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.
Unless indicated otherwise, references in this discussion and analysis to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer collectively to Birchtech Corp. (formerly Midwest Energy Emissions Corp.) and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Restatements of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements
As described in Note 2—Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements, for the period ended December 31, 2024, management identified an error in the previously reported financial statements related to the under recognition of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company entered into a license agreement for which it should have recognized the entire proceeds receivable pursuant to the agreement as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company should also have recognized the financing component of the licensing agreement during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024. As a result, the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report reflect this restatement.
Overview
Business Operations
We are a provider of specialty activated carbon technologies, delivering innovative solutions for air and water purification. We provide patented and proprietary technologies for mercury emissions capture to the coal-fired utility sector, and are developing disruptive water purification technologies with a specialization on forever chemicals such as PFAS and PFOS.
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Mercury Emissions
We provide mercury capture solutions driven by our patented two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA®) process using a powerful combination of science and engineering. 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 other used methods, while maintaining and/or increasing power plant output and preserving the marketability of byproducts for beneficial use. We design systems and materials tailored and formulated specifically to each customer’s coal-fired units. Our mercury removal technologies and systems will achieve mercury removal levels which meet or exceed the 2012 Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants, as revised, known as the MATS, requirements with lower cost and plant systems impacts than typical PAC or BAC sorbent injection systems. Our products have been shown to be successful across a myriad of fuel and system types, tunable to any configuration, and environmentally friendly, allowing for the recycling of fly ash for beneficial use. North America is currently the largest market for our emissions technologies.
Our SEA® technology provides total mercury control with solutions that are based on a thorough scientific understanding of actual and probable interactions involved in mercury capture in coal-fired flue gas. A complete understanding of the complexity of mercury-sorbent-flue gas interactions and chemisorption mechanisms allows for optimal control strategy and product formulation, resulting in effective mercury capture. Combined with a thorough proprietary audit of the plant and its configuration and instrumentation, we believe our complete science and engineering approach for mercury-sorbent-flue gas interactions are well-understood, highly predictive, and critical to delivering total mercury control.
We believe that a significant percentage of coal-fired power plants in the United States have adopted and are infringing upon our two-part Sorbent Enhancement Additive (SEA®) process for mercury removal from coal-fired power plants.
Beginning in 2019, we began to actively enforce our patent rights against unauthorized use of our patented technologies, and have since initiated patent litigation in various jurisdictions against multiple infringers, claiming infringement of our patents related to our two-part process for mercury removal from coal-fired power plants. We view such litigation as a last resort. Our goal and overall strategy is to convert infringers to our supply chain of sorbent products for mercury removal, or otherwise license our patents to them on a non-exclusive basis in connection with their respective coal-fired power plants.
Water Treatment
In April 2024, we announced the introduction of our new division to address the potable (drinking) water market with new sorbent technologies under development. These new technologies involve less use of activated carbon and are a much more environmentally friendly approach to water treatment.
AC is a form of carbon that has been processed to have a large surface area and a high degree of porosity. This gives it the ability to adsorb a wide range of substances, making it highly effective at removing particles, toxins and impurities. GAC and similar agglomerated activated carbons (or shaped activated carbons) are a form of activated carbon that is specifically produced in a granular, coarse form, as opposed to powdered or pelletized forms. This granularity allows for better flow through filtration systems, which makes it ideal for use in applications that require a continuous flow of air, water or liquids. GAC is commonly used in water filtration systems, including municipal water treatment plants. It is particularly effective at removing chlorine, organic compounds, pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants. Reactivated GAC is spent GAC that has been restored for reuse, making it more sustainable and cost-effective.
Utilizing renewal raw materials allows us to develop and provide shaped activated carbon that can compete with other commercially available GAC options, and provide a superior activated carbon technology to remove contaminants (including PFAS) from potable water. While pending PFAS regulations are projected to significantly increase overall GAC demand, our products are expected to be successfully applied regardless of PFAS regulations reflecting significant competitive advantages (i.e., renewable raw material sources, low arsenic content, and overall performance) to presently available GAC products for the water market. In addition, our product(s) may provide inherent performance advantages such as lower pressure drop relative to existing carbon products in the marketplace today.
While the initial focus for our water treatment technologies will be on the potable water market, we expect that our technologies will also be valuable for industrial wastewater remediation. Industrial wastewater is the liquid waste generated by industrial activities, including manufacturing, processing, and production facilities. It often contains pollutants such as organic matter, heavy metals, chemicals, oils, and other contaminants that must be treated before being discharged into the environment or reused. We believe our water treatment technologies will be well suited to treat such industrial wastewater in an optimal and cost-effective manner.
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Other Recent Developments
On February 27, 2024, and pursuant to a Debt Restructuring Agreement entered into on such date with AC Midwest Energy LLC (“AC Midwest”), we made an approximate $9.0 million principal payment against an approximate $13.2 million unsecured note held by AC Midwest Energy LLC (“AC Midwest”) and repaid in full the remaining principal balance of approximately $272,000 due on a secured note held by AC Midwest. As part of the restructuring, we negotiated a reduction in the profit participation preference held by AC Midwest from approximately $17.7 million to $7.9 million (the “Restructured Profit Share”). Such Restructured Profit Share is “non-recourse” and shall only be paid from net litigation proceeds from claims relating to our intellectual property. In addition, pursuant to the Debt Restructuring Agreement, in March 2024, we were able to facilitate the private sale of certain shares of common stock held by AC Midwest and received a $960,000 credit toward the remaining balance due on the unsecured note. In August 2024, we repaid in full the remaining principal balance of approximately $3.2 million due on the unsecured note held by AC Midwest. As a result, the only remaining debt obligation to AC Midwest is the “non-recourse” Restructured Profit Share.
Following a five-day trial, on March 1, 2024, we were awarded a $57.1 million patent infringement verdict by a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against a remaining group of defendants in the lawsuit commenced by us in 2019. Such group of affiliated defendants included multiple limited liability companies with refined coal industry operations, including CERT Operations II LLC, CERT Operations IV LLC, CERT Operations V LLC, and CERT Operations RCB LLC. The jury determined that these defendants infringed our patented technologies for mercury emissions and were liable for willful infringement, along with inducing and contributory infringement. Following the trial, various post-trial motions and applications were made by the parties. We are awaiting rulings from the Court.
In April 2024, the EPA issued the first-ever national, enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), also known as “forever chemicals”. The Rule sets limits for five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (known as GenX Chemicals). The Rule also sets a hazard index level for two or more of four PFAS as a mixture: PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. Under the Rule, public water systems must monitor these PFAS and will have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027.
In May 2024, we announced the appointment of David Mazyck to head our new division to address the potable (drinking) water market with new sorbent technologies under development.
In addition, in May 2024, we announced the appointment of Dennis Baranik as Director of National Sales. Mr. Baranik will oversee product sales and IP licensing in the Company’s core business for mercury emissions capture as well as support both product and business development for the water market.
In July 2024, we commenced three patent infringement lawsuits against 14 defendants, including coal-fired power utilities, in three separate U.S. District Courts in Arizona, Iowa and Missouri. In January 2025, we commenced another patent infringement lawsuit against four defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Such lawsuit claims infringement of the Company’s patent rights related to the Company’s mercury emissions reduction technologies. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has ordered that such patent infringement lawsuits be consolidated and centralized in the Southern District of Iowa.
Effective as of October 8, 2024, we entered into agreement with one of the utilities and an affiliated entity named as defendants in the patent infringement lawsuit commenced by the Company in July 2024 in Arizona. Such agreement provides such parties and their affiliates with a non-exclusive license to certain Company patents for use in connection with a certain designated coal-fired power plant operated by such utility. The agreement includes a one-time license fee and provides the Company with a right of first refusal for certain of such utility’s product supply for mercury emissions capture at such designated power plant.
Effective as of January 7, 2025, we entered into agreement with another one of the utilities named as a defendant in the Arizona action. Such agreement provides such party and its affiliates with a non-exclusive license to certain Company patents for use in connection with a certain designated coal-fired power plant operated by such utility. The agreement includes a one-time license fee and provides the Company with the right to be included in such party’s bidding process for certain product supply for mercury emissions capture at such party’s designated power plant.
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In January 2025, we commenced another patent infringement lawsuit against four defendants in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. Such lawsuit claims infringement of the Company’s patent rights related to the Company’s mercury emissions reduction technologies. Named as defendants in the action are Evergy, Inc., Evergy Metro Inc., Evergy Missouri West, Inc. and Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. In the lawsuit, we request a trial by jury against the defendants and seek damages, costs, and legal expenses, along with a finding of willful infringement by the defendants, and an injunction prohibiting the defendants from further acts of infringement. In February 2025, such lawsuit was consolidated with and transferred to the Southern District of Iowa.
Effective on October 17, 2024, as part of our rebranding, we changed our corporate name from Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. to Birchtech, Inc. pursuant to a certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation filed with the State of Delaware, and on October 17, 2024 our common stock commenced trading under the ticker symbol “BCHT”.
On October 9, 2024, we received conditional approval to list our shares of common stock on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and graduate from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) to the TSX. On November 12, 2024, our shares commenced trading on the TSX under the ticker symbol “BCHT”.
Results of Operations
Revenues
We generated revenues of approximately $17,406,000 and $17,625,000 (as restated) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Such revenues were primarily derived from sorbent product sales which were approximately $14,482,000 and $17,093,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Revenues can be dependent on natural gas prices, extreme weather, and the maintenance and downtime requirements of customer plants. The decrease in revenues from the prior year was primarily due to the mix of plants running in 2024 resulting in decreased product revenues for 2024 compared to the prior year, offset by an increase in licensing revenues for 2024 compared to 2023.
Licensing revenues were approximately $2,808,000 and $388,000 (as restated) for the years ended 2024 and 2023, respectively. Such increase was primarily due to a new licensing agreement which was entered into in 2024 with a utility.
Equipment sales and other revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were approximately $116,000 and $145,000, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in demonstrations and consulting revenues offset by an increase in equipment sales revenues in 2024 compared to 2023.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales were approximately $10,305,000 and $12,172,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cost of sales of approximately $1,867,000 was primarily attributable to decreased product sales in 2024 compared to the prior year, together with a decrease in the Company’s cost of carbon in 2024 compared to 2023.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was approximately $7,101,000 and $5,453,000 (as restated) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase in gross profit of approximately $1,648,000 was primarily due to higher licensing revenues in 2024 compared to 2023, which typically carry higher margins than product sales, thus contributing to the overall improvement in gross profit.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) and an impairment loss of $43,000 in 2024 and SG&A and an impairment loss of approximately $220,000 in 2023. SG&A expenses were approximately $14,216,000 and $14,207,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Although total SG&A expenses were largely unchanged in 2024 compared to the prior year, there were significant variances in individual categories. Increases in salaries and wages, including bonus compensation and engagement of new senior personnel, increases in Board fees and increased stock-based compensation, were largely offset by reduced professional fees in 2024 compared to 2023. The decrease in professional fees was mainly due to two settlement agreements reached in the fourth quarter of 2023 with various defendants in our patent litigation. These agreements led to significant legal fees paid in 2023 to the patent litigation firm handling the cases, with no comparable expenses incurred in 2024.
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Operating Loss
Our operating loss was approximately $7,158,000 and $8,973,000 (as restated) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Such decrease in operating loss was primarily due to our increased gross profit in 2024 compared to 2023 coupled with total operating expenses remaining relatively unchanged from year to year.
Other Income (Expense)
During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had income from legal claims of $0 and approximately $27,608,000, respectively. The income from legal claims in 2023 consisted of two settlement agreements reached in the fourth quarter of 2023 with various defendants in our patent litigation.
Interest expense related to the financing of capital was approximately $267,000 and $1,362,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The approximate breakdown of interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
2023
Interest expense on notes payable
$ 4,000
$ 24,000
Other interest expense
21,000
2,000
Amortization of discount of notes payable
242,000
1,336,000
$ 267,000
$ 1,362,000
Loss on change in fair value of profit share liability were approximately $3,959,000 and $11,210,000 for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change is primarily attributed to the modification of the terms of the profit share liability (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements).
Net Income (Loss)
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we had a net loss of approximately $10,802,000 compared to net income of approximately $5,668,000 (as restated) for the year ended December 31, 2023. Such change was primarily due to no income from legal claims in 2024 compared to $27,608,000 in 2023, offset by an increase in gross profit in 2024 compared to 2023, and a decrease in the loss on change in fair value of profit share recognized in 2024 compared to 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resource
We had approximately $3,456,000 in cash on our balance sheet at December 31, 2024 compared to approximately $20,940,000 at December 31, 2023. Total current assets were approximately $6,099,000 and total current liabilities were approximately $8,806,000 at December 31, 2024, resulting in a working capital deficiency of approximately $2,707,000. This compares to total current assets of approximately $24,995,000 (as restated) and total current liabilities of approximately $2,183,000 at December 31, 2023, resulting in working capital of approximately $21,812,000 (as restated). Our accumulated deficit was approximately $72.8 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $62.0 million (as restated) at December 31, 2023. Additionally, we had a net loss in the amount of approximately $10,802,000 and cash used in operating activities of approximately $4,105,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Based on the Company’s current cash levels and burn rate, discussed above, the Company believes its cash and financial resources may be insufficient to meet the Company’s anticipated needs for the twelve months following the date of issuance of the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the issuance date of the financial statements.
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In addition to maintaining the revenue stream from our legacy mercury emissions control business, our plans and expectations over the next twelve months to mitigate such financial condition include receiving additional cash inflows from the judgment expected in connection with the $57.1 million jury verdict awarded to us in March 2024, additional licensing revenues and product sales from the other patent litigation recently commenced, and revenues from our entry into the water treatment business. During 2024, we opened two new state of the art laboratories and have added personnel to support our entry into the water business which we believe will lead to a vibrant new revenue stream. In addition, management is exploring additional financing opportunities. While management believes these plans will alleviate substantial doubt, there is no assurance that they will be successfully realized or implemented.
Total Assets
Total assets were approximately $10,261,000 at December 31, 2024 versus approximately $28,311,000 (as restated) at December 31, 2023. The change in total assets is primarily attributable to an approximate $17,484,000 decrease in cash and an approximate $1,253,000 decrease in accounts receivable, offset by an increase in property and equipment.
Total Liabilities
Total liabilities were approximately $9,069,000 at December 31, 2024 versus approximately $28,250,000 at December 31, 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in outstanding debt as a result of the modification of the terms of the profit share liability, the repayment of the secured note and the repayment of the unsecured note.
Operating Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities consists of net income (loss), adjusted by certain non-cash items, and changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $4,105,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $19,226,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the following: (i) a net loss of $10.5 million in 2024 compared to net income of $5.9 million in 2023; (ii) loss on change in fair value of profit share of $4.0 million in 2024 compared to $11.2 million in 2023; and (iii) certain other changes in operating assets and liabilities including accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other assets, accrued salaries, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Investing Activities
The Company had net cash used in investing activities of approximately $809,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 for the purchase of a truck and lab equipment compared to no cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $12,569,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to approximately $210,000 provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2023. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repaid the remaining principal of approximately $272,000 on the AC Midwest secured note and approximately $12,315,000 of the principal remaining on the AC Midwest unsecured note. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we received approximately $17,500 and $210,000, respectively, 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. We use estimates in accounting for, among other items, profit share liability, revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, stock-based compensation, income tax provisions, excess and obsolete inventory reserve and impairment of intellectual property. 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.
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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 undiscounted cash flows.
The Company has evaluated the recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s property and equipment, right of use asset and intellectual property. After completing the assessment of property and equipment for impairment as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded an impairment expense related to property and equipment of $43,000 (2023 - $219,707) which is included in Impairment loss in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The expense was primarily related to the impairment of construction in process costs where management determined that the undiscounted future cash flows were not sufficient to recover the carrying value of these assets over the estimated useful life.
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.
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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.
Disaggregation of Revenue
We generated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 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.
Licensing revenue includes the licensing of the Company’s intellectual property (“IP”). Revenue for IP rights is accounted for based on the nature of the promise to grant the license. In determining whether our promise is to provide a right to access our IP or a right to use our IP, we consider the nature of our IP to which the customer will have rights. IP is either functional IP which has significant standalone functionality or symbolic IP which does not have significant standalone functionality. Revenue from functional IP is recognized at the point in time when control of the distinct license is transferred to the customer. Revenue from symbolic IP is recognized over the access period to our IP.
The licenses provide the customer with the right to use our patented technologies as they exist at a point in time when the license is granted, for the duration of the contract term. The patented technology has stand-alone functionality, and we have no obligation to provide any future updates. During the year ended December 31, 2024 the Company recognized $2,773,750 (2023 - $356,250) of revenue for licenses for which revenue was recognized at a point in time and $34,375 (2023 - $31,250) for licenses for which revenue was recognized over time.
When a license arrangement contains payment terms beyond one year, a significant financing component may exist. The significant financing component is calculated as the difference between the stated value and present value of the license fees and is recognized as interest income over the payment period.
Variable consideration is recorded as revenue only to the extent that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized is not probable of occurring when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Significant judgment is required in estimating variable consideration for the performance obligation identified in the contract and this judgment involves assessing factors outside of our influence.
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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, 2024 and 2023. 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 no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2020.
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.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires disaggregated information about our effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The guidance will first be effective in our annual disclosures for the year ending December 31, 2025, and should be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of ASU 2023-09 on our disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Recently issued, but not yet effective accounting pronouncements, that when adopted, may have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Issued in June 2021, FASB Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model, which is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments is permitted. Effective January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 did not have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures , which amends and enhances the disclosure requirements for reportable segments. All disclosure requirements under this standard will also be required for public entities with a single reportable segment. The new standard will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted ASU 2023-07 effective for its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent interim periods. Since ASU 2023-07 addresses only disclosures, the adoption of ASU 2023-07 did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures , which is intended to provide enhancements to annual income tax disclosures. The standard will require more detailed information in the rate reconciliation table and for income taxes paid, among other enhancements. The standard is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2024 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating this standard to determine if adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses . This ASU requires entities to disaggregate expense items in the notes to the financial statements and requires disclosure of specified information related to purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, and intangible asset amortization. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Companies have the option to apply the guidance either on a retrospective or prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In January 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-01, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income – Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Clarifying the Effective Date . This ASU amends the effective date of ASU No. 2024-03 to clarify that all public business entities are required to adopt the guidance in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption of ASU No. 2024-03 is permitted.
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 income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
2024
December 31,
2023
(as restated)
(In thousands)
Net income (loss)
$ (10,802
)
$ 5,668
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
248
259
Interest
267
1,362
Change in fair value of profit share
3,959
11,210
Impairment of property and equipment
43
220
Income Taxes
(289 )
473
Stock based compensation
1,089
520
Adjusted EBITDA
$ (5,485
)
$ 19,712
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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