UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31 , 2021
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the transition period from _____________to ______________
Commission
file number 001-34577
IT
Tech Packaging, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada 20-4158835
State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization Identification No.)
Science
Park , Juli Road ,
Xushui
District , Baoding City
Hebei
Province, The People’s Republic of China 072550
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (86) 312-8698215
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ITP NYSE American
Securities
registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
Common
Stock
(Title
of class)
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes ☒ No
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ☐ Yes ☒
No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☒
Emerging growth company ☐
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2021 was approximately
$ 44,007,387 based upon 93,632,739 shares of common stock held by non-affiliates and the closing price of the common stock of $0.47 on
June 30, 2021.
As
of March 15, 2022, there were 99,049,900 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
Item 1.
BUSINESS
1
Item 1A.
RISK
FACTORS
20
Item 1B.
UNRESOLVED
STAFF COMMENTS
37
Item 2.
PROPERTIES
37
Item 3.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
37
Item 4.
MINE
SAFETY DISCLOSURES
37
PART II
Item 5.
MARKET
FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
38
Item 6.
[RESERVED]
38
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
39
Item 7A.
QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
50
Item 8.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
50
Item 9.
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
51
Item 9A.
CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES
51
Item 9B.
OTHER
INFORMATION
51
Item 9C.
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTION.
51
PART III
Item 10.
DIRECTORS,
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
52
Item 11.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
55
Item 12.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
57
Item 13.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
57
Item 14.
PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
58
PART IV
Item 15.
EXHIBITS
AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
59
Item 16
FORM
10-K SUMMARY
62
SIGNATURES
63
i
INTRODUCTION
All
references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar terms used in this annual report refer to IT Tech Packaging,
Inc., a Nevada corporation, including its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated
financial information, our variable interest entity in China, Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited, or Dongfang Paper.
“IT Tech Packaging” refers to IT Tech Packaging, Inc. “VIE” or “Dongfang Paper” refers to our variable
interest entity in China. “BaodingShengde” or “PRC Subsidiary” refers to our PRC subsidiary, Baoding Shengde
Paper Co., Ltd, a PRC company.
All
references to “PRC” or “China” refers to the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of
this annual report, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; all references to “RMB” or “Renminbi” refer to the legal currency
of China; all references to “US$,” “dollars,” “U.S. dollars” and “$” refer to the legal
currency of the United States.
This
annual report on Form 10-K includes our audited consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and our audited consolidated
balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements.” These statements are made under the “safe harbor”
provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terms such
as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intend,”
“plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “is/are likely to” and similar expressions. These statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, COVID-19 outbreak, our anticipated revenues from the corrugating medium
paper business segment and offset printing paper business, our ability to implement the planned capacity expansion of tissue paper, our
ability to introduce new products, market acceptance of new products, general economic and business conditions, the ability to attract
or retain qualified senior management personnel and research and development staff, and those specifically addressed under the headings
“Risks Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake
no obligation, beyond any than as required by law, to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the
date on which the statement is made, even though our situation changes in the future.
We
operate in an emerging and evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to
predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination
of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
ii
PART
I
Item
1. Business
IT Tech Packaging, Inc. (the
“Company” or “IT Tech Packaging”) is not an operating company but a Nevada holding company with operations primarily
conducted by its subsidiary and variable interest entity, or VIE. We operated our business in China through our PRC subsidiary, Baoding
Shengde Paper Co., Ltd. ( the “PRC Subsidiary” or “Baoding Shengde”) and Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling
Company Limited (“Dongfang Paper”), which we refer to as our VIE in this annual report, and rely on contractual arrangements
among our PRC subsidiary, the VIE and VIE’s shareholders to operate our business in China. Investors in our common stock should
be aware that they may never directly hold equity interests in the Chinese operating entities, but rather purchasing equity solely in
IT Tech Packaging Inc., our Nevada holding company, which does not directly own substantially all of our business in China conducted by
our PRC Subsidiary and VIE.
Because
of our corporate structure, we as well as the investors are subject to unique risks due to uncertainty of the interpretation and the
application of the PRC laws and regulations, including but not limited to regulatory review of oversea listing of PRC companies through
a special purpose vehicle. We are also subject to the risks of uncertainty about any future actions of the PRC government in this regard.
We may also be subject to sanctions imposed by PRC regulatory agencies including Chinese Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”)
if we fail to comply with their rules and regulations. Although the Company is currently not required to obtain permission from any of
the PRC central or local government to obtain such permission and has not received any denial to list on the U.S. exchange, our operations
could be adversely affected, directly or indirectly, by existing or future laws and regulations relating to its business or industry,
if we inadvertently conclude that such approvals are not required when they are, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations
change and we are required to obtain approval in the future. For a description of relevant risks related to our corporate structure,
see “ Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Doing Business in China” and “Risk Factors – Risks Relating to
Our Corporate Structure.”
Corporate
History
IT Tech Packaging was incorporated
in the State of Nevada on December 9, 2005, under the name “Carlateral, Inc.” Through the steps described below, we became
the holding company with operations primarily conducted by our subsidiaries and our VIE, Dongfang Paper, a producer and distributor of
paper products in China, on October 29, 2007. Effective on August 1, 2018, we changed our corporate name to IT Tech Packaging, Inc. The
name change was effected through a parent/subsidiary short-form merger of IT Tech Packaging, Inc., our wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary
formed solely for the purpose of the name change, with and into us. We were the surviving entity. In connection with the name change,
our common stock began being traded under a new NYSE symbol, “ITP,” at such time.
On
October 29, 2007, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”), the Company acquired Dongfang
Zhiye Holding Limited (“Dongfang Holding”), a corporation formed on November 13, 2006 under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands, and issued the shareholders of Dongfang Holding an aggregate of 7,450,497 (as adjusted for a four-for-one reverse
stock split effected in November 2009) shares of our common stock, which shares were distributed pro-rata to the shareholders of
Dongfang Holding in accordance with their respective ownership interests in Dongfang Holding. At the time of the Merger Agreement,
Dongfang Holding owned all of the issued and outstanding stock and ownership of Dongfang Paper and such shares of Dongfang Paper
were held in trust with Zhenyong Liu, Xiaodong Liu and Shuangxi Zhao, for Mr. Liu, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhao (the original shareholders
of Dongfang Paper) to exercise control over the disposition of Dongfang Holding’s shares in Dongfang Paper on Dongfang
Holding’s behalf until Dongfang Holding successfully completed the change in registration of Dongfang Paper’s capital
with the relevant PRC Administration of Industry and Commerce as the 100% owner of Dongfang Paper’s shares. As a result of the
merger transaction, Dongfang Holding became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Dongfang Holding’s wholly owned
subsidiary, Dongfang Paper, became an indirectly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Dongfang
Holding, as the 100% owner of Dongfang Paper, was unable to complete the registration of Dongfang Paper’s capital under its name
within the proper time limits set forth under PRC law. In connection with the consummation of the restructuring transactions described
below, Dongfang Holding directed the trustees to return the shares of Dongfang Paper to their original shareholders, and the original
Dongfang Paper shareholders entered into certain agreements with Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd. (“Baoding Shengde”) to transfer
the control of Dongfang Paper over to Baoding Shengde.
On
June 24, 2009, the Company consummated a number of restructuring transactions pursuant to which it acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Shengde Holdings Inc., a Nevada corporation. Shengde Holdings Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 25,
2009, and holds a wholly-owned subsidiary, Baoding Shengde, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC on June 1,
2009. Because Baoding Shengde is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shengde Holdings Inc., it is regarded as a wholly foreign-owned entity
under PRC law.
Effective
June 24, 2009, Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the original shareholders of Dongfang Paper entered into a number of contractual arrangements,
as subsequently amended on February 10, 2010, pursuant to which Baoding Shengde acts as the management company for Dongfang Paper, and
Dongfang Paper conducts the principal operations of the business. The contractual arrangements, as amended, effectively transferred the
preponderance of the economic benefits of Dongfang Paper to Baoding Shengde, and as a result, Baoding Shengde assumed effective control
and management over, is considered the primary beneficiary of Dongfang Paper for accounting purposes and we consolidate Dongfang Paper’s
operating results in IT Tech Packaging’s financial statements under U.S. GAAP. The contractual arrangements, as amended, include
the following:
(i) Exclusive
Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement
The
exclusive technical service and business consulting agreement, entered into by and between Baoding Shengde and Dongfang Paper, provides
that Baoding Shengde shall provide exclusive technical, business and management consulting services to Dongfang Paper, in exchange for
service fees including a fee equivalent to 80% of Dongfang Paper’s total annual net profits. The agreement is terminable upon mutual
written agreement.
1
(ii)
Call Option Agreement
The
call option agreement, entered into by and between Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, provides that
the shareholders of Dongfang Paper irrevocably grant to Baoding Shengde an option to purchase all or part of each shareholder’s
equity interest in Dongfang Paper. The exercise price for the options shall be RMB yuan for each of the shareholders’ equity interests,
or if at any time there are PRC laws regulating the minimum exercise price of such options, then to the extent permitted under PRC Law.
The call option agreement contains covenants from Dongfang Paper and its shareholders that they will refrain from taking certain actions
without Baoding Shengde’s consent that would materially affect Dongfang Paper’s operations and asset value, including (i)
supplementing or amending its articles of association or bylaws, (ii) changing Dongfang Paper’s registered capital or shareholding
structure, (iii) selling, transferring, mortgaging or disposing of any interests in Dongfang Paper’s assets or income, or encumbering
Dongfang Paper’s assets or income in a way that would approve a security interest on such assets, (iv) incurring or guaranteeing
any debts not incurred in its normal business operations, (v) entering into any material contract or urging Dongfang Paper management
to dispose of any Dongfang Paper assets, unless it is within the company’s normal business operations; (vi) providing any loan
or guarantee to any third party; (vii) appointing or removing any management personnel or directors that can be changed upon Dongfang
Paper shareholder approval; (viii) declaring or distributing any dividends to the stockholders. The agreement remains effective until
Baoding Shengde or its designees have acquired 100% of the equity interests of Dongfang Paper underlying the options.
(iii) Share
Pledge Agreement
The
share pledge agreement entered into by and between Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, provides that
the Dongfang Paper shareholders will pledge all of their equity interests in Dongfang Paper to Baoding Shengde as security for their
obligations under the other management agreements described in this section. Specifically, Baoding Shengde is entitled to dispose of
the pledged equity interests in the event that the Dongfang Paper shareholders or Dongfang Paper fails to pay the service fees to Baoding
Shengde pursuant to the exclusive technical service and business consulting agreement or fails to perform their other obligations under
the other management agreement. The agreement contains covenants from Dongfang Paper’s shareholders that they will refrain from
taking certain actions without Baoding Shengde’s prior written consent, such as transferring or assigning their equity interests,
or creating or permitting the creation of any pledges which may have an adverse effect on the rights or benefits of Baoding Shengde under
the agreement. The Dongfang Paper shareholders also promise to comply with the laws and regulations relevant to the pledges under the
agreement and to facilitate in good faith the protection of the ability of Baoding Shengde to exercise its rights under the agreement.
The terms of the share pledge agreement remains in effect until all the obligations under the other management agreements have been fulfilled,
whether or not the terms of the other management agreements have expired.
(iv)
Proxy Agreement
The
proxy agreement, entered into by and between Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, provides that the
Dongfang Paper shareholders shall irrevocably entrust a designee of Baoding Shengde with such shareholder’s voting rights and the
right to represent such shareholder to exercise his or her rights at any shareholder’s meeting of Dongfang Paper or with respect
to any shareholder action to be taken in accordance with the laws and Dongfang Paper’s Articles of Association. The terms of the
agreement are binding on the parties for as long as the Dongfang Paper shareholders continue to hold any equity interest in Dongfang
Paper. AnDongfang Paper shareholder will cease to be a party to the agreement once it transfers its equity interests with the prior approval
of Baoding Shengde.
On
June 24, 2009, Zhao Tianqing, the sole shareholder of Shengde Holdings Inc., assigned to the Company, for good and valuable consideration,
100 shares representing 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Shengde Holdings Inc. As a result of this assignment and the restructuring
transactions described above, Shengde Holdings Inc., Baoding Shengde, and Dongfang Paper became directly and indirectly controlled by
the Company, and Dongfang Paper continued to function as the Company’s operating entity.
2
In
addition to controlling the operations and beneficial ownership of Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde also acquired a digital photo paper
production line (including two photo paper coating lines and ancillary equipment) in an asset acquisition transaction on November 25,
2009 and began directly conducting business in the PRC. We suspended production of photo paper in June 2016 and now are upgrading the
production line to produce more competitive photo paper products.
An
agreement was entered into among Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper on December 31, 2010, reiterating
that Baoding Shengde is entitled to the distributable profit of Dongfang Paper, pursuant to the above mentioned Exclusive Technical Service
and Business Consulting Agreement. In addition, Dongfang Paper and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper agreed that they would not declare
any of Dongfang Paper’s unappropriated earnings, including any earnings of Dongfang Paper from its establishment to 2010 and thereafter,
as dividend.
The
contractual agreements described above have not been tested in a court of law.
The
following diagram sets forth the current corporate structure of IT Tech Packaging:
100%
ownership
Controlled
by contractual arrangements
3
Recent
Regulatory Developments
On January 4, 2022, the Cyberspace
Administration of China, or CAC, issued the revised Measures on Cyberspace Security Review (the “Revised Measures”), which
has came into effect on February 15, 2022. Under the Revised Measures, any “network platform operator” controlling personal
information of no less than one million users which seeks to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cyber security
review.
We do not believe we are “network
platform operator” who control over one million personal information as mentioned above; as such, we believe we are currently not
be subject to the cyber security review by the CAC. However, the definition of “network platform operator” is unclear
and it is also unclear on how it will be interpreted and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. See “ Risk
factors — Risk Factors Relating to Doing Business in China — Our business may be subject to a variety
of PRC laws and other obligations regarding cyber security and data protection .”
On July 6, 2021, the
relevant PRC governmental authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with
the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on
overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory
systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As these opinions are recently issued, official
guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued yet and the interpretation of these opinions remains unclear at this stage.
See “Risk Factors — Risk Factors Relating to Doing Business in China — While the approval and/or
other requirements of the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities are currently not required, they may be required, in connection with
our oversea listing under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon we will be able
to obtain such approval .” As of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions
regarding listing abroad or offshore offering from the CSRC or any other PRC governmental authorities.
We
believe that we are currently not required to obtain any permission or approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”)
and Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) in the PRC to issue securities to foreign investors. However, there is no
guarantee that this will continue to be the case in the future in relation to any future offerings of our company or the continued listing
of our company’s securities on the NYSE American, or even in the event such permission or approval is required and obtained, it
will not be subsequently revoked or rescinded. If we do not receive or maintain the approvals, or we inadvertently conclude that such
approvals are not required, or applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change such that we are required to obtain approval in
the future, we may be subject to an investigation by competent regulators, fines or penalties, or an order prohibiting us from conducting
an offering, and these risks could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our securities, significantly
limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly
decline in value or become worthless.
On
December 24, 2021, CSRC issued Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic
Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”), and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas
Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Measures”), which are open for public comments by January 23,
2022. The Administration Provisions and Measures for overseas listings lay out specific requirements for filing documents and include
unified regulation management, strengthening regulatory coordination, and cross-border regulatory cooperation. Domestic companies seeking
to list abroad must carry out relevant security screening procedures if their businesses involve supervisions such as foreign investment
security and cyber security reviews. Companies endangering national security are among those off-limits for overseas listings. According
to Relevant Officials of the CSRC Answered Reporter Questions (“CSRC Answers”), after the Administration Provisions and Measures
are implemented upon completion of public consultation and due legislative procedures, the CSRC will formulate and issue guidance for
filing procedures to further specify the details of filing administration and ensure that market entities could refer to clear guidelines
for filing, which means it will still take time to put the Administration Provisions and Measures into effect. As the Administration
Provisions and Measures have not yet come into effect, we are currently unaffected by them. However, according to CSRC Answers, only
new initial public offerings and refinancing by existing overseas listed Chinese companies will be required to go through the filing
process; other existing overseas listed companies will be allowed a sufficient transition period to complete their filing procedure.
However, it is uncertain when the Administration Provision and the Measures will take effect or if they will take effect as currently
drafted.
On December 24, 2021, the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Prevention and Control
of Noise Pollution(the “Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution”), which will be effected on June 5, 2022. According to
the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution, entities subject to pollutant discharge licensing management shall not emit industrial
noise without a pollutant discharge permit and shall prevent and control noise pollution according to the requirements of the pollutant
discharge permit.
4
Consolidation
We conduct substantially all
of our business in China through Dongfang Paper, the VIE, due to PRC legal restrictions of foreign ownership in certain sectors. Substantially
all of IT Tech Packaging’s revenues, costs and net income in China are directly or indirectly generated through the VIE. IT Tech
Packaging, through its PRC Subsidiary, Baoding Shengde, has signed various agreements with the VIE and shareholders of the VIE to allow
the transfer of economic benefits from the VIE to the PRC Subsidiary and to direct the activities of the VIE.
Total assets and liabilities
presented on IT Tech Packaging’s consolidated balance sheets and revenue, expense, net income presented on consolidated statement
of operations and comprehensive income as well as the cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities presented on the consolidated
statement of cash flows are substantially the financial position, operation and cash flow of the VIE. The Company has not provided any
financial support to the VIE for the fiscal years ended at December 31, 2020 and 2019. As of December 31, 2021, our variable interest
entity accounted for an aggregate of 84.13% and 69.51%of our total assets and total liabilities. As of December 31, 2020, our variable
interest entity accounted for an aggregate of 90.7% and 72.4%of our total assets and total liabilities. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020,
$1,921,407 and $3,315,778 of cash and cash equivalents were denominated in RMB, respectively.
IT
Tech Packaging and its directly owned subsidiary, Shengde Holding do not have any substantial assets or liabilities or result of operations.
The following table sets forth the assets, liabilities, results of operations and changes in cash, cash equivalents of the VIE, which
were included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows
with intercompany transactions eliminated:
As of
December
31,
December
31,
2021
2020
Current assets
$ 33,444,699
$ 14,072,031
Total non-current assets
$ 169,766,341
$ 167,190,706
Total Assets
$ 203,211,040
$ 181,262,737
Total liabilities
$ 17,924,476
$ 17,950,224
For
the Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Net cash provided
by operating activities
$ 25,058,780
$ 17,294,208
Net cash used in investing
activities
$ (25,071,372 )
$ (18,937,689 )
Net cash used in financing
activities
$ (917,041 )
$ (218,505 )
5
Cash
Transfers and Dividend Distribution
IT Tech Packaging
conducts its business operations in China through its Baoding Shengde, or the PRC Subsidiary and Dongfang Paper, the VIE. If needed,
IT Tech Packaging can transfer cash to the PRC Subsidiary through loans and/or capital contributions, and the PRC Subsidiary can
transfer cash to IT Tech Packaging through issuing dividends or other distributions. The PRC Subsidiary can transfer cash to the VIE
through intercompany loans and capital contributions, and the VIE can transfer cash to the PRC Subsidiary as services fees under the
VIE contractual arrangements. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the cash flows occurred between IT Tech Packaging, its
subsidiaries and the VIE included i) funding through Shengde Holdings Inc. to Baoding Shengde, with an amount of $32,052,000 as
capital contributions ii) Baoding Shengde payments to Heibei Tengsheng of $2,027,701 for purchase of products iii) Baoding Shengde loans to Dongfang Paper with
total amount of $19,345,101 and iv) Dongfang Paper payments to Baoding Shengde of $5,016,446 for purchase of raw materials.
Current PRC regulations permit
the PRC Subsidiary to pay dividends to its shareholders only out of their accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC
accounting standards and regulations. The PRC Subsidiary is required to set aside 10% of its after-tax profits to fund a statutory reserve
until such reserve reaches 50% of its registered capital if it distributes its after-tax profits for the current financial year. For details,
see “ Risk Factors — Risk Factors Relating to Doing Business in China — We may rely on dividends
and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation
on the ability of our PRC Subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business. ”
In addition, cash transfers from IT Tech Packaging are subject to applicable PRC laws and regulations on loans and direct investment.
For details, see “ Risk Factors — Risk Factors Relating to Doing Business in China — PRC regulation
of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay
us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity
and our ability to fund and expand our business .”
In addition, the PRC government
imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of
China. IT Tech Packaging receives a significant portion of its revenues in Renminbi. Under IT Tech Packaging’s current corporate
structure, IT Tech Packaging’s Nevada holding company may rely on dividend payments from the PRC Subsidiary to fund any cash and
financing requirements it may have. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit
distributions, interest payments and trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without
prior approval of State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval
from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency and remitted
out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need to obtain
SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of the PRC Subsidiary and VIE to pay off their respective debt in a currency other
than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency other than Renminbi.
If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy our foreign currency demands,
we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to its shareholders. See “ Risk Factors — Risk Factors
Relating to Doing Business in China — Governmental control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our
revenues effectively and affect the value of your investment ”. In order to secure the amounts owed under the VIE agreements,
the VIE and its shareholders entered into a share pledge agreement with the PRC Subsidiary, pursuant to which if the VIE fails to pay
the service fees to the PRC Subsidiary pursuant to the exclusive technical service and business consulting agreement or fails to perform
their other obligations under the other management agreement, the PRC Subsidiary is entitled to dispose of the pledged equity interests
in the VIE.
IT Tech Packaging declared
and paid four quarterly cash dividends to its U.S. investors in April 2012 and November 2013. As of the date of this annual report, other
than those cash dividends, none of IT Tech Packaging’s subsidiaries have ever issued any dividends or made other distributions to
IT Tech Packaging or their respective holding companies nor has IT Tech Packaging or any of IT Tech Packaging’s subsidiaries ever
paid dividends or made other distributions to U.S. investors. IT Tech Packaging currently intend to retain all future earnings to finance
its operations and to expand its business. As a result, IT Tech Packaging does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future.
Holding
Foreign Company Accountable Act
Trading
in our securities may be prohibited under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCAA, if the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”) determines that it cannot inspect or investigate completely our auditor.
Pursuant
to the HFCAA, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report on December 16, 2021 which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate
completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the People’s Republic of China because of
a position taken by one or more authorities in mainland China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the
PRC, because of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong. In addition, the PCAOB’s report identified the specific
registered public accounting firms which are subject to these determinations.
The
PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections in China without the approval of Chinese government authorities. If it is later determined
that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken
in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audits and their quality control procedures, could result
in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate.
6
Our
auditor, WWC, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, is an independent registered public accounting firm with the PCAOB, and as an auditor
of publicly traded companies in the U.S., is subject to laws in the U.S. pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess
its compliance with the applicable professional standards. WWC, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, is based in the United States and
has been inspected by the PCAOB on a regular basis, with the last inspection in November 2021. WWC, P.C., Certified Public Accountants,
is not headquartered in mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified as a firm subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB
on December 16, 2021. Should the PCAOB be unable to fully conduct inspection of our auditor’s work papers in China, it will make
it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or equity control procedures. Investors may consequently
lose confidence in our reported financial information and procedures or quality of the financial statements, which would adversely affect
us and our securities.
Moreover,
if trading in our securities is prohibited under the HFCAA in the future because the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect or fully
investigate our auditor at such future time, an exchange may determine to delist our securities.
See
“ Risk Factors—Risks Associated with Our Company— A recent joint statement by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), or the “PCAOB,” proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the newly enacted “Holding
Foreign Companies Accountable Act” all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies
upon assessing the qualification of their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments
could add uncertainties to investing in our securities .”
Recent
Business Developments
March
2021 Public Offering
On
March 1, 2021, the Company offered and sold to the public investors an aggregate of 29,277,866 shares of common stock and 14,638,933
warrants to purchase up to 14,638,933 shares of common stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering for gross proceeds of
approximately $21.9 million. The purchase price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrant sold in the offering was $0.75.
The warrants are exercisable commencing on March 1, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.75 and will expire on March 1, 2026. In the event
of a stock split, stock dividend, combination, subsequent right offering or reclassification of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
the exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants shall be proportionately adjusted. The Company intends
to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate and working capital purposes.
January
2021 Public Offering
On
January 20, 2021, the Company offered and sold to certain institutional investors an aggregate of 26,181,818 shares of common stock and
26,181,818 warrants to purchase up to 26,181,818 shares of common stock in a best-efforts public offering for gross proceeds of approximately
$14.4 million. The purchase price for each share of common stock and the corresponding warrant sold in the offering was $0.55. The warrants
are exercisable commencing on January 20, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.55 and will expire on January 20, 2026. In the event of a stock
split, stock dividend, combination, subsequent right offering or reclassification of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the exercise
price and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants shall be proportionately adjusted. The Company intends to use the
net proceeds from the offering for general corporate and working capital purposes.
Cogenerating
Project
In
November 2020, we completed inviting bids for the 75 tonne per hour biomass boiler procurement for our biomass cogeneration project.
Multiple well-known enterprises in the biomass industry participated in tendering opening bids. In February 2021, we completed evaluation
on the bidding proposals and announced that Tai Shan Group Co., Ltd., a top manufacturer in the biomass industry in China, has won the
bid. Installation of the boilers is expected to commence in the near future. We expect to participate in the bidding process for urban
central heating projects.
Tissue
Paper Production Line
In July 2021, The Company
announced that the Company’s tissue paper research and development center has received a Level B scale-above Certification as an
industrial R&D enterprise institution in Hebei province after on-site inspection by regulators. The Company has also been
granted twelve new utility patent certificates on paper manufacturing related equipment issued by the State Intellectual Property Office,
including equipment testing, screening and filtering, and mixing.
Summary
of Risk Factors
Investing
in our securities involves significant risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus
before making an investment in our securities. Below please find a summary of the principal risks we face, organized under relevant headings.
These risks are discussed more fully in the section titled “Risk Factors.”
7
Risks
Relating to our Business
● Our
business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected
by global health epidemics, including the COVID-19 outbreak.
● Our
operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future prospects and results
of operations.
● Dongfang
Paper and Baoding Shengde’s failure to compete effectively may adversely affect our
ability to generate revenue.
● We
may not be able to effectively control and manage our growth.
● We,
through our subsidiaries, may engage in future acquisitions that could dilute the ownership
interests of our stockholders and cause us to incur debt and assume contingent liabilities.
● We
are responsible for the indemnification of our officers and directors.
● We
are dependent on certain key personnel and loss of these key personnel could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
● We
may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to support our growth and if we are
unable to retain or hire these personnel in the future, our ability to improve our products
and implement our business objectives could be adversely affected.
● Our
operating results may fluctuate as a result of factors beyond our control.
● We
face risks related to product liability claims.
● Our
operating results also depend on the availability and pricing of energy and raw materials.
● A
material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting
customer demand, reduce our sales, and/or negatively affect our net income.
● Our
certificates, permits, and licenses related to our papermaking operations are subject to
governmental control and renewal and failure to obtain renewal will cause all or part of
our operations to be terminated.
● Compliance
with environmental regulations is expensive, and noncompliance may result in adverse publicity
and potentially significant monetary damages and fines or suspension of our business operations.
● If
we are unable to respond to pricing pressures, our business may be harmed.
● If
we fail to introduce enhancements to our existing products or to develop new products, our
business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
● We
have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product liability claims
or business interruptions.
● Our
failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position,
and external infringements of our intellectual property rights may adversely affect our business.
● We
may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations, which may
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.
Risks
Related To Doing Business in the PRC
● The
PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of a PRC company’s
business operations or to exert control over any offering of securities conducted overseas
and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and may intervene with or influence our
operations, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities
to investors, and may cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless,
as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and societal goals.
● Our
business may be subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding cybersecurity
and data protection.
● Changes
in the policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon the business we
may be able to conduct in the PRC and the profitability of such business.
● The
PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and
uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and regulations may harm our business.
8
● A
slowdown, inflation or other adverse developments in the PRC economy may harm our customers
and the demand for our services and products.
● We
may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund
any cash and financing requirements we may have, and any limitation on the ability of our
PRC Subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our ability
to conduct our business.
● Governmental
control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively
and affect the value of investors’ investment.
● PRC
regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies
and governmental control of currency conversion may delay us from making loans or additional
capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect
our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
● The
fluctuation of the Renminbi may harm your investment.
● Failure
to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose
companies by PRC residents may materially adversely affect us.
● While
the approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities
are currently not required, they may be required, in connection with our oversea listing
under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or
how soon we will be able to obtain such approval.
● The
M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions
of Chinese companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue
growth through acquisitions in China.
● The
PRC’s legal and judicial system may not adequately protect our business and operations
and the rights of foreign investors.
● Because
our principal assets are located outside of the United States and most of our directors and
officers reside outside of the United States, it may be difficult for you to effect service
of legal process, enforce your rights based on U.S. federal securities laws against us and
our officers or to enforce U.S. court judgment against us or them in the PRC.
● It
may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within
China.
● We
may be required to broaden the coverage of the mandatory social security insurance programs
under the Labor Law of the PRC.
● The
current tensions in international trade and rising political tensions, particularly between
U.S. and China, may adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks
Related to Our Corporate Structure
● Our
current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted
Foreign Investment Law.
● Any
failure by our consolidated VIE or their shareholders to perform their obligations under
our contractual arrangements with them would have a material adverse effect on our business.
● In
order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we operate our businesses through companies
with which we have contractual relationships but in which we do not have controlling ownership.
● Because
we rely on the consulting services agreement with Dongfang Paper for essentially all of our
revenue and cash flows, any difficulty for Dongfang Paper to pay consulting fees to Baoding
Shengde under the consulting agreement may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
● If
the PRC government determines that the contractual agreements constituting part of our VIE
structure do not comply with applicable PRC regulations, or if these regulations change or
are interpreted differently in the future, we may be unable to assert our contractual rights
over the assets of the VIE, and our common stock may decline in value.
● The
contractual arrangements under a VIE Structure may not be as effective as direct ownership
in respect of our relationship with the VIE, and thus, we may incur substantial costs to
enforce the terms of the arrangements, which we may not be able to enforce at all.
● The
shareholders of Dongfang Paper may have actual or potential conflicts of interests with us,
which may adversely affect our business.
9
● We
may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by the VIE that are material to the operation
of our business if the entity goes bankrupt or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation
proceeding.
● Our
arrangements with Dongfang Paper and its shareholders may be subject to a transfer pricing
adjustment by the PRC tax authorities which could have an adverse effect on our income and
expenses.
● We
may lose the ability to use, or otherwise benefit from, the licenses, approvals and assets
held by the VIE, which could severely disrupt our business, render us unable to conduct some
of our business operations and constrain our growth.
● The
exercise of our option to purchase part or all of the equity interests in Dongfang Paper
under the Call Option Agreement might be subject to approval by the PRC government. Our failure
to obtain this approval may impair our ability to substantially control Dongfang Paper and
could result in actions by Dongfang Paper that conflict with our interests.
Risks
Related to Our Common Stock
● The
recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and
the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act all call for additional and more stringent
criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of their
auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments
could add uncertainties to investing in our securities.
● If
we fail to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in a timely
manner, our business could be harmed and our stock price could decline.
● If
we become directly subject to the scrutiny involving U.S. listed Chinese companies, we may
have to expend significant resources to investigate and/or defend the matter, which could
harm our business operations, stock price and reputation.
● Our
officers and directors control us through their positions and stock ownership and their interests
may differ from other stockholders.
● We
may not continue to pay cash dividends and any return on investment may be limited to the
value of our common stock.
● Our
common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and may fluctuate significantly.
● Future
financings may dilute stockholders or impair our financial condition.
Impact
of COVID-19 on Our Operations and Financial Performance
Outbreaks of epidemic, pandemic,
or contagious diseases such as COVID-19, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the World Health Organization declaring the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.
Substantially all of our revenues and workforce are concentrated in China. In response to the intensifying efforts to contain the spread
of COVID-19, the Chinese government took a number of actions, which included extending the Chinese New Year holiday, quarantining individuals
suspected of having COVID-19, asking residents in China to stay at home and to avoid public gathering, among other things. During the
early part of 2020, COVID-19 caused temporary closure of our CMP production, and as a result, our revenue of CMP decreased by 49.89
% in the first quarter of 2020.
Since we resumed business
operations after the outbreak of COVID-19, the Company kept continuous attention on the development of the COVID-19 pandemic and reacted
actively to its impact on the financial position and operating results of the Company. As of the date of the annual report, COVID-19’s
adverse impacts on the company’s financial position and operating result as of December 31, 2021 were limited.
Our
Business
We, through our subsidiaries
and VIE, engage in production and distribution of three categories of paper products: corrugating medium paper, offset printing paper,
tissue paper products and medical face masks in China.
Our
principal executive offices are located at Science Park, Juli Road, Xushui District, Baoding City, Hebei Province, People’s Republic
of China.
Our
telephone number is (86) 312-869-8215. Our website is located at http://www.itpackaging.cn.
10
Manufacturing
Process
Corrugating
Medium Paper and Offset Printing Paper
Our
current products (excluding tissue paper products) generally undergo two stages of manufacturing: (1) creating pulp from recycled paper
products, and (2) treating the pulp and molding it into the desired types of paper products. A brief overview of the pulp and papermaking
process is provided below.
Pulping
The
recycled waste paper is first sorted by machine, and then broken down and beaten or smashed into small pieces using water and mechanical
energy. It is then put through a course screening drum, followed by a fine screening drum to separate different grades of pulp, a process
that we refer as “concentration”. In order to purify the pulp further, an approach flow system is used to filter out any
impurities or inconsistencies, such as sand, in the pulp.
Paper
Making
The
pulp is sieved to remove the excess water and molded into a specific size. The moisture content is further reduced by applying hydraulic
pressure to the pulp. The pulp then enters the drying section where it is rolled over by heated cylinders. The dried paper is then coated
with a mixture of clay, white pigment and binder to produce a surface on which ink can sit without being fully absorbed, enabling crisper,
and more consistent print quality.
The
paper goes through a process called calendaring, which flattens and smoothens the paper into long sheets. The paper is then wound onto
a reel that is mounted in a roll-slitting machine for rewinding, during which cutters are used to cut the paper into the desired widths.
Upon completion, the rolls are fitted with sleeves and labeled, and then sent to quality control before shipment or storage.
11
Base
Tissue Paper
While
we make tissue paper products, we currently purchase paper pulp from suppliers and use it to manufacture base tissue paper directly.
Products
Corrugating
medium paper
Corrugating
medium paper, or CMP is used in the manufacturing of cardboard. Since the launch of our new Paper Machine (“PM6”) production
line in December 2011, corrugating medium paper has become a major product of the Company. For the year ended December 31, 2021, corrugating
medium paper comprised approximately 88.76% of our total paper production quantities and roughly 83.61% of our total revenue. Raw materials
used in the production of corrugating medium paper include recycled paper board (or Old Corrugating Cardboard or “OCC,” as
it is commonly referred to in the United States) and certain supplementary agents. In January 2013, we suspended the operation of our
PM1 production line for renovation, which was then used to produce corrugating medium paper. In May 2014, we launched the commercial
production of a renovated PM1 production line. The renovated PM1 production line produces light-weight corrugating medium paper with
a specification of 40 to 80 grams per square meter (“g/s/m”). PM1’s light-weight corrugating medium paper products
have a wide range of commercial applications. For example, they can be used as a construction material for wall and floor insulation
or to manufacture moisture-proof packaging materials for the transportation of books and magazines by the publishing industry. It can
also be used as corrugating medium to make corrugating cardboard for packaging that requires light-weight boxes. The manufacturing process
of light-weight corrugating medium paper is similar to that of the regular corrugating medium paper and also uses recycled paper boards
as a major source of raw material. We now have two corrugating medium paper production lines, PM6 and PM1. We refer to products produced
from the PM6 production line as Regular CMP and products produced from the PM1 production line as Light-Weight CMP.
Offset
printing paper
Offset
printing paper is used for offset printing in the publishing industry. Offset printing paper comprised approximately 8.21% of our total
paper production quantities and approximately 10.61% of our total sales revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. Raw materials used
in making offset printing paper include recycled white scrap paper, fluorescent whitening agent and sizing agent. We currently have two
production lines, PM2 and PM3, for the production of offset printing paper.
Tissue
Paper Products
We
began the commercial production of tissue paper products in Wei County Industry Park in June 2015. We process base tissue paper purchased
from long-term cooperative third party and produce finished tissue paper products, including toilet paper, boxed and soft-packed tissues,
handkerchief tissues and paper napkins, as well as bathroom and kitchen paper towels that are marketed and sold under the Dongfang Paper
brand. In December 2018 and November 2019, we completed the construction, installation and test of operation of PM8 and PM9, respectively,
and commercially launched tissue paper production of PM8 and PM9 at such time. On May 5, 2020, the Company announced it planned the commercial
launch of a new tissue paper production line PM10 and the Company signed an agreement to purchase paper machine with paper machine supplier.
The Company expected the new tissue paper production line to be launched after the completion of trial run. Tissue paper products comprised
approximately 3.01% of our total paper production quantities and approximately 5.45% of our total sales revenue for the year ended December
31, 2021.
Face
Masks
On
April 29, 2020, we launched a production line of non-medical single-use face masks, following the completion of raw materials
preparation, trial run of the equipment and the sample products inspection. In January 2021, the Company announced it has submitted an
application for the license for its new single-use surgical masks from local food and drug administration in Hebei province, and began
commercial production in November 2021.
12
Market
for our Products
The
PRC Paper Making Industry
According
to the 2020China Paper Industry Annual Report, issued by the China Paper Association, there were approximately 2,500 paper and paper
board manufacturers (down from 2,700 in 2019) in China, with a total output of 112.60 million tonnes, up by 4.60% from 107.65 million
tonnes in 2019. Total domestic consumption was 118.27 million tonnes in 2020, up by 10.49% from 107.04 million tonnes in 2019.
The
output of paper and paper board maintained an average growth rate of approximately 1.41% during the ten-year period from 2011to 2020,
while consumption increased at an average annual rate of 2.17%. The growth is expected to continue. It is estimated that China currently
has the largest paper and paper board products output and consumption in the world. (Data source: 2020 Annual Report of China Paper
Manufacturing, April 2021, China Paper Association)
Data
source: 2020 Annual Report of China’s Paper Industry, April2021, China Paper Association
Corrugating
medium paper production in China totaled 23.90 million tonnes in 2020, a 7.66% increase from 2019. Consumption of corrugating medium
paper in China amounted to 27.76 million tonnes in 2020, an increase of 16.93% as compared to 2019.
Uncoated offset printing paper
production in China totaled 17.30million tonnes in 2020, a 2.81% decrease from 2019. Consumption of uncoated offset printing paper in
China amounted to 17.83million tonnes in 2020, an increase of 1.94% as compared to 2019.
The
paper making industry in China is concentrated in the east coast provinces. The largest paper production capacities by province for 2019and
2020(the most recent year for which relevant information is available) are summarized in the table below. The three provinces with largest
capacities showed moderate increases in paper production capacities; provinces with smaller capacities, such as, Chongqing, Hebei and
Anhui, showed noticeable increases as well.
Province
2020Capacity
(10k tonnes)
2019
Capacity
(10k tonnes)
%
Change
Guangdong
2,012
1,864
7.94
Shandong
1,920
1,830
4.92
Jiangsu
1,402
1,312
6.86
Zhejiang
1,149
1,429
(19.59 )
Fujian
777
784
(0.89 )
Henan
532
498
6.83
Hubei
427
355
20.28
Chongqing
352
301
16.94
Anhui
321
325
(1.23 )
Hebei
317
240
32.08
Data
Sources: 2020Annual Report of China’s Paper Industry, April 2021, China Paper Association
13
Customers
We generally sell our corrugating
medium paper to companies making corrugating cardboards and offset printing paper to printing companies. Our largest customer is a packaging
company in Shandong Province. Our total corrugating medium and offset printing paper revenue in 2021 was primarily derived from customers
in Tianjin City, Hebei Province and Shandong Province.
For
the year ended December 31, 2021, five major customers who individually accounted for more than 5% of our total sales revenue are as
follows:
2021
Sales Amount
(USD$,
net of
%
of
applicable
Total
VAT)
Revenue
Company A (Shandong)
9,506,562
5.91 %
Company B (Hebei)
9,243,355
5.75 %
Company C (Hebei)
8,946,350
5.57 %
Company D (Tianjin)
8,748,984
5.44 %
Company
E(Tianjin)
8,394,246
5.22 %
Total
Major Customers
44,857,517
27.89 %
Eight
of our top-ten customers of 2021are also in the top-ten customer list in 2020, representing 79.36% of the 2020top-ten customer sales.
Target
Market
We
target corporate customers in the middle range of the marketplace, where, with solid quality and competitive pricing, we see potential
for high volume growth for corrugating medium paper and offset printing paper. Our primary market has been the region of North China,
especially in the province of Hebei.
Our
Production Lines
During
the year ended December 31, 2021, we had six PM production lines in operation and are in the process of launching one more that are designated
as PM7. These production lines include the followings:
Designed
Paper Product
Capacity
PM#
Produced
(tonnes/year)
Owned
by
Operated
by
Status
as of December 31, 2021
PM1
Corrugating Medium Paper
60,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In production
PM2
Offset Printing Paper
50,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In production
PM3
Offset Printing Paper
40,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In production
PM4
Digital Photo Paper
**
Baoding Shengde
Baoding Shengde
Suspended in June 2016 due to low market demand
PM5
Digital Photo Paper
**
Baoding Shengde
Baoding Shengde
Suspended in June 2016 due to low market demand
PM6
Corrugating Medium Paper
360,000
Baoding Shengde
Dongfang Paper***
In production
PM7*
Specialty paper
10,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
Under renovation and preparing for launch by the end
of 2021
PM8
Tissue paper
15,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In production
PM9
Tissue paper
15,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In production.
PM10
Tissue paper
20,000
Dongfang Paper
Dongfang Paper
In construction
*: Paper
machines under renovation, under construction, or in the planning stage.
***: PM6
is funded and owned by Baoding Shengde; ancillary facilities that support the PM6 operation
are built and owned by Dongfang Paper.
14
On
December 31, 2009, we acquired a digital photo paper production line, including two coating lines that are designated as PM4 and PM5
and ancillary equipment, for a total purchase price of approximately $13.6 million. We suspended production of photo paper in June 2016.
In
order to meet the growing domestic demand for paper, which we believe currently exceeds domestic supply in the case of corrugating medium
paper, especially in the region of North China, we installed a corrugating medium paper production line (PM6) with a designed capacity
of 360,000 tonnes per year. We completed the installation of the PM6 production line in November 2011 and began commercial production
in December 2011.
We
have implemented a plan to renovate one of the old production lines that has been idle since the end of 2007. We previously made paper
with anti-counterfeit features from that production line. When the renovation is completed, we intend to use the renovated production
line to produce high-profit margin specialty papers. Our current plan is to complete the renovation project, put in place a new production
and marketing team and launch the renovated production line as PM7 by the end of 2021.
On
November 27, 2012, we signed a 15-year lease relating to approximately 49.4 acres of land in the Economic Development Zone in Wei County,
Hebei Province, China for the purpose of developing a new tissue paper production plant. We planned to build two tissue paper production
lines, each with 15,000 tonnes/year capacity, and other packaging facilities and infrastructures on the leased land. In December 2012,
we signed a contract with an equipment contractor in Shanghai to build PM8, the first of our two tissue paper production lines in Wei
County. In December 2018 and November 2019, we completed the construction, installation and test of operation of PM8 and PM9, respectively
and commercially launched tissue paper productions of PM8 and PM9 at such time. On May 5, 2020, the Company announced it planned the
commercial launch of a new tissue paper production line PM10 and the Company signed an agreement to purchase paper machine with paper
machine supplier. The Company expected the new tissue paper production line to be launched after the completion of trial run.
We
voluntarily renovated our 150,000 tonnes/year corrugating medium paper PM1 in anticipation of increased regulatory concerns on energy
efficiencies as well as to improve the quality of our corrugating medium products. Rather than converting PM1 to a regular corrugating
medium paper machine, we decided in 2013 that, based on the market conditions and our waste water treatment capability, the better option
was to convert PM1 to produce Light-Weight CMP with a specification of 40 to 80 grams per square meter (“g/s/m”) with a designed
capacity of 60,000 tonnes/year. We started the renovation in January 2013 and launched commercial production of the renovated PM1 production
line in May 2014.
Raw
Materials and Principal Suppliers
The
supplies used in our production processes are comprised mainly of recycled paper board and unprinted recycled white scrap paper, both
of which are ready-to-use items and available from multiple domestic and foreign sources. We currently purchase all of our recycled paper
supplies from some domestic recycling stations and do not rely on imported recycled paper. We also purchase coal and chemical agents
from nearby suppliers. Ongoing inflationary pressures and higher demand for recycled paper could lead to an increase in our costs of
raw materials and production, which we may or may not be able to pass to our customers.
We
sign annual raw materials supplier contracts with our suppliers. Although we have contracts with our suppliers, these contracts do not
lock-in the purchase price of our raw materials or provide hedge against the fluctuation in the market price of these raw materials.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had two large suppliers which accounted for approximately 78% and 11% of our total purchases,
respectively.
For
the year ended December 31, 2021, two major suppliers who individually accounted for more than 5% of our total purchase are as follows:
2021
Purchase
Amount
(USD$,
net of
%
of
applicable
Total
VAT)
Purchase
Company A (Baoding)
117,370,593
78 %
Company
B (Baoding)
17,100,630
11 %
Total
Major Suppliers
134,471,223
89 %
15
Competition
Dongfang
Paper’s main competitors are: Chenming Paper Group Limited, Huatai Group Limited, Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited and Sun
Paper Group Limited. A number of our competitors are public entities with larger capacities, broader customer bases and greater financial
resources than those available to us. The businesses of our primary competitors are briefly described below:
Chenming
Paper Group, Ltd. (“Chenming”), based in Shandong Province (located in northeast China), produces primarily news print paper
and art paper (high quality, heavy and two-side coated printing paper). Chenming is believed to be the first company to have listed on
all three stock exchanges in China: Renminbi A-shares and foreign currency B-shares in Shenzhen, the smaller of the mainland’s
two stock exchanges, and H-shares in Hong Kong. Chenming has annual production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes for its coated wood-free
paper product and is believed to rank among the top 500 enterprises in China.
Huatai
Group, Ltd. (“Huatai”), based in Shandong Province (located in the northern part of the eastern coastal region of China),
primarily produces newsprint, fine paper, special printing paper, coated board and tissue paper. Huatai is the first Shandong papermaker
to publicly list its stock and has become a famous brand in China. Its annual paper production is estimated to have reached 4 million
tonnes.
Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings)
Limited (“ND Paper”), based in Guangdong Province (located in southern China), is the largest paper manufacturer in China
and primarily produces craft paper and high-strength corrugating medium paper with annual capacity of 13 million tonnes. ND Paper has
reported that it has five production lines in the city of Tianjin with a total designed capacity of 2.15 million tonnes, producing products
such as craft paper, high strength corrugating medium paper and grey-back duplex board.
Sun
Paper Group, Ltd., based in Shandong Province, primarily produces card paper, whiteboard paper and art paper. It also produces alkaline
peroxide mechanical pulp, sourced in part from wood chips harvested by the company’s poplar plantations. This company has reported
that it has an aggregate annual production capacity of paper and pulp of approximately 5.7 million tonnes and has been listed on the
Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2006.
With
the exceptions of Chenming and ND Paper, which may compete directly with us in the offset printing paper market and the corrugating medium
paper market, respectively, in the Beijing/Tianjin/greater Hebei regions, we believe that we face only indirect competition from the
above-listed companies, either because we have a different product assortment from these companies, or because, to the extent they do
offer products similar to ours, the transportation costs and storage costs make it difficult for these companies to compete effectively
with us on pricing.
Our
Competitive Edge
Regional
advantage (Northern China) . We believe that Dongfang Paper is one of the leading papermaking enterprises in Hebei Province. Our proximity
to large urban centers in northern China, Beijing and Tianjin, gives us access to a large market to sell our products.
There
are other paper manufacturers that are also located in Hebei Province (and close to metropolitan Beijing and Tianjin areas), but most
of these other manufacturers are small in scale and unable to compete with us effectively. We also compete with other large printing
paper manufacturers for Beijing printing company customers. We believe that we have cost and geographical advantages over these larger
competitors.
Cost
advantage . Unlike some of our out-of-province competitors who must set up interim warehouses and ship products from their production
base to such interim warehouses close to their customer base in Beijing, there is no need for us to set up interim warehouses, because
we are approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Beijing, the cultural center of China and our largest target market. While we do
not separately pay for transportation cost on raw material purchases, the transportation cost included in the raw material purchase prices
from our recycled paper suppliers is lower than the transportation cost paid by our competitors in the province of Shandong. We also
enjoy lower transportation costs for coal, a major source of energy used in our production process. Similarly, our customers pay lower
transportation cost to pick up their orders from our finished goods warehouse in Baoding than what they would pay if they had to pick
up goods from locations further away from Beijing. Tianjin, another large urban center, is also approximately 60 miles from our facilities.
Baoding city itself is also home to numerous printing and packaging companies. Our geographical advantage and easy access to low-cost
raw materials allow us to implement a more flexible inventory purchase policy, lower our purchase prices and inventory management expenses
and reduce our production cost. As such, we have lower freight costs and other associated costs of sales, which enable us to charge lower
prices, if necessary, for our products. Additionally, because we buy all recycled paper raw materials from Beijing and Tianjin, rather
than from the United States or Japan, our purchase lead time is shorter as compared to manufacturers who rely on imported recycled paper.
16
Research
and Development
Our
R&D activities are carried out by a task force led by a group of senior managers (in charge of product development and quality control)
and by a group of selected engineers and technicians. The Company charged the time spent on the R&D projects (manufacturing waste
discharge recycling, digital photo paper and tissue paper manufacturing) to R&D expenses. Our R&D efforts in 2020 has focused
on evaluating and developing new products that are in the pipeline for 2020 and included developing and improving the manufacturing process
of Light-Weight CMP and the production and packaging technology of tissue paper.
One
of our production lines, PM7, is under renovation. Since the fourth quarter of 2010, we have spent approximately $1.57 million in machine
parts and new components to renovate this production line, with which we expect to produce certain specialty papers, including wood-grain
deco and furniture paper, wallpaper and paper with security features (for anti-counterfeiting purposes). While we are optimistic about
the prospect of the specialty papers, we cannot guarantee the launch of the specialty paper production (which is tentatively scheduled
by the end of 2020) or the success of such renovation.
Intellectual
Property
The
Company has registered nine trademarks with the Trademark Bureau under the State of Administration for Industry & Commerce.
Trademark
Certificate
No.
Category
Registrant
Valid
Term
Shuangxing
3298963
Fax
paper, thermal paper, blueprint paper, sensitized paper, spectrum sensitized paper, blueprint cloth, photographic paper, cyanotype
solution, diazo paper
Dongfang
Paper
April
7, 2014 through April 6, 2024
Fangmenglai
12955328
Toilet
paper, handkerchief tissues, tissues, paper napkins, paper mats, beer mats, paper place mats, printing paper (including offset paper,
newsprint, books paper, bond paper, plate paper and halftone paper), coated paper
Dongfang
Paper
December
28, 2014 through December 27, 2024
Fangqingxin
12955235
Toilet
paper, handkerchief tissues, tissues for makeup remover, paper napkin, tissues, paper duster cloth, paper face towels, paper table
cloth, paper tablecloths, drawer liner (with or without flavor)
Dongfang
Paper
December
28, 2014 through December 27, 2024
Kaimeilai
20212149
Xuan
Paper (for traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy), Paper, tissue paper, watercolor paper, writing paper, printing publications,
ink, painting brush, packaging plastic film, color box,
Baoding
Shengde
July
28, 2017 through July 27, 2027
Shadow
8349821
Drying
blueprint solution, diazo paper, photographic paper, sensitive paper, blueprint paper, blueprint canvas, spectral photographic plate,
heliographic paper
Baoding
Shengde
June
14, 2011 through June 13, 2021
Lanmeier
15635879
Paper table cover, paper
pinafore, drawer lining (with flavor or not)
Hebei Tengsheng
November 21, 2016 through
November 20, 2026
Qingmu
15635916
Tissue
paper, paper handkerchief, paper napkin, facial paper, grained paper, cardboard, white board, container board, kraft liner, corrugated
medium paper (board)
Hebei
Tengsheng
January
7, 2016 through January 6, 2026
Rongou
20063034
Paper,
tissue paper, paper handkerchief, paper napkin, facial paper, paper billboard, cleansing tissue, packaging paper or plastic bag (envelop,
sachet), carton, paper box
Hebei
Tengsheng
July
14, 2017 through July 13, 2027
Weizun
15636093
Coasters, paper table cover,
paper costers, cleansing paper
Hebei Tengsheng
February 28, 2016 through
February 27, 2026
17
The
Company has also been granted twelve new utility patent certificates on paper manufacturing related equipment issued by the State Intellectual
Property Office, including equipment testing, screening and filtering, and mixing.
Certificate
No.
Description
Registrant
Valid
Term
13762076
The utility
model relates to a pulp mixing device
Hebei
Tengsheng
July23,
2021 through July23, 2031
13751681
The invention
relates to a product processing and cutting device
Hebei
Tengsheng
July23,
2021 through July23, 2031
14357355
The utility
model relates to a packaging equipment for pulp waste
Hebei
Tengsheng
October
8, 2021 through October 8, 2031
14248265
The utility
model relates to a pulp crushing device
Hebei
Tengsheng
Sep.
24, 2021 through Sep. 24, 2031
14254625
The utility
model relates to a pulp screening and separation device
Sep.
24, 2021 through Sep. 24, 2031
Hebei
Tengsheng
14260129
The utility
model relates to a pulp raw material processing device
Hebei
Tengsheng
Sep.
24, 2021 through Sep. 24, 2031
14258926
The utility
model relates to a forming tool for paper pulp products
Hebei
Tengsheng
Sep.
24, 2021 through Sep. 24, 2031
14250092
The utility
model relates to a material mixing device for paper processing
Hebei
Tengsheng
Sep.
24, 2021 through Sep. 24, 2031
13477825
The invention
relates to a pulp concentration detecting device
Hebei
Tengsheng
June
22, 2021 through June 22, 2031
14051723
The utility
model relates to a recycling device for edge material used in paper processing
Hebei
Tengsheng
August
27, 2021 through August 27, 2031
13893004
The utility
model relates to a pulp filter dehydration device
Hebei
Tengsheng
August
6, 2020 through August 6, 2031
13874156
The utility
model relates to a storage rack for raw material used in paper processing
Hebei
Tengsheng
August
6, 2020 through August 6, 2031
Domain
names
IT
Tech Packaging has registered the internet domain name, http://www.itpackaging.cn.
Government
Regulation
The
testing, approval, manufacturing, labeling, advertising and marketing, post-approval safety reporting and export of our products are
extensively regulated by governmental authorities in the PRC. We are also subject to various other regulations and permit requirements
by the Chinese government. These regulations and their impact on our business are set forth in more details below.
Environmental
Regulation
Our
operations and facilities are subject to environmental laws and regulations stipulated by the national and the local environment protection
bureaus in the PRC.
Since
the implementation of the State Council’s “Decisions on Environmental Protection Issues” in 1996, the PRC paper industry
has been subject to more rigorous environmental standards. Effective January 1, 2015, a new law promulgated by the National People’s
Congress of the People’s Republic of China makes certain violations of the environmental laws a criminal offense. We believe that
we are one of the few major paper manufacturers in Hebei Province that have obtained a Pollution Discharge Permit. We initially received
the permit in September 1996 and, we have successfully renewed the permit each year by complying with applicable environmental requirements.
18
Waste
Water Treatment
Dongfang
Paper uses a multi-level water recycling process. Waste water from the pulping process is fed into collection pools, where it is divided
into two parts, water and recovered pulp fiber. The latter is returned to the pulping process.
Chemical
agents are added to the waste water, and the waste water is fed into a biogas reactor and filtering pools, producing purified water and
depositing sludge. Most of the purified water is recycled to produce corrugating medium paper and the sludge is pumped into a sludge
pool, condensed and dehydrated. We then use the sludge as a raw material in the manufacture of corrugating medium paper.
We
maintain computerized controls at our production facilities on a 24-hour basis to monitor compliance with environmental rules and regulations.
We are not aware of any environmental investigations, prosecutions, disputes, claims or other environmental proceedings, nor have we
been subject to any action by any environmental administration authorities of the PRC. To our knowledge, our operations meet or exceed
the existing environmental requirements of the PRC.
Human
Capital Resources
Employee
Profiles
As
of December 31, 2021, we have approximately 366full time employees, all of whom were based in PRC. As of December 31, 2021, approximately
23.0% of our current workforce is female and 77.0% male. These employees are organized into a labor union under the labor laws of the
PRC and have collective bargain power against us. We generally maintain good relations with our employees and the labor union.
Total
Rewards
Our
compensation program is designed to attract and reward talented individuals who possess the skills necessary to support our business
objectives, assist in the achievement of our strategic goals and create long-term value for our stockholders. We provide employees with
compensation packages that include base salary and annual incentive bonuses. We also provide private insurance coverage for any workplace
accident or injury for all the operators of paper milling machinery in the workshops.
Health
and Safety
The
success of our business is fundamentally connected to the well-being of our people. Accordingly, we are committed to the health, safety
and wellness of our employees. We provide our employees and their families with access to a variety of flexible and convenient health
and welfare programs, including benefits that support their physical and mental health by providing tools and resources to help them
improve or maintain their health status; and that offer choice where possible so they can customize their benefits to meet their needs
and the needs of their families. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented significant operating environment changes that
we determined were in the best interest of our employees, as well as the communities in which we operate, and which comply with government
regulations.
Talent
A
core tenet of our talent system is to both develop talent from within and supplement with external hires. This approach has yielded loyalty
and commitment in our employee base which in turn grows our business, our products, and our customers, while adding new employees and
external ideas supports a continuous improvement mindset and our goals of a diverse and inclusive workforce. Our human resources team
uses internal and external resources to recruit highly skilled and talented workers in the PRC, and we encourage employee referrals for
open positions.
Available
Information
We
are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC. In addition, the SEC maintains
an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers like our Company that
file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
Our
Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and amendments to those reports
(including exhibits) filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are also
available free of charge on our Internet site at http://www.itpackaging.cn as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically
filed with or furnished to the SEC. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part hereof or incorporated
into this or any of our other filings with the SEC.
Executive
Officers
For
information regarding our executive officers as of March 15, 2022, see Part III, Item 10, “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate
Governance.”
19
Item
1A. Risk Factors
Risks
Relating to our Business
Our
business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected by global health epidemics, including the
COVID-19 outbreak.
Outbreaks
of epidemic, pandemic, or contagious diseases such as COVID-19, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and
results of operations. The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in the World Health Organization declaring the outbreak of COVID-19 as
a global pandemic. Substantially all of our revenues and workforce are concentrated in China. In response to the intensifying efforts
to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government took a number of actions, which included extending the Chinese New Year holiday,
quarantining individuals suspected of having COVID-19, asking residents in China to stay at home and to avoid public gathering, among
other things. During the early part of 2020, COVID-19 caused temporary closure of our CMP production, and as a result, our revenue
of CMP decreased by 49.89%.in the first quarter of 2020. It is, however, still unclear how the pandemic will evolve going forward, and
we cannot assure you whether the COVID-19 pandemic will again bring about significant negative impact on our business operations,
financial condition and operating results, including but not limited to negative impact to our total revenues.
While we have resumed business
operations, there remain significant uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak and its further development as a global pandemic.
Hence, the extent of the business disruption and the related impact on our financial results and outlook for 2021 cannot be reasonably
estimated at this time. The extent to which the COVID-19 impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain
and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus and the actions taken globally
to contain the corona virus or treat its impact, among others. Existing insurance coverage may not provide protection for all costs that
may arise from all such possible events. We are still assessing our business operations and the total impact COVID-19 may have on our
results and financial condition, but there can be no assurance that this analysis will enable us to avoid part or all of any impact from
the spread of COVID-19 or its consequences, including downturns in business sentiment generally.
Our
operating history may not serve as an adequate basis to judge our future prospects and results of operations.
Dongfang
Paper commenced its current line of business operations in 1996 and received its initial Pollution Discharge Permit in September 1996,
which must be renewed every year for Dongfang Paper to stay in business. Although we have never had problem renewing the Pollution Discharge
Permit, we cannot guarantee automatic renewal every year. In addition, Baoding Shengde commenced its current line of business operations
in 2009. Therefore, our operating history may not provide a more meaningful basis on which to evaluate its business. We cannot assure
you that Dongfang Paper or Baoding Shengde will not incur net losses in the future. We expect that operating expenses of Dongfang Paper
and Baoding Shengde will increase as they expand. Any significant failure to realize anticipated revenue growth could result in significant
operating losses. We will continue to encounter risks and difficulties frequently experienced by companies at a similar stage of development,
including our potential failure to:
●
raise adequate capital
for expansion and operations;
●
implement our business
model and strategy and adapt and modify them as needed;
●
increase awareness of our
brand name, protect our reputation and develop customer loyalty;
●
manage our expanding operations
and service offerings, including the integration of any future acquisitions;
●
maintain adequate control
of our expenses; or
●
anticipate and adapt to
changing conditions in paper markets in which we operate as well as the impact of any changes in government regulations, mergers
and acquisitions involving our competitors, technological developments and other significant competitive and market dynamics.
If
we are not successful in addressing any or all of these risks, our business may be materially and adversely affected.
Dongfang
Paper and Baoding Shengde’s failure to compete effectively may adversely affect our ability to generate revenue.
Through
Dongfang Paper and Baoding Shengde, we compete in a highly developed market with companies that have significantly greater experience
and history in our industry. If we do not compete effectively, we could lose market share and experience reduced selling prices, adversely
affecting our financial results. Our competitors will expand in the key markets and implement new technologies making them more competitive.
There is also the possibility that competitors will be able to offer additional products, services, lower prices, or other incentives
that we cannot or will not offer or that will make our products less profitable. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete
effectively with current or future competitors or that the competitive pressures we face will not harm our business.
We
may not be able to effectively control and manage our growth.
If
our business and markets grow and develop, it will be necessary for us to finance and manage expansion in an orderly fashion. An expansion
would increase demands on existing management, workforce and facilities. Failure to satisfy such increased demands could interrupt or
adversely affect our operations and cause delay in production and delivery of our paper products, as well as administrative inefficiencies.
20
We,
through our subsidiaries, may engage in future acquisitions that could dilute the ownership interests of our stockholders and cause us
to incur debt and assume contingent liabilities.
We,
through our subsidiaries, may review acquisition and strategic investment prospects that we believe would complement the current product
offerings of Dongfang Paper, augment its market coverage or enhance its technical capabilities, or otherwise offer growth opportunities.
From time to time we review investments in new businesses and we, through our subsidiaries, expect to make investments in, and to acquire,
businesses, products, or technologies in the future. We expect that when we raise funds from investors for any of these purposes we will
be either the issuer or the primary obligor while the proceeds will be forwarded to Dongfang Paper. In the event of any future acquisitions,
we could:
●
issue equity securities
which would dilute current stockholders’ percentage ownership;
●
incur substantial debt;
●
assume contingent liabilities;
or
●
expend significant cash.
These
actions could have a material adverse effect on our operating results or the price of our common stock. Moreover, even if we do obtain
benefits in the form of increased sales and earnings, there may be a lag between the time when the expenses associated with an acquisition
are incurred and the time when we recognize such benefits. Acquisitions and investment activities also entail numerous risks, including:
●
difficulties in the assimilation
of acquired operations, technologies and/or products;
●
unanticipated costs associated
with the acquisition or investment transaction;
●
the diversion of management’s
attention from other business concerns;
●
adverse effects on existing
business relationships with suppliers and customers;
●
risks associated with entering
markets in which Dongfang Paper has no or limited prior experience;
●
the potential loss of key
employees of acquired organizations; and
●
substantial charges for
the amortization of certain purchased intangible assets, deferred stock compensation or similar items.
We
cannot ensure that we will be able to successfully integrate any businesses, products, technology, or personnel that we might acquire
in the future and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our and/or Dongfang Paper’s business, operating
results and financial condition.
We
are responsible for the indemnification of our officers and directors.
Our Articles of Incorporation
provides for the indemnification and/or exculpation of our directors, officers, employees, agents and other entities which deal with us
to the maximum extent provided, and under the terms provided, by the laws and decisions of the courts of the state of Nevada. Although
we do maintain professional error and omission insurance for the officers and directors, due to limitations of the insurance coverage
these indemnification provisions could still result in substantial expenditures which we may be unable to recoup through the insurance
and could adversely affect our business and financial conditions. Zhenyong Liu, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
Jing Hao, our Chief Financial Officer, Dahong Zhou, our Secretary, and Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang, Lusha Niu, and Fuzeng
Liu, our directors, are key personnel with rights to indemnification under our Articles of Incorporation.
We
are dependent on certain key personnel and loss of these key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Our
success is, to a certain extent, attributable to the management, sales and marketing, and paper factory operational expertise of key
personnel. Zhenyong Liu, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Jing Hao, our Chief Financial Officer, Dahong Zhou, our
Secretary, and Shuting Liang, Dongfang Paper’s General Engineer, Gengqi Yang, Dongfang Paper’s Vice President of Sales and
Marketing, Xuetao Chen, Dongfang Paper’s Vice President of Environmental Protection and Xiaodong Liu, Baoding Shengde’s General
Manager, perform key functions in the operation of our business. There can be no assurance that IT Tech Packaging, Dongfang Paper or
Baoding Shengde will be able to retain these officers after the term of their employment contracts expire. The loss of these officers
could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We do not carry key man life
insurance for any of our key personnel or personnel nor do we foresee purchasing such insurance to protect against a loss of key personnel
and personnel.
We
are dependent upon the services of Mr. Zhenyong Liu for the continued growth and operation of our Company because of his experience in
the industry and his personal and business contacts in the PRC. Although Mr. Liu has entered into an employment agreement with Baoding
Shengde, our wholly owned subsidiary and a PRC company, and that we have no reason to believe that Mr. Liu will discontinue his services
with us or Dongfang Paper, the interruption or loss of his services would adversely affect our ability to effectively run our business
and pursue our business strategy as well as our results of operations.
21
We
may not be able to hire and retain qualified personnel to support our growth and if we are unable to retain or hire these personnel in
the future, our ability to improve our products and implement our business objectives could be adversely affected.
We
must attract, recruit and retain a sizeable workforce of technically competent employees. Competition for senior management and senior
personnel in the PRC is intense, the pool of qualified candidates in the PRC is very limited, and we may not be able to retain the services
of our senior executives or senior personnel, or attract and retain high-quality senior executives or senior personnel in the future.
This failure could materially and adversely affect our future growth and financial condition.
Our
operating results may fluctuate as a result of factors beyond our control.
Our
operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control.
These factors include:
●
the costs of paper products
and development;
●
the relative speed and
success with which we can obtain and maintain customers, merchants and vendors for our products;
●
capital expenditure for
equipment;
●
marketing and promotional
activities and other costs;
●
changes in our pricing
policies, suppliers and competitors;
●
the ability of our suppliers
to provide products in a timely manner to their customers;
●
changes in operating expenses;
●
increased competition in
the paper markets; and
●
other general economic
and seasonal factors.
We
face risks related to product liability claims.
We
presently do not maintain product liability insurance. We face the risk of loss because of adverse publicity associated with product
liability lawsuits, whether or not such claims are valid. We may not be able to avoid such claims. Although product liability lawsuits
in the PRC are rare, and we have not, to date, experienced significant failure of our products, there is no guarantee that we will not
face such liability in the future. This liability could be substantial and the occurrence of such loss or liability may have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and prospects.
Our
operating results also depend on the availability and pricing of energy and raw materials.
In
addition to our dependence upon wood pulp, recycled white scrap paper and paperboard costs, our operating results depend on the availability
and pricing of energy and other raw materials. An interruption in the supply of supplemental chemical agents could cause a material disruption
at our mill. In addition, an interruption in the supply of natural gas could cause a material disruption at our facilities. At present,
our raw materials including natural gas are purchased from a number of suppliers, of which the three largest suppliers account for over
89% of all purchases. If any of these contracts were to be terminated for any reason, or not renewed upon expiration, or if market conditions
were to substantially change creating a significant increase in the price of natural gas and recycled paper, we may not be able to find
alternative, comparable suppliers or suppliers capable of providing coal to us on terms or in amounts satisfactory to us.
We
replaced all the coal boilers with natural gas boiler in September 2017, but due to the gas consumption rise significantly, the government
will from time to time issue mandated restriction/suspension of natural gas supply for all natural gas consumption industries, including
the paper manufacturing industry in order to secure adequate natural gas to households uses in urban and rural areas. We are subject
to the risks of natural gas supply restriction and above-mentioned factors. As a result, our business, financial condition and operating
results could suffer.
22
A
material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, reduce our sales, and/or negatively
affect our net income.
Any
of our manufacturing facilities, or any of our machines within an otherwise operational facility, could cease operations unexpectedly
due to a number of events, including:
●
maintenance outages;
●
prolonged power failures;
●
an equipment failure, including
any malfunction of our waste water treatment facilities;
●
disruption in the supply
of raw materials, such as wood fiber, energy, or chemicals;
●
a chemical spill or release;
●
closure because of environmental-related
concerns;
●
explosion of a boiler;
●
the effect of a drought
or reduced rainfall on our water supply;
●
disruptions in the transportation
infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railroad tracks, and tunnels;
●
fires, floods, earthquakes,
hurricanes, epidemic or other catastrophes;
●
terrorism or threats of
terrorism;
●
labor difficulties; or
●
other operational problems.
If
any of the abovementioned events were to occur, we may be unable to meet customer demand, which may adversely affect our sales and net
income.
Our
certificates, permits, and licenses related to our papermaking operations are subject to governmental control and renewal and failure
to obtain renewal will cause all or part of our operations to be terminated.
In
1988, the National Environmental Protection Bureau issued Interim Measures on the Administration of Water Pollutants Discharge Permits,
requiring all companies discharging pollution into the water as a direct or indirect byproduct of production to adhere to certain caps
on pollution discharge. On January 24, 2021, the State Council issued Regulations on the Administration of Pollutant Discharge Permits,
which has effected on March 1, 2022.Additionally, such companies were required to obtain and annually renew a Pollution Discharge Permit
in order to conduct their operations. The PRC government has the authority to shut down a company’s operations for its failure
to maintain a valid permit. We renewed our Pollution Discharge Permit in June 2020. Our latest permit is effective from June 28, 2020
through June 27, 2025. Pollution discharge Permit for Hebei Tengsheng was effective from August 10, 2021 through August 9, 2026. An application
to renew will be filed by us with the local environment protection agency before the expiration.
The
failure by us to obtain any certificate, permit, and license necessary for our operations or the failure by us to obtain the renewal
of any such certificate, permit or license may materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results
of operation.
Compliance
with environmental regulations is expensive, and noncompliance may result in adverse publicity and potentially significant monetary damages
and fines or suspension of our business operations.
We
are required to comply with all Chinese national and local regulations regarding the protection of the environment. Compliance with environmental
regulation is expensive. The Chinese government is adopting even more stringent environmental protection and operational safety regulations
and the costs of complying with these regulations are expected to increase. Although we have obtained all of the necessary approvals
and permits for our production facilities currently existing, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with all applicable
environmental protection and operational safety requirements, and obtain all of the required governmental approvals and permits that
may be or may become applicable to us on a timely basis, or at all, or will be able to complete all our registrations and filings with
the government, in time for our future projects. The relevant governmental authorities may impose on us fines for any non-compliance,
set deadlines for rectification, and order us to cease construction or production if we fail to comply with their requirements.
If
we are unable to respond to pricing pressures, our business may be harmed.
In
order to remain competitive, from time to time we have to adjust the prices of our products to remain competitive. We may not have available
sufficient financial or other resources to continue to make investments necessary to maintain our competitive position.
23
If
we fail to introduce enhancements to our existing products or to develop new products, our business and results of operations could be
adversely affected.
We
believe that our future success depends in part on our ability to enhance our existing products and develop new products in order to
continue to meet customer demand. Our failure to introduce new or enhanced products on a timely and cost-competitive basis, or the development
of processes that make our existing products obsolete, could harm our business and results of operations.
We
have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product liability claims or business interruptions.
As
the insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of development, insurance companies in China currently offer limited business
insurance products. We do not have any product liability insurance or business interruption insurance. Based on the insurance products
available in China, even if we decide to take out business interruption coverage, such insurance as currently available offers limited
coverage compared to that offered in many other jurisdictions. Any business disruption, natural disaster, or product liability claim
could result in our incurring substantial costs and diversion of resources, which would have an adverse effect on our business and results
of operations.
Our
failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and external infringements of our intellectual
property rights may adversely affect our business.
Our
success and ability to compete depends in part on our intellectual property. We primarily rely on a combination of trademark, trade secret,
and copyright laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions with our employees, contractors and others to
establish and protect our intellectual property rights. However, confidentiality and license arrangements may be breached by counterparties,
and there may not be adequate remedies available to us for any such breach. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively protect our
intellectual property rights or to enforce our contractual rights. In addition, our trade secrets may be leaked or otherwise become available
to, or be independently discovered by, our competitors. The steps we take to protect our intellectual property rights may be inadequate
or we may be unable to secure intellectual property protection for some of our properties. Infringement of intellectual property rights
continues to pose a serious risk of doing business.
We
may in the future file, patent applications on certain of our innovations. It is possible, however, that these innovations may not be
patentable. In addition, given the cost, effort and risks associated with patent application, we may choose not to seek patent protection
for some innovations. Furthermore, our patent applications may not lead to granted patents, the scope of the protection gained may be
insufficient or an issued patent may be deemed invalid or unenforceable. We also cannot guarantee that any of our present or future patents
or other intellectual property rights will not lapse or be invalidated, circumvented, challenged, or abandoned.
If
we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our competitors could use our intellectual property to market offerings similar to
ours and our ability to compete effectively would be impaired. Moreover, others may independently develop technologies that are competitive
to ours or infringe on our intellectual property. The enforcement of our intellectual property rights depends on our legal actions against
these infringers being successful, but we cannot be sure these actions will be successful, even when our rights have been infringed.
In addition, defending our intellectual property rights might entail significant expense and diversion of management resources. Any of
our intellectual property rights may be challenged by others or invalidated through administrative processes or litigations. We can provide
no assurance that we will prevail in such litigations, and, even if we do prevail, we may not obtain a meaningful relief. Accordingly,
despite our efforts, we may be unable to prevent external parties from infringing or misappropriating our intellectual property. Any
intellectual property that we own may not provide us with competitive advantages or may be successfully challenged by external parties.
We
may be subject to intellectual property infringement claims or other allegations, which may materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and prospects.
We
cannot be certain that we do not or will not infringe patents, copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property rights held by external
parties. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims alleging infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights
or other intellectual property rights, or misappropriation of creative ideas or formats, or other infringement of proprietary, which
may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.
24
Risks
Related To Doing Business in the PRC
The
PRC government has significant oversight and discretion over the conduct of a PRC company’s business operations or to exert control
over any offering of securities conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers, and may intervene with or influence
our operations, may limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, and may cause the value
of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless, as the government deems appropriate to further regulatory, political and
societal goals.
The
PRC government may intervene or influence our operations at any time, which could result in a material change in our operations and/or
the value of our common stock. For example, the PRC government has recently published new policies that significantly affected certain
industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will in the future release regulations
or policies regarding any industry that could adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of our company.
Furthermore, the PRC government has also recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over securities offerings and
other capital markets activities that are conducted overseas and foreign investment in China-based companies. Any such action, once taken
by the PRC government, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors
and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or in extreme cases, become worthless.
Recently,
the PRC government initiated a series of regulatory actions and statements to regulate business operations in China with little advance
notice, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed
overseas using variable interest entity structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cyber security reviews, and expanding
the efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. Currently, these statements and regulatory actions have had no impact on our daily business
operation, the ability to accept foreign investments and list our securities on an U.S. or other foreign exchange. Since these statements
and regulatory actions are new, it is highly uncertain how soon legislative or administrative regulation making bodies will respond and
what existing or new laws or regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations will be modified or promulgated, if any, and
the potential impact such modified or new laws and regulations will have on our daily business operation, the ability to accept foreign
investments and list our securities on an U.S. or other foreign exchange.
Our business may
be subject to a variety of PRC laws and other obligations regarding cyber security and data protection.
Our
business may be subject to PRC laws relating to the collection, use, sharing, retention, security, and transfer of confidential and private
information, such as personal information and other data. These laws continue to develop, and the PRC government may adopt other rules
and restrictions in the future. Non-compliance could result in penalties or other significant legal liabilities.
Pursuant to the PRC Cyber security Law, which was promulgated by the
Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on November 7, 2016 and took effect on June 1, 2017, personal information and
important data collected and generated by a critical information infrastructure operator in the course of its operations in China must
be stored in China, and if a critical information infrastructure operator purchases internet products and services that affects or may
affect national security, it should be subject to cyber security review by the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”).
Due to the lack of further interpretations, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operator” remains unclear.
On
April 13, 2020, twelve Chinese government agencies jointly promulgated the Measures for Cyber security Review (2020 version) (“Old
Measures”), which became effective on June 1, 2020, set forth the cyber security review mechanism for critical information
infrastructure operators, and provided that critical information infrastructure operators (“CIIOs”) who intend to procure
network products and services that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to a cyber security review. On June 10,
2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which took effect in September 2021.
The Data Security Law provides for a security review procedure for the data activities that may affect national security. Moreover,
the CAC issued the Measures of Cyber security Review (Revised Draft for Comments) on July 10, 2021, which requires operators with personal
information of more than one million users who want to list abroad to file a cyber security review with the CAC. Furthermore, the
General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the
Opinions on Severe and Lawful Crackdown on Illegal Securities Activities, which was available to the public on July 6, 2021. These opinions
emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based
companies. These opinions proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems, to deal
with the risks and incidents facing China-based overseas-listed companies and the demand for cyber security and data privacy protection.
The
Data Security Law also sets forth the data security protection obligations for entities and individuals handling personal data, including
that no entity or individual may acquire such data by stealing or other illegal means, and the collection and use of such data should
not exceed the necessary limits The costs of compliance with, and other burdens imposed by, PRC Cyber security Law and any other cyber
security and related laws may limit the use and adoption of our products and services and could have an adverse impact on our business.
Further, if the enacted version of the Measures for Cyber security Review mandates clearance of cyber security review and other specific
actions to be completed by companies like us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all.
On
January 4, 2022, the CAC issued the revised Measures on Cyberspace Security Review (the “Revised Measures”)that has came into
effect on February 15, 2022, which required that, among others, in addition to “operator of critical information infrastructure,”
any “network platform operator data processor” controlling personal information of no less than one million users which seeks
to list in a foreign stock exchange should also be subject to cyber security review. We do not believe we are among the “operator
of critical information infrastructure” or “network platform operator data processor” who control over one million personal
information as mentioned above; however, the definition of “network platform operator” is unclear. The revised draft of the
Measures for Cyber security Review is in the process of being formulated and it is also unclear on how it will be interpreted, amended
and implemented by the relevant PRC governmental authorities. The Revised Measures also establish a Cyber security Review Office (the
“CRO”), an administrative body within the CAC, to formulate the regulations for cyber security review and to lead the cyber
security review process. Applicable CIIOs and NP operators are required to submit an application to the CRO, and the CRO will assess whether
a cyber security review is required.
As
these laws, opinions and the measures were recently issued, official guidance and interpretation of these remain unclear in several respects
at this time, and the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, opinions
and the measures. Therefore, it is uncertain whether the future regulatory changes would impose additional restrictions on our business.
25
We
believe that we are currently not be subject to the cyber security review by the CAC, given the factors discussed above. However, there
remains uncertainty as to how the Revised Measures will be interpreted or implemented and whether the PRC regulatory agencies, including
the CAC, may adopt new laws, regulations, rules, or detailed implementation and interpretation related to the Revised Measures. If any
such new laws, regulations, rules, or implementation and interpretation come into effect, we will take all reasonable measures and actions
to comply and to minimize the adverse effect of such laws on us.
We
cannot assure you that PRC regulatory agencies, including the CAC, would take the same view as we do. In the event that we are subject
to any mandatory cyber security review and other specific actions required by the CAC, we face uncertainty as to whether any clearance
or other required actions can be timely completed, or at all. Given such uncertainty, we may be further required to suspend our relevant
business, or face other penalties, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Changes
in the policies of the PRC government could have a significant impact upon the business we may be able to conduct in the PRC and the
profitability of such business.
Our
business operations, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected by the current and future political
environment in the PRC. The PRC has operated as a socialist state since the middle of the 20th century and is controlled by the Communist
Party of China. The Chinese government exerts substantial influence and control over the manner in which we must conduct our business
activities. The PRC has only permitted provincial and local economic autonomy and private economic activities since 1978. The government
of the PRC has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy, including
the paper industry, through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in the PRC may be adversely affected by changes in
Chinese laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, raw materials, environmental regulations,
land use rights, property and other matters. Under its current leadership, the government of the PRC has been pursuing economic reform
policies that encourage private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no assurance, however, that the government
of the PRC will continue to pursue these policies, or that it will not significantly alter these policies from time to time without notice.
Policies
of the PRC government can have significant effects on the economic conditions of the PRC. The PRC government has confirmed that economic
development will follow the model of a market economy. Under this direction, we believe that the PRC will continue to strengthen its
economic and trading relationships with foreign countries and business development in the PRC will follow market forces. While we believe
that this trend will continue, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
A
change in policies by the PRC government could adversely affect our interests by, among other factors: changes in laws, regulations or
the interpretation thereof, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports or sources of supplies, or the expropriation
or nationalization of private enterprises. Although the PRC government has been pursuing economic reform policies for more than three
decades, there is no assurance that the government will continue to pursue such policies or that such policies may not be significantly
altered, especially in the event of a change in leadership, social or political disruption, or other circumstances affecting the PRC’s
political, economic and social life.
The
PRC laws and regulations governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain. Any changes in such PRC laws and
regulations may harm our business.
The PRC laws and regulations
governing our current business operations are sometimes vague and uncertain. The PRC’s legal system is a civil law system based
on written statutes, in which system decided legal cases have little value as precedents unlike the common law system prevalent in the
United States. There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including
but not limited to the laws and regulations governing our business, the enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements with
our VIE, Dongfang Paper, and its shareholders, or the enforcement and performance of our arrangements with customers in the event of the
imposition of statutory liens, death, bankruptcy and criminal proceedings. The Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive
system of commercial laws, and considerable progress has been made in introducing laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such
as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. However, because these laws and regulations
are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published cases and judicial interpretation and their lack of force as precedents,
interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve significant uncertainties. New laws and regulations that affect existing
and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. Our major operating entity, Dongfang Paper, conducts its operations
in China, and as a result, we are required to comply with PRC laws and regulations. We cannot assure you that our current ownership and
operating structure would not be found in violation of any current or future PRC laws or regulations. Any of these or similar actions
could significantly disrupt our business operations or restrict us from conducting a substantial portion of our business operations, which
could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot predict what effect the interpretation
of existing or new PRC laws or regulations may have on our business. If the relevant authorities find that we are in violation of PRC
laws or regulations, they would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including, without limitation:
●
levying fines;
●
revoking Dongfang Paper’s
business and other licenses;
●
requiring that we restructure
our ownership or operations; and
●
requiring that we discontinue
any portion or all of our business.
Among
the material laws that we are subject to are the Price Law of The People’s Republic of China, Measurement Law of The People’s
Republic of China, Tax Law, Environmental Protection Law, Contract Law, Patent Law, Accounting Laws and Labor Law.
26
A
slowdown, inflation or other adverse developments in the PRC economy may harm our customers and the demand for our services and products.
All
of our operations are conducted in the PRC and all of our revenue is generated from sales in the PRC. Although the PRC economy has grown
significantly in recent years, we cannot assure you that this growth will continue. In 2021, China’s Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”)
growth rate was 8.1% as compared to 2.3% in 2020. A slowdown in overall economic growth, an economic downturn, a recession or other adverse
economic developments in the PRC could significantly reduce the demand for our products and harm our business.
Additionally,
while the PRC economy experienced rapid growth, such growth has been uneven among various sectors of the economy and in different geographical
areas of the country. Rapid economic growth could lead to growth in the money supply and rising inflation. If prices for our products
rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in the costs of supplies, it may harm our profitability. In order to control
inflation in the past, the PRC government has imposed controls on bank credit, limits on loans for fixed assets and restrictions on state
bank lending. Such an austere policy can lead to a slowing of economic growth.
We
may rely on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by our PRC subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may
have, and any limitation on the ability of our PRC Subsidiary to make payments to us could have a material and adverse effect on our
ability to conduct our business.
IT
Tech Packaging Inc. is a Nevada holding company and conducts all of its business through its operating subsidiaries and the VIE. IT Tech
Packaging Inc. relies principally on dividends and other distributions on equity from our PRC Subsidiary for cash requirements, including
for services of any debt IT Tech Packaging Inc. may incur.
Our
PRC Subsidiary’s ability to distribute dividends is based upon its distributable earnings. Current PRC regulations permit our PRC
Subsidiary to pay dividends to its shareholders only out of its accumulated profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting
standards and regulations. If our PRC Subsidiary incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may
restrict its ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitation on the ability of our PRC Subsidiary to distribute
dividends or other payments to its shareholders could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions
that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends or otherwise fund and conduct our business.
In
addition, the Enterprise Income Tax Law and its implementation rules provide that a withholding tax rate of up to 10% will be applicable
to dividends payable by Chinese companies to non-PRC-resident enterprises unless otherwise exempted or reduced according to treaties
or arrangements between the PRC central government and governments of other countries or regions where the non-PRC resident enterprises
are incorporated.
Governmental
control of currency conversion may limit our ability to utilize our revenues effectively and affect the value of investors’ investment.
The
PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of the Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of
currency out of China. We receive a significant portion of our revenues in Renminbi. Under our current corporate structure, our Nevada
holding company may rely on dividend payments from our PRC Subsidiary to fund any cash and financing requirements we may have. Under
existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and trade
and service-related foreign exchange transactions, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval of SAFE by complying with
certain procedural requirements. Specifically, under the existing exchange restrictions, without prior approval of SAFE, cash generated
from the operations of our PRC subsidiary in China may be used to pay dividends to our Nevada holding company.
However,
approval from or registration with appropriate government authorities is required where Renminbi is to be converted into foreign currency
and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of loans denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we need
to obtain SAFE approval to use cash generated from the operations of our PRC subsidiary and VIE to pay off their respective debt in a
currency other than Renminbi owed to entities outside China, or to make other capital expenditure payments outside China in a currency
other than Renminbi.
The
PRC government has imposed more restrictive foreign exchange policies and stepped up scrutiny of major outbound capital movement including
overseas direct investment. More restrictions and substantial vetting process are put in place by SAFE to regulate cross-border transactions
falling under the capital account. The PRC government may at its discretion further restrict access in the future to foreign currencies
for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to
satisfy our foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders of our common stock.
27
PRC
regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion
may delay us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiary, which could materially and adversely affect
our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Any
funds IT Tech Packaging Inc. transfers to its PRC Subsidiary, either as a shareholder loan or as an increase in registered capital, are
subject to approval by or registration with relevant governmental authorities in China. According to the relevant PRC regulations on
foreign invested enterprises, or FIEs, in China, capital contributions to our PRC Subsidiary are subject to the approval of or report
investment information to the MOFCOM or their respective local branches and registration with a local bank authorized by the SAFE. In
addition, any foreign loan procured by our PRC Subsidiary cannot exceed statutory limits and is required to be registered with SAFE or
its local branches. Any medium or long-term loan to be provided by IT Tech Packaging Inc. to the VIE must be registered with the National
Development and Reform Commission, or NDRC, and the SAFE or its local branches. We may not be able to complete such registrations on
a timely basis, with respect to future capital contributions or foreign loans by IT Tech Packaging Inc. to its PRC Subsidiary. If we
fail to complete such registrations, our ability to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect
our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand business.
On
March 30, 2015, the SAFE promulgated the Circular on Reforming the Management Approach Regarding the Foreign Exchange Capital Settlement
of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, or SAFE Circular 19, which took effect on June 1, 2015. SAFE Circular 19 launched a nationwide
reform of the administration of the settlement of the foreign exchange capitals of FIEs and allows FIEs to settle their foreign exchange
capital at their discretion, but continues to prohibit FIEs from using the Renminbi fund converted from their foreign exchange capital
for expenditure beyond their business scopes, providing entrusted loans or repaying loans between nonfinancial enterprises. The SAFE
issued the Circular on Reforming and Regulating Policies on the Control over Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital Accounts, or SAFE
Circular 16, effective in June 2016. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 16, enterprises registered in China may also convert their foreign
debts from foreign currency to Renminbi on a self-discretionary basis. SAFE Circular 16 provides an integrated standard for conversion
of foreign exchange under capital account items (including but not limited to foreign currency capital and foreign debts) on a self-discretionary
basis which applies to all enterprises registered in China. SAFE Circular 16 reiterates the principle that Renminbi converted from foreign
currency-denominated capital of a company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope or prohibited
by PRC laws or regulations, while such converted Renminbi shall not be provided as loans to its non-affiliated entities. As this circular
is relatively new, there remains uncertainty as to its interpretation and application and any other future foreign exchange related rules.
Violations of these Circulars could result in severe monetary or other penalties. SAFE Circular 19 and SAFE Circular 16 may significantly
limit our ability to fund the establishment of new entities in China by the VIE, to invest in or acquire any other PRC companies through
our PRC Subsidiary, or to establish new consolidated VIE in China, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
On
October 23, 2019, the SAFE promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Promoting the Convenience
of Cross-border Trade and Investment, or the SAFE Circular 28, which, among other things, allows all foreign-invested companies to use
Renminbi converted from foreign currency-denominated capital for equity investments in China, as long as the equity investment is genuine,
does not violate applicable laws, and complies with the negative list on foreign investment. However, since the SAFE Circular 28 is newly
promulgated, it is unclear how SAFE and competent banks will carry this out in practice.
In
light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies,
we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals
on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans by IT Tech Packaging to its PRC Subsidiary or with respect to future capital
contributions by IT Tech Packaging Inc. to its PRC Subsidiary. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our
ability to to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect
our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
The
fluctuation of the Renminbi may harm your investment.
The
value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in the
PRC’s political and economic conditions. According to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, as of December 31, 2021, $1 is converted
into 6.3757Yuan (RMB). As we rely entirely on revenues earned in the PRC, any significant revaluation of the Renminbi may materially
and adversely affect our cash flows, revenues and financial condition. For example, to the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars
we receive from an offering of our securities into Renminbi for Dongfang Paper’s operations, appreciation of the Renminbi against
the U.S. dollar would diminish the value of the proceeds of the offering and this could harm our business, financial condition and results
of operations because it would reduce the proceeds available to us for capital investment in proportion to the appreciation of the Renminbi.
Thus, if we raise 1,000,000 U.S. dollars and the Renminbi appreciates against the U.S. dollar by 15%, then the proceeds will be worth
only RMB5,544,087 as opposed to RMB 6,375,700 prior to the appreciation. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars
for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common shares or for other business purposes and the U.S. dollar appreciates
against the Renminbi, the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Renminbi we convert would be reduced in proportion to the amount the U.S. dollar
appreciates. In addition, the depreciation of significant RMB denominated assets could result in a charge to our income statement and
a reduction in the dollar value of these assets. Thus, if Dongfang Paper has RMB1,000,000 in assets and Renminbi is depreciated against
the U.S. dollar by 15%, then the assets will be valued at $136,387 as opposed to $156,846 prior to the depreciation.
On
July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under
the new policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies.
This change in policy resulted in an approximately 2.44% appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2021.
While the international reaction to the Renminbi revaluation has generally been positive, there remains significant international pressure
on the PRC government to adopt an even more flexible currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant depreciation
of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
28
Failure
to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may materially adversely
affect us.
The
PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, has promulgated regulations, including the Notice on Relevant Issues Relating
to Domestic Residents’ Investment and Financing and Round-Trip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular No.
37, effective on July 14, 2014, and its appendixes, that require PRC residents, including PRC institutions and individuals, to register
with local branches of the SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose
of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises
or offshore assets or interests, referred to in SAFE Circular No. 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.” SAFE Circular No. 37
further requires amendment to the registration in the event of any significant changes with respect to the special purpose vehicle, such
as increase or decrease of capital contributed by PRC individuals, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event.
In the event that a PRC shareholder holding interests in a special purpose vehicle fails to fulfill the required SAFE registration, the
PRC subsidiaries of that special purpose vehicle may be prohibited from making profit distributions to the offshore parent and from carrying
out subsequent cross-border foreign exchange activities, and the special purpose vehicle may be restricted in their ability to contribute
additional capital into its PRC subsidiary. Further, failure to comply with the various SAFE registration requirements described above
could result in liability under PRC law for foreign exchange evasion.
Because
of uncertainty over the interpretation of Circular 37, we cannot assure you that, if challenged by government agencies, the structure
of our organization has fully complied with all applicable registrations or approvals required by Circular 37. Moreover, because of uncertainty
over how Circular 37 will be interpreted and implemented, and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, we cannot predict how it will
affect our business operations or future strategies. A failure by such PRC resident beneficial holders or future PRC resident stockholders
to comply with Circular 37, if SAFE requires it, could subject these PRC resident beneficial holders to fines or legal sanctions, restrict
our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect
our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
While
the approval and/or other requirements of the CSRC or other PRC governmental authorities are currently not required, they may be required,
in connection with our oversea listing under PRC rules, regulations or policies, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or how soon
we will be able to obtain such approval.
On
August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), promulgated the
Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors (“M&A Rules”), which became effective
on September 8, 2006 and then was further amended on June 22, 2009. This regulation, among other things, has certain provisions that
purport to require offshore SPVs formed for the purpose of listing and controlled by PRC individuals or companies, to obtain the approval
of the CSRC prior to listing their securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official
website a notice specifying the documents and materials that are required to be submitted for obtaining CSRC approval.
In addition, the PRC government
authorities may strengthen oversight over offerings that are conducted overseas. For instance, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC governmental
authorities promulgated the Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which emphasized the need to strengthen
the supervision over overseas listings by PRC companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory
systems, are to be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-based overseas-listed companies, cyber security and data privacy
protection requirements and similar matters. The Measures for Cyber security Review issued by the CAC on January 4, 2022 also required
that, among others, “critical information infrastructure” or internet platform operator holding over one million users’
personal information to apply for a cyber security review before any listing at a foreign country. These statements and regulations are
recently issued and there remain substantial uncertainties about their interpretation and implementation.
On
December 24, 2021, CSRC issued Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic
Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”), and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas
Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Measures”), which are open for public comments by January 23,
2022. The Administration Provisions and Measures for overseas listings lay out specific requirements for filing documents and include
unified regulation management, strengthening regulatory coordination, and cross-border regulatory cooperation. Domestic companies seeking
to list abroad must carry out relevant security screening procedures if their businesses involve supervisions such as foreign investment
security and cyber security reviews. Companies endangering national security are among those off-limits for overseas listings. According
to Relevant Officials of the CSRC Answered Reporter Questions (“CSRC Answers”), after the Administration Provisions and Measures
are implemented upon completion of public consultation and due legislative procedures, the CSRC will formulate and issue guidance for
filing procedures to further specify the details of filing administration and ensure that market entities could refer to clear guidelines
for filing, which means it will still take time to put the Administration Provisions and Measures into effect. As the Administration
Provisions and Measures have not yet come into effect, we are currently unaffected by them. However, according to CSRC Answers, only
new initial public offerings and refinancing by existing overseas listed Chinese companies will be required to go through the filing
process; other existing overseas listed companies will be allowed a sufficient transition period to complete their filing procedure.
However, it is uncertain when the Administration Provision and the Measures will take effect or if they will take effect as currently
drafted.
29
We believe that, as of the
date of this annual report, we are not required to obtain any permission from PRC authorities to operate and issue securities to foreign
investors, including permissions from the CSRC or CAC. However, there is no guarantee that this will continue to be the case in the future
in connection with the listing or continued listing of our securities on NYSE American, or even in the event such permission or approval
is required and obtained, the approval could be subsequently revoked or rescinded. Any failure to obtain or a delay in obtaining the necessary
permissions from the PRC authorities to conduct offerings or listing outside of China may subject us to sanctions imposed by the PRC regulatory
authorities. If we do not receive or maintain the approvals, or we inadvertently conclude that such approvals are not required, or applicable
laws, regulations, or interpretations change such that we are required to obtain approval in the future, we may be subject to an investigation
by competent regulators, fines or penalties, or an order prohibiting us from conducting an offering, and these risks could result in a
material adverse change in our operations and the value of our company’s securities, significantly limit or completely hinder our
ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause such securities to significantly decline in value or become worthless.
As
of the date of this annual report, we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, sanctions or regulatory objection to our operations
from the CSRC, CAC or any other PRC governmental authorities, and our PRC Subsidiary and the VIE have obtained all requisite permissions
from PRC governmental authorities to operate our business as currently conducted under relevant PRC laws and regulations and no permissions
have been denied by governmental authorities.
The
M&A Rules and certain other PRC regulations establish complex procedures for some acquisitions of Chinese companies by foreign investors,
which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions in China.
Among
other things, the M&A Rules established additional procedures and requirements that could make merger and acquisition activities
by foreign investors more time consuming and complex. Such regulation requires, among other things, that the Ministry of Commerce be
notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise or a
foreign company with substantial PRC operations, if certain thresholds under the Provisions on Thresholds for Prior Notification of Concentrations
of Undertakings, issued by the State Council in 2008, are triggered. Moreover, the Anti-Monopoly Law requires that the anti-monopoly
law enforcement authority shall be notified in advance of any concentration of undertaking if certain thresholds are triggered. In addition,
the security review rules issued by the State Council that became effective in March 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions
by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign
investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict
review by the Ministry of Commerce, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review, including by structuring
the transaction through a proxy or contractual control arrangement.
In
the future, we may grow our business by acquiring complementary businesses. Complying with the requirements of the above-mentioned regulations
and other relevant rules to complete such transactions could be time consuming, and any required approval processes, including obtaining
approval from the Ministry of Commerce or its local counterparts may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which
could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
The
PRC’s legal and judicial system may not adequately protect our business and operations and the rights of foreign investors.
The
PRC legal and judicial system may negatively impact foreign investors. In 1982, the National People’s Congress amended the Constitution
of China to authorize foreign investment and guarantee the “lawful rights and interests” of foreign investors in the PRC.
However, the PRC’s system of laws is not yet comprehensive. The legal and judicial systems in the PRC are still rudimentary, and
enforcement of existing laws is inconsistent. Many judges in the PRC lack the depth of legal training and experience that would be expected
of a judge in a more developed country. Because the PRC judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing the laws that do exist, anticipation
of judicial decision-making is more uncertain than would be expected in a more developed country. It may be impossible to obtain swift
and equitable enforcement of laws that do exist, or to obtain enforcement of the judgment of one court by a court of another jurisdiction.
The PRC’s legal system is based on the civil law regime, that is, it is based on written statutes; a decision by one judge does
not set a legal precedent that is required to be followed by judges in other cases. In addition, the interpretation of Chinese laws may
be varied to reflect domestic political changes.
The
trend of legislation over the last 20 years has significantly enhanced the protection of foreign investment and allowed for more control
by foreign parties of their investments in Chinese enterprises. However, the promulgation of new laws, changes to existing laws and the
pre-emption of local regulations by national laws may adversely affect foreign investors. A change in leadership, social or political
disruption, or unforeseen circumstances affecting the PRC’s political, economic or social life, may affect the PRC government’s
ability to continue to support and pursue these reforms. Such a shift could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
The
practical effect of the PRC legal system on our business operations in the PRC can be viewed from two separate but intertwined considerations.
First, as a matter of substantive law, the foreign invested enterprise laws provide significant protection from government interference.
In addition, these laws guarantee the full enjoyment of the benefits of corporate articles and contracts to foreign invested enterprise
participants. These laws, however, do impose standards concerning corporate formation and governance, which are qualitatively different
from the general corporation laws of the United States. Similarly, the PRC accounting laws mandate accounting practices, which are not
consistent with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. PRC’s accounting laws require that an annual “statutory audit”
be performed in accordance with PRC accounting standards and that the books of account of foreign invested enterprises are maintained
in accordance with Chinese accounting laws. Article 14 of the People’s Republic of China Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise Law requires
a wholly foreign-owned enterprise to submit certain periodic fiscal reports and statements to designated financial and tax authorities,
at the risk of business license revocation. While the enforcement of substantive rights may appear less clear than United States procedures,
foreign invested enterprises and wholly foreign-owned enterprises are Chinese registered companies, which enjoy the same status as other
Chinese registered companies in business-to-business dispute resolution. Any award rendered by an arbitration tribunal is enforceable
in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1958). Therefore, as
a practical matter, although no assurances can be given, the Chinese legal infrastructure, while different in operation from its United
States counterpart, should not present any significant impediment to the operation of foreign invested enterprises.
30
Because
our principal assets are located outside of the United States and most of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States,
it may be difficult for you to effect service of legal process, enforce your rights based on U.S. federal securities laws against us
and our officers or to enforce U.S. court judgment against us or them in the PRC.
All
of our directors and officers reside outside the United States. In addition, our operating company is located in the PRC and substantially
all of our assets are located outside of the United States. It may therefore be difficult for investors in the United States to enforce
their legal rights based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. Federal securities laws against us in the courts of either the
U.S. or the PRC and, even if civil judgments are obtained in U.S. courts, to enforce such judgments in PRC courts. Further, it is unclear
if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and the PRC would permit effective enforcement against us or our officers
and directors of criminal penalties, under the U.S. Federal securities laws or otherwise.
It
may be difficult for overseas regulators to conduct investigation or collect evidence within China.
Shareholder
claims or regulatory investigation that are common in the United States generally are difficult to pursue as a matter of law or
practicality in China. For example, in China, there are significant legal and other obstacles to providing information needed for regulatory
investigations or litigations initiated outside China. Although the authorities in China may establish a regulatory cooperation mechanism
with the securities regulatory authorities of another country or region to implement cross-border supervision and administration,
such cooperation with the securities regulatory authorities in the Unities States may not be efficient in the absence of mutual and practical
cooperation mechanism. Furthermore, according to Article 177 of the PRC Securities Law, or Article 177, which became effective in March 2020,
no overseas securities regulator is allowed to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within the territory
of the PRC. While detailed interpretation of or implementation rules under Article 177 have yet to be promulgated, the inability for
an overseas securities regulator to directly conduct investigation or evidence collection activities within China may further increase
difficulties faced by our investors in protecting their interests.
We
may be required to broaden the coverage of the mandatory social security insurance programs under the Labor Law of the PRC.
The
PRC Labor Law, effective January 1, 2008, requires that employers enroll in the following social security insurance programs and offer
certain employer-sponsored premium benefits to eligible employees: (1) retirement endowment, (2) healthcare insurance, (3) unemployment
insurance, (4) workers’ compensation insurance, and (5) pregnancy insurance. Of these insurance programs, the retirement endowment
fund requires employee withholdings of 4% to 8% of the gross compensation, while the employer’s matching contribution varies from
16% to 20% of such compensation. While the Company is enrolled in the retirement endowment fund and is withholding employees’ portion
and the employer’s portion of the endowment contribution, many of the Company’s employees have elected to waive their coverage
under these mandatory social security insurance programs in favor of certain other low-cost, local government-sponsored social security
insurance programs for residents in non-urban districts. Although we have verified with the local government agencies for the validity
of the employee waivers and reasonably believe that we are not required to cover the employees who waived the benefits, the local government
may change its policy and ask us to broaden our insurance coverage to those who have specifically waived their rights.
The
current tensions in international trade and rising political tensions, particularly between U.S. and China, may adversely impact our
business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Although cross-border business
may not be an area of our focus, if we plan to expand our business internationally in the future, any unfavorable government policies
on international trade, such as capital controls or tariffs, may affect the demand for our products and services, impact our competitive
position, or prevent us from being able to conduct business in certain countries. If any new tariffs, legislation, or regulations are
implemented, or if existing trade agreements are renegotiated, such changes could adversely affect our business, financial condition,
and results of operations. Recently, there have been heightened tensions in international economic relations, such as the one between
the United States and China. The U.S. government has recently imposed, and has recently proposed to impose additional, new, or higher
tariffs on certain products imported from China to penalize China for what it characterizes as unfair trade practices. China has responded
by imposing, and proposing to impose additional, new, or higher tariffs on certain products imported from the United States. Following
mutual retaliatory actions for months, on January 15, 2020, the United States and China entered into the Economic and Trade
Agreement between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China as a phase one trade deal, effective on February 14,
2020.
In
addition, political tensions between the United States and China have escalated due to, among other things, trade disputes, the
COVID-19 outbreak, sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury on certain officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region and the PRC central government and the executive orders issued by U.S. President Donald J. Trump in August 2020 that prohibit
certain transactions with certain Chinese companies and their applications. Rising political tensions could reduce levels of trades,
investments, technological exchanges and other economic activities between the two major economies, which would have a material adverse
effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets. Any of these factors could have a material adverse
effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
31
Although
the direct impact of the current international trade tensions and political tensions between the United States and China, and any
escalation of such tensions, on the paper making industry in China is uncertain, the negative impact on general, economic, political
and social conditions may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks
Related to Our Corporate Structure
Our
current corporate structure and business operations may be affected by the newly enacted Foreign Investment Law.
On
March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress, China’s national legislative body (the “NPC”) approved the
Foreign Investment Law, which became effective on January 1, 2020. Since it is relatively new, uncertainties exist in relation to
its interpretation and its implementation rules that are yet to be issued. The Foreign Investment Law does not explicitly classify whether
variable interest entities that are controlled through contractual arrangements would be deemed as foreign-invested enterprises
if they are ultimately “controlled” by foreign investors. However, it has a catch-all provision under the definition
of “foreign investment” that includes investments made by foreign investors in China through other means as provided by laws,
administrative regulations or the State Council. Therefore, it still leaves leeway for future laws, administrative regulations or provisions
of the State Council to provide for contractual arrangements as a form of foreign investment. There can be no assurance that our control
over our consolidated VIEs through contractual arrangements will not be deemed as a foreign investment in the future.
The
Foreign Investment Law grants national treatment to foreign-invested entities, except for those foreign-invested entities that
operate in industries specified as either “restricted” or “prohibited” from foreign investment in the Special
Administrative Measures for Market Access of Foreign Investment (Negative List), which was approved by the CPC Central Committee and
the State Council and issued by the State Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce with an effective date of July 30,
2019and renew on January 1, 2022. The Foreign Investment Law provides that foreign-invested entities operating in “restricted”
or “prohibited” industries will require market entry clearance and other approvals from relevant PRC government authorities.
If our control over our consolidated VIEs through contractual arrangements are deemed as foreign investment in the future, and any business
of our consolidated VIEs is considered “restricted” or “prohibited” from foreign investment under the “negative
list” effective at the time, we may be deemed to be in violation of the Foreign Investment Law, the contractual arrangements that
allow us to have control over our consolidated VIEs may be deemed as invalid and illegal, and we may be required to unwind such contractual
arrangements and/or restructure our business operations, any of which may have a material adverse effect on our business operation.
Furthermore,
if future laws, administrative regulations or provisions mandate further actions to be taken by companies with respect to existing contractual
arrangements, we may face substantial uncertainties as to whether we can complete such actions in a timely manner, or at all. Failure
to take timely and appropriate measures to cope with any of these or similar regulatory compliance challenges could materially and adversely
affect our current corporate structure and business operations.
Any
failure by our consolidated VIEs or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them would
have a material adverse effect on our business.
We,
through our wholly foreign-owned enterprise in the PRC, have entered into a series of contractual arrangements with our consolidated
VIEs and their shareholders. For a description of these contractual arrangements, see “Overview and Corporation History.”
If our consolidated VIEs or their shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under these contractual arrangements, we
may incur substantial costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. We may also have to rely on legal remedies
under PRC laws, including seeking specific performance or injunctive relief, and claiming damages, which we cannot assure you will be
effective under PRC laws. For example, if the shareholders of our consolidated VIEs were to refuse to transfer their equity interests
in the consolidated VIEs to us or our designee when we exercise the purchase option pursuant to these contractual arrangements, or if
they were otherwise to act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual
obligations. In addition, if there are any disputes or governmental proceedings involving any interest in such shareholders’ equity
interests in our VIEs, our ability to exercise shareholders’ rights or foreclose the equity interest pledges according to the contractual
arrangements may be impaired. If these disputes or proceedings were to impair our control over our VIEs, we may not be able to maintain
effective control over our business operations in the PRC and thus would not be able to continue to consolidate our VIEs’ financial
results, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition.
32
In
order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we operate our businesses through companies with which we have contractual relationships
but in which we do not have controlling ownership.
We
do not have direct or indirect equity ownership of Dongfang Paper which operates a majority of our business. Although we have entered
into contractual arrangements with Dongfang Paper and its individual owners pursuant to which we receive an economic interest in Dongfang
Paper, and exert a controlling influence over Dongfang Paper, in a manner substantially similar to a controlling equity interest, these
contractual arrangements are not as effective in providing control over Dongfang Paper as direct ownership. For example, Dongfang Paper
may be unwilling or unable to perform their contractual obligations under our commercial agreements, including payment of consulting
fees under the Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement as they become due. If that were to occur, we would not
be able to conduct our operations in the manner currently planned. In addition, we may not succeed in enforcing our rights under the
contractual arrangements insofar as our contractual rights and legal remedies under Chinese law may be inadequate. Furthermore, Dongfang
Paper may seek to renew their agreements on terms that are disadvantageous to us. If we are unable to renew these agreements on favorable
terms when these agreements expire, or to enter into similar agreements with other parties, we will lose control of Dongfang Paper.
Because
we rely on the consulting services agreement with Dongfang Paper for essentially all of our revenue and cash flows, any difficulty for
Dongfang Paper to pay consulting fees to Baoding Shengde under the consulting agreement may have a material adverse effect on our operations.
We
are a holding company and currently conduct business through Dongfang Paper in China. As a result, we rely on payments from the consulting
services agreement which forms a part of the contractual arrangements between Baoding Shengde and Dongfang Paper. Since Baoding Shengde
is not a legal shareholder of Dongfang Paper under PRC statutes, the arrangement for Dongfang Paper to pay a substantial portion of its
net income to Baoding Shengde may be challenged by the PRC government, which could prevent us from receiving required funds or making
required payments to some of our service providers.
If the PRC government determines that the contractual agreements
constituting part of our VIE structure do not comply with applicable PRC regulations , or if these regulations change or are interpreted
differently in the future, we may be unable to assert our contractual rights over the assets of the VIE, and our common stock may decline
in value.
Recently, the PRC government
adopted a series of regulatory actions and issued statements to regulate business operations in China, including those related to variable
interest entities. There are currently no relevant laws or regulations in the PRC that prohibit companies whose entity interests are within
the PRC from listing on overseas stock exchanges. Although we believe that our corporate structure and contractual arrangements comply
with current applicable PRC laws and regulations, in the event that PRC government determines that the contractual arrangements constituting
part of our VIE structure do not comply with PRC regulations, or if these regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future,
we may be unable to assert our contractual rights over the assets of the VIE, and our common stock may decline in value or be worthless.
Additionally, our common stock may decline in value or become worthless if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over
the assets of our PRC Subsidiary that conducts all or substantially all of our business operations.
The
contractual arrangements under a VIE Structure may not be as effective as direct ownership in respect of our relationship with the VIE,
and thus, we may incur substantial costs to enforce the terms of the arrangements, which we may not be able to enforce at all.
The
contractual arrangements may not be as effective as direct ownership in respect of our relationship with the VIE. For example, the VIE
and its shareholders could breach their contractual arrangements with us by, among other things, failing to conduct their operations
in an acceptable manner or taking other actions that are detrimental to our interests. If we had direct ownership of the VIE, we would
be able to exercise our rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of the VIE, which in turn could implement
changes, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations, at the management and operational level. However, under the VIE Agreements,
we rely on the performance by the VIE and its shareholders of their obligations under the contracts to exercise control over the VIE.
The shareholders of the consolidated VIE may not act in the best interests of our company or may not perform their obligations under
these contracts. Such risks exist throughout the period in which we intend to operate certain portions of our business through the contractual
arrangements with the VIE.
If
the VIE or its shareholders fail to perform their respective obligations under the contractual arrangements, we may have to incur substantial
costs and expend additional resources to enforce such arrangements. For example, if the shareholders of the VIE refuse to transfer their
equity interest in the VIE to us or our designee if we exercise the purchase option pursuant to the contractual arrangements, or if they
otherwise act in bad faith toward us, then we may have to take legal actions to compel them to perform their contractual obligations.
In addition, if any third parties claim any interest in such shareholders’ equity interests in the VIE, our ability to exercise
shareholders’ rights or foreclose the share pledge according to the contractual arrangements may be impaired. If these or other
disputes between the shareholders of the VIE and third parties were to impair our relationship with the VIE, our ability to consolidate
the financial results of the VIE would be affected, which would in turn result in a material adverse effect on the business, operations
and financial condition.
33
The
shareholders of Dongfang Paper may have actual or potential conflicts of interests with us, which may adversely affect our business.
As of the date of this annual
report, we are not aware of any conflicts between the shareholders of the VIE and IT Tech Packaging. However, the shareholders of Dongfang
Paper, the VIE, may have actual or potential conflicts of interest with IT Tech Packaging in the future. These shareholders may refuse
to sign or breach, or cause the VIE to breach, or refuse to renew, the existing contractual arrangements IT Tech Packaging has with them
and the VIE, which would have a material and adverse effect on IT Tech Packaging’ ability to effectively control the VIE and receive
economic benefits from them. For example, the shareholders may be able to cause IT Tech’ agreements with the VIE to be performed
in a manner adverse to IT Tech Packaging by, among other things, failing to remit payments due under the contractual arrangements to IT
Tech Packaging on a timely basis. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise any or all of these shareholders will act
in the best interests of IT Tech Packagingor such conflicts will be resolved in IT Tech Packaging’s favor. Currently, IT Tech Packaging
does not have any arrangements to address potential conflicts of interest between these shareholders and IT Tech Packaging. If we cannot
resolve any conflict of interest or dispute between IT Tech Packaging and these shareholders, IT Tech Packaging would have to rely on
legal proceedings, which could result in disruption of IT Tech Packaging’s business and subject IT Tech Packaging to substantial
uncertainty as to the outcome of any such legal proceedings.
Our
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and 5.4% shareholder, Zhenyong Liu, owns 93.39% of the equity interest in Dongfang Paper. Conflicts
of interests between his duties to IT Tech and to Dongfang Paper may arise. We cannot assure you that when conflicts of interest arise,
he will act in the best interests of IT Tech or that any conflict of interest will be resolved in our favor. These conflicts may result
in management decisions that could negatively affect our operations and potentially result in the loss of opportunities.
We
may lose the ability to use and enjoy assets held by the VIE that are material to the operation of its business if the entity goes bankrupt
or becomes subject to a dissolution or liquidation proceeding.
As
part of our contractual arrangements with the VIE, the entity holds certain assets that are material to the operation of our business,
including permits, domain names and IP rights. If the VIE goes bankrupt and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights
of third-party creditors, we may be unable to continue some or all of its business activities, which could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Under the contractual arrangements, the VIE may not, in any manner, sell, transfer, mortgage
or dispose of its assets or legal or beneficial interests in the business without our prior consent. If the VIE undergoes a voluntary
or involuntary liquidation proceeding, the independent third party creditors may claim rights to some or all of these assets, thereby
hindering our ability to operate our business, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
arrangements with Dongfang Paper and its shareholders may be subject to a transfer pricing adjustment by the PRC tax authorities which
could have an adverse effect on our income and expenses.
We
could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contracts with Dongfang Paper and its
shareholders were not entered into based on arm’s length negotiations. If the PRC tax authorities determine that these contracts
were not entered into on an arm’s length basis, they may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer
pricing adjustment. Such an adjustment may require that we pay additional PRC taxes plus applicable penalties and interest, if any.
We
may lose the ability to use, or otherwise benefit from, the licenses, approvals and assets held by the VIE, which could severely disrupt
our business, render us unable to conduct some of our business operations and constrain our growth.
IT
Tech Packaging relies on contractual arrangements with the VIE to use, or otherwise benefit from, certain foreign restricted licenses
and permits that it needs or may need in the future as its business continues to expand. The contractual arrangements contain terms that
specifically obligate the VIE’s shareholders to ensure the valid existence of the VIE and restrict the disposal of material assets
of the VIE. However, in the event the VIE’s shareholders breach the terms of these contractual arrangements and voluntarily
liquidate the VIE, or the VIE declares bankruptcy and all or part of its assets become subject to liens or rights of third-party creditors,
or is otherwise disposed of without IT Tech’s consent, IT Tech may be unable to conduct its business operations or otherwise benefit
from the assets held by the VIE, which could have an adverse effect on IT Tech’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, if the VIE undergoes a voluntary or involuntary liquidation proceeding, its shareholders or unrelated third-party creditors
may claim rights to some or all of the assets of the VIE, thereby hindering IT Tech’s ability to operate its business.
The
exercise of our option to purchase part or all of the equity interests in Dongfang Paper under the Call Option Agreement might be subject
to approval by the PRC government. Our failure to obtain this approval may impair our ability to substantially control Dongfang Paper
and could result in actions by Dongfang Paper that conflict with our interests.
Our
Call Option Agreement with Dongfang Paper and its shareholders gives our Chinese subsidiary, Baoding Shengde or its designated entity
or natural person, the option to purchase all or part of the equity interests in Dongfang Paper. The option may not be exercised by Baoding
Shengde if the exercise would violate any applicable laws and regulations in China or cause any license or permit held by, and necessary
for the operation of Dongfang Paper, to be cancelled or invalidated. Under the laws of China, if a foreign entity, through a foreign
investment company that it invests in, acquires a domestic related company, China’s regulations regarding mergers and acquisitions
may technically apply to the transaction. If these regulations apply, an examination and approval of the transaction by China’s
Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), or its local counterparts would be required. In addition, an appraisal of the equity interest
or the assets to be acquired would also be mandatory. Since the scope of business activities (making of cultural paper products) as defined
in the business license of Baoding Shengde does not involve the MOFCOM approval and monitoring, we do not believe at this time that an
approval or an appraisal is required for Baoding Shengde to exercise its option to acquire Dongfang Paper. In light of the different
views on this issue, however, it is possible that the central MOFCOM office in Beijing will issue a standardized opinion imposing the
approval and appraisal requirement. If we are not able to purchase the equity of Dongfang Paper, then we will lose a substantial portion
of our ability to control Dongfang Paper and our ability to ensure that Dongfang Paper will act in our interests.
34
Risks
Related to Our Common Stock
The
recent joint statement by the SEC and PCAOB, proposed rule changes submitted by Nasdaq, and the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable
Act all call for additional and more stringent criteria to be applied to emerging market companies upon assessing the qualification of
their auditors, especially the non-U.S. auditors who are not inspected by the PCAOB. These developments could add uncertainties to investing
in our securities.
On
April 21, 2020, SEC Chairman Jay Clayton and PCAOB Chairman William D. Duhnke III, along with other senior SEC staff, released a joint
statement highlighting the risks associated with investing in companies based in or have substantial operations in emerging markets including
China. The joint statement emphasized the risks associated with lack of access for the PCAOB to inspect auditors and audit work papers
in China and higher risks of fraud in emerging markets.
On
May 18, 2020, Nasdaq filed three proposals with the SEC to (i) apply a minimum offering size requirement for companies primarily
operating in a “Restrictive Market,” (ii) adopt a new requirement relating to the qualification of management or the
board of directors for Restrictive Market companies, and (iii) apply additional and more stringent criteria to an applicant or
listed company based on the qualifications of the company’s auditor. We are very likely to be deemed as a company primarily
operating in a Restrictive Market under such proposed rules of Nasdaq. Therefore, Nasdaq might apply the additional and more
stringent criteria for our initial and continued listing, which might cause delay or even denial of our listing
application.
On
May 20, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or HFCAA, requiring a foreign company to certify
it is not owned or controlled by a foreign government if the PCAOB is unable to audit specified reports because the company uses a foreign
auditor not subject to PCAOB inspection. If the PCAOB is unable to inspect the company’s auditors for three consecutive years,
the issuer’s securities are prohibited to trade on a national exchange. On December 2, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives
approved the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On December 18, 2020, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act was signed
into law.
On
March 24, 2021, the SEC announced that it had adopted interim final amendments to implement congressionally mandated submission and disclosure
requirements of the Act. The interim final amendments will apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report
on Forms 10-K, 20-F, 40-F or N-CSR with an audit report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction
and that the PCAOB has determined it is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in that
jurisdiction. The SEC will implement a process for identifying such a registrant and any such identified registrant will be required
to submit documentation to the SEC establishing that it is not owned or controlled by a governmental entity in that foreign jurisdiction,
and will also require disclosure in the registrant’s annual report regarding the audit arrangements of, and governmental influence
on, such a registrant.
On
June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (“AHFCAA”), which, if passed
by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering
the prohibitions under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act from three years to two.
On
September 22, 2021, the PCAOB adopted rules to create a framework for the PCAOB to use when determining, as contemplated under the HFCAA,
whether it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms located in a foreign jurisdiction because
of a position taken by one or more authorities in that jurisdiction.
On
December 2, 2021, the SEC issued amendments to finalize rules implementing the submission and disclosure requirements in the Holding
Foreign Companies Accountable Act. The rules apply to registrants that the SEC identifies as having filed an annual report with an audit
report issued by a registered public accounting firm that is located in a foreign jurisdiction and that PCAOB is unable to inspect or
investigate completely because of a position taken by an authority in foreign jurisdictions.
On
December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a Determination Report which found that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely
registered public accounting firms headquartered in: (1) mainland China of the People’s Republic of China, because of a position
taken by one or more authorities in mainland China; and (2) Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region and dependency of the PRC, because
of a position taken by one or more authorities in Hong Kong.. The PCAOB has made such designations as mandated under the HFCAA. Pursuant
to each annual determination by the PCAOB, the SEC will, on an annual basis, identify issuers that have used non-inspected audit firms
and thus are at risk of such suspensions in the future.
The
PCAOB is currently unable to conduct inspections in China without the approval of Chinese government authorities. If it is later determined
that the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate our auditor completely, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection.
Any audit reports not issued by auditors that are completely inspected by the PCAOB, or a lack of PCAOB inspections of audit work undertaken
in China that prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditors’ audits and their quality control procedures, could result
in a lack of assurance that our financial statements and disclosures are adequate and accurate.
35
Our auditor, WWC, P.C., Certified
Public Accountants, is an independent registered public accounting firm with the PCAOB, and as an auditor of publicly traded companies
in the U.S., is subject to laws in the U.S. pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the
applicable professional standards. WWC, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, is based in the United States and has been inspected by the
PCAOB on a regular basis, with the last inspection in November 2021. WWC, P.C., Certified Public Accountants, is not headquartered in
mainland China or Hong Kong and was not identified as a firm subject to the determinations announced by the PCAOB on December 16, 2021.
Should the PCAOB be unable to fully conduct inspection of our auditor’s work papers in China, it will make it difficult to evaluate
the effectiveness of our auditor’s audit procedures or equity control procedures. Investors may consequently lose confidence in
our reported financial information and procedures or quality of the financial statements, which would adversely affect us and our securities.
Moreover, if trading in our securities is prohibited under the HFCAA in the future because the PCAOB determines that it cannot inspect
or fully investigate our auditor at such future time, an exchange may determine to delist our securities.
If
we fail to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in a timely manner, our business could be harmed and our
stock price could decline.
Rules
adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 require annual assessment of U.S. public companies’
internal control over financial reporting. The standards that must be met for management to assess the internal control over financial
reporting as effective are complex, and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards.
While we have not detected any significant deficiency or material weakness in our internal control and with respect to the assessment
of the internal control for the year ended December 31, 2021, we cannot guarantee the implementation of controls and procedures in future
years to be without any significant deficiency or material weakness.
If
we become directly subject to the scrutiny involving U.S. listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate
and/or defend the matter, which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation.
U.S.
public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of intense scrutiny by investors, financial
commentators and regulatory agencies. Much of the scrutiny has centered around financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes,
a lack of effective internal controls over financial reporting and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny,
the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed China-based companies that have been the subject of such scrutiny has sharply decreased
in value. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions that are conducting internal
and/or external investigations into the allegations. If we become the subject of any such scrutiny, whether any allegations are true
or not, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. Such investigations or
allegations will be costly and time-consuming and distract our management from our business plan and could result in our reputation
being harmed and our stock price could decline as a result of such allegations, regardless of the truthfulness of the allegations.
Our
officers and directors control us through their positions and stock ownership and their interests may differ from other stockholders.
As
of March 1, 2021, there were 96,968,400 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. Mr. Zhenyong Liu, our Chief Executive Officer,
beneficially owns approximately 4.7% of our common stock. As a result, he is able to influence the outcome of stockholder votes on various
matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate transactions including business combinations. Yet Mr. Liu’s
interests may differ from those of other stockholders. Furthermore, ownership of 4.7% of our common stock by Mr. Liu reduces the public
float and liquidity, and may affect the market price, of our common stock as traded on the NYSE American.
We
may not continue to pay cash dividends and any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common stock.
While
we intend to retain the majority of any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business, we did declare four quarterly
cash dividends in April 2012 and November 2013. Although it is likely that our Board of Directors will continue the quarterly cash dividend
as a regular dividend policy in the coming years, there is no guarantee that the cash dividend will not be discontinued or reduced. Should
we decide to continue the cash dividend, as a holding company, our ability to pay dividends and meet other obligations depends upon the
receipt of dividends or other payments from our operating subsidiaries. In addition, our operating subsidiaries, from time to time, may
be subject to restrictions on their ability to make distributions to us, including restrictions on the conversion of local currency into
U.S. dollars or other hard currency and other regulatory restrictions.
Our
common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and may fluctuate significantly.
Our
common stock is traded on the NYSE American. Although a trading market has developed for our common stock, there can be no assurance
that the trading market for our common stock will be sustained. Failure to maintain a trading market for our common stock may adversely
affect our shareholders’ ability to sell our common stock in short time periods, or at all. Our common stock has experienced, and
may experience in the future, significant price and volume fluctuations, which could adversely affect the market price of our common
stock.
Future
financings may dilute stockholders or impair our financial condition.
In
the future, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private financing, which might include the sale of equity securities.
The issuance of equity securities could result in financial and voting dilution to our existing stockholders. The issuance of debt could
result in effective subordination of stockholders’ interests to the debt, create the possibility of default, and limit our financial
and business alternatives.
36
Item
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item
2. Properties
Our
headquarters are located at Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited, Juli Road, Xushui District, Baoding City, Hebei Province,
China. We have two main production bases, one production base located approximately 4 kilometers away from our headquarters, and the
second production base located in Wei County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province.
All
land in the PRC is owned by the government and cannot be sold to any individual or entity. Instead, the government grants landholders
a “land use right” after a purchase price for such “land use right” is paid to the government. The “land
use right” allows the holder the right to use the land for a specified long-term period of time and enjoys all the incidents of
ownership of the land. The following are the details regarding Dongfang Paper’s land use rights with regard to the land that it
uses in its business.
The
land of our first production base (the “Xushui Paper Mill”), comprising 200 mu, or approximately 33 acres, of land, is leased
from the local government pursuant to a 30 year lease that expires December 31, 2031. The lease requires an annual payment of approximately
$ 17,406 (RMB 120,000) due by June 30 every year.
The
land of the second production base (the “Xingtai Paper Mill”), comprising 300 mu, or approximately 50 acres, of land, is
owned by Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd., a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC. (“Hebei Tengsheng”).
On June 25, 2019, Dongfang Paper entered into an acquisition agreement with the shareholder of Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd., pursuant
to which Dongfang Paper agreed to acquire Hebei Tengsheng for the consideration in the amount of RMB 320 million (approximately $45 million)
which was fully paid on February 23, 2022.
The
office building and essentially all industrial-use buildings at our headquarters (the “Industrial Buildings”) are leased
to us by a third party, Hebei Fangsheng Real Estate Development Co. Ltd. (“Hebei Fangsheng”), for a term of up to three years
starting August 2013, with an annual rental payment of approximately $155,101 (RMB1,000,000). The lease agreement expired in August 2016.
On August 9, 2016 and August 6, 2018, the Company entered into a supplementary agreement with Hebei Fangsheng, who agreed to extend the
lease term to August 9, 2022, with the same rental payment as original lease agreement.”
In
the spring of 2010, we initiated the process of acquiring approximately 667,000 square meters of land adjacent to our first production
base, Xushui Paper Mill and subsequently received governmental approval for our capacity expansion plan. On April 13, 2012, we closed
our acquisition of 58,566 square meters of land and secured all associated land use right permits (the “Xushui Mill Annex”).
For land acquisition of the Xushui Mill Annex, we paid a total of $7.5 million for various payments of compensation, taxes, and recording
fees to the sellers and the local government. On October 26, 2012, we made a prepayment in the amount of $1,404,460 for the purchase
of land use right from the local residents’ council for approximately 65,023 square meters of land located inside of our Xushui
Paper Mill. In December 2016, the Company completed the purchase of such land use right, with a land use term of 50 years expiring in
2066.
As
of December 31, 2021, our facilities include a total of nine production lines, among which PM7 is currently idle and under renovation,
and each PM4 and PM5 (both for digital photo paper) has been suspended, nine warehouses, two office buildings, two cafeterias, and five
dormitories.
Item
3. Legal Proceedings
We
are currently not a party to any legal or administrative proceedings and are not aware of any pending or threatened legal or administrative
proceedings against us in all material aspects. We may from time to time become a party to various legal or administrative proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of our business.
Item
4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not
Applicable.
37
PART
II
Item
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market
Information
IT
Tech Packaging’s common stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “ITP”.
Holders
As
of March 15, 2022, we had approximately 9,000 shareholders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
On
November 21, 2013, the Company declared another quarterly dividend of $0.005 per share to shareholders of record as of November 29, 2013.
The
dividend was paid on December 10, 2013. Total dividends declared and paid for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $323,032.
We
do not expect to pay dividends in the near future. Future declaration of dividends will depend on, among other things, the Company’s
results of operations, capital requirements, financial condition and on such other factors as the Company’s Board of Directors
may in its discretion consider relevant and in the best long term interest of the shareholders.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
On
August 29, 2015, the Company’s Annual General Meeting approved the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 ISP”).
Under the 2015 ISP, the Company may grant an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the directors, officers,
employees and/or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. The 2015 ISP provides for the granting of non-qualified stock options,
incentive stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, performance stock awards,
performance unit awards, unrestricted stock awards, distribution equivalent rights or any combination of the foregoing. The 2015 ISP
is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of the 2015 ISP, the Compensation
Committee has the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the plan, including but not limited to (i) determining
which employees, directors or consultants shall receive an award, (ii) the time or times when an award shall be made, (iii) what type
of award shall be granted, (iv) the term of an award, (v) the date or dates on which an award vests, (vi) the form of any payment to
be made pursuant to an award, (vii) the terms and conditions of an award, (viii) the restrictions under a restricted stock award, (ix)
the number of shares which may be issued under an award, (x) performance goals applicable to any award and certification of the achievement
of such goals, and (xi) the waiver of any restrictions or performance goals, subject in all cases to compliance with applicable laws.
On January 12, 2016, the Company granted an aggregate of 1,133,916 shares of common stock under its compensatory incentive plans to nine
officers, directors and employees of and a consultant when the stock was at $1.25 per share, as compensation for their services in the
past years, of which 168,416 shares of common stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Stock Plan and 965,500 shares were granted
under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive. On September 13, 2018, the compensation committee granted an aggregate of 534,500 shares of
common stock to fifteen officers, directors and employees of the Company, which were granted under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive
Plan. Total fair value of the shares of common stock granted was calculated at $470,360 as of the date of issuance at $0.88 per share.
On
August 14, 2019, the Company’s Annual General Meeting approved the 2019 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2019 ISP”). Under
the 2019 ISP, the Company may grant an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company’s directors,
officers, employees or consultants. Specifically, the Board and/or the Compensation Committee have authority to (a) grant, in its discretion,
Incentive Stock Options or Non-statutory Options, Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Purchase Offers; (b) determine in good faith the fair
market value of the stock covered by any grant; (c) determine which eligible persons shall receive grants and the number of shares, restrictions,
terms and conditions to be included in such grants; and (d) make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the 2019 ISP’s
administration.
All
shares of common stock under the 2015 and 2019 ISPs, including shares originally authorized by equity holders and shares remaining for
future issuance as of December 31, 2021, have been issued.
2021
Incentive Stock Plan
On
November 12, 2021, the Company’s Annual General Meeting adopted and approved the 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan of IT Tech
Packaging, Inc.(the”2021 Plan”).Under the 2021 ISP, the Company has reserved a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock
for issuance as or under awards to be made to the directors, officers, employees and/or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Purchases
of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Item
6. [Reserved]
38
Item
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The
following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company should be read in conjunction with the selected
financial data, the financial statements, and the notes to those statements that are included elsewhere in this annual report.
Results
of Operations
Revenue
for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $160,881,720, representing an increase of $59,938,451, or 59.38%, from $100,943,269 for the
previous year. This was mainly due to the increase in sales volume of corrugating medium paper (“CMP”) and offset printing
paper and increase in average selling prices (“ASP”) of CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper products, partially offset
by the decrease in sales volume of tissue paper products.
Revenue
of Offset Printing Paper, Corrugating Medium Paper and Tissue Paper Products
Revenue
from sales of offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $160,343,920, an increase
of $60,502,595, or 60.60%, from $99,841,325 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This was mainly due to the increase in sales volume
of Regular CMP, Light-Weight CMP and offset printing paper and the increase in ASP of CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper products,
partially offset by the decrease in sales volume of tissue paper products.
Total
quantities of offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products sold during the year ended December 31, 2021 amounted to 292,459 tonnes,
an increase of 65,128 tonnes, or 28.65%, compared to 227,331 tonnes sold during the year ended December 31, 2020. Total quantities of
CMP and offset printing paper sold increased by 66,961 tonnes in the year of 2021 as compared to 2020. The changes in revenue and quantity
sold for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:
Year
Ended
Year
Ended
Percentage
December
31, 2021
December
31, 2020
Change
in
Change
Sales
Revenue
Quantity
(Tonne)
Amount
Quantity
(Tonne)
Amount
Quantity
(Tonne)
Amount
Quantity
Amount
Regular
CMP
213,490
$ 111,079,432
154,084
$ 62,324,519
59,406
$ 48,754,913
38.55 %
78.23 %
Light-Weight
CMP
46,201
$ 23,432,323
42,801
$ 16,836,407
3,400
$ 6,595,916
7.94 %
39.18 %
Total
CMP
259,691
$ 134,511,755
196,885
$ 79,160,926
62,806
$ 55,350,829
31.90 %
69.92 %
Offset
Printing Paper
24,513
$ 17,062,564
20,358
$ 12,265,746
4,155
$ 4,796,818
20.41 %
39.11 %
Tissue
Paper Products
8,255
$ 8,769,601
10,088
8,414,653
(1,833 )
$ 354,948
-18.17 %
4.22 %
Total
CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Revenue
292,459
$ 160,343,920
227,331
$ 99,841,325
65,128
$ 60,502,595
28.65 %
60.60 %
39
Monthly
revenue (excluding revenue of digital photo paper and tissue paper products) for the 24 months ended December 31, 2021, are summarized
below:
The
average selling price, or ASP, for our major products for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized as follows:
Offset
Printing Paper ASP
Regular
CMP ASP
Light-Weight
CMP ASP
Tissue
Paper Products ASP
Year Ended December 31, 2020
$ 603
$ 404
$ 393
$ 834
Year Ended December 31, 2021
$ 696
$ 520
$ 507
$ 1062
Increase from comparable period
in the previous year
$ 93
$ 116
$ 114
$ 228
Increase by percentage
15.42 %
28.71 %
29.01 %
27.34 %
The
following is a chart showing the month-by-month ASPs for the 24 month period ended December 31, 2021:
40
Corrugating
Medium Paper
Revenue
from CMP amounted to $134,511,755 (83.89% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the year ended
December 31, 2021, representing an increase of $55,350,829, or 69.92%, from $79,160,926 during 2020.
We
sold 259,691 tonnes of CMP in the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 196,885 tonnes in the year ended December 31, 2020, representing
a 31.90% increase in quantity sold.
ASP
for regular CMP increased from $404/tonne in 2020 to $520/tonne in 2021, representing a 28.71% increase. ASP in RMB for regular CMP in
2020 and 2021 was RMB2,789 and RMB3,355, respectively, representing a 20.29% increase. The quantity of regular CMP sold increased by
59,406 tonnes, from 154,084 tonnes in 2020 to 213,490 tonnes in 2021.
ASP
for light-weight CMP increased from $393/tonne in 2020 to $507/tonne in 2021, representing a $29.01% increase. ASP in RMB for light-weight
CMP in 2020 and 2021 was RMB2,712 and RMB3,270, respectively, representing a 20.58% increase. The quantity of light-weight CMP sold increased
by 3,400 tonnes, from 42,801 tonnes in 2020, to 46,201 tonnes in 2021.
Our
PM6 production line, which produces regular CMP, has a designated capacity of 360,000 tonnes /year. The utilization rates for the year
ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were 60.94% and 42.56%, respectively, representing an increase of 18.38%.
Quantities
sold for regular CMP that was produced by the PM6 production line from January 2020 to December 2021 are as follows:
Offset
Printing Paper
Revenue
from offset printing paper was $17,062,564 (10.64% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the
year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of $4,796,818, or 39.11%, from $12,265,746 in 2020. We sold 24,513 tonnes of offset
printing paper in the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 20,358 tonnes in 2020, an increase of 4,155 tonnes, or 20.41%. ASPs for
offset printing paper in the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 was $603/tonne and $696/tonne, respectively, representing a 15.42%
increase. ASP in RMB for offset printing paper for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 was RMB4,154 and RMB4,488, respectively,
representing a 8.04% increase.
41
Tissue
Paper Products
Revenue
from tissue paper products was $8,769,601 (5.47% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the
year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of $354,948, or 4.22%, from $8,414,653 in 2020. We sold 8,255 tonnes of tissue
paper products in the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to 10,088 tonnes in 2020, a decrease of 1,833 tonnes, or 18.17%.ASP for
tissue paper products was $834 and /tonne$1,062/tonne in the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively, representing a 27.34%
increase. ASP in RMB for tissue paper products for the year ended 2020 and 2021 was RMB5,821 and RMB6,849, respectively, representing
a 17.66% increase.
Revenue
of Face Mask
On
April 29, 2020, we launched a production line of non-medical single-use face masks, following the completion of raw materials preparation,
trial run of the equipment and the sample products inspection. Revenue generated from selling face mask were $537,800 and $1,101,944
for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. We sold 12,664 thousand pieces of face masks in the year of 2021, as compared to 10,301
thousand pieces in year of 2020, an increase of 2,363 thousand pieces, or 22.94%.
Cost
of Sales
Total
cost of sales for CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper products in the year ended December 31, 2021 was $149,429,711, an increase
of $54,760,322, or 57.84%, from $94,669,389 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This was mainly a result of the increase in sales volume
of CMP and offset printing paper and increase of material costs. Cost of sales for CMP was $125,445,157 for the year ended December 31,
2021, as compared to $74,279,241 in 2020. The increase in the cost of sales of $51,165,916 for CMP was mainly due to the increase in
the quantities of regular CMP sold and the increase in cost of recycled paper board in the year of 2021. Average cost of sales per tonne
for CMP increased by 28.12%, from $377 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $483 in 2021.This is mainly attributable to the higher
average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled paper board. Cost of sales for offset printing paper was
$13,963,983 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $10,147,280 in 2020. Average cost of sales per tonne of offset printing
paper increased by 14.46%, from $498 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $570 in 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to higher
average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled white scrap paper. Cost of sales for tissue paper products
was $10,020,571 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $10,242,868 in 2020. Average cost of sales per tonne of tissue paper
products increased by 19.61%, from $1,015 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $1,214 for 2021.
Changes
in cost of sales and cost per tonne by product for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are summarized below:
Year
Ended
Year
Ended
December
31, 2021
December
31, 2020
Change
in
Change
in percentage
Cost
of Sales
Cost
per Tonne
Cost
of Sales
Cost
per tonne
Cost
of Sales
Cost
per Tonne
Cost
of Sales
Cost
per Tone
Regular
CMP
$ 104,057,538
$ 487
$ 58,947,059
$ 383
$ 45,110,479
$ 104
76.53 %
27.15 %
Light-Weight
CMP
$ 21,387,619
$ 463
$ 15,332,182
$ 358
$ 6,055,437
$ 105
39.49 %
29.33 %
Total
CMP
$ 125,445,157
$ 483
$ 74,279,241
$ 377
$ 51,165,916
$ 106
68.88 %
28.12 %
Offset
Printing Paper
$ 13,963,983
$ 570
$ 10,147,280
$ 498
$ 3,816,703
$ 72
37.61 %
14.46 %
Tissue
Paper Products
$ 10,020,571
$ 1,214
$ 10,242,868
$ 1,015
$ (222,297 )
$ 199
-2.17 %
19.61 %
Total
CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Revenue
$ 149,429,711
$ n/a
$ 94,669,389
$ n/a
$ 54,760,322
$ n/a
57.84 %
n/a %
Our
average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled paper board and recycled white scrap paper for the year ended
December 31, 2021 were RMB 1,997/tonne (approximately $310/tonne) and RMB 2,322/tonne (approximately $360/tonne), respectively, as compared
to RMB 1,582/tonne (approximately $229/tonne) and RMB 2,086/tonne (approximately 303/tonne) for the year ended December 31, 2020, respectively.
These changes (in US dollars) represent a year-over-year increase of 35.37% for the unit purchase cost of recycled paper board and a
year-over-year increase of 18.81% for the unit purchase cost of recycled white scrap paper. We use domestic recycled paper (sourced mainly
from the Beijing-Tianjin metropolitan area) exclusively. Although we do not rely on imported recycled paper, the pricing of which tends
to be more volatile than domestic recycled paper, our experience suggests that the pricing of domestic recycled paper bears some correlation
to the pricing of imported recycled paper.
42
The
pricing trends of our major raw materials for the 24-month period from January 2020 to December 2021 are shown below:
Electricity
and gas are our two main energy sources. Electricity and gas accounted for approximately 4% and 10.5% of total sales in 2021, respectively,
compared to 5% and 10.5% of total sales 2020. The monthly energy cost (electricity, coal and gas) as a percentage of total monthly sales
of our main paper products for the 24 months ended December 31, 2021 are summarized as follows:
Gross
Profit
Gross
profit for December 31, 2021 was $11,017,559 (6.85% of the total revenue), representing an increase of $5,315,574, or 93.22%, from the
gross profit of $5,701,985 (5.65% of the total revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to (i) the
increase in quantities sold of CMP and offset printing paper and (ii) the increase of ASP of CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper
products, partially offset by the increase in material costs.
43
Corrugating
Medium Paper, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Products
Gross
profit for offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $10,914,209, an increase of
$5,742,273, or 111.03%, from the gross profit of $5,171,936 for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly the result
of the factors discussed above.
The
overall gross profit margin for offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products increased by 1.63percentage points, from 5.18% for
the year ended December 31, 2020, to 6.81% for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Gross
profit margin for regular CMP for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 6.32%, or 0.90 percentage points higher, as compared to gross
profit margin of 5.42% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Such increase was primarily due to increase in ASP of regular CMP, partially
offset by the increase in unit cost of sales.
Gross
profit margin for light-weight CMP for the year ended December 31, 2021 was 8.73%, or 0.20 percentage points lower, as compared to gross
profit margin of 8.93% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Such decrease was primarily due to the increase in unit cost of sales, partially
offset by the increase in ASP of light-weight CMP.
Gross
profit margin for offset printing paper was 18.16% for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of 0.89 percentage points, as compared
to 17.27% for the year ended December 31, 2020. Such increase was mainly due to the increase in ASP of offset printing paper, partially
offset by the increase of purchase price of recycled white scrap paper.
Gross
profit margin for tissue paper products was -14.26% for the year ended December 31, 2021, an increase of 7.47 percentage points, as compared
to -21.73% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was mainly due to the increase in ASP of tissue base paper, partially offset
by the increase in cost of tissue base paper.
Monthly
gross profit margins for our corrugating medium paper and offset printing paper for the 24-month period ended December 31, 2021 are as
follows:
Face
Masks
Gross
profit for face mask for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $103,350, representing a gross margin of 19.22% compared with a gross profit
of $530,049, representing a gross margin of 48.10%, for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
Selling,
general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $9,558,190, a decrease of $1,599,599, or 14.34% from $11,157,789
for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was mainly due to higher share based compensation in year 2020.
Income
(Loss) from Operations
Operating
income for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $1,459,369, an increase of $6,915,173, or 126.75%, from loss from operations of $5,455,804
for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to the increase in gross profit and decrease in selling, general
and administrative expenses.
44
Other
Income and Expenses
Interest
expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $98,190, from $1,026,512 for the year ended December 31, 2020, to $1,124,702.
The Company had short-term and long-term interest-bearing loans and lease obligation that aggregated $16,139,485 as of December 31, 2021,
as compared to $16,566,324 as of December 31, 2020.
Net
Income (Loss)
As
a result of the above, net income was $905,535 for the year ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of $6,551,079, or 116.30%,
from net loss of $5,554,002 for year ended December 31, 2020.
Accounts
Receivable
Net
accounts receivable increased by $2,479,877, or 103.80%, to $4,868,934 as of December 31, 2021, as compared with $2,389,057 as of December
31, 2020. We usually collect accounts receivable within 30 days of delivery and completion of sales.
Inventories
Inventories
consist of raw materials (accounting for 40.17% of total value of inventory as of December 31, 2021), semi-finished goods and finished
goods. As of December 31, 2021, the recorded value of inventory increased by 373.73% to $5,844,895 from $1,233,801 as of December 31,
2020. As of December 31, 2021, the inventory of recycled paper board, which is the main raw material for the production of CMP, was $2,097,062,
approximately $2,077,603, or 10676.82%, higher than the balance as of December 31, 2020. Due to the volatility of recycled paper board
price and the uncertainty of market and economy situation during the pandemic, a minimum level of inventory was maintained at the end
of 2020.
A
summary of changes in major inventory items is as follows:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
$
Change
%
Change
Raw Materials
Recycled paper
board
$ 2,097,062
$ 19,459
2,077,603
10676.82 %
Recycled white scrap paper
11,808
11,193
615
5.49 %
Tissue base paper
38,745
14,027
24,718
176.22 %
Gas
32,753
55,473
-22,720
-40.96 %
Mask
fabric and other raw materials
167,786
167,399
387
0.23 %
Total Raw Materials
2,348,154
267,551
2,080,603
777..65 %
Semi-finished Goods
96,087
176,703
-80,616
-45.62 %
Finished
Goods
3,400,654
789,547
2,611,107
330.71 %
Total inventory, gross
5,844,895
1,233,801
4,611,094
373.73 %
Inventory
reserve
-
-
-
Total
inventory, net
$ 5,844,895
$ 1,233,801
4,611,094
373.73 %
Accounts
Payable
Accounts
payable and notes payable was $10,255 as of December 31, 2021, a decrease of 582,136, or 98.27%, from $592,391 as of December 31, 2020.
45
Renewal
of operating lease
On
August 7, 2013, the Company’s Audit Committee and the Board of Directors approved the sale of the land use right of the Headquarters
Compound (the “LUR”), the office building and essentially all industrial-use buildings in the Headquarters Compound (the
“Industrial Buildings”), and three employee dormitory buildings located within the Headquarters Compound (the “Dormitories”)
to Hebei Fangsheng for cash prices of approximately $2.77 million, $1.15 million, and $4.31 million respectively. In connection with
the sale of the Industrial Buildings, Hebei Fangsheng agreed to lease the Industrial Buildings back to the Company for its original use
for a term of up to three years, with an annual rental payment of approximately $155,101 (RMB1,000,000). The lease agreement expired
in August 2016. On August 6, 2016 and August 6, 2018, the Company entered into two supplementary agreements with Hebei Fangsheng, who
agreed to extend the lease term to August 9, 2022 with the same rental payment as original lease agreement. The accrued rental owed to
Hebei Fangsheng was approximately $61,879 and $nil which was recorded as part of the current liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively.
Capital
Expenditure Commitment as of December 31, 2021
On
May 5, 2020, the Company announced it planned the commercial launch of a new tissue paper production line PM10 and the Company signed
an agreement to purchase paper machine with paper machine supplier. The Company expected the new tissue paper production line to be launched
after the completion of trial run.
As
of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $4.7 million in capital expenditure commitments that were mainly related to the purchase of
paper machine of PM10. These commitments are expected to be financed by bank loans and cash flows generated from our business operations.
Financing
with Sale-Leaseback
The
Company entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement (the “Lease Financing Agreement”) with TAC Leasing Co., Ltd.(“TLCL”)
on August 6, 2020, for a total financing proceeds in the amount of RMB 16 million (approximately US$2.5 million). Under the sale-leaseback
arrangement, Hebei Tengsheng sold the Leased Equipment to TLCL for 16 million (approximately US$2.5 million). Concurrent with the sale
of equipment, Hebei Tengsheng leases back the equipment sold to TLCL for a lease term of three years. At the end of the lease term, Hebei
Tengsheng may pay a nominal purchase price of RMB 100 (approximately $16) to TLCL and buy back the Leased Equipment. The Leased Equipment
in amount of $2,349,452 was recorded as right-of-use assets and the net present value of the minimum lease payments was recorded as lease
liability and calculated with TLCL’s implicit interest rate of 15.6% per annum and stated at $567,099 at the inception of the lease
on August 17, 2020.
Hebei
Tengsheng made payments due according to the schedule. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance of Leased Equipment net of amortization
was $2,286,459 and $2,397,653, respectively. The lease liability were $362,394 and $536,959, and its current portion in the amount of
$210,161 and $182,852 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization of the Leased Equipment was $165,441 and $51,574 for
the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total interest expenses for the sale lease back arrangement was $71,798 and
$28,083 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
As
a result of the sale and leaseback, a deferred gain in the amount of $430,695 was recorded. The deferred gain is amortized over the lease
term and as an offset to amortization of the Leased Equipment.
46
Cash,
Cash Equivalents and restricted cash
Our
cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2021 was $11,201,612, an increase of $7,059,175, from $4,142,437 as of
December 31, 2020. The increase of cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2021 was attributable to a number of factors:
i.
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net
cash used in operating activities was $2,436,071 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The balance represented a decrease of cash of
$18,579,597, or 115.09%, from $16,143,526 provided for the year ended December 31, 2020. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021
was $905,535, representing an increase of $6,459,537, or 116.30%, from a net loss of $5,554,002 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Changes in various asset and liability account balances throughout the year ended December 31, 2021 also contributed to the net change
in cash from operating activities in year ended December 31, 2021. Chief among such changes is the increase of accounts receivable in
the amount of $2,430,495 during the year of 2021. There was also an increase of $4,531,263 in the ending inventory balance as of December
31, 2021 (a decrease to net cash for the year ended December 31, 2021 cash flow purposes). In addition, the Company had non-cash expenses
relating to depreciation and amortization in the amount of $15,358,452. The Company also had a net increase of $8,350,716 in prepayment
and other current assets (a decrease to net cash) and a net increase of $469,797 in other payables and accrued liabilities and related
parties (a decrease to net cash), as well as an increase in income tax payable of $832,946 (an increase to net cash) during the year
ended December 31, 2021.
ii.
Net cash used in investing activities
We
incurred $25,071,372 in net cash expenditures for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $20,526,004
for the year ended December 31, 2020. Expenditures in the year ended December 31, 2021 were mainly for the payments for the acquisition
of lands of Hebei Tengsheng.
iii.
Net cash provided in financing activities
Net
cash provided by financing activities was proceeds from issuance of shares and warrants net of repayment of loans and lease obligation
of $34,193,824 for the year ended December 31, 2021, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities in the amount of $2,054,855
for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Short-term
bank loans
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) Loan 1
$ -
$ 6,435,348
Industrial and Commercial
Bank of China (“ICBC”) Loan 2
5,958,561
-
Total
short-term bank loans
$ 5,958,561
$ 6,435,348
(a) On
December 11, 2020, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC,
with a balance of $6,435,348 as of December 31, 2020. The working capital loan was secured
by the Land use right of Dongfang Paper as collateral for the benefit of the bank. The loan
bears a fixed interest rate of 4.785% per annum. The loan was fully repaid in November 2021.
(b)
On November
25, 2021, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $5,958,561 as of December 31,
2021. The working capital loan was secured by the Land use right of Dongfang Paper as collateral for the benefit of the bank and
guaranteed by Mr. Zhenyong Liu, the Company’s CEO. The loan bears a fixed interest rate of 4.785% per annum. The loan will
be due and repaid at various installments by November 17, 2022.
As
of December 31, 2020, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $5,958,561 and unsecured bank loans of $nil. As of December 31,
2020, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $6,435,348 and unsecured bank loans of $nil.
The
average short-term borrowing rates for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 were approximately 4.73% and 4.79%, respectively.
47
Long-term
loans from credit union
As
of December 31, 2021 and 2020, loans payable to Rural Credit Union of Xushui County, amounted to $9,818,530 and $9,594,017, respectively.
On
April 16, 2014, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 5 years, which
was originally due in various installments from June 21, 2014 to November 18, 2018. The loan is guaranteed by an independent third party.
Interest payment is due quarterly and bears the rate of 0.64% per month. On November 6, 2018, the loan was renewed for additional 5 years
and will be due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2018 to November 5, 2023. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, total
outstanding loan balance was $1,348,871 and $1,318,028, respectively, Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion amounted
were $329,376 and $214,563 as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated
balance sheet and the remaining balance of $1,019,495 and $1,103,465 are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
On
July 15, 2013, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 5 years, which
was originally due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2013 to July 26, 2018. On June 21, 2018, the loan was extended
for additional 5 years and will be due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2018 to June 20, 2023. The loan is secured
by certain of the Company’s manufacturing equipment with net book value of $1,130,333 and $2,349,796 as of December 31, 2021, and
2020, respectively. Interest payment is due quarterly and bears a fixed rate of 0.64% per month. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the
total outstanding loan balance was $3,921,139 and $3,831,476, respectively. Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion
amounted were $1,960,569 and $337,169 as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the
consolidated balance sheet and the remaining balance of $1,960,570 and $3,494,307 are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
On
April 17, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 2 years, which
was due and payable in various installments from August 21, 2019 to April 16, 2021. The loan was renewed on March 22, 2021 and December
24, 2021 and extended for additional 3 years in total, which will be due on April 16, 2024 according to the new schedule. The loan is
secured by Hebei Tengsheng with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due quarterly
and bears a fixed rate of 0.6% per month. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the total outstanding loan balance was $2,509,528 and $2,452,145,
respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
On
December 12, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 2 years, which
is due and payable in various installments from June 21, 2020 to December 11, 2021.The loan was renewed on March 22, 2021 and December
24, 2021 and extended for additional 3 years in total, which will be due on December 11, 2024 according to the new schedule. The loan
is secured by Hebei Tengsheng with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due monthly
and bears a fixed rate of 7.56% per annum. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the total outstanding loan balance was $2,038,992 and $1,992,368,
respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Total
interest expenses for the short-term bank loans and long-term loans for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 were $1,052,904 and
$998,429, respectively.
Related
party transactions
Mr.
Zhenyong Liu has loaned money to Dongfang Paper for working capital purposes over a period of time. On January 1, 2013, Dongfang Paper
and Mr. Zhenyong Liu renewed the three-year term loan previously entered on January 1, 2010, and extended the maturity date further to
December 31, 2015. On December 31, 2015, the Company paid off the loan of $2,249,279, together with interest of $391,374 for the period
from 2013 to 2015. Approximately $402,047 and $392,855 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which were recorded in other
payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020,
respectively.
48
On
December 10, 2014, Mr. Zhenyong Liu provided a loan to the Company, amounted to $8,742,278 to Dongfang Paper for working capital purpose
with an interest rate of 4.35% per annum, which was based on the primary lending rate of People’s Bank of China. The unsecured
loan was provided on December 10, 2014, and would be originally due on December 10, 2017. During the year of 2016, the Company repaid
$6,012,416 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together with interest of $288,596. In February 2018, the company paid off the remaining balance, together
with interest of $20,400. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, approximately $47,054 and $45,978 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong
Liu, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
On
March 1, 2015, the Company entered an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu which allows Dongfang Paper to borrow from the CEO an amount up
to $17,201,342 (RMB120,000,000) for working capital purposes. The advances or funding under the agreement are due three years from the
date each amount is funded. The loan is unsecured and carries an annual interest rate set on the basis of the primary lending rate of
the People’s Bank of China at the time of the borrowing. On July 13, 2015, an unsecured amount of $4,324,636 was drawn from the
facility. On October 14, 2016 an unsecured amount of $2,883,091 was drawn from the facility. In February 2018, the company repaid $1,507,432
to Mr. Zhenyong Liu. The loan would be originally due on July 12, 2018. Mr. Zhenyong Liu agreed to extend the loan for additional 3 years
and the remaining balance will be due on July 12, 2021. On November 23, 2018, the company repaid $3,768,579 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together
with interest of $158,651. In December 2019, the company paid off the remaining balance, together with interest of 94,636. As of December
2021, and 2020, the outstanding interest was $215,565 and $210,635, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities
as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, total amount of loans due to Mr. Zhenyong Liu were $nil. The interest expense incurred for such related
party loans are $nil for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020. The accrued interest owe to the CEO was approximately $664,666
and $649,468, as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities.
On
December 8, 2021, the Company entered an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu which allows Mr. Zhenyong Liu to borrow from the Company an
amount of $6,915,176 (RMB44,089,085). The loanwill be due on June 29, 2022. The loan is unsecured and carries a fixed interest rate of
3% per annum. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of the loan was $6,915,176 and outstanding interest due from CEO is $nil,
which were recorded in due from related parties as part of the current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, amount due to shareholder are $727,433, which represent funds from shareholders to pay for various expenses
incurred in the U.S. The amount is due on demand with interest free.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which
require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
periods. Management makes these estimates using the best information available at the time the estimates are made. However, actual results
could differ materially from those estimates. The most critical accounting policies are listed below:
Revenue
Recognition Policy
The
Company recognizes revenue when goods are delivered and a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery
is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company exist, and collectability is reasonably assured. Goods are considered delivered
when the customer’s truck picks up goods at our finished goods inventory warehouse.
Long-Lived
Assets
The
Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets and the related estimated remaining useful lives when events or circumstances
lead management to believe that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be
generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amount. In such circumstances, those assets are written down to estimated
fair value. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market conditions, assumptions for operational
performance of our businesses, and possible government policy toward operating efficiency of the Chinese paper manufacturing industry.
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, no events or circumstances occurred for which an evaluation of the recoverability of
long-lived assets was required. We are currently not aware of any events or circumstances that may indicate any need to record such impairment
in the future.
49
Foreign
Currency Translation
The
functional currency of Dongfang Paper and Baoding Shengde is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (“RMB”). Under ASC Topic 830-30, all
assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars using the current exchange rate at the end of each fiscal period. The
current exchange rates used by the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 to translate the Chinese RMB to the U.S. Dollars are 6.3757:1
and 6.5249:1, respectively. Revenues and expenses are translated using the prevailing average exchange rates at 6.4474:1, and 6.8941:1
for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
were the guarantor for Baoding Huanrun Trading Co., for its long-term bank loans in an amount of $4,862,211 (RMB31,000,000), which matures
at various times in 2023. Baoding Huanrun Trading Co. is one of our major suppliers of raw materials. This helps us to maintain a good
relationship with the supplier and negotiate for better terms in payment for materials. If Huanrun Trading Co. were to become insolvent,
the Company could be materially adversely affected. Except as aforesaid, we have no material off-balance sheet transactions.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.
ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses
and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13
requires use of a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. In October 2019, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates”, to finalize the effective date delays for
private companies, not-for-profits, and smaller reporting companies applying the CECL standards. The ASU is effective for reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating
the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign
Exchange Risk
While
our reporting currency is the US dollar, almost all of our consolidated revenues and consolidated costs and expenses are denominated
in RMB. All of our assets are denominated in RMB except for some cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivables. As a result, we
are exposed to foreign exchange risks as our revenues and results of operations may be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate
between US dollar and RMB. If the RMB depreciates against the US dollar, the value of our RMB revenues, earnings and assets as expressed
in our US dollar financial statements will decline. We have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to reduce our exposure
to foreign exchange risk.
Inflation
Although
we are generally able to pass along minor incremental cost inflation to our customers, inflation such as increases in the costs of our
products and overhead costs may adversely affect our operating results. We do not believe that inflation in China has had a material
impact on our financial position or results of operations to date, however, a high rate of inflation in the future may have an adverse
effect on our ability to maintain current levels of gross margin and selling and distribution, general and administrative expenses as
a percentage of net revenues if the selling prices of our products do not increase in line with the increased costs.
Item
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our
audited financial statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, together with the report of the independent certified
public accounting firms thereon and the notes thereto, are presented beginning at page F-1.
50
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To: The
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
IT
Tech Packaging, Inc.
Opinion
on the Financial Statements
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IT Tech Packaging, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2021, and 2020,
and the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and
cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the
financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year
period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis
for Opinion
These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company
is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits,
we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error
or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical
Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is
a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the
audit committee and that: (1) related to the accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in anyway our
opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate
opinion on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
We determined that the auditing of deferred tax
asset should be considered a critical audit matter. The principal considerations in determining that this was a critical audit matter
was that the Company had a significant accumulated balance and the carrying value of such assets are subject to estimation, judgment,
and complex calculations. The balance resulted from temporary differences in taxes dues as the result of the difference in timing of recognition
of expenses that are required under generally accepted accounting principles, but may require deferral under local tax regulations. The
Company’s consolidated financial statements include entities in multiple jurisdictions with varying tax laws. These circumstances
lead to estimation and interpretation that may be challenging to assess and evaluate as part of the audit. The audit engagement team addressed
this critical accounting matter by reviewing the Company’s accounting policies, perform extended audit procedures including examination
of relevant local tax laws, testing for arithmetical accuracy of the asset, review of the Company’s assumptions and estimates concerning
future profitability, and independent recalculation of the future tax asset. The engagement team was satisfied with the evidence accumulated
to support our audit opinion and to mitigate the risk of material misstatement to an acceptable level. The accounts that are affected
by this critical audit matter are deferred tax assets, related valuation allowance and income tax expense.
/s/
WWC, P.C .
WWC,
P.C.
Certified
Public Accountants
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since March 25, 2018.
San
Mateo, California
PCAOB
NO.: 1171
March
15, 2022
F- 1
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
AS
OF DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
December
31,
December
31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and bank
balances
$ 11,201,612
$ 4,142,437
Restricted cash
-
-
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 69,053 and $ 34,391 as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)
4,868,934
2,389,057
Inventories
5,844,895
1,233,801
Prepayments and other current
assets
25,796,640
7,051,515
Due
from related parties
7,804,068
92,795
Total current
assets
55,516,149
14,909,605
Prepayment on property, plant
and equipment
43,446,210
21,149,749
Finance lease right-of-use
assets, net
2,286,459
2,397,653
Property, plant, and equipment,
net
126,587,428
145,142,642
Value-added tax recoverable
2,430,277
2,566,195
Deferred
tax asset non-current
11,268,679
13,708,630
Total
Assets
$ 241,535,202
$ 199,874,474
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Short-term bank loans
$ 5,958,561
$ 6,435,348
Current portion of long-term
loans from credit union
6,838,465
4,996,245
Lease liability
210,161
182,852
Accounts payable
10,255
592,391
Advance from customers
39,694
82,625
Due to related parties
727,433
727,433
Accrued payroll and employee
benefits
291,206
224,930
Other payables and accrued
liabilities
5,250,539
4,838,601
Income
taxes payable
1,108,038
259,649
Total current
liabilities
20,434,352
18,340,074
Loans from credit union
2,980,065
4,597,772
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback
155,110
387,087
Lease liability - non-current
152,233
354,107
Derivative
liability
2,063,534
1,115,260
Total liabilities (including amounts of the consolidated VIE without recourse to the Company of $ 17,924,475 and $ 17,950,224 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively)
25,785,294
24,794,300
Commitments
and Contingencies
Stockholders'
Equity
Common stock, 500,000,000 shares authorized, $ 0.001 par value per share, 99,049,900 and 28,535,816 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and December, 31,2020, respectively
99,050
28,536
Additional paid-in capital
88,927,787
53,989,548
Statutory earnings reserve
6,080,574
6,080,574
Accumulated other comprehensive
income
10,496,168
5,740,722
Retained
earnings
110,146,329
109,240,794
Total
stockholders' equity
215,749,908
175,080,174
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$ 241,535,202
$ 199,874,474
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 2
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
Revenues
$ 160,881,720
$ 100,943,269
Cost of sales
( 149,864,161 )
( 95,241,284 )
Gross Profit
11,017,559
5,701,985
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
( 9,558,190 )
( 11,157,789 )
Gain
on acquisition of a subsidiary
-
-
Income
(Loss) from Operations
1,459,369
( 5,455,804 )
Other Income
(Expense):
Interest income
38,766
32,033
Subsidy income
198,530
220,478
Interest expense
( 1,124,702 )
( 1,026,512 )
Gain
(Loss) on derivative liability
5,880,526
( 426,055 )
Income
(Loss) before Income Taxes
6,452,489
( 6,655,860 )
Provision
for Income Taxes
( 5,546,954 )
1,101,858
Net Income
(Loss)
905,535
( 5,554,002 )
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
4,755,446
11,798,259
Total
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$ 5,660,981
$ 6,244,257
Earnings (Losses) Per Share:
Basic
and Diluted Earnings (Losses) per Share
$ 0.02
$ ( 0.21 )
Outstanding
– Basic and Diluted
59,849,082
26,498,298
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Accumulated
Additional
Statutory
Other
Common Stock
Paid-in
Earnings
Comprehensive
Retained
Shares
Amount
Capital
Reserve
Income
(loss)
Earnings
Total
Balance
at December 31, 2019
22,054,816
$ 22,055
$ 51,155,174
$ 6,080,574
$ ( 6,057,537 )
$ 114,794,796
$ 165,995,062
Issuance
of shares to officer and directors
2,000,000
2,000
1,198,000
1,200,000
Issuance
of shares
4,400,000
4,400
1,579,755
1,584,155
Issuance
of shares to a consultant
60,000
60
41,940
42,000
Issuance
of shares to a consultant
21,000
21
14,679
14,700
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
11,798,259
11,798,259
Net
loss
( 5,554,002 )
( 5,554,002 )
Balance
at December 31, 2020
28,535,816
$ 28,536
$ 53,989,548
$ 6,080,574
$ 5,740,722
$ 109,240,794
$ 175,080,174
Issuance
of shares to institutional investors
26,181,818
26,182
8,002,488
8,028,670
Issuance
of shares to public investors
29,277,866
29,278
15,585,867
15,615,145
Exercise
of warrants
15,054,400
15,054
11,349,884
11,364,938
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
4,775,446
4,775,446
Net
income
905,535
905,535
Balance
at December 31, 2021
99,049,900
$ 99,050
$ 88,927,787
$ 6,080,574
$ 10,496,168
$ 110,146,329
$ 215,749,908
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 4
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND 2020
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
Cash Flows from Operating
Activities:
Net income
$ 905,535
$ ( 5,554,002 )
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
15,358,452
15,793,854
(Gain) Loss on derivative
liability
( 5,880,526 )
426,055
(Recovery from) Allowance
for bad debts
33,480
( 28,087 )
Share-based compensation and
expenses
-
1,256,700
Deferred tax
2,730,050
( 2,364,575 )
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
( 2,430,495 )
923,429
Prepayments and other current
assets
( 8,350,716 )
5,301,953
Inventories
( 4,531,263 )
458,878
Accounts payable
( 589,371 )
307,198
Advance from customers
( 44,366 )
( 21,281 )
Related parties
( 785,097 )
1,984,619
Accrued payroll and employee
benefits
60,334
( 82,516 )
Other payables and accrued
liabilities
254,966
( 1,105,508 )
Income
taxes payable
832,946
( 1,153,191 )
Net
Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities
( 2,436,071 )
16,143,526
Cash Flows
from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property, plant
and equipment
( 25,071,372 )
( 21,106,210 )
Proceeds
from sale of property, plant and equipment
-
580,206
Net
Cash Used in Investing Activities
( 25,071,372 )
( 20,526,004 )
Cash Flows
from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of
shares and warrants, net
41,837,553
2,273,360
Proceeds from short term bank
loans
5,892,298
6,090,715
Repayment of bank loans
( 6,512,703 )
( 6,237,217 )
Payment of capital lease obligation
( 185,050 )
( 72,003 )
Loan
to a related party
( 6,838,274 )
-
Net
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
34,193,824
2,054,855
Effect
of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
372,794
632,315
Net Increase
(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
7,059,175
( 1,695,308 )
Cash,
Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - Beginning of Year
4,142,437
5,837,745
Cash,
Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash - End of Year
$ 11,201,612
$ 4,142,437
Supplemental
Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash
paid for interest, net of capitalized interest cost
$ 577,194
$ 592,140
Cash
paid for income taxes
$ 1,970,984
$ 2,401,191
Cash and bank balances
11,201,612
4,142,437
Restricted
cash
-
-
Total
cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows
11,201,612
4,142,437
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1)
Organization and Business Background
IT
Tech Packaging, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Nevada on December 9, 2005, under the name “Carlateral,
Inc.” Through the steps described immediately below, we became the holding company for Hebei Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company
Limited (“Dongfang Paper”), a producer and distributor of paper products in China, on October 29, 2007.
Effective
on August 1, 2018, we changed our corporate name to IT Tech Packaging, Inc.. The name change was effected through a parent/subsidiary
short-form merger of IT Tech Packaging, Inc., our wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary formed solely for the purpose of the name change, with
and into us. We were the surviving entity. In connection with the name change, our common stock began being traded under a new NYSE symbol,
“ITP,” and a new CUSIP number, 46527C100, at such time.
On
October 29, 2007, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”), the Company acquired Dongfang Zhiye
Holding Limited (“Dongfang Holding”), a corporation formed on November 13, 2006 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands,
and issued the shareholders of Dongfang Holding an aggregate of 7,450,497 (as adjusted for a four-for-one reverse stock split effected
in November 2009) shares of our common stock, which shares were distributed pro-rata to the shareholders of Dongfang Holding in accordance
with their respective ownership interests in Dongfang Holding. At the time of the Merger Agreement, Dongfang Holding owned all of the
issued and outstanding stock and ownership of Dongfang Paper and such shares of Dongfang Paper were held in trust with Zhenyong Liu,
Xiaodong Liu and Shuangxi Zhao, for Mr. Liu, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhao (the original shareholders of Dongfang Paper) to exercise control over
the disposition of Dongfang Holding’s shares in Dongfang Paper on Dongfang Holding’s behalf until Dongfang Holding successfully
completed the change in registration of Dongfang Paper’s capital with the relevant PRC Administration of Industry and Commerce
as the 100 % owner of Dongfang Paper’s shares. As a result of the merger transaction, Dongfang Holding became a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company, and Dongfang Holding’s wholly owned subsidiary, Dongfang Paper, became an indirectly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Dongfang
Holding, as the 100 % owner of Dongfang Paper, was unable to complete the registration of Dongfang Paper’s capital under its name
within the proper time limits set forth under PRC law. In connection with the consummation of the restructuring transactions described
below, Dongfang Holding directed the trustees to return the shares of Dongfang Paper to their original shareholders, and the original
Dongfang Paper shareholders entered into certain agreements with Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd. (“Baoding Shengde”) to transfer
the control of Dongfang Paper over to Baoding Shengde.
On
June 24, 2009, the Company consummated a number of restructuring transactions pursuant to which it acquired all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Shengde Holdings Inc., a Nevada corporation. Shengde Holdings Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 25,
2009. On June 1, 2009, Shengde Holdings Inc. incorporated Baoding Shengde, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
PRC. Because Baoding Shengde is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shengde Holdings Inc., it is regarded as a wholly foreign-owned entity under
PRC law.
F- 6
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To
ensure proper compliance of the Company’s control over the ownership and operations of Dongfang Paper with certain PRC regulations,
on June 24, 2009, the Company entered into a series of contractual agreements (the “Contractual Agreements”) with Dongfang
Paper and Dongfang Paper Equity Owners via the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary Shengde Holdings Inc. (“Shengde Holdings”)
a Nevada corporation and Baoding Shengde Paper Co., Ltd. (“Baoding Shengde”), a wholly foreign-owned enterprise in the PRC
with an original registered capital of $ 10,000,000 (subsequently increased to $ 60,000,000 in June 2010). Baoding Shengde is mainly engaged
in production and distribution of digital photo paper and single-use face masks and is 100 % owned by Shengde Holdings. Prior to February
10, 2010, the Contractual Agreements included (i) Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement, which generally provides
that Baoding Shengde shall provide exclusive technical, business and management consulting services to Dongfang Paper, in exchange for
service fees including a fee equivalent to 80 % of Dongfang Paper’s total annual net profits; (ii) Loan Agreement, which provides
that Baoding Shengde will make a loan in the aggregate principal amount of $ 10,000,000 to Dongfang Paper Equity Owners in exchange for
each such shareholder agreeing to contribute all of its proceeds from the loan to the registered capital of Dongfang Paper; (iii) Call
Option Agreement, which generally provides, among other things, that Dongfang Paper Equity Owners irrevocably grant to Baoding Shengde
an option to purchase all or part of each owner’s equity interest in Dongfang Paper. The exercise price for the options shall be
RMB1 which Baoding Shengde should pay to each of Dongfang Paper Equity Owner for all their equity interests in Dongfang Paper; (iv) Share
Pledge Agreement, which provides that Dongfang Paper Equity Owners will pledge all of their equity interests in Dongfang Paper to Baoding
Shengde as security for their obligations under the other agreements described in this section. Specifically, Baoding Shengde is entitled
to dispose of the pledged equity interests in the event that Dongfang Paper Equity Owners breach their obligations under the Loan Agreement
or Dongfang Paper fails to pay the service fees to Baoding Shengde pursuant to the Exclusive Technical Service and Business Consulting
Agreement; and (v) Proxy Agreement, which provides that Dongfang Paper Equity Owners shall irrevocably entrust a designee of Baoding
Shengde with such shareholder’s voting rights and the right to represent such shareholder to exercise such owner’s rights
at any equity owners’ meeting of Dongfang Paper or with respect to any equity owner action to be taken in accordance with the laws
and Dongfang Paper’s Articles of Association. The terms of the agreement are binding on the parties for as long as Dongfang Paper
Equity Owners continue to hold any equity interest in Dongfang Paper. A Dongfang Paper Equity Owner will cease to be a party to the agreement
once it transfers its equity interests with the prior approval of Baoding Shengde. As the Company had controlled Dongfang Paper since
July 16, 2007 through Dongfang Holding and the trust until June 24, 2009 and continued to control Dongfang Paper through Baoding Shengde
and the Contractual Agreements, the execution of the Contractual Agreements is considered as a business combination under common control.
On
February 10, 2010, Baoding Shengde and the Dongfang Paper Equity Owners entered into a Termination of Loan Agreement to terminate the
above-mentioned $ 10,000,000 Loan Agreement. Because of the Company’s decision to fund future business expansions through Baoding
Shengde instead of Dongfang Paper, the $ 10,000,000 loan contemplated was never made prior to the point of termination. The parties believe
the termination of the Loan Agreement does not in itself compromise the effective control of the Company over Dongfang Paper and its
businesses in the PRC.
An
agreement was also entered into among Baoding Shengde, Dongfang Paper and the Dongfang Paper Equity Owners on December 31, 2010, reiterating
that Baoding Shengde is entitled to 100 % of the distributable profit of Dongfang Paper, pursuant to the above- mentioned Contractual
Agreements. In addition, Dongfang Paper and the Dongfang Paper Equity Owners shall not declare any of Dongfang Paper’s unappropriated
earnings as dividend, including the unappropriated earnings of Dongfang Paper from its establishment to 2010 and thereafter.
On
June 25, 2019, Dongfang Paper entered into an acquisition agreement with shareholder of Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd. (“Hebei
Tengsheng”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the PRC, pursuant to which Dongfang Paper will acquire Hebei
Tengsheng. Full payment of the consideration in the amount of RMB 320 million (approximately $ 45 million) was made on February 23, 2022.
The
Company has no direct equity interest in Dongfang Paper. However, through the Contractual Agreements described above, the Company is
found to be the primary beneficiary (the “Primary Beneficiary”) of Dongfang Paper and is deemed to have the effective control
over Dongfang Paper’s activities that most significantly affect its economic performance, resulting in Dongfang Paper being treated
as a controlled variable interest entity of the Company in accordance with Topic 810 - Consolidation of the Accounting Standards Codification
(the “ASC”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standard Board (the “FASB”). The revenue generated from Dongfang
Paper for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was accounted for 99.11 %and 98.91 % of the Company’s total revenue, respectively.
Dongfang Paper also accounted for 84.13 % and 90.70 % of the total assets of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
F- 7
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, details of the Company’s subsidiaries and variable interest entity are as follows:
Date
of
Place
of
Percentage
Incorporation
Incorporation
or
of
Name
or
Establishment
Establishment
Ownership
Principal
Activity
Subsidiary:
Dongfang Holding
November 13, 2006
BVI
100 %
Inactive investment holding
Shengde Holdings
February 25, 2009
State of Nevada
100 %
Investment holding
Baoding Shengde
June 1, 2009
PRC
100 %
Paper production and distribution
Variable
interest entity (“VIE”):
Dongfang Paper
March 10, 1996
PRC
Control*
Paper production and distribution
* Dongfang Paper is treated as a 100 % controlled variable interest entity of the Company.
However,
uncertainties in the PRC legal system could cause the Company’s current ownership structure to be found to be in violation of any
existing and/or future PRC laws or regulations and could limit the Company’s ability, through its subsidiary, to enforce its rights
under these contractual arrangements. Furthermore, shareholders of the VIE may have interests that are different than those of the Company,
which could potentially increase the risk that they would seek to act contrary to the terms of the aforementioned agreements.
In
addition, if the current structure or any of the contractual arrangements were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC
law, the Company may be subject to penalties, which may include, but not be limited to, the cancellation or revocation of the Company’s
business and operating licenses, being required to restructure the Company’s operations or being required to discontinue the Company’s
operating activities. The imposition of any of these or other penalties may result in a material and adverse effect on the Company’s
ability to conduct its operations. In such case, the Company may not be able to operate or control the VIE, which may result in deconsolidation
of the VIE. The Company believes the possibility that it will no longer be able to control and consolidate its VIE will occur as a result
of the aforementioned risks and uncertainties is remote.
F- 8
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
Company has aggregated the financial information of Dongfang Paper in the table below. The aggregate carrying value of Dongfang Paper’s
assets and liabilities (after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances) in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets
as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 are as follows:
December
31,
December
31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and bank
balances
$ 1,921,407
$ 3,315,778
Restricted cash
-
-
Accounts receivable
4,867,759
2,389,057
Inventories
5,823,762
1,223,020
Prepayments and other current
assets
19,942,878
7,051,381
Due from related parties
888,893
92,795
Total current
assets
33,444,699
14,072,031
Prepayment on property, plant
and equipment
41,877,755
19,617,159
Finance lease right-of-use
assets, net
2,286,459
2,397,653
Property, plant, and equipment,
net
116,054,387
133,134,932
Deferred
tax asset non-current
9,547,741
12,040,962
Total
Assets
$ 203,211,041
$ 181,262,737
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
Short-term bank loans
$ 5,958,561
$ 6,435,348
Current portion of long-term
loans from credit union
2,289,945
551,733
Lease liability
210,161
182,852
Accounts payable
10,255
592,391
Advance from customers
39,694
82,625
Due to related parties
-
-
Accrued payroll and employee
benefits
279,513
221,482
Other payables and accrued
liabilities
4,740,900
4,672,265
Income taxes payable
1,108,038
259,649
Total current
liabilities
14,637,067
12,998,345
Loans from credit union
2,980,065
4,597,772
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback
155,110
387,087
Lease
liability - non-current
152,233
354,107
Total
liabilities
$ 17,924,475
$ 17,950,224
F- 9
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are not required to provide financial support to the VIE, and no creditor (or beneficial interest
holders) of the VIE have recourse to the assets of Company unless the Company separately agrees to be subject to such claims. There are
no terms in any agreements or arrangements, implicit or explicit, which require the Company or its subsidiaries to provide financial
support to the VIE. However, if the VIE does require financial support, the Company or its subsidiaries may, at its option and subject
to statutory limits and restrictions, provide financial support to the VIE.
(2)
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis
of Consolidation
The
consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America (“US GAAP”), and include the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of all subsidiaries
and variable interest entity. All significant inter-company balances, transactions and cash flows are eliminated on consolidation.
Foreign
Currency Translation
The
Company accounts for foreign currency translation pursuant to ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters . The functional currency
of Dongfang Paper and Baoding Shengde is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (“RMB”). Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in
currencies other than RMB are translated into RMB at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in currencies
other than RMB are converted into RMB at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing the transactions occurred. Transaction gains and
losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of income. The functional currency of IT Tech Packaging and Shengde Holdings is
United States dollars. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than United States dollars are translated into
United States dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Translation in currencies other than United States dollars
are converted into United States dollars at the applicable rates of exchange prevailing when the transactions occurred. Transaction gains
or losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of income.
Under
ASC Topic 830-30, all assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars using the current exchange rate at the end of
each fiscal period. The current exchange rates used by the Company as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 to translate the Chinese RMB to
the U.S. Dollars are 6.3757:1, and 6.5249:1, respectively. Revenues and expenses are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing
throughout the respective years at 6.4474:1 and 6.8941:1 for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Translation adjustments
are included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, and revenues and expenses for the years ended
December 31, 2021, and 2020. The most significant estimates relate to allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory valuation,
useful lives and impairment for property, plant and equipment, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and contingencies. Actual
results could differ from those estimates made by management.
F- 10
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Accounts
Receivable
Trade
accounts receivable are recorded on shipment of products to customers. The trade receivables are all without customer collateral and
interest is not accrued on past due accounts. Periodically, management reviews the adequacy of its provision for doubtful accounts based
on historical bad debt expense results and current economic conditions using factors based on the aging of its accounts receivable. Additionally,
the Company may identify additional allowance requirements based on indications that a specific customer may be experiencing financial
difficulties. Actual bad debt results could differ materially from these estimates. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the balance of
allowance for doubtful accounts was $ 69,053 and $ 34,391 , respectively; and the movement of the provision of the doubtful accounts is
as below. While management uses the best information available upon which to base estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may
be necessary if economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used for the purposes of analysis.
December
31,
December
31,
Allowance
of doubtful accounts
2021
2020
Opening balance
$ 34,391
$ 59,922
Provision (Reversal) for the
year
33,480
( 28,087 )
Exchange
difference
1,181
2,556
Closing
balance
$ 69,053
$ 34,391
Inventories
Inventories
consist principally of raw materials and finished goods, and are stated at the lower of cost (average cost method) or market. Cost includes
labor, raw materials, and allocated overhead. Provision in inventories were $ nil for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Property,
Plant, and Equipment
Property,
plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Major renewals, betterments, and improvements
are capitalized to the asset accounts while replacements, maintenance, and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective
assets, are expensed to operations. At the time property, plant, and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related
accumulated depreciation or amortization accounts are relieved of the applicable amounts. Gains or losses from retirements or sales are
credited or charged to operations.
Construction-in-progress
is stated at cost and capitalized as expenses are incurred or as payments are made pursuant to relevant construction contracts. Contract
retention is recorded as accrued liability. Construction in progress is not depreciated until project completion and the constructed
property being placed in service, at which time the capitalized balance will be transferred to appropriate account of property, plant
and equipment.
The
Company depreciates property, plant, and equipment using the straight-line method as follows:
Land use right
Over the lease term
Building and improvements
30 years
Machinery and equipment
5 - 15 years
Vehicles
15 years
Valuation
of long-lived asset
The
Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events and circumstances warrants such a review. The
carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately
identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value
exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset and intangible assets. Fair market value is determined primarily using the anticipated
cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets and intangible assets to be disposed
are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for the cost to dispose.
F- 11
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statutory
Reserves
According
to the laws and regulations in the PRC, the Company is required to provide for certain statutory funds, namely, a reserve fund by an
appropriation from net profit after taxation but before dividend distribution based on the local statutory financial statements of the
PRC subsidiary and variable interest entity prepared in accordance with the PRC accounting principles and relevant financial regulations.
Each
of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary and variable interest entity in the PRC are required to allocate at least 10 % of its net
profit to the reserve fund until the balance of such fund has reached 50 % of its registered capital. Appropriations of additional reserve
fund are determined at the discretion of its directors. The reserve fund can only be used, upon approval by the relevant authority, to
offset accumulated losses or increase capital.
For
the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, IT Tech Packaging made transfers of $ nil to this reserve fund. No statutory reserves were
provided for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 2020. The Company’s variable interest entity Dongfang Paper, the statutory reserve
account of which has been fully funded for 50 % of its registered capital in the amount of RMB 75,030,000 (or approximately $ 11,811,470 )
since December 31, 2010, did not make any transfer to statutory reserves during the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Employee
Benefit Plan
Full
time employees of the PRC entities participate in a government mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain
pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. The total provision for
such employee benefits was $ nil for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , and all subsequent ASUs that modified ASC 606 on April 1,
2017 using the full retrospective method which requires the Company to present the financial statements for all periods as if Topic 606
had been applied to all prior periods. The company derives revenue principally from producing and sales of paper products. Revenue from
contracts with customers is recognized using the following five steps:
1.
Identify the contract(s) with
a customer;
2.
Identify the performance obligations
in the contract;
3.
Determine the transaction price;
4.
Allocate the transaction price
to the performance obligations in the contract; and
5.
Recognize revenue when (or
as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
A
contract contains a promise (or promises) to transfer goods or services to a customer. A performance obligation is a promise (or a group
of promises) that is distinct. The transaction price is the amount of consideration a company expects to be entitled from a customer
in exchange for providing the goods or services.
The
unit of account for revenue recognition is a performance obligation (a good or service). A contract may contain one or more performance
obligations. Performance obligations are accounted for separately if they are distinct. A good or service is distinct if the customer
can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer, and
the good or service is distinct in the context of the contract. Otherwise, performance obligations are combined with other promised goods
or services until the Company identifies a bundle of goods or services that is distinct. Promises in contracts which do not result in
the transfer of a good or service are not performance obligations, as well as those promises that are administrative in nature, or are
immaterial in the context of the contract. The Company has addressed whether various goods and services promised to the customer represent
distinct performance obligations. The Company applied the guidance of ASC Topic 606-10-25-16 through 18 in order to verify which promises
should be assessed for classification as distinct performance obligations.
The
Company’s revenue is primary derived from sales of paper products. The Company recognizes revenue when goods are delivered, when
a formal arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the delivery is completed, no other significant obligations of the Company
exist, and collectability is reasonably assured. Goods are considered delivered when customer’s truck picks up goods at the Company’s
finished goods inventory warehouse.
Shipping
Cost
Substantially
all customers use their own trucks or hire commercial trucking companies to pick up goods from the Company. The Company usually incurs
no shipping cost for delivery of goods to customers. For those rare situations where products are not shipped utilizing customer specified
shipping services, the Company charges customers a shipping fee which is included in net revenues and was not material. Freight-in and
handling costs incurred by the Company with respect to purchased goods are recorded as a component of inventory cost and charged to cost
of sales when the inventory items are sold.
F- 12
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Advertising
The
Company expenses all advertising and promotion costs as incurred. The Company incurred $ 3,972 and $ nil of advertising and promotion costs
for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Research
and development costs
Research
and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Research and development
expenses incurred $ 101,410 and $ 69,208 for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
Borrowing
costs
Borrowing
costs attributable directly to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets which require a substantial period of
time to be ready for their intended use or sale, are capitalized as part of the cost of those assets. Income earned on temporary investments
of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on those assets is deducted from borrowing costs capitalized. All other borrowing costs
are recognized in interest expenses in the period in which they are incurred.
Government
subsidies
A
government subsidy is not recognized until there is reasonable assurance that: (a) the enterprise will comply with the conditions attached
to the grant; and(b)the grant will be received. When the Company receives government subsidies but the conditions attached to the grants
have not been fulfilled, such government subsidies are deferred and recorded under other payables and accrued expenses, and other long-term
liability. The classification of short-term or long-term liabilities is depended on the management’s expectation of when the conditions
attached to the grant can be fulfilled. For the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company received government subsidies of
$ 198,530 and $ 220,478 , which are recognized as subsidy income in the consolidated statements of income in that fiscal year.
Income
Taxes
The
Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Income taxes are provided on an asset and liability approach
for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. Any tax paid by subsidiaries during the year is recorded. Current tax is based
on the profit or loss from ordinary activities adjusted for items that are non-assessable or disallowable for income tax purpose and
is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. ASC Topic 740 also requires
the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statements and
the tax basis of assets and liabilities, and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax losses and tax credit carry-forwards.
ASC Topic 740 additionally requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of realization of deferred tax
assets. Realization of deferred tax assets, including those related to the U.S. net operating loss carry-forwards, are dependent upon
future earnings, if any, of which the timing and amount are uncertain.
The
Company adopted ASC Topic 740-10-05, Income Tax , which provides guidance for recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions,
it prescribes a threshold condition that a tax position must meet for any of the benefits of the uncertain tax position to be recognized
in the financial statements. It also provides accounting guidance on derecognizing, classification and disclosure of these uncertain
tax positions.
The
Company’s policy on classification of all interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax positions, if any, is to present
them as a component of income tax expense.
Value
Added Tax
Both
the PRC subsidiary and variable interest entity of the Company are subject to value added tax (“VAT”) imposed by the PRC
government on its purchase and sales of goods. The output VAT is charged to customers who purchase goods from the Company and the input
VAT is paid when the Company purchases goods from its vendors. VAT rate is 17 % (before May 1, 2018), 16 % (after May 1, 2018) and 13 %
(after April 1, 2019) in general, depending on the types of products purchased and sold. The input VAT can be offset against the output
VAT. Debit balance of VAT payable represents a credit against future collection of output VAT instead of a receivable due from government.
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
The
Company presents comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income . ASC Topic 220 states that
all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income (loss) be reported in the
consolidated financial statements. The components of comprehensive income (loss) were the net income for the years and the foreign currency
translation adjustments.
F- 13
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Earnings
Per Share
Basic
earnings per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to the common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to basic earnings per share except that
the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potential common
shares had been issued and if the additional common shares were dilutive. There were no potentially dilutive securities that were in-the-money
that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2021.
Share-Based
Compensation
The
Company uses the fair value recognition provision of ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires the Company
to expense the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of
such instruments over the vesting period.
The
Company also applies the provisions of ASC Topic 505-50, Equity Based Payments to Non-Employees to account for stock-based compensation
awards issued to non-employees for services. Such awards for services are recorded at either the fair value of the consideration received
or the fair value of the instruments issued in exchange for such services, whichever is more reliably measurable.
Fair
Value Measurements
The
Company has adopted ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. It does not require any new fair value measurement, but provides
guidance on how to measure fair value by providing a fair value hierarchy used to classify the source of the information. It establishes
a three-level valuation hierarchy of valuation techniques based on observable and unobservable inputs, which may be used to measure fair
value and include the following:
Level
1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level
2 - Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities;
quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for
substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level
3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or
liabilities.
Classification
within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The
Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments using the available market information and valuation methods. Considerable
judgment is required in estimating fair value. Accordingly, the estimates of fair value may not be indicative of the amounts that the
Company could realize in a current market exchange. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the carrying value of the Company’s short
term financial instruments, such as cash and bank balances, accounts receivable, accounts and notes payable, short-term bank loans and
balance due to related parties, approximate at their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments; while loans from
credit union approximates at their fair value as the interest rates thereon are close to the market rates of interest published by the
People’s Bank of China.
Derivative
liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Non-Recurring
Fair Value Measurements
The
Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the possibility
of impairment. For the continuing operations, long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when there is an indicator
of impairment, and they are recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized. For discontinued operations, long-lived assets
are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. The fair value of these assets was determined using models
with significant unobservable inputs which were classified as Level 3 inputs, primarily the discounted future cash flow.
F- 14
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(3)
Restricted Cash
Restricted
cash was nil as of December 31, 2021 and 2020.
(4)
Inventories
Raw
materials inventory includes mainly recycled paper and coal. Finished goods include mainly products of corrugating medium paper and offset
printing paper. Inventories consisted of the following as of and December 31, 2021, and 2020:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Raw Materials
Recycled
paper board
$ 2,097,062
$ 19,459
Recycled
white scrap paper
11,808
11,193
Gas
32,753
55,473
Base
paper and other raw materials
206,531
181,426
2,348,154
267,551
Semi-finished Goods
96,087
176,703
Finished
Goods
3,400,654
789,547
Total inventory, gross
5,844,895
1,233,801
Inventory
reserve
-
-
Total
inventory, net
$ 5,844,895
$ 1,233,801
(5)
Prepayments and other current assets
Prepayments
and other current assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2021, and 2020:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Prepaid land lease
$ 188,215
$ 183,912
Prepayment for purchase of
materials
9,190,527
10,945
Prepayment for purchase of
equipment
980,786
-
Value-added tax recoverable
14,740,296
5,864,989
Others
696,816
991,669
$ 25,796,640
$ 7,051,515
(6)
Property, plant and equipment
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Property, Plant, and Equipment:
Land use rights
$ 12,790,062
$ 12,497,601
Building and improvements
74,609,698
81,233,162
Machinery and equipment
170,149,367
163,787,807
Vehicles
725,838
628,462
Construction
in progress
-
586,216
Totals
258,274,965
258,733,248
Less:
accumulated depreciation and amortization
( 131,687,537 )
( 113,590,606 )
Property,
Plant and Equipment, net
$ 126,587,428
$ 145,142,642
F- 15
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, land use rights represented two parcel of state-owned lands located in Xushui District of Hebei Province
in China, with lease terms of 50 years expiring from 2061 to 2066.
Construction
in progress mainly represents payments for paper machine of a new tissue paper production line PM10.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, certain property, plant and equipment of Dongfang Paper with net values of $ 1,130,333 and $ 2,349,796 ,
respectively, have been pledged pursuant to a long-term loan from credit union of Dongfang Paper. Land use right of Dongfang Paper with
net values of $ 6,002,195 and $ 6,010,359 , respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was pledged for the bank loan from Bank of Industrial
& Commercial Bank of China. Land use right of Hebei Tengsheng with net value of $5,690,261 and $5,560,146 , respectively, as of December
31, 2021 and 2020 was pledged for a long-term loan from credit union of Baoding Shengde. In addition, land use right of Hebei Tengsheng
with net value of $ 8,815,778 and $ 8,614,194 , respectively, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was pledged for another long-term loan from
credit union of Baoding Shengde. See “ Short-term bank loans ” under Note (7), Loans Payable, for details of the transaction
and asset collaterals.
Depreciation
and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $ 15,304,686 and $ 15,793,854 for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
No Impairment loss was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020.
(7)
Financing with Sale-Leaseback
The
Company entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement (the “Lease Financing Agreement”) with TAC Leasing Co., Ltd.(“TLCL”)
on August 6, 2020, for a total financing proceeds in the amount of RMB 16 million (approximately US$ 2.5 million). Under the sale-leaseback
arrangement, Hebei Tengsheng sold the Leased Equipment to TLCL for 16 million (approximately US$ 2.5 million). Concurrent with the sale
of equipment, Hebei Tengsheng leases back the equipment sold to TLCL for a lease term of three years . At the end of the lease term, Hebei
Tengsheng may pay a nominal purchase price of RMB 100 (approximately $ 15 ) to TLCL and buy back the Leased Equipment. The Leased Equipment
in amount of $ 2,349,452 was recorded as right of use assets and the net present value of the minimum lease payments was recorded as lease
liability and calculated with TLCL’s implicit interest rate of15. 6 % per annum and stated at $ 567,099 at the inception of the lease
on August 17, 2020.
Hebei
Tengsheng made payments due according to the schedule. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the balance of Leased Equipment net of amortization
was $ 2,286,459 and $ 2,397,653 , respectively. The lease liability were $ 362,394 and $ 536,959 , and its current portion in the amount of
$ 210,161 and $ 182,852 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Amortization
of the Leased Equipment was $ 165,441 and $ 51,574 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total interest expenses
for the sale lease back arrangement was $ 71,798 and $ 28,083 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
As
a result of the sale and leaseback, a deferred gain in the amount of $ 430,695 was recorded. The deferred gain is amortized over the lease
term and as an offset to amortization of the Leased Equipment.
The
future minimum lease payments of the capital lease as of December 31, 2021 were as follows:
December
31,
Amount
2022
259,736
2023
151,513
Less:
unearned discount
( 48,855 )
362,394
Less:
Current portion lease liability
( 210,161 )
$ 152,233
(8)
Loans Payable
Short-term
bank loans
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) Loan 1
$ -
$ 6,435,348
Industrial
and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) Loan 2
5,958,561
-
Total
short-term bank loans
$ 5,958,561
$ 6,435,348
F- 16
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
December 11, 2020, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $ 6,435,348 as of December
31, 2020. The working capital loan was secured by the Land use right of Dongfang Paper as collateral for the benefit of the bank. The
loan bears a fixed interest rate of 4.785 % per annum. The loan was fully repaid in November 2021.
On
November 25, 2021, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $ 5,958,561 as of December
31, 2021. The working capital loan was secured by the Land use right of Dongfang Paper as collateral for the benefit of the bank and
guaranteed by Mr. liu. The loan bears a fixed interest rate of 4.785 % per annum. The loan will be due and repaid at various installments
by November 17, 2022.
As
of December 31, 2020, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $ 5,958,561 and unsecured bank loans of $ nil . As of December 31,
2020, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $ 6,435,348 and unsecured bank loans of $ nil .
The
average short-term borrowing rates for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 were approximately 4.73 % and 4.79 %, respectively.
Long-term
loans from credit union
As
of December 31, 2020, and 2019, loans payable to Rural Credit Union of Xushui County, amounted to $ 9,818,530 and $ 9,594,017 , respectively.
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Rural Credit Union
of Xushui District Loan 1
$ 1,348,871
$ 1,318,028
Rural Credit Union of Xushui
District Loan 2
3,921,139
3,831,476
Rural Credit Union of Xushui
District Loan 3
2,509,528
2,452,145
Rural
Credit Union of Xushui District Loan 4
2,038,992
1,992,368
Total
9,818,530
9,594,017
Less:
Current portion of long-term loans from credit union
( 6,838,465 )
( 4,996,245 )
Long-term
loans from credit union
$ 2,980,065
$ 4,597,772
As
of Dec 31, 2021, the Company’s long-term debt repayments for the next two years were as follows:
Amount
Fiscal year
2022
$ 6,838,465
2023
and after
2,980,065
Total
9,818,530
On
April 16, 2014, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 5 years, which
was originally due in various installments from June 21, 2014 to November 18, 2018. The loan is guaranteed by an independent third party.
Interest payment is due quarterly and bears the rate of 0.64 % per month. On November 6, 2018, the loan was renewed for additional 5 years
and will be due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2018 to November 5, 2023. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, total
outstanding loan balance was $ 1,348,871 and $ 1,318,028 , respectively, Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion amounted
were $ 329,376 and $ 214,563 as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated
balance sheet and the remaining balance of $ 1,019,495 and $ 1,103,465 are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance
sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
On
July 15, 2013, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 5 years, which
was originally due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2013 to July 26, 2018. On June 21, 2018, the loan was extended
for additional 5 years and will be due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2018 to June 20, 2023. The loan is secured
by certain of the Company’s manufacturing equipment with net book value of $ 1,130,333 and $ 2,349,796 as of December 31, 2021, and
2020, respectively. Interest payment is due quarterly and bears a fixed rate of 0.64 % per month. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the
total outstanding loan balance was $ 3,921,139 and $ 3,831,476 , respectively. Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion
amounted were $ 1,960,569 and $ 337,169 as of December 31, 2021, and 2020 respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the
consolidated balance sheet and the remaining balance of $ 1,960,570 and $ 3,494,307 are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively.
F- 17
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
April 17, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 2 years, which
was due and payable in various installments from August 21, 2019 to April 16, 2021. The loan was renewed on March 22, 2021 and December
24, 2021 and extended for additional 3 years in total, which will be due on April 16, 2024 according to the new schedule. The loan is
secured by Hebei Tengsheng with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due quarterly
and bears a fixed rate of 0.6 % per month. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the total outstanding loan balance was $ 2,509,528 and $ 2,452,145 ,
respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
On
December 12, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with the Rural Credit Union of Xushui District for a term of 2 years, which
is due and payable in various installments from June 21, 2020 to December 11, 2021. The loan was renewed on March 22, 2021 and December
24, 2021 and extended for additional 3 years in total, which will be due on December 11, 2024 according to the new schedule. The loan
is secured by Hebei Tengsheng with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due monthly
and bears a fixed rate of 7.56 % per annum. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the total outstanding loan balance was $ 2,038,992 and $ 1,992,368 ,
respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
Total
interest expenses for the short-term bank loans and long-term loans for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 were $ 1,052,904 and
$ 998,429 , respectively.
(9)
Related Party Transactions
Mr.
Zhenyong Liu has loaned money to Dongfang Paper for working capital purposes over a period of time. On January 1, 2013, Dongfang Paper
and Mr. Zhenyong Liu renewed the three-year term loan previously entered on January 1, 2010, and extended the maturity date further to
December 31, 2015. On December 31, 2015, the Company paid off the loan of $ 2,249,279 , together with interest of $ 391,374 for the period
from 2013 to 2015. Approximately $ 402,047 and $ 392,855 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which were recorded in other
payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, and 2020,
respectively.
On
December 10, 2014, Mr. Zhenyong Liu provided a loan to the Company, amounted to $ 8,742,278 to Dongfang Paper for working capital purpose
with an interest rate of 4.35 % per annum, which was based on the primary lending rate of People’s Bank of China. The unsecured
loan was provided on December 10, 2014, and would be originally due on December 10, 2017. During the year of 2016, the Company repaid
$ 6,012,416 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together with interest of $ 288,596 . In February 2018, the company paid off the remaining balance, together
with interest of $ 20,400 . As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, approximately $ 47,054 and $ 45,978 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong
Liu, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
On
March 1, 2015, the Company entered an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu which allows Dongfang Paper to borrow from the CEO an amount up
to $ 17,201,342 (RMB 120,000,000 ) for working capital purposes. The advances or funding under the agreement are due three years from the
date each amount is funded. The loan is unsecured and carries an annual interest rate set on the basis of the primary lending rate of
the People’s Bank of China at the time of the borrowing. On July 13, 2015, an unsecured amount of $ 4,324,636 was drawn from the
facility. On October 14, 2016 an unsecured amount of $ 2,883,091 was drawn from the facility. In February 2018, the company repaid $ 1,507,432
to Mr. Zhenyong Liu. The loan would be originally due on July 12, 2018. Mr. Zhenyong Liu agreed to extend the loan for additional 3 years
and the remaining balance will be due on July 12, 2021. On November 23, 2018, the company repaid $ 3,768,579 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together
with interest of $ 158,651 . In December 2019, the company paid off the remaining balance, together with interest of 94,636 . As of December
2021, and 2020, the outstanding interest was $ 215,565 and $ 210,635 , respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities
as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, total amount of loans due to Mr. Zhenyong Liu were $nil. The interest expense incurred for such related
party loans are $nil for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020. The accrued interest owe to the CEO was approximately $ 664,666
and $ 649,468 , as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities.
On
December 8, 2021, the Company entered an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which allows Mr.Zhenyong Liu to borrow from the Company an
amount of $ 6,915,176 (RMB 44,089,085 ). The loan will be due on June 29, 2022. The loan is unsecured and carries a fixed interest rate of
3 % per annum. As of December 31, 2021, the outstanding balance of the loan was $ 6,915,176 and outstanding interest due from CEO is $ nil ,
which was recorded in due from related parties as part of the current assets in the consolidated balance sheet.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, amount due to shareholder are $727,433 , which represent funds from shareholders to pay for various expenses
incurred in the U.S. The amount is due on demand with interest free.
F- 18
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(10)
Other payables and accrued liabilities
Other
payables and accrued liabilities consist of the following:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Accrued electricity
$ 135,360
$ 14,544
Accrued rental
61,879
-
Value-added tax payable
-
428,481
Accrued interest to a related
party
664,666
649,468
Payable for purchase of equipment
3,379,368
3,262,153
Accrued commission to salesmen
15,274
10,917
Accrued bank loan interest
992,989
429,279
Others
1,003
43,759
Totals
$ 5,250,539
$ 4,838,601
(11)
Derivative Liabilities
The
Company analyzed the warrant for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815, “ Derivatives and Hedging, and hedging, ”
and determined that the instrument should be classified as a liability since the warrant becomes effective at issuance resulting in there
being no explicit limit to the number of shares to be delivered upon settlement of the above conversion options.
ASC
815 requires we assess the fair market value of derivative liability at the end of each reporting period and recognize any change in
the fair market value as other income or expense item.
The
Company determined our derivative liabilities to be a Level 3 fair value measurement and used the Black-Scholes pricing model to calculate
the fair value as of December 31, 2021. The Black-Scholes model requires six basic data inputs: the exercise or strike price, time to
expiration, the risk-free interest rate, the current stock price, the estimated volatility of the stock price in the future, and the
dividend rate. Changes to these inputs could produce a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The fair value of each warrant
is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The following weighted-average assumptions were used in the December 31, 2021:
Year
ended
December 31,
2021
Expected term
1.92 - 2.75
Expected average volatility
85 % - 104 %
Expected dividend yield
-
Risk-free interest rate
0.19 % - 0.97 %
The
following table summarizes the changes in the derivative liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2021:
Fair
Value Measurements Using Significant Observable Inputs (Level 3)
Balance at December 31, 2020
$ 1,115,260
Addition of new derivatives
recognized as warrant
9,730,919
Addition of new derivatives
recognized as loss on derivatives
10,813,347
Exercise of warrants
( 2,902,119 )
Change
in fair value of derivative liability
( 16,693,873 )
Balance at December 31,
2021
$ 2,063,534
The
following table summarizes the loss on derivative liability included in the income statement for the year ended December 31, 2021 and
2020, respectively.
Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Day one loss due
to derivative liabilities as warrant
$ 10,813,347
$ 306,215
(Gain)
Loss on change in fair value of derivative liability
( 16,693,873 )
119,840
( 5,880,526 )
426,055
F- 19
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(12)
Common Stock
Issuance
of common stock to investors
On
April 29, 2020, the Company and certain institutional investors entered into a securities purchase agreement, as amended on May 4, 2020
(the “2020 Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to such investors an aggregate of 4,400,000
shares of common stock in a registered direct offering and warrants to purchase up to 4,400,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock in a concurrent private placement, for gross proceeds of approximately $ 2.55 million (net proceeds of approximately 2.27 million).
The purchase price for each share of Common Stock and the corresponding warrant was $ 0.58 . The exercise price of the warrant was $ 0.7425
per share.
On
January 20, 2021, the Company offered and sold to certain institutional investors an aggregate of 26,181,818 shares of common stock and
26,181,818warrants to purchase up to 26,181,818 shares of common stock in a best efforts public offering for gross proceeds of approximately
$14.4 million. The purchase price for each share of common stock and the corresponding warrant was $ 0.55 . The exercise price of the warrant
was $ 0.55 per share.
On
March 1, 2021, the Company offered and sold to the public investors an aggregate of 29,277,866 shares of common stock and 14,638,933
warrants to purchase up to 14,638,933 shares of common stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering for gross proceeds of
approximately $ 21.9 million. The purchase price for each share of common stock and accompanying warrant was $ 0.75 . The exercise price
of the warrant was $ 0.75 per share.
Issuance
of common stock pursuant to the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive and 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive
On
September 13, 2018, the compensation committee granted an aggregate of 534,500 shares of common stock at $ 0.88 per share to fifteen officers,
directors and employees of the Company, which were granted under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Total fair value of the shares
of common stock granted was calculated at $ 470,360 as of the date of issuance.
On
April 2, 2020, the compensation committee granted an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of restricted common stock to fifteen officers, directors
and employees of the Company, which were granted under the 2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. Total fair value of the shares of common
stock granted was calculated at $ 1,200,000 as of the date of issuance at $ 0.60 per share.
Issuance
of common stock to a consultant
On
January 2, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with a consultant and agreed as compensation to issue to the consultant in the
aggregate of 60,000 shares of common stock for merger and acquisition consulting service rendered from January 2, 2020 to January 2,
2021. 60,000 shares of common stock were issued to this consultant on April 28, 2020. Total fair value of the shares of common stock
issued was calculated at $ 42,000 at $ 0.70 per share.
Issuance
of common stock to a consultant
On
November 2, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with a consultant and agreed as compensation to issue to the consultant in the
aggregate of 21,000 shares of common stock for investor relations consulting service rendered from November 2, 2020 to November 2, 2021.
21,000 shares of common stock were issued to this consultant on November 30, 2020. Total fair value of the shares of common stock issued
was calculated at $14,700 at $0.70 per share.
(13)
Warrants
Pursuant
to the 2020 Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to sell to such investors an aggregate of 4,400,000 shares of common stock and warrants
to purchase up to 4,400,000 shares of common stock in a concurrent private placement (the “May 2020 Warrants”). The exercise
price of the May 2020 Warrant is $ 0.7425 per share. These warrants are exercisable on July 23, 2020 and have a term of exercise equal
to five years and six months from the date of issuance till July 23, 2025. 880,000 May 2020 Warrants were exercised in February 2021
at the exercise price of $0.7425 per share and 3,520,000 May 2020 Warrants were outstanding as of September 30, 2021. The Company classified
warrant as liabilities and accounted for the issuance of the May 2020 Warrants as a derivative.
F- 20
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On
January 20, 2021, the Company offered and sold to certain institutional investors an aggregate of 26,181,818 shares of common stock and
26,181 ,818warrants to purchase up to 26,181,818 shares of common stock (the “January 2021 Warrants”). The January 2021 Warrants
are exercisable commencing on January 20, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.55 and will expire on January 20, 2026. 14,106,900 January
2021 Warrants were exercised in January and February of 2021 at the exercise price of $0.55 per share. 12,074,918 January 2021 Warrants
were outstanding as of December 31, 2021 .
On
March 1, 2021, the Company offered and sold to the public investors an aggregate of 29,277,866 shares of common stock and 14,638,933
warrants to purchase up to 14,638,933 shares of common stock (the “March 2021 Warrants”). The March 2021Warrants are exercisable
commencing on March 1, 2021 at an exercise price of $0.75 and will expire on March 1, 2026. 67,500 March 2021 Warrants were exercised
in January and March 2021 at the exercise price of $0.75 per share and 14,571,433 March 2021 Warrants were outstanding as of December
31, 2021.
A
summary of stock warrant activities is as below:
Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
Weight
average
exercise
Number
price
Outstanding and
exercisable at beginning of the period
4,400,000
$ 0.7425
Issued during the period
40,820,751
0.622
Exercised during the period
( 15,054,400 )
0.5621
Cancelled
or expired during the period
-
-
Outstanding
and exercisable at end of the period
30,166,351
$ 0.6691
The
following table summarizes information relating to outstanding and exercisable warrants as of December 31, 2021.
Warrants
Outstanding
Warrants
Exercisable
Weighted
Average
Weighted
Weighted
Remaining
Average
Average
Number
of
Contractual
life
Exercise
Number
of
Exercise
Shares
(in
years)
Price
Shares
Price
30,166,351
4.08
$ 0.6691
30,166,351
$ 0.6691
Aggregate
intrinsic value is the sum of the amounts by which the quoted market price of the Company’s stock exceeded the exercise price of
the warrants at December 31, 2021 for those warrants for which the quoted market price was in excess of the exercise price (“in-the-money”
warrants). The intrinsic value of the warrants as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 are $nil.
(14)
Earnings Per Share
For
the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, basic and diluted net income per share are calculated as follows:
Year
Ended
December 31,
2021
2020
Basic income (loss) per share
Net
income (loss) for the year - numerator
$ 905,535
$ ( 5,554,002 )
Weighted
average common stock outstanding - denominator
59,849,082
26,498,298
Net income (loss) per share
$ 0.02
$ ( 0.21 )
Diluted income (loss) per
share
Net
income (loss) for the year - numerator
$ 905,535
$ ( 5,554,002 )
Weighted
average common stock outstanding - denominator
59,849,082
26,498,298
Effect of dilution
-
-
Weighted
average common stock outstanding - denominator
59,849,082
26,498,298
Diluted income (loss) per
share
$ 0.02
$ ( 0.21 )
F- 21
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(15)
Income Taxes
United
States
The
Company and Shengde Holdings are incorporated in the State of Nevada and are subject to the U.S. federal tax and state statutory tax
rates up to 34 % and 0 %, respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 TCJA”),
which significantly changed U.S. tax law. The 2017 TCJAlowered the Company’s U.S. statutory federal income tax rate from the highest
rate of 35 % to 21 % effective January 1, 2018, while also imposing a deemed repatriation tax on deferred foreign income which requires
companies to pay a one-time transition tax on previously unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred
and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118, which provides guidance
on accounting for enactment effects of the 2017 TCJA. SAB 118 provides a measurement period of up to one year from the 2017 TCJA’s
enactment date for companies to complete their accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, to the extent that a company’s
accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 TCJA is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record
a provisional estimate in its financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in its financial
statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before
the enactment of the 2017 TCJA.
Transition
tax: The transition tax is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (E&P) of certain of the Company’s
non-U.S. subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the transition tax, the Company must determine, in addition to other factors, the amount
of post-1986 E&P of the relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings. Further, the
transition tax is based in part on the amount of those earnings held in cash and other specified assets. The Company was able to make
a reasonable estimate of the transition tax and recorded a provisional obligation and additional income tax expense of approximately
$ 80,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017. However, the Company is continuing to gather additional information and will consider additional
technical guidance to more precisely compute and account for the amount of the transition tax. This amount may change when the Company
finalizes the calculation of post-1986 foreign E&P previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation and finalizes the amounts held
in cash or other specified assets. The 2017 TCJA’s transition tax is payable over eight years beginning in 2018.
PRC
Dongfang
Paper and Baoding Shengde are PRC operating companies and are subject to PRC Enterprise Income Tax. Pursuant to the PRC New Enterprise
Income Tax Law, Enterprise Income Tax is generally imposed at a statutory rate of 25 %.
The
provisions for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 were as follows:
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
Provision for Income Taxes
Current Tax Provision
U.S.
$ 14,717
$ 14,747
Current Tax Provision PRC
2,802,187
1,247,970
Deferred
Tax Provision PRC
2,730,050
( 2,364,575 )
Total
Provision for (Deferred tax benefit)/ Income Taxes
$ 5,546,954
$ ( 1,101,858 )
In
addition to the reversible future PRC income tax benefits stemming from the timing differences of items such as recognition of asset
disposal gain or loss and asset depreciation, the Company was incorporated in the United States and incurred net operating losses of
approximately $ 2,508,797 and $ 0 for U.S. income tax purposes for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2019, respectively. The net operating
loss carried forward may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income. These carry forwards would expire, if not utilized,
during the period of 2030 through 2035. As of December 31, 2021, management believed that the realization of all the U.S. income tax
benefits from these losses, which generally would generate a deferred tax asset if it can be expected to be utilized in the future, appears
not more than likely due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses for United States income tax purposes.
Accordingly, As of December 31, 2021, the Company provided a 100 % valuation allowance on the U.S. deferred tax asset benefit to reduce
the total deferred tax asset to the amount realizable for the PRC income tax purposes. Management reviews this valuation allowance periodically
and will make adjustments as warranted. A summary of the otherwise deductible (or taxable) deferred tax items is as follows:
December 31,
December 31,
2021
2020
Deferred tax assets (liabilities)
Depreciation and
amortization of property, plant and equipment
$ 14,754,456
$ 12,397,323
Impairment of property, plant
and equipment
783,433
680,800
Miscellaneous
342,170
258,963
Net
operating loss carryover of PRC company
388,620
371,544
Total deferred tax assets
16,268,679
13,708,630
Less:
Valuation allowance
( 5,000,000 )
-
Total
deferred tax assets, net
$ 11,268,679
13,708,630
F- 22
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The
following table reconciles the statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate as of:
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
PRC
Statutory rate
25.0 %
25.0 %
Effect of different tax jurisdiction
Effect of tax and book difference
( 16.5 )%
( 8.4 )%
(Over) Under-provision in
previous year
Change
in valuation allowance
77.5 %
Effective
income tax rate
86.0 %
16.6 %
During
the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the effective income tax rate was estimated by the Company to be 86.0 % and 16.6 %, respectively.
As
of December 31, 2017, except for the one-time transition tax under the 2017 TCJA which imposes a U.S. tax liability on all unrepatriated
foreign E&Ps, the Company does not believe that its future dividend policy and the available U.S. tax deductions and net operating
losses will cause the Company to recognize any other substantial current U.S. federal or state corporate income tax liability in the
near future. Nor does it believe that the amount of the repatriation of the VIE’s earnings and profits for purposes of paying dividends
will change the Company’s position that its PRC subsidiary Baoding Shengde and the VIE, Dongfang Paper are considered or are expected
to be indefinitely reinvested offshore to support our future capacity expansion. If these earnings are repatriated to the U.S. resulting
in U.S. taxable income in the future, or if it is determined that such earnings are to be remitted in the foreseeable future, additional
tax provisions would be required.
The
Company has adopted ASC Topic 740-10-05, Income Taxes. To date, the adoption of this interpretation has not impacted the Company’s
financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company performed self-assessment and the Company’s liability for
income taxes includes the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties which relate to tax years still subject to
review by taxing authorities. Audit periods remain open for review until the statute of limitations has passed, which in the PRC is usually
5 years. The completion of review or the expiration of the statute of limitations for a given audit period could result in an adjustment
to the Company’s liability for income taxes. Any such adjustment could be material to the Company’s results of operations
for any given quarterly or annual period based, in part, upon the results of operations for the given period. As of September 30, 2021
and December 31, 2021, management considered that the Company had no uncertain tax positions affecting its consolidated financial position
and results of operations or cash flows, and will continue to evaluate for any uncertain position in future. There are no estimated interest
costs and penalties provided in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended December 31, 2021and
2020, respectively. The Company’s tax positions related to open tax years are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities
and the major one is the China Tax Authority.
(16)
Stock Incentive Plans
2019
Incentive Stock Plan
On
October 31, 2019, the shareholders of the Company at the Company’s Annual Shareholders General Meeting adopted and approved the
2019 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan of IT Tech Packaging, Inc. (the “2019 ISP”). Under the 2019 ISP, the Company has reserved
a total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance as or under awards to be made to the directors, officers, employees and/or consultants
of the Company and its subsidiaries. On April 2, 2020, 2,000,000 shares of common stock were granted under the 2019 ISP. Total fair value
of the shares of common stock granted was calculated at $ 1,200,000 as of the date of issuance at $ 0.60 per share.
2021
Incentive Stock Plan
On
November 12, 2021, the Company’s Annual General Meeting adopted and approved the 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan of IT Tech
Packaging, Inc.(the”2021 Plan”).Under the 2021 ISP, the Company has reserved a total of 1,500,000 shares of common stock
for issuance as or under awards to be made to the directors, officers, employees and/or consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries.
F- 23
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(17)
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating
Lease
The
Company leases 32.95 acres of land from a local government in Xushui District, Baoding City, Hebei, China through a real estate lease
with a 30 -year term, which expires on December 31, 2031. The lease requires an annual rental payment of approximately $ 18,612 (RMB 120,000 ).
This operating lease is renewable at the end of the 30-year term.
Sale
of Headquarters Compound Real Properties
On
August 7, 2013, the Company’s Audit Committee and the Board of Directors approved the sale of the land use right of the Headquarters
Compound (the “LUR”), the office building and essentially all industrial-use buildings in the Headquarters Compound (the
“Industrial Buildings”), and three employee dormitory buildings located within the Headquarters Compound (the “Dormitories”)
to Hebei Fangsheng for cash prices of approximately $2.77 million, $1.15 million, and $4.31 million respectively. Sales of the LUR and
the Industrial Buildings were completed in year 2013.
In
connection with the sale of the Industrial Buildings, Hebei Fangsheng agreed to lease the Industrial Buildings back to the Company for
its original use for a term of up to three years, with an annual rental payment of approximately $ 155,101 (RMB 1,000,000 ). The lease agreement
expired in August 2016. On August 6, 2016 and August 6, 2018, the Company entered into two supplementary agreements with Hebei Fangsheng,
who agreed to extend the lease term for another four years in total, with the same rental payment as original lease agreement.
Future
minimum lease payments are as follows:
December
31,
Amount
2022
110,315
2023
18,821
2024
18,821
2025
18,821
2026
18,821
Thereafter
94,107
Total
operating lease payments
$ 279,708
F- 24
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Capital
commitment
As
of December 31, 2021, the Company has entered into several contracts for the purchase of paper machine of a new tissue paper production
line PM10 and the improvement of Industrial Buildings. Total outstanding commitments under these contracts were $ 4,700,927 and $ 4,570,331
as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company expected to pay off all the balances within 1-3 years.
Guarantees
and Indemnities
The
Company agreed with Baoding Huanrun Trading Co., a major supplier of raw materials, to guarantee certain obligations of this third party,
and as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company guaranteed its long-term loan from financial institutions amounting to $ 4,862,211
(RMB 31,000,000 ) and $ 4,751,031 (RMB 31,000,000 ), respectively, that matured at various times in 2018-2023. If Huanrun Trading Co., were
to become insolvent, the Company could be materially adversely affected.
(18)
Segment Reporting
Since
March 10, 2010, Baoding Shengde started its operations and thereafter the Company manages its operations through two business operating
segments: Dongfang Paper, which produces offset printing paper and corrugating medium paper, and Baoding Shengde, which produces digital
photo paper. They are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies.
The
Company evaluates performance of its operating segments based on net income. Administrative functions such as finance, treasury, and
information systems are centralized. However, where applicable, portions of the administrative function expenses are allocated between
the operating segments based on gross revenue generated. The operating segments do share facilities in Xushui County, Baoding City, Hebei
Province, China. All sales were sold to customers located in the PRC.
F- 25
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Summarized
financial information for the two reportable segments is as follows:
Year
Ended
December
31, 2021
Dongfang
Paper
Hebei
Tengsheng
Baoding
Shengde
Not
Attributable to Segments
Elimination
of Inter-segment
Enterprise-wide,
consolidated
Revenues
$ 151,574,318
8,765,380
5,878,568
-
( 5,336,546 )
160,881,720
Gross
profit
12,138,849
( 1,255,190 )
133,900
-
-
11,017,559
Depreciation
and amortization
5,213,598
8,408,713
1,736,141
-
-
15,358,452
Interest
income
24,732
1,703
12,331
-
-
38,766
Interest
expense
717,265
71,798
335,639
-
-
1,124,702
Income
tax expense(benefit)
2,348,694
3,197,629
( 14,086 )
14,717
-
5,546,954
Net
income (loss)
6,744,417
( 10,620,350 )
( 322,525 )
5,103,993
-
905,535
Year Ended
December
31, 2020
Dongfang
Paper
Hebei
Tengsheng
Baoding
Shengde
Not
Attributable to Segments
Elimination
of Inter-segment
Enterprise-wide,
consolidated
Revenues
$
91,426,671
8,414,654
1,101,944
-
-
100,943,269
Gross
profit
7,000,150
( 1,828,214
)
530,049
-
-
5,701,985
Depreciation
and amortization
7,039,687
8,613,750
140,417
-
-
15,793,854
Interest
income
27,046
1,770
3,217
-
-
32,033
Interest
expense
683,605
28,083
314,824
-
-
1,026,512
Income
tax expense(benefit)
967,408
( 2,140,532
)
56,550
14,717
-
( 1,101,857
)
Net income
(loss)
2,849,742
( 5,837,914
)
( 42,250
)
( 2,523,580
)
-
( 5,554,002
)
As
of December 31, 2021
Dongfang
Hebei
Baoding
Not Attributable
Elimination
of
Enterprise-wide,
Paper
Tengsheng
Shengde
to Segments
Inter-segment
consolidated
Total assets
$
109,369,167
93,841,874
29,181,392
9,142,769
-
241,535,202
As
of December 31, 2020
Dongfang
Hebei
Baoding
Not Attributable
Elimination of
Enterprise-wide,
Paper
Tengsheng
Shengde
to Segments
Inter-segment
consolidated
Total assets
$ 79,206,447
102,056,291
18,589,570
22,166
-
199,874,474
F- 26
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(19)
Concentration and Major Customers and Suppliers
For
the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had no single customer contributed over 10 % of total sales.
For
the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company had two major suppliers that accounted for 78 % and 11 % of total purchases by the Company.
For
the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company had two major suppliers that accounted for 72 % and 12 % of total purchases by the Company.
(20)
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial
instruments for which the Company is potentially subject to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash. The Company places
its cash in reputable financial institutions in the PRC and the United States. Although it is generally understood that the PRC central
government stands behind all of the banks in China in the event of bank failure, there is no deposit insurance system in China that is
similar to the protection provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) of the United States as of December
31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. On May 1, 2015, the new “Deposit Insurance Regulations” was effective in the PRC that the
maximum protection would be up to RMB 500,000 (US$ 78,423 ) per depositor per insured financial intuition, including both principal and
interest. For the cash placed in financial institutions in the United States, the Company’s U.S. bank accounts are all fully covered
by the FDIC insurance as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, while for the cash placed in financial institutions in the PRC, the balances
exceeding the maximum coverage of RMB 500,000 amounted to RMB 11,520,053 (US$ 1,806,869 ) as of December 31, 2021.
(21)
Risks and Uncertainties
IT
Tech Packaging is subject to substantial risks from, among other things, intense competition associated with the industry in general,
other risks associated with financing, liquidity requirements, rapidly changing customer requirements, foreign currency exchange rates,
and operating in the PRC under its various laws and restrictions.
(22)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In
June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.
ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses
and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13
requires use of a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. ASU 2016-13
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. In October 2019, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Effective Dates”, to finalize the effective date delays for
private companies, not-for-profits, and smaller reporting companies applying the CECL standards. The ASU is effective for reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating
the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
F- 27
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(23)
Subsequent Event
On
February 23, 2022, Dongfang Paper fully paid the RMB320 million (approximately $45million) as the consideration for the acquisition per
agreement that Dongfang Paper had entered into with the shareholder of Hebei Tengsheng Paper Co., Ltd.
(24)
Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Quarterly
financial information for 2021and 2020is as follows:
Quarter
2021
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Revenues
$ 24,209,427
$ 46,534,915
$ 45,087,671
$ 45,049,707
Gross profit
1,831,005
3,029,020
1,821,536
4,335,998
(Loss) income from operations
( 724,313 )
431,408
( 198,029 )
1,950,303
Net (loss) income
( 4,338,856 )
( 453,248 )
1,542,576
4,155,063
Net income per share
Basic
$ - 0.12
$ - 0.01
$ 0.03
$ 0.07
Diluted
$ - 0.12
$ - 0.01
$ 0.03
$ 0.07
Quarter
2020
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Revenues
$ 8,743,851
$ 26,362,273
$ 33,357,451
$ 32,479,694
Gross (loss) profit
( 169,719 )
2,558,829
2,567,551
745,323
(Loss) income from operations
( 2,866,682 )
( 798,643 )
176,631
( 1,967,110 )
Net loss
( 2,436,287 )
( 980,031 )
( 520,974 )
( 1,616,710 )
Net loss per share
Basic
$ - 0.11
$ - 0.04
$ - 0.02
$ - 0.06
Diluted
$ - 0.11
$ - 0.04
$ - 0.02
$ - 0.06
F- 28
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(25)
Condensed Financial Information of the Parent Company
The
condensed financial statements of IT Tech Packaging Inc. (“ITP”, the “parent company”) have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Under the PRC laws and regulations, the Company’s
PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer certain of their net assets to the parent company in the form of dividend
payments, loans or advances. The amounts restricted include paid-in capital, capital surplus and statutory reserves, as determined pursuant
to PRC generally accepted accounting principles, totaling $ 79,641,643 ad $ 47,589,643 as of December 31, 2021, and 2020.
The
following represents condensed unconsolidated financial information of the parent company only:
December
31,
December
31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash
equivalents
$ 9,135,996
$ 16,172
Total current
assets
9,135,996
16,172
Investment
in subsidiaries
213,804,439
181,194,669
Total
Assets
$ 222,940,435
$ 181,210,840
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Inter-company payable
$ 4,399,560
$ 4,287,974
Due
to related parties
727,433
727,433
Total
current liabilities
5,126,993
5,015,407
Derivative liability
2,063,534
1,115,260
Total liabilities
$ 7,190,527
$ 6,130,667
Total
stockholders’ equity
215,749,908
175,080,173
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$ 222,940,435
$ 181,210,840
F- 29
IT
TECH PACKAGING, INC.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONDENSED
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
Revenue
-
-
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
$ 761,596
$ 2,082,743
Loss from Operations
( 761,596 )
( 2,082,743 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
subsidiaries
( 4,198,678 )
( 3,030,487 )
Loss on derivative liability
5,880,526
( 426,055 )
Other
Income (Expense)
-
-
Income before Income Taxes
920,252
( 5,539,285 )
Provision
for Income Taxes
( 14,717 )
( 14,717 )
Net Income
$ 905,535
$ ( 5,554,002 )
Other
comprehensive income /(loss)
4,755,446
11,798,259
Total
Comprehensive Income (loss)
$ 5,660,981
$ 6,244,257
Year
Ended
December
31,
2021
2020
Net
Cash Used in Operating Activities
$ ( 776,313 )
$ ( 846,820 )
Net Cash
Used in Investing Activities
( 32,053,000 )
( 2,000,000 )
Net Cash
Provided by Financing Activities
41,949,138
2,791,000
Net Increase
(Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
9,119,824
( 55,820 )
Cash and
Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year
16,172
71,991
Cash and
Cash Equivalents - End of Year
$ 9,135,996
$ 16,172
The
condensed financial information has been prepared using the same accounting policies as set out in the Company’s consolidated financial
statements except that the parent company has used equity method to account for its investments in the subsidiaries.
F- 30
Item
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item
9A. Controls and Procedures
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e))
under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that we file
or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time specified in the Commission’s
rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers,
or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Pursuant
to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation with the participation of the Company’s management,
including Zhenyong Liu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and Jing Hao, the Company’s Chief Financial
Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e)
under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2021. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that
the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified
in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including
the Company’s CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management
conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.
In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has determined that, as of
December 31, 2021, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This
annual report does not include an attestation report of its registered independent public accounting firm regarding the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting because the Company is not required to include such attestation report in this annual report.
Changes
in internal controls
Our
management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation as to whether any change in our internal controls over
financial reporting occurred during the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that no change
occurred in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2021 that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
Item
9B. Other Information
None.
Item
9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.
Not
applicable.
51
PART
III
Item
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Set
forth below is certain information regarding our directors and executive officers. Our Board of Directors is comprised of five directors.
There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers. Each of our directors is elected to serve until
the next annual meeting of our stockholders and until his successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death,
removal or termination.
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to our directors and executive officers:
Name
Age
Position/Title
Zhenyong Liu
58
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
Jing Hao
38
Chief Financial Officer
Dahong Zhou
42
Secretary
Marco Ku Hon Wai
47
Director
Wenbing Christopher
Wang
50
Director
Fuzeng Liu
72
Director
Lusha Niu
42
Director
We
have two classes of directors with each class elected in a different calendar year from the calendar year in which the other class of
directors are elected. All directors are elected for a two-year term. The directors elected in Class I, Marco Ku Hon Wai and Wenbing
Christopher Wang, will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021 and until their respective successors have been elected
and have qualified, or until their earlier resignation, removal or death. The directors elected in Class II, Zhenyong Liu, Fuzeng Liu
and Lusha Niu will serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2020 and until their respective successors have been elected and
have qualified, or until their earlier resignation, removal or death. Our officers serve at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Set
forth below is biographical information about our current directors and executive officers:
Zhenyong
Liu . Mr. Zhenyong Liu became a member of the Board of Directors, and was appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors on November
30, 2007. Mr. Liu has also served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since November 16, 2007, and serves as Chairman of Hebei
Baoding Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper), a position he has held since 1996. From 1990 to 1996, he served as Plant
Director of Xinxin Paper Milling Factory in Xushui District. Mr. Liu served as General Manager of the East Central Household Appliance
Purchases and Supply Station from 1980 to 1989.
Jing
Hao . Ms. Jing Hao was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on November 3, 2014. Ms. Hao previously served as the Company’s
Chief Financial Officer between November 2007 and April 2009. In addition, Ms. Hao has served as Chief Financial Officer of Hebei Baoding
Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper) since 2006. Prior to that, she was Manager of Finance for Dongfang Paper from
2005 to 2006.
Dahong
Zhou . Ms. Dahong Zhou was appointed as our Secretary on November 16, 2007. Ms. Zhou also serves as Executive Manager of Hebei Baoding
Dongfang Paper Milling Company Limited (Dongfang Paper), a position she has held since 2006.
Marco
Ku Hon Wai. Mr. Marco Ku Hon Wai has served on the Board of Directors since November 3, 2014. Mr. Ku is the founder of Sensible Investment
Company Limited, an investment consulting firm based in Hong Kong founded in 2013. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of China
Marine Food Group Limited (OTC: CMFO) from July 2007 to October 2013. Prior to his position at China Marine Food Group Limited, Mr. Ku
co-founded KISS Catering Group, a food and beverage business in Beijing from October 2005 to April 2007. Mr. Ku worked at KPMG LLP from
1996 to 2000, where his last held position was Assistant Manager. Mr. Ku received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Hong
Kong University of Science and Technology in 1996, and is currently a fellow member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Wenbing
Christopher Wang . Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang has served on the Board of Directors since October 28, 2009. Mr. Wang has also been
serving as President and Director of FushiCopperweld, Inc. (“Fushi”) since January 21, 2008. Mr. Wang served as Fushi’s
Chief Financial Officer from December 13, 2005 to August 31, 2009. Prior to Fushi, Mr. Wang worked for Redwood Capital, Inc., China Century
Investment Corporation, Credit Suisse First Boston and VC China in various capacities. Fluent in both English and Chinese, Mr. Wang holds
a master’s degree in business administration and finance and corporate accounting from Simon Business School of University of Rochester.
Mr. Wang was named one of the top ten CFO’s of 2007 in China by CFO magazine.
Fuzeng
Liu . Mr. Fuzeng Liu has been a member of the Board of Directors since November 30, 2007. Mr. Liu has also served as Vice President
of Dongfang Paper since 2002. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of the Traffic Bureau of Xushui District from 1992 to 2002 and
as Party Secretary of Dayin Town, Xushui District from 1988 to 1992.Mr. Liu also served as Head of the Cuizhuang Town, Xushui District
from 1984 to 1988. From 1977 to 1984, Mr. Liu worked at the committee office of Xushui District.
52
LushaNiu .
Ms. Niu has been a member of the Board of Directors since October12, 2016. Ms. Niu is a public relations veteran with strong background
in international business and finance. Since September 2013, Ms. Niu has been the Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs,
Asia Lead of Financial Communication at MSL GROUP, a global public communications firm. From August 2008 until August 2013, Ms. Niu was
an Associate Director at APCO Worldwide, a Washington D.C. based global public affairs consulting firm. Ms. Niu also served as a Consulting
Analyst with BDA Consulting, advising global institutional investors on their China deal strategy. Ms. Niu holds a Master’s degree
in Finance from the University of Colorado.
The
Board of Directors believes that each of the Company’s directors is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board. Each of
the directors has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board of Directors. When evaluating candidates
for election to the Board, the Nominating Committee seeks candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including
integrity, an objective perspective, good judgment, and leadership skills. Our directors are highly educated and have diverse backgrounds
and talents and extensive track records of success in what we believe are highly relevant positions. Some of our directors have served
in our operating entity, Dongfang Paper, for many years and benefit from an intimate knowledge of our operations and corporate philosophy.
Committees
Our
business, property and affairs are managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors are
kept informed of our business through discussion with the chief executive and financial officers and other officers, by reviewing materials
provided to them and by participating at meetings of the board and its committees.
Our
Board of Directors has three committees - the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee
is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Mr. Ku serving as chairman. The Compensation Committee
is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Ms. Lusha Niu serving as chairwoman. The Nominating Committee
is comprised of Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang and Lusha Niu, with Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang serving as chairman.
Our
Audit Committee is involved in discussions with our independent auditor with respect to the scope and results of our year-end audit,
our quarterly results of operations, our internal accounting controls and the professional services furnished by the independent auditor.
Our Board of Directors has determined that both Mr. Marco Ku Hon Wai and Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang qualify as audit committee financial
experts and have the accounting or financial management expertise as required under NYSE Rule 303A.07(a). Our Board of Directors has
also adopted a written charter for the audit committee which the audit committee reviews and reassesses for adequacy on an annual basis.
A copy of the audit committee’s current charter is available at the our corporate website at http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912345722139375725.pdf
The
Compensation Committee oversees the compensation of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers and reviews our overall
compensation policies for employees generally. If so authorized by the Board of Directors, the committee may also serve as the granting
and administrative committee under any option or other equity-based compensation plans which we may adopt. The Compensation Committee
does not delegate its authority to fix compensation; however, as to officers who report to the chief executive officer, the compensation
committee consults with the chief executive officer, who may make recommendations to the compensation committee. Any recommendations
by the chief executive officer are accompanied by an analysis of the basis for the recommendations. The committee will also discuss compensation
policies for employees who are not officers with the chief executive officer and other responsible officers. A copy of the compensation
committee’s current charter is available at our corporate website at
http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912355880048874958.pdf
The
Nominating Committee is involved in evaluating the desirability of and recommending to the board any changes in the size and composition
of the board, evaluation of and successor planning for the chief executive officer and other executive officers. The qualifications of
any candidate for director will be subject to the same extensive general and specific criteria applicable to director candidates generally.
A copy of the nominating committee’s current charter is available at our corporate website at
http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912356661968874958.pdf
Code
of Ethics
We
have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer
and controller, or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics is currently available at our corporate website at
http://www.itpackaging.cn/uploadfile/txyxfh/file/20181029/6367640912363688526617528.pdf
Board
Meetings
The
Board of Directors and its committees held the following number of meetings during 2021:
Board of Directors
7
Audit Committee
4
Compensation Committee
1
Nominating Committee
1
53
The
above table includes meetings held by means of a conference telephone call, but not actions taken by unanimous written consent.
Each
director attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and those committees on which he served during
the year.
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the Board of Directors met on at least a quarterly basis. The independent directors had regularly
scheduled meetings as often as necessary to fulfill their responsibilities, including at least annually in executive session without
the presence of non-independent directors and management as required by Section 802(c) of the NYSE American Company Guide.
Directors
or Executive Officers involved in Bankruptcy or Criminal Proceedings
To
our knowledge, during the last ten years, none of our directors and executive officers (including those of our subsidiaries) has:
●
had a bankruptcy petition
filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy
or within two years prior to that time;
●
been convicted in a criminal
proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses;
●
been subject to any order,
judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily
enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;
●
been found by a court of
competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC, or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or
state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended or vacated; or
●
been the subject to, or
a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reverse, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered
entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons
associated with a member.
Board
Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Mr.
Zhenyong Liu is our chairman and chief executive officer. At the advice of other members of the management or the Board, Mr. Liu calls
meetings of the Board of Directors when necessary. We have three independent directors. Our Board of Directors has three standing committees,
each of which is comprised solely of independent directors with a committee chair. The Board of Directors believes that the Company’s
chief executive officer is best situated to serve as chairman of the Board of Directors because he is the director most familiar with
our business and industry and the director most capable of identifying strategic priorities and executing our business strategy. We believe
that this leadership structure has served the Company well. Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight. The
Board of Directors has delegated responsibility for the oversight of specific risks to the committees as follows:
●
The Audit Committee oversees
the Company’s risk policies and processes relating to the financial statements and financial reporting processes, as well as
key credit risks, liquidity risks, market risks and compliance, and the guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring and mitigating
those risks.
●
The Compensation Committee
oversees the compensation of our chief executive officer and our other executive officers and reviews our overall compensation policies
for employees.
●
The Nominating Committee oversees risks related to
the Company’s governance structure and processes.
Our
Board of Directors is responsible for approving all related party transactions according to our Code of Ethics. We have not adopted written
policies and procedures specifically for related person transactions.
Compliance
with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our
equity securities to file with the SEC initial statements of beneficial ownership, reports of changes in ownership and annual reports
concerning their ownership of our common stock and other equity securities, on Form 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Executive officers, directors
and greater than 10% shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish our company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports
they file.
Based
solely on our review of the copies of such reports received by us, and on written representations by our officers and directors regarding
their compliance with the applicable reporting requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, we believe that, with respect to
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, our officers and directors, and all of the persons known to us to own more than 10% of our common
stock, filed all required reports on a timely basis.
54
Item
11. Executive Compensation
The
following compensation table summarizes the cash and non-cash compensation earned during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 by
each person who served as principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and secretary during 2020.
Non-Equity
Incentive
Stock
Option
Plan
Salary
Bonus
Awards(1)
Awards
Compensation
Total
Name
and Principal Position
Year
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Zhenyong Liu,
2020
$ 36,782
40,000
$ 120,000
-
-
$ 196,782
Chairman,
CEO
2021
$ 37,224
-
$ -
-
-
$ 37,224
Jing Hao
2020
$ 36,782
40,000
$ -
-
-
$ 76,782
CFO
2021
$ 37,224
-
$ -
-
-
$ 37,224
Dahong Zhou,
2020
$ 4,452
-
$ -
-
-
$ 4,452
Secretary
2021
$ 4,505
-
$ -
-
-
$ 4,505
(1)
The value of the Stock
Award is determined by multiplying the number of restricted shares issued by the quoted closing price of the Company’s common
stock on the date of the award, which was $0.60 as of April 8, 2020.
Employment
Agreements
Mr.
Zhenyong Liu receives a monthly salary of RMB 20,000 (approximately $3,065). On January 11, 2012, the Company awarded Mr. Zhenyong Liu
44,326 shares of restricted common stock. These shares of common stock were issued under the 2011 ISP and are valued at $3.45 per share,
based on the closing price on the date of the issuance. On December 31, 2013, the Company awarded Mr. Zhenyong Liu 8,000 shares of restricted
common stock under the 2011 ISP and 2012 ISP, with a value of $2.66 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the stock issuance.
On September 13, 2018, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Zhenyong Liu under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive
Plan with a value of $0.88 per share as of the date of issuance. On April 8, 2020, the Company issued 200,000 shares of common stock
to Mr. Zhenyong Liu under the 2019 ISP with a value of $0.60 per share as of the date of issuance. On September 8, 2020, the Compensation
Committee of the Company unanimously approved that Mr. Zhenyong Liu shall receive the bonus of $40,000 for his service rendered in the
year 2020.
Ms.
Hao began receiving a monthly salary of RMB 20,000 (approximately $3,065) in January 2015. On September 13, 2018, the company issued
10,000 shares of common stock to Ms. Jing Hao under the 2015 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan with a value of $0.88 per share as of the
date of issuance. On September 8,2020, the Compensation Committee of the Company unanimously approved that Ms. Jing Hao shall receive
the bonus of $40,000 for her service rendered in the year 2020.
55
Compensation
of Directors
The
following table sets forth a summary of compensation paid or entitled to our directors during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021
and 2020:
Non-Equity
Incentive
Stock
Option
Plan
Salary
Bonus
Awards
Awards
Compensation
Total
Name
and Principal Position
Year
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
($)
Fuzeng Liu
2020
$ 7,953
-
$ -
-
-
$ 7,953
Director
2021
$ 8,071
-
$ -
-
-
$ 8,071
Marco Ku Hon Wai
2020
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Director
2021
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Wenbing Christopher Wang
2020
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
Director
2021
$ 20,000
-
$ -
-
-
$ 20,000
LushaNiu
2020
$ 7,642
-
-
-
-
$ 7,642
Director
2021
$ 7,755
-
-
-
-
$ 7,755
Effective
November 1, 2014, Mr. Marco Ku Hon Wai began serving as our director and has received annual compensation of $20,000, payable on a monthly
basis. In addition, the Company agreed to issue Mr. Ku 7,500 shares of its common stock every year under the Company’s stock incentive
plan. On January 12, 2016, the Company issued Mr. Ku 7,500 shares restricted common stock under the 2015 ISP for his services in 2015,
with a value of $1.33 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the issuance. Mr. Ku will be reimbursed for his out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with his service to the Company.
Effective
October 28, 2009, Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang has served as our director and has received annual compensation of $20,000, payable on
a monthly basis. Mr. Wang also received 4,000 shares of common stock, a number equal to $20,000 divided by the closing price of the common
stock on October 28, 2009, with piggyback registration rights subordinate to that held by investors in any past or future private placement
of securities. On January 11, 2012, the Company awarded its independent director Mr. Wenbing Christopher Wang 15,820 shares of restricted
common stock. These shares of common stock were issued under the 2011 ISP and are valued at $3.45 per share, based on the closing price
on the date of the issuance. On December 31, 2013, the Company awarded Mr. Wang 5,000 shares restricted common stock under the 2011 ISP
and 2012 ISP for, with a value of $2.66 per share, based on the closing price on the date of the stock issuance. On January 12, 2016,
the Company issued Mr. Wang 5,000 shares restricted common stock under the 2015 ISP, with a value of $1.33 per share, based on the closing
price on the date of the issuance.
On
October 12, 2016, Ms. Lusha Niu was elected as our director and receives annual compensation of RMB50,000, payable on a monthly basis.
On
December 31, 2013, Mr. Fuzeng Liu received 5,000 shares of restricted common stock from our 2011 and 2012 ISPs. The value of the stock
award is determined by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the award, which was $2.66 as of December
31, 2013.
Other
than the appointments described above, there are no understandings or arrangements between Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, or Ms. Niu and any other
person pursuant to which Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, or Ms. Niu was appointed as a director. Mr. Ku, Mr. Wang, and Ms. Niu do not have any family
relationship with any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen by us to become a director or executive officer.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
There
were no option exercises in fiscal year of 2021 or options outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
Pension
and Retirement Plans
Currently,
except for contributions to the PRC government-mandated social security retirement endowment fund for those employees who have not waived
their coverage, we do not offer any annuity, pension or retirement benefits to be paid to any of our officers, directors or employees.
There are also no compensatory plans or arrangements with respect to any individual named above which results or will result from the
resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment with our company, or from a change in our control.
56
Item
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by (i) each director,
(ii) our Chief Executive Officer and President and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group as of March 15, 2022.
Amount
and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Amount
and
Percentage
Nature
of
of
Beneficial
Common
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
Ownership
Stock
Zhenyong Liu CEO
and Director
5,364,841
5.4 %
Jing Hao CFO
10,000
*
Dahong Zhou Secretary
0
0
Marco Ku Hon Wai Director
7,500
*
Fuzeng Liu Director
5,000
*
Wenbing Christopher Wang Director
29,820
*
LushaNiu
Director
0
*
All Directors
and Executive Officers as a Group (7 persons)
5,417,161
5.5 %
*
Less than 1% of the Company’s issued and outstanding
common shares.
(1)
The address of each director
and executive officer is c/o Science Park, Juli Road, Xushui District, Baoding City, Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China.
Item
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Loans
from our principal shareholder, Chairman and CEO Mr. Zhenyong Liu
MrZhenyong
Liu, the Company’s CEO has loaned money to Dongfang Paper for working capital purposes over a period of time. On January 1, 2013,
Dongfang Paper and Mr. Zhenyong Liu renewed the three-year term loan previously entered on January 1, 2010, and extended the maturity
date further to December 31, 2015. On December 31, 2015, the Company paid off the loan of $2,249,279, together with interest of $391,374
for the period from 2013 to 2015. Approximately $392,855 and $367,441 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which were recorded
in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021,
and 2020, respectively.
On
December 10, 2014, Mr. Zhenyong Liu provided a loan to the Company, amounted to $8,742,278 to Dongfang Paper for working capital purpose
with an interest rate of 4.35% per annum, which was based on the primary lending rate of People’s Bank of China. The unsecured
loan was provided on December 10, 2014, and would be originally due on December 10, 2017. During the year of 2016, the Company repaid
$6,012,416 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together with interest of $288,596. In February 2018, the company paid off the remaining balance, together
with interest of $20,400. As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, approximately $45,978 and $43,003 of interest were outstanding to Mr. Zhenyong
Liu, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.
On
March 1, 2015, the Company entered an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu which allows Dongfang Paper to borrow from the CEO an amount up
to $17,201,342 (RMB120,000,000) for working capital purposes. The advances or funding under the agreement are due three years from the
date each amount is funded. The loan is unsecured and carries an annual interest rate set on the basis of the primary lending rate of
the People’s Bank of China at the time of the borrowing. On July 13, 2015, an unsecured amount of $4,324,636 was drawn from the
facility. On October 14, 2016 an unsecured amount of $2,883,091 was drawn from the facility. In February 2018, the company repaid $1,507,432
to Mr. Zhenyong Liu. The loan would be originally due on July 12, 2018. Mr. Zhenyong Liu agreed to extend the loan for additional 3 years
and the remaining balance will be due on July 12, 2021. On November 23, 2018, the company repaid $3,768,579 to Mr. Zhenyong Liu, together
with interest of $158,651. In December 2019, the company paid off the remaining balance, together with interest of 94,636. As of December
31, 2021, and 2020, the outstanding loan balance were $nil and $2,185,569, respectively, and the accrued interest was $210,635and $197,009,
respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance
sheet.
57
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, total amount of loans due to Mr. Zhenyong Liu were $nil. The interest expense incurred for such related
party loans are $nil and $94,636for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The accrued interest owe to the CEO was
approximately $649,468 and $607,453, as of December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued
liabilities.
As
of December 31, 2021, and 2020, amount due to shareholder are $727,433 and $483,433, respectively, which represents funds from shareholders
to pay for various expenses incurred in the U.S. The amount is due on demand with interest free.
Procedures
for Approval of Related Party Transactions
Our
Board of Directors is charged with reviewing and approving all potential related party transaction whether or not such transactions exceed
$120,000. We have not adopted other procedures for review, or standards for approval, of such transactions, but instead review them on
a case-by-case basis.
Director
Independence
The
Company currently has three independent directors, Marco Ku Hon Wai, Wenbing Christopher Wang, and Lusha Niu, as that term is defined
under the NYSE American Company Guide.
Item
14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit
Fees
We
incurred approximately $188,208 for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, WWC, P.C., for
the audit and reviews of the Company’s financial statements for 2020.
We
incurred approximately $147,118 for professional services rendered by our registered independent public accounting firm, WWC, P.C., for
the audit and reviews of the Company’s financial statements for 2021.
Audit-Related
Fees
IT
Tech Packaging did not incur any audit-related fees to WWC in 2020.
IT
Tech Packaging did not incur any audit-related fees to WWC in 2021.
Tax
Reporting Preparation Fees
IT Tech Packaging did not
incur any tax Reporting Preparation fees to WWC in 2020.
IT Tech Packaging did not
incur any tax Reporting Preparation fees to WWC in 2021.
All
Other Fees
IT
Tech Packaging did not incur any fees from its registered independent public accounting firm for services rendered to IT Tech Packaging,
other than the services covered in “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees” for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2021, and 2020.
With
respect to the Company’s auditing and other non-audit related services rendered by its registered independent public accounting
firm for 2021and 2020, all engagements were entered into pursuant to the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures.
58
PART
IV
Item
15. Exhibits, Financial Statements Schedules
Exhibit
No.
Description
of Exhibit
2.1
Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated October 29, 2007, by and among Carlateral, Inc., CARZ Merger Sub, Inc., Dongfang Zhiye Holding Limited,
and the shareholders of Dongfang Zhiye Holding Limited, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2007.
3.1
Articles
of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report on form SB-2 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2006
3.2
Certificate
of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to our Current Report on form
8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2007
3.3
Bylaws,
incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report on form SB-2 filed with the SEC on August 4, 2006
4.1
Specimen
of Common Stock certificate, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our report on form SB-2 filed with the SEC on August 4,
2006
4.2
Form
of Warrant, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 3, 2014.
4.3
Description
of Securities, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2020.
4.4
Form
of Warrant, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 1, 2020.
4.5
Form
of Warrant, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 4, 2020.
4.6
Form
of Warrant, incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2021.
4.7
Warrant
Agency Agreement dated March 1, 2021 by and between the Company and Empire Stock Transfer Inc., incorporated by reference to the
Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.
4.8
Form
of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 4.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on March 1, 2021.
10.1
Land
Lease Agreement, dated January 2, 2002, by and between the Company and Xushui District Dayin Township Wuji Village Committee and
Party Branch, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our amended Annual Report on form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on February
1, 2010
10.2
Land
Use Rights Certificate, dated March 10, 2003, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our amended Annual Report on form 10-K/A
filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010
10.3
Exclusive
Technical Service and Business Consulting Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper and Baoding Shengde, incorporated
by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.4
Proxy
Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated
by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
59
Exhibit
No.
Description
of Exhibit
10.5
Loan
Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated
by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.6
Call
Option Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated
by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.7
Share
Pledge Agreement, dated June 24, 2009, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang Paper, incorporated
by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 30, 2009
10.8
Call
Option Agreement Amendment, dated February 10, 2010, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang
Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2010
10.9
Share
Pledge Agreement Amendment, dated February 10, 2010, by and between Dongfang Paper, Baoding Shengde, and the shareholders of Dongfang
Paper, incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2010
10.10
Securities
Purchase Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company and the Access America Fund, LP, Renaissance US Growth Investment Trust
Plc, RENN Global Entrepreneurs Funds, Inc., Premier RENN Entrepreneurial Fund Limited, Pope Investments II, LLC and Steve Mazur (collectively,
the “Buyers”), incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October
8, 2009
10.11
Make
Good Securities Escrow Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company, the Buyers, Zhenyong Liu and the Sichenzia Ross Friedman
Ference LLP (the “Escrow Agent”)., incorporated by reference to the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with
the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.12
Escrow
Agreement dated October 7, 2009 between the Company, the Buyers, Zhenyong Liu and the Escrow Agent, incorporated by reference to
the exhibit to our Current Report on form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 8, 2009
10.13
Registration
Rights Agreemen
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.