Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. You should read the “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” sections of this report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.
Overview
We are an environmental services and technologies company developing and delivering patented and proprietary solutions to the global power industry. Our leading-edge services have been shown to achieve mercury emissions removal at a significantly lower cost and with less operational impact to coal-fired power plants than currently used methods, while maintaining and/or increasing power plant output and preserving the marketability of byproducts for beneficial use.
North America is currently the largest market for our technology. The U.S. EPA MATS (Mercury and Air Toxics Standards) rule requires that all coal and oil-fired power plants in the U.S., larger than 25MWs, must limit mercury in its emissions to below certain specified levels, according to the type of coal burned. Power plants were required to begin complying with MATS on April 16, 2015, unless they were granted a one-year extension to begin to comply. MATS, along with many state and provincial regulations, form the basis for mercury emission capture at coal fired plants across North America. Under the MATS regulation, Electric Generating Units (“EGUs”) are required to remove about 90% of the mercury from their emissions. We believe that we continue to meet the requirements of the industry as a whole and our technologies have been shown to achieve mercury removal levels compliant with all state, provincial and federal regulations at a lower cost and with less plant impact than our competition.
As is typical in this market, we are paid by the EGU based on how much of our material is injected to achieve the needed level of mercury removal. Our current clients pay us as material is delivered to their facilities. Clients will use our material whenever their EGUs operate, although EGUs are not always in operation. EGUs typically may not be in operation due to maintenance reasons or when the price of power in the market is less than their cost to produce power. Thus, our revenues from EGU clients will not typically be a consistent stream but will fluctuate, especially seasonally as the market demand for power fluctuates.
The MATS regulation has been subject to legal challenge since being enacted. In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the EPA unreasonably failed to consider costs in determining whether it is “appropriate and necessary” to regulate hazardous air pollutants, including mercury, from power plants, but left the rule in place. On remand, following the Supreme Court’s instructions to consider costs, the EPA in April 2016 issued a final supplemental finding reaffirming the MATS rule on the ground that it is supported by the cost analysis the Supreme Court required. That supplemental finding remains under review by the D.C. Circuit. In April 2017, the EPA asked the court to place such judicial review in abeyance, stating that the Agency then under the Trump Administration was reviewing the supplemental finding to determine whether it should be reconsidered in whole or in part, which abeyance request was granted. In April 2020, the EPA concluded that the 2016 supplemental finding was flawed in part due to its reliance on co-benefits to justify MATS and withdrew EPA’s 2016 “appropriate-and-necessary” determination as erroneous, but left the 2011 MATS rule in place pursuant to D.C. Circuit case law holding that a source category may only be removed from the list of categories to be regulated through a rigorous delisting process that cannot currently be satisfied by the EPA. Upon taking office, the Biden Administration in January 2021 directed the EPA to review the previous Administration’s actions on various environmental matters including the withdrawal of the “appropriate and necessary” determination, for conformity with Biden Administration environmental policy. In February 2021, the Biden Administration requested that the judicial review of the supplemental finding withdrawal be held in abeyance which was granted by the court and remains in place. On January 31, 2022, the EPA issued a proposal to revoke the reconsideration step made by the EPA in April 2020 and affirm that it is appropriate and necessary to regulate hazardous pollutants for coal and oil-fired EGUs.
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Nevertheless, legal challenges may continue with respect to the MATS regulation which could extend uncertainty over the status of MATS for a number of years. Investors should note that any changes to the MATS rule could have a negative impact on our business.
We remain focused on positioning the Company for short and long-term growth, including focusing on execution at our customer sites and on continual operation improvement. We continue to make refinements to all of our key products, as we continue to focus on the customer and its operations. As part of our overall strategy, we have a number of initiatives which we believe will be able to drive our short and long-term growth.
In the United States, we continue to seek new utility customers for our technology in order for them to meet the MATS requirements as well as maintaining our contractual arrangements with our current customers. We also seek license agreements with utilities while allowing them to use our SEA® technologies without our supply of products. During 2021 and early 2022, we have announced various supply contract extensions, new supply business and license agreements. We expect additional supply business and license agreements during the remainder of 2022 and thereafter, including converting certain licensees to supply customers.
In Europe, we had been working to penetrate this market through a licensing agreement entered into in 2018 with one of our suppliers which allowed them to commercialize our technology throughout Europe. Such arrangement was terminated in 2020. Prior to its termination, no revenues had been generated from such agreement. We intend to continue to pursue the European market although no assurance can be made that any such efforts will be successful.
In February 25, 2019, we were able to complete the restructuring of our unsecured and secured debt obligations held by AC Midwest Energy LLC extending the maturity dates of these debts until 2022 and eliminating quarterly principal payment requirements. This restructuring reflected the commitment of our financial partner in our efforts to attract new business, manage our present customers and monetize our patent portfolio. In June 2021, we announced that we had entered into a Debt Repayment and Exchange Agreement with AC Midwest which will repay all existing secured and unsecured debt obligations held by AC Midwest. Pursuant to such agreement, we will repay the existing $0.3 million secured note outstanding in cash as well as the existing $13.2 million principal amount outstanding under the unsecured note held by AC Midwest through a combination of cash and stock. AC Midwest is also entitled to a certain non-recourse profit share under the unsecured note which will be satisfied through a combination of cash and stock. The closing is subject to various conditions including but not limited to the completion of an offering of equity securities resulting in net proceeds of at least $12.0 million by December 31, 2021, which has been extended to June 30, 2022.
From June through October 2019, we raised $2,600,000 in a private placement offering of 12.0% unsecured convertible promissory notes and warrants sold and issued to certain accredited investors. In February 2021, $50,000 of such principal was voluntarily converted into shares of common stock, and in June 2021, the remaining principal balance of $2,550,000 was voluntarily converted by the holders thereof into shares of common stock of the Company.
In July 2019, we announced that we had initiated patent litigation against defendants in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for infringement of certain patents which relate to our two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA ® ) process for mercury removal from coal-fired power plants. Between July 2020 and January 2021, we entered into agreements with each of the four major utility defendants in the patent litigation commenced in 2019 which agreements included certain monetary arrangements and pursuant to which we have dismissed all claims brought against each of them and their affiliates, and such parties have withdrawn from petitions for Inter Partes Review with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Such agreements entered into with such parties provide each of them and their affiliates with a non-exclusive license to certain Company patents (related to our two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA ® ) process) for use in connection with such parties’ coal-fired power plants. One of the agreements has facilitated an ongoing business relationship with that party. The above described proceedings are continuing with respect to the other parties involved. In May 2021, a U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge issued a report and recommendation that such litigation should be permitted to proceed against 16 refined coal defendants named in the action directly involved in the refined coal program and operations, and be dismissed against 12 other defendants, primarily affiliated entities of the refined coal operators. In September 2021, such report and recommendation was approved by the District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Delaware which will allow us to proceed against certain refined coal entities named in the lawsuit.
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In October 2019, we entered into a license and development agreement with a nonrelated third-party entity located in Alabama pursuant to which the parties have agreed to work together to develop a plan to commercialize and market certain technology owned by such entity related to the removal of mercury from air and water emissions generated by coal burning power plants. In addition, during the first quarter of 2021, we announced new technologies under development intended to improve the processing of rare earth elements (REEs) in North America. Our new technologies are under development in conjunction with our collaboration with such Alabama third party entity and its affiliates. Such technologies focus on improving the cost of extracting rare earth minerals along with improving the environmental footprint of extracting those REEs from their solvent state. In October 2021, we announced that we had completed phase 1 testing of our REE technology with Pennsylvania State University’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences confirming 80-90% efficiency rate in extracting select REEs. While there is no established timeline for the introduction of these technologies after further testing is performed, we hope that if such further testing is successful, these technologies can be commercialized in 2022 and thereafter.
During the first quarter of 2021, we announced that we are in the process of developing a proprietary methane gas emissions control technology which we believe can be adopted within the oil and gas industry. We have not established a timeline for the introduction of our methane gas emissions control technology.
In addition to the $2.6 million in convertible notes which were converted into shares of common stock in the first and second quarters as described above, during the first quarter of 2021, we eliminated $1,830,000 of other convertible notes originally issued in 2013 and 2018 through conversions to shares of common stock. During the third quarter of 2021, we issued 20,000 shares of common stock to a certain holder of notes issued in 2013 for the conversion of outstanding principal in the amount of $10,000 and prepaid the outstanding principal balance of another of such notes issued in 2013 in the principal amount of $10,000. As a result, there are no convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021, compared to $4,450,000 in convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
In November 2021, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a proposed offering of common stock. Such registration statement has not yet become effective, and no assurance can be given that such offering will be completed. In addition, we have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. No assurance can be given that such application will be approved.
Although we face a host of challenges and risks, we are optimistic about our future and expect our business to grow substantially.
Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic
It should be noted that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various businesses throughout the world since early 2020, including travel restrictions and the extended shutdown of certain businesses in impacted geographic regions. During this time, we have continued to conduct our operations while responding to the pandemic with actions to mitigate adverse consequences to our employees, business, supply chain and customers. Nevertheless, the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be uncertain. If the coronavirus situation does not improve during 2022 or should worsen, we may experience disruptions to our business including, but not limited to, the availability of raw materials, equipment, to our workforce, or to our business relationships with other third parties.
Results of Operations
Revenues
We generated revenues of approximately $13,012,000 and $8,158,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Such revenues were primarily derived from sorbent product sales which were approximately $11,004,000 and $7,420,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in revenues from the prior year was primarily driven by increased sorbent product sales due to the increased supply demands in the coal-fired market as well as expansion of our customer base.
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Licensing revenues were approximately $1,707,000 and $546,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Such increases were primarily due to the licensing revenues generated from the agreements entered into with certain of the defendants in the patent litigation commenced in 2019.
Equipment sales and other revenues for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were approximately $134,000 and $44,000, respectively. This increase was primarily due to increased equipment rental revenues in 2021 compared to last year.
Costs and Expenses
Total costs and expenses were approximately $16,622,000 and $14,000,000 during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in costs and expenses from the prior year is mainly attributable to the increase in cost of sales principally due to the increase in sales.
Cost of sales were approximately $7,939,000 and $5,440,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Such increase is primarily due to the increase in sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $5,934,000 and $5,936,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Interest expense related to the financing of capital was approximately $2,818,000 and $2,658,000 for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The small increase is due to the stock conversion incentives provided to certain notes and accelerated interest expense upon conversion of notes, partially offset by the reduced interest on the notes payable. The breakdown of interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
Years Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
(In thousands)
Interest expense on notes payable
$ 277
$ 562
Accelerated interest expense upon conversion of notes
343
-
Additional interest upon conversion of notes
221
-
Amortization of discount of notes payable
1,855
1,974
Amortization of debt issuance costs
122
122
$ 2,818
$ 2,658
Loss (gain) on change in fair value of profit share liability (relating to the restructured unsecured debt obligation held by AC Midwest Energy LLC) were approximately $531,000 and $(24,000) for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The change is primarily attributed to an increase (decrease) in the fair value of the profit share liability. There were no significant changes to the underlying model during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Gain on forgiveness of debt of $600,677 relates to the loan proceeds we received in April 2020 and February 2021 pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the CARES Act. Such loans were forgiven in January 2021 and October 2021 pursuant to the applicable PPP requirements.
Net Loss
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had a net loss of approximately $3,633,000 and $5,826,000 respectively. Such change was primarily due to increased sales and improved margin on such sales as well as the gain on extinguishment of debt partially offset by the change in the fair value of the profit share liability and the change in interest expense due principally to the stock conversion incentive provided to certain note holders and related accelerated interest.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We had approximately $1,388,000 in cash on our balance sheet at December 31, 2021 compared to approximately $591,000 at December 31, 2020. Total current assets were approximately $3,791,000 and total current liabilities were approximately $15,483,000 at December 31, 2021, resulting in working capital deficit of approximately $11,692,000. This compares to total current assets of approximately $2,362,000 and total current liabilities of approximately $3,359,000 at December 31, 2020, resulting in a working capital deficit of approximately $997,000. Our accumulated deficit was approximately $67.1 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $63.5 million at December 31, 2020. Additionally, we had a net loss in the amount of approximately $3,633,000 and cash provided by operating activities of approximately $206,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern. As reflected in the consolidated financial statements, we had $1,388,000 in cash at December 31, 2021, along with cash provided by operating activities of $206,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021. However, we had a working capital deficit of $11,692,000 at December 31, 2021 and an accumulated deficit of $67.1 million at December 31, 2021, and we had a net loss in the amount of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. In addition, all existing secured and unsecured debt held by our principal lender in the principal amount of $13.4 million matures on August 25, 2022, other than the profit share liability, which is within one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. These factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for the next twelve months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.
We have taken steps to alleviate such doubt. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we eliminated $4,440,000 of convertible notes through conversions to shares of common stock and repaid $10,000 of convertible notes, leaving no convertible notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021. In addition, in June 2021, we announced that we had entered into a Debt Repayment and Exchange Agreement with our principal lender which, subject to various closing conditions, including but not limited to the completion of an offering of equity securities resulting in net proceeds of at least $12.0 million by December 31, 2021, which has been extended to June 30, 2022, will repay all existing secured and unsecured debt obligations held by such lender.
Although we anticipate continued significant revenues in our business operations and that we will be able to raise the funds necessary to complete the transaction contemplated by the Debt Repayment and Exchange Agreement, no assurances can be given that we can obtain sufficient working capital through our business operations or that we will be able to raise the funds necessary to close under the Debt Repayment Agreement by June 30, 2022, or at all, in order to sustain ongoing operations.
In November 2021, we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC for a proposed offering of common stock. Such registration statement has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This report shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any state or jurisdiction. The contemplated offering of our securities will be made only by means of a prospectus. No assurances can be given that the contemplated offering will be completed on reasonable terms or otherwise.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of us to continue as a going concern.
Total Assets
Total assets were approximately $8,135,000 at December 31, 2021 versus approximately $7,376,000 at December 31, 2020. The change in total assets is primarily attributable to an increase in cash.
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Total Liabilities
Total liabilities were approximately $18,374,000 at December 31, 2021 versus approximately $20,580,000 at December 31, 2020. The decrease in liabilities is primarily due to a decrease in debt.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists of net loss, adjusted by certain non-cash items, and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $206,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net cash used in operating activities of approximately $1,239,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. Such change of approximately $1,445,000 was primarily due to an approximate $2,193,000 decrease in net loss.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $11,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of approximately $43,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The activity for 2021 related to the purchase of equipment. The activity for 2020 related to cash received from the sale of equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $602,000 for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of approximately $288,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company received approximately $299,000 from the issuance of notes payable, $247,000 from the exercise of warrants and $126,000 from the exercise of stock options.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of our financial conditions and results of operation are based upon the accompanying consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Management evaluates on an on-going basis our estimates with respect to the valuation allowances for accounts receivable, income taxes, accrued expenses, and equity instrument valuation, for example. We base these estimates on various assumptions and experience that we believe to be reasonable. The following critical accounting policies are those that are important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations. These policies require management’s most difficult, complex, or subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain.
The following critical accounting policies affect our more significant estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. In particular, our most critical accounting policies relate to the recognition of revenue, and the valuation of our stock-based compensation.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. Inventories are periodically evaluated to identify obsolete or otherwise impaired products and are written off when management determines usage is not probable. We estimate the balance of excess and obsolete inventory by analyzing inventory by age using last used and original purchase date and existing sales pipeline for which the inventory could be used. In the past we have experienced a minimal valuation allowance on our inventory.
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Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. When retired or otherwise disposed, the related carrying value and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the net difference less any amount realized from disposition, is reflected in earnings. For consolidated financial statement purposes, equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 2 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the life of the lease.
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance which do not materially extend the useful lives of property and equipment are charged to operations. Management reviews the carrying value of our property and equipment for impairment on an annual basis.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is recorded at cost and amortized over its estimated useful life of 15 years. Management reviews intellectual property for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. In the event that impairment indicators exist, a further analysis is performed and if the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset or asset group is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset or asset group’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates of future cash flows are made, however, the actual cash values that could be realized may differ from those that are estimated.
Recoverability of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by us are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. We evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets based upon forecasted undiscounted cash flows. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of the long-lived and or intangible assets would be adjusted, based on estimates of future discounted cash flows. We evaluated the recoverability of the carrying value of our equipment. No impairment charges were recognized for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which requires lessees to recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The accounting standard, effective January 1, 2019, requires virtually all leases to be recognized on the Balance Sheet. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the standard using the modified retrospective method, under which we elected the package of practical expedients and transition provisions allowing us to bring our existing operating leases onto the Consolidated Balance Sheet without adjusting comparative periods but recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit on January 1, 2019. Under the guidance, we have also elected not to separate lease and non-lease components in recognition of the lease-related assets and liabilities, as well as the related lease expense.
We have operating leases for office space in two multitenant facilities, which are not recorded as assets and liabilities as those leases do not have terms greater than 12 months. We have operating leases for a multi-purpose facility and bulk trailers used in operations which are recorded as assets and liabilities as the leases have terms greater than 12 months. Lease-related assets, or right-of-use assets, are recognized at the lease commencement date at amounts equal to the respective lease liabilities, adjusted for prepaid lease payments, initial direct costs, and lease incentives received. Lease-related liabilities are recognized at the present value of the remaining contractual fixed lease payments, discounted using our incremental borrowing rate. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while variable lease payments are expensed as incurred.
Upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard on January 1, 2019, we recorded $1,339,569 of right of use assets and $1,417,435 of lease-related liabilities, with the difference charged to accumulated deficit at that date.
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Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation awards in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires equity-based compensation, be reflected in the consolidated financial statements over the period of service which is typically the vesting period based on the estimated fair value of the awards.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the inputs used to determine fair value, which are as follows:
·
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.
·
Level 2 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.
·
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.
The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances where the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability.
Revenue Recognition
We record revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps:
Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
Revenue is recognized when we satisfy our performance obligation under the contract by transferring the promised product to its customer that obtains control of the product. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product to a customer. Most of our contracts have a single performance obligation, as the promise to transfer products or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and, therefore, not distinct.
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring products. As such, revenue is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives. Sales and other taxes are excluded from revenues. Invoiced shipping and handling costs are included in revenue. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
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Disaggregation of Revenue
We generated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by (i) delivering product to our commercial customers, (ii) completing and commissioning equipment projects at commercial customer sites and (iii) performing demonstrations of our technology at customers with the intent of entering into long term supply agreements based on the performance of our products during the demonstrations and (iv) licensing our technology to customers.
Revenue for product sales is recognized at the point of time in which the customer obtains control of the product, at the time title passes to the customer upon shipment or delivery of the product based on the applicable shipping terms.
Revenue for equipment sales is recognized upon commissioning and customer acceptance of the installed equipment per the terms of the purchase contract.
Revenue for demonstrations and consulting services is recognized when performance obligations contained in the contract have been completed, typically the completion of necessary field work and the delivery of any required analysis per the terms of the agreement.
Income Taxes
We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2020. We are currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from our position. We are subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.
We may be subject to potential examination by federal, state, and city taxing authorities in the areas of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with federal, state, and city tax laws. Our management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.
We are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . Under ASU 2016-02, lessees will, among other things, require lessees to recognize a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 does not significantly change lease accounting requirements applicable to lessors; however, certain changes were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2016-02 became effective for us on January 1, 2019 and initially required transition using a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) - Targeted Improvements , which, among other things, provides an additional transition method that would allow entities to not apply the guidance in ASU 2016-02 in the comparative periods presented in the financial statements and instead recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. In December 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842) - Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors , which provides for certain policy elections and changes lessor accounting for sales and similar taxes and certain lessor costs. As of January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02 and have recorded a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for our operating leases. We elected to apply certain practical expedients provided under ASU 2016-02 whereby we will not reassess (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. We did not apply the recognition requirements of ASU 2016-02 to any short-term leases (as defined by related accounting guidance). We accounted for lease and non-lease components separately because such amounts are readily determinable under our lease contracts and because we expect this election will result in a lower impact on our balance sheet.
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In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260) , Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) , and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features and (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests with a Scope Exception . ASU 2017-11 allows companies to exclude a down round feature when determining whether a financial instrument (or embedded conversion feature) is considered indexed to the entity’s own stock. As a result, financial instruments (or embedded conversion features) with down round features may no longer be required to be accounted for as derivative liabilities. A company will recognize the value of a down round feature only when it is triggered and the strike price has been adjusted downward. For equity-classified freestanding financial instruments, an entity will treat the value of the effect of the down round as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in computing basic earnings per share. For convertible instruments with embedded conversion features containing down round provisions, entities will recognize the value of the down round as a beneficial conversion discount to be amortized to earnings.
The guidance in ASU 2017-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, and the guidance is to be applied using a full or modified retrospective approach. We early adopted ASU 2017-11 and changed our method of accounting for certain warrants that were initially recorded as liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2014 on a full retrospective basis. The adoption of ASU 2017-11 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued authoritative guidance intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes (ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ). This guidance eliminates certain exceptions to the general approach to the income tax accounting model and adds new guidance to reduce the complexity in accounting for income taxes. This guidance is effective for annual periods after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU-2019-12 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718) . ASU 2018-07 is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for nonemployee share based payments. Prior to the issuance of this guidance, the accounting requirements for nonemployee and employee share-based payment transactions were significantly different. ASU 2018-07 expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation (which only included share-based payments to employees) to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees is substantially aligned. This ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity — Equity-Based Payments to Nonemployees. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) : Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements associated with fair value measurements based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP and to provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we consider and are including herein Adjusted EBITDA, a Non-GAAP financial measure. We view Adjusted EBITDA as an operating performance measure and, as such, we believe that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to it is net income (loss). We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income adjusted for interest and financing fees, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock based compensation, and other non-cash income and expenses. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides us an important measure of operating performance because it allows management, investors, debtholders and others to evaluate and compare ongoing operating results from period to period by removing the impact of our asset base, any asset disposals or impairments, stock based compensation and other non-cash income and expense items associated with our reliance on issuing equity-linked debt securities to fund our working capital.
Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and this measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP, as the excluded items may have significant effects on our operating results and financial condition. Additionally, our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies’ measure of Adjusted EBITDA. When evaluating our performance, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered with other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income and other GAAP results. In the future, we may disclose different non-GAAP financial measures in order to help our investors and others more meaningfully evaluate and compare our future results of operations to our previously reported results of operations.
The following table shows our reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(In thousands)
Net loss
$ (3,633 )
$ (5,826 )
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
679
713
Interest and letter of credit fees
2,818
2,658
Gain on extinguishment of debt
(601 )
-
Income taxes
23
10
Stock based compensation
1,011
1,710
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 297
$ (735 )
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.