IT TECH PACKAGING, INC. 10-Q

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements that are included elsewhere in this quarterly report. In this quarterly report, references to “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to IT Tech Packaging, Inc. and its PRC subsidiary and variable interest entity unless the context requires otherwise. We make certain forward-looking statements in this report. Statements concerning our future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, future economic performance (including growth and earnings), demand for our products, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” as well as captions elsewhere in this document, are forward-looking statements. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “target”, “can”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Indeed, it is likely that some of our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Our actual results and financial position may vary from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements and the variances may be material. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties, together with the other risks described from time to time in reports and documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements. In evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this report, you should consider various factors, including, without limitation, the following: (a) those risks and uncertainties related to general economic conditions, (b) whether we are able to manage our planned growth efficiently and operate profitably, (c) whether we are able to generate sufficient revenues or obtain financing to sustain and grow our operations, and (d) whether we are able to successfully fulfill our primary requirements for cash. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required under federal securities laws. Results of Operations Comparison of the Three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $30,019,914, a decrease of $1,768,970, or 5.56%, from $31,788,884 for the same period in the previous year. This was mainly due to the decrease of average selling prices of corrugating medium paper (“CMP”), partially offset by the increase in sales volume of CMP and offset printing paper. 25 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 three months ended June 30, 2023 was $29,975,733, representing a decrease of $1,725,572, or 5.44%, from $31,701,305 for the second quarter of 2022. Total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products sold during the three months ended June 30, 2023 amounted to 78,636 tonnes, representing an increase of 12,668 tonnes, or 19.20%, compared to 65,968 tonnes sold in the comparable period in the previous year. Production of offset printing paper was resumed in May 2023. The changes in revenue dollar amount and in quantity sold for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 Change in Percentage Change Sales Revenue Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity Amount Regular CMP 60,063 $ 21,931,330 53,943 $ 25,853,442 6,120 $ (3,922,112 ) 11.35 % -15.17 % Light-Weight CMP 12,877 $ 4,544,189 11,642 $ 5,436,476 1,235 $ (892,287 ) 10.61 % -16.41 % Total CMP 72,940 $ 26,475,519 65,585 $ 31,289,918 7,355 $ (4,814,399 ) 11.21 % -15.39 % Offset Printing Paper 5,403 $ 3,155,882 - $ - 5,403 $ 3,155,882 % % Tissue Paper Products 293 $ 344,332 383 $ 411,387 (90 ) $ (67,055 ) -23.50 % -16.30 % Total CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Revenue 78,636 $ 29,975,733 65,968 $ 31,701,305 12,668 $ (1,725,572 ) 19.20 % -5.44 % Monthly sales revenue for the 24 months ended June 30, 2023, are summarized below: The Average Selling Prices (ASPs) for our main products in the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows: Offset Printing Paper ASP Regular CMP ASP Light-Weight CMP ASP Tissue Paper Products ASP Three Months ended June 30, 2022 $ - $ 479 $ 467 $ 1,074 Three Months ended June 30, 2023 $ 584 $ 365 $ 353 $ 1,175 Increase (Decrease) from comparable period in the previous year $ 584 $ (114 ) $ (114 ) $ 101 Increase (Decrease) by percentage - -23.80 % -24.41 % 9.40 % 26 The following chart shows the month-by-month ASPs for the 24-month period ended June 30, 2023: Corrugating Medium Paper Revenue from CMP amounted to $26,475,519 (88.32% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a decrease of $4,814,399, or 15.39%, from $31,289,918 for the comparable period in 2022. We sold 72,940 tonnes of CMP in the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to 65,585 tonnes for the same period in 2022, representing a11.21% increase in quantity sold. ASP for regular CMP decreasedfrom $479/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $365/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a 23.80% decrease. ASP in RMB for regular CMP for the second quarter of 2022 and 2023 was RMB3,156 and RMB2,574, respectively, representing a 18.44% decrease. The quantity of regular CMP sold increased by 6,120 tonnes, from 53,943 tonnes in the second quarter of 2022 to 60,063 tonnes in the second quarter of 2023. ASP for light-weight CMP decreased from $467/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $353/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a 24.41% decrease. ASP in RMB for light-weight CMP for the second quarter of 2022 and 2023 was RMB3,064 and RMB2,485, respectively, representing a 18.90% decrease. The quantity of light-weight CMP sold increased by 1,235 tonnes, from 11,642 tonnes in the second quarter of 2022, to 12,877 tonnes in the second quarter of 2023. Our PM6 production line, which produces regular CMP, has a designated capacity of 360,000 tonnes /year. The utilization rates for the second quarter of 2023 and 2022 were 66.61% and 58.98%, respectively, representing an increase of 7.63%. 27 Quantities sold for regular CMP that was produced by the PM6 production line from July 2021 to June 2023 are as follows: Offset printing paper Revenue from offset printing paper was $3,155,882 (representing10.53% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of $3,155,882, or 100%, from $nil for the three months ended June 30, 2022. We resumed production in May 2023 and sold 5,403 tonnes of offset printing paper in the second quarter of 2023. Tissue Paper Products Revenue from tissue paper products was $344,332 (representing1.15% of the total offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products revenues) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a decrease of $67,055, or 16.30%, from $411,387 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. We sold 293 tonnes of tissue paper in the second quarter of 2023, as compared to 383 tonnes in the comparable period of 2022, representing a decrease of 90 tonnes, or 23.50%. ASP for tissue paper products increased from $1,074/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2022 to $1,175/tonne for the three months ended June 30, 2023, representing a 9.4% increase. ASP in RMB for tissue paper products for the second quarter of 2022 and 2023 was RMB7,153 and RMB8,269, respectively, representing a 15.60% increase. 28 Revenue of Face Mask Revenue generated from selling face mask were $44,246 and $87,579 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing a decrease of $43,333, or 49.48%. We sold 1,411 thousand pieces of face masks in the second quarter of 2023, as compared to 1,852 thousand pieces in the comparable period of 2022, a decrease of 441 thousand pieces, or 23.81%. Cost of Sales Total cost of sales for CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper products for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was $28,792,189, a decrease of $2,293,283, or 7.38%, from $31,085,472 for the comparable period in 2022. This was mainly due to thedecrease in unit material costs of CMP, partially offset by the increase in sales quantity of CMP and offset printing paper. Cost of sales for CMP was $24,658,830 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $29,859,737 for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease in the cost of sales of $5,200,907 for CMP was mainly due to the decrease in average unit cost of sales, partially offset by increase in sales volume of CMP and offset printing paper. Average cost of sales per tonne for CMP decreased by 25.71%, from $455 in the second quarter of 2022 to $338 in the second quarter of 2023. The decrease in average cost of sales was mainly attributable to the lower average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled paper board in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the second quarter of 2022. Cost of sales for tissue paper products was $1,053,874 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $1,225,735 for the comparable period in 2022. The decrease in the cost of sales of $171,861 for tissue paper products was mainly due to the decrease in sales volume of tissue paper products, partially offset by the increase in average cost of sales. Average cost of sales per tonne of tissue paper products increased by 12.41%, from $3,200 in the three months ended June 30, 2022, to $3,597 for the comparable period in 2023. This is mainly due to the increase in cost of tissue base paper. Changes in cost of sales and cost per tonne by product for the quarters ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized below: Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Change in June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 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 $ 20,438,880 $ 340 $ 24,746,689 $ 459 $ (4,307,809 ) $ (119 ) -17.41 % -25.93 % Light-Weight CMP $ 4,219,950 $ 328 $ 5,113,048 $ 439 $ (893,098 ) $ (111 ) -17.47 % -25.28 % Total CMP $ 24,658,830 $ 338 $ 29,859,737 $ 455 $ (5,200,907 ) $ (117 ) -17.42 % -25.71 % Offset Printing Paper $ 3,079,485 $ 570 $ - $ - $ 3,079,485 $ 570 % % Tissue Paper Products $ 1,053,874 $ 3,597 1,225,735 $ 3,200 $ (171,861 ) $ 397 -14.02 % 12.41 % Total CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper $ 28,792,189 $ n/a $ 31,085,472 $ n/a $ (2,293,283 ) $ n/a -7.38 % n/a Our average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled paper board in the three months ended June 30, 2023 were RMB 1,340/tonne (approximately $192/tonne), as compared to RMB 1,776/tonne (approximately $273/tonne) for the three months ended June 30, 2022. These changes (in US dollars) represent a year-over-year decrease of 29.67% for the recycled paper board. The average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of tissue base paper was RMB 10,012/tonne (approximately $1,437/tonne) in the three months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to RMB 6,968/tonne (approximately $1,071/tonne) for the three months ended June 30, 2012. 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. 29 The pricing trends of our major raw materials for the 24-month period from July 2021 to June 2023 are shown below: Electricity and gas are our two main energy sources. Electricity and gas accounted for approximately 5% and 14.9% of total sales in the second quarter of 2023, respectively, compared to 4% and 15.4% of total sales in the second quarter of 2022. The monthly energy cost as a percentage of total monthly sales of our main paper products for the 24 months ended June 30, 2023 are summarized as follows: Gross Profit (Loss) Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $1,179,858 (representing 3.93% of the total revenue), representing an increase of $545,821, or 86.09%, from the gross profit of $634,037 (representing 1.99% of the total revenue) for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as a result of factors described above. 30 Offset Printing Paper, CMP and Tissue Paper Products Gross profit for offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $1,183,544, representing an increase of $567,711, or 92.19%, from the gross profit of $615,833 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. 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 2.01 percentage points, from 1.94% for the three months ended June 30, 2022, to 3.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Gross profit margin for regular CMP for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was 6.81%, or 2.53 percentage points higher, as compared to gross profit margin of 4.28% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. Such increase was mainly due to the decrease in cost of recycled paper board, partially offset by the decrease in of ASP of regular CMP in the second quarter of 2023. Gross profit margin for light-weight CMP for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was 7.14%, or 1.19 percentage points higher, as compared to gross profit margin of 5.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was mainly due to the decrease of cost of recycled paper board, partially offset by the decrease in ASP of light-weight CMP in the second quarter of 2023. Gross profit margin for offset printing paper was 2.42% for the three months ended June 30, 2023. Gross profit margin for tissue paper products for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was -206.06%, or 8.11 percentage points lower, as compared to gross profit margin of -197.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The increase in gross loss was mainly due to the increase in cost of base paper, partially offset by the increase in ASP of tissue paper products. Monthly gross profit margins on the sales of our CMP and offset printing paper for the 24-month period ended June 30, 2023 are as follows: 31 Face Masks Gross loss for face masks for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were $3,569 and a gross profit of $18,204, representing a gross margin of -8.07% and 20.79%, respectively. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2023 were $1,323,405, a decrease of $546,397, or 29.22% from $1,869,802 for the three months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the reversal of doubtful debt loss. Loss from Operations Operating loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 was $518,683, a decrease of $717,082, or 58.03%, from $1,235,765 for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The decrease in loss from operations was primarily due to the increase in gross profit, decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the recognition of impairment loss on assets. Other Income and Expenses Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2023 increased by $11,575, from $259,106 in the three months ended June 30, 2022, to $270,681. The Company had short-term and long-term interest-bearing loans, related party loans and leasing obligations that aggregated $17,607,943 as of June 30, 2023, as compared to $15,530,449 as of June 30, 2022. Gain on derivative liability 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. 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 change in fair value of derivative liability for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was a loss of $166,506 and a gain of $960,045, respectively. Net Loss As a result and the factors discussed above, net loss was $1,253,493 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of loss of $965,580, or 335.37%, from $287,913 for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. 32 Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 Revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $49,810,791, representing an increase of $2,540,289, or 5.37%, from $47,270,502 for the same period in the previous year. This was mainly due to the increase in sales volume of CMP and offset printing paper and tissue paper products, partially offset by the decrease in ASP of CMP. 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 six months ended June 30, 2023 was $49,726,882, an increase of $2,600,555, or 5.52%, from $47,126,327 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. This was mainly due to the increase in sales volume of regular CMP, light-weight CMP and offset printing paper, partially offset by the decrease in ASPs of CMP. Total quantities of offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products sold during the six months ended June 30, 2023 amounted to 128,509 tonnes, an increase of 33,058 tonnes, or 34.63%, compared to 95,451 tonnes sold during the six months ended June 30, 2022. Total quantities of CMP and offset printing paper sold increased by 33,354 tonnes in the six months of 2023 as compared to the same period of 2022. We sold 484 tonnes of tissue paper products in the six months of 2023 as opposed to 780 tonnes in the same period of 2022. Production of offset printing paper was resumed in May 2023. The changes in revenue and quantity sold for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows: Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Percentage June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 Change in Change Sales Revenue Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity (Tonne) Amount Quantity Amount Regular CMP 101,726 $ 38,399,299 79,188 $ 38,952,663 22,538 $ (553,364 ) 28.46 % -1.42 % Light-Weight CMP 20,896 $ 7,604,416 15,483 $ 7,363,888 5,413 $ 240,528 34.96 % 3.27 % Total CMP 122,622 $ 46,003,715 94,671 $ 46,316,551 27,951 $ (312,836 ) 29.52 % -0.68 % Offset Printing Paper 5,403 $ 3,155,882 - $ - 5,403 $ 3,155,882 - % - % Tissue Paper Products 484 $ 567,285 780 $ 809,776 (296 ) $ (242,491 ) -37.95 % -29.95 % Total CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Revenue 128,509 $ 49,726,882 95,451 $ 47,126,327 33,058 $ 2,600,555 34.63 % 5.52 % ASPs for our main products in the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized as follows: Offset Printing Paper ASP Regular CMP ASP Light-Weight CMP ASP Tissue Paper Products ASP Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 $ - $ 492 $ 476 $ 1038 Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 $ 584 $ 377 $ 364 $ 1172 Increase (Decrease) from comparable period in the previous year $ 584 $ -115 $ -112 $ 134 Increase (Decrease) by percentage - -23.37 % -23.53 % 12.91 % Revenue of Face Masks Revenue generated from selling face masks were $79,883 and $144,175 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. We sold 2,516 thousand pieces of face masks for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to 3,012 thousand pieces in the comparable period of 2022, a decrease of 496 thousand pieces, or 16.47%. 33 Cost of Sales Total cost of sales for CMP, offset printing paper and tissue paper products in the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $48,810,569, an increase of $2,593,842, or 5.61%, from $46,216,727 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. This was mainly a result of the increase in sales volume of CMP and offset printing paper, partially offset by the decrease of material costs of CMP. Cost of sales for CMP was $43,747,945 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $44,028,827 in the same period of 2022. The decrease in the cost of sales of $280,882 for CMP was mainly due to the decrease in average cost of sales, partially offset by the increase in the quantities of regular CMP sold in the six months of 2023. Average cost of sales per tonne for CMP decreased by 23.23%, from $465 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, to $357 in the same period of 2023.This is mainly attributable to the lower average unit purchase costs (net of applicable value added tax) of recycled paper board. Cost of sales for tissue paper products was $1,983,139 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $2,187,900 in the same period of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sales quantity of tissue paper products, partially offset by the increase in cost of tissue base paper. Average cost of sales per tonne of tissue paper products increased by 46.06%, from $2,805 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, to $4,097 for the same period of 2023. Changes in cost of sales and cost per tonne by product for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are summarized below: Six Months Ended Six Months Ended Change in June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 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 $ 36,588,828 $ 360 $ 37,145,391 $ 469 $ (556,563 ) $ (109 ) -1.50 % -23.24 % Light-Weight CMP $ 7,159,117 $ 343 $ 6,883,436 $ 445 $ 275,681 $ (102 ) 4.00 % -22.92 % Total CMP $ 43,747,945 $ 357 $ 44,028,827 $ 465 $ (280,882 ) $ (108 ) -0.64 % -23.23 % Offset Printing Paper $ 3,079,485 $ 570 $ - $ - $ 3,079,485 $ - - - Tissue Paper Products $ 1,983,139 $ 4,097 $ 2,187,900 $ 2,805 $ (204,761 ) $ 1,292 -9.36 % 46.06 % Total CMP, Offset Printing Paper and Tissue Paper Revenue $ 48,810,569 $ n/a $ 46,216,727 $ n/a $ 2,593,842 $ n/a 5.61 % n/a % Gross Profit Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $902,859 (representing1.81% of the total revenue), representing a decrease of $41,623, or 4.41%, from the gross profit of $944,482 (representing 2.00% of the total revenue) for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Offset Printing Paper, CMP and Tissue Paper Products Gross profit for offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $916,313, an increase of $6,713, or 0.74%, from the gross profit of $909,600 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The overall gross profit margin for offset printing paper, CMP and tissue paper products decreased by 0.09 percentage points, from 1.93% for the six months ended June 30, 2022, to 1.84% for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Gross profit margin for regular CMP for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was 4.71%, or 0.07 percentage points higher, as compared to gross profit margin of 4.64% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Gross profit margin for light-weight CMP for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was 5.86%, or 0.66 percentage points lower, as compared to gross profit margin of 6.52% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Gross profit margin for offset printing paper was 2.42% for the six months ended June 30, 2023. Gross profit margin for tissue paper products was -249.58% for the six months ended June 30, 2023, a decrease of 79.39 percentage points, as compared to -170.19% for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the increase in cost of tissue base paper. Face Masks Gross loss for face mask for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $6,407, representing a gross margin of -8.02% compared with a gross profit of $34,882, representing a gross margin of 24.19%, for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2023 were $3,818,767, a decrease of $1,351,916, or 26.15% from $5,170,683 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was mainly due to the reversal of doubtful debt loss and decrease in depreciation of idle fixed assets during production suspension. 34 Loss from Operations Operating loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $3,291,044, a decrease of $935,157or 22.13%, from $4,226,201 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the recognition of impairment loss on assets. Other Income and Expenses Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2023 decreased by $10,069, from $529,919 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, to $519,850. The Company had short-term and long-term interest-bearing loans and lease obligation that aggregated $17,607,943 as of June 30, 2023, as compared to $15,530,449 as of June 30, 2022. Gain on derivative liability 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. 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 change in fair value of derivative liability for the sixmonths ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was a loss of $14,409 and a gain of $1,346,633, respectively. Net Loss As a result of the above, net loss was $3,986,658 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, representing an increase of loss of $1,210,531, or 43.61%, from $2,776,127 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Accounts Receivable Net accounts receivable was $2,416,572 as of June 30, 2023, as compared with $nil as of December 31, 2022. We usually collect accounts receivable within 30 days of delivery and completion of sales. Inventories Inventories consist of raw materials (accounting for 83.83% of total value of inventory as of June 30, 2023), semi-finished goods and finished goods. As of June 30, 2023, the recorded value of inventory increased by 128.69% to $6,569,323 from $2,872,622 as of December 31, 2022. As of June 30, 2023, the inventory of recycled paper board, which is the main raw material for the production of CMP, was $4,871,125, approximately $3,612,964, or 287.16%, higher than the balance as of December 31, 2022. As a result of better control over stock turnover and volatility of recycled paper board price, inventory was kept in a minimum level as of December 31, 2022. A summary of changes in major inventory items is as follows: June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 $ Change % Change Raw Materials Recycled paper board $ 4,871,125 $ 1,258,161 3,612,964 287.16 % Recycled white scrap paper 10,436 10,809 -373 -3.45 % Tissue base paper 273,903 60,660 213,243 351.54 % Gas 142,533 42,237 100,296 237.46 % Mask fabric and other raw materials 209,154 99,569 109,585 110.06 % Total Raw Materials 5,507,151 1,471,436 4,035,715 274.27 % Semi-finished Goods 395,327 132,810 262,517 197.66 % Finished Goods 666,845 1,268,376 -601,531 -47.43 % Total inventory, gross 6,569,323 2,872,622 3,696,701 128.69 % Inventory reserve - - - Total inventory, net $ 6,569,323 $ 2,872,622 3,696,701 128.69 % 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 $143,486 (RMB1,000,000). The lease agreement was renewed in August 2022 with a term of six years with the same rental payments as provided for in the original lease agreement. 35 Capital Expenditure Commitment as of June 30, 2023 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 June 30, 2023, we had approximately $3.9 million in capital expenditure commitments that were mainly related to the purchase of paper machine of PM10. The infrastructure work of PM10 has been completed and the associated ancillary facilities are working in progress. 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, Tengsheng Paper sold the Leased Equipment to TLCL for 16 million (approximately US$2.5 million). Concurrent with the sale of equipment, Tengsheng Paper leases back the equipment sold to TLCL for a lease term of three years. At the end of the lease term, Tengsheng Paper 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. Tengsheng Paper made payments due according to the schedule. The balance of Leased Equipment net of amortization was $1,796,034 and $1,939,970 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The lease liability was $18,854 and $131,772, and its current portion in the amount of $18,854 and $131,772 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Amortization of the Leased Equipment was $37,661 and $39,972 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Amortization of the Leased Equipment was $76,526 and $81,978 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Total interest expenses for the sale-leaseback arrangement was $2,182 and $10,862 for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Total interest expenses for the sale-leaseback arrangement was $6,671 and $24,369 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. 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. Cash and Cash Equivalents Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of June 30, 2023 was $11,980,759, an increase of $2,455,891, from $9,524,868 as of December 31, 2022. The increase of cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was attributable to a number of factors including: i. Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,746,719 for the six months ended June 30, 2023. The balance represented an increase of cash of $1,796,937, or 45.49%, from $3,949,782 provided for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $3,986,658, representing an increase of loss of $1,210,531, or 43.61%, from a net loss of $2,776,127 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Changes in various asset and liability account balances throughout the six months ended June 30, 2023 also contributed to the net change in cash from operating activities in six months ended June 30, 2023. Chief among such changes is the increase of accounts receivable in the amount of $1,674,665 during the six months of 2023. There was also an increase of $3,940,417 in the ending inventory balance as of June 30, 2023 (a decrease to net cash for the six months ended June 30, 2023 cash flow purposes). In addition, the Company had non-cash expenses relating to depreciation and amortization in the amount of $7,150,057, reversal of allowance of bad debts of $830,847 and loss from disposal of $126,797 and impairment of $375,136 on property, plant and equipment. The Company also had a net decrease of $7,634,922 in prepayment and other current assets (an increase to net cash) and a net increase of $807,717 in other payables and accrued liabilities and related parties (an increase to net cash), as well as a decrease in income tax payable of $67,515 (a decrease to net cash) during the six months ended June 30, 2023. 36 ii. Net cash used in investing activities We incurred $5,565,713 in net cash expenditures for investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $7,324,305 for the same period of 2022. iii. Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities was $2,823,597 for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities in the amount of $6,673,987 for the six months ended June 30, 2022. Short-term bank loans June 30, December 31, 2023 2022 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (“ICBC”) Loan 1 $ 4,773,174 $ 5,023,978 ICBC Loan 2 - 287,167 ICBC Loan 3 - 143,583 ICBC Loan 4 415,179 - China Construction Bank Loan 138,393 143,583 ICBC Loan 5 415,179 - Total short-term bank loans $ 5,741,925 $ 5,598,311 On November 10, 2022, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $4,773,174 and $5,023,978 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. 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 company repaid $71,743 in May 2023 and the balance of the loan will be due by November 13, 2023. On November 30, 2022, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $nil and $287,167 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The loan bore an interest rate of 4.25% per annum. The loan was repaid in May 2023. On November 30, 2022, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $nil and $143,583 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The loan bore an interest rate of 4.25% per annum. The loan was repaid in May 2023. On May 29, 2023, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $415,179 as of June 30, 2023. The loan bears a fixed interest rate of 4.25% per annum. The loan will be due by November 25, 2023. On July 29, 2022, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the China Construction Bank, with a balance of $138,393 and $143,583 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The loan bears a fixed interest rate of 3.95% per annum. The loan will be due by July 29, 2023. On June 29, 2023, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with the ICBC, with a balance of $415,179 as of June 30, 2023. The loan bears a fixed interest rate of 3.55% per annum. The loan will be due by June 28, 2024. As of June 30, 2023, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $4,773,174 and unsecured bank loans of $968,751. As of December 31, 2022, there were guaranteed short-term borrowings of $5,023,978 and unsecured bank loans of $574,333. The average short-term borrowing rates for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were approximately 4.83% and 4.79%. The average short-term borrowing rates for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were approximately 4.77% and 4.79%. Long-term loans As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, long-term loans were $11,198,760 and $9,040,002, respectively. 37 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 duequarterly and bore a rate of 7.68% per annum. Effective from November 15, 2022, the interest rate is reduced to 7% per annum. 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total outstanding loan balance was $1,190,180 and $1,234,816, respectively, which are presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. 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 andwas due and payable in various installments from December 21, 2018 to June 20, 2023. On June 19, 2023, the loan was extended for another 5 years and will be due and payable on June 20, 2028. The loan is secured by certain of the Company’s manufacturing equipment with net book value of $59,048 and $280,466 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Interest payment is due quarterly and bore a rate of 7.68% per annum. Effective from November 15, 2022, the interest rate is reduced to 7% per annum. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total outstanding loan balance was $3,459,824 and $3,589,582, respectively, which are presented as non-current liabilities and current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, 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 Tengsheng Paper with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due quarterly and bore a rate of 7.68% per annum. Effective from November 15, 2022, the interest rate is reduced to 7% per annum. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total outstanding loan balance was $2,214,288 and $2,297,332, respectively, which are presented as current liabilities and non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. 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 Tengsheng Paper with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due monthly and bore a rate of 7.56% per annum. Effective from November 15, 2022, the interest rate is reduced to 7% per annum. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total outstanding loan balance was $1,799,109 and $1,866,582, respectively, which are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. On February 26, 2023, 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 August 21, 2023 to February 24, 2025. The loan is secured by Dongfang Paper with its land use right as collateral for the benefit of the credit union. Interest payment is due monthly and bore a rate of 7% per annum. As of June 30, 2023, the total outstanding loan balance was $2,491,073. Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion amounted was $345,982, which is presented as current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet and the remaining balance of $2,145,092 is presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023. On July 1, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Jiangna Yu, a customer of the Company, pursuant to which the Company borrowed RMB 400,000 from Jiangna Yu for a term of five years. The loan is payable in monthly installment of RMB10,667 from July 2022 to July 2027. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total outstanding loan balance was $44,286 and $51,690, respectively. Out of the total outstanding loan balance, current portion amounted were $11,072 and $11,486, which are presented as current liabilities and the remaining balance of $33,214 and $40,204 are presented as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Total interest expenses for the short-term bank loans and long-term loans for the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were $268,499 and $248,244, respectively. Total interest expenses for the short-term bank loans and long-term loans for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 were $513,179 and $505,550, respectively. 38 Shareholder Loans Mr. Zhenyong 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 $354,748 and $368,052 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately $41,518 and $43,075 of interest, respectively 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 was 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the outstanding interest was $190,204 and $197,338, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities as part of the current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, total amount of loans due to Mr. Zhenyong Liu were $nil. The interest expense incurred for such related party loans were $nil for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. The accrued interest owing to Mr. Zhenyong Liu was approximately $586,470 and $608,465, as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which was recorded in other payables and accrued liabilities. On December 8, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which allows Mr. Zhenyong Liu to borrow from the Company an amount of $6,507,431 (RMB44,089,085). The loan is unsecured and carries a fixed interest rate of 3% per annum. The loan was repaid by Mr. Zhenyong Liu in February 2022. In October 2022 and November 2022, the Company entered into two agreements with Mr. Zhenyong Liu, which allowed Mr. Zhenyong Liu to borrow from the Company an amount of $6,919,649 (RMB50,000,000) in total. The loans were unsecured and carried a fixed interest rate of 4.35% per annum. The loan will be repaid by the end of August 2023. Interest income of the loan for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $176,847. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, amount due to shareholder was $727,433, which represents funds from shareholders to pay for various expenses incurred in the U.S. The amount is due on demand with interest free. 39 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 three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, 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. 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 to translate the Chinese RMB to the U.S. Dollars are 7.2258:1 and 6.9646:1, respectively. Revenues and expenses are translated using the prevailing average exchange rates at 6.9693:1 and 6.5058:1 for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, 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 $4,290,182 (RMB31,000,000), which matures at various times in 2028. 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. 40 Recent Accounting Pronouncements In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2021-08), which clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.