UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

or

Commission File Number 001-35073

 

GEVO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

345 Inverness Drive South, Building C, Suite 310

Englewood, CO 80112

(303) 858-8358

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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:

 

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 October 31, 2017, 21,810,552 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

 

GEVO, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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GEVO, INC.  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Continued

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. Nature of Business, Financial Condition, Basis of Presentation and Reverse Stock Split

Nature of Business. Gevo, Inc. (“Gevo” or the “Company,” which, unless otherwise indicated, refers to Gevo, Inc. and its subsidiaries) is a renewable chemicals and next generation biofuels company focused on the development and commercialization of alternatives to petroleum-based products using isobutanol produced from renewable feedstocks. Gevo was incorporated in Delaware on June 9, 2005. Gevo formed Gevo Development, LLC (“Gevo Development”) in September 2009 to finance and develop biorefineries through joint venture, licensing arrangements, tolling arrangements or direct acquisition (see Note 8 Gevo Development). Gevo Development became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gevo in September 2010. Gevo Development purchased Agri-Energy, LLC (“Agri-Energy”) in September 2010.

Through May 2012, Agri-Energy, was engaged in the business of producing and selling ethanol and related products produced at its production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota (the “Luverne Facility”). The Company commenced the retrofit of the Luverne Facility in 2011 and commenced initial startup operations for the production of isobutanol at this facility in May 2012.  In September 2012, the Company made the strategic decision to pause isobutanol production at the Luverne Facility to focus on optimizing specific parts of the process to further enhance isobutanol production rates.  

In 2013, the Company modified the Luverne Facility in order to (i) significantly reduce previously identified infections, (ii) demonstrate that its biocatalyst performs in the one million liter fermenters at the Luverne Facility, and (iii) confirm GIFT ® efficacy at commercial scale at the Luverne Facility.  

In 2014, the Company further reconfigured the Luverne Facility to enable the co-production of both isobutanol and ethanol, leveraging the flexibility of its GIFT ® technology, with one fermenter utilized for isobutanol production and three fermenters utilized for ethanol production. In line with the Company’s strategy to maximize asset utilization and site cash flows, the Company believes that this configuration of the Luverne Facility should allow it to continue to optimize its isobutanol technology at a commercial scale, while taking advantage of potentially superior ethanol contribution margins. As a result, during certain periods the Company may only produce ethanol at the Luverne Facility. In addition, the condition of two of the Luverne Facility’s oldest fermentation vessels may limit the Company’s ability to co-produce isobutanol and ethanol. Therefore, the Company expects to focus on the production of ethonal and produce limited volumes of isobutanol until one or both of these fermentation vessels have been repaired or replaced.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company continues to engage in research and development, business development, business and financial planning, optimizing operations for isobutanol, hydrocarbon and ethanol production and raise capital to fund future expansion of its Luverne Facility for increased isobutanol and hydrocarbon production. Ultimately, the Company believes that the attainment of profitable operations is dependent upon future events, including (i) completing its development activities resulting in commercial production and sales of isobutanol or isobutanol-derived products and/or technology, (ii) obtaining adequate financing to complete its development activities, (iii) obtaining adequate financing to build out further isobutanol and hydrocarbon production capacity, (iv) gaining market acceptance and demand for its products and services, and (v) attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

The Company has primarily derived revenue from the sale of ethanol, distiller’s grains and other related products produced as part of the ethanol production process at the Luverne Facility. The production of ethanol alone is not the Company’s intended business and its future strategy is expected to depend on its ability to produce and market isobutanol and products derived from isobutanol.  As a result, the historical operating results of the Company may not be indicative of future operating results for Agri-Energy or Gevo.

Financial Condition. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred a consolidated net loss of $20.2 million and $34.9 million, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $397.0 million at September 30, 2017. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 totaled $14.8 million and are expected to be used for the following purposes: (i) operating activities of the Luverne Facility; (ii) operating activities at the Company’s corporate headquarters in Colorado, including research and development work; (iii) capital improvements primarily associated with the Luverne Facility; (iv) costs associated with optimizing isobutanol production technology; (v) exploration of strategic alternatives and new financings; and (vi) debt service  and repayment obligations.

The Company expects to incur future net losses as it continues to fund the development and commercialization of its product candidates. To date, the Company has financed its operations primarily with proceeds from multiple sales of equity and debt securities, borrowings under debt facilities and product sales. The Company’s transition to profitability is dependent upon, among other things, the successful development and commercialization of its product candidates and the achievement of a level of revenues adequate to support the Company’s cost structure. The Company may never achieve profitability or positive cash flows, and unless and until it does, the Company will continue to need to raise additional cash. Management intends to fund future operations through

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

additional private and/or public offerings of debt or equity securities.  In addition, the Company may seek additional capital through arrangements with strategic partners or from other sources, it may seek to restructure its debt and it will continue to address its cost structure. Notwithstanding, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise additional funds, or achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operations. Existing working capital was not sufficient to meet the cash requirements to fund planned operations through the period that is one year after the date the Company’s audited 2016 year-end financial statements were issued.  These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company’s inability to continue as a going concern may potentially affect the Company’s rights and obligations under its senior secured debt and issued and outstanding convertible notes. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of the Company’s assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company (which include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries Gevo Development and Agri-Energy) have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. These statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company at September 30, 2017 and are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under the heading “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Annual Report”). 

Reverse Stock Split. On December 21, 2016, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a one-for-twenty reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The reverse stock split became effective January 5, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts, per share data, share prices, exercise prices and conversion rates set forth in these notes and the accompanying consolidated financial statements have, where applicable, been adjusted retroactively to reflect this reverse stock split.

NASDAQ Market Price Compliance. On June 21, 2017, the Company received a letter from the staff (the “Staff”) of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) providing notification that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for the Company’s common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock, and the Company’s common stock will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “GEVO.”

If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by December 18, 2017, it may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, provided that it meets the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the NASDAQ Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement, and it would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. However, if it appears to the Staff that the Company will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if the Company is otherwise not eligible, NASDAQ would notify the Company that its securities would be subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, the Company may appeal the Staff’s determination to delist its securities, but there can be no assurance the Staff would grant the Company’s request for continued listing.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to outline a new, single comprehensive model to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The new revenue recognition model provides a five-step analysis for determining when and how revenue is recognized, depicting the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. On July 9, 2015, the FASB Board voted to delay the implementation of ASU 2014-09 by one year to December 15, 2017. In April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”) which provides additional clarification regarding Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing.  The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has not yet selected a transition method.

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The Company’s current and historical revenues have consisted of the following:  (a) ethanol sales and related products revenue, net; (b) Hydrocarbon revenue; and (c) grant and other revenue, which primarily has historically consisted of revenues from governmental and cooperative research grants. The following provides the Company’s initial assessment on how this standard will impact the aforementioned sources of revenue. However, given the complexity of this new standard and the Company is still in the process of further evaluation, the information below is subject to change and a different conclusion may be reached in the fourth quarter of 2017.  

 

Ethanol sales and related products revenues. Ethanol sales and related products revenues are sold to customers on a “free-on-board, shipping point” basis. Each transaction occurs independent of any other sale, and once sold, there are no future obligations on the part of the Company to provide post-sale support or promises to deliver future goods or services. The Company has and continues to sell close to 100 percent of its ethanol production to a single customer, representing 77.1% and 70.0% of total revenues for the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company completed its review of this customer and consistent with prior assessments, does not expect there to be any impact on how the Company has and will continue to account for sales of ethanol to this customer. The Company continues to evaluate other ethanol related product sale revenue streams, such as distiller’s grains and other ethanol related revenues to determine, what, if any, impact the new revenue recognition standard will have on the Company’s historical and future financial statements. However, the Company currently anticipates that there will be no material impact.

 

Hydrocarbon revenue. Hydrocarbon revenues include sales of alcohol-to-jet fuel (“ATJ”), isooctene and isooctane and is sold mostly on a “free-on-board, shipping point” basis. Each transaction occurs independent of any other sale, and once sold, there are no future obligations on the part of the Company provide post-sale support or promises to deliver future goods or services. The Company’s tentative assessment is that there will be no material impact, if any, to how the Company has historically recognized revenues prior to the upcoming adoption of ASU 2014-09.

 

Grant and other revenues. Grant and other revenues primarily has historically consisted of governmental and cooperative research grants, of which the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (“NARA”) grant, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), comprised the majority of those revenues since 2014. After initial review of this arrangement, the Company is preliminarily assessing that this grant does not qualify as a contract pursuant to Topic 606 “Revenues from Contracts with Customers”, which was established with the issuance of ASU 2014-09 due to the lack of any transfer of goods or services to the USDA. This could potentially alter the timing of revenue recognition compared to historical patterns, as revenue is generally deferred until consideration received is non-refundable when it is determined that an arrangement does not qualify as a contract. However, any impact is not expected to materially impact our financial statements.

Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Topic 842 Leases. ASU-2016-02 requires leases to be reported on the financial statements. The objective is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Future minimum lease obligations for leases accounted for as operating leases at September 30, 2017 totaled $3.3 million. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Statement of Cash Flows, Classification of Certain Cash Receivable and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which clarifies cash flow statement classification of eight specific cash flow issues. The purpose of ASU 2016-15 is to provide clarification and consistency for classifying the eight specific cash flow issues because current GAAP either is unclear or does not include specific guidance. The amendments in the update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-15 on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

Statement of Cash Flows – Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”). In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows Restricted Cash which standardizes the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. This amendment requires that that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This amendment is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, but early adoption is permitted. This standard must be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Adoption of this standard will materially impact the presentation of the Company’s historical statement of cash flow due to the existence of approximately $2.6 million in restricted cash deposits relating to the 2017 Notes (see Note 5). However, this standard will not materially impact the Company prospectively as a result of the release of the restricted cash in April 2017 due to an amendment to the 2017 Notes (see Note 7).

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Provisions (“ASU 2017-11”). In July 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-11, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Provisions which simplifies the accounting for certain equity-linked financial instruments and embedded features with down round features that reduce the exercise price when the pricing of a future round of financing is lower. Currently, the existence of such features require classification outside of equity and recognition of changes in the fair value of the instrument in earnings each reporting period. This standard eliminates the need to remeasure the instruments at fair value and allows classification within equity. This standard will not materially impact the Company’s accounting, as current liability classified financial instruments and embedded derivatives that require separation from the host instrument have features other than down-round provisions that require current accounting and classification.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements.

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”). In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory which requires an entity to measure in scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company adopted this standard for the year-ending December 31, 2017. Adoption of this standard does not materially impact the measurement of the Company’s inventory.

 

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (“ASU 2016-06”).  In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments. Topic 815 requires that embedded derivatives be separated from the host contract and accounted for separately as derivatives if certain criteria are met. There are two approaches for determining if the criteria are met. The objective of ASU 2016-06 is intended to resolve the diversity in practice resulting from those two approaches. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2017.  The adoption of this new standard does not materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Compensation—Stock Compensation (‘ASU 2016-09”). In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation. This standard was issued as part of its Simplification Initiative. The objective of the Simplification Initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of GAAP for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 effective as of January 1, 2017, and the adoption of this standard does not materially impact the Company’s accounting for stock compensation.

 

 

2. Earnings per Share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to Gevo common stockholders for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) includes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and is computed using the weighted-average number of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 excluded common stock equivalents because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive, or would decrease the reported loss per share.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth securities outstanding that could potentially dilute the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

 

 

3. Inventories

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s inventory balances (in thousands).

 

 

 

Work in process inventory includes unfinished jet fuel, isooctane, isooctene and isobutanol inventory. During 2016, the Company chose to classify isobutanol as a component of finished goods due to the increased production of isobutanol at our Luverne Facility and the positive market development and customer demand for isobutanol being sold directly into the market as a gasoline blendstock.

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

The following table sets forth the Company’s property, plant and equipment by classification (in thousands).

 

 

Included in cost of goods sold is depreciation of $4.6 million and $4.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

Included in operating expenses is depreciation of $0.4 million and $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  

 

 

5. Embedded Derivatives and Derivative Warrant Liabilities  

2020 Notes Embedded Derivative

In June 2017, the Company issued its 12% convertible senior secured notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) in exchange for its 12.0% convertible senior secured notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”).  The 2020 Notes contain the following embedded derivatives: (i) a Make-Whole Payment (as defined in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes (the “2020 Notes Indenture”)) upon either conversion or redemption; (ii) right to redeem the outstanding principal upon a Fundamental Change (as defined in the 2020 Notes Indenture); (iii) issuer rights to convert into a limited number of shares in any given three-month period commencing nine -months from the issuance date and dependent on the stock price exceeding 150% of the then in-effect conversion price over a ten-business day period; and (iv) holder rights to convert into either shares of the Company’s common stock or pre-funded warrants upon the election of the holders of the 2020 Notes.

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract and the 2020 Notes, and carried at fair value when: (a) the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; and (b) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument. The Company has concluded that certain embedded derivatives within the 2020 Notes meet these criteria and, as such, must be valued separate and apart from the 2020 Notes as one embedded derivative and recorded at fair value each reporting period.

The Company used a binomial lattice model in order to estimate the fair value of the embedded derivative in the 2020 Notes. A binomial lattice model generates two probable outcomes, whether up or down, arising at each point in time, starting from the date of valuation until the maturity date. A lattice was initially used to determine if the 2020 Notes would be converted by the holder, called by the issuer, or held at each decision point. Within the lattice model, the following assumptions are made: (i) the 2020 Notes will be converted by the holder if the conversion value plus the holder’s Make-Whole Payment is greater than the holding value; or (ii) the 2020 Notes will be called by the issuer if (a) the stock price exceeds 150% of the then in-effect conversion price over a ten-business day period and (b) if the holding value is greater than the conversion value plus the Make-Whole Payment at the time.

Using this lattice model, the Company valued the embedded derivative using a “with-and-without method”, where the value of the 2020 Notes including the embedded derivative is defined as the “with”, and the value of the 2020 Notes excluding the embedded derivative is defined as the “without”. This method estimates the value of the embedded derivative by comparing the difference in the

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

values between the 2020 Notes with the embedded derivative and the value of the 2020 Notes without the embedded derivative. The lattice model requires the following inputs: (i) price of Gevo common stock; (ii) Conversion Rate (as defined in the 2020 Notes Indenture); (iii) Conversion Price (as defined in the 2020 Notes Indenture); (iv) maturity date; (v) risk-free interest rate; (vi) estimated stock volatility; and (vii) estimated credit spread for the Company.

As of September 30, 2017 the estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives was $6.5 million.  Any change in the estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives represents an unrealized gain which has been recorded as $2.2 million and $0.5 million from the change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company recorded the estimated fair value of the embedded derivative with the 2020 Notes, net in the consolidated balance sheets.

The following table sets forth the inputs to the lattice model that were used to value the embedded derivatives.

 

 * - The June 20, 2017 inputs represent the initial valuation of the 2020 Notes Embedded Derivative instrument that arose due to the exchange of the 2017 Notes for the 2020 Notes.

Changes in certain inputs into the lattice model can have a significant impact on changes in the estimated fair value of the embedded featured within the 2020 Notes. For example, the estimated fair value will generally decrease with: (1) a decline in the stock price; (2) decreases in the estimated stock volatility; and (3) a decrease in the estimated credit spread.

2022 Notes Embedded Derivative

In July 2012, the Company issued 7.5% convertible senior notes due July 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) which contain the following embedded derivatives: (i) rights to convert into shares of the Company’s common stock, including upon a Fundamental Change (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Notes (the “2022 Notes Indenture”)); and (ii) a Coupon Make-Whole Payment (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture) in the event of a conversion by the holders of the 2022 Notes prior to July 1, 2017.

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract, the 2022 Notes, and carried at fair value when: (a) the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; and (b) a separate, stand-alone instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument. The Company has concluded that the embedded derivatives within the 2022 Notes meet these criteria and, as such, must be valued separate and apart from the 2022 Notes as one embedded derivative and recorded at fair value each reporting period.

The Company used a binomial lattice model in order to estimate the fair value of the embedded derivative in the 2022 Notes. A binomial lattice model generates two probable outcomes, whether up or down, arising at each point in time, starting from the date of valuation until the maturity date. A lattice was initially used to determine if the 2022 Notes would be converted, called or held at each decision point. Within the lattice model, the following assumptions are made: (i) the 2022 Notes will be converted early if the conversion value is greater than the holding value; or (ii) the 2022 Notes will be called if the holding value is greater than both (a) the Redemption Price (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture) and (b) the conversion value plus the Coupon Make-Whole Payment at the time. If the 2022 Notes are called, then the holders will maximize their value by finding the optimal decision between (1) redeeming at the Redemption Price and (2) converting the 2022 Notes.

Using this binomial lattice model, the Company valued the embedded derivative using a “with-and-without method”, where the value of the 2022 Notes including the embedded derivative is defined as the “with”, and the value of the 2022 Notes excluding the embedded derivative is defined as the “without”. This method estimates the value of the embedded derivative by looking at the difference in the values between the 2022 Notes with the embedded derivative and the value of the 2022 Notes without the embedded derivative. The lattice model requires the following inputs: (i) price of Gevo common stock; (ii) Conversion Rate (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture); (iii) Conversion Price (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture); (iv) maturity date; (v) risk-free interest rate; (vi) estimated stock volatility; and (vii) estimated credit spread for the Company.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives was zero.  Any decline in the estimated fair value of the embedded derivatives represents an unrealized gain which has been recorded as gain from change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company recorded the estimated fair value of the embedded derivative with the 2022 notes, net in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Warrant Liability

The following warrants were sold by the Company (all share totals have been adjusted to reflect reverse stock-splits, if applicable):

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth information pertaining to shares issued upon the exercise of such warrants as of September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

The agreements governing the above warrants include the following terms:

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Based on these terms, the Company has determined that the 2013 Warrants, the 2014 Warrants, the Series A Warrants, the Series C Warrants, the Series D Warrants, the Series F Warrants, the Series I Warrants, the Series K Warrants, and the Series M Warrants (together, the “Warrants”) qualify as derivatives and, as such, are presented as derivative warrant liability on the consolidated balance sheets and recorded at fair value each reporting period. The fair value of the Warrants was estimated to be $2.1 million and $2.7 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The decrease in the derivative warrant liability is the result of the decline in the Company’s stock price.  

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company issued 150,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of Series K Warrants, 570,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of Series L Warrants and 3,500,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of Series M Warrants, resulting in a total proceeds of approximately $2.2 million.

In addition, in September 2017, as permitted by Section 2(a) of the Series M Warrants agreement the Board of Directors of the Company approved a voluntarily reduction of the exercise price of the Series M Warrants exercisable into 3,945,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from an exercise price of $2.35 per share of common stock to $0.60 per share of common stock, for the remaining term of these warrants. Except for the reduction in exercise price, the terms of these Series M Warrants remained unchanged. In September 2017, the Company issued 3,500,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of these Series M Warrants. As of September 30, 2017, 445,000 Series M Warrants for which the exercise price had been adjusted to $0.60 remained outstanding. In October 2017, the remaining 445,000 Series M Warrants for which the exercise price had been adjusted to $0.60 were exercised, and the Company issued 445,000 shares of common stock as a result of these exercises.

   In October 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company approved voluntarily reductions of the exercise price of additional Series M Warrants exercisable into 1,185,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from an exercise price of $2.35 per share of common stock to $0.65 per share of common stock, and Series M Warrants exercisable into 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from an exercise price of $2.35 per share of common stock to $0.60 per share of common stock.  Except for the reduction in exercise price, the terms of these Series M Warrants remained unchanged.

In October 2017, the Company issued 1,930,000 shares of common stock as a result of the exercise of Series M Warrants, for which the price had been reset, and the Company received proceeds of approximately $1.2 million from these exercises. As a result, as of October 31, 2017, all of the Series M Warrants for which the exercise price had been adjusted were fully exercised.

In May 2016, as permitted by Section 2(a) of the Series H Warrant agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a voluntary reduction of the exercise price of Series H Warrants exercisable into 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, from an exercise price of $15.00 per share of common stock to $6.00 per share of common stock, for the remaining term of these warrants. Except for the reduction in exercise price, the terms of these Series H Warrants remain unchanged.    

In June 2016, as permitted by Section 2(a) of the Series H Warrant agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a voluntary reduction of the exercise price of Series H Warrants exercisable into 150,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, from an exercise price of $15.00 per share of common stock to $8.40 per share of common stock, for the remaining term of these warrants. The Board of Directors of the Company also approved a voluntary reduction of the exercise price of Series H Warrants exercisable into 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, from an exercise price of $15.00 per share of common stock to $10.40 per share of common stock, for the remaining term of these warrants. Ultimately, the Company adjusted the exercise price to

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

$10.40 per share of common stock for Series H Warrants exercisable into 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. Except for the reduction in exercise price, the terms of these Series H Warrants remain unchanged.         

In June 2016, as permitted by Section 9 of the Series D Warrant agreement, the Company agreed with certain holders of the Series D Warrants to the amend the exercise price and accelerate the initial exercise date for Series D Warrants exercisable into 208,370 shares of the Company’s common stock held by such holders. Pursuant to that amendment, with respect to these Series D Warrants held by those holders, the exercise price was increased from an exercise price of $2.00 per share of common stock to $3.50 per share of common stock, for the remaining term of these warrants and the initial exercise date was changed from June 11, 2016 to June 8, 2016. Except for the change in exercise price and the initial exercise date, the terms of these Series D Warrants remained unchanged.      

As of September 30, 2017, all of the Series H Warrants and Series D Warrants for which the exercise price had been adjusted were fully exercised.

 

 

 

6. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

The following table sets forth the components of the Company’s accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).

 

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

7. Debt

2020 Notes   

The following table sets forth information pertaining to the 2020 Notes which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).  

                

 

On April 19, 2017, the Company entered into an Exchange and Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with WB Gevo, LTD (the “Holder”) the holder of the 2017 Notes, which were issued under that certain Indenture dated as of June 6, 2014, by and among the Company, the guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and as collateral trustee (as supplemented, the “2017 Notes Indenture”), and Whitebox Advisors LLC, in its capacity as representative of the Holder (“Whitebox”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Holder, subject to certain conditions, including approval of the transaction by the Company’s stockholders (which was received on June 15, 2017), agreed to exchange all of the outstanding principal amount of the 2017 Notes for an equal principal amount of the 2020 Notes, plus an amount in cash equal to the accrued and unpaid interest (other than interest paid in kind) on the 2017 Notes (the “Exchange”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also granted the Holder an option (the “Purchase Option”) to purchase up to an additional aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million of 2020 Notes (the “Option Notes”), at a purchase price equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Option Notes purchased, having identical terms (other than with respect to the issue date and restrictions on transfer relating to compliance with applicable securities law) to the 2020 Notes issued, at any time on or within ninety (90) days of the closing of the Exchange. The right to purchase Option Notes have expired as of September 30, 2017. On June 20, 2017, the Company completed the Exchange, terminated the 2017 Notes Indenture and cancelled the 2017 Notes.  The Company recognized an approximately $4.0 million loss which has been recorded as loss on exchange or conversion of debt within the consolidated statements of operations.

The 2020 Notes will mature on March 15, 2020. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 12% per annum (with 2% potentially payable as PIK Interest (as defined and described below) at the Company’s option), payable on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year. Under certain circumstances, the Company has the option to pay a portion of the interest due on the 2020 Notes by either (a) increasing the principal amount of the 2020 Notes by the amount of interest then due or (b) issuing additional 2020 Notes with a principal amount equal to the amount of interest then due (interest paid in the manner set forth in (a) or (b) being referred to as “PIK Interest”). In the event the Company pays any portion of the interest due on the 2020 Notes as PIK Interest, the maximum aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes that could be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock will be increased. Additional shares of the Company’s common stock may also become issuable pursuant to the 2020 Notes in the event the Company is required to make certain make-whole payments as provided in the 2020 Notes Indenture.

The 2020 Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain terms and conditions. The initial conversion price of the 2020 Notes is equal to $0.7359 per share of common stock, or 1.3589 shares of common stock per $1 principal amount of 2020 Notes (the “Conversion Price”). In addition, upon certain equity financing transactions by the Company, the Holders will have a one-time right to reset the Conversion Price (the “Reset Provision”) (i) in the first ninety (90) days following the Exchange Date, at a 25% premium to the common stock price in the equity financing and (ii) after ninety (90) and to and including one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the Exchange, at a 35% premium to the common stock share price in the equity financing. Following an exercise of the Reset Provision, the Holders will also have a right to consent to certain equity financings by the Company during the one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the Exchange.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

Each Holder has agreed not to convert its 2020 Notes into shares of Company common stock to the extent that, after giving effect to such conversion, the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by such Holder and its affiliates would exceed 4.99% of Company common stock outstanding at the time of such conversion (the “4.99% Ownership Limitation”); provided that a Holder may, at its option and upon sixty-one (61) days’ prior notice to the Company, increase such threshold to 9.99% (the “9.99% Ownership Limitation”). If a conversion of 2020 Notes by Whitebox would exceed the 4.99% Ownership Limitation or the 9.99% Ownership Limitation, as applicable, the Purchase Agreement contains a provision granting the holder a fully funded prepaid warrant for such common stock with a term of nine months, subject to a 6 month extension, which it can draw down from time to time.

Other than as set forth in the Reset Provision, the 2020 Notes do not contain any anti-dilution adjustments for future equity issuances that are below the Conversion Price, and adjustments to the Conversion Price will only generally be made in the event that there is a dividend or distribution paid on shares of the Company’s common stock, a subdivision, combination or reclassification of the Company’s common stock, or at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company in limited circumstances and subject to certain conditions.

Under certain circumstances, we may file one or more registration statements on Form S-3 or amend filings in order to register shares of common stock for sale or resale, as necessary in connection with the 2020 notes.

 

2017 Notes   

In May 2014, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with the lenders party thereto from time to time (each, a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”) and Whitebox Advisors, LLC, as administrative agent for the Lenders (“Whitebox”), with a maturity date of March 15, 2017, pursuant to which the Lenders committed to provide one or more senior secured term loans to the Company in an aggregate amount of up to approximately $31.1 million on the terms and conditions set forth in the Loan Agreement (collectively, the “Term Loan”). The first and only advance of the Term Loan in the amount of $22.8 million, net of discounts and issue costs of $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, was made to the Company in May 2014. Also in May 2014, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into an Exchange and Purchase Agreement (the “Exchange and Purchase Agreement”) with WB Gevo, Ltd. and the other Lenders party thereto from time to time and Whitebox, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange and Purchase Agreement, the Lenders were given the right, subject to certain conditions, to exchange all or a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan for the Company’s 2017 Notes, which were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock.  While outstanding, the Term Loan bore an interest rate equal to 15% per annum, of which 5% was payable in cash and 10% was payable in kind and capitalized and added to the principal amount of the Term Loan.

In June 2014, the Lenders exchanged all $25.9 million of outstanding principal amount of Term Loan for 2017 Notes, together with accrued paid-in-kind interest of $0.2 million. The terms of the 2017 Notes were set forth in an indenture by and among the Company, its subsidiaries in their capacity as guarantors, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “2017 Notes Indenture”).

On February 13, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into an Tenth Supplemental Indenture (the “Tenth Supplemental Indenture”) with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and collateral trustee, and Whitebox, relating to the 2017 Notes. The Tenth Supplemental Indenture amended the 2017 Notes Indenture to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the 2017 Notes to June 23, 2017, (ii) increase the interest rate on the 2017 Notes from 10.0% to 12.0% per annum, and (iii) required the Company to pay down approximately $9.6 million in principal outstanding leaving the remaining principal balance of the 2017 Notes at approximately $16.5 million.

While the 2017 Notes were outstanding, the Company was required to maintain an interest reserve in an amount equal to 10% of the original outstanding principal amount of $26.1 million, to be adjusted on an annual basis. As of December 31, 2016, there was a balance of $2.6 million in the interest reserve account. This amount was classified as restricted deposits until the second quarter of 2017.    

As described above, on June 20, 2017, the Company and the Holder exchanged all of the outstanding principal amount of the 2017 Notes for an equal principal amount of the 2020 Notes. As a result, at September 30, 2017, the outstanding principal amount of the 2017 Notes was zero.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The Company elected the fair value option for accounting of the 2017 Notes in order for management to mitigate income statement volatility caused by measurement basis differences between the embedded instruments or to eliminate complexities of applying certain accounting models. Accordingly, the principal amount of 2017 Notes outstanding at December 31, 2016 of $26.1 million was recorded at its estimated fair value of $25.8 million, and is included in the 2017 Notes recorded at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016. Debt issuance costs of $1.5 million were expensed at issuance and a gain of $4.2 million has been recognized in subsequent periods in connection with the election of the fair value option.  Change in the estimated fair value of the 2017 Notes represents an unrealized gain included in gain (loss) from change in fair value of 2017 Notes in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of the 2017 Notes at the issuance date were equal to the net proceeds from the loan.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred cash interest expense of $1.0 and $3.2 million, respectively related to the 2017 Notes.                                     

The following table sets forth the inputs to the lattice model that were used to value the 2017 Notes for which the fair value option was elected.  As a result of the June 20, 2017 exchange of the 2017 Notes for the 2020 Notes, there is no longer any value attributed to the 2017 Notes at September 30, 2017.

 

 

The following table sets forth information pertaining to the 2017 Notes which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).

 

 

Changes in certain inputs into the lattice model can have a significant impact on changes in the estimated fair value of the 2017 Notes. For example, the estimated fair value will generally decrease with: (1) a decline in the stock price; (2) decreases in the estimated stock volatility; and (3) a decrease in the estimated credit spread. The change in the estimated fair value of the 2017 Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, represents an unrealized loss which has been recorded as a loss from change in fair value of 2017 Notes in the consolidated statements of operations.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

2022 Notes

The following table sets forth information pertaining to the 2022 Notes which is included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (in thousands).  

 

 

In July 2012, the Company sold $45.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes, for net proceeds of $40.9 million, after accounting for $2.7 million and $1.4 million of discounts and issue costs, respectively. The 2022 Notes bear interest at 7.5% which is to be paid semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year. The 2022 Notes will mature on July 1, 2022, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. During the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of expense related to the amortization of debt discounts and issue costs, $1.2 million and 2.5 million, respectively, of expense related to the exchange of debt; and $0.03 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of interest expense related to the 2022 Notes. The amortization of debt issue costs, debt discounts and cash interest are included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company amortizes debt discounts and debt issue costs associated with the 2022 Notes using an effective interest rate of 40% from the issuance date through July 1, 2017, a five-year period, which represents the date the holders can require the Company to repurchase the 2022 Notes.

The 2022 Notes are convertible at a conversion rate of 0.5856 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as described in the Indenture. This is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $1,707.65 per share of common stock. Holders may convert the 2022 Notes at any time prior to the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the maturity date of July 1, 2022.

If a holder elects to convert its 2022 Notes prior to July 1, 2017, such holder shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the consideration upon conversion, a Coupon Make-Whole Payment. The Coupon Make-Whole Payment is equal to the sum of the present values of the number of semi-annual interest payments that would have been payable on the 2022 Notes that a holder has elected to convert from the last day through which interest was paid up to but excluding July 1, 2017, computed using a discount rate of 2%. The Company may pay any Coupon Make-Whole Payment either in cash or in shares of common stock at its election. If the Company elects to pay in common stock, the stock will be valued at 90% of the average of the daily volume weighted average prices of the Company’s common stock for the 10 trading days preceding the date of conversion. Prior to 2016, the Company converted $20.1 million in outstanding 2022 Notes in return for 28,978 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which, 7,331 represented amounts owed under the Coupon Make-Whole Payment. Additionally, the Company issued 55,392 shares in exchange for the redemption of $2.5 million of the 2022 Notes.

In the second half of 2016, the Company issued 951,801 shares in exchange for the redemption of $12.8 million in outstanding 2022 Notes. In the first half of 2017, the Company issued 2,982,053 shares in exchange for $8.9 million in outstanding 2022 Notes, resulting in approximately $1.0 million loss on exchange of debt.

If a Make-Whole Fundamental Change (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture) occurs and a holder elects to convert its 2022 Notes prior to July 1, 2017, the conversion rate will increase based upon reference to the table set forth in Schedule A of the Indenture. In no event will the conversion rate increase to more than 0.6734 per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Notes.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The Company had a provisional redemption right (“Provisional Redemption”) to redeem, at its option, all or any part of the 2022 Notes at a price payable in cash, beginning on July 1, 2015 and prior to July 1, 2017, provided that the Company’s common stock for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date of the redemption notice exceeds 150% of the conversion price for the 2022 Notes in effect on such trading day. On or after July 1, 2017, the Company has an optional redemption right (“Optional Redemption”) to redeem, at its option, all or any part of the 2022 Notes at a price payable in cash. The price payable in cash for the Optional Redemption or Provisional Redemption is equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2022 Notes redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon through, but excluding, the repurchase date.

The holders of the 2022 Notes had a one-time option to require the Company to repurchase on July 1, 2017 (or on the first business day following such date), at a purchase price, payable in cash, equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the principal amount of any 2022 Notes to be so purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to July 1, 2017, certain holders of the 2022 Notes delivered notices to the trustee 2022 Notes requiring the repurchase of $175,000 principal amount of the 2022 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, which was completed on July 3, 2017.

If there is an Event of Default (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture) under the 2022 Notes, the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to the Company and the trustee may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal amount of all the outstanding 2022 Notes and accrued and unpaid interest thereon to be due and payable immediately.  There have been no Events of Default as of September 30, 2017.

 

 

8. Gevo Development

 

The Company made capital contributions to Gevo Development of $7.2 million and $12.3 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016.    

The following table sets forth (in thousands) the net loss incurred by Gevo Development (including Agri-Energy after September 22, 2010, the closing date of the acquisition) which has been fully allocated to the Company’s capital contribution account based upon its capital contributions (for the period prior to September 2010) and 100% ownership (for the period after September 22, 2010).

 

 

The accounts of Agri-Energy are consolidated within Gevo Development as a wholly-owned subsidiary which is then consolidated into Gevo.  

 

 

9. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation expense during the requisite service period for share-based payment awards granted to employees and non-employees.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s stock-based compensation expense (in thousands) for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters. From time to time, the Company has been and may again become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. The Company is not presently a party to any litigation that we believe to be material and is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation against the Company that it believes could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Leases. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company entered into a six-year software license agreement. The Company concluded that the software license agreement qualified as a capital lease. Accordingly, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had capital lease liabilities of $0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has an operating lease for its office, research, and production facility in Englewood, Colorado with a term expiring in July 2021. The Company also maintains a corporate apartment in Colorado, which has a lease term expiring during the next 12 months.  The Company has an operating lease for the rail cars used by Agri-Energy in Luverne, Minnesota.

Rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 was $0.4 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

The table below shows the future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases and at September 30, 2017 (in thousands):

 

 

Indemnifications. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company makes certain indemnities under which it may be required to make payments in relation to certain transactions. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any liabilities associated with indemnities.

Certain of the Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, for which the carrying value on the Company’s balance sheet approximates their fair values due to the short maturities.  

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

In addition, the Company, as permitted under Delaware law and in accordance with its amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, indemnifies its officers and directors for certain events or occurrences, subject to certain limits, while the officer or director is or was serving at the Company’s request in such capacity. The duration of these indemnifications, commitments, and guarantees varies and, in certain cases, is indefinite. The maximum amount of potential future indemnification is unlimited; however, the Company has a director and officer insurance policy that may enable it to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. The Company accrues for losses for any known contingent liability, including those that may arise from indemnification provisions, when future payment is probable. No such losses have been recorded to date.

 

Environmental Liabilities. The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws require the Company to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at its locations. Accordingly, the Company has adopted policies, practices and procedures in the areas of pollution control, occupational health and the production, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability which could result from such events. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. No environmental liabilities have been recorded as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

 

 

11. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards define fair value, outline a framework for measuring fair value, and detail the required disclosures about fair value measurements. Under these standards, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or most advantageous market. Standards establish a hierarchy in determining the fair market value of an asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy has three levels of inputs, both observable and unobservable. Standards require the utilization of the highest possible level of input to determine fair value.

Level 1 – inputs include quoted market prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – inputs are market data, other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices in an inactive market, and other observable information that can be corroborated by market data.

Level 3 – inputs are unobservable and corroborated by little or no market data.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

These tables present the carrying value and fair value, by fair value hierarchy, of our financial instruments, excluding cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (in thousands).  

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

The following table provides changes to those fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

 

Inventories. The Company records its corn inventory at fair value only when the Company’s cost of corn purchased exceeds the market value for corn. The Company determines the market value of corn and dry distiller’s grain based upon Level 1 inputs using quoted market prices. The Company records its ethanol, isobutanol and hydrocarbon inventory at market using Level 2 inputs.   

2017 Notes.  The Company had estimated the fair value of the 2017 Notes to be $25.8 million at December 31, 2016, utilizing a binomial lattice model. The Company derecognized the liability when it exchanged the 2017 Notes for the 2020 Notes on June 20, 2017. See Note 7, Debt, for fair value inputs used to estimate the fair value of the 2017 Notes and for additional disclosures on the 2017 Notes exchange.

2020 Notes.  The Company has estimated the fair value of the 2020 Notes to be $13.5 million at June 20, 2017, the date the Company exchanged the 2017 Notes for the 2020 Notes, utilizing a binomial lattice model. The Company has elected to account for the 2020 Notes using the amortized cost method and reported at $13.1 million, net of debt discount and issuance costs at September 30, 2017.

2020 Notes Embedded Derivative. The Company had estimated the fair value of the embedded derivative on a stand-alone basis to be $6.5 million at September 30, 2017 based upon Level 3 inputs. See Note 5, Embedded Derivatives and Derivative Warrant Liabilities, for the fair value inputs used to estimate the fair value of the 2020 Notes with and without the embedded derivative and the fair value of the embedded derivative.

2022 Notes Embedded Derivative. The Company had estimated the fair value of the embedded derivative on a stand-alone basis to be $0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, based upon Level 3 inputs. See Note 5, Embedded Derivatives and Derivative Warrant Liabilities, for the fair value inputs used to estimate the fair value of the 2022 Notes with and without the embedded derivative and the fair value of the embedded derivative. 

Derivative Warrant Liability. Prior to 2017, the Company estimated the fair value of the Series A, Series F and Series K warrants using a Monte-Carlo model (Level 3). For all other warrants the Company valued these using a standard Black-Scholes model (Level 2). However, beginning in the first quarter 2017, the Company valued the Series F and K using a Monte-Carlo model (Level 3) and other warrants using Black-Scholes models comprised of some inputs requiring the use of Monte-Carlo models (Level 3). During the third quarter of 2017, only the Series K warrants were valued using a Monte-Carlo model. The Company has estimated the fair value of the derivative warrant liability to be $2.1 million as of September 30, 2017.

 While the Company believes that its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, it recognizes that the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 

 

12. Segments

We have determined that we have two operating segments: (i) Gevo segment; and (ii) Gevo Development/Agri-Energy segment. We organize our business segments based on the nature of the products and services offered through each of our consolidated legal entities. Transactions between segments are eliminated in consolidation.

Gevo Segment. Our Gevo segment is responsible for all research and development activities related to the future production of isobutanol, including the development of our proprietary biocatalysts, the production and sale of biojet fuel, our retrofit process and the next generation of chemicals and biofuels that will be based on our isobutanol technology. Our Gevo segment also develops, maintains and protects our intellectual property portfolio, develops future markets for our isobutanol and provides corporate oversight services.

Gevo Development/Agri-Energy Segment. Our Gevo Development/Agri-Energy segment is currently responsible for the operation of our Luverne Facility and the production of ethanol, isobutanol and related products.

 

 

 

 

 

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GEVO, INC.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

13. Subsequent Events      

    

       

See Note 5 “Embedded Derivatives and Derivative Warrant Liabilities” for disclosure of the reduction of the exercise price of certain Series M Warrants, as well as the exercise of certain Series M Warrants in October 2017.   

 

 

 

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) contains forward-looking statements. When used anywhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”), the words “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial or operational performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include those related to our ability to sell our products, our ability to expand or continue production of isobutanol at our production facility in Luverne, Minnesota (the “Luverne Facility”), our ability to meet our production, financial and operational guidance, the continued listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, our ability and plans to construct a commercial hydrocarbon facility to produce alcohol-to-jet fuel (“ATJ”), our ability to raise additional funds to continue operations and/or expand the Luverne Facility, our ability to produce isobutanol, achievement of advances in our technology platform, the success of our retrofit production model, additional competition and changes in economic conditions and those risks described in documents we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including this Report in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors,” our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (our “Annual Report”), and other reports that we have filed with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this Report are qualified entirely by the cautionary statements included in this Report and such other filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained in this Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report. We disclaim any undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.  

Unless the context requires otherwise, in this Report the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Gevo, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Report. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including, without limitation, the disclosures in our Annual Report.

Reverse Stock Split

On December 21, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a one-for-twenty reverse split of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. This reverse stock split became effective on January 5, 2017 and, unless otherwise indicated, all share amounts, per share data, share prices, exercise prices and conversion rates set forth in these notes and the accompanying consolidated financial statements have, where applicable, been adjusted retroactively to reflect this reverse stock split.

Company Overview

We are a renewable chemicals and next generation biofuels company.  We have developed proprietary technology that uses a combination of synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering to focus primarily on the production of renewable isobutanol as well as related products from renewable feedstocks.  Isobutanol is a four-carbon alcohol that can be sold directly for use as a specialty chemical in the production of solvents, paints and coatings or as a value-added gasoline blendstock. Isobutanol can also be converted into butenes using dehydration chemistry deployed in the refining and petrochemicals industries today. The convertibility of isobutanol into butenes is important because butenes are primary hydrocarbon building blocks used in the production of hydrocarbon fuels, including isooctane, isooctene and alcohol-to-jet-fuel (“ATJ”), as well as lubricants, polyester, rubber, plastics, fibers and other polymers. We believe that the products derived from isobutanol have potential applications in substantially all of the global hydrocarbon fuels markets and in approximately 40% of the global petrochemicals markets.

In order to produce and sell isobutanol made from renewable sources, we have developed the Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology ® (“GIFT ®”), an integrated technology platform for the efficient production and separation of renewable isobutanol. GIFT ® consists of two components, proprietary biocatalysts that convert sugars derived from multiple renewable feedstocks into isobutanol through fermentation, and a proprietary separation unit that is designed to continuously separate isobutanol during the fermentation process. We developed our technology platform to be compatible with the existing approximately 25 billion gallons per year (“BGPY”) of global operating ethanol production capacity, as estimated by the Renewable Fuels Association.

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GIFT® is designed to permit (i) the retrofit of existing ethanol capacity to produce isobutanol, ethanol or both products simultaneously or (ii) the addition of renewable isobutanol or ethanol production capabilities to a facility’s existing ethanol production by adding additional fermentation capacity side-by-side with the facility’s existing ethanol fermentation capacity (collectively referred to as “Retrofit”). Having the flexibility to switch between the production of isobutanol and ethanol, or produce both products simultaneously, should allow us to optimize asset utilization and cash flows at a facility by taking advantage of fluctuations in market conditions. GIFT ® is also designed to allow relatively low capital expenditure Retrofits of existing ethanol facilities, enabling a relatively rapid route to isobutanol production from the fermentation of renewable feedstocks. Alternatively, GIFT ® can be deployed at a greenfield or brownfield site to produce isobutanol only.  We believe that our production route will be cost-efficient, will enable relatively rapid deployment of our technology platform and allow our isobutanol and related renewable products to be economically competitive with many of the petroleum-based products used in the chemicals and fuels markets today.

NASDAQ Market Price Compliance

On June 21, 2017, we received a letter from the staff (the “Staff”) of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) providing notification that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice has no immediate effect on the listing of our common stock, and our common stock will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “GEVO.”

If we do not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by December 18, 2017, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, provided that we meet the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the NASDAQ Capital Market, with the exception of the minimum bid price requirement, and we would need to provide written notice of its intention to cure the deficiency during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split, if necessary. However, if it appears to the Staff that we will not be able to cure the deficiency, or if we are otherwise not eligible, NASDAQ would notify us that our securities would be subject to delisting. In the event of such a notification, we may appeal the Staff’s determination to delist our securities, but there can be no assurance the Staff would grant our request for continued listing.

We intend to actively monitor the bid price of our common stock and its minimum market value of listed securities and will consider options available to us to achieve compliance with the NASDAQ listing rules. There can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement or will otherwise be in compliance with the other listing standards for the NASDAQ Capital Market.

Latest Highlights and Developments

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Outlook for 2017

We have established the following specific operational and financial targets and milestones for 2017:

Strategic Review

Management and the Board of Directors are reviewing the Company’s strategic and financial options.  Management and the Board of Directors are committed to exploring all strategic and financial options that are in the best interests of all of our stakeholders, including our stockholders, and that are designed to maximize the value of the Company.  Specifically, management and the Board of Directors are exploring all options to improve the cash flow profile of the Company’s business, including the Luverne Facility, to allow the Company sufficient time to develop the markets and customers for its renewable isobutanol and related hydro-carbon products.

We are currently engaged in discussions with several interested strategic parties regarding transactions or investments that would provide capital that would assist us in implementing our business development plans. There are no assurances that we will successfully complete such transactions or investments into the Company.

In line with our desire to improve the cash flow profile of the Luverne Facility, we decided to reduce our employee base at the Luverne Facility in October 2017 to better match industry norms in terms of staffing levels necessary to produce solely ethanol at the plant. We do not believe that this staffing reduction will impact our ability to periodically return to the co-production of isobutanol and ethanol, as we expect to temporarily shift resources from our headquarters in Englewood, CO, to Luverne, MN, to make up for any shortfalls. We expect that this reduction in force, as well as the focus on ethanol production, will result in a significant decrease in controllable expenses at the Luverne Facility.

In addition, we are currently reviewing other initiatives to improve the cash flow profile of the Luverne Facility and our headquarter operations located in Englewood, Colorado, which we expect to undertake in the near future.

Isobutanol, Hydrocarbons and Ethanol Production, Sales and Inventory

We produced approximately 100,000 gallons of isobutanol at our Luverne Facility during the third quarter of 2017, and approximately 200,000 gallons thus far in 2017. Consistent with our Luverne Facility production guidance, our isobutanol production this quarter was focused on producing sufficient volumes to provide enough inventory to support market and customer development efforts in the future, as well as continuing to optimize our technology to generate data that is expected to help us decrease our operating and capital costs associated with the Luverne Facility Expansion. Our current isobutanol production goals are not to maximize production, but rather to align such production with our isobutanol sales and technology efforts. As a result, during certain

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periods of the third quarter of 2017, we only produced ethanol at the Luverne Facility. Given the Luverne Facility has only one production line suitable for isobutanol, our current isobutanol production costs are higher than our expected sales price. As a result, the cash flow profile of the Luverne Facility is improved by dedicating production to ethanol, rather than co-producing isobutanol and ethanol. In addition, the condition of two of our oldest fermentation vessels may limit our ability to co-produce isobutanol and ethanol (see the Luverne Facility Update section below). We do not expect to produce any more isobutanol during 2017.  Going forward we expect our operating strategy will be to focus on the production of ethanol and to produce limited volumes of isobutanol until the completion of the Luverne Facility Expansion or until we have repaired or replaced one or both of two older fermentation vessels.

During the third quarter of 2017, we sold limited quantities of isobutanol and renewable hydrocarbons (ATJ, isooctane and isooctene). In the quarter, our isobutanol market development efforts were focused on gaining market acceptance in our core gasoline blendstock markets such as marinas and on-road gasoline fueling stations, while maintaining our targeted selling price. We continued to work with our distribution partners to make investments to develop end-customer relationships, as well as to establish value chains to deliver our isobutanol to those end-customers. We believe that gasoline end users such as boat owners and car owners remain interested in purchasing isobutanol containing gasoline because of the improved properties compared to ethanol containing gasoline. The demand for our isobutanol, in terms of the number of retail pumps selling isobutanol-blended finished gasoline in Houston and other markets, has grown rapidly during 2017. However, given the low number of pumps that were selling isobutanol-blended gasoline at the beginning of 2017, limited quantities of isobutanol have been sold during 2017. We expect that sales of our isobutanol will increase in 2018 as the markets for isobutanol-blended finished gasoline further develop.

Our market development efforts related to our renewable hydrocarbon products were mainly targeted towards entering into binding supply agreements to underpin the economics of the Luverne Facility Expansion that we plan to construct. We have been in discussions with numerous potential ATJ and isooctane customers to enter into long term supply agreements, with a goal of signing contracts representing the majority of the isobutanol production volumes to be produced at the expanded Luverne Facility. Currently, we are discussing or negotiating terms for long-term supply agreements with two large potential customers. There can be no assurances that these discussions or negotiations will result in definitive binding agreements

The current U.S. Presidential Administration (the “Administration”) and political environment have created significant uncertainty for the renewable fuels and chemicals markets, which have complicated our market development efforts. As an example, during 2017, uncertainties over the Administration’s decision-making related to the Environmental Protection Agency and the RFS resulted in a significant decline in the pricing of D6 RINs. RINs are serial numbers assigned to biofuels for the purpose of tracking their production, use and trading, as required under the RFS, and can be sold and traded, and as a result, carry a monetary value. Many of our isobutanol and hydrocarbon products generate RINs, so the economic proposition of our products to potential customers is impacted by fluctuations in RIN prices.

As we develop markets for our products, there will likely be a mismatch in timing between isobutanol production and sales. As a result, at times we will likely build isobutanol inventory levels. Currently, our alcohol storage capacity is limited at our Luverne Facility, and our isobutanol inventory, together with our ethanol inventory, may exceed such storage capacity. This will cause us to seek other forms of storage, such as railcars, customer sites or investing in additional storage capabilities which will require expenditures of additional capital.  At September 30, 2017, we had approximately 350,000 gallons of isobutanol and approximately 54,000 gallons of renewable hydrocarbons in inventory.

During the third quarter of 2017, we produced and sold approximately 4.2 million and 4.2 million gallons of ethanol, respectively.

Luverne Facility Expansion

We believe that the current configuration of the Luverne Facility, whereby we co-produce isobutanol and ethanol utilizing one fermenter for isobutanol production and three fermenters for ethanol production, will not enable us to become profitable on a consolidated basis. We believe that we can become profitable by undertaking the Luverne Facility Expansion, whereby we would convert the Luverne Facility to the sole production of isobutanol, with some percentage of such isobutanol volumes to be further processed into hydrocarbons such as ATJ and isooctane. We believe the Luverne Facility represents the best site to expand our isobutanol production because it leverages the equipment we have already installed at the site, in particular our GIFT ^® technology system and due to the relatively low cost of corn available in the Luverne, MN, region.

We have been conducting engineering work to determine the potential production capacity of the Luverne Facility following the Luverne Facility Expansion, as well as the capital cost associated with the project. The Supply Agreement, effective May 15, 2017, with HCS Holding GmbH, together with the supply agreements that we anticipate signing during 2017 and 2018, are expected to form the basis on which we would set the specific configuration of the Luverne Facility in terms of end product mix between isobutanol, ATJ and isooctane.

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There can be no assurances that we will ultimately decide to undertake the Luverne Facility Expansion in the future.

 

Luverne Facility Update

In the second quarter of 2017, we hired a third-party engineering firm to test the structural integrity of two of our oldest fermentation vessels.  These fermentation vessels are fabricated from carbon steel and are dedicated to ethanol production. Currently it is estimated that these two fermentation vessels likely have approximately two years and three months, respectively, of useful life remaining under the current operating strategy unless they are replaced or repaired. We believe that our ability to produce isobutanol will be significantly impacted if we are unable to use both of these fermentation vessels in production. Therefore, our future isobutanol production will be limited to three additional months of operation until the fermentation vessel that is estimated to have three months of useful life is repaired or replaced.

As part of our overall operating strategy, we are currently evaluating whether to repair or replace the two affected fermentation vessels, including the timing of such repairs or replacement.  Depending on the outcome of the evaluation, it is possible that the condition of the two affected fermentation vessels could force us to cease isobutanol production or to completely cease all production activities at the Luverne Facility for an extended period of time.

Financial Condition

 

Financial Condition. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred a consolidated net loss of $4.2 million and $9.8 million, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $397.0 million at September 30, 2017.  Our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2017 totaled $14.8  million and are expected to be used for the following purposes: (i) operating activities of the Luverne Facility; (ii) operating activities at our corporate headquarters in Colorado, including research and development work; (iii) capital improvements primarily associated with the Luverne Facility, including costs associated with the Luverne expansion; (iv) costs associated with optimizing isobutanol production technology; (v) exploration of strategic alternatives and new financings; and (vi) debt service  and repayment obligations.

We expect to incur future net losses as we continue to fund the development and commercialization of our product candidates. To date, we have financed our operations primarily with proceeds from multiple sales of equity and debt securities, borrowings under debt facilities and product sales. We expect to incur future net losses as we continue to fund the development and commercialization of our product candidates. Our transition to profitability is dependent upon, among other things, the successful development and commercialization of our product candidates, the achievement of a level of revenues adequate to support our cost structure and the retrofit of our Luverne Facility. We may never achieve profitability or positive cash flows, and unless and until we do, we will continue to need to raise additional cash.

We intend to fund future operations through additional private and/or public offerings of debt or equity securities. In addition, we are seeking additional capital through arrangements with strategic partners and from other sources, and we continue to address our cost structure. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional funds, or achieve or sustain profitability or positive cash flows from operations.

As at the date of our last audited financial statements, existing working capital was not sufficient to meet the cash requirements to fund planned operations through the period that is one year after the date our 2016 year-end financial statements were issued.  These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.  Our inability to continue as a going concern may potentially affect our rights and obligations under its outstanding convertible notes. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. This basis of accounting contemplates the recovery of our assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

Revenues.  Revenue associated with the sale of ethanol, as well as isobutanol and related products for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $7.4 million, an increase of $1.0 million from the three months ended September 30, 2016.  This increase was primarily a result of increased ethanol and distiller grain sales, as well as increased ethanol prices.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we sold 4.2 million gallons of ethanol compared to 3.7 million gallons of ethanol sold in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Hydrocarbon revenue decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2017 primarily as a result of lower shipments of finished products from our demonstration plant located at the South Hampton Resources, Inc. facility near Houston, Texas (the “South Hampton Facility”).  Hydrocarbon revenues are comprised of ATJ, isooctane and isooctene sales. Grant and other revenue was $88k during the three months ended September 30, 2017, down less than $0.1 million as compared to the same period in 2016.

Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $9.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared with $9.7 for the same quarter in 2016. Cost of goods sold in the 2017 period included approximately $8.2 million associated with the production of ethanol, isobutanol and related products and approximately $1.5 million in depreciation expense.

Research and development expense. Research and development expense increased by approximately $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the same quarter in 2016, due primarily to an increase in employee related expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by approximately $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the same quarter in 2016, due primarily to a decrease in legal expenses.

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Interest expense.  Interest expense in the third quarter of 2017 was $0.8 million, a decrease of $1.3 million over the same quarter last year, due to a decrease in outstanding debt obligations.

(Loss)/Gain from change in fair value of derivative warrant liability.  During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company incurred a $0.4 million loss on changes in the fair value of the derivative warrant liability, primarily as a result of the repricing a portion of the Series M warrants at a lower strike price.

(Loss) from change in fair value of the 2020 notes embedded derivative. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the estimated fair value of the 2020 notes embedded derivative liability decreased, resulting in a non-cash gain of $2.2 million primarily due to the decrease in the price of the Company’s stock from June 30, 2017.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

 

 

Revenues.  Revenue associated with the sale of ethanol, as well as isobutanol and related products for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $19.7 million, an increase of $0.4 million from the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  This increase was primarily a result of higher ethanol sales and prices.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold 11.5 million gallons of ethanol compared to 11.4 million gallons of ethanol sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Hydrocarbon revenue decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily as a result of lower shipments of finished products from our demonstration plant located at the South Hampton Facility. Hydrocarbon revenues are comprised of ATJ, isooctane and isooctene sales. Grant and other revenue was $0.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, down $0.5 million on as compared to the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of the Company’s contract with the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliances ending in 2016.

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Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was $28.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with $28.9 for the same quarter in 2016. Cost of goods sold in the 2017 period included approximately $24.2 million associated with the production of ethanol, isobutanol and related products and approximately $4.6 million in depreciation expense.

Research and development expense. Research and development expense increased by approximately $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the same quarter in 2016, due primarily to an increase in employee related expenses and costs associated with the South Hampton facility.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by approximately $0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with the same quarter in 2016, due primarily to a decrease in legal expenses.

Interest expense.  Interest expense in the third quarter of 2017 was $2.2 million, which was a decrease of $4.3 million over the same quarter last year, due to a due to a decrease in outstanding debt obligations.

(Loss) on exchange of debt. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred a $4.9 million loss as a result of a $4.0 million loss on the exchange of the 2017 Notes for the 2020 Notes and a $0.9 million loss resulting from exchanging the 2022 Notes for the Company’s common stock.

(Loss) from change in fair value of the 2017 Notes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred a non-cash loss of $0.3 million during the first quarter of 2017 due to the quarterly mark-to-market valuation of the 2017 Notes.

(Loss)/Gain from change in fair value of derivative warrant liability.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the estimated fair value of the derivative warrant liability decreased, resulting in a non-cash gain from change in fair value of derivative warrant liability of $5.1 million, primarily associated with the decrease in the price of the Company’s common stock.

Gain from change in fair value of the 2020 notes embedded derivative. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the estimated fair value of the 2020 notes embedded derivative liability decreased, resulting in a non-cash gain of $0.5 million primarily due to the decrease in the price of the Company’s stock from the June 20, 2017 issuance of the 2020 Notes in exchange for the 2017 Notes to September 30, 2017.

Revenues, Cost of Goods Sold and Operating Expenses

Revenues

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we generated revenue from: (i) the sale of ethanol, isobutanol and related products; (ii) hydrocarbon sales consisting primarily of the sale of ATJ fuel, isooctane and isooctene derived from our isobutanol for purposes of certification and testing; and (iii) government grants and research and development programs.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Loss

Cost of goods sold during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 primarily includes costs directly associated with isobutanol production and ethanol production at the Luverne Facility, such as costs for direct materials, direct labor, depreciation, other operating costs and certain plant overhead costs.  Direct materials include corn feedstock, denaturant and process chemicals. Direct labor includes compensation of personnel directly involved in production operations at the Luverne Facility. Other operating costs include utilities and natural gas usage.

Our gross loss is defined as our total revenue less our cost of goods sold.

Research and Development

Our research and development costs consist of expenses incurred to identify, develop and test our technologies for the production of isobutanol and the development of downstream applications thereof. Research and development expenses include personnel costs (including stock-based compensation), consultants and related contract research, facility costs, supplies, depreciation and amortization expense on property, plant and equipment used in product development, license fees paid to third parties for use of their intellectual property and patent rights and other overhead expenses incurred to support our research and development programs. Research and development expenses also include upfront fees and milestone payments made under licensing agreements and payments for sponsored research and university research gifts to support research at academic institutions.

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Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of personnel costs (including stock-based compensation), consulting and service provider expenses (including patent counsel-related costs), legal fees, marketing costs, corporate insurance costs, occupancy-related costs, depreciation and amortization expenses on property, plant and equipment not used in our product development programs or recorded in cost of goods sold, travel and relocation and hiring expenses.

We also record selling, general and administrative expenses for the operations of the Luverne Facility that include administrative and oversight expenses, certain personnel-related expenses, insurance and other operating expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our independent auditor included “going-concern” language in our audited financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2016.  For more information, see the section above entitled “Financial Condition.”  

Since our inception in 2005, we have devoted most of our cash resources to manufacturing, research and development, defense of intellectual property and selling, general and administrative activities related to the commercialization of isobutanol, as well as related products from renewable feedstocks.  We have incurred losses since inception and expect to incur losses through at least the remainder of 2017 and likely beyond.  To date, we have financed our operations primarily with proceeds from multiple sales of equity and debt securities, borrowings under debt facilities and product sales.  

The continued operation of our business, including the Luverne Facility Expansion, is dependent upon raising additional capital through future public and private equity offerings, debt financings or through other alternative financing arrangements. In addition, successful completion of our research and development programs and the attainment of profitable operations are dependent upon future events, including access to sufficient capital, repayment of our current debt, completion of our development activities resulting in sales of isobutanol or isobutanol-derived products and/or technology, achieving market acceptance and demand for our products and services and attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Such additional capital may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all.

As of September 30, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $397.0 million with cash and cash equivalents totaling $14.8 million.

The following table sets forth the major sources and uses of cash for each of the periods set forth below (in thousands):

 

 

Operating Activities

Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are personnel-related expenses, research and development-related expenses which include costs incurred under development agreements; costs and expenses for the production of isobutanol, ethanol and related products; logistics costs; costs associated with further processing of isobutanol and costs associated with the operation of the South Hampton Facility and debt service payments.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we used $16.5 million in cash from operating activities primarily resulting from a net loss of $20.2 million, a $1.7 million increase in working capital and offset by a $5.5 million in non-cash charges.

Investing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we used $1.7 million in cash from investing activities related primarily to capital expenditures at our Luverne Facility.

Financing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we accumulated $5.0 million associated with financing activities, primarily from the $11.0 million raised in a public offering in February 2017, the release of restricted cash deposits held as collateral for the

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2017 Notes and proceeds of $2.2 million from the exercise of 3.65 million of our warrants, partially offset by the pay down of approximately $9.8 million in principal on the 2017 Notes in February 2017 and approximately $1.1 million in costs associated with financing transactions.

2020 Notes

On April 19, 2017, we entered into the Purchase Agreement with the Holder of the 2017 Notes, and Whitebox Advisors LLC, in its capacity as representative of the Holder (“Whitebox”). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Holder, subject to certain conditions, including approval of the transaction by our stockholders (which was received on June 15, 2017), agreed to exchange all of the outstanding principal amount of the 2017 Notes for an equal principal amount of our newly created 2020 Notes, plus an amount in cash equal to the accrued and unpaid interest (other than interest paid in kind) on the 2017 Notes (the “Exchange”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we also granted the Holder an option (the “Purchase Option”) to purchase up to an additional aggregate principal amount of $5.0 million of 2020 Notes (the “Option Notes”), at a purchase price equal to the aggregate principal amount of such Option Notes purchased, having identical terms (other than with respect to the issue date and restrictions on transfer relating to compliance with applicable securities law) to the 2020 Notes issued, at any time on or within ninety (90) days of the closing of the Exchange. The Option Notes expired during the third-quarter ended September 30, 2017. As noted above, on June 20, 2017, we completed the Exchange, terminated the 2017 Notes Indenture and cancelled the 2017 Notes. As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding principal on the 2020 Notes was $16.5 million.

The 2020 Notes will mature on March 15, 2020. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 12% per annum (with 2% potentially payable as PIK Interest (as defined and described below) at our option), payable on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year. Under certain circumstances, we have the option to pay a portion of the interest due on the 2020 Notes by either (a) increasing the principal amount of the 2020 Notes by the amount of interest then due or (b) issuing additional 2020 Notes with a principal amount equal to the amount of interest then due (interest paid in the manner set forth in (a) or (b) being referred to as “PIK Interest”).

The 2020 Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock, subject to certain terms and conditions. The initial conversion price of the 2020 Notes is equal to $0.7359 per share of common stock, or 1.3589 shares of common stock per $1 principal amount of 2020 Notes (the “Conversion Price”). In addition, upon certain equity financing transactions by us, the Holders will have a one-time right to reset the Conversion Price (the “Reset Provision”) (i) in the first ninety (90) days following the Exchange Date, at a 25% premium to the common stock price in the equity financing and (ii) after ninety (90) and to and including one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the Exchange, at a 35% premium to the common stock share price in the equity financing. Following an exercise of the Reset Provision, the Holders will also have a right to consent to certain equity financings by us during the one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the Exchange.

See Note 7, Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included herein for further discussion of the 2020 Notes.

2017 Notes

On April 19, 2017, we and our subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into an Eleventh Supplemental Indenture (the “Eleventh Supplemental Indenture”) with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee and collateral trustee, and Whitebox, relating to the 2017 Notes. The Eleventh Supplemental Indenture amended the 2017 Notes Indenture to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the 2017 Notes to June 23, 2017, (ii) increase the interest rate on the 2017 Notes from 10.0% to 12.0% per annum, and (iii) required us to pay down approximately $9.6 million in principal outstanding leaving the remaining principal balance of the 2017 Notes at approximately $16.5 million.

While the 2017 Notes were outstanding, we were required to maintain an interest reserve in an amount equal to 10% of the original outstanding principal amount of $26.1 million, to be adjusted on an annual basis. As of December 31, 2016, there was a balance of $2.6 million in the interest reserve account. This amount was classified as restricted deposits.  The $2.6 million has since been released.

See Note 7, Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included herein for further discussion of the 2017 Notes.  

2022 Notes

In July 2012, we sold $45.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes, for net proceeds of $40.9 million, after accounting for $2.7 million and $1.4 million of cash discounts and issue costs, respectively. The 2022 Notes bear interest at 7.5% which is to be paid semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year commencing on January 1, 2013.  As a result of certain conversion and exchanges, the principal balance of the 2022 Notes was $515,000 as of September 30, 2017.

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The 2022 Notes will mature on July 1, 2022, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Additionally, on July 1, 2017, each holder had the right to require us to repurchase all of such holder’s 2022 Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount, for cash at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount of such 2022 Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon through, but excluding, the repurchase date.  On July 3, 2017, we repurchased the $175,000 principal amount of the 2022 Notes under this repurchase option.  As a result of this repurchase, the principal balance of the 2022 Notes was $515,000 as of July 3, 2017.

The 2022 Notes are convertible at a conversion rate of 0.5856 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Notes, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.  This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $1,707.65 per share of common stock. The Holder may convert the 2022 Notes at any time prior to the close of business on the third business day immediately preceding the maturity date of July 1, 2022.

If a holder elects to convert its 2022 Notes prior to July 1, 2017, such holder shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the consideration upon conversion, a Coupon Make-Whole Payment (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture). The Coupon Make-Whole Payment is equal to the sum of the present values of the number of semi-annual interest payments that would have been payable on the 2022 Notes that a holder has elected to convert from the last day through which interest was paid up to but excluding July 1, 2017, computed using a discount rate of 2%. We may pay any Coupon Make-Whole Payment either in cash or in shares of common stock at its election.

If a Fundamental Change (as defined in the 2022 Notes Indenture) occurs, at any time, then each holder will have the right to require us to repurchase all of such holder’s 2022 Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount, for cash at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount of such 2022 Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon through, but excluding, the repurchase date.

We had a provisional redemption right to redeem, at our option, all or any part of the 2022 Notes at a price payable in cash, beginning on July 1, 2015 and prior to July 1, 2017, provided that our common stock for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date of the redemption notice exceeds 150% of the conversion price in effect on such trading day. On or after July 1, 2017, we have an optional redemption right to redeem, at our option, all or any part of the 2022 Notes at a price payable in cash. The price payable in cash for the Optional Redemption or Provisional Redemption is equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2022 Notes redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon through, but excluding, the repurchase date.

See Note 7, Debt, to our consolidated financial statements included herein for further discussion of the 2022 Notes.  

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies since December 31, 2016.  However, see Note 1, Nature of Business, Financial Condition and Basis of Presentation, to our consolidated financial statements included herein for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact or future potential impact on our financial results, if determinable.  For a description of critical accounting policies that affect our significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, refer to our Annual Report.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following summarizes the future commitments arising from our contractual obligations at September 30, 2017 (in thousands).

 

 

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The table above reflects only payment obligations that are fixed and determinable as of September 30, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There was no material change in our market risk exposure during the three months ended September 30, 2017.  For a discussion of our market risk associated with commodity prices, equity prices and interest rates, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosures.

Management, including the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017.  In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable but not absolute assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. The design of any disclosure control and procedure also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.  

From time to time, we have been and may again become involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any litigation that we believe to be material and we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation against us that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report and the risk factors set forth below, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes in our risk factors included in our Annual Report. The risk factors described herein and in our Annual Report are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.

Risks Relating to our Business and Strategy

We have a history of net losses, and we may not achieve or maintain profitability.

We have incurred net losses of $20.2 million, $37.2 million, $36.2 million, and $41.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, we had an accumulated deficit of $397 million. We expect to incur losses and negative cash flows from operating activities for the foreseeable future. We currently derive the majority of our revenue from the sale of isobutanol, ethanol and related products at the Luverne Facility, although over certain periods of time, we may and have operated the Luverne Facility for the sole production of ethanol and related products to maximize cash flows. 

Furthermore, we expect to spend significant amounts on the further development and commercial implementation of our technology. We also expect to spend significant amounts acquiring and deploying additional equipment to attain final product specifications that may be required by future customers, acquiring or otherwise gaining access to additional ethanol plants and Retrofitting them for isobutanol production, on marketing, general and administrative expenses associated with our planned growth, on management of operations as a public company, and on debt service obligations. In addition, the cost of preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining and enforcing patent, trademark and other intellectual property rights and defending ourselves against claims by others that we may be violating their intellectual property rights may be significant.

As a result, even if our revenues increase substantially, we expect that our expenses will exceed revenues for the foreseeable future. We do not expect to achieve profitability during the foreseeable future, and may never achieve it. If we fail to achieve profitability, or if the time required to achieve profitability is longer than we anticipate, we may not be able to continue our business. Even if we do achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.

There is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain further financing.

Our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, were prepared under the assumption that we would continue our operations as a going concern. Our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2016 included a “going concern” emphasis of matter paragraph in its report on our financial statements as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2016, indicating that the amount of working capital at December 31, 2016 was not sufficient to meet the cash requirements to fund planned operations through the period that is one year after the date our 2016 financial statements were issued without additional sources of cash, which raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern at September 30, 2017. Uncertainty concerning our ability to continue as a going concern may hinder our ability to obtain future financing. Continued operations and our ability to continue as a going concern are dependent on our ability to obtain additional funding in the near future and thereafter, and there are no assurances that such funding will be available to us at all or will be available in sufficient amounts or on reasonable terms. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Without additional funds from private and/or public offerings of debt or equity securities, sales of assets, sales of our licenses of intellectual property or technologies, or other transactions, we will exhaust our resources and will be unable to continue operations. If we cannot continue as a viable entity, we may be forced to seek bankruptcy protection and our stockholders would likely lose most or all of their investment in us.

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We may need to cease production at the Luverne Facility due to the condition of two of our fermentation vessels.

As an older production facility, the Luverne Facility is more susceptible to maintenance issues that result in production challenges than newer production facilities.  In the second quarter of 2017, we hired a third-party engineering firm to test the structural integrity of two of our oldest fermentation vessels.  These fermentation vessels are fabricated from carbon steel and are dedicated to ethanol production. Currently it is estimated that these two fermentation vessels likely have approximately two years and three months, respectively, of useful life remaining under the current operating strategy unless they are replaced or repaired. It is possible that the condition of the two affected fermentation vessels could force us to cease isobutanol production or to completely cease all production activities at the Luverne Facility for an extended period of time.  Any such production stoppages or costs incurred to repair or replace such vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to successfully negotiate final, binding terms related to our current non-binding isobutanol, ATJ and other hydrocarbon supply and distribution agreements, which could harm our commercial prospects.

From time-to-time, we agree to preliminary terms regarding supplying isobutanol or the products derived from it to various companies for their use or further distribution. We may be unable to negotiate final terms with these or other companies in a timely manner, or at all, and there is no guarantee that the terms of any final agreement will be the same or similar to those currently contemplated in our preliminary agreements. Final terms may include less favorable pricing structures or volume commitments, more expensive delivery or purity requirements, reduced contract durations and other adverse changes. Delays in negotiating final contracts could slow our initial isobutanol commercialization, and failure to agree to definitive terms for sales of sufficient volumes of isobutanol could prevent us from growing our business. To the extent that terms in our initial supply and distribution contracts may influence negotiations regarding future contracts, the failure to negotiate favorable final terms related to our current preliminary agreements could have an especially negative impact on our growth and profitability. Additionally, we have not demonstrated that we can meet the production levels contemplated in our current non-binding supply agreements. If our production scale-up proceeds more slowly than we expect, or if we encounter difficulties in successfully completing plant Retrofits, potential customers, including those with whom we have current letters of intent, may be less willing to negotiate definitive supply agreements, or demand terms less favorable to us, and our performance may suffer.

Risks Relating to owning our Securities

Future issuances of our common stock or instruments convertible or exercisable into our common stock, including in connection with conversions of Convertible Notes or exercises of warrants, may materially and adversely affect the price of our common stock and cause dilution to our existing stockholders.

In order to fund our business over the past few years, we have raised capital by issuing common stock and warrants in underwritten public offerings because no other reasonable sources of capital were available.  These underwritten public offerings of common stock and warrants have materially and adversely affected the prevailing market prices of our common stock and caused significant dilution to our stockholders.  We anticipate that for the foreseeable future we will continue to raise capital through these dilutive underwritten public offerings of common stock and warrants.

We may obtain additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings in the near future, subject to certain limitations in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including the 2020 Notes. If we issue additional shares of common stock or instruments convertible into common stock, it may materially and adversely affect the price of our common stock. In addition, the conversion of some or all of the Convertible Notes and/or the exercise of some or all of the warrants may dilute the ownership interests of our stockholders, and any sales in the public market of any of our common stock issuable upon such conversion or exercise could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. Additionally, under the terms of certain warrants in the event that a warrant is exercised at a time when we do not have an effective registration statement covering the underlying shares of common stock on file with the SEC, such warrant may be net exercised, which will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders without any corresponding benefit to the Company of a cash payment for the exercise price of such warrant.

As of September 30, 2017, we had $515,000 in outstanding 2022 Notes, which were convertible into 301 shares of common stock at the conversion rate in effect on such date. The anticipated conversion of the $515,000 in outstanding 2022 Notes into shares of our common stock could depress the trading price of our common stock. In addition, we have recently entered into several private exchange agreements with holders of the 2022 Notes to exchange their debt for shares of our common stock, in order to reduce the principal balance of the 2022 Notes. If we issue additional shares of our common stock in such debt-for-equity exchanges, this may cause significant additional dilution to our existing stockholders.

As of September 30, 2017, we had $16.6 million in outstanding 2020 Notes, which were convertible into 29.3 million shares of our common stock at the conversion rate in effect on such date. The 29.3  million shares includes 6.8 million shares of common stock

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that may be issuable from time to time in the event that the Company elects to pay make-whole payments due upon conversion of the 2017 Notes, if any, in shares of common stock. We may also pay a portion of the interest due on the 2020 Notes in the form of PIK Interest. The anticipated conversion of the outstanding 2020 Notes and any payment of PIK Interest in shares of our common stock could depress the trading price of our common stock. In addition, subject to certain restrictions, we have the option to issue common stock to any converting holder in lieu of making any required make-whole payment in cash. If we elect to issue our common stock for such payment, it will be at the same conversion rate that is applicable to conversions of the principal amount of the 2020 Notes. If we elect to issue additional shares of our common stock for such payments, this may cause significant additional dilution to our existing stockholders.

We may not be able to comply with all applicable listing requirements or standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market and NASDAQ could delist our common stock.

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market. In order to maintain that listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing requirements and standards.

In the event that our common stock is not eligible for quotation on another market or exchange, trading of our common stock could be conducted in the over-the-counter market or on an electronic bulletin board established for unlisted securities such as the Pink Sheets or the OTC Bulletin Board. In such event, it could become more difficult to dispose of, or obtain accurate price quotations for, our common stock, and there would likely be a reduction in our coverage by security analysts and the news media, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline further. In addition, it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital if we are not listed on a major exchange.

Furthermore, it would be a fundamental change under the indentures governing the Convertible Notes if our common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange. In such circumstance we would be required to offer to repurchase the Convertible Notes at 100% of principal plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. We would also be required to pay the holders of the 2020 Notes a fundamental change make-whole payment equal to the aggregate amount of interest that would have otherwise been payable on such notes, to, but not including, the maturity date of such notes.

On June 21, 2017, we received a letter from the Staff of NASDAQ providing notification that, for the previous 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for our common stock had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum bid price requirement for continued listing under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2).  If we do not regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement by December 18, 2017, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar day compliance period, subject to certain conditions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement or will otherwise be in compliance with the other listing standards for The NASDAQ Capital Market.

Previously, we have failed to maintain a minimum bid price of $1 per share as required by NASDAQ listing requirements.  As a result, we asked our stockholders to approve reverse stock splits in 2015 and 2016 in order to increase our stock price above $1 per share to regain compliance with NASDAQ listing requirements.  Stockholders approved the reverse stock splits in 2015 and 2016 which allowed us to comply with the minimum bid price of $1 per share NASDAQ listing requirement.  As of September 30, 2017, the closing price of our common stock was $0.69 per share. The inability to comply with all applicable listing requirements or standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market and NASDAQ could result in the delisting of our common which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and which could cause the value of our common stock to decline.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

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Item 5. Other Information.

As previously disclosed, in June 2011, we entered into an Isobutanol Joint Venture Agreement (the “Joint Venture Agreement”) with Redfield Energy, LLC (“Redfield”), under which we agreed to work with Redfield to Retrofit Redfield’s  ethanol production facility located near Redfield, South Dakota for the commercial production of isobutanol.  On November [__], 2017, we entered into an Agreement with Redfield, pursuant to which we and Redfield agreed to terminate the Joint Venture Agreement in all respects.  There are no termination fees or other obligations of either party in connection with such termination.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits listed below are filed or furnished as part of this report.

 

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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.

 

Date:  November 6, 2017

 

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