation for the three months ended May 31, 2020.

The following is a reconciliation of the net income (loss) per share computation for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020:

	Three Months Ended May 31,					Nine Months Ended May 31,
Numerator:	2021		2020			2021		2020
Net income (loss) attributable to NTIC	$	2,053,916	$	(965,221	)	$	4,628,890	$	427,163
Denominator:
Basic – weighted shares outstanding		9,109,861		9,099,990			9,107,243		9,096,981
Weighted shares assumed upon exercise of stock options		862,139		—			721,809		215,933
Diluted – weighted shares outstanding		9,972,000		9,099,990			9,829,052		9,312,914
Basic net income (loss) per share:	$	0.23	$	(0.11	)	$	0.51	$	0.05
Diluted net income (loss) per share:	$	0.21	$	(0.11	)	$	0.47	$	0.05

The dilutive impact summarized above relates to the periods when the average market price of the Company’s common stock exceeded the exercise price of the potentially dilutive option securities granted. Net income per common share was based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods when computing basic net income per share. When dilutive, stock options are included as equivalents using the treasury stock market method when computing the diluted net income per share. Excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 were options outstanding to purchase 136,221 shares of common stock. Excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 were options outstanding to purchase 633,176 shares of common stock.

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company has three stock-based compensation plans under which stock options or other stock-based awards have been granted: the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2019 Stock Incentive Plan, the Northern Technologies International Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the 2007 Plan) and the Northern Technologies International Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2019 Plan replaced the 2007 Plan with respect to future grants; and, therefore, no further awards may be made under the 2007 Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors administer these plans.

The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock unit awards, performance awards, and stock bonuses to eligible recipients to enable the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company and to reward those individuals who contribute to the achievement of the Company’s economic objectives. On January 15, 2021, the Company’s stockholders approved certain amendments to the 2019 Plan, including an increase in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the plan by an additional 800,000 shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in the 2019 Plan, up to a maximum of 1,600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are issuable under the 2019 Plan. Options granted generally have a term of ten years and become exercisable over a one- or three-year period beginning on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant. Options are granted at per share exercise prices equal to the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company issues new shares upon the exercise of options. As of May 31, 2021, options to purchase an aggregate of 720,644 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 2019 Plan and 879,356 shares of the Company’s common stock remain available for grant under the 2019 Plan. As of May 31, 2021, options to purchase an aggregate of 783,652 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding under the 2007 Plan.

The Company granted options to purchase an aggregate of 419,874 and 300,770 shares of its common stock during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The fair value of option grants is determined at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the assumptions listed below. The Company recognized compensation expense of $503,339 and $998,122 during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to the options that vested during such time period. As of May 31, 2021, the total compensation cost for non-vested options not yet recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations was $827,502. Stock-based compensation expense of $160,835 is expected through the remainder of fiscal year 2021, and $333,333 and $333,334 is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2022 and 2023, respectively, based on outstanding options as of May 31, 2021. Future option grants will impact the compensation expense recognized. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions and results for the grants:

	Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021			2020
Dividend yield		2.37	%		2.15	%
Expected volatility		45.6	%		45.1	%
Expected life of option (in years)		10			10
Average risk-free interest rate		0.28	%		1.57	%

The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 was $3.12 and $4.30, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of the options outstanding as of May 31, 2021 and 2020 was 6.40 years and 6.27 years, respectively.

11. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s business is organized into two reportable segments: ZERUST® and Natur-Tec®. The Company has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets for over 40 years and, more recently, has targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. The Company also sells a portfolio of bio-based and compostable (fully biodegradable) polymer resins and finished products under the Natur-Tec® brand.

The following table sets forth the Company’s net sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 by segment:

	Three Months Ended May 31,				Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
ZERUST® net sales	$	12,378,215	$	7,356,781	$	32,882,882	$	26,322,515
Natur-Tec® net sales		3,040,309		2,388,042		8,097,636		11,287,491
Total net sales	$	15,418,524	$	9,744,823	$	40,980,518	$	37,610,006

The following table sets forth the Company’s cost of goods sold for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 by segment:

	Three Months Ended May 31,										Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		% of Segment Sales*			2020		% of Segment Sales*			2021		% of Segment Sales*			2020		% of Segment Sales*
Direct cost of goods sold
ZERUST®	$	7,091,220		57.3	%	$	4,011,244		54.5	%	$	18,928,272		57.6	%	$	14,193,113		53.9	%
Natur-Tec®		2,251,996		74.1	%		1,842,539		77.2	%		5,703,807		70.4	%		8,733,016		77.4	%
Indirect cost of goods sold		809,366		—			645,319		—			2,365,503		—			2,065,358		—
Total net cost of goods sold	$	10,152,582				$	6,499,102				$	26,997,582				$	24,991,487

______________________________

*	The percent of segment sales is calculated by dividing the direct cost of goods sold for each individual segment category by the net sales for each segment category.

The Company utilizes product net sales and direct and indirect cost of goods sold for each product in reviewing the financial performance of a product type. Further allocation of Company expenses or assets, aside from amounts presented in the tables above, is not utilized in evaluating product performance, nor does such allocation occur for internal financial reporting.

Geographic Information

Net sales by geographic location for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended May 31,				Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Inside the U.S.A. to unaffiliated customers	$	6,717,886	$	4,051,709	$	16,198,372	$	16,558,301
Outside the U.S.A. to:
Joint ventures in which the Company is a shareholder directly and indirectly		1,253,919		673,751		2,361,165		1,504,997
Unaffiliated customers		7,446,719		5,019,363		22,420,981		19,546,708
	$	15,418,524	$	9,744,823	$	40,980,518	$	37,610,006

Net sales by geographic location are based on the location of the customer.

Fees for services provided to joint ventures by geographic location as a percentage of total fees for services provided to joint ventures during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended May 31,
	2021		% of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures			2020		% of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures
Germany	$	232,026		14.6	%	$	199,877		22.8	%
Poland		226,174		14.2	%		75,118		8.6	%
Japan		200,270		12.6	%		139,268		15.9	%
Sweden		127,710		8.0	%		51,767		5.9	%
France		119,172		7.5	%		61,716		7.0	%
Thailand		108,842		6.9	%		67,919		7.7	%
India		107,021		6.7	%		24,842		2.8	%
Czech Republic		109,680		6.9	%		46,709		5.3	%
United Kingdom		113,886		7.2	%		52,484		6.0	%
South Korea		78,507		4.9	%		54,951		6.3	%
Finland		75,577		4.8	%		52,870		6.0	%
Other		90,756		5.7	%		49,185		5.6	%
	$	1,589,621		100.0	%	$	876,706		100.0	%

	Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		% of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures			2020		% of Total Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures
Germany	$	692,770		15.8	%	$	620,106		17.8	%
Poland		626,527		14.3	%		441,011		12.6	%
Japan		561,725		12.8	%		453,347		13.0	%
Sweden		365,095		8.3	%		259,671		7.4	%
France		322,717		7.4	%		241,056		6.9	%
Thailand		306,151		7.0	%		261,132		7.5	%
India		290,713		6.6	%		187,826		5.4	%
Czech Republic		268,571		6.1	%		215,923		6.2	%
United Kingdom		247,560		5.6	%		202,241		5.8	%
South Korea		241,805		5.5	%		206,272		5.9	%
Finland		223,356		5.1	%		194,813		5.6	%
Other		241,876		5.5	%		207,846		6.0	%
	$	4,388,866		100.0	%	$	3,491,244		100.0	%

The geographical distribution of total property and equipment and net sales is as follows:

	At May 31, 2021		At August 31, 2020
China	$	384,523	$	376,088
Other		421,662		172,833
United States		6,370,827		6,561,868
Total property and equipment	$	7,177,012	$	7,110,789

	Three Months Ended May 31,				Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
China	$	4,037,493	$	3,089,135		13,025,127	$	9,975,091
Brazil		1,237,586		365,222		2,756,008		2,080,418
India		1,540,734		631,551		4,036,208		4,727,325
Other		1,884,825		1,607,206		4,964,803		4,268,871
United States		6,717,886		4,051,709		16,198,372		16,558,301
Total net sales	$	15,418,524	$	9,744,823	$	40,980,518	$	37,610,006

Long-lived assets located in China and other locations outside of the United States consist of property and equipment. These assets are periodically reviewed to assure the net realizable value from the estimated future production based on forecasted sales exceeds the carrying value of the assets.

Sales to the Company’s joint ventures are included in the foregoing segment and geographic information; however, sales by the Company’s joint ventures to other parties are not included. The foregoing segment and geographic information represents only sales recognized directly by the Company and sold in that geographic territory.

All joint venture operations, including equity in income, fees for services and related dividends, are primarily related to ZERUST® products and services.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Annual Bonus Plan

On August 27, 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved the material terms of an annual bonus plan for the Company’s executive officers as well as certain officers and employees for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2021. For fiscal 2021, as in past years, the total amount available under the bonus plan for all plan participants, including executive officers, is dependent upon the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, and other income (EBITOI), as adjusted to take into account amounts to be paid under the bonus plan and certain other adjustments (Adjusted EBITOI). Each plan participant’s percentage of the overall bonus pool is based upon the number of plan participants, the individual’s annual base salary, and the individual’s position and level of responsibility within the Company. In the case of each of the Company’s executive officer participants, 75% of the amount of their individual bonus payout will be determined based upon the Company’s actual EBITOI for fiscal 2021 compared to a pre-established target EBITOI for fiscal 2021, and 25% of the payout will be determined based upon such executive officer’s achievement of certain pre-established individual performance objectives. The payment of bonuses under the plan is discretionary, and bonuses may be paid to executive officer participants in both cash and shares of NTIC common stock, the exact amount and percentages of which are determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, after the completion of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2021. There was $1,766,667 recognized for management bonuses for the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $1,200,000 recognized for management bonuses for the nine months ended May 31, 2020.

Concentrations

Three joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in India, South Korea and Thailand) accounted for 73.7% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at May 31, 2021, and two joint ventures (consisting of the Company’s joint ventures in South Korea and Thailand) accounted for 56.2% of the Company’s trade joint venture receivables at May 31, 2020.

Legal Matters

From time to time, the Company is subject to various other claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of its business. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, where the Company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount could be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the Company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The Company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that material loss may have been incurred. In the opinion of management, as of May 31, 2021, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily relate to marketable equity securities. These items are marked-to-market at each reporting period, and the Company estimates that market value approximates costs.

The following tables provide information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Fair Value Measurements

Using Inputs Considered as

Fair value as of

May 31, 2021

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Available for sale securities

5,125,052

—

Fair Value Measurements

Using Inputs Considered as

Fair value as of

August 31, 2020

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Available for sale securities

5,544,722

—

There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020.

14. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $276,338 and $929,588, respectively, compared to $142,285 and $869,945, respectively, for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020. The expense was largely due to foreign operations. The Company has federal and state tax credit carry forwards, net operating loss carry forwards and foreign tax carry forwards. The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against the U.S. deferred tax assets as of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides material historical and prospective disclosures intended to enable investors and other users to assess NTIC’s financial condition and results of operations. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward-Looking Statements” in this report and under “Part 1. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. The following discussion of the results of the operations and financial condition of NTIC should be read in conjunction with NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included under the heading “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Business Overview

NTIC develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services in over 60 countries either directly or via a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors, and agents. NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention marketed mainly under the ZERUST® brand. NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military, and retail consumer markets for over 40 years and, in recent years, has targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. NTIC also markets and sells a portfolio of bio-based and certified compostable (fully biodegradable) polymer resin compounds and finished products under the Natur-Tec® brand. These products are intended to reduce NTIC’s customers’ carbon footprint and provide environmentally sound waste disposal options.

NTIC’s ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products include plastic and paper packaging, liquids, coatings, rust removers, cleaners, and diffusers as well as engineered solutions designed specifically for the oil and gas industry. NTIC also offers worldwide, on-site, technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their performance requirements. In North America, NTIC sells its ZERUST® corrosion prevention solutions through a network of independent distributors and agents supported by a direct sales force. Internationally, NTIC sells its ZERUST® corrosion prevention solutions through its wholly-owned subsidiary in China, NTIC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (NTIC China), its majority-owned joint venture holding company for NTIC’s joint venture investments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, NTI Asean LLC (NTI Asean), certain majority-owned and wholly-owned subsidiaries, and joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe, and Asia. NTIC also sells products directly to its joint venture partners through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Germany, NTIC Europe GmbH (NTI Europe).

One of NTIC’s strategic initiatives is to expand into and penetrate other markets for its ZERUST® corrosion prevention technologies. Consequently, for the past several years, NTIC has focused significant sales and marketing efforts on the oil and gas industry, as the infrastructure that supports that industry is typically constructed using metals that are highly susceptible to corrosion. NTIC believes that its ZERUST® corrosion prevention solutions will minimize maintenance downtime on critical oil and gas industry infrastructure, extend the life of such infrastructure, and reduce the risk of environmental pollution due to leaks caused by corrosion.

NTIC markets and sells its ZERUST® rust and corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry across several countries either directly, through its subsidiaries, or through its joint venture partners and other strategic partners. The sale of ZERUST® corrosion prevention solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry typically involves long sales cycles, often including multi-year trial periods with each customer and a slow integration process thereafter.

Natur-Tec® bio-based and compostable plastics are manufactured using NTIC’s patented and/or proprietary technologies and are intended to replace conventional petroleum-based plastics. The Natur-Tec® biopolymer resin compound portfolio includes formulations that have been optimized for a variety of applications, including blown-film extrusion, extrusion coating, injection molding, and engineered plastics. These resin compounds are certified to be fully biodegradable in a composting environment and are currently being used to produce finished products, including can liners, shopping and grocery bags, lawn and leaf bags, branded apparel packaging bags and accessories, and various foodservice items, such as disposable cutlery, drinking straws, food-handling gloves, and coated paper products. In North America, NTIC markets its Natur-Tec® resin compounds and finished products primarily through a network of regional and national distributors as well as independent agents. NTIC continues to see significant opportunities for finished bioplastic products and, therefore, continues to strengthen and expand its North American distribution network for finished Natur-Tec® bioplastic products.

Internationally, NTIC sells its Natur-Tec® resin compounds and finished products both directly and through its wholly-owned subsidiary in China and majority-owned subsidiaries in India and Sri Lanka, and through distributors and certain joint ventures.

NTIC’s Subsidiaries and Joint Venture Network

NTIC has ownership interests in nine operating subsidiaries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, which are listed in NTIC’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. The results of these subsidiaries are fully consolidated in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements.

NTIC also participates in 19 active joint venture arrangements in North America, Europe and Asia, which are listed in NTIC’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020. Each of these joint ventures generally manufactures and markets products in the geographic territory to which it is assigned. While most of NTIC’s joint ventures exclusively sell rust and corrosion inhibiting products, some of the joint ventures also sell NTIC’s Natur-Tec® resin compounds. NTIC has historically funded its investments in joint ventures with cash generated from operations. NTIC receives funds from its joint ventures as fees received for services that NTIC provides to its joint ventures and as dividend distributions. The fees for services provided to joint ventures are determined based on either a flat fee or a percentage of sales depending on local laws and tax regulations. With respect to NTIC’s joint venture in Germany (EXCOR), NTIC recognizes an agreed upon quarterly fee for services. NTIC recognizes equity income from each joint venture based on the overall profitability of the joint venture. Such profitability is subject to variability from quarter to quarter, which, in turn, subjects NTIC’s earnings to variability from quarter to quarter. The profits of each joint venture are shared by the respective joint venture owners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages. NTIC typically directly or indirectly owns 50% or less of each of its joint venture entities and, thus, does not control the decisions of these entities regarding whether to pay dividends and, if paid, what amount is paid in a given year. The payment of a dividend by an entity is determined by a joint vote of the owners and is not at the sole discretion of NTIC.

NTIC accounts for the investments and financial results of its joint ventures in its financial statements utilizing the equity method of accounting. NTIC considers EXCOR to be individually significant to NTIC’s consolidated assets and income. Therefore, NTIC provides certain additional information regarding EXCOR in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and in this section of this report.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility in financial markets and has resulted in an economic recession. The outbreak and rapid spread of COVID-19 resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities worldwide and caused weakened economic conditions, both in the United States and abroad.

As part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, federal, state, local and foreign governments imposed various restrictions on the conduct of business and travel, some of which remain in place in whole or in part and some of which have been or may be reinstated. Government restrictions, such as stay-at-home orders, quarantines and worker absenteeism as a result of COVID-19, led to a significant number of business closures and slowdowns. These business closures and slowdowns adversely impacted and may continue to adversely impact NTIC directly and caused some of NTIC’s customers and suppliers to operate at a fraction of their capacities or wholly lock down, which disrupted and may continue to disrupt NTIC’s sales and production.

As the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, NTIC’s primary focus was, and continues to be, the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees, customers and suppliers. In order to continue its operations, as permitted by respective state, local and foreign governments, NTIC has adopted numerous safety measures in accordance with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and federal, state, local and foreign guidance in order to protect its employees, customers and suppliers. These safety measures include, but are not limited to, adhering to social distancing protocols, enabling the majority of its employees to work from home, suspending non-essential travel, disinfecting facilities and workspaces extensively and frequently, suspending all non-essential visitors and requiring employees who must be present at NTIC’s facilities to wear face coverings. NTIC expects to continue such safety measures for the foreseeable future and may take further actions, or adapt these existing policies, as government authorities may require or recommend or as it may determine to be in the best interests of its employees, customers and suppliers.

NTIC has been balancing its safety-focused approach with the needs of its customers. Government mandated measures resulting in the substantial curtailment of business activities generally have excluded certain essential businesses and services, including certain manufacturing. With the exception of the temporary closures of NTIC’s facilities in China and India during the second and third fiscal quarters of 2020, NTIC’s manufacturing activities are generally considered part of the “critical sector” with respect to state and local government orders. This has allowed NTIC to continue to receive orders and provide uninterrupted order fulfillment to its customers. However, its facilities have been operating at a reduced capacity in order to abide by local government requirements and recommendations, such as social distancing practices, and in response to reduced demand. During the first nine months of fiscal 2021, certain of NTIC’s facilities were impacted by reduced levels of production, manufacturing inefficiencies due to the reconfiguration of certain of its manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols and reduced demand. NTIC has engaged and continues to engage in communications with its suppliers in an attempt to identify and mitigate supply chain risks and proactively manage inventory levels in order to align production with demand. While domestic and international governmental measures may be modified or extended, NTIC currently expects that its global facilities will remain operational, although operating at reduced production capacity at certain of its facilities. However, such expectation is dependent upon future governmental actions and demand for NTIC’s products, the stability of its global supply chain and the ability of carriers to transport supplies to its facilities and products to its customers.

As a result of the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, NTIC experienced softened demand in various regions and markets during the first nine months of fiscal 2021, which had an adverse effect on NTIC’s operating results and financial condition. Due to the international reach of COVID-19, NTIC’s international joint ventures have also been adversely impacted. It is not possible to predict how long the pandemic will last or the time that it will take for economic activity to return to prior levels for all business units.

Any of these events could materially adversely affect NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition.

Financial Overview

NTIC’s management, including its chief executive officer, who is NTIC’s chief operating decision maker, reports and manages NTIC’s operations in two reportable business segments based on products sold, customer base and distribution center: ZERUST® products and services and Natur-Tec® products.

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 58.2% and 9.0% during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020. NTIC’s consolidated net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2021 were positively affected by increased demand globally as a result of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

During both the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, 80.3% and 80.2% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 68.3% and 24.9% to $12,378,215 and $32,882,882, respectively, compared to $7,356,781 and $26,322,515 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases were due to increased sales to new and existing customers in all countries because of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.8% during the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared to 66.7% during the three months ended May 31, 2020 and decreased to 65.9% during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to 66.4% during the prior fiscal year period primarily as a result of a decreased percentage of product sales from Natur-Tec® products, which have lower gross margins than NTIC’s traditional ZERUST® industrial products and services or its oil and gas products.

NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 150.5% and 66.7% to $2,033,536 and $5,779,260 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $811,787 and $3,466,581 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily due to corresponding increases in net sales at the joint ventures, which increased 70.2% and 28.1% to $31,959,539 and $87,795,284 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $18,782,233 and $68,531,897 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases in the net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures were due primarily to increased sales to existing customers as a result of increased demand for existing products.

NTIC’s total operating expenses increased 11.7% and 0.4% to $6,310,345 and $18,087,994 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $5,651,075 and $18,011,443 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily due to increased expenses due to the resumption of travel and other activities as a result of the recovery associated with COVID-19 pandemic and increased research and development expenses. Operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, for the three months ended May 31, 2021 were 40.9%, compared to 58.0% for the same period last fiscal year. This improvement in operating leverage was due to higher third quarter of fiscal 2021 net sales, and NTIC’s continued focus on controlling operating expenses. Year-to-date, operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, were 44.1%, compared to 47.9% for the same period last fiscal year.

Net income (loss) attributable to NTIC increased to $2,053,916, or $0.21 per diluted common share, for the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $(965,221), or $(0.11) per diluted common share, for the three months ended May 31, 2020, an increase of $3,019,137 or $0.31 per diluted share. Net income attributable to NTIC increased to $4,628,890, or $0.47 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $427,163, or $0.05 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, an increase of $4,201,727 or $0.42 per diluted share. These increases were primarily the result of increased income from joint venture operations and gross profit during the current fiscal year periods compared to the prior fiscal year periods.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth NTIC’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020.

	Three Months Ended May 31,
	2021		% of Net Sales			2020		% of Net Sales			$ Change			% Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures	$	14,164,604		91.9	%	$	9,071,072		93.1	%	$	5,093,532			56.2	%
Net sales, to joint ventures		1,253,920		8.1	%		673,751		6.9	%		580,169			86.1	%
Cost of goods sold		10,152,582		65.8	%		6,499,102		66.7	%		3,653,480			56.2	%
Equity in income from joint ventures		2,033,536		13.2	%		811,787		8.3	%		1,221,749			150.5	%
Fees for services provided to joint ventures		1,589,621		10.3	%		876,706		9.0	%		712,915			81.3	%
Selling expenses		3,171,657		20.6	%		2,487,396		25.5	%		684,261			27.5	%
General and administrative expenses		2,072,195		13.4	%		2,213,552		22.7	%		(141,357	)		(6.4	)%
Research and development expenses		1,066,493		6.9	%		950,127		9.8	%		116,366			12.2	%

	Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		% of Net Sales			2020		% of Net Sales			$ Change			% Change
Net sales, excluding joint ventures	$	38,619,353		94.2	%	$	36,105,009		96.0	%		2,514,344			7.0	%
Net sales, to joint ventures		2,361,165		5.8	%		1,504,997		4.0	%		856,168			56.9	%
Cost of goods sold		26,997,582		65.9	%		24,991,487		66.4	%		2,006,095			8.0	%
Equity in income from joint ventures		5,779,260		14.1	%		3,466,581		9.2	%		2,312,679			66.7	%
Fees for services provided to joint ventures		4,388,866		10.7	%		3,491,244		9.3	%		897,622			25.7	%
Selling expenses		8,745,433		21.3	%		8,484,928		22.6	%		260,505			3.1	%
General and administrative expenses		6,125,151		14.9	%		6,608,352		17.6	%		(483,201	)		(7.3	)%
Research and development expenses		3,217,410		7.9	%		2,918,163		7.8	%		299,247			10.3	%

Net Sales. NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 58.2% and 9.0% to $15,418,524 and $40,980,518 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020. NTIC’s consolidated net sales to unaffiliated customers excluding NTIC’s joint ventures increased 56.2% and 7.0% to $14,164,604 and $38,619,353 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2020. These increases were primarily a result of increased demand globally as a result of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales by product segment for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020 by segment:

	Three Months Ended May 31,				Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Total ZERUST® sales	$	12,378,215	$	7,356,781	$	32,882,882	$	26,322,515
Total Natur-Tec® sales		3,040,309		2,388,042		8,097,636		11,287,491
Total net sales	$	15,418,524	$	9,744,823	$	40,980,518	$	37,610,006

During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, 80.3% and 80.2% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of ZERUST® products and services, which increased 68.3% and 24.9% to $12,378,215 and $32,882,882 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $7,356,781 and $26,322,515 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily a result of increased demand across all geographies.

The following table sets forth NTIC’s net sales of ZERUST® products for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 and 2020:

	Three Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		$ Change		% Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales	$	10,100,638	$	6,258,348	$	3,842,290		61.4	%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales		1,253,920		673,752		580,168		86.1	%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales		1,023,657		424,681		598,976		141.0	%
Total ZERUST® net sales	$	12,378,215	$	7,356,781	$	5,021,434		68.3	%

	Nine Months Ended May 31,
	2021		2020		$ Change			% Change
ZERUST® industrial net sales	$	28,574,297	$	22,804,975	$	5,769,322			25.3	%
ZERUST® joint venture net sales		2,361,165		1,504,997		856,168			56.9	%
ZERUST® oil & gas net sales		1,947,420		2,012,543		(65,123	)		(3.2	)%
Total ZERUST® net sales	$	32,882,882	$	26,322,515	$	6,560,367			24.9	%

NTIC’s total ZERUST® net sales increased during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to the prior fiscal year periods, primarily due to an overall increased demand for ZERUST® industrial products and services. Overall demand for ZERUST® products and services depends heavily on the overall health of the markets in which NTIC sells its products, including the automotive, oil and gas, agriculture, and mining markets in particular.

ZERUST® oil and gas net sales increased 141.0% during the three months ended May 31, 2021 and decreased 3.2% during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the same periods in the last fiscal year. The three-month comparison increase was due primarily to increased demand and the nine-month comparison decrease was due primarily to decreased demand. NTIC anticipates that its sales of ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry will continue to remain subject to significant volatility from quarter to quarter as sales are recognized, specifically due to the volatility of oil prices. Demand for oil and gas products around the world depends primarily on market acceptance and the reach of NTIC’s distribution network. Because of the typical size of individual orders and overall size of NTIC’s net sales derived from sales of oil and gas products, the timing of one or more orders can materially affect NTIC’s quarterly sales compared to prior fiscal year quarters.

During the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, 19.7% and 19.8% of NTIC’s consolidated net sales, respectively, were derived from sales of Natur-Tec® products, which increased to $3,040,309, or 27.3%, during the three months ended May 31, 2021 and decreased to $8,097,636, or 28.3%, during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the respective prior fiscal year periods. The three-month comparison increase was due primarily to increased product demand as the COVID-19 pandemic recovery occurs and the nine-month comparison decrease was primarily due to a decrease in finished product sales in North America and at NTIC’s majority-owned subsidiary in India. The COVID pandemic has adversely impacted demand for Natur-Tec® products from across the apparel industry, as well as many large users of bioplastics, including college campuses, stadiums, arenas, restaurants, and corporate office complexes. NTIC currently expects these customers will be some of the last businesses to re-open, and many of these institutions have still not announced re-opening plans. Accordingly, NTIC anticipates that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to significantly adversely affect sales of Natur-Tec® products during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond.

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased 56.2% and 8.0% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales decreased to 65.8% during the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared to 66.7% during the three months ended May 31, 2020 and 65.9% during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to 66.4% during the nine months ended May 31, 2020. These changes were due primarily to changes in product mix. Sales from Natur-Tec® products have lower gross margins than NTIC’s traditional ZERUST® industrial products and services or its ZERUST® oil and gas products.

Equity in Income from Joint Ventures. NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures increased 150.5% and 66.7% to $2,033,536 and $5,779,260 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $811,787 and $3,466,581 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. These increases were primarily a result of increased profitability of the joint ventures, which fluctuates based on net sales, during the respective periods. Of the total equity in income from joint ventures, NTIC had equity in income from joint ventures of $3,182,691 attributable to EXCOR during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $2,246,930 during the nine months ended May 31, 2020. NTIC had equity in income of all other joint ventures of $2,596,569 during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $1,219,651 during the nine months ended May 31, 2020.

Fees for Services Provided to Joint Ventures. NTIC recognized fee income for services provided to joint ventures of $1,589,621 and $4,388,866 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $876,706 and $3,491,244 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively, representing increases of 81.3% and 25.7%, respectively. Fee income for services provided to joint ventures is traditionally a function of the sales made by NTIC’s joint ventures; however, at various joint ventures, the fee income for services is a fixed amount that does not fluctuate with the increases in sales which was experienced by certain joint ventures during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021. Total net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures increased to $31,959,539 and $87,795,284 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to $18,782,233 and $68,531,897 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively, representing increases of 70.2% and 28.1%. Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures are not included in NTIC’s consolidated financial statements. Of the total fee income for services provided to joint ventures, fees of $692,770 were attributable to EXCOR during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $620,106 attributable to EXCOR during the nine months ended May 31, 2020.

Selling Expenses. NTIC’s selling expenses increased 27.5% and 3.1% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2020 due primarily to increased travel expenses and personnel expense compared to the expenses incurred during the prior periods. Selling expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 20.6% and increased 21.3% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, from 25.5% and 22.6% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively, primarily due to the fluctuations in net sales and selling expenses, as previously described.

General and Administrative Expenses. NTIC’s general and administrative expenses decreased 6.4% and 7.3% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2020 due primarily to decreased travel expenses and other expenses due to work from home arrangements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses were 13.4% and 14.9% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, and 22.7% and 17.6% for the same respective periods in fiscal 2020, primarily due to the decreases in general and administrative expenses, as well as the increase in net sales, as previously described.

Research and Development Expenses. NTIC’s research and development expenses increased 12.2% and 10.3% for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the same respective periods in fiscal 2020 primarily due to increased personnel and development efforts, partially offset by decreased travel expenses due to work from home arrangements necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. NTIC anticipates that it will spend a total of between $4,000,000 and $4,300,000 in fiscal 2021 on research and development activities.

Interest Income (Expense). NTIC earned net interest income of $7,632 during the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to net interest expense of $73,378 during the three months ended May 31, 2020. NTIC earned net interest income of $85,191 during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to net interest income of $15,881 during the nine months ended May 31, 2020. These changes were due primarily to volatile changes to the invested cash in a conservative bond fund.

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense. NTIC incurred income before income tax expense of $2,586,386 for the three months ended May 31, 2021 compared to a loss before income tax expense of $(790,239) for the three months ended May 31, 2020. NTIC incurred income before income tax expense of $6,148,259 for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to $1,580,782 for the nine months ended May 31, 2020.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $276,338 and $929,588 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021, respectively, compared to income tax expense of $142,285 and $869,945 during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, respectively. Income tax expense was calculated based on management’s estimate of NTIC’s annual effective income tax rate.

NTIC considers the earnings of certain foreign joint ventures to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the bases of estimates that NTIC’s future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. As a result, U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been recognized on the cumulative undistributed earnings of $24,702,778 and $21,855,747 at May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, respectively. To the extent undistributed earnings of NTIC’s joint ventures are distributed in the future, they are not expected to result in any material additional income tax liability after the application of foreign tax credits.

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to NTIC. Net income attributable to NTIC increased to $2,053,916, or $0.21 per diluted common share, for the three months ended May 31, 2021, compared to net loss attributable to NTIC of $(965,221), or $(0.11) per diluted common share, for the three months ended May 31, 2020, an increase of $3,019,137, or $0.31 per diluted common share. Net income attributable to NTIC increased to $4,628,890, or $0.47 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2021, compared to $427,163, or $0.05 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, an increase of $4,201,727, or $0.42 per diluted common share. These increases were primarily the result of increased income from joint venture operations and increased gross profit during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the prior fiscal year periods.

NTIC anticipates that its earnings will continue to be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the remainder of fiscal 2021 and possibly beyond and that its quarterly net income or loss will continue to remain subject to significant volatility primarily due to the financial performance of its subsidiaries and joint ventures, sales of its ZERUST® products and services into the oil and gas industry, and sales of its Natur-Tec® bioplastics products, which fluctuate more on a quarterly basis than the traditional ZERUST® business.

Other Comprehensive Income - Foreign Currency Translations Adjustment. The changes in the foreign currency translations adjustment were due to the fluctuations of the U.S. dollar compared to the Euro and other foreign currencies during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2021 compared to the same periods in fiscal 2020.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Cash and Working Capital. NTIC’s working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, was $29,675,513 at May 31, 2021, including $5,880,923 in cash and cash equivalents and $5,125,052 in available for sale securities, compared to $27,104,746 at August 31, 2020, including $6,403,032 in cash and cash equivalents and $5,544,722 in available for sale securities.

NTIC has a revolving line of credit with PNC Bank of $3,000,000, of which no amounts were outstanding under as of March 31, 2021 or August 31, 2020. See Note 7 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the line of credit and loan agreement governing the line of credit. As of May 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants in the loan agreement. As of May 31, 2021 and August 31, 2020, the Company did not have any letters of credit outstanding with respect to the letter of credit sub-facility available under the revolving line of credit with PNC Bank.

NTIC believes that a combination of its existing cash and cash equivalents, available for sale securities, forecasted cash flows from future operations, anticipated distributions of earnings, anticipated fees to NTIC for services provided to its joint ventures, and funds available through existing or anticipated financing arrangements will be adequate to fund its existing operations, investments in new or existing joint ventures or subsidiaries, capital expenditures, debt repayments, cash dividends, and any stock repurchases for at least the next 12 months. During the remainder of fiscal 2021, NTIC expects to continue to invest directly and through its use of working capital in NTIC China, Zerust Mexico, NTI Europe, its joint ventures, research and development, marketing efforts, resources for the application of its corrosion prevention technology in the oil and gas industry, and its Natur-Tec® bio-plastics business, although the amounts of these various investments are not known at this time, other than the anticipated purchase of real estate and a building in China for a purchase price of approximately Chinese Yuan 40.0 million (approximately USD $6.2 million). In order to take advantage of such new product and market opportunities to expand its business and increase its revenues, NTIC may decide to finance such opportunities by borrowing under its revolving line of credit or raising additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities. There is no assurance that any financing transaction will be available on terms acceptable to NTIC or at all or that any financing transaction will not be dilutive to NTIC’s current stockholders.

NTIC traditionally has used the cash generated from its operations, distributions of earnings from joint ventures and fees for services provided to its joint ventures to fund NTIC’s new technology investments and capital contributions to new and existing subsidiaries and joint ventures. NTIC’s joint ventures traditionally have operated with little or no debt and have been self-financed with minimal initial capital investment and minimal additional capital investment from their respective owners. Therefore, NTIC believes there is limited exposure by NTIC’s joint ventures that could materially impact their respective operations and/or liquidity.

Uses of Cash and Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $1,053,695, which resulted principally from NTIC’s net income, dividends received from joint ventures, stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization and decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures and an increase in inventory, accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other. Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended May 31, 2020 was $3,012,533, which resulted principally from NTIC’s net income, dividends received from joint ventures, stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization, and a decrease in accounts receivable, partially offset by NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures and an increase in inventory, accrued liabilities and accounts payable.

NTIC’s cash flows from operations are impacted by significant changes in certain components of NTIC’s working capital, including inventory turnover and changes in receivables and payables. NTIC considers internal and external factors when assessing the use of its available working capital, specifically when determining inventory levels and credit terms of customers. Key internal factors include existing inventory levels, stock reorder points, customer forecasts and customer requested payment terms. Key external factors include the availability of primary raw materials and sub-contractor production lead times. NTIC’s typical contractual terms for trade receivables, excluding joint ventures, are 30 days and 90 days for trade receivables from its joint ventures. Before extending unsecured credit to customers, excluding NTIC’s joint ventures, NTIC reviews customers’ credit histories and will establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers and other information. Accounts receivable over 30 days are considered past due for most customers. NTIC does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivable. If accounts receivables in excess of the provided allowance are determined uncollectible, they are charged to selling expense in the period that the determination is made. Accounts receivable are deemed uncollectible based on NTIC exhausting reasonable efforts to collect. NTIC’s typical contractual terms for receivables for services provided to its joint ventures are 90 days. NTIC records receivables for services provided to its joint ventures on an accrual basis, unless circumstances exist that make the collection of the balance uncertain, in which case the fee income will be recorded on a cash basis until there is consistency in payments. This determination is handled on a case-by-case basis.

NTIC experienced an increase in trade receivables as of May 31, 2021, compared to August 31, 2020. Trade receivables, excluding joint ventures, as of May 31, 2021, increased $3,093,393, compared to August 31, 2020, primarily related to an increase in sales.

Outstanding trade receivables, excluding joint ventures balances, as of May 31, 2021 decreased 5 days to an average of 73 days from balances outstanding from these customers as of August 31, 2020.

Outstanding trade receivables from joint ventures as of May 31, 2021 increased $564,149, compared to August 31, 2020, primarily due to the timing of payments. Outstanding balances from trade receivables from joint ventures decreased an average of 17 days to an average of 76 days from balances outstanding from these customers compared to August 31, 2020. The average days outstanding of trade receivables from joint ventures as of May 31, 2021 were primarily due to the receivables balances at NTIC’s joint ventures in the United States, South Korea, Thailand and India.

Outstanding receivables for services provided to joint ventures as of May 31, 2021 increased $499,954, compared to August 31, 2020, and the average days to pay increased an average of 6 days to an average of 83 days compared to August 31, 2020.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $399,780, which was primarily the result of purchase of available for sale securities, purchases of property and equipment, and investments in patents, partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 was $2,337,471, which was primarily the result of the purchase of available for sale securities and the purchase of property and equipment, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities.

Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2021 was $1,309,609 which resulted from dividends paid on NTIC common stock and dividends received by non-controlling interest, partially offset by proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan. Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 was $1,318,005 which resulted from dividends paid on NTIC common stock and a dividend paid to a non-controlling interest, partially offset by proceeds from NTIC’s employee stock purchase plan.

Share Repurchase Plan. On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time. No repurchases occurred during the nine months ended May 31, 2021. As of May 31, 2021, up to $2,640,548 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

Cash Dividends. On April 23, 2020, the Company announced the temporary suspension of its $0.065 quarterly cash dividend pending clarity on the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Company. On January 15, 2021, the Company announced the reinstatement of its quarterly cash dividend. During the nine months ended May 31, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared cash dividends on the following dates in the following amounts to holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the following record dates:

Declaration Date	Amount	Record Date	Payable Date
January 15, 2021	$0.065	February 3, 2021	February 17, 2021
April 23, 2021	$0.065	May 5, 2021	May 19, 2021

The declaration of future dividends is not guaranteed and will be determined by NTIC’s Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including NTIC’s earnings, financial condition, cash requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions, and other factors, including without limitation the effect of COVID-19 on its business, operating results, and financial condition.

Capital Expenditures and Commitments. NTIC spent $723,441 on capital expenditures during the nine months ended May 31, 2021, which related primarily to the purchase of new equipment and facility improvements. NTIC expects to spend an aggregate of approximately $6,800,000 to $7,000,000 on capital expenditures during fiscal 2021, which it expects will relate primarily to the purchase of real estate and a building in China and new equipment.

Contractual Obligations

There has been no material change to NTIC’s contractual obligations as provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations,” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, other than the execution of a purchase agreement in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 for the purchase of real estate and a building in China for a purchase price of approximately Chinese Yuan 40.0 million (approximately USD $6.2 million).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

NTIC does not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet financial arrangements. As such, NTIC is not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if NTIC had engaged in such arrangements.

Inflation and Seasonality

Inflation in the United States and abroad historically has had little effect on NTIC. Although NTIC’s business historically has not been seasonal, NTIC believes there is some seasonality in its business. NTIC believes its net sales in the second fiscal quarter were adversely affected by the long Chinese New Year, the North American holiday season, and overall less corrosion taking place at lower winter temperatures worldwide.

Market Risk

NTIC is exposed to some market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates.

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign joint ventures is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business. NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the Indian Rupee, the Chinese Renminbi, the South Korean Won, and the English Pound against the U.S. Dollar. NTIC’s fees for services provided to joint ventures and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies and, thus, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income. Since NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures reflected in its consolidated statements of operations. NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.

Some raw materials used in NTIC’s products are exposed to commodity price changes. The primary commodity price exposures are with a variety of plastic resins.

Any outstanding advances under NTIC’s $3,000,000 amended and restated revolving line of credit with PNC Bank bear interest at an annual rate based on LIBOR plus 3.25% for the applicable LIBOR interest period selected by the Company with a minimum rate of 0.75%. As of May 31, 2021, NTIC had no borrowings under the line of credit.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes to NTIC’s critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in “Part II. Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies” included in NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, NTIC or others on NTIC’s behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on NTIC’s Internet web site, or otherwise. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report or expressed by NTIC orally from time to time that address activities, events, or developments that NTIC expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including, in particular, the statements about NTIC’s plans, objectives, strategies, and prospects regarding, among other things, NTIC’s financial condition, results of operations and business, the anticipated effect of COVID-19 on NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings and the effect of the liquidation of Tianjin Zerust, and the operations of NTIC China. NTIC has identified some of these forward-looking statements in this report with words like “believe,” “can,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “forecast,” “possible,” “potential,” “project,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “approximate,” “outlook,” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other words and terms of similar meaning. The use of future dates is also an indication of a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements may be contained in the notes to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements and elsewhere in this report, including under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events affecting NTIC and are subject to uncertainties and factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market as well as matters specific to NTIC. These uncertainties and factors are difficult to predict, and many of them are beyond NTIC’s control. The following are some of the uncertainties and factors known to us that could cause NTIC’s actual results to differ materially from what NTIC has anticipated in its forward-looking statements:

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The effect of COVID-19 on NTIC’s business, operating results and financial condition, including disruption to our customers, suppliers and subcontractors, as well as the global economy and financial markets;

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The effect of current worldwide economic conditions and any turmoil and disruption in the global credit and financial markets on NTIC’s business;

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Variability in NTIC’s sales of ZERUST® products and services to the oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec® products and NTIC’s equity income of joint ventures, which variability in sales and equity in income from joint ventures, in turn, subject NTIC’s earnings to quarterly fluctuations;

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Risks associated with NTIC’s international operations and exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, import duties, taxes, and tariffs;

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The effect of the United Kingdom’s process to exit the European Union on NTIC’s operating results, including, in particular, future net sales of NTIC’s European and other joint ventures;

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The effect of the health of the U.S. automotive industry on NTIC’s business;

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NTIC’s dependence on the success of its joint ventures and fees and dividend distributions that NTIC receives from them;

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NTIC’s relationships with its joint ventures and its ability to maintain those relationships, especially in light of anticipated succession planning issues;

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Fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw materials, including resins and other commodities;

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The success of and risks associated with NTIC’s emerging new businesses and products and services, including in particular NTIC’s ability and the ability of NTIC’s joint ventures to sell ZERUST® products and services to the oil and gas industry and Natur-Tec® products and the often lengthy and extensive sales process involved in selling such products and services;

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NTIC’s ability to introduce new products and services that respond to changing market conditions and customer demand;

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Market acceptance of NTIC’s existing and new products, especially in light of existing and new competitive products;

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Maturation of certain existing markets for NTIC’s ZERUST® products and services and NTIC’s ability to grow market share and succeed in penetrating other existing and new markets;

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Increased competition, especially with respect to NTIC’s ZERUST® products and services, and the effect of such competition on NTIC’s and its joint ventures’ pricing, net sales, and margins;

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NTIC’s reliance upon and its relationships with its distributors, independent sales representatives, and joint ventures;

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NTIC’s reliance upon suppliers;

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Oil prices, which may affect sales of NTIC’s ZERUST® products and services to the oil and gas industry;

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NTIC’s operations in China, and the risks associated therewith, the termination of the joint venture agreements with Tianjin Zerust, and the anticipated liquidation of Tianjin Zerust and the effect of all these events on NTIC’s business and future operating results;

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The costs and effects of complying with laws and regulations and changes in tax, fiscal, government, and other regulatory policies, including rules relating to environmental, health, and safety matters;

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Unforeseen product quality or other problems in the development, production, and usage of new and existing products;

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Unforeseen production expenses incurred in connection with new customers and new products;

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Loss of or changes in executive management or key employees;

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Ability of management to manage around unplanned events;

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Pending and future litigation;

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NTIC’s reliance on its intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others;

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NTIC’s ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, especially in light of its joint venture arrangements;

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Changes in applicable laws or regulations and NTIC’s failure to comply with applicable laws, rules, and regulations;

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Changes in generally accepted accounting principles and the effect of new accounting pronouncements;

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Fluctuations in NTIC’s effective tax rate, including from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

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The effect of extreme weather conditions on NTIC’s operating results; and

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NTIC’s reliance upon its management information systems.

For more information regarding these and other uncertainties and factors that could cause NTIC’s actual results to differ materially from what NTIC has anticipated in its forward-looking statements or otherwise could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition or operating results, see NTIC’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020 under the heading “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

All forward-looking statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. NTIC wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement that speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results due to the uncertainties and factors described above and others that NTIC may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time. Although NTIC believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, NTIC does not know whether its expectations will prove correct. NTIC’s expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions NTIC might make or by known or unknown uncertainties and factors, including those described above. The risks and uncertainties described above are not exclusive, and further information concerning NTIC and its business, including factors that potentially could materially affect its financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time. NTIC assumes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. NTIC advises you, however, to consult any further disclosures NTIC makes on related subjects in its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K that NTIC files with or furnishes to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

NTIC is exposed to some market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates.

Because the functional currency of NTIC’s foreign operations and investments in its foreign joint ventures is the applicable local currency, NTIC is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business. NTIC’s principal exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Japanese Yen, the Indian Rupee, the Chinese Renminbi, the South Korean Won, and the English Pound against the U.S. Dollar. NTIC’s fees for services provided to joint ventures and dividend distributions from these foreign entities are paid in foreign currencies, and, thus, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could result in declines in NTIC’s reported net income. Since NTIC’s investments in its joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment and would not change NTIC’s equity in income from joint ventures reflected in its consolidated statements of operations. NTIC does not hedge against its foreign currency exchange rate risk.

Some raw materials used in NTIC’s products are exposed to commodity price changes. The primary commodity price exposures are with a variety of plastic resins.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

NTIC maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by NTIC in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to NTIC’s management, including NTIC’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. NTIC’s management evaluated, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of NTIC’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered in this report. Based on that evaluation, NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that NTIC’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that NTIC files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to NTIC’s management, including NTIC’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2021 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect NTIC’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 12 to NTIC’s consolidated financial statements in Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements of this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

This Item 1A. is inapplicable to NTIC as a smaller reporting company.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

During the three months ended May 31, 2021, NTIC did not issue any shares of its common stock or other equity securities of NTIC that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table shows NTIC’s third quarter of fiscal 2021 stock repurchase activity.

Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share (or Unit)	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
March 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021	0	$0	0	(1)
April 1, 2021 through April 30, 2021	0	$0	0	(1)
May 1, 2021 through May 31, 2021	0	$0	0	(1)
Total	0	$0	0	(1)(2)

_______________________

(1)

On January 15, 2015, NTIC’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 in shares of NTIC common stock through open market purchases or unsolicited or solicited privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by NTIC’s Board of Directors at any time.

(2)	As of May 31, 2021, up to $2,640,548 in shares of NTIC common stock remained available for repurchase under NTIC’s stock repurchase program.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are being filed or furnished with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q:

Exhibit No.	Description	Method of Filing
31.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Filed herewith

32.1	Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith

32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	Furnished herewith

101	The following materials from NTIC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	Filed herewith

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)	Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

	/s/ Matthew C. Wolsfeld
Date: July 9, 2021	Matthew C. Wolsfeld, CPA
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized to Sign on Behalf of the Registrant)