UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-KSB
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ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
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TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from
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to
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Commission file number 333-145939
CleanTech Biofuels, Inc.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
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Delaware
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33-0754902
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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7386 Pershing Ave., University City, Missouri
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63130
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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(Issuers telephone number):
(314) 802-8670
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Check whether the issuer is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.
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Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act during the past 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
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NO
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Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item 405 of Regulation S-B
contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge,
in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes
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No
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Issuers revenues for its most recent fiscal year - $-0-
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of
March 28, 2008 -
$29,328,036
As of March
25, 2008, the number of shares outstanding of the Companys common stock was
53,776,747.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrants
Proxy Statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, into Part III of this Form 10-KSB where indicated.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): YES
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NO
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CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
From time to time, we make written or oral statements that are forward-looking, including
statements contained in this report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) and in our reports to stockholders. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provide a safe harbor for such
forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included
herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected
costs, prospects, plans, objectives and other future events and circumstances are forward-looking
statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as
anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, projects, would,
should and similar expressions or negative expressions of these terms. Such statements are only
predictions and, accordingly, are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations
disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We caution you that any forward-looking
statement reflects only our belief at the time the statement is made. Although we believe that the
expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee our
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Refer to our Risk Factors section
of this report for a full description of factors we believe could cause actual results or events to
differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. These factors include:
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the commercial viability of our technologies,
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our ability to maintain and enforce our exclusive rights to our technologies,
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our ability to raise additional capital on favorable terms in the next three to four
months,
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our disputes and resulting litigation with the licensor of our PSC technology,
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the demand for and production costs of ethanol,
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competition from other alternative energy technologies, and
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other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.
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Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are based upon
reasonable assumptions, it is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could have a
material and negative impact on our future performance. The forward-looking statements in this
report are made on the basis of managements assumptions and analyses, as of the time the
statements are made, in light of their experience and perception of historical conditions, expected
future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate under the circumstances.
PART I
ITEM 1. Description of Business
Company Overview
We are a development stage company that intends to:
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complete the research and development of our licensed technologies, which we believe
when combined can convert municipal solid waste into ethanol; and
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explore, develop and/or license additional technologies for processing waste into energy
products as opportunities to do so present themselves.
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Our licensed technologies are:
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the Pressurized Steam Classification technology, which we refer to as our PSC
technology, invented at the University of Huntsville, Alabama, that uses a pressurized
steam classification vessel to convert municipal solid waste, also known as MSW, into
cellulosic material while simultaneously segregating and eliminating any inorganic
materials in the solid waste and cleaning recyclable materials in the MSW;
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the sulfuric acid hydrolysis process, which we refer to as our Brelsford technology,
developed by Brelsford Engineering, Inc., that employs an acid hydrolysis process to
convert cellulosic material into fermentable sugars, which can then be fermented into
ethanol; and
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the nitric acid hydrolysis process, which we refer to as our HFTA technology,
developed by scientists working at the University of California, Berkeley, that
incorporates anticipated improvements in chemical reaction by which acid hydrolysis occurs.
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We were originally incorporated in 1996 as Long Road Entertainment, Inc., and were formed to
operate as a holding company for businesses in the theater, motion picture and entertainment
industries. We ceased conducting that business in 2005 and were dormant until the fall of 2006, at
which time our founder and then controlling stockholder decided to pursue the sale of the company.
In anticipation of that sale, we changed our name to Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.
On March 27, 2007, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization in which we
agreed to acquire SRS Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation that is the holder of the technology
licenses. Pursuant to the merger agreement, SRS Acquisition Sub, our wholly-owned subsidiary,
merged into SRS Energy with SRS Energy as the surviving corporation. We consummated the merger on
May 31, 2007 resulting in SRS Energy becoming our wholly-owned subsidiary. Today, SRS Energy is our
principal operating company. Effective August 2, 2007, we changed our name to CleanTech Biofuels,
Inc.
SRS Energy was originally formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Supercritical Recovery Systems,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, in July 2004. At that time, Supercritical Recovery Systems was a
licensee of various technologies for the processing of waste materials into usable products. While
investigating different technologies, Supercritical Recovery Systems was introduced to the PSC and
Brelsford technologies and secured licenses to the technologies in SRS Energy. Prior to our
acquisition of SRS Energy, Supercritical Recovery Systems distributed approximately 80% of its
ownership of SRS Energy to the stockholders of Supercritical Recovery Systems. Since our
acquisition of SRS Energy, Supercritical Recovery Systems has ceased its business activities with
respect to licensing other technologies.
The license to the PSC technology grants SRS Energy limited exclusive rights to use the technology
to process municipal solid waste and convert the cellulosic component of that waste to a homogenous
feedstock to produce ethanol in the United States, subject to the right of Bio-Products to request
five sites to construct solid waste to ethanol plants in the United States. SRS Energys license to
the Brelsford technology is limited to the production of fuel grade ethanol in the United States.
The license is exclusive with regard to the conversion of MSW to cellulosic biomass and
non-exclusive with respect to the conversion of other feedstock for the production of ethanol. The
license to the HFTA technology provides us an exclusive worldwide license to use the technology for
the production of energy products from MSW and a non-exclusive license to use the technology to
produce energy products from other feedstocks. By coupling these technologies, we believe we may
have the ability to extract biomass from curbside solid waste (among other potential sources of
cellulosic material) and convert it into fuel grade ethanol.
We have no operating history as a producer of ethanol and have not constructed any ethanol plants
to date. We have not earned any revenues to date and expect that our current capital and other
existing resources will be sufficient only to complete the testing of our technologies and to
provide a limited amount of working capital. We will require substantial additional capital to
implement our business plan and we may be unable to obtain the capital required to build any
commercial plants. Our strategy is to build our company in several phases with the ultimate goal of
becoming a leading producer of ethanol and other combustible fuels from municipal waste and other
feedstocks.
We are currently focusing on testing, demonstrating and commercializing our existing licensed
technologies. On an ongoing basis, we intend to continue investigating opportunities to develop or
acquire complementary technologies, especially those that would allow us to improve our existing
processes or to add value to the various byproducts produced by those processes. In addition, we
will look for opportunities to combine our technologies with other
synergistic processes in innovative energy parks, where some of our byproducts, such as lignin,
could be used as inputs to other processes, such as gasifiers, that could produce inputs for us,
such as steam. We have structured our Strategic Plan on the following three phases with respect to
the development and commercialization of our existing technologies:
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Proof of Concept/Demonstration Phase
The scientists who invented the HFTA technology constructed a test unit at the Forest Products
Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley that demonstrated the effectiveness of the
technology using wood waste as a feedstock. In late January 2008, we purchased this equipment,
moved it from the Forest Products Laboratory and reassembled it at the Hazen Research facility in
Golden, Colorado.
We are using the HFTA equipment to conduct the proof of concept phase of our project. The HFTA
equipment enables us to test different chemical and biologic methods for hydrolyzing biomass as
well as different types of biomass to determine the most efficient processes and feedstocks
available. We believe that the existing infrastructure for collecting MSW combined with the high
tipping fees paid for accepting the garbage will provide the most economically feasible feedstock.
However, we also believe that the technologies we have licensed will prove useful when applied to
other feedstocks and/or processes for hydrolyzing biomass that are currently being developed.
At this stage of our development we are seeking to prove that biomass derived using the PSC
technology does not include any contaminants or residue that prohibit the chemical or biologic
reactions necessary to complete the sacchrification and fermentation processes required to produce
fuel grade ethanol. We believe that the HFTA technology may prove useful as a pretreatment for a
variety of other hydrolysis technologies being developed to separate hemicelluloses and then using
commercially available enzymes to separate the remaining cellulose and lignin. In order to
determine whether this is true, we also are testing the HFTA equipment as a first-stage to separate
hemicellulose and then using commercially available enzymes to separate the cellulose. In addition
to using the HFTA technology for hydrolyzing biomass, we are also using the HFTA equipment to test
a variety of other feedstocks, including corn stover, switch grass and wood waste using these same
methods of hydrolyzing biomass. The hydrolsate derived from these various processes and feedstocks
will be fermented into alcohol.
Concurrent with the proof of concept, we are completing the design and engineering of a
demonstration system that incorporates all of the technology for sacchrification and fermentation
into a continuously operating unit. This system will process approximately four tons of MSW, or
about one ton of dry biomass per operating day, which on average is eight hours. The purpose of the
unit is to demonstrate the complete system for converting biomass derived from MSW into ethanol.
Final details of the demonstration plant design will depend on results of the proof of concept
phase; however, we have substantially completed these designs and will be able to move to
fabrication, procurement and construction of the demonstration unit upon completing the proof of
concept testing provided we are able to obtain the financing necessary to do so. After completing
construction of the demonstration plant, we intend to operate the plant for a period of time,
currently anticipated to be two to three months, in order to conduct testing and evaluation
necessary to complete the design of a small commercial plant. While we have not yet completed the
project management plan for the demonstration phase of the project, we anticipate this phase of the
project will require nine to twelve months following the end of the testing phase to complete.
We expect we will spend all of our current funds on and during the proof of concept phase of our
development. When we initially began our engineering and design our sole technology for hydrolyzing
biomass was the Brelsford technology. To cause the hydrolysis reaction, the Brelsford technology
uses sulfuric acid, which is corrosive to metal. Because of this characteristic, our original plan
was to design special equipment to accommodate the use of sulfuric acid. We also anticipated the
need to design a large plant in order to acquire the necessary engineering knowledge to implement
the Brelsford technology on a commercial scale. As a result, our early projections for the cost of
the demonstration plant were in the range of $50.0 million to $90.0 million.
We believe that using the HFTA technology where nitric acid causes the hydrolysis reaction will
eliminate the need to specifically design equipment for our processes. If we are able to
successfully hydrolyze biomass derived from MSW using the HFTA technology, we believe that existing
industrial equipment could be used to implement the technology on a commercial scale. As a result,
we do not believe we need to construct a large demonstration plant and have
reduced the projected size of the plant we will develop during our next stage of development from
that previously anticipated and redesigned the plant to include the HFTA technology.
We anticipate that the construction, operation, and testing of the demonstration plant will cost
approximately $5.0 million. We expect to finance this stage of our development almost exclusively
with equity financing. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing
necessary to complete the construction of the demonstration plant on favorable terms, or at all.
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Commercialization Phase
Before we attempt to implement our technology on a larger scale, we anticipate building and
operating a small commercial plant that will process a minimum of 100 tons of MSW per operating
day. The final size of this small scale commercial plant will be determined based on a number of
factors that we are currently evaluating. The purpose of building a small scale commercial plant
is to demonstrate at a small commercial level the workings of the integrated system, including the
PSC technology, in order to have sufficient information with respect to materials handling and
operation of the technology to enable us to utilize more traditional project financing for the
implementation of the technology on a larger scale.
Much of the design and engineering of the small commercial plant will be completed during the proof
of concept/demonstration phase of our development. Final design of this system will depend in large
part on data we gather in the prior phase.
In order to expedite the process for construction of a small commercial plant, we have begun
identifying and evaluating sites to determine locations with favorable feedstock supplies,
transportation logistics, tax credits, governmental grants, municipal financing possibilities, and
local and state construction and environmental regulations.
We are engaged in discussions with the United States Department of Energy to obtain federal grants
and loan guarantees to assist in financing this stage of our development. As soon as we select
favorable municipalities for the construction of a small scale commercial plant, we will contact
the waste haulers and operators of the materials recovery facilities, also known as MRFs, or
landfill in those areas, as appropriate, to negotiate feedstock supply and off-take agreements for
the small-scale commercial plant in order to realize cost savings by utilizing common
infrastructure and operating savings from proximity to feedstock, landfill capacity and
transportation. Permitting for this plant will begin immediately upon selection of a site and
completion of necessary agreements to construct the plant.
During the operation of the small scale commercial plant, we hope to identify and resolve
challenges arising from materials transport and handling on a commercial scale before employing the
capital required to commercialize the technology on a larger scale. By the end of this phase we
hope to have demonstrated our ability to profitably implement the system on a commercial scale.
Replication and Rollout Phase
We intend to follow a systematic evaluation process in identifying and selecting additional sites
for the construction of full-scale operating plants in order to focus on those with the best
near-term and long-term potential. If market conditions are not favorable for the construction of
new plants, we may consider licensing our technology to third parties with existing waste-to-energy
facilities. To date, we have not identified any sites for a full-scale facility or commenced any
material discussions with any party regarding building a full-scale operating plant and/or
licensing our technology to a third-party. We have only preliminarily begun to explore these
possibilities.
Our ability to implement this strategy will depend on our ability to raise significant amounts of
additional capital and to hire appropriate managers and staff. Our success will also depend on a
variety of market forces and other developments beyond our control.
Industry Overview
General
Ethanol, today, is produced mostly from sugars or starches, obtained from fruits and grains.
Production in the United States ethanol industry is currently dominated by corn distillation.
According to the Renewable Fuels Association, domestic ethanol production increased from 1.3
billion gallons per year in 1997 to approximately 6.1 billion gallons per year as of December 2007.
In 2006, the top 12 producers accounted for approximately 47 percent of the industrys total
estimated production capacity. More than 50 smaller producers and farmer-owned cooperatives, most
with production of 50 million gallons per year or less, generate the remaining production.
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Corn Ethanol
Although the ethanol industry continues to explore production technologies employing various
feedstocks, corn-based production technologies are the predominant methods used by ethanol
producers today and are likely to remain dominant for the near future. Consequently, most U.S.
ethanol is, and we expect will be for the foreseeable future, produced in the Midwest, where corn
is abundant. As a result, corn ethanol producers are susceptible to fluctuating corn costs. In
fact, the rapid growth in demand for corn for ethanol production is creating intensifying
competition with the demand for corn as a food source, which will likely result in higher future
corn prices that in turn may increase the cost of ethanol produced from corn.
In addition, corn ethanol faces distribution issues. More than half of the total U.S. ethanol
production is consumed in the east-coast and west-coast markets, primarily as a result of the
stricter air quality requirements in large parts of those markets. The movement of ethanol via
pipeline is limited as a result of the tendency of ethanol to absorb water and other impurities
found in the pipelines, logistical limitations of existing pipelines and limited volumes of ethanol
that need to be transported. As a result, the primary means of transporting ethanol from the
Midwest to the coasts is by rail transportation, at additional cost. Consequently, ethanol today
is sold primarily in the marketplace in which it is produced. Since most corn is grown in the
Midwest, most ethanol plants in the United States are also located in the Midwest, but many of the
largest cities, where energy consumption is the greatest, are great distances from existing ethanol
plants.
Cellulosic Ethanol
Cellulosic ethanol is obtained from cellulose. Cellulose is plentiful as it is present in every
plant, straw, grass and wood, as well as being abundant in solid waste and other waste. Moreover,
since cellulose is the main component of plants, the whole plant, rather than just the fruits and
grains, can be harvested. In fact, a joint study by the United States Departments of Agriculture
and Energy recently concluded that the United States land resources could produce a sustainable
supply of biomass sufficient to displace 30 percent of the countrys current gasoline consumption.
Most of these bio-mass products are currently discarded. Since cellulose cannot be digested by
humans, the production of cellulose does not compete with the production of food. The price per ton
of the raw material is thus much cheaper than fruits or grains and in the case of municipal solid
waste, processors such as our company may be paid to take the material. We believe that because of
the size of the untapped biomass resource, for example, agricultural, forestry and municipal
wastes, the cost of cellulosic material as a feedstock to ethanol producers will be less than the
cost of corn.
In June 2006, a United States Senate hearing determined that the cost of producing cellulosic
ethanol is $2.25 per gallon. This was primarily due to the current poor conversion efficiency. The
Department of Energy has stated, however, that it is optimistic that new technologies will improve
efficiencies in the manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. Based on this optimism, the Department of
Energy has requested a doubling of research funding. The same Senate hearing was told that the
research target was to reduce the cost of production to $1.07 per gallon by 2012.
The ability to take advantage of the potential biomass feedstock resource will depend, however, on
further progress in developing and commercializing technologies to cost-effectively process
cellulosic materials. A number of cellulosic-based technologies are currently in various stages of
development and commercialization. We believe the most promising technologies are:
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acid hydrolysis of cellulosic materials followed by fermentation of the resulting
sugars, which is the technology we plan to employ;
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Enzymatic processing of cellulose into fermentable sugars; and
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gasification followed by either catalytic or fermentation transformation of the
synthesis gas into fuel.
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Acid Hydrolysis
It has been known for over 100 years that acids act as catalyst to convert, or hydrolyze, cellulose
and hemicellulose into simple sugars such as hexose and pentose sugars. The chemistry for hexose
and pentose is C
6
and C
5
, respectively. Traditional acid hydrolysis occurs in
two stages to accommodate the differences between hemicellulose and cellulose and uses sulfuric
acid, a highly corrosive acid, to drive the reaction. The first stage can be operated under milder
conditions, which maximizes yield from more readily hydrolyzed hemicellulose. The second stage is
optimized for hydrolysis of the more resistant cellulose fraction and traditionally requires high
temperatures and acid concentration to operate efficiently. Additionally, we believe that the use
of the HFTA technology will enable us to construct and operate commercial plants at substantially
lower costs than would be required to use sulfuric acid to drive the hydrolysis of biomass. At each
stage, sugar water is recovered and fermented and distilled to alcohol. Residual cellulose and
lignin left over in the solids from the hydrolysis reactors can serve as boiler fuel but cannot be
used to produce ethanol. Until recently, however, acid hydrolysis-based technologies were too
expensive to compete with low-cost production methods of petroleum-based products. We believe,
however, that our Brelsford and/or HFTA technologies create an efficient acid hydrolysis process that
will enable us to be cost competitive.
Enzymatic Conversion
Enzymatic conversion of cellulose to ethanol faces a number of near-term technical challenges, but
offers considerable longer-term promise as a low-cost approach. Enzymatic processes break down
cellulose chains into glucose molecules by cellulosic enzymes. This reaction occurs naturally at
body temperature in the stomach of ruminants, such as cows and sheep, where the enzymes are
produced by bacteria. The laboratory processes being developed use several enzymes at various
stages to replicate this biologic process. Using a similar enzymatic system, cellulosic materials
can be enzymatically hydrolyzed (at a relatively mild temperature and acid level), thus enabling
effective cellulose breakdown without the formation of byproducts that would otherwise inhibit
enzyme activity.
Gasification
Gasification of cellulosic materials is also a technology undergoing rapid improvement and may
present serious near- to mid-term competition to ethanol production that is based on acid
hydrolysis. The gasification process does not rely on chemical decomposition of the cellulose
chain. Instead of breaking the cellulose into sugar molecules, the carbon in the raw material is
converted into synthesis gas, using what amounts to partial combustion. The carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide and hydrogen may then be fed into a special kind of fermenter. Instead of yeast, which
operates on sugar, this process uses microorganisms in the Clostridium genus. These microorganisms
ingest carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen and produce ethanol and water. The process can
be broken into three steps:
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Gasification Complex carbon based molecules are broken apart to access the carbon as
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced;
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Fermentation Convert the carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen into ethanol
using the microorganisms; and
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Distillation Ethanol is separated from water.
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Alternatively, the synthesis gas from gasification may be fed to a catalytic reactor where the
synthesis gas is used to produce ethanol and other higher alcohols as well.
Government Policies
National, state and local governmental policies have, and we believe will continue to play, a
critical role in the development of the ethanol industry.
Clean Air Oxygen Standards
The federal Clean Air Act requires that ozone non-attainment areas, which are the regions of the
country with the worst smog, use reformulated gasoline, also referred to as RFG. Today almost
one-third of U.S. gasoline is RFG. Methyl tertiary butyl ether, referred to as MTBE, and ethanol
have been the two most commonly used substances to add oxygen to gasoline to meet the RFG
requirements.
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Phase out of MTBE
Because MTBE is a possible human carcinogen, it is being phased out in many states. If MTBE were
to be banned completely, it could create a huge boost in demand for ethanol, especially if the
oxygen standard for RFG remains in place.
Renewable Fuels Standard
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 dictates that production of alternative fuels
reach 36 billion gallons per year by the year 2022. To reach this goal, at least 20 billion gallons
per year will need to be produced from feedstock sources other than corn.
Tax Incentives
Currently, two types of federal tax incentives apply to biomass-derived ethanol that is sold as
fuel: (1) a partial excise tax exemption, and (2) income tax credits. Ethanol blends of 10 percent
or more qualify for a $0.053 per gallon exemption, with proportionally lower amounts applying to
lower ethanol/gasoline blends. In effect, this exemption structure provides a $0.53 per gallon of
ethanol exemption from excise taxes.
Tariff Protection
The government currently levies a tariff of $0.54 per gallon on imported fuel ethanol. This tariff
is justified as a measure to offset the effect of the excise tax exemption, but its effect is to
give significant protection to domestic producers from low cost foreign sources such as Brazil.
Fuel ethanol imported from Jamaica, Trinidad, El Salvador, Costa Rica and certain other Caribbean
nations, however, is not subject to tariff and therefore gives these smaller countries preferential
access to the U.S. market.
Our Technologies
We believe we can convert municipal solid waste into cellulosic material using our PSC technology,
and then using our Brelsford and HFTA technologies to process that cellulosic material into
fermentable sugars using an acid hydrolysis method and ferment the sugars into ethanol.
PSC technology
Municipal solid waste, also known as MSW, contains valuable resources if they can be recovered
economically. Waste haulers often bring unsorted waste by truck to MRFs for sorting and removal of
selected materials prior to disposal in sanitary landfills. To date, however, the amounts of
materials recovered are relatively small, typically on the order of 20 percent of the total volume
of waste.
Our PSC technology was developed at the University of Alabama, Huntsville. The University of
Alabama, Huntsville granted an exclusive world-wide license to Bio-Products International, Inc., a
company controlled by Dr. Michael Eley. Bio-Products licensed us the exclusive right to use this
technology for the production of ethanol in the United States. Bio-Products also licensed the
technology to World Waste Technologies for use in the production of paper, but not ethanol.
The PSC process separates curbside MSW into organic and inorganic materials using a patented and
proprietary process, referred to as pressurized steam classification, which involves a unique
combination of steam, pressure and agitation. The separation is accomplished by placing waste
material in a rotating pressure vessel, or autoclave. In the autoclave, the material is heated to
several hundred degrees, which sterilizes the waste material, while the
pressure and agitation cause a pulping action. This combination is designed to result in a large
volume reduction, yielding the following two sterilized resource streams for further manufacturing
of new products:
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Cellulosic biomass, a decontaminated, homogeneous feedstock that we expect will
represent approximately 55 to 60 percent of the MSW and will be suitable for conversion to
ethanol or other uses.
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Separated recyclables (steel cans and other ferrous materials, aluminum cans, plastics,
and glass), which we expect will represent about 25 percent of the MSW input and are sorted
and can be sold to recyclers.
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The process also creates residual waste (fines, rocks, soil, textiles and non-recyclable
fractions), which we expect will represent the remaining 15 to 20 percent of the MSW input. We
will not be able to recover any value in this residual waste. We will be required to deliver this
waste to landfills, thereby reducing the tipping fees we are paid.
Although the PSC technology has not been independently tested, World Waste Technologies has used
the PSC process to generate cellulosic material from MSW for the production of paper. In addition
to having been used on a commercial scale, we believe that the PSC process represents a significant
improvement over other autoclave technologies currently in use because of:
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the relationship between agitation of the waste material, moisture, and the temperature
and pressure of steam in the vessel;
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the method of introduction of steam into the autoclave vessel, the pressure range, along
with the method of full depressurization, and treatment of the steam being vented from the
process to prevent air pollution;
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the method of mixing the heat and steam with the waste uniformly throughout the vessel;
and,
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the direct and critical correlation between the length and diameter of the vessel,
internal flighting and the total tonnage of waste to be processed for proper mixing and
product yield.
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In 2007, World Waste Technologies purchased the patent for the PSC technology and the license
agreement between the University and Bio-Products from the University subject to a preexisting
exclusive license granted by the University to Bio-Products and the sub-license granted to us by
Bio-Products.
Initially, World Waste Technologies announced design and engineering issues with the technology
that related to the size of motors required to operate the vessels in commercial conditions. We
believe, however, that certain redesign efforts have resolved these issues by increasing the size
of motors used to run the process.
Under our sublicense agreement with Bio-Products, we will be required to begin paying a monthly fee
for technical services sixty days after we obtain funding to construct a full-scale plant. We are
also required to pay royalties based on the tons of waste processed utilizing the technology as
well as royalties based on the sales price of ethanol produced from the products of the PSC
process. The license extends until the expiration date of the last patent issued to the patent
owner covering the technology, which is expected to occur on October 23, 2021.
Under its license, Bio-Products is required to continue to make certain payments to World Waste
Technologies to maintain exclusive rights to the technology. Our license agreement provides that
if for any reason Bio-Products loses its exclusive rights to the process, we are entitled to use
the PSC technology at no cost.
Nevertheless, if Bio-Products loses its exclusive rights, it is possible that World Waste
Technologies will attempt to use the process to produce ethanol and other fuel products, thereby
becoming one of our competitors. World Waste Technologies has publicly stated its intention to try
to extend its license with Bio-Products to include the right to use the Bio-Products process in the
production of ethanol. World Waste Technologies has a substantial amount of capital that it could
use to develop this business. Based upon their public statements, World Waste Technologies is
attempting to develop a gasification process to produce biofuels, but we do not have enough
information to understand the viability of the technology they are developing.
World Waste Technologies filed suit against Bio-Products alleging it breached certain
representations and warranties to World Waste Technologies in its license agreement for the
production of paper granted by Bio-Products. This suit has subsequently been dismissed and to our
knowledge has not been refiled.
On December 5, 2007, Bio-Products delivered a letter to SRS Energy alleging that we were in breach
of the License Agreement. Although we believe we have been in compliance at all times with the
License Agreement and that their allegations were unjustified and without merit, we responded to
their allegations through an exchange of correspondence. In the course of that exchange,
Bio-Products attempted to unilaterally terminate the License Agreement without any basis and in
violation of the terms of the License Agreement. As such, we believe the purported termination had
no legal effect.
10
After unsuccessfully attempting to resolve the issue, we filed suit in Missouri Circuit Court
seeking damages against Bio-Products, Clean Earth Solutions, Inc., which we believe to be an
affiliate of Bio-Products, and various shareholders and officers of those companies for, among
other things, fraudulent acts, civil conspiracies and tortuous interference with our business. We
also are seeking to rescind a sublicense with respect to the use of the PSC technology in five
sites that we granted back to Bio-Products. In addition, we have filed a demand for arbitration
seeking, among other things, a declaration that we are in full compliance with the terms of the
License Agreement. See Item 3 Legal Proceedings, for more information.
Brelsford technology
Currently, the primary feedstocks for the existing ethanol industry are the sugars and starches
found in plants, such as corn. Sugars and starch comprise only a small part of a plant. Most of the
rest of a plant is cellulose. Moreover, cellulose is widely available and highly concentrated in
waste that we pay to dispose of, such as MSW, green waste, saw dust and agricultural waste, which
we sometimes refer to generally as biomass waste. The underutilization of biomass waste has driven
decades of research into ethanol production from cellulose. Recent increases in the costs of fuels
have caused the research to intensify in the past several years.
Nevertheless, several obstacles continue to prevent wide-spread commercialization of the process,
including:
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difficulties accelerating the hydrolysis reaction that breaks down cellulose fibers
without consuming so much energy, which produces heat, that the process becomes
uneconomical;
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the high level of the acid concentration needed to hydrolyze cellulose; and
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the disposal of the lignin byproduct.
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We believe that the Brelsford process differs from currently used technology in a few key respects.
First, the process uses a low pressure, high temperature oil to provide heat to drive the
hydrolysis reaction rather than the high temperature steam used in other hydrolysis processes. This
results in lower energy requirements for the Brelsford process. Second, the Brelsford process
recovers heat and acid used in the first stage of its hydrolysis and reuses them in the second
stage. Recycling heat and acid further reduces the energy requirements to run the process and
lowers raw material costs.
The Brelsford technology is comprised of two double-tube heat-exchanger plug-flow-reactor systems,
which are assembled in-series. It incorporates a three-step process that we believe is a
cost-effective acid hydrolysis process. First, the process separates cellulosic feedstock, such as
the cellulosic material generated by the PSC technology, into two main components: (1) cellulose
and hemicellulose, which can be converted into sugars, and (2) lignin, which is the glue that holds
the cellulosic building blocks together and is not dissolved in the process. Second, acid is
introduced into the mixture, which breaks down the chemical bonds in the cellulose and
hemicellulose and converts them primarily into hexose and pentose sugars and glucose, which are
then fermented by yeast. Third, the fermented liquids are purified into ethanol and other useful
end-products, and unhydrolyzed lignin residues, which cannot be used to make ethanol.
According to a review of the technology conducted by the National Institute of Science and
Technology (NIST Final Technical Evaluation Report No. 457), the Brelsford process has a
potential for achieving considerable economic savings in: (1) acid composition, (2) heat-energy
supplied for cellulose hydrolysis and (3) process-energy for fuel ethanol production. These
process and economic savings are likely to be partially off-set, by no more than one percent loss
in total sugars yield. We estimate the net effect may lead to a reduction in total capital and
operating costs of roughly 30 percent compared to any other acid hydrolysis process of which we are
aware.
The Brelsford technology may be suitable for processing a wide range of cellulosic materials such
as soft and hardwood mill wastes, crop residues such as corn stover and wheat straw, as well as
cellulosic residue from MSW.
HFTA Technology
During the course of our technology development we discovered an alternative to the above-described
Brelsford process. This system uses a nitric acid hydrolysis process developed and patented at the
University of California at Berkeley and licensed to HFTA, a company formed by the inventors of the
technology and affiliated research scientists. This system is a two-stage process, the first stage
being a dilute nitric acid hydrolysis step to produce C5 sugars from the hemicellulose fraction of
the feedstock, and the second step being a higher-temperature, dilute nitric acid hydrolysis of the
cellulose fraction of the feedstock to produce additional C6 sugars.
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We believe this system may have several significant advantages over sulfuric acid based systems
such as the Brelsford technology. Sulfuric acid under heat and pressure is corrosive to many
metals. Consequently, equipment designed to use a sulfuric acid hydrolysis process must use
higher-grade, more expensive alloys. Excess sulfuric acid from the process is removed by adding
lime to the acid and sugar water solution, which creates gypsum. This gypsum, which must be removed
from the sugar solution before fermentation, is not of high enough grade for commercial use, which
means it must be disposed in a landfill. In addition, because the solubility of gypsum decreases
with increasing temperatures it tends to coat the downstream fermentation equipment, requiring
expensive and time consuming maintenance.
Nitric acid, on the other hand, is completely miscible with water, meaning that it creates a
homogenous solution when mixed with water. As a result, small amounts are sufficient to catalyze
the hydrolysis reaction. Nitric acid also passivates stainless steel, effectively forming a
protective coating on them. This coating has been shown to provide corrosion protection at the
operating temperatures, acid concentrations, and simulated abrasiveness of flowing process
materials used in the HFTA process. The nitric acid solution is neutralized with ammonia, and the
resulting ammonium nitrate can be sold as fertilizer, used to feed the yeast in the fermentation
stage or converted into nitrogen and water using another proprietary process, allowing a
substantial amount of the water used in the HFTA to be recycled. The process reduces the
maintenance required for plant facilities compared to sulfuric acid-based systems, and is more
environmentally friendly, as no insoluble solids are produced. The neutralization process
eliminates lime systems, much of the waste-water treatment requirements, landfill services, gypsum
scaling and contamination of the lignin boiler-fuel byproduct (with resultant sulfur emissions in
boiler flue gas) when compared to the use of other acids.
Proving our Technologies
We have engaged Merrick & Company, an engineering firm in Denver, Colorado and Hazen Research,
Inc., to evaluate our Brelsford and HFTA technologies. In particular, Merrick & Company is
evaluating the thermo chemical reaction conditions of the Brelsford technology, using feedstock
generated by the PSC technology and the chemical conversion processes that are unique to the HFTA
technology. We will also test whether other cellulosic materials such as switch grass, corn stover
and wood waste may be used as the feedstock for that process and we will use the HFTA equipment to
test other chemical and biologic processes for hydrolyzing biomass. As part of the testing and
evaluation, Merrick & Company is operating the HFTA equipment at the Hazen Research facility to
complete these tests.
Simultaneous with operating the HFTA equipment, Merrick is refining its design for our
demonstration unit. Upon completing the proof of concept tests being conducted with the HFTA
equipment and obtaining sufficient financing, Merrick and Hazen will jointly construct and operate
the demonstration unit at the Hazen Research facility in Golden, Colorado.
The primary purpose of using the HFTA equipment and the demonstration unit is to determine whether
the HFTA technology and Brelsford technology operating either jointly or independently has the
potential to produce ethanol at commercially viable costs and, if so, to obtain sufficient design
basis information to commence designing a commercial plant using the technology. Determining
whether our licensed technology is commercially viable for cellulosic ethanol production requires
understanding two elements of costs, the operating costs to process waste to
ethanol and the construction costs to build an operating plant. We anticipate developing a better
understanding of both of these elements of costs as we work with Merrick.
Our present engagement of Merrick does not provide for testing of the PSC technology. We believe,
however, that the deployment of the PSC technology on a commercial basis by World Waste
Technologies demonstrates that the PSC technology can be commercialized. While World Waste
Technologies initially encountered design problems with its plant, we believe many of the problems
relate to the production of paper using the PSC technology (the purpose for which World Waste
Technologies licensed the PSC technology) and we believe will not be implicated in the ethanol
production process. Additionally, Dr. Eley subsequently implemented design changes to the rotating
pressure vessel that he and World Waste Technologies have indicated resolved the initial problems
encountered with respect to the use of PSC technology to separate cellulosic material from
municipal waste.
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Principal Products or Services and their Markets
If we determine that our licensed technologies are mutually reinforcing technologies and are
commercially viable, and we are able to raise a significant amount of additional capital, we may be
in a position to build and operate waste-to-ethanol plants and enter into long-term contracts with
municipalities, solid waste haulers, and operators of landfills and materials recovery facilities
to process a large portion of their waste stream into recyclable materials and cellulosic material.
We believe we could then be in a position to convert the cellulosic component of the MSW into
ethanol and sell the ethanol in selected markets. Although not currently our focus, our
technologies may be able to produce ethanol from other sources of cellulosic material (e.g. wood
waste, corn stover, and switch grass, among others) if the material can be acquired on sufficiently
favorable terms and the Brelsford technology or the HFTA technology proves to be commercially
viable for processing other forms of waste into ethanol.
Ethanol
We expect the primary product we will sell will be fuel-grade ethanol. Ethanol is ethyl alcohol
(200-proof grain alcohol). When it is denatured with 5 percent gasoline, fuel-grade ethanol is
created that can be used to enhance gasoline performance and reduce exhaust emissions as well as
used directly as a gasoline alternative.
The U.S. market for ethanol is currently experiencing a surge in demand, having grown from 4.0
billion gallons in 2005 to approximately 6.1 billion gallons in 2007. We believe this demand is
being driven by a number of factors including using ethanol as an oxygenate and a replacement for
MTBE as a clean air additive, as an extender of fuel supplies, and as an alternative to gasoline.
We believe that the ethanol market will continue to grow as a result of the following factors:
Continuing High Petroleum Prices
Demand for petroleum products has been growing faster than supply, which has been constrained by
declining oil reserves and shortages of refining capacity. Fundamentally, the wholesale rack price
of fuel-grade ethanol as a fuel alternative is driven by the price of gasoline, and as long as
gasoline prices remain high, we expect the demand for ethanol will be strong.
Expanding Infrastructure to use Ethanol as a Gasoline Alternative
Ethanol can be blended with small amounts of gasoline in an 85-15 percent mix, referred to as E85,
and used as an alternative to gasoline. Vehicles must be specially equipped to use E85 and there
must be adequate service stations with the capacity to dispense E85. About six million U.S.
vehicles are so equipped, but less than one thousand service stations offer E85. Many initiatives
are being considered to dramatically increase the number of service stations offering E85 and this
may increase the usage of E85 as long as it remains price competitive with gasoline.
Government Regulations
Historically, producers and blenders had a choice of fuel additives to increase the oxygen content
of fuels. MTBE, a petroleum-based additive, was the most popular additive, accounting for up to 75%
of the fuel oxygenate market. However, in the United States, ethanol is replacing MTBE as a common
fuel additive. While both increase octane
and reduce air pollution, MTBE is a presumed carcinogen that contaminates ground water. It has
already been banned in California, New York, Illinois and 16 other states. Major oil companies have
voluntarily abandoned MTBE and it is scheduled to be phased out completely under the Energy Policy
Act. As MTBE is phased out, we expect demand for ethanol as a fuel additive and fuel extender to
rise. A blend of 5.5% or more of ethanol, which does not contaminate ground water like MTBE,
effectively complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for RFG, which is
mandated in most urban areas. At this time, we are unaware of any economically feasible substitutes
for MTBE other than ethanol. Regional demand is also being created by the requirement to use RFG in
non-attainment areas under the federal Clean Air Act. In addition, the federal Energy Policy Act
of 2007 sets a minimum use (with certain safeguards) of ethanol and biodiesel, rising to 36 billion
gallons per year by 2022, with at least 20 billion gallons of that production coming from
cellulosic ethanol.
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MSW Processing Services
We believe that the opportunity to help communities, haulers and landfill managers reduce the
amount of material transported and deposited in landfills is large and growing. The Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1991, referred to as RCRA, requires landfills to install expensive
liners and other equipment to control leaching toxics. Due to the increased costs and expertise
required to manage landfills under RCRA, many small, local landfills have closed during the 1990s.
Larger regional landfills were built requiring increased transportation costs for the waste
haulers. As a result, landfill space is increasingly scarce and disposal costs have been
increasing.
Currently, landfill operators charge a tipping fee to deliver municipal solid waste to a landfill,
waste-to-energy facility, recycling facility, transfer station or similar facility. Tipping fees
vary widely based on geographic location and the number of available places to dispose of MSW in a
given location.
Because of the increasing cost pressures on waste haulers and based on current tipping fee pricing,
we believe we will be able to negotiate a payment of part of their tipping fee from waste haulers
who deliver MSW to us for processing that would range from as low as $10 per ton in some central
parts of the country to over $70 per ton in the Northeast and some parts of the Southeast. The
availability of tipping fees at favorable rates will be a key component of our business.
Recyclable Byproducts
We anticipate that our process will generate other recyclable byproducts from the processing of
MSW, such as aluminum and other metals. We believe the PSC technology will produce scrap aluminum,
tin, steel, glass and plastic (typically amounting 20 to 25 percent of the total waste stream). The
markets for these recovered products are volatile and subject to rapid and unpredictable changes
making it impossible at this time to provide estimated per ton cost to revenue information.
Limited opportunities also exist for selling the insoluble materials, primarily lignin, left after
the sugars are filtered out through the Brelsford technology as these materials can be pressed into
a cake and further processed into a boiler fuel, which can be gasified or co-fired with coal. As
ethanol production volumes increase and this type of residual fuel becomes more widely accepted, a
more robust market for this byproduct may develop, but pricing will depend heavily on proximity to
potential users and prices of other fuels available.
Distribution Methods of the Products or Services
We anticipate utilizing existing distribution channels to sell the ethanol that we produce.
Depending on plant location, the preferred purchasers may be blenders, wholesalers or municipal and
commercial fleet operators. When possible and appropriate, we will seek long-term ethanol purchase
agreements in order to reduce price volatility and risks. This will require extensive and
systematic marketing in order to find fleet operators or other entities willing to enter into these
kinds of contracts in order to meet environmental or price stability objectives. Because of these
challenges, we may not be able to execute a significant number of longer-term fuel off-take
purchase agreements.
Competition
We will be a very small player in the huge market for transportation fuels and will compete
directly and indirectly with a large number of well-established and better funded firms. In
addition, demand for our product will be affected by competition with traditional petroleum
products, primarily gasoline and diesel, other alternative energy products such so bio-diesel, and
other ethanol producers. We will also experience significant competition from ethanol importers.
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Petroleum products
Petroleum products, because of their dominant market position, largely determine the market price
for transportation fuels. The general expectation is that declining oil reserves, increasing demand
from emerging economies like China and India, together with political instability in many oil
producing countries are likely to provide continuing upward pressures on future oil prices.
Nonetheless, it is instructive to note that the major oil companies reportedly use benchmark prices
in the range of $30-40 per barrel in evaluating investment projects. If prices fall to these
levels, even temporarily, because of global recession or other reasons, conventional petroleum
products will put extreme downward pressure on alternative fuel producers.
Bio-Diesel and competing alternative energy products
Within the alternative energy sector, our cellulosic ethanol will compete with a variety of other
technologies in producing transportation and other fuels. At a user level, ethanol is facing
increasing competition from biodiesel, which is currently experiencing an advantage because of
adverse publicity about the low net energy balance from corn ethanol. This is being exacerbated by
the impact that the dramatic growth in corn ethanol has had on corn prices. As improved
technologies permit diesel engines to meet the new strict U.S. emissions standards, Americans may
begin to follow the European lead in turning to diesel as the preferred transportation fuel.
Ethanol from sugars and starches
Currently, worldwide ethanol production uses agricultural products almost exclusively for its
feedstock. In the United States, ethanol is derived primarily from corn, while elsewhere ethanol
is produced primarily from sugar cane and sugar beets. As of January 2007, approximately 110
ethanol production facilities were operating in the United States located predominately in the corn
belt in the Midwest with a combined annual production capacity of 5.4 billion gallons of ethanol.
At June 1, 2007, there were more than 75 additional corn ethanol plants under construction or being
expanded that, when completed, are anticipated to double the current production capacity in the
United States. By the end of 2007, production capacity in the United States had increased to 6.1
billion gallons per year.
Corn ethanol plants operate in two basic ways, wet and dry milling processes. Wet milling produces
more valuable by-products from the ethanol production process. However, wet mill plants cost
substantially more to build and have higher operating costs than dry mill processing plants, and
hence, are usually much bigger than dry mill plants in order to achieve economies of scale.
Unlike ethanol production from MSW, traditional ethanol production techniques from agricultural
feedstocks are mature and well entrenched in the marketplace. In the recent past, well-funded
national and international corporations have built wet mill ethanol plants in the United States to
produce ethanol from corn. Currently, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company accounts for approximately
20% of all domestic ethanol production capacity in the United States with more than 1 billion
gallons of production under its control. Its larger plants are wet milling, as opposed to dry
milling, and each plant has the capacity to produce as much as 150 to 300 million gallons of
ethanol per year. These large plants have cost advantages and economies of scale that provide
significant competitive advantages over alternative ways of producing ethanol.
Ethanol production is also expanding internationally. Ethanol produced or processed in certain
countries in Central America and the Caribbean region is eligible for tariff reduction or
elimination upon importation to the United States under a program known as the Caribbean Basin
Initiative. Large ethanol producers, such as Cargill, have expressed interest in building ethanol
plants in participating Caribbean Basin countries, such as El Salvador, which would produce
fuel-grade ethanol for shipment to the United States. Ethanol imported from Caribbean Basin
countries may be a less expensive alternative to domestically produced ethanol and may affect our
ability to sell our ethanol
profitably. For instance, currently, the cost of producing ethanol in Brazil is about $0.60 per
gallon, more than a dollar per gallon cheaper than the average cost of producing corn ethanol in
the United States.
Cellulosic Ethanol
Today there are few companies and no commercial production infrastructure built to produce ethanol
from cellulosic feedstocks, but a large amount of research and development is being conducted in
these areas. Pilot plants are being built using alternative technologies and at least one full
scale production plant is under construction.
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On February 20, 2007, the United States Department of Energy announced $385 million in grant
funding to six cellulosic ethanol plants. This grant funding accounts for 40% of the investment
costs. The remaining 60% comes from the promoters of those facilities. We will likely face
especially intense competition from several pioneers in the cellulosic ethanol industry who will be
gaining from early government support for some large pilot projects from these grants.
The grants, ranging from $33 million to $80 million, went to Abengoa Bioenergy, ALICO, Inc.,
BlueFire Ethanol, Broin Companies, Iogen Biorefinery Partners, and Range Fuels. These companies are
pursuing projects ranging from 11 million to 125 million gallons per year in capacity using a
variety of enzymatic, acid hydrolysis and gasification technologies. We do not believe that these
competitive processes have been demonstrated commercially, but any that are successful will have a
substantial first-mover advantage over our company, even though we believe none currently intend
to use MSW as feedstock.
Enzymatic Conversion
Various enzyme companies have contributed significant technological breakthroughs in cellulosic
ethanol. Iogen Corporation is a Canadian producer of enzymes. They promote an enzymatic-hydrolysis
process that uses specially engineered enzymes. Another Canadian company, SunOpta Inc. markets a
patented technology known as Steam Explosion to pre-treat cellulosic biomass, overcoming its
recalcitrance and making the cellulose and hemicellulose accessible to enzymes for conversion into
fermentable sugars. SunOpta designs and engineers cellulosic ethanol biorefineries and its process
technologies and equipment are in use in the first three commercial demonstration scale plants in
the world: Celunol Corporations facility in Jennings, Louisiana, Abengoas facility in Salamanca,
Spain, and a facility in China owned by China Resources Alcohol Corporation (CRAC). The CRAC
facility is currently producing cellulosic ethanol from local corn stover on a 24-hour a day basis
utilizing SunOptas process and technology. Genencor and Novozymes are two other companies that
have received United States government Department of Energy funding for research into reducing the
cost of cellulase, the key enzyme in the production of cellulosic ethanol by enzymatic hydrolysis.
Other enzyme companies, such as Dyadic International, Inc., are developing genetically engineered
fungi that would produce large volumes of cellulase, xylanase and hemicellulase enzymes. These
enzymes can be utilized to convert agricultural residues, such as corn stover, distiller grains,
wheat straw and sugar cane bagasse, and energy crops, such as switch grass, into fermentable
sugars, which may be used to produce cellulosic ethanol.
Acid Hydrolysis
Currently, there are no operating commercial plants in the United States using acid hydrolysis to
produce ethanol. BlueFire Ethanol, however, recently announced plans to build an operating plant
in Sacramento, California to produce ethanol using their concentrated acid hydrolysis process.
BlueFire licenses technology from Arkenol, Inc. that enables widely available cellulosic materials,
or more commonly, biomass, to be converted into sugar.
Biomass feedstocks that can be used in the Arkenol process include:
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agricultural residues (straws, corn stalks and cobs, bagasse, cotton gin trash, palm oil
wastes, etc.),
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crops grown specifically for their biomass (grasses, sweet sorghum, fast growing trees,
etc.),
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paper (recycled newspaper, paper mill sludges, sorted municipal solid waste, etc.),
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wood wastes (prunings, wood chips, sawdust, etc.), and
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green wastes (leaves, grass clippings, vegetable and fruit wastes, etc.).
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Arkenol has constructed and operated a pilot plant near its Southern California offices for roughly
five years. Since 2003, the technology has been successfully used by an unrelated corporation to
produce ethanol for the Japanese transportation fuel market.
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The Arkenol process varies from our processes in two key ways. First, Arkenols technology
utilizes a concentrated acid solution to hydrolyze cellulosic material in a high temperature
environment. The Brelsford process uses a more dilute acid concentration at milder temperatures,
which we anticipate will make our process less costly and more energy efficient. Second, to use
municipal waste as a feedstock, BlueFire is required to hand separate the components of the
municipal solid waste they receive. In other words, all the noncellulosic materials are removed by
hand. This is a time-consuming and costly process and it increases the risk of contaminating the
hydrolysis process and reducing efficiency when municipal solid waste is used as feedstock in
BlueFires technology. Because our PSC technology converts municipal solid waste to cellulosic
feedstock via thermodynamic and chemical processes and does not require separation of noncellulosic
materials by hand, we anticipate that our process will be less expensive and more efficient than
the process used by BlueFire.
In addition, a number of other companies are developing and testing a variety of innovative
technologies and some of these are likely to emerge as serious competitors.
Imports
Imports of fuel ethanol from foreign sources, principally Brazil, do affect overall supply and
pricing. Total foreign imports in 2006 were estimated to amount to between 210 and 230 million
gallons, or approximately 5 percent of total current U.S. production. At price levels reached in
the second quarter of 2006, prices of imported ethanol, including transportation costs, tariff and
taxes, were competitive with domestically produced ethanol. As a result, world market forces are
likely to provide a restraining influence on future fuel ethanol price increases.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
The emergence of technologies to convert municipal waste to energy is opening new opportunities.
What was once perhaps the greatest sanitation and health challenge for communities may now become
an economic and environmental asset. Instead of adding to landfills already nearing capacity
limits, converting MSW to ethanol can provide one of the building blocks to a more sustainable
energy future.
American people produce more than 245 million tons of MSW annually. Only about 20 percent of this
waste is currently recovered and recycled. We estimate that an additional 50 to 60 percent could
potentially be recovered, with roughly two-thirds of that in the form of cellulosic material that
could serve as feedstock for conversion to ethanol. Currently, very little of this cellulosic
material is being recovered from mixed waste streams. However, as various waste processing and
cellulosic ethanol technologies are refined, competition for this future resource will intensify.
As a result, it will be important for us to attempt to lock up as much of it as possible through
long-term feedstock supply agreements with operators of materials recovery facilities and
landfills.
In addition to our exclusive license to use the Brelsford technology to produce ethanol from MSW
and other waste, we have a non-exclusive license to produce ethanol from any other cellulosic
materials. We are, therefore, also potentially interested in pursuing projects using other forms of
cellulosic feedstock. The most important potential source of feedstock for us other than MSW is
likely to be agricultural wastes, especially corn stover and wheat straw, but including a
tremendous variety of other wastes such as grass seed straw, sugar cane bagasse, seed hulls,
trimmings, and the like. There are, however, serious practical limits on the amounts of these
materials that will be commercially feasible. Part of the problem is that some of the biomass has
to be plowed back into the soil to maintain fertility. More importantly, it is expensive to collect
and transport these types of relatively low density materials. As just one example, the Oregon
Wheat League estimates the collection cost for straw between $25 and $35 per ton. Unless these
collection and transportation costs can be reduced significantly, it is unlikely that agricultural
wastes will be competitive with MSW as feedstock for our projects except in very specific
situations.
Over time, it is likely that purpose grown crops, such as switch or miscanthus grass or fast
growing trees, such as poplar, will become a preferred source of cellulosic material for ethanol
production. Until the technologies are
perfected and the plants built for converting them to ethanol we anticipate that farmers will be
reluctant to take the risk of shifting their cropping pattern. Similarly, we believe that the
economic incentive to build these plants will be limited until there are adequate feedstock
supplies.
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In the interim, it is possible that we could use forestry residues as a feedstock source. The total
forestland in the United States is about 750 million acres, representing roughly one-third of the
nations total land area. About 178 million metric tons of woody residue and wood waste are
generated annually from timber harvesting, with 86 million metric tons being unused and deemed
available for recovery. There is also considerable latitude for improving the efficiency of the
current energy recovery processes through better combustion and gasification technologies, which
might free up substantial additional amounts of forestry wastes at the plant site. As a result,
there might be opportunities for us to develop facilities using the Brelsford technology and
co-locate them with existing forest products processing plants as long as we could secure long-term
feedstock supply agreements on favorable terms.
Customers
Because of the size and commodity nature of the ethanol market, we are unlikely to become dependent
on a few major customers until we enter into specific, long-term product off-take agreements. At
that point, once the off-take agreements have been finalized, we will be locked into the terms of
those contracts. The advantage of this approach, however, is that it avoids the likely price
fluctuations of the ethanol spot and futures market, which is driven largely by the overall market
for petroleum products. This market can be highly volatile, so the benefits of price stability are
likely to outweigh the potential advantage of being able to realize higher prices on the spot
market at various times in the business cycle. Nonetheless, we will always have the option of
selling in the spot or futures market if it appears advantageous to do so rather than enter into
long-term off-take agreements.
Intellectual Property License Terms
PSC technology
On August 17, 2005, SRS Energy entered into a U.S. Technology License Agreement with Bio-Products
giving SRS Energy exclusive rights to use the PSC technology to process municipal solid waste into
a cellulosic biomass product for use as the feedstock for conversion into fuel grade ethanol. The
technology was developed by the University of Alabama Huntsville for improved separation, recovery
and recycling of components of waste materials and for chemical and/or biological conversion of
cellulosic materials to fuels and chemicals.
The companys license dated August 17, 2005 with Bio-Products is for a period of twenty years. Our
Bio-Products process royalty is $1.50 for every ton of waste received and processed at each
facility to be constructed and operated under the agreement. We will also owe a by-product royalty
of 2.5 percent of the gross sales price in excess of ten dollars per ton obtained from the sale of
recyclable byproducts, excluding the cellulosic biomass. Bio-Products will also be paid a monthly
fee for Technical Services for each facility to be constructed and operated which initially will be
$10,000 per month and will increase to $20,000 per month when vessels for processing waste are
ordered for the facility. The $20,000 per month fee continues until construction of the facility
is completed.
We are required to begin ordering equipment from BioProducts for our pilot plant within one year
after the date that we obtain final construction permits for our pilot plant or by August 17, 2008,
whichever occurs first. We also must begin permitting, design and site selection of our commercial
plant within two years from the date the pilot plant begins operating. If we do not meet these
obligations or any of our payment obligations, Bio-Products may terminate our license on thirty
days notice.
On March 8, 2007 we granted a restricted license to a company affiliated with the founder of
Bio-Products for up to five sites and we get a royalty of $0.25 for every ton of MSW processed at
any of those site.
Brelsford Technology
On April 1, 2005, SRS Energy entered into a U.S. Technology License Agreement with Brelsford giving
SRS Energy exclusive rights to use the Brelsford technology as it relates to processing municipal
solid waste and green
waste to ethanol. Although this license is exclusive only with respect to the production of
ethanol in the United States, we also have non-exclusive rights to use other biomass such as sugar
cane bagasse, switch grass and other fast-growing plants, and forestry products and wastes to
produce ethanol, and a right of first refusal to extend our license to Canada.
18
Under the terms of the license, we paid an initial fee of $50,000 and pay a minimum annual fee of
$15,000 and a project fee of $30,000 for each annual project that commences manufacture of a plant.
On August 30, 2007, we paid the first annual project fee in the amount of $30,000 to Brelsford and
Brelsford simultaneously acknowledged that we have met all requirements to maintain the exclusivity
in our license. In addition, we will pay a royalty fee equal to 4 percent of net sales resulting
from use of the licensed product. Brelsford may terminate our license agreement on sixty days
notice if we fail to make any payment due under our license agreement.
HFTA Technology
We have entered into an agreement for an exclusive worldwide license to use the HFTA technology for
the production of ethanol from MSW. The terms set out in the agreement required us to pay an
initial license fee of $25,000 to HFTA on execution of the agreement and a second license fee in
the amount of $150,000 on September 1, 2009 if we are using the technology at that time.
Additionally, upon executing the license agreement, we deposited 2,887,687 shares of our common
stock into an escrow account. The shares held in escrow will be released to HFTA as follows:
one-third upon completion of the proof of concept phase if at that time we elect to continue to use
the HFTA technology in the demonstration phase and two-thirds upon completion of the demonstration
phase if at that time we elect to incorporate the HFTA technology into the small commercial plant.
In addition, we are required to pay a process royalty of 4% of the sales price of ethanol less
taxes and applicable fees if the sales price is in excess of $1.50 per gallon, 3% of the sales
price if it is between $1.50 and $1.30 per gallon, and 2% of the sales price if it is less than
$1.30 per gallon. We are also required to pay certain minimum royalties, less the amount of any
process royalties paid, commencing in the calendar year ending December 31, 2010 and in subsequent
years as follows: (i) 2010 $25,000; (ii) 2011 $25,000; (iii) 2012 $60,000; (iv) increasing by
$20,000 per year for each year thereafter until it reaches $120,000 per year; and (v) $120,000 per
year thereafter.
Government Approvals
The Company is not subject to any government approvals or oversight for its current operations
other than normal corporate governance and taxes. Once we begin developing our own commercial
production facilities, however, we will be subject to multiple federal, state, and local
environmental laws and regulations, such as those relating to the discharge of materials into the
air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of
hazardous materials, and the employee health and safety. In addition, some of these laws and
regulations will require our facilities to operate under permits that are subject to renewal or
modification. These laws, regulations and permits often require expensive pollution control
equipment of operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the environment. A
violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines,
natural resource damages, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and/or facility shutdowns.
Additionally, we will be required to test that the ethanol we produce meets certain quality and
consistency standards for it to be saleable.
Governmental Regulation and Industry Standards for Fuel Grade Ethanol
Gasoline and gasoline/ethanol blends are subject to a variety of federal and state regulations.
These include Federal Trade Commission octane posting requirements and Environmental Protection
Agency Phase II volatility regulations. In carbon monoxide non attainment areas, these fuels are
subject to minimum and/or average oxygen content requirements. Gasoline sold in certain ozone
non-attainment areas are required to be reformulated including, among other things, meeting an
average oxygen content and maintaining stricter controls over volatile organic compounds and
nitrous oxide in gasoline or gasoline blends.
In addition many states place additional requirements on fuels including such items as restrictions
on Reid Vapor Pressure, distillation characteristics, and in some cases a minimum octane
requirement for fuels designated as Super or Premium grades.
Because of the wide-variety of standards applicable to fuels, the refining industry has developed
standards set forth in ASTM 4814 published by the American Society for Testing and Standards that
are designed to ensure that fuels will perform in as wide a range of consumers vehicles as
possible. The ATSM standards and specifications are voluntary compliance standards, however, some
states have adopted all, or a portion of, ASTM 4814 into law, making adherence mandatory.
Compliance with these standards will be necessary in order for blenders to purchase the ethanol we
produce.
19
The American Society for Testing and Standards also publishes the industry standards for fuel grade
ethanol in ASTM D 4806. The standard includes the volume requirements or limitations for various
components of ethanol in order for the ethanol to be considered fuel grade. In addition the federal
government has placed limitations on the amount of sulfur (30 ppm) that can be included in
denatured ethanol used in gasoline. The State of California has further restricted the amount of
sulfur that can be included in denatured ethanol as well as placing additional limitations on other
compounds found in ethanol. As the ethanol industry develops, we anticipate additional governmental
regulations with respect to the composition of fuel grade ethanol will be adopted.
We cannot assure that if we ever are able to produce ethanol on a commercial scale that the ethanol
we produce will meet the governmental and industry standards to be considered fuel grade ethanol.
Environmental Laws
The Company will be subject to extensive air, water and other environmental regulations and we will
have to obtain a number of environmental permits to construct and operate our plants such as air
pollution and construction permits, pollutant discharge permits, storm water discharge permits,
water withdrawal permits, and alcohol fuel producers permits. In addition, we may have to
complete spill prevention control and countermeasures plans.
The production facilities that we will build are subject to oversight activities by federal, state
and local regulatory agencies. There is always a risk that the federal agencies may enforce
certain rules and regulations differently than state and local environmental administrators.
Federal, state and local rules are subject to change, and any such changes could result in greater
regulatory burdens on plant operations. We could also be subject to environmental or nuisance
claims from adjacent property owners or residents in the areas arising from possible foul smells or
other air or water discharges from the plant. We do not know the potential cost of these
requirements or potential claims.
Employees
The Company currently has three full-time employees, its Chief Executive Officer, Edward P.
Hennessey, Jr., its General Counsel, Michael Kime, and its Chief Financial Officer, Thomas
Jennewein.
Access to SEC Filings
Interested readers can access, free of charge, all of our filings with the SEC and any amendments
to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, through the Investor Relations/SEC Filings section of our website at
www.cleantechbiofuels.net
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such
materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. We will also provide a copy of these documents, free
of charge, to any stockholder upon written request addressed to: CleanTech Biofuels, Inc., 7386
Pershing Ave, University City, MO 63130.
ITEM 2. Description of Property
We currently lease 1,800 square feet of office space in St. Louis, Missouri. The lease is for a
term of three years and has a monthly lease payment of $1,800, plus utilities. We took possession
of the leased space in January, 2008.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings
RAM Resources, LLC v. Supercritical Recovery Systems, Inc.
On July 11, 2005, RAM Resources, LLC
filed suit against Supercritical Recovery Systems (the former parent company of SRS Energy, Inc.)
alleging breach of a Letter Agreement dated May 11, 2003 as amended between RAM Resources LLC and
Supercritical Recovery Services. We were not named in the suit by RAM Resources LLC. However, RAM Resources LLC alleged that it had
certain rights to be issued additional shares of the common stock of SRS Energy, our wholly-owned
operating subsidiary.
We settled all claims of RAM Resources LLC against us and any of our predecessors arising from the
Letter Agreement under a global Settlement and Release Agreement dated August 29, 2007. Pursuant
to that agreement, RAM Resources LLC obtained the right to acquire an aggregate of 1,923,495 of our
common stock at a price of $0.13 per share. The Warrant is exercisable during a two year term that
started on August 29, 2007 and ends on August 29, 2009. RAM Resources LLC agreed to terminate the
Letter Agreement and release all claims to acquire any shares of our stock.
20
CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. v. Bioproducts International, Inc
. On January 9, 2008, CleanTech
Biofuels, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiary, SRS Energy, Inc. (SRS Energy), filed suit in
Missouri Circuit Court seeking damages against Bio-Products, the licensor of our PSC technology,
Clean Earth Solutions, Inc., which we believe to be an affiliate of Bio-Products (CES), and
various shareholders and officers of those companies for, among other things, fraudulent acts,
civil conspiracies, and tortuous interference with our business. We also are seeking to rescind a
sublicense with respect to the use of the PSC technology in five sites that we granted back to
Bio-Products.
In addition, we have filed a demand for arbitration seeking, among other things, a declaration that
we are in full compliance with the terms of the License Agreement between SRS Energy and
Bio-Products dated August 17, 2005 (the License Agreement). We filed the arbitration demand in
response to what we believe was a baseless attempt by Bio-Products to terminate the License
Agreement in violation of the terms of the License Agreement and are seeking damages against
Bio-Products for its fraudulent attempt to terminate the License Agreement.
In 2005, Bio-Products and SRS Energy entered into the License Agreement whereby SRS Energy became
the exclusive licensee in the United States to the PSC technology, a pressurized steam
classification process designed to clean and separate municipal solid waste into its component
parts, when the cellulosic material derived from the process is used in the production of ethanol.
Thereafter, the founders of Bio-Products formed CES and licensed to CES the right to use the PSC
technology for all energy products other than ethanol. We believe that CES and Bio-Products have
been under common control since the formation of CES.
Since forming CES, Bio-Products and CES made numerous requests to sublicense or otherwise acquire
our rights to use the PSC technology to produce ethanol in the United States. We denied each of
those requests. In March 2007, however, we agreed to sublicense the PSC technology to Bio-Products
for ethanol production at five sites within the United States, in reliance on numerous
representations by Bio-Products that the sublicense would be used to settle anticipated litigation
between Bio-Products and one of its other licensees.
The terms of the sublicense specifically prohibit Bio-Products from being the owner/operator of any
of those five sites. We now suspect that Bio-Products never used the sublicense to settle the
anticipated litigation, but rather assigned the rights to CES, which we believe to be an affiliate
of Bio-Products, and is attempting to exploit those rights through CES in contravention of the
express terms of the sublicense and additional written representations to SRS Energy. As a result,
we are seeking to have the sublicense declared void and to terminate any and all rights under the
sublicense of CES, Bio-Products and/or any other parties to whom they may have assigned rights
under that agreement in our state court petition.
On December 5, 2007, Bio-Products delivered a letter to SRS Energy alleging that we were in breach
of the License Agreement for failure to begin the facility permitting, facility and equipment
design, equipment selection and engineering for the proof of concept validation demonstration
plant within one year from the date of the License Agreement. Although we believe we have been in
compliance at all times with the License Agreement and that their allegations were unjustified and
without merit, we delivered a response on December 20, 2007, which was within the 30 day cure
period set forth in the License Agreement, in which we provided ample evidence to Bio-Products that
we believe demonstrated our full compliance with the terms of the License Agreement.
Notwithstanding our response, we received a letter from Bio-Products on December 31, 2007, in which
Bio-Products attempted to unilaterally terminate the License Agreement without any basis and in
violation of the terms of the License Agreement. As such, we believe the purported termination had
no legal effect and may have been an attempt to extort from us a sublicense of the PSC technology
to Bio-Products or CES after we rejected their prior attempts to secure such a sublicense.
On January 4, 2008, we responded to Bio-Products to again provide what we believe is conclusive
evidence of our compliance with the terms of the License Agreement and demanded that Bio-Products
immediately withdraw its purported termination of the License Agreement. As of January 9, 2008,
Bio-Products had not responded to our demand. As a result, on January 9, 2008, we filed our
lawsuit and demand for arbitration described above.
21
We strongly believe that the purported termination of our License Agreement by Bio-Products is
fraudulent and that there is no basis whatsoever for such termination. As a result, we believe our
rights to the PSC technology are unaffected by the purported termination. In addition, under the
terms of the License Agreement, our rights to the PSC technology remain in full force and effect
until the conclusion of the arbitration. We intend to vigorously defend our rights and seek any and
all recourse available to us to recover all damages resulting from the acts of Bio-Products, CES
and certain of their officers and shareholders.
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases
of Equity Securities
Our common stock was listed on the Pink Sheets under the symbol CLTH.PK. On March 13, 2008 we
became listed on the OTCBB under CLTH. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated
the high and low bid prices per share of our common stock as quoted by the Pink Sheets:
|
|
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|
|
|
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Price Range of
|
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Common Stock (1)
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Fiscal Year
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High
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Low
|
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Year Ended December 31, 2006
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|
|
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First Quarter
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$
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0.80
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|
|
$
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0.40
|
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Second Quarter
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|
$
|
2.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
0.80
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|
|
$
|
0.31
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
0.80
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|
$
|
0.30
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Year Ended December 31, 2007
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|
|
|
|
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First Quarter
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$
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2.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
Second Quarter
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|
$
|
1.01
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
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|
$
|
0.25
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|
|
|
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(1)
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|
all periods presented are adjusted for the 100 to 1 reverse stock split that occurred on February 21, 2007
|
On March 25, 2008, the closing
price of our common stock, as quoted on the OTCBB, was $0.90 per
share. As of March 28, 2008, we had approximately 129 stockholders of record.
We had no equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006. In connection with the merger with
SRS Energy, we assumed SRS Energys 2007 Stock Option Plan, which was adopted by the SRS Energy
Board of Directors on April 16, 2007 and approved by the SRS Energy shareholders on April 16, 2007.
22
Equity Compensation Plan Information
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|
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|
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|
|
Number of Securities
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|
|
|
Number of securities to be
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|
|
|
|
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Remaining Available for
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|
|
|
issued upon Exercise of
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Weighted-Average
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Future Issuance Under Equity
|
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Outstanding Warrants and
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Exercise Price of
|
|
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Compensation Plans
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Rights and Number of
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|
|
Outstanding Options,
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|
(excluding securities
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Plan Category
|
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Shares of Restricted Stock
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Warrants and Rights
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reflected in column (a))
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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Equity compensation
plans approved by security holders: 2007 Stock Option Plan
|
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5,810,000(1)
|
|
|
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$0.15
|
|
|
|
1,190,000
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
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Equity compensation
plans not approved by security holders
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(1)
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includes 1,200,000 options to be issued to our chief executive officer upon commissioning of
our pilot plant
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Dividend Policy
We have no material operating history and therefore have had no earnings to distribute to
stockholders. Even though we have recommenced operations, we do not anticipate paying any cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. Rather, we currently intend to retain our earnings, if any,
and reinvest them in the development of our business. Any future determination to pay cash
dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our
financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, restrictions under any existing
indebtedness and other factors the board of directors may deem relevant.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On April 16, 2007, SRS Energy, Inc., currently our wholly-owned subsidiary, completed a $1,400,000
private placement of Series A Convertible Debentures to a group of accredited investors with each
debenture being convertible into shares of common stock at an initial conversion ratio of $0.15 per
share. The private placement was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act.
On May 24, 2007, holders of certain convertible notes originally issued in 2003 and 2004 by Long
Road Entertainment, our predecessor, converted their notes at $0.01 per share of common stock
pursuant to the terms of the notes. As a result, we issued 9,366,800 shares of our common stock in
the aggregate to the following holders of the convertible notes:
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|
|
|
Holder
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
Brite Star Associates, Inc.
|
|
|
1,777,867
|
|
Two Shamrocks, Inc.
|
|
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1,600,000
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Fountain Consulting, Inc.
|
|
|
1,482,000
|
|
St Ives Consulting, Inc.
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|
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1,368,000
|
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STL Capital Holdings, Inc.
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|
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1,638,933
|
|
Deluth Venture Capital Partners
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|
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1,500,000
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|
The noteholders acquired the notes in April 2007 from Robert Stinson, the former founder and
controlling stockholder of our company, a company affiliated with Mr. Stinson, and a consulting
company that acted as an advisor to our company in 2004, but was not an affiliate of our company.
The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule
506 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act and Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
23
On May 31, 2007, we consummated our acquisition of SRS Energy, Inc. through the merger of SRS
Acquisition Sub, our wholly-owned subsidiary, with and into SRS Energy. In connection therewith, we
issued a total of 38,623,780 shares of our common stock to the former shareholders of SRS Energy, a
warrant to William Meyer to acquire 1,923,495 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.13 per
share and assumed the Series A Convertible Debentures previously issued by SRS Energy, as
consideration for the acquisition for all of the outstanding shares of SRS Energy. The warrant is
exercisable at any time up until August 31, 2009, when it expires. The issuances were exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D
promulgated under the Securities Act and Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
On August 21, 2007 and August 31, 2007, we awarded stock options to our (i) executive officers
representing the right to acquire in the aggregate 3,850,000 shares of our common stock, and (ii)
directors, other than Mr. Hennessey, representing the right to acquire in the aggregate 160,000
shares of our common stock. All of these stock options have an exercise price of $0.15 per share.
On August 21, 2007, we also issued to our directors, other than Mr. Hennessey, 600,000 restricted
shares of our common stock in the aggregate at a price of $0.15 per share. The award of stock
options and the issuance of restricted stock to our executive officers and directors were exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 701 promulgated under the
Securities Act. We account for the grants of stock options and restricted stock in accordance with
FASB 123R.
On August 30, 2007, we issued a warrant to RAM Resources, L.L.C. to purchase 1,923,495 shares of
our common stock at a price of $0.13 per share. The warrant is exercisable at any time in the two
years since its issuance. The warrant was issued as consideration for the full and unconditional
release of the Company from any and all claims of
RAM Resources, L.L.C, relating to rights to acquire shares of our common stock. The issuance was
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation
D promulgated under the Securities Act and Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The fair value of
this warrant is recorded in the financial statements as of December 31, 2007.
ITEM 6. Managements Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
The following discussion of our plan of operation should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and related notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this report. This
discussion contains forward-looking statements that relate to future events or our future financial
performance. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause our actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any
future results, levels of activity or performance. These risks and other factors include, among
others, those listed under Statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors and
those included elsewhere in this report.
Plan of Operation
In March 2007 we acquired SRS Energy as an operating subsidiary. Our predecessor-in-interest, Long
Road Entertainment, Inc. was formed to be a holding company for operating companies engaged in the
entertainment industry. Long Road Entertainment raised a small amount of capital and had limited
operations. In 2005 Long Road Entertainment became dormant and did not engage in any material
operating activities until acquiring SRS Energy through the merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary
with SRS Energy. Prior to the merger, SRS Energys activities consisted primarily of investigating
and obtaining licenses to its technologies.
Our plan of operation is focused on the commercialization of our technologies in three phases:
proof of concept/demonstration, commercialization, and replication and rollout. Over the next 12
months, we expect to complete the proof of concept/demonstration phase and commence the
commercialization phase as follows:
Proof of Concept/Demonstration Phase
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|
|
conduct testing and evaluation with Merrick & Company of our technologys ability to
process cellulosic material generated by the PSC process (and other sources) into
fermentable sugars;
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|
build and operate a demonstration plant using our technologies;
|
24
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|
|
evaluate the performance of the demonstration plant and identify required improvements
to implement the technologies in a commercial setting; and
|
|
|
|
begin design of a small commercial plant.
|
We believe that our anticipated activities during the testing phase will cost between $450,000 and
$550,000 and will be completed in six to nine months. For the year ended December 31, 2007, we
incurred approximately $104,000 in costs to Merrick & Company for engineering, design and
consulting services. We anticipate that completing proof of concept tests being conducted via the
HFTA equipment will use substantially all of our currently available funds.
After we complete our proof of concept, our plan over the remainder of the next 12 months is to
commence the following steps of the demonstration stage and commence the commercialization phase:
Commercialization Phase
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|
|
identify and evaluate sites with advantageous feedstock supplies and transportation
logistics in areas that facilitate the prompt granting of development and environmental
permits for first small-scale commercial demonstration plant;
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|
negotiate co-location rights from the operator of a MRF or landfill for construction of
the small-scale commercial demonstration plant in order to realize cost savings from
utilizing common infrastructure and operating savings from proximity to feedstock, landfill
capacity and transportation;
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|
identify and qualify contractors and subcontractors to construct a small-scale
commercial demonstration plant;
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|
negotiate feedstock supply and product off-take contracts;
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|
secure funding for the construction of the small-scale demonstration plant; and
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|
begin permitting and pre-construction activities for a small-scale commercial
demonstration plant.
|
We intend to commence the replication and rollout phase of our plan of operation if and when we
successfully operate the first commercial plant. Prior to commencing this third phase of
our plan of operation, we will require a significant amount of capital.
As a result of the limited operating history of our company and SRS Energy, prior years financial
statements provide little information and virtually no guidance as to our future performance.
Moreover, we do not anticipate generating any revenue for the foreseeable future. In order to
finance our business beyond the proof of concept/demonstration phase, we will be required to raise
additional capital. Management plans to secure additional funds through government grants, project
financings and through future sales of the Companys common stock, preferred stock or debentures,
until such time as the Companys revenues are sufficient to meet its cost structure, and ultimately
achieve profitable operations. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties. We may not be able to secure financing
on favorable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain acceptable financing on a timely basis,
our business will likely fail and our common stock may become worthless.
Results of Operations
For accounting purposes, we treated our acquisition of SRS Energy as a recapitalization of our
company. As a result, we treat the historical financial information of SRS Energy as our
historical financial information. Prior to the merger, SRS Energy did not pay salary to Ed
Hennessey or any other persons. All of the indebtedness of SRS Energy outstanding at the time of
the merger from its operations was paid from the closing proceeds of the sale of the Series A
Convertible Debentures.
25
The following table sets forth the amounts of expenses and percentages of total expenses
represented by certain items reflected in our consolidated statements of operations for the years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
$
|
476,937
|
|
|
|
54.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
16,496
|
|
|
|
21.3
|
%
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
279,814
|
|
|
|
32.0
|
%
|
|
|
47,078
|
|
|
|
60.7
|
%
|
Research and development
|
|
|
118,230
|
|
|
|
13.5
|
%
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
18.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
874,981
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,574
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Other expense (income):
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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Interest
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64,029
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,439
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|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of technology license
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|
|
20,000
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Deposit forfeiture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
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|
|
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|
Interest income
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|
|
(21,405
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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Net loss applicable to common stockholders
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$
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937,605
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|
|
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|
$
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55,013
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Year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006
Costs and expenses:
General and administrative
The increase in 2007 is due primarily to marketing expenses, recording
the fair value of the RAM warrant settlement and salary paid to our Chief Executive Officer
commencing in April 2007.
Professional fees
The increase in 2007 is due to increased costs incurred for legal, consulting
and accounting fees related to the private placement of the Series A Convertible Debentures, the
reverse merger and an increase in general business activities.
Research and development
The increase in 2007 is due to payments made to Merrick & Company as
commencement of our proof of concept/demonstration phase began during the third quarter 2007. The
expense in 2006 was paid to Merrick & Company for costs associated with initial consultation
regarding entering into an agreement to use Merrick & Company to test, evaluate, design and
construct a pilot scale system of our technologies.
Other expense (income):
Interest expense
The increase in 2007 is due to the issuance in April 2007 of the Series A
Convertible Debentures, which accrue interest at 6.0% per annum. Interest on the debentures in 2007
is approximately $60,000.
Amortization of technology license
As the proof of concept/demonstration phase began during the
third quarter 2007 we have begun to amortize the technology license fees previously capitalized.
Deposit forfeiture
The forfeiture was a nonrefundable deposit in the amount of $25,000 paid to us
with respect to our negotiation of a potential transaction. After the negotiation period lapsed,
we retained the deposit.
Interest income
The income in 2007 is primarily interest on $450,000 of promissory notes issued
to us as part of the consideration for the issuance of the Series A Convertible Debentures.
26
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As a development-stage company, we have no revenues and will be required to raise additional
capital in order to execute our business plan and commercialize our products.
On April 16, 2007, we completed a $1.4 million private placement of Series A Convertible Debentures
to a group of accredited investors with each debenture being convertible into shares of our common
stock at a conversion ratio of $0.15 per share. The proceeds from the private placement consisted
of $950,000 in cash and $450,000 aggregate principal amount of short-term promissory notes having a
maturity date of April 16, 2008 and bearing interest at a per annum rate of 6.0%. The promissory
notes were secured by $450,000 of certificates of deposit held in an escrow account for our
benefit. Our SB-2 Registration Statement was effective as of January 2, 2008. Our stock started
trading on the OTCBB on March 13, 2008 (previously traded on Pink Sheets). We received the $450,000
from escrow plus interest of approximately $25,000 on March 14, 2008.
From March 13, 2008 through
March 19, 2008, various debenture holders converted an aggregate amount of $630,000 of our
debentures, plus interest earned, into 4,433,067 shares of our common stock.
We expect our current cash will be sufficient to fund the next three to four months of our plan of
operation. Thereafter, we anticipate requiring additional capital to complete the demonstration and
commercialization phases of our plan of operation. These costs will be substantially greater than
our current available funds. We currently expect attempting to obtain additional financing through
the sale of additional equity and/or possibly through strategic alliances with larger energy or
waste management companies. However, we may not be successful in securing additional capital. If we
are not able to obtain additional financing in the near-term future, we will be required to delay
our development until such financing becomes available. We anticipate that the current dispute with
Bio-Products will make it significantly more difficult for us to raise capital. Further, even
assuming that we secure additional funds, we may never achieve profitability or positive cash flow.
If we are not able to timely and successfully raise additional capital and/or achieve profitability
or positive cash flow, we will not have sufficient capital resources to implement our business
plan.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Currently we have the following contractual obligations that will require us to make payments as
set forth below over the next 12 months:
Merrick & Company.
We have entered into an engagement agreement with Merrick & Company to develop a
complete project management plan for the pilot development plan. For the year ended December 31,
2007, we incurred approximately $104,000 for engineering, design and consulting services. After
completing the project management plan, we engaged Merrick & Company to construct, test, and
evaluate the HFTA equipment and the demonstration plant. As part of the testing and evaluation,
Merrick & Company will provide construction observation of the demonstration unit in conjunction
with Hazen Research, Inc. The system will demonstrate the efficacy of using biomass derived from
municipal waste to produce ethanol using our licensed technologies and will allow us to develop the
engineering data to design and construct a small commercial plant. Our engagement calls for
further payments to Merrick & Company on an as billed basis as they proceed with the engineering
review and testing of our technology.
Hazen Research, Inc.
On December 20, 2007, we entered into an agreement with Hazen Research, Inc.
to install and operate the HFTA equipment at Hazens facility in Golden, Colorado. The agreement
also contemplates the expansion of the scope of work to include the construction and operation of
the demonstration plant. We are billed at an hourly rate for time used by Hazen employees in
connection with our projects. We anticipate the costs of the proof of concept phase with Hazen
will be approximately $100,000, of which we had not incurred any costs with Hazen for the year
ended December 31, 2007. We are currently working with Hazen to develop an estimate of the costs
to construct and operate the demonstration unit at their facility.
Five Sigma Ltd.
We have paid a $200,000 retainer to Five Sigma Ltd to assist us in developing
appropriate plans and materials for presenting the Company and our business plan, strategy and
personnel to the financial community, establishing the image of the Company in the financial
community and creating the foundation for subsequent financial public relations. This agreement
provides for monthly payments through April, 2008, by the Company in the amount of $16,666.66 plus
any expenses incurred by Five Sigma Ltd. Either Five Sigma Ltd. or the Company can cancel this
agreement at any time on three business days notice. Upon cancellation Five Sigma is required to
return any unused portion of the retainer to the Company.
27
Leases.
We entered into a lease on October 16, 2007 to rent approximately 1,800 square feet of
office space located at 7386 Pershing Ave., in St. Louis, Missouri for a term of three years. Our
monthly rent under the lease is $1,800 plus the cost of utilities. We took possession of the
office in January, 2008.
We entered into a lease for office furniture in January, 2008. The lease payments are approximately
$350 per month for 36 months. This lease is accounted for as a capital lease for accounting
purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement with an
unconsolidated entity under which we have:
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a retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to the unconsolidated entity or
similar arrangement that serves as credit;
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liquidity or market risk support to such entity for such assets;
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an obligation, including a contingent obligation, under a contract that would be
accounted for as a derivative instrument; or
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an obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest in
an unconsolidated entity that is held by, and material to, us where such entity provides
financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to, or engages in leasing,
hedging, or research and development services with us.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors and other information contained in this
annual report on Form 10-KSB when evaluating our business and financial condition. Additional risks
not presently known to us and risks that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business
operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have no operating experience and may not be able to implement our business plan.
As an early stage company, there is no material operating history upon which to evaluate our
business and prospects. We do not expect to commence any significant operations until we receive
testing information from Merrick & Company regarding our technologies that we consider favorable.
As a result, we will sustain losses without corresponding revenues, which will result in the
Company incurring a net operating loss that will increase continuously for the foreseeable future.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be profitable in any given period or at all.
In addition, we currently have only three full-time employees, our Chief Executive Officer, General
Counsel and Chief Financial Officer, each of whom spend at least 40 hours a week on our business.
Collectively, they have less experience in operating an alternative energy company compared to many
of our competitors. Moreover, given our newness and the rapid changes in the industry, we face
challenges in planning and forecasting accurately. Our lack of expertise and resources may have a
negative impact on our ability to implement our strategic plans, which may result in our inability
to commence meaningful operations, achieve profitable operations or otherwise succeed in other
aspects of our business plan.
We need to obtain significant additional capital to complete the development of our technologies,
and the failure to secure additional capital will prevent us from commercializing our technology
and executing our plan of operation.
Based on our current proposed plans and assumptions, we estimate we have sufficient cash to operate
for the next three to four months. Accordingly, in order to fund the development and construction
of a full-scale commercial demonstration plant, we will be required to:
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obtain additional debt or equity financing,
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28
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secure significant government grants, and/or
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enter into a strategic alliance with a larger energy company to provide funding.
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The amount of funding needed to complete the development of our technology will be very substantial
and may be in excess of the amount of capital we are able to raise. In addition, we have not
identified the sources for the additional financing that we will require, and we do not have
commitments from any third parties to provide this financing. Our ability to obtain additional
funding will be subject to a number of factors, including market conditions, the results and
quality of the testing being conducted by Merrick & Company and investor sentiment. These factors
may make the timing, amount, terms and conditions of additional funding unattractive. For these
reasons sufficient funding, whether on terms acceptable to us or not, may not be available. If we
are unable to obtain sufficient financing on a timely basis, the development of our technology,
facilities and products could be delayed and we could be forced to limit or terminate our
operations altogether. Further, any additional funding that we obtain in the form of equity will
reduce the percentage ownership held by our existing security holders.
Our PSC technology may have design and engineering issues that may increase the costs of using the
technology.
The PSC technology involves the use of a rotating pressure vessel, or autoclave, to combine heat,
pressure and agitation to convert MSW into cellulosic material that can then be cleaned to be used
to produce ethanol. Although technologies that involve the separation and processing of MSW using
large-scale autoclaves, such as our PSC technology, have not been widely adapted in commercial
applications, World Waste Technologies has used the Eley process to generate cellulosic material
from MSW for the production of paper. However, World Waste Technologies initially announced design
and engineering issues with its autoclave related to the size of the motors required to operate the
autoclave in commercial conditions. On April 13, 2007, World Waste Technologies filed a lawsuit
against Bio-Products International, the licensor of the PSC technology, in the Superior Court of
the State of California alleging, among other things, breach of contract and negligence with
respect to the construction of the autoclaves it purchased from Bio-Products International.
Subsequent to announcing the initial design problems, Dr. Eley redesigned the autoclaves being used
by World Waste Technologies by changing the size of the motors that power the process. Based on
the redesign, Dr. Eley and World Waste Technologies have both indicated that they believe that the
initial design issues relating to the separation of cellulosic material encountered have been
resolved. In addition, the lawsuit was dismissed in late 2007.
Although we believe the redesigned autoclaves will operate properly on a commercial scale, we may
encounter design and engineering problems similar to those encountered by World Waste Technologies
and other new problems when we try to implement this technology on a large-scale for ethanol
production. Any design, engineering or other issue may cause delays, increase production and
development costs and require us to shut down our operation.
Our Brelsford technology is commercially unproven and may not be viable on a full-scale basis.
The Brelsford technology is a two-step process involving acid hydrolysis, which is the conversion
of cellulose into sugars, and the fermentation of these sugars into ethanol. Production of ethanol
by fermenting sugars and starches derived from agricultural products such as corn, sugar cane and
sugar beets is a mature technology that is widely-used in the production of ethanol. Fermentation,
however, cannot be used to produce ethanol from cellulosic material. In order to convert cellulose
into ethanol, the cellulose must first be processed through an acid hydrolysis or enzymatic action
to convert it into fermentable sugars. Neither acid hydrolysis nor enzymatic processes, however,
have been proven to be commercially viable for the production of ethanol.
Our Brelsford technology, which uses an acid hydrolysis process, successfully generated fermentable
sugars on a small-scale with limited feedstock, but it has not been demonstrated at commercial
scale. In particular, the Brelsford technology has never been attempted under the conditions or at
the volumes that will be required to be profitable and we cannot predict all of the difficulties
that may arise. It is possible that the technologies, when used, may require further research,
development, design and testing prior to larger-scale commercialization. Accordingly, we may
experience delays and increased production or development costs when attempting to commercialize
the technology. We may also determine that the technology cannot be performed successfully on a
commercial basis or will not be profitable.
29
We may not have sufficient legal protection of our technologies and other proprietary rights, which
could result in the loss of some or all of our rights or the use of our intellectual properties by
our competitors.
Our success depends substantially on our ability to use the PSC and Brelsford technologies and to
keep our licenses in full force, and for our technology licensors to maintain their patents,
maintain trade secrecy and not infringe the proprietary rights of third parties. We cannot be sure
that the patents of others will not have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
Further, we cannot be sure that others will not independently develop similar or superior
technologies, duplicate elements of our technologies or design around them. Even if we are able to
obtain or license patent protection for our process or products, there is no guarantee that the
coverage of these patents will be sufficiently broad to protect us from competitors or that we will
be able to enforce our patents against potential infringers. Patent litigation is expensive, and we
may not be able to afford the costs. Third parties could also assert that our process or products
infringe patents or other proprietary rights held by them.
It is possible that we may need to acquire other licenses to, or to contest the validity of, issued
or pending patents or claims of third parties. We cannot be sure that any license would be made
available to us on acceptable terms, if at all, or that we would prevail in any such contest. In
addition, we could incur substantial costs in defending ourselves in suits brought against us for
alleged infringement of another partys patents or in bringing patent infringement suits against
other parties based on our licensed patents.
We also rely on trade secrets, proprietary know-how and technology that we will seek to protect, in
part, by confidentiality agreements with our prospective joint venture partners, employees and
consultants. We cannot be sure that these agreements will not be breached, that we will have
adequate remedies for any breach, or that our trade secrets and proprietary know-how will not
otherwise become known or be independently discovered by others.
We could lose our exclusive rights to licensed technology.
Bio-Products, Inc. sub-licenses the PSC technology to us pursuant to a license originally granted
to Bio-Products by the University of Alabama Huntsville, which gives Bio-Products the exclusive
right to use and sub-license the PSC technology. The Universitys rights as the owner and original
licensor of the PSC technology under the agreement were acquired by World Waste Technologies, which
also licenses the PSC technology from Bio-Products for uses other than ethanol production. As a
result, World Waste Technologies is now the licensor of the PSC technology to Bio-Products. To
maintain exclusivity under its license agreement, Bio-Products must make certain payments and
fulfill certain obligations. World Waste Technologies has publicly stated its desire to acquire the
rights to use the PSC technology for ethanol production. Because World Waste Technologies is now
the licensor of the PSC technology to Bio-Products, any breach of or other default under the
license agreement by Bio-Products could adversely affect the rights of Bio-Products and our rights
indirectly, to the PSC technology.
On January 9, 2008, CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. and SRS Energy filed suit in Missouri Circuit Court
seeking damages against Bio-Products, the licensor of our PSC technology, Clean Earth Solutions,
Inc., which we believe to be an affiliate of Bio-Products, and various shareholders and officers of
those companies for, among other things, fraudulent acts, civil conspiracies and tortuous
interference with our business. We also are seeking to rescind a sublicense with respect to the use
of the PSC technology in five sites that we granted back to Bio-Products. Additionally, we have
filed a demand for arbitration seeking, among other things, a declaration that we are in full
compliance with the terms of the License Agreement between SRS Energy and Bio-Products dated August
17, 2005. We filed the arbitration demand in response to what we believe was a baseless attempt by
Bio-Products to terminate the License Agreement in violation of the terms of the License Agreement
and are seeking damages against Bio-Products for its fraudulent attempt to terminate the License
Agreement. If we are not successful in this arbitration and/or litigation, we will lose our rights
to use the PSC technology. Please see Item 3 Legal Proceedings for a more detailed discussion of
the proceedings.
Pursuant to our license for the Brelsford technology, we could lose our exclusive rights if we fail
to timely make payments required under the license agreement.
30
We will be dependent on our ability to negotiate favorable feedstock supply and ethanol off-take
agreements.
In addition to proving and commercializing our technology, the viability of our business plan will
depend on our ability to develop long-term supply relationships with municipalities, municipal
waste haulers or operators of material recovery facilities, also known as MRFs, and landfills to
provide us with the necessary waste streams on a long-term basis. We also will depend on these
haulers, operators and facilities to take residual waste streams from our plants and to deliver or
accept these streams for land filling. We currently have no such relationships or agreements. If
we are unable to create these relationships and receive supply agreements on terms favorable to us
we may not be able to implement our business plan and achieve profitability.
We may not be able to attract and retain management and other personnel we need to succeed.
We currently have only three full-time employees, our Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and
Chief Financial Officer. As a result, our success depends on our ability to recruit senior
management and other key technology development, construction and operations employees. We cannot
be certain that we will be able to attract, retain and motivate such employees. The inability to
hire and retain one or more of these employees could cause delays or prevent us from implementing
our business strategy. The majority of our new hires will be engineers, project managers and
operations personnel. There is intense competition from other companies and research and academic
institutions for qualified personnel in the areas of our activities. If we cannot attract and
retain, on acceptable terms, the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business,
we may not be able to commence operations or grow at an acceptable pace.
We will incur increased costs as a result of being a public company.
As an operating public company, we are incurring significant legal, accounting and other expenses
we did not incur as a private company and our corporate governance and financial reporting
activities have become more time-consuming. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules
subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, has required changes in
corporate governance practices of public companies. For example, as a result of becoming an
operating public company, we are required to have independent directors, create board committees
and approve and adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures,
including the preparation of reports on internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we
are incurring significant additional costs associated with our public company reporting
requirements. We also expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more
expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to
accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or
similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified
persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.
Our failure to adequately adhere to the new corporate governance practices or the failure or
circumvention of our controls and procedures could seriously harm our business.
Compliance with the new and evolving corporate governance practices has taken a significant amount
of management time and attention, particularly with regard to disclosure controls and procedures
and internal control over financial reporting. Although we have reviewed our disclosure and
internal controls and procedures in order to determine whether they are effective, our controls and
procedures may not be able to prevent errors or frauds in the future. Faulty judgments, simple
errors or mistakes, or the failure of our personnel to adhere to established controls and
procedures may make it difficult for us to ensure that the objectives of the control system are
met. A failure of our controls and procedures to detect other than inconsequential errors or fraud
could seriously harm our business and results of operations.
Our senior managements lack of experience managing a publicly traded company will divert
managements attention from operations and harm our business.
Our management team has limited experience managing a publicly traded company and complying with
federal securities laws, including compliance with recently adopted disclosure requirements on a
timely basis. Our management is required to design and implement appropriate programs and policies
in response to increased legal,
regulatory compliance and reporting requirements, and any failure to do so could lead to the
imposition of fines and penalties and harm our business.
31
Risks Related to our Industry
As a new small company, we will be at a competitive disadvantage to most of our competitors, which
include larger, established companies that have substantially greater financial, technical,
manufacturing, marketing, distribution and other resources than us.
The alternative energy industry in the United States is highly competitive and continually evolving
as participants strive to distinguish themselves and compete in the larger transportation fuel
industry. Competition is likely to continue to increase with the emergence and commercialization of
new alternative energy technologies. If we are not successful in constructing systems that generate
competitively-priced ethanol, we will not be able to compete with other energy technologies.
Moreover, the success of alternative energy generation technologies may cause larger, conventional
energy companies with substantial financial resources to enter the alternative energy industry.
These companies, due to their greater capital resources and substantial technical expertise, may be
better positioned to develop and exploit new technologies. Our inability to respond effectively to
our competition could result in our inability to commence meaningful operations, achieve profitable
operations or otherwise succeed in other aspects of our business plan.
Our success is dependent on continued high transportation fuel prices.
Prices for fuels, generally, and ethanol, specifically, can vary significantly over time and
decreases in price levels could adversely affect our profitability and viability. Most importantly,
the price of ethanol is closely related to the price of petroleum fuels. Any lowering of wholesale
gasoline prices will likely also lead to lower prices for ethanol and will adversely affect our
operating results. We cannot be sure that we will be able to sell ethanol fuels at a price that
will recover our full costs.
New ethanol plants under construction or decreases in the demand for ethanol may result in excess
U.S. production capacity.
According to the Renewable Fuels Association, domestic ethanol production capacity has increased
from 1.9 billion gallons per year at the start of 2001 to an estimated 6.1 billion gallons per year
as of the end of 2007. The Association estimates that, as of the end of 2006, 109 ethanol
refineries were in production with 57 facilities beginning construction and eight under expansion,
totaling approximately 4.8 billion gallons per year of additional production capacity. Excess
capacity in the ethanol industry would decrease demand for our products and make it less likely
that we will generate sufficient cash flows or become profitable. We also anticipate excess
capacity could result in the reduction of the market price of ethanol to a level that is inadequate
for us to generate sufficient cash flow in excess of our costs.
Waste processing and energy production is subject to inherent operational accidents and disasters
from which we may not be able to recover, especially if we have only one or a very small number of
facilities.
Our anticipated operations would be subject to significant interruption if any of our proposed
facilities experience a major accident or are damaged by severe weather or other natural disasters.
In particular, processing waste and producing ethanol is subject to various inherent operational
hazards, such as equipment failures, fires, explosions, abnormal pressures, blowouts,
transportation accidents and natural disasters. Some of these operational hazards may cause
personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment or
environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and the imposition of civil or
criminal penalties. Currently we do not have any insurance to cover those risks. We intend to seek
insurance appropriate for our business before we commence significant operations. The insurance
that we plan to obtain, if obtained, may not be adequate to cover fully the potential operational
hazards described above.
Alternative technologies could make our business obsolete.
Even if our technology currently proves to be commercially feasible, there is extensive research
and development being conducted in cellulosic ethanol production and other alternative energy
sources. Technological developments in any of a large number of competing processes and
technologies could make our technology obsolete and we have little ability to manage that risk.
32
Risks Related to Government Regulation and Subsidization
Federal tax incentives that benefit ethanol producers could expire and other federal and state
programs designed to assist ethanol producers may end.
The cost of producing ethanol is made significantly more competitive with regular gasoline by
federal tax incentives known as the blenders credit, which is currently $0.51 per gallon and is
scheduled to expire in 2010. The blenders credits may not be renewed in 2010 or may be renewed on
terms that are less favorable than they are today. In addition, the blenders credits, as well as
other federal and state programs benefiting ethanol producers, generally are subject to U.S.
government obligations under international trade agreements, including those under the World Trade
Organization Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and might be the subject of
challenges, in whole or in part. The elimination or significant reduction in the blenders credit
or other programs would decrease the likelihood that we will become profitable and weaken our
overall financial position.
Tariffs imposed on imported ethanol could be reduced or eliminated, which would increase
competition from foreign producers.
Most ethanol imported into the United States is subject to a $0.54 per gallon tariff that was
designed to offset the $0.51 per gallon blenders credit available under the federal excise tax
incentive program for refineries that blend ethanol in their fuel. However, a special exemption
from the tariff exists for ethanol imported from 24 countries in Central America and the Caribbean
Islands. Total current ethanol production from these countries is only 7 percent of U.S.
production per year, but, imports from the exempted countries may increase as a result of new
plants that are now under development. Because production costs for ethanol in these countries are
estimated to be significantly less than they are in the United States, the duty-free import of
ethanol through the countries exempted from the tariff may reduce the demand for domestic ethanol
and the price at which we sell our ethanol. Any changes in the tariff or exemption from the tariff
would likely increase competition from foreign producers, which could decrease the demand for and
lower the prices for our products.
Enforcement of energy policy regulations could change.
Energy policy in the United States is evolving rapidly. Within the past three years, the United
States Congress has passed two separate major pieces of legislation addressing energy policy and
related regulations and is currently considering a third new piece of legislation addressing energy
policy. We anticipate that energy policy will continue to be a very important legislative priority
on a national, state and local level.
Currently, the ethanol industry is supported by several important rules, regulations, and credits
at the federal level. These include the $0.51 blenders credit, the $0.54 tariff on imported
ethanol, restrictions on the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive, and targeted production levels for
United States ethanol production. Additionally, many states have adopted separate restrictions on
the use of MTBE as a gasoline additive and adopted independent incentives to spur development of
alternative energy resources.
As energy policy continues to evolve, the existing rules and regulations that benefit the ethanol
industry may change. For example, certain Senators attempted to amend a provision to the Senates
Energy bill in 2006 and again in 2007 that would limit the liability of manufacturers of MTBE for
damages caused by using it as a gasoline additive. Such a change would benefit the producers of
MTBE to the detriment of the ethanol industry.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict changes in energy policy that could occur on a
federal, state or local level in the future. The elimination of or a change in any of the current
rules, regulations or credits that support the ethanol industry could create a regulatory
environment that prevents us from developing a commercially viable or profitable business.
33
Costs of compliance may increase with changing environmental and operational safety regulations.
As we pursue our business plan, we will become subject to various federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the
air, water and ground, the generation, storage, handling, use, transportation and disposal of
hazardous materials, and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, some of these laws
and regulations require our contemplated facilities to operate under permits that are subject to
renewal or modification. These laws, regulations and permits can often require expensive pollution
control equipment or operational changes to limit actual or potential impacts to the environment. A
violation of these laws and regulations or permit conditions can result in substantial fines,
natural resource damages, criminal sanctions, permit revocations and/or facility shutdowns.
Furthermore, upon implementing our plan, we may become liable for the investigation and cleanup of
environmental contamination at any property that we would own or operate and at off-site locations
where we may arrange for the disposal of hazardous substances. If these substances have been or are
disposed of or released at sites that undergo investigation and/or remediation by regulatory
agencies, we may be responsible under CERCLA, or other environmental laws for all or part of the
costs of investigation and/or remediation, and for damages to natural resources. We may also be
subject to related claims by private parties alleging property damage and personal injury due to
exposure to hazardous or other materials at or from those properties. Some of these matters may
require expending significant amounts for investigation, cleanup, or other costs.
In addition, new laws, new interpretations of existing laws, increased governmental enforcement of
environmental laws, or other developments could require us to make additional significant
expenditures. Continued government and public emphasis on environmental issues can be expected to
result in increased future investments for environmental controls at ethanol production facilities.
Present and future environmental laws and regulations applicable to MSW processing and ethanol
production, more vigorous enforcement policies and discovery of currently unknown conditions may
require substantial expenditures that could have a material adverse effect on the results of our
contemplated operations and financial position.
The hazards and risks associated with processing MSW and producing and transporting ethanol (such
as fires, natural disasters, explosions, and abnormal pressures and blowouts) may also result in
personal injury claims or damage to property and third parties. As protection against operating
hazards, we intend to maintain insurance coverage against some, but not all, potential losses. We
could, however, sustain losses for uninsurable or uninsured risks, or in amounts in excess of
existing insurance coverage. Events that result in significant personal injury or damage to our
property or third parties or other losses that are not fully covered by insurance could have a
material adverse effect on the results of our contemplated operations and financial position.
Risks related to our Common Stock and Stock Price Fluctuation
Our stock is thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all.
The shares of our common stock had been trading on the Pink Sheets. Effective March 13, 2008, our
common stock began trading on the OTCBB. Shares of our common stock are thinly-traded, meaning that
the number of persons interested in purchasing our common shares at or near ask prices at any given
time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation is attributable to a number of
factors, including:
|
|
|
we only recently re-commenced operations;
|
|
|
|
|
we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers,
institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence
sales volume; and
|
|
|
|
|
stock analysts, stock brokers and institutional investors may be risk-averse and be
reluctant to follow an unproven, early stage company such as ours or purchase or recommend
the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable.
|
As a consequence, our stock price may not reflect an actual or perceived value. Also, there may be
periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as
compared to a seasoned issuer that has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will
generally support continuous sales without an
adverse effect on share price. A broader or more active public trading market for our common shares
may not develop or if developed, may not be sustained. Due to these conditions, you may not be able
to sell your shares at or near ask prices or at all if you need money or otherwise desire to
liquidate your shares.
34
Even if an active trading market develops, the market price for our common stock may be highly
volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations.
We believe that newer alternative energy companies and companies that effect reverse mergers, such
as our company, are particularly susceptible to speculative trading that may not be based on the
actual performance of the company, which increases the risk of price volatility in a common stock.
In addition, the price of the shares of our common stock could decline significantly if our future
operating results fail to meet or exceed the expectations of market analysts and investors. Some of
the factors that could affect the volatility of our share price include:
|
|
|
significant sales of our common stock or other securities in the open market;
|
|
|
|
|
speculation in the press or investment community;
|
|
|
|
|
actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;
|
|
|
|
|
changes in earnings estimates;
|
|
|
|
|
publication (or lack of publication) of research reports about us;
|
|
|
|
|
increases in market interest rates, which may increase our cost of capital;
|
|
|
|
|
changes in applicable laws or regulations, court rulings, and other legal actions;
|
|
|
|
|
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
|
|
|
|
|
additions or departures of key personnel;
|
|
|
|
|
actions by our stockholders; and
|
|
|
|
|
general market and economic conditions.
|
Shares of ethanol companies that trade in the public markets may be overvalued.
Recently, a number of ethanol companies have entered the public markets. As a result of the
continuing influx of the shares of these companies and the levels at which they trade in comparison
to the current earnings of these companies, the volatility of the price of our shares may be
greater than in other market segments. Moreover, adverse movement in the market price of shares of
other ethanol producers may adversely affect the value of our shares for reasons related or
unrelated to our contemplated business. The presence of these competitive share offerings may also
make it more difficult for our stockholders to resell their shares in the public markets.
Trading in our common stock is subject to special sales practices and may be difficult to sell.
Our common stock is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commissions penny stock rule, which
imposes special sales practice requirements upon broker-dealers who sell such securities to persons
other than established customers or accredited investors. Penny stocks are generally defined to be
an equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. For purposes of the rule,
the phrase accredited investors means, in general terms, institutions with assets in excess of
$5,000,000, or individuals having a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or having an annual income
that exceeds $200,000 (or that, when combined with a spouses income, exceeds $300,000). For
transactions covered by the rule, the broker-dealer must make a special suitability determination
for the purchaser and receive the purchasers written agreement to the transaction prior to the
sale. Consequently, the rule may affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and
also may affect the ability of our shareholders in this offering to sell their securities in any
market that might develop.
Stockholders should be aware that, according to Securities and Exchange Commission Release No.
34-29093, the market for penny stocks has suffered from patterns of fraud and abuse. Such patterns
include:
|
|
|
control of the market for the security by one or a few broker-dealers that are often
related to the promoter or issuer;
|
|
|
|
|
manipulation of prices through prearranged matching of purchases and sales and false and
misleading press releases;
|
|
|
|
|
boiler room practices involving high-pressure sales tactics and unrealistic price
projections by inexperienced sales persons;
|
|
|
|
|
excessive and undisclosed bid-ask differentials and markups by selling broker-dealers;
and
|
35
|
|
|
the wholesale dumping of the same securities by promoters and broker-dealers after
prices have been manipulated to a desired level, along with the resulting inevitable
collapse of those prices and with consequent investor losses.
|
Our management is aware of the abuses that have occurred historically in the penny stock market.
Although we do not expect to be in a position to dictate the behavior of the market or of
broker-dealers who participate in the market, management will strive within the confines of
practical limitations to prevent the described patterns from being established with respect to our
common stock.
Substantial future sales of our common stock shares in the public market could cause our stock
price to fall.
If our stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock, or the public market perceives
that stockholders might sell substantial amounts of our common stock, the market price of our
common stock could decline significantly. Such sales also might make it more difficult for us to
sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that our management
deems appropriate. As of December 31, 2007, we had 49,343,680
shares of our common stock outstanding. We also have
outstanding Series A Convertible Debentures convertible into up to 11,013,333 shares of our common
stock (including shares issuable for interest due under such Debentures) and two outstanding
warrants, each immediately exercisable and representing the right to purchase 1,923,495 shares of
our common stock. An additional 7,000,000 shares of our common stock have been reserved for
issuance pursuant to our 2007 Stock Option Plan.
Potential issuance of additional common and preferred stock could dilute existing stockholders.
We are authorized to issue up to 240,000,000 shares of common stock. To the extent of such
authorization, our board of directors has the ability, without seeking stockholder approval, to
issue additional shares of common stock in the future for such consideration as the board of
directors may consider sufficient. We are also authorized to issue up to one million shares of
preferred stock, the rights and preferences of which may be designated in series by the board of
directors. Such designation of new series of preferred stock may be made without stockholder
approval, and could create additional securities which would have dividend and liquidation
preferences over the common stock offered hereby. Preferred stockholders could adversely affect the
rights of holders of common stock by:
|
|
|
exercising voting, redemption and conversion rights to the detriment of the holders of
common stock;
|
|
|
|
|
receiving preferences over the holders of common stock regarding or surplus funds in the
event of our dissolution or liquidation;
|
|
|
|
|
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company; and
|
|
|
|
|
discouraging bids for our common stock.
|
Additionally, our Series A Convertible Debentures and some of our outstanding options and warrants
to purchase common stock have anti-dilution protection. This means that if we issue securities for
a price less than the price at which these securities are convertible or exercisable for shares of
common stock, the securities will become eligible to acquire more shares of common stock at a lower
price, which will dilute the ownership of our common stockholders.
Finally, we have filed a registration statement pursuant to a registration rights agreement with
some of our stockholders. The registration rights agreement provide, among other things, that we
keep the registration statement associated with those shares continuously effective. If we are
unable to comply with these provisions of the registration rights agreements, we may be obligated
to pay those stockholders liquidated damages in the form of warrants to purchase additional common
stock.
In all the situations described above, the issuance of additional common stock in the future will
reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of our current stockholders.
36
ITEM 7. Financial Statements
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors
Cleantech Biofuels, Inc.
(formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.)
I have audited the accompanying
balance sheet of Cleantech Biofuels, Inc. as of December 31, 2007, and the related statements
of operations, changes in stockholders deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the
two-year period ended and for the period July 14, 2004 (inception) to December 31, 2007.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. My
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on my audits.
I conducted my audits in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that I plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. I believe that my audits provide
a reasonable basis for my opinion.
In my opinion, the financial
statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Cleantech Biofuels, Inc. (formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.) as of December 31,
2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the two years then ended and for
the period from July 14, 2004 (inception) to December 31, 2007, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial
statements have been presented on the basis that it is a going concern, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The
Company has an accumulated deficit of $1,135,219 at December 31, 2007. Additionally, for the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Company used cash in operations of $715,165. These matters
raise substantial doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern.
Managements plans in regards to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial
statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Larry ODonnell, CPA, P.C.
March 26, 2008
37
CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
(formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.)
(A Development Stage Company)
BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
120,356
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
19,425
|
|
Promissory notes
|
|
|
450,000
|
|
Prepaids and other current assets
|
|
|
72,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
661,807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
3,099
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current asset:
|
|
|
|
|
Technology license, net
|
|
|
112,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
777,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
91,988
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
60,433
|
|
Accrued professional fees
|
|
|
36,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
189,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Convertible Debentures
|
|
|
1,400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIT
|
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 authorized shares; no
shares issued or outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 240,000,000 authorized shares; 49,343,680
shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
49,344
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
364,260
|
|
Notes receivable - restricted common shares issued to Directors
|
|
|
(90,000
|
)
|
Deficit accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(1,135,219
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Total Stockholders Deficit
|
|
|
(811,615
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Deficit
|
|
$
|
777,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
38
CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
(formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.)
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 14, 2004
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
$
|
476,937
|
|
|
$
|
16,496
|
|
|
$
|
499,635
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
279,814
|
|
|
|
47,078
|
|
|
|
328,643
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
118,230
|
|
|
|
14,000
|
|
|
|
132,230
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
874,981
|
|
|
|
77,574
|
|
|
|
960,508
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other expense (income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
64,029
|
|
|
|
2,439
|
|
|
|
66,768
|
|
Amortization of technology license
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
Deposit forfeiture
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
|
|
(25,000
|
)
|
Interest income
|
|
|
(21,405
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21,405
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,624
|
|
|
|
(22,561
|
)
|
|
|
40,363
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
937,605
|
|
|
$
|
55,013
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,871
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
45,174,094
|
|
|
|
38,567,100
|
|
|
|
40,459,232
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
** - less than $.01 per share
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
39
CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
(formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.)
(A Development Stage Company)
Statements of Changes in Stockholders Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes Rec -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
restricted
|
|
|
July 14, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
common
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
shares issued
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
to Directors
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at July 14, 2004 (inception)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued in July 2004, valued
at $100, for organizational costs
|
|
|
38,470,900
|
|
|
|
38,471
|
|
|
|
(38,371
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at January 1, 2005
|
|
|
38,470,900
|
|
|
|
38,471
|
|
|
|
(38,371
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock sold for cash in May 2005
at $.26 per share
|
|
|
38,471
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
9,962
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,153
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
38,509,371
|
|
|
|
38,509
|
|
|
|
(28,409
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,253
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock sold for cash in January 2006
at $.13 per share
|
|
|
115,413
|
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
14,884
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(55,013
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
38,624,784
|
|
|
|
38,625
|
|
|
|
(13,525
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63,266
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares effectively issued to former AETA
stockholders in recapitalization in May 2007
|
|
|
752,096
|
|
|
|
752
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(134,348
|
)
|
Conversion of promissory notes in May 2007
at $.014 per share
|
|
|
9,366,800
|
|
|
|
9,367
|
|
|
|
124,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of restricted shares to Directors in
August 2007 at $.15 per share
|
|
|
600,000
|
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
|
89,400
|
|
|
|
(90,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of RAM warrants issued in August
2007 at $.13 per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(937,605
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
49,343,680
|
|
|
$
|
49,344
|
|
|
$
|
364,260
|
|
|
$
|
(90,000
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,135,219
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
40
CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
(formerly Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc.)
(A Development Stage Company)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 14, 2004
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2007
|
|
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
(937,605
|
)
|
|
$
|
(55,013
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,000,871
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss applicable to common
stockholders to net cash used by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued for organizational costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
256
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
39,129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,129
|
|
Fair value of RAM warrant settlement
|
|
|
125,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,027
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
(19,425
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,425
|
)
|
Prepaids and other current assets
|
|
|
(72,026
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(72,026
|
)
|
Technology license
|
|
|
(15,000
|
)
|
|
|
(75,000
|
)
|
|
|
(132,500
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
91,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
91,988
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
57,994
|
|
|
|
2,439
|
|
|
|
60,433
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(5,503
|
)
|
|
|
42,103
|
|
|
|
36,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used by operating activities
|
|
|
(715,165
|
)
|
|
|
(85,471
|
)
|
|
|
(851,289
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenditures for equipment
|
|
|
(3,355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash used by investing activities
|
|
|
(3,355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,355
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances related parties
|
|
|
(111,144
|
)
|
|
|
69,914
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Convertible Debentures
|
|
|
950,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
950,000
|
|
Sale of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
838,856
|
|
|
|
84,914
|
|
|
|
975,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
120,336
|
|
|
|
(557
|
)
|
|
|
120,356
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
120,356
|
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
|
$
|
120,356
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$
|
6,334
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
6,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and
financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Promissory notes receivable
|
|
$
|
450,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
450,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Convertible Debentures
|
|
$
|
450,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
450,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted common stock issued to Directors
|
|
$
|
90,000
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued for organizational costs
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued for promissory notes
|
|
$
|
133,596
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
133,596
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
41
CLEANTECH BIOFUELS, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT-STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Organization and Business
Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc. (the Company), was incorporated in Delaware on December
20, 1996. Effective August 2, 2007, the Company changed its name to CleanTech Biofuels, Inc.
On March 27, 2007, the Company acquired SRS Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (SRS Energy)
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization. In accordance with the merger
agreement, SRS Acquisition Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company (SRS Acquisition) merged with and into SRS Energy. The merger was consummated on May 31,
2007 and resulted in SRS Energy becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. As a result of
the merger, the stockholders of SRS Energy surrendered all of their issued and outstanding common
stock and received shares of the Companys $.001 par value common stock. The former parent of SRS
Energy, Supercritical Recovery Systems, Inc., immediately prior to the merger, distributed 78.8% of
its 96% ownership in SRS Energy to its shareholders on a pro rata basis.
For accounting purposes, because the Company had been a public shell company prior to the merger,
the merger was treated as an acquisition of the Company and a recapitalization of SRS Energy. As a
result, the historical information of the Company prior to the merger disclosed in this report is
that of SRS Energy. In addition, historical share amounts have been restated to reflect the effect
of the merger.
The Company is a development stage company that has been engaged in technology development and
pre-operational activities since its formation. Its business strategy is to develop, own and
operate renewable energy facilities with a primary focus on the conversion of cellulose feed stocks
to fuel ethanol and other combustible fuels. The Company has limited exclusive licenses to
technology designed to convert cellulosic feed stocks, including municipal garbage, into ethanol
and other combustible sources of energy. The Company has no operating history as a producer of
ethanol and has not constructed any ethanol plants to date. It has no revenues to date and expects
that its current capital and other existing resources will be sufficient only to provide a limited
amount of working capital. The Company will require substantial additional capital to implement
our business plan and it may be unable to obtain the capital required to do so.
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
-
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. 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. Except where otherwise noted, the
words we, us, our, and similar terms, as well as CleanTech or the Company, refer to
CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. and its subsidiary, SRS Energy, collectively.
Research and Development Costs
-
Research and development expenditures, including payments to
collaborative research partners and research and development costs (which are comprised of costs
incurred in performing research and development activities including wages and associated employee
benefits, facilities and overhead costs) are expensed as incurred.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets
-
The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used
in operations and finite lived intangible assets when events and circumstances indicate the assets
might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are
less than their carrying amounts. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of
the asset to its carrying amount.
Intellectual Property
-
Intellectual property, consisting of our licensed patents and other
proprietary technology, are stated at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over their
economic estimated useful life. Costs and expenses
incurred in creating intellectual property are expensed as incurred. The cost of purchased
intellectual property is capitalized.
42
Property, plant and equipment
-
Newly acquired property, plant and equipment are carried at cost
less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the
assets, on the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. Expenditures for maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
Income Taxes
-
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109,
Accounting for Income Taxes
, which requires the Company to
provide a net deferred tax asset/liability equal to the expected future tax benefit/expense of
temporary reporting differences between financial statement and tax accounting methods and any
available operating loss or tax credit carry forwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities
represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be deductible
or taxable when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes also are
recognized for operating losses and tax credits that are available to offset future taxable income.
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48
(FIN 48),
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting
for Income Taxes
, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. FIN 48 prescribes
a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation
requires that we recognize in the financial statements, the impact of a tax position, if that
position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the
position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties,
accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning
January 1, 2007 with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an
adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007 and
there was no impact on the Companys financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
-
The fair value of financial instruments approximated their
carrying values at December 31, 2007. The financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable,
accrued liabilities and debt.
Comprehensive
Income
-
SFAS No. 130,
Reporting Comprehensive Income
, establishes requirements for
disclosure of comprehensive income (loss). During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the
Company did not have any components of comprehensive income (loss) to report.
Net Loss per Common Share
-
The Company presents basic loss per share (EPS) and diluted EPS on
the face of the statements of operations. Basic loss per share is computed as net loss divided by
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the
potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options, warrants,
and other convertible securities. As of December 31, 2007 the Company had options and warrants to
purchase an aggregate of 17,593,212 shares of common stock that were excluded from the calculation
of diluted loss per share as their effects would have been anti-dilutive.
Share-based compensation
-
In March 2007, the Company adopted the 2007 Stock Option Plan (Stock
Plan) for its employees, officers, directors and consultants. The Company has reserved a maximum
of 7,000,000 shares of common stock to be issued for the exercise of options or shares awarded
under the Stock Plan. We also have an equity compensation plan for non-employee directors pursuant
to which stock options and shares of restricted stock may be granted.
The Company accounts for stock options and restricted stock issued to employees and directors under
SFAS No. 123(R),
Share-Based Payment
. Under SFAS No. 123(R), share-based compensation cost to
employees and directors is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the
award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. The Company has no awards
with market or performance conditions.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
-
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value
Measurements,
the objective of which is to increase consistency and comparability in fair value
measurements and to expand disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting
principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies under other
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value
measurements and does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS No. 157
are effective for fair value measurements made in fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys future
reported financial position or results of operations.
43
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115
. This statement permits
entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.
Most of the provisions of SFAS No. 159 apply only to entities that elect the fair value option.
However, the amendment to SFAS No. 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities,
applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. SFAS No. 159 is
effective as of the beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007.
Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November
15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provision of SFAS No. 157,
Fair Value
Measurements.
The adoption of this statement is not expected to have a material effect on the
Companys financial statements.
Note 3 Property and Equipment
At December 31, 2007, our property and equipment consisted of two computers with a gross cost of
$3,355 and accumulated depreciation of $256, resulting in net property and equipment of $3,099. We
had no property and equipment at December 31, 2006.
Note 4 Technology Licenses
On April 1, 2005, the Company entered into an exclusive license with Brelsford Engineering, Inc.
(Brelsford) to use their technology (Patent No. 5,411,594) to convert cellulosic biomass into
fuel grade ethanol in the United States. This agreement was amended in November 2005 to extend the
initial evaluation period for the technology.
Under the terms of the license with Brelsford, the Company paid an initial fee of $50,000 and
monthly fees for the trial option premium totaling $67,500 (recorded as a long-term asset in the
aggregate on the balance sheet). The Company also pays a minimum annual fee of $15,000 and a
project fee of $30,000 for each project that commences for the manufacture of a plant. On August
30, 2007, the Company paid the first project fee in the amount of $30,000 to Brelsford with the
respect to the commencement of the design of our pilot plant and Brelsford simultaneously
acknowledged that the Company has met all requirements to maintain the exclusivity of its license.
In addition, the Company will pay a royalty fee equal to 4 percent of sales resulting from use of
the licensed product less any applicable taxes. Brelsford may terminate the license agreement on
sixty days notice if the Company fails to make any payment due under our license agreement.
Commencing with the first project payment, the Company began amortizing costs previously
capitalized over the remaining term of the license, resulting in amortization expense of $20,000
for the year ended December 31, 2007. The license, issued to Brelsford, terminates simultaneously
with the expiration of the patent, in May 2015. Future amortization of our technology licenses for
years ending December 31 is estimated to be:
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
15,000
|
|
2009
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
2010
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
2011
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
2012
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
112,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
On August 17, 2005, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Bio-Products
International, Inc. (Bio-Products) giving it limited exclusive rights to use Bio-Products
technology (Patent No. 6,306,248) to process municipal solid waste and convert the cellulosic
component of that waste to a homogenous feedstock to produce ethanol in the United States, subject
to the right of Bio-Products to request five sites to construct garbage to ethanol plants in the
United States.
44
The Companys license with Bio-Products is for a period of twenty years. Under the license,
Bio-Products is paid a process royalty of $1.50 for every ton of waste received and processed at
each facility to be constructed and operated under the agreement. The Company also is required to
pay a by-product royalty of 2.5 percent of the gross sales price in excess of ten dollars per ton
obtained from the sale of recyclable byproducts, excluding the cellulosic biomass. Bio-Products
will also be paid a monthly fee for technical services to be provided by Bio-Products for each
facility to be constructed and operated which initially will be $10,000 per month and will increase
to $20,000 per month when vessels for processing waste are ordered for the facility. The $20,000
per month fee continues until construction of the facility is completed.
Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or other changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment charge is recognized if the
carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its implied fair value.
Note 5 Series A Convertible Debentures
In April 2007, the Company sold $1,400,000 of Series A Convertible Debentures (Debentures), due
April 16, 2010, that convert into shares of the Companys common stock at $.15 per share. The
Company filed a registration statement with regard to the sale of these shares of common stock,
which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2008. The
debentures accrue interest at 6% per annum. The interest is payable in cash or shares of the
Companys common stock at the Companys option. The Debenture Holders can convert their amount into
shares at any time until the due date. At December 31, 2007, the aggregate amount of debentures
(plus accrued interest) could have been converted into 9,736,222 shares. The maximum number of
shares that would be issued at the due date is 11,013,333.
The Company received cash of $950,000 and Promissory Notes (Notes) with an aggregate principal
amount of $450,000 that accrue interest at 6.0%. Effective with the listing of our common stock on
the OTCBB on March 13, 2008 (previously traded on Pink Sheets), we received the $450,000 plus
approximately $25,000 in interest on the Notes on March 14, 2008.
Note 6 Stockholders Deficit
In July 2004, SRS Energy issued 38,470,900 shares of common stock to Supercritical Recovery
Systems, Inc., its parent at that time, for organizational costs. These shares were valued in the
aggregate at $100.
In May 2005, SRS Energy sold 38,471 shares of common stock for an aggregate price of $10,000 ($.26
per share). In January 2006, SRS Energy sold 115,413 shares of common stock for an aggregate price
of $15,000 ($.13 per share).
In May 2007, the Company acquired SRS Energy through a reverse merger. Pursuant to the merger, the
Company issued 38,624,784 shares of the Companys common stock and a warrant exercisable until
August 31, 2009 to purchase 1,923,495 shares of common stock at $.13 per share to the former
stockholders of SRS Energy in exchange for the cancellation of all of the outstanding capital stock
of SRS Energy and cancellation of an option to acquire 5% of the outstanding capital stock of SRS
Energy. The Company affected a reverse split of its common stock at a ratio of 100 to 1 in January
2007. For accounting purposes, because the Company had been a public shell company prior to the
merger, the merger was treated as an acquisition of the Company and a recapitalization of SRS
Energy. As such, the historical information prior to the merger of the Company disclosed in the
report is that of SRS Energy. Historical share amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of
the merger.
In May 2007, the Company issued 9,366,800 shares of common stock ($.014 per share) upon the
conversion of three promissory notes totaling $114,681 and accrued interest of $18,915.
Note 7 Related Party Transactions
During 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred corporate and administrative fees of approximately
$4,600 and $7,300, respectively, for expenses paid by its president on behalf of the Company. The
Company had been using the
office of its president for corporate and administrative purposes. We entered into a lease for
office space which we occupied and began paying rent in January 2008 (See Note 10 for new office
lease information).
45
The Company had a $72,103 advance from one of its board of director members at December 31, 2006
evidenced by a promissory note that accrued interest at 9.5% per annum. The promissory note also
contained an option to acquire 5% of the outstanding capital stock of SRS Energy at a price of
$250,000. In April 2007, the indebtedness under the promissory note was repaid and the promissory
note was cancelled. Under its terms, the right to exercise the option to purchase shares survived
after the repayment of the indebtedness under the note. As part of the merger consideration issued
by the Company pursuant to the acquisition of SRS Energy, the Company issued a warrant exercisable
until August 31, 2009 to purchase 1,923,495 shares of its common stock at $.13 per share to replace
the option included in the promissory note on substantially similar terms as the option.
In August 2007, the Company entered into stock purchase agreements with certain members of the
Board of Directors. The directors issued notes to the Company in exchange for their stock
purchases. See Note 8 for further discussion. These notes are recorded as notes receivable in
Stockholders Deficit.
The Company engaged the law firm of Sauerwein, Simon and Blanchard (SSB) related to various
issues including our reverse merger, our SB-2 registration statement, litigation matters and
general business activity. A member of our board of directors is a partner of SSB. For the years
ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, we incurred approximately $127,000 and $37,000, respectively in
legal fees with SSB. As of December 31, 2007, all amounts have been paid to SSB except for $1,425.
The Company uses Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) as its broker for business and property insurance. Our
CEOs brother is employed by AJG and is involved in the negotiation of coverage and premiums
related to policies placed for the Company. The Company placed no policies and paid no commissions
to AJG in 2007. In January and February, 2008 AJG earned approximately $3,000 in commissions on
policies placed by the Company.
Note 8 Share-based Payments
The Company accounts for stock options and restricted stock issued to employees and directors under
SFAS No. 123(R), in which share-based compensation cost to employees and directors is measured at
the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over
the requisite service period. The Company has no awards with market or performance conditions.
In March 2007, the Company adopted the Stock Plan for its employees, officers, directors and
consultants. The Company has reserved a maximum of 7,000,000 shares of common stock to be issued
for the exercise of options or shares awarded under the Stock Plan. We also have an equity
compensation plan for non-employee directors pursuant to which stock options and shares of
restricted stock may be granted.
In August 2007, the Company granted options to purchase an aggregate 3,850,000 shares of common
stock to various employees that vest ratably over three years and options to purchase an aggregate
160,000 shares of common stock to directors that vest ratably over two years. All options have an
exercise price of $0.15. The Company also issued an aggregate of 600,000 shares of restricted
common stock with a purchase price of $0.15 to our directors. For each director, their restricted
shares vest 8,333 per month commencing on September 21, 2007 until August 21, 2008 and 4,167 per
month thereafter. No options were cancelled, expired or exercisable as of December 31, 2007.
Additionally, upon commissioning of the pilot plant, an option to purchase 1,200,000 shares of
common stock will be issued to our Chief Executive Officer. This option has not yet been granted,
but if and when granted, will vest ratably over three years beginning on August 31, 2009.
The estimated fair value of stock option grants is computed using the binomial option-pricing
model. Generally, expected volatility is based on historical periods commensurate with contractual
term of options. However, since we have no history of stock price volatility as a public company at
the time of the grants, we calculated volatility by considering historical volatilities of public
companies in our industry. Due to the short history of our industry, the historical period used in
our calculations is shorter than the contractual term of the options. The fair value for
options granted was estimated as of December 31, 2007 to be $0.085 per share assuming a contract
term of 7 years, a risk-free interest rate of 3.70%, expected volatility of 52.7% and no expected
dividends. Stock option expense is recognized in the statements of operations ratably over the
vesting period based on the number of options that are expected to ultimately vest. We currently
use a forfeiture rate of zero percent for all existing share-based compensation awards since we
have no historical forfeiture experience under our share-based payment plans. Our options have
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and changes in the assumptions
can materially affect the fair value estimates.
46
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded, as general and administrative
expenses, stock based compensation of approximately $36,600 for employee stock options and $2,500
for director stock options. No expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2006 as the
Companys Stock Plan was first adopted and grants were made in 2007. Related to these grants, the
Company will record future compensation expense for stock options of approximately $115,000 during
the year ending December 31, 2008.
The potential tax benefit realizable for the anticipated tax deductions of the exercise of
share-based payment arrangements totaled approximately $16,000 for the year ended December 31,
2007. However, due to the uncertainty that the tax benefits will be realized, these potential
benefits were not recognized currently.
As of December 31, 2007, there was approximately $300,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related
to 4,010,000 nonvested stock options that we expect to ultimately vest. These options have a
weighted average exercise price of $0.15. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be
recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.96 years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Shares Under
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Adoption of Stock Plan in March 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
4,010,000
|
|
|
$
|
0.15
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
4,010,000
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In August 2007, the Company entered into stock purchase agreements with certain members of the
Board of Directors. Under the agreements, each director agreed to purchase 150,000 shares of common
stock of the Company at a cost of $.15 per share. The directors issued notes to the Company in
exchange for their stock purchases. The shares issued under the agreements are restricted shares
subject to a right, but not obligation, of repurchase by the Company. The Company may exercise its
repurchase right only during the 60 day period following a directors termination of service on the
Board of Directors. Commencing on September 21, 2007, the Companys repurchase rights lapse at the
rate of 8,333 shares per month of continuous service by each director of our Board of Directors
through September 21, 2008, when the Companys repurchase rights lapse on 4,167 shares per month of
continuous board service until the repurchase rights have lapsed on all restricted shares. At
December 31, 2007, 466,672 shares were subject to a right of repurchase.
Pursuant to a settlement agreement, RAM Resources, L.L.C. obtained the right to acquire an
aggregate of 1,923,495 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.13 per share. This warrant is
exercisable during a two year term that started on August 29, 2007 and ends on August 29, 2009.
RAM Resources, L.L.C. agreed to terminate the Letter Agreement and release all claims to acquire
any shares of our stock. The fair value of $125,027 has been recorded in the Companys general and
administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 and additional paid in capital at
December 31, 2007.
Note 9 Income Taxes
The Company recognizes deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax
consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Under
this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between
the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted
tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
47
The Company incurred no income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The expected
income tax benefit and resulting deferred tax asset for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
is approximately $275,000 and $11,000, respectively. This benefit is the result of temporary
differences (start-up costs, stock compensation and other items) and operating loss carryforwards.
The difference between the expected income tax benefit and non-recognition of an income tax benefit
in each period is the result of a valuation allowance applied to deferred tax assets. A valuation
allowance in the same amount of the benefit has been provided to reduce the deferred tax asset, as
realization of the asset is not assured.
At December 31, 2007, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18,000 and $182,000 are
available to offset future taxable income and expire in 2026 and 2027, respectively. This results
in a net deferred tax asset of approximately $71,000 for which the Company has recorded a full
valuation allowance. The net operating loss carryforwards may be limited under the Change of
Control provisions of the Internal Revenue Code section 382.
Temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax assets at December 31, 2007 are:
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Tax Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Start-up costs
|
|
$
|
132,000
|
|
Net operating loss carryforward
|
|
|
71,000
|
|
Accrual to cash conversion
|
|
|
49,000
|
|
Other
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
275,000
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(275,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax asset
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 10 Commitments and Contingencies
Project management
- The Company entered into an engagement agreement with Merrick & Company to
develop a complete project management plan for the pilot development plan. For the year ended
December 31, 2007, we incurred approximately $104,000 for engineering, design and consulting
services. After completing the project management plan, we engaged Merrick & Company to construct,
test, and evaluate the HFTA equipment and the demonstration plant. As part of the testing and
evaluation, Merrick & Company will provide construction observation of the demonstration unit in
conjunction with Hazen Research, Inc. The system will demonstrate the efficacy of using biomass
derived from municipal waste to produce ethanol using our licensed technologies and will allow us
to develop the engineering data to design and construct a small commercial plant. Our engagement
calls for further payments to Merrick & Company on an as billed basis as they proceed with the
engineering review and testing of our technology.
In December 2007, we entered into an agreement with Hazen Research, Inc. (Hazen) to install and
operate the HFTA equipment at Hazens facility in Golden, Colorado. The agreement also
contemplates the expansion of the scope of work to include the construction and operation of the
demonstration plant. We are billed at an hourly rate for time used by Hazen employees in
connection with our projects. We anticipate the costs of the proof of concept phase with Hazen
will be approximately $100,000, of which we had incurred no costs with Hazen for the year ended
December 31, 2007. We are currently working with Hazen to develop an estimate of the costs to
construct and operate the demonstration unit at their facility.
Leases -
We entered into a lease on October 16, 2007 (and took occupancy in January 2008) to rent
approximately 1,800 square feet of office space for use as our corporate office, located at 7386
Pershing Ave. in St. Louis, Missouri for a term of three years. Our monthly rent under the lease
is $1,800 plus the cost of utilities.
We entered into a lease for office furniture in January 2008. The lease payments are approximately
$350 per month for 36 months. This lease is accounted for as a capital lease for accounting
purposes.
48
Note 11 Subsequent Events
In January 2008, we purchased a Hydrolysis Reactor from HFTA to help complete the proof of concept
stage of our development.
On January 9, 2008, CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. and SRS Energy filed suit in Missouri Circuit Court
seeking damages against Bio-Products, the licensor of our PSC technology, Clean Earth Solutions,
Inc., which we believe to be an affiliate of Bio-Products, and various shareholders and officers of
those companies for, among other things, fraudulent acts, civil conspiracies and tortuous
interference with our business. We also are seeking to rescind a sublicense with respect to the use
of the PSC technology in five sites that we granted back to Bio-Products. Additionally, we have
filed a demand for arbitration seeking, among other things, a declaration that we are in full
compliance with the terms of the License Agreement between SRS Energy and Bio-Products dated August
17, 2005. We filed the arbitration demand in response to what we believe was a baseless attempt by
Bio-Products to terminate the License Agreement in violation of the terms of the License Agreement
and are seeking damages against Bio-Products for its fraudulent attempt to terminate the License
Agreement.
From March 13, 2008 through
March 19, 2008, various debenture holders converted an aggregate amount of $630,000 of our
debentures, plus interest earned, into 4,433,067 shares of our common stock.
On March 20, 2008, we entered
into an agreement for an exclusive worldwide license with HFTA to
use the HFTA technology for the production of ethanol from MSW. The terms set out in the agreement
required us to pay an initial license fee of $25,000 to HFTA on execution of the agreement and a
second license fee in the amount of $150,000 on September 1, 2009 if we are using the technology at
that time. Additionally, upon executing the license agreement, we deposited 2,887,687 shares of our
common stock into an escrow account. The shares held in escrow will be released to HFTA as
follows: one-third upon completion of the proof of concept phase if at that time we elect to
continue to use the HFTA technology in the demonstration phase and two-thirds upon completion of
the demonstration phase if at that time we elect to incorporate the HFTA technology into the small
commercial plant. In addition, we are required to pay a process royalty of 4% of the sales price of
ethanol less taxes and applicable fees if the sales price is in excess of $1.50 per gallon, 3% of
the sales price if it is between $1.50 and $1.30 per gallon, and 2% of the sales price if it is
less than $1.30 per gallon. We are also required to pay certain minimum royalties, less the amount
of any process royalties paid, commencing in the calendar year ending December 31, 2010 and in
subsequent years as follows: (i) 2010 $25,000; (ii) 2011 $25,000; (iii) 2012 $60,000; (iv)
increasing by $20,000 per year for each year thereafter until it reaches $120,000 per year; and (v)
$120,000 per year thereafter.
Note 12 Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The results of operations by quarter were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the quarters ended 2007:
|
|
|
|
Mar 31
|
|
|
June 30
|
|
|
Sept 30
|
|
|
Dec 31
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
$
|
4,007
|
|
|
$
|
229,344
|
|
|
$
|
175,635
|
|
|
$
|
67,951
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
1,970
|
|
|
|
154,873
|
|
|
|
62,152
|
|
|
|
60,819
|
|
Research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,533
|
|
|
|
76,697
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,977
|
|
|
|
384,217
|
|
|
|
279,320
|
|
|
|
205,467
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other expense (income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
3,597
|
|
|
|
17,500
|
|
|
|
21,466
|
|
|
|
21,466
|
|
Amortization of technology license
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,250
|
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,020
|
)
|
|
|
(9,038
|
)
|
|
|
(7,347
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stockholders
|
|
$
|
9,574
|
|
|
$
|
396,697
|
|
|
$
|
307,998
|
|
|
$
|
223,336
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
** - less than $.01 per share
|
ITEM 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
49
ITEM 8A. Controls and Procedures
EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain a set of disclosure
controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports
filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Security and Exchange Commissions
(the SEC) rules and regulations. Disclosure controls are also designed with the objective of
ensuring that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our
chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure.
Our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will necessarily prevent
all fraud and material error. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide
reasonable assurance of achieving the objectives outlined above. Based on their most recent
evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level at December 31, 2007.
Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints,
including, but not limited to having three total employees (chief executive officer, general
counsel and chief financial officer), and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to
their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls
can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the
Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in
decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
This annual report does not include a report of
managements assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation
report of our registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission for newly public reporting companies.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended December
31, 2007, there were no material changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys
internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 8B. Other Information
None.
PART III
ITEM 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, Control Persons and Corporate Governance; Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
The information required by Item 9 is included in our definitive proxy statement and incorporated
herein by reference. Our definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the end of our most recent fiscal year.
ITEM 10. Executive Compensation
The information required by Item 10 is included in our definitive proxy statement and incorporated
herein by reference. Our definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the end of our most recent fiscal year.
50
ITEM 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by Item 11 is included in our definitive proxy statement and incorporated
herein by reference. Our definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the end of our most recent fiscal year.
ITEM 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by Item 12 is included in our definitive proxy statement and incorporated
herein by reference. Our definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the end of our most recent fiscal year.
ITEM 13. Exhibits
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
3.1
|
|
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
3.2
|
|
Restated By-Laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
4.1
|
|
Form of Series A Convertible Debenture (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.1 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
4.2
|
|
Investors Rights Agreement dated as of April 16, 2007 by and among SRS Energy, Inc.
and certain Investors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
4.3
|
|
Series A Debenture Purchase Agreement dated as of April 16, 2007 by and among SRS
Energy, Inc. and certain Investors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3
of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007,
File No. 333-145939).
|
4.4
|
|
Warrant dated August 31, 2007 by CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. in favor of RAM Resources,
L.L.C (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrants
registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File No.
333-145939).
|
10.1
|
|
Exclusive License Agreement between Brelsford Engineering, Inc. and SRS Energy, Inc.
dated as of April 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
10.2
|
|
Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement between Brelsford Engineering, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of January 11, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.3
|
|
Technology License Agreement between Bio-Products International, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of August 17, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.4
|
|
Technology License Agreement between Bio Products International, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of March 8, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.4 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.5
|
|
Engagement Agreement between Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc. k/n/a CleanTech
Biofuels, Inc. and Merrick & Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.5 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.6
|
|
Consulting Fee Agreement between Alternative Ethanol Technologies k/n/a CleanTech
Biofuels, Inc. and Five Sigma Ltd. dated as of April 17, 2007 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2
filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.7*
|
|
2007 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
10.8*
|
|
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.8 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.9*
|
|
Director Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9
of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007,
File No. 333-145939).
|
10.10*
|
|
Employment Agreement Edward P. Hennessey, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.11*
|
|
Form of Employee Agreement Michael Kime and Tom Jennewein (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2
filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
51
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
10.12*
|
|
Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement Michael Kime and Tom Jennewein
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrants registration
statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.13
|
|
Commercial Lease with Pershing Properties, LLC dated October 12, 2007 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registrants registration statement on
Form SB-2/A filed on November 30, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.14
|
|
Sublicense Agreement with HFTA dated
March 20, 2008 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed
March 25, 2008).
|
14
|
|
Code of Ethics (to be posted to our website at www.cleantechbiofuels.net)
|
21.1
|
|
List of Subsidiaries.
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended
|
32.1
|
|
Certificate (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of Chief Executive Officer
|
32.2
|
|
Certificate (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of principal financial officer
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
|
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by Item 14 is included in our definitive proxy statement and incorporated
herein by reference. Our definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within 120 days of the end of our most recent fiscal year.
52
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Registrant caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CleanTech Biofuels, Inc.
(registrant)
|
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Edward P. Hennessey, Jr.
|
|
|
|
Edward P. Hennessey, Jr.
|
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Thomas G. Jennewein
|
|
|
|
Thomas G. Jennewein
|
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf
of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Edward P. Hennessey, Jr.
|
|
|
Edward P. Hennessey, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Thomas G. Jennewein.
|
|
|
Thomas G. Jennewein, Chief Financial Officer
|
|
(principal financial and accounting officer)
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Benton Becker
|
|
|
Benton Becker, Director
|
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Ira Langenthal, Phd.
|
|
|
Ira Langental, Phd., Director
|
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Paul Simon, Jr.
|
|
|
Paul Simon, Jr., Director
|
|
|
|
|
March 28, 2008
|
/s/ Larry McGee
|
|
|
Larry McGee, Director
|
|
|
|
|
53
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
3.1
|
|
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
3.1 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
3.2
|
|
Restated By-Laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
4.1
|
|
Form of Series A Convertible Debenture (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
4.1 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
4.2
|
|
Investors Rights Agreement dated as of April 16, 2007 by and among SRS Energy, Inc.
and certain Investors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
4.3
|
|
Series A Debenture Purchase Agreement dated as of April 16, 2007 by and among SRS
Energy, Inc. and certain Investors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3
of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007,
File No. 333-145939).
|
4.4
|
|
Warrant dated August 31, 2007 by CleanTech Biofuels, Inc. in favor of RAM Resources,
L.L.C (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Registrants
registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File No.
333-145939).
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10.1
|
|
Exclusive License Agreement between Brelsford Engineering, Inc. and SRS Energy, Inc.
dated as of April 1, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
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10.2
|
|
Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement between Brelsford Engineering, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of January 11, 2006 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
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10.3
|
|
Technology License Agreement between Bio-Products International, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of August 17, 2005 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.4
|
|
Technology License Agreement between Bio Products International, Inc. and SRS
Energy, Inc. dated as of March 8, 2007 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.4 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.5
|
|
Engagement Agreement between Alternative Ethanol Technologies, Inc. k/n/a CleanTech
Biofuels, Inc. and Merrick & Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.5 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.6
|
|
Consulting Fee Agreement between Alternative Ethanol Technologies k/n/a CleanTech
Biofuels, Inc. and Five Sigma Ltd. dated as of April 17, 2007 (incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2
filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.7*
|
|
2007 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the
Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File
No. 333-145939).
|
10.8*
|
|
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.8 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10,
2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.9*
|
|
Director Stock Purchase Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9
of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007,
File No. 333-145939).
|
10.10*
|
|
Employment Agreement Edward P. Hennessey, Jr. (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2 filed on
September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.11*
|
|
Form of Employee Agreement Michael Kime and Tom Jennewein (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registrants registration statement on Form SB-2
filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.12*
|
|
Form of Employee Stock Option Agreement Michael Kime and Tom Jennewein
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Registrants registration
statement on Form SB-2 filed on September 10, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.13
|
|
Commercial Lease with Pershing Properties, LLC dated October 12, 2007 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Registrants registration statement on
Form SB-2/A filed on November 30, 2007, File No. 333-145939).
|
10.14
|
|
Sublicense Agreement with HFTA dated
March 20, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the
Registrants current report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2008).
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54
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
14
|
|
Code of Ethics (to be posted to our website at www.cleantechbiofuels.net)
|
21.1
|
|
List of Subsidiaries.
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act, as amended
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act, as amended
|
32.1
|
|
Certificate (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of Chief Executive Officer
|
32.2
|
|
Certificate (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of principal financial officer
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
|
55