UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

xANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20112012

Or

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromto

Commission file number: 001-34689

 

 

Cereplast, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Nevada 91-2154289

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

300 Continental Blvd., Suite 100

El Segundo, California

 90245
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(310) 615 1900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share

(Title of each class)

The NASDAQ Capital MarketN/A

(Name of exchange on which listed)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K Section 229.405 is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨  Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨  Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on June 30, 20112012 was approximately $55,680,073.$5,218.665.

As of April 11, 2012,5, 2013, the Company had outstanding 18,933,139332,681,674 Shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

PART I
Item 1. Business   1  
Item 1A. Risk Factors   97  
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments   1512  
Item 2. Properties   1512  
Item 3. Legal Proceedings   1512  
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures   1513  
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   1614  
Item 6. Selected Financial Data   1816  
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   2017  
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   2724  
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   2724  
Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   2824  
Item 9A Controls and Procedures   2825  
Item 9B Other Information   2825  
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance   2926  
Item 11. Executive Compensation   29  
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters   2930  
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence   2931  
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.  31
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules   3032  
SIGNATURES   3336  

 

i


STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In this annual report, references to “Cereplast, “CERP”, “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Cereplast, Inc. Except for the historical information contained herein, some of the statements in this Report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are found in the sections entitled “Business,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors.” They include statements concerning: our business strategy; expectations of market and customer response; liquidity and capital expenditures; future sources of revenues; expansion of our proposed product line; and trends in industry activity generally. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “could,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “goal,” or “continue” or similar terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, the risks outlined under “Risk Factors,” that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, assumptions that could cause actual results to vary materially from future results include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully develop and market our products to customers; our ability to generate customer demand for our products in our target markets; the development of our target markets and market opportunities; our ability to manufacture suitable products at competitive cost; market pricing for our products and for competing products; the extent of increasing competition; technological developments in our target markets and the development of alternate, competing technologies in them; and sales of shares by existing shareholders. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Unless we are required to do so under the United States federal securities laws or other applicable laws, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

 

ii


PART I

 

Item 1.Business

Overview

We have developed and are commercializing proprietary bio-based resins through two complementary product families: Cereplast Compostables® resins which are compostable, renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics, and Cereplast Sustainables™ resins (including the Cereplast Hybrid Resins product line), which replaces up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of traditional plastics with materials from renewable resources. Our resins can be converted into finished products using conventional manufacturing equipment without significant additional capital investment by downstream converters.

The demand for non-petroleum based, clean and renewable sources for materials, such as bioplastics, and the demand for compostable/biodegradable products are being driven globally by a variety of factors, including fossil fuel price volatility, energy security and environmental concerns. These factors have led to increased spending on clean and renewable products by corporations and individuals as well as legislative initiatives at national, state and local level.

We are a full-service resin solution provider uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic products.

We primarily conduct our operations through two product families:

 

  

Cereplast Compostables® resins are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily compostable bags, single-use food service products and packaging applications. We offer 13 commercial grades of Compostable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Compostable line in November 2006.

 

  

Cereplast Sustainables™ resins are partially or fully bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for fully petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily durable goods, packaging applications. We offer six commercial grades of Sustainable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment, making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Sustainable line in late 2007 under the name “Cereplast Hybrid Resins®.”

 

  

Cereplast Hybrid Resins® products replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with bio-based materials such as industrial starches sourced from plants. The Hybrid resins line is designed to offer similar properties to traditional polyolefins such as impact strength and heat deflection temperature, and is compatible with existing converter processes and equipment. The Cereplast Hybrid Resins® line provides a viable alternative for brand owners and converters looking to partially replace petroleum-based resins in durable goods applications. Hybrid resins address this need in a wide range of markets, including automotive, consumer goods, consumer electronics, medical, packaging, and construction. We commercially introduced our first grade of Hybrid resin, Hybrid 150, at the end of 2007. We currently offer four commercial grades in this product line.

 

  

Cereplast Algae Plastic® resins. In October of 2009 we announced that we have been developing a new technology to transform algae into bioplastics and intend to launch a new resin family containing algae-based materials that will complement our existing line of resins. The first commercial product with Cereplast Algae Plastic® resin is now being produced and sold as part of our Sustainables resin family. We believe that it is important to enhance research on non-food crops as we expect a surge in demand in bioplastics in future years, thus potentially creating pressure on food crops. Algae are the first non-food crop project that we have introduced and our R&D department is contemplating the development of additional non-food crop based materials in future years. In March 2013 we announced the incorporation of a wholly owned subsidiary Algaeplast, Inc. This new company will serve as a vehicle to develop additional research on algae based plastic with the ultimate scope to create 100% algae based polymers.

Our patent portfolio is currently comprised of six patents in the United States (“U.S.”), one Mexican patent, and eight pending patent applications in the U.S. and abroad. Our trademark portfolio is currently comprised of approximately 45 registered marks and 21 pending applications in the U.S. and abroad.

Business Strengths

Our competitive strengths position us well in the markets we choose to serve and reinforce our ability to execute our substantial growth plans.

Technology Leadership and Processing Expertise. We are a technology leader in the development of bio-based resins. As of December 31, 2011,2012, our intellectual property includes 1513 formulation patents and pending patent applications on a worldwide basis.

Our unique formulation technology and proprietary manufacturing expertise, in-depth customer and product knowledge and patent portfolio provide us with a strong competitive position. We leverage our expertise toward the design and adoption of new resins that can be rapidly commercialized by our customers.

Competitive Pricing with Traditional Plastic. Our bio-resins aim to be priced as competitively as possible to petroleum-based plastic alternatives. We have the capability to work with multiple polymer families and sustainable additive families when manufacturing our resins. This gives us the ability to effectively source abundant and low-cost, renewable natural resources from various sources including industrial starches, polylactic acid (“PLA”), recycled bioplastic polymers and other bio-based virgin polymers. The flexibility to continuously choose between various raw materials as market prices change allows us to consistently be more price competitive with traditional petroleum-based alternatives than many other bio-based competitors. We feel this unique breadth of feedstock options and pricing leadership commitment will further market adoption of our products as demand for renewable and clean alternatives to petroleum-based plastics increases in the future and as bio-based alternatives improve in performance and cost.

Scalable and Low-Cost Manufacturing Platform. Our proprietary process to manufacture our resins is modular and scalable in nature, which we believe will allow us to readily expand manufacturing capacity at relatively low incremental cost. Our capital requirement is approximately $7 million for every additional 50 million pounds of capacity. Our manufacturing equipment can be used for both the Cereplast Compostables® and Cereplast Sustainables™ lines interchangeably. All of the manufacturing equipment we are installing today is readily available from multiple manufacturers. Our facility in Seymour, Indiana (the “Seymour plant”) which started production on March 1, 2010, operates at manufacturing costs and a logistics scale comparable to traditional plastics compounding leaders. The Seymour plant’s competitiveness is supported further by its attractive location close to feedstock sources and major plastics converters. Part of our strategy is to enter into a partnership agreement with large third party compounders around the world to expand manufacturing capability and make it more flexible and cost efficient.

Close Consultative Relationship with Customers. We are a solution provider to both brand owners and converters. We have built a team of skilled technologists with experience in the design and performance characteristics of our resins. Our formulation, processing and dispersion technologies allow us to create proprietary bio-resin blends to meet the specific needs of our converter clients for various end products. We work closely with our customers to understand their needs and develop solutions to address their customer base. Our market reach continues to expand and develop beyond the U.S. to include Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Highly Experienced Management and Technical Team. Senior management has extensive experience developing, manufacturing, marketing and selling plastics and specialty chemicals. This team is composed of veterans from the bioplastics, specialty chemicals, traditional plastics and process engineering industries. In bioplastics alone, our team has over 75 years of cumulative experience despite the young state of market development. Our CEO is the founder of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) and the 2010 Chair of the Society of Plastic Industry Bioplastic Council.

Business Strategy

Target High-Growth Segments with Commercial Products. We believe that bioplastics will continue to take market share from petroleum-based plastics as technologically advanced and commercially feasible alternatives are offered to consumers. In 2007, the compostable biodegradable bioplastic market was estimated to be greater than 540 million pounds. BCC Research estimates this market will grow to 1.2 billion pounds by the end of 2012,2014, a compounded annual growth rate of 17%. We believe that the bioplastics market share will continue to grow rapidly as these resins become increasingly viable due to improving supply and performance characteristics, growing environmental concerns regarding petroleum-based plastics and future concerns regarding oil prices and supply uncertaintyuncertainty.

Closely support converter partners and brand owners in the adoption of bio-based plastics to expand our customer base. We develop close working relationships with our customers that enable us to provide solutions and identify opportunities to employ our products. Our strategy is to work closely with both converters and brand owners through a product push and demand pull process. For converters, the sales process is more technical in nature as they focus on the ability to utilize our resins in their traditional manufacturing processes. Brand owners are following the “green” trend and looking for ways to make packaging and other products more environmentally friendly and develop a “green” identity with consumers while satisfying performance and cost requirements.

Expand manufacturing capabilities. We relocated all of our core manufacturing activities from Hawthorne, California (the “Hawthorne plant”) to the Seymour plant in March, 2010. Our Seymour plant is in close proximity to various raw material sources and provides an ideal platform for continued expansion. The combination of greater scale, enhanced manufacturing assets, improved logistics and lowered input costs (such as labor and electricity) dramatically improved operating costs and quality to competitive benchmark levels. A recent example of efficiency was the rail access that was installed by Franklin County and the City of Seymour in close proximity to our plant. Subsequent expansion plans will depend on growth in market demand, but the Seymour plant offers ample infrastructure for development of capacity to a level of 500 million pounds per annum. In 2011, we built an additional manufacturing line, which increased our annual production capacity to 66 million pounds. WeIn mid-2011, we completed the purchase of an industrial plant in Cannara, Italy (the “Cannara plant”). We expectexpected to build and establish a 125,000 square foot facility inside the

Cannara plant in two phases, with total per annum capacity of 220 million pounds of bioplastics resin production. The first phase will2011/2012 economic recession in Europe put our plans on hold and we renegotiated with our lenders and our sellers the term of the sales to allow us for production of 50,000 tons. Additional capacity will be added coincidentally with market demand.additional time to execute on the plan. At this stage the Company is in a holding pattern until more clarity comes from the overall Italian economic and political turmoil.

Strengthen our product leadership by developing new formulations and product lines in conjunction with customer demands. We continuously work to strengthen our position in new and more cost competitive resin formulations. We interact with our customers and suppliers not only to improve the performance and broaden the applications for our resins, but also to reduce the material and manufacturing costs of our products. In addition, we maintain a rigorous research and development effort that continues to yield opportunities to broaden and extend our product lines. We continue to develop and refine properties in our resins that have high value for our customers including sustainability, compostability, better thermal properties and printability.

Pursue Strategic Alliances. We continue to pursue strategic business relationships that complement our product portfolio, strengthen our competitiveness or create a new channel to market and increase our rate of growth. We have built strategic partnerships with suppliers, distributors, converters and brand owners to develop and commercialize our products and to bring them to market more quickly than we otherwise could on our own. As a result of these efforts, we have strong or rapidly maturing positions in several key fabrication technologies/industries including thermoforming, injection molding, extrusion coating and resin foaming.

Industry Overview and Outlook

The traditional plastics market is large, operates on a global scale and is comprised of a number of different polymers and resins. It includes a wide range of commodity polymers and resins as well as numerous lower volume, higher performance polymers and resins targeted at specific finished product applications. Plastics are sold in a variety of industries including consumer products, packaging, automotive, construction and electronics. The ubiquitous nature of plastic can be attributed to its durability, cost, adaptability and functionality, which have allowed it to meet a variety of end user requirements including increased health and safety requirements as well as consumer demand for enhanced appearance and packaging.

Led by growing demand in Asia-Pacific and South America, global bioplastics market will reach revenues of more than $2.8 billion in 2018, reflecting average annual growth rates of 17.8%, according to market research firm Ceresana.

According to Reportlinker, it is estimated that the industry will grow over 7 fold in the global market for bioplastics reaching 1.9 million metric tons by 2017 compared to only 264,000 in 2007. Bioplastics currently represent a tiny percentage of the overall plastic market. The worldwide market for biodegradable bioplastics was estimated to be greater than 500 million pounds in 2007, or less than 1% of our targeted traditional plastics markets. Based on recent consulting reports, the demand for bioplastics is estimated to be growing at 17% per annum reaching 1.2 billion pounds by the end of 2012. Beyond the growth potential for fully biodegradable/compostable bioplastics, “hybrid” materials that are sophisticated blends of traditional plastics with sustainable polymers and additives (such as Cereplast Hybrid Resins® that incorporate natural starches) open up additional markets. By offering enhanced performance characteristics (such as durability) when compared with fully compostable resins, yet delivering a step change in improved feedstock sustainability, these resins open up very large add-on market opportunities.

Market Opportunity

Greater Environmental Concerns. Bioplastics are positioned to benefit from powerful secular trends in favor of reducing the environmental impact of everyday materials. It is estimated that the U.S. generates 210 million tons of trash per year, with approximately 20% of solid municipal waste coming from plastics. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, less than 6% of waste plastic is recycled. There is concern among the scientific community that global climate change poses an environmental risk that is attributable to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. According to an EF Consumer Survey, 88% of consumers in the United States believe that environmental issues are important or very important. Furthermore, local governments and large corporations are encouraging the replacement of conventional plastics with alternatives, including bioplastics. Because of fossil fuel’s detrimental impact on the environment, individuals and governments increasingly demand that material suppliers reduce their reliance on oil, curb greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the deposit of solid waste and plastics in the environment. Bioplastics are considered a preferred purchasing item under Federal government policy and numerous local governments have enacted or are considering outright bans on certain plastics or plastic articles.

National Security Concerns. The U.S. consumes approximately 25% of worldwide oil production while only accounting for 5% of the world’s population and 2% of the world’s oil reserves. The majority of U.S. oil needs are met through imports, with a large portion coming from potentially unstable areas of the world including the Middle East, Nigeria and Venezuela. It has been suggested that the U.S. dependence on oil imports is an issue of national security. The use of bioplastics has the ability to reduce U.S. petroleum consumption; approximately 7% of the oil consumed in the U.S. is used for the production of plastic.

Health and Safety Concerns.Consumers have become increasingly concerned about the safety and health of plastics materials that are used in their daily lives, particularly items that are in contact with children (such as toys) or used in food packaging (such as water

bottles). Several widely used petroleum based resins including polycarbonates have been the subject of intense scientific and consumer concerns and study regarding their consumer safety. These concerns, along with other examples of tainted plastics and food products manufactured outside the U.S., have led to higher interest in locally manufactured environmentally friendly alternatives such as bioplastics.

Our Resin Products

We have developed and are commercializing proprietary bio-based resins through two complementary product families: Cereplast Compostables®, renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for single-use petroleum-based plastics and Cereplast Sustainables™, which replace up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of durable petroleum-based plastics with materials from renewable resources. Our Compostable and Sustainable resins can be used in the following conventional converting processes:

 

Injection molding

 

Thermoforming

 

Blown film

 

Blow molding

 

Extrusion for profiles

 

Extrusion coating

All of our resins are genetically modified organism (“GMO”)-free and Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) -compliant.

Cereplast Compostables® Resins

Traditional foodservice disposables, wraps and paperboard are currently manufactured from a variety of materials, including paper and plastic. We believe that each of these materials fail to address fully all three of the principal challenges facing the foodservice industry: performance, price and environmental impact.

Our Compostable resins are renewable substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily single-use disposables. We introduced our Compostable resin line in November 2006 and currently offer 13 commercial grades of Compostable Resins in our product line. We designed our Compostable resins to meet the same product specifications of traditional plastic resins and to be processed with the existing equipment used by converters today. All Cereplast Compostables® resins are certified as biodegradable/compostable in the U.S. and Europe, meeting both U.S. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards and European standards for products and services by European Committee for Standardization (EN standards). As required to meet these standards, Cereplast Compostables® resins will compost in municipal or commercial composting facilities in less than 180 days and will not leave any harmful chemical residues.

Our Compostable Resins have been used to produce foodservice ware, including the first line of fully biodegradable and compostable foodservice ware (plates, bowls, etc.), launched in late 2006. In 2008, we continued to develop markets outside of foodservice ware where our resins have been used to produce commercial quantities of products targeted at the health and beauty sector, advertising materials, rigid food packaging and consumer products. All of these products were manufactured using our resins, which minimize the harmful impact on the environment without sacrificing competitive price or performance.

Our Compostable Resins are primarily made from abundantly available, stable-cost natural raw materials such as plant starch from annually renewable crops such as corn.

Cereplast Sustainables Resins®

Cereplast Hybrid Resins® replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with renewable materials such as starches from corn and tapioca. Cereplast Hybrid Resins® products can be easily used by converter clients with no additional capital investment since our bio-resins can run on existing equipment and can be processed at a lower manufacturing temperature than petroleum-based plastics. Our Hybrid Resins target a balance between properties similar to traditional polyolefins in areas such as heat deflection temperature, modulus and impact strength with a step change in sustainability. Cereplast Hybrid Resins®are an effective, affordable alternative for brand owners and converters interested in alternatives to petroleum-based resins and can be used in a variety of applications and markets, including automotive, housewares, medical, cosmetic packaging and toys.

Cereplast Hybrid Resins® were introduced in October 2007 and since then over 80 companies have requested samples for testing and commercial development. We are one of only a few companies offering bioplastics as substitutes for durable petroleum-based plastics for a wide range of market applications.

At the end of 2011, twelve customers had launched or were about to launch new products based upon Cereplast Hybrid Resins®. Cereplast is the recipient of the 2009 Environment Award for Emerging Technology in Materials from the Society of Plastics Engineers for its work on Hybrid Resins.

Sales and Marketing

Our sales strategy is to work closely with converters and brand owners to educate on the benefits of bioplastics through both a performance “push” and demand creation “pull” approach.

To achieve our objective of establishing our Resins as the preferred bio-based material for plastic converters, we engage in the following marketing strategies:

 

Targeted marketing aimed at the highest potential opportunities together with industry leaders in each market segment

 

Extensive commercial and technical support to customers to enhance their processing and product economics and speed to market

 

Assistance to our converter customers with end-user customer demand creation as well as product performance improvement and end user positioning

 

Selective extension of our global sales reach through our own resources and exclusive distributors

 

Pursuit of certain key market commercialization opportunities through exclusive, co-development agreements

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing process for creating both Compostable and Sustainable resins consist of blending the component ingredients of a proprietary composite material in various industrial mixers, then processing such ingredients through heat and extrusion with custom designed extruders. The resins are then subjected to crystallization and drying and are packaged at our facility. We use readily available natural raw materials, such as plant starches, as well as natural polymers such as PLA for the Compostable resins and traditional synthetic polymers, such as polypropylene for the Sustainable resins. All the ingredients are blended in specific percentages according to patented/proprietary formulations and are processed on traditional equipment using our own technology.

Since our resins are engineered from readily available, stable-cost natural raw materials such as plant starches, we believe our products can be manufactured cost-effectively at commercial production levels without being substantively impacted by the fluctuating price of fossil fuels.

During 2009, we manufacturedWe manufacture our bio-based resins at a 55,000 square foot leased facility at our Hawthorne plant, which was comprised of three manufacturing lines: a research and development line; a lab area for resin testing; and a logistic area with storage for raw materials and bio-based resins, as well as our corporate headquarters. All the production lines and manufacturing equipment was transported to our Seymour plant in March, 2010.

plant. Our Seymour plant is a 105,000 square foot leased facility located on 12.4 acres. This facility offers 14 truck loading docks and has access to rail service. With the 2010 start-up of continuous production at our Seymour plant and subsequent consolidation of all core manufacturing to this location, our manufacturing efficiency, quality and productivity was enhanced dramatically to competitive benchmark levels.

Our production lines are versatile and could produce both Compostable and Sustainable resins if necessary. Our estimated name-plate production capacity in pounds by normally produced resin by line is estimated as follows:

 

   Annual Compostable Resin
Production Capacity
  Annual Hybrid Resin
Production Capacity

Research and Development

  No Commercial Production  No Commercial Production

Production Line 1

  16,300,000  —  

Production Line 2

  20,100,000  —  

Production Line 3

  —    29,750,000
  

 

  

 

TOTAL

  36,400,000  29,750,000

As of March 31, 2012,April 16, 2013, three lines have been installed with an aggregate name plate facility of about 66 million pounds (36,000 tons) annually. It is our plan to defer installation of additional lines until production requires additional capacity in Seymour.

Globalization

A necessary next step for us in our growth strategy was to strategically position ourselves with a headquarters in Europe followed by a manufacturing facility. We opened our European headquarters in Germany in order to provide our European clients with added service and better coordinate logistics between the U.S. and Europe. Shortly thereafter, we started establishing our bioplastic manufacturing plant in Italy with planned total estimated annual capacity of 100,000 tons or approximately 220 million pounds as compared to a capacity of 36,000 tons in our U.S. facility, which is also expandable. Our Italian plant development is however on hold until further positive development for the Company and from the overall economic and political situation in Italy.

Competition

The worldwide plastics market is large and comprised of many established players that have evolved from chemical processing of oil and natural gas to produce non-biodegradable petroleum-based resins. There are a number of large and established companies in this segment, including BASF, Dow Chemical, Lyondell Basell, DuPont and SABIC among many others. The price of conventional petroleum-based plastic is volatile and dependent on petroleum and natural gas for feedstock. These materials do not biodegrade, are not sustainable in terms of a natural carbon recycle loop and are major contributors to landfill usage.

While a number of companies have introduced, or are in the process of introducing, both bio-based resins, polymers and/or compostable synthetic-based resins, including BASF, DuPont, Novamont, NatureWorks and Telles, we view the threat from this competition as low. Just as a wide variety of different petroleum-based polymers and resins currently serves the needs of the plastic markets, we believe that the various bio-based resins and polymers offer different properties and are targeted at different applications, making them more complementary and in turn broadening the overall applications for bio-based and compostable plastics.

Our flexible manufacturing process allows us to use different bio-based polymers, as they become commercially available, to manufacture our Compostable Resins and to use different synthetic polymers to manufacture our Hybrid Resins. We believe that our two families of Compostable and Hybrid resins possess a broad range of physical and thermal properties, including being able to be processed on traditional converting equipment, and being able to target both single use disposable and durable goods applications in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner, as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.

Government Regulation

An array of new regulation continues to drive growth in the worldwide movement to ban the use of traditional plastic bags, including the following:

 

Effective January 1, 2011, Italy has banned the distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags at shops and retail outlets. The Application Decree which enforces this legislation has been published in the Official Journal and sanctions for non-compliance will be enforced upon the effective date of May 27, 2013.

 

On October 1, 2011, Bulgaria implemented a tax on the use of plastic bags. The tax will be increased each year from BGN 0.35 (USD $0.23) per bag currently to BGN 0.55 (USD $0.37) per bag in 2014.

 

In February 2008, China’s State Council enacted a nationwide ban on plastic bags. The ban prohibits shops, supermarkets and sales outlets from handing out free plastic bags and bans the production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags.

 

The manufacture, sale and use of our resins are subject to regulation in the U.S. by the FDA. The FDA’s regulations are concerned with substances used in food packaging materials. Thus, food and beverage containers are in compliance with FDA regulations if the components used in the food and beverage containers are approved by the FDA as indirect food additives for their intended uses and comply with the applicable FDA indirect food additive regulations, or are generally recognized as safe for their intended uses and are of suitable purity for those intended uses. We believe that our resins are in compliance with all FDA requirements and do not require further FDA approval prior to the sale of our products. To assist us in this field, we retain the services of legal counsel that specializes in FDA issues. We cannot be certain however, that the FDA will always agree with its conclusions.

Research and Development

We have a well-developed research and development program that has enabled us to commercialize multiple grades and families of bio-based resins. Expenditures related to our research and development efforts were approximately $0.5 million in 2012 and $1.0 million in 2011 and $0.5 million in 2010. The increase in research and development expenditures is primarily due to effort to expand new products and increase sales.2011.

Our approach to research and development follows our corporate strategy of being a “solution provider.” As such, we are always working to find innovative alternatives to meet well understood market demands. The primary goal of our research and development efforts is to:

 

Improve the properties and processing window of our portfolio of resins

 

Broaden the suitable conversion technologies and market applications of our resins

 

Reduce the cost of our resins to improve their competitiveness with fossil fuel alternatives

 

Continue to introduce and patent new resins to satisfy the demand of our converter customers and protect our intellectual property

 

Explore new alternatives and source new natural raw materials as platforms for new types of bio-based resins

 

Explore the possibility to increase the renewable content in Hybrid resins

Patents, Licenses and Trade Secrets

We regard our copyrights, service marks, trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets and similar intellectual property as critical to our success. In addition, we have filed for patent and trademark protection for our proprietary technology. In 2008, we were granted registration of several new trademarks in different international classes covering packaging and plastic resin. We have continued to file for additional registered trademarks. The most significant marks are Cereplast Compostables® and Cereplast Sustainables™ resins which have been registered in the U.S. and in several countries abroad.

Currently we have 6667 trademark registrations or applications on file in the U.S. and abroad. We have filed for patent protection of our proprietary resin formulation technology in the U.S. and abroad and currently have been granted, have filed or licensed a total of 4546 patents worldwide; a large number of the patent applications were abandoned in 2008 and 2009. As we continue to refine and develop additional bio-based resin formulation, we will actively seek patent protection. We can give no assurance that any such patent will be granted for our resin technology. We rely on trademark and copyright law, trade secret protection and confidentiality or license agreements with our employees, customers, partners and others to protect our proprietary rights.

Employees

We have a total of 4616 full-time employees, broken down in the following functions: fourtwo in sales and marketing, two in research and development, 30five in production, logistics and quality control and tenseven in general and administrative functions. Among our staff, some employees hold Ph.D. or Masters Degrees in their respective fields. None of our employees are represented by a labor organization, nor have we experienced any work stoppage. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Our Business

We have incurred net losses since inception.

We have a history of operating losses and have incurred significant net losses in each fiscal quarter since our inception. For the years ended December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, we had net revenues of $20.3$0.9 million and $6.3$20.3 million, respectively and incurred net losses of $14.0$30.2 million and $7.5$14.0 million, respectively.

We will need to generate significant additional revenue to achieve profitability. While management believes that we may achieve profitability in the second part of 2012,2013, there can be no assurance that we will do so. Our ability to generate and sustain significant additional revenues or achieve profitability will depend upon numerous factors outside of our control, including the market acceptance of our bio-based resins, future cost trends for our key raw materials and competitive products and general economic conditions.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing.

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 were prepared under the assumption that we will continue as a going concern for the next twelve months. Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report that included an explanatory paragraph referring to our recurring losses from operations and expressing substantial doubt in our ability to continue as a going concern without additional capital becoming available. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to obtain additional equity or debt financing, attain further operating efficiencies, reduce expenditures, and, ultimately, to generate revenue. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

We have a limited operating history, which makes it difficult to evaluate our financial performance and prospects.

We commenced the marketing and commercial sale of our products within the past three years and continue to develop and launch new bio-based resins. We are, therefore, subject to all of the risks inherent in a new business enterprise, as well as those inherent in a rapidly developing industry. Our limited operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our financial performance and prospects. There can be no assurance that in the future we will generate revenues, operate profitably or that we will have adequate working capital to meet our obligations as they become due. Because of our limited financial history, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations will not be meaningful in the short term and should not be relied upon as indicators of future performance.

Our revenues are highly dependent on customers primarily located in the Europe. Worsening economic conditions or factors negatively affecting the economic health of Europe could reduce our revenues and thus adversely affect our results of operations.

The current financial crisis in Europe (including concerns that certain European countries may default in payments due on their national debt) and the resulting economic uncertainty couldhave adversely impacted and will continue to impact our operating results until economic conditions in Europe improve and the prospects of national debt defaults in Europe decline. We derive a significant portion

of our revenues from customers in Europe, from whom we have experienced a decline in product sales since September 2011. If the European economies further weaken or slow, demand and pricing for our products may be depressed and our customers may reduce or postpone purchases of our products, which may in turn negatively affect our revenues and opportunities for profitability. Any loss of revenues from our major customers could materially affect our business. To the extent that these adverse economic conditions continue or worsen, our business will be negatively affected.

In the current economic environment we will be required to raise additional capital to fund our research and development efforts, marketing programs, as well as our continuing operations and have been successful at doing so.

Our capital requirements depend on several factors, including:

 

the speed at which our products are accepted into the market;

 

the level of spending required to increase and enhance manufacturing capacity;

 

costs of recruiting and retaining qualified personnel; and

 

the level of research and development and market commercialization spending.

Additional capital may be required to continue funding our research and development efforts as well as our continuing operations. Volatility in the financial markets and the weakened global economy, together with the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and ongoing European debt crisis, have contributed to the current uncertain economic climate. The ongoing credit and liquidity crisis has greatly restricted the availability of capital and has caused the cost of capital (if available) to be much higher than it has traditionally been. Therefore, we have no assurance that we will have further access to credit or capital markets at desirable times or at rates that we would consider acceptable, and the lack of such funding could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. There can be no assurance that additional sources of financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund our research and development efforts, take advantage of opportunities, develop products or technologies or otherwise respond to competitive pressures will be impaired.

The current uncertainty in global economic conditions has negatively and could negativelyfurther affect our operating results.

The current uncertainty in global economic conditions may result in a further slowdown to the global economy that could affect our business by reducing the prices that our customers may be able or willing to pay for our products or by reducing the demand for our products. Distress in the financial markets also has a negative impact on our distributor customers by affecting their access to liquidity or trade credit which impacts their ability to timely pay their outstanding balances to us. The current downturn in the economy may continue to affect consumer purchases of our product and adversely impact our results of operations and continued growth.

The commercial success of our business depends on the widespread market acceptance of products manufactured with our bio-based resins.

Although there is a developed market for petroleum-based plastics, the market for plastics produced with our environmentally friendly bio-based resins is still developing. Our success depends in part on consumer acceptance of these plastic products as well as the success of the commercialization of plastics produced with our bio-based resins by third parties. At present, it is difficult to assess or predict with any assurance the potential size, timing and viability of market opportunities for our product in the plastics market. The traditional plastics market sector is well-established with entrenched competitors with whom we must compete. Pricing for traditional plastics has been highly volatile in recent years and moved rapidly from conditions which are more supportive of bioplastics to environments which are less favorable (like the present). While we expect to be able to command a premium price for our environmentally sustainable products, a widening gap in the pricing for bioplastics versus petroleum-based plastics may reduce the size of our addressable market.

We may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property and proprietary rights and may be required to expend significant amounts of money and time in attempting to protect these rights. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our competitive position in the market could suffer.

Our intellectual property consists of patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade dress and trademarks. Our success depends in part on our ability to obtain patents and maintain adequate protection of our other intellectual property for our technologies, brands and products in the U.S. and in other countries. The laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S., and many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting their proprietary rights in these foreign countries. These problems may be caused by, among other factors, a lack of rules and methods for defending intellectual property rights.

The enforceability of patent positions cannot be predicted with certainty. We will apply for patents covering both our technologies and our products, if any, as we deem appropriate. Patents, if issued, may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. There can be no assurance that no other relevant patents have been issued that could block our ability to obtain patents or to operate as we would like. Others may independently develop similar technologies or may duplicate technologies developed by us. Our future commercial

success requires us not to infringe on patents and proprietary rights of third parties, or breach any licenses or other agreements that we have entered into with respect to our technologies, products and businesses. If we were to be sued for patent infringement, we might be subject to significant damages, enjoined from continuing certain businesses, or required to enter into a license agreement. There is no guarantee that such a license would be available at all or available on reasonable terms. If we were to breach any of our existing license agreements, the licensor might exercise its right to terminate the agreement, and if sued, we might be subject to damages.

We are not currently a party to any litigation with respect to any of our patent positions. However, if we become involved in litigation or interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or other intellectual property proceedings outside of the U.S., we might have to spend significant amounts of money to defend our intellectual property rights. If any of our competitors files patent applications or obtains patents that claim inventions or other rights also claimed by us, we may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the relevant patent regulatory agency to determine priority of invention and our right to a patent of these inventions in the U.S. Even if the outcome is favorable, such proceedings might result in substantial costs to us, including from (i) significant legal fees and other expenses, (ii) diversion of management time and (iii) disruption of our business. Even if successful on priority grounds, an interference proceeding may result in loss of claims based on patentability grounds raised in the interference proceeding. Uncertainties resulting from initiation and continuation of any patent or related litigation also might harm our ability to continue our research or to bring products to market.

An adverse ruling arising out of any intellectual property dispute, including an adverse decision as to the priority of our inventions would undercut or invalidate our intellectual property position. An adverse ruling also could subject us to significant liability for damages, prevent us from using certain processes, products, or brand names, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements with third parties. Furthermore, necessary licenses may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, or at all.

Confidentiality agreements with employees and others may not adequately prevent disclosure of trade secrets and other proprietary information.

To protect our proprietary technologies and processes, we rely on trade secret protection as well as on formal legal devices such as patents. Although we have taken security measures to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information, these measures may not provide adequate protection for such information. Our policy is to execute confidentiality and proprietary information agreements with each of our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting arrangement with us. These agreements generally require that all confidential information developed by the individual or made known to the individual by us during the course of the individual’s relationship with us be kept confidential and not be disclosed to third parties. These agreements also generally provide that technology conceived by the individual in the course of rendering services to us shall be our exclusive property. Even though these agreements are in place there can be no assurances that that trade secrets and proprietary information will not be disclosed, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets, or that we can fully protect our trade secrets and proprietary information. Violations by others of our confidentiality agreements and the loss of employees who have specialized knowledge and expertise could harm our competitive position and cause our sales and operating results to decline as a result of increased competition. Costly and time-consuming litigation might be necessary to enforce and determine the scope of our proprietary rights, and failure to obtain or maintain trade secret protection might adversely affect our ability to continue our research or bring products to market.

Management and affiliates own enough shares to have a substantial impact on shareholder vote which could cause us to take action that may not be in the best interest of all shareholders.

As of April 13, 2012, executive officers and directors, and entities controlled by or affiliated with them or us, own in aggregate approximately 15.9% of our issued and the outstanding common stock. As a result, this group of stockholders have a substantial impact on the vote on matters that require stockholder approval, such as election of directors, approval of a corporate merger, increasing or decreasing the number of authorized shares, adopting corporate benefit plans, effecting a stock split, amending our article of incorporation or other material corporate actions, and these shareholders could cause us to take action that may not be in the best interest of all shareholders.

Given our limited resources, we may not effectively manage our growth.

Our growth and expansion plan, which includes targeting high-growth segments with commercial products, supporting converter partners and working with brand owners in the adoption of bio-based plastics to enlarge our customer base, expanding our manufacturing capabilities, strengthening our product leadership by developing new formulations in conjunction with customer demands and pursuing strategic alliances, requires significant management time and operational and financial resources. There is no assurance that we have the necessary operational and financial resources to manage our growth. This is especially true as we expand facilities and manufacture our products on a larger commercial scale. In addition, rapid growth in our headcount and operations may place a significant strain on our management, administrative, operational and financial infrastructure. Failure to adequately manage our growth could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and the quoted price of our common stock.

Established product manufacturers could improve their ability to recycle their existing products or develop new environmentally preferable products which could render our technology less competitive.

Several paper and plastic disposable packaging manufacturers and converters and others have made efforts to increase the recycling of their products. Increased recycling of paper and plastic products could lessen their harmful environmental impact, one major basis upon which we compete.

Many potential competitors who have greater resources and experience than we do may develop products and technologies that compete with ours.

A number of companies, including BASF, DuPont, Novamont, NatureWorks and Telles have introduced or are in the process of introducing both bio-based resins and/or compostable synthetic-based resins. We view the threat from this competition is low. Just as a wide variety of different petroleum-based polymers and resins currently serve the needs of the plastic market, we believe that the various resins and polymers offer different properties and are targeted at different applications, making them more complementary and thus broadening the universe of applications for bio-based and compostable plastics.

We rely on prime grade PLA supplied from NatureWorks, LLC in manufacturing some of our Compostables resins. If we lose NatureWorks, LLC as a supplier, the price of these resins may increase or the introduction and market acceptance of these resins may be delayed and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We have entered into a supply agreement with NatureWorks to supply prime grade PLA for some of our raw material needs. NatureWorks, LLC, currently produces the majority of the prime grade PLA in the U.S., and we currently rely on NatureWorks, LLC for a substantial portion of our PLA requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2011, PLA accounted for 10.8% of our total cost of goods sold. If we lose NatureWorks, LLC as a supplier or if NatureWorks, LLC fails to perform its obligations under our supply agreement, it could delay the commercial introduction, hinder market acceptance of these resins and increase the cost of these resins and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We continue to develop alternative feedstock to PLA and evaluate additional PLA sources to support some of our Compostables® Resins, which incorporate prime grade PLA. Cereplast Hybrid Resins® do not depend on PLA.

Fluctuations in the costs of our raw materials and competitive products could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our results of operations are directly affected by the cost of our raw materials. Our Compostables Resins are based in large part on PLA, a renewable polymer manufactured from an agricultural feedstock (corn sugar). Our ability to offset the effect of raw material prices by increasing sales prices is uncertain. A further increase in the price differential between agricultural –based raw materials relative to petroleum-based plastics could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial position. Historically, a primary driver for the growth of the bioplastics market has been the rising and increasingly volatile cost of oil, which has narrowed the cost gap between traditional and bio-based plastics, and expectations of sustained large hydrocarbon price increases over the long term which would further enhance the competitiveness of our products. Prices and demand for traditional plastics have collapsed in recent months due to global economic conditions; this in turn has affected the interest in bioplastics by certain market sectors and reduced our relative competitiveness.

We have a large accounts receivable balance, any default in payment by one or more customers could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

As of December 31, 2011, we had an aggregate amount of $20.9 million in accounts receivable. Our European customers account for $19.5 million or 93.6% of our accounts receivable balance with average days outstanding of 352. One large European customer accounting for $7.6 million, or 36% of our receivables, is past due. We have another large European customer with $6.1 million or 29% of our receivable balance. We believe both of these customers have possession of unsold products in their inventory and that we could assist them to monetize these products for repayment of their outstanding receivable balances.

The current financial crisis in Europe and the general economic downturn has resulted in longer payment cycles in excess of management’s expectations. If financial or credit conditions worsen in Europe, we may continue to experience difficulties collecting these outstanding balances from our European customers. If these customers were to become insolvent or otherwise be unable or unwilling to make timely payments for any reason, our business, results of operation, financial condition and liquidity will be adversely affected. As a result of the deterioration in economic conditions in Europe and the slow payment by some of our European customers, we have increased our allowance for doubtful accounts by $5.3 million during 2011 to reflect management’s assessment of the credit risk associated with these customer balances. If there is additional deterioration in European economic conditions or additional delays or unwillingness of our customers to pay amounts due to us, such allowance will increase.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we had three significant customers that accounted for approximately 80% of net sales. The loss of these customers could adversely affect our sales and profitability.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, three customers accounted for approximately 80% of our net sales. If these customers elect not to continue purchasing products from us, we may not be able to find other customers whose requirements for our products are as significant. Accordingly, the loss of these significant customers may adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The manufacture, sale and use of resins are subject to regulation by the U.S. FDA. The FDA’s regulations are concerned with substances used in food packaging materials, not with specific finished food packaging products. Thus, food and beverage containers are in compliance with FDA regulations if the components used in the food and beverage containers: (i) are approved by the FDA as indirect food additives for their intended uses and comply with the applicable FDA indirect food additive regulations; or (ii) are generally recognized as safe for their intended uses and are of suitable purity for those intended uses.

We believe that our resins are in compliance with all FDA requirements. However, failure to comply with FDA regulations could subject us to administrative, civil or criminal penalties.

Regulatory changes applicable to us, or the products in our end-use markets, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We and many of the applications for the products in the end-use markets in which we sell our products are regulated by various national and local regulations. Changes in those regulations could result in additional compliance costs, seizures, confiscations, recall or monetary fines, any of which could prevent or inhibit the development, distribution and sale of our products.

We may be liable for damages based on product liability claims brought against our customers in our end-use markets.

Many of our products may provide critical performance attributes to our customers’ products that will be sold to end users who could potentially bring product liability suits in which we could be named as a defendant. The sale of these products involves the risk of product liability claims. If a person were to bring a product liability suit against one of our customers, this customer may attempt to seek contribution from us. A person may also bring a product liability claim directly against us. A successful product liability claim or series of claims against us in excess of our insurance coverage for payments, for which we are not otherwise indemnified, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Loss of key personnel or our inability to attract and retain new qualified personnel could hurt our business and inhibit our ability to operate and grow successfully.

Our success in the competitive markets in which we operate will continue to depend to a significant extent on our leadership and other key management and technical personnel. We may not be able to retain our current management personnel or to recruit qualified individuals to join our management team. The loss of any key individual could have a material and adverse effect on our business.

Disruptions of continuous operation of our Seymour bioplastic production facility could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

In March 2010, we completed our transfer of operations to our manufacturing facility in Seymour, Indiana. Phase I of the development of the Seymour plant included approximately 50 million pounds of annual capacity of bio-resin and was fully implemented in 2009. This Phase was mechanically completed and includes major supply contracts for operations on a continuous basis. Phase II was completed in March 2010, which encompassed the consolidation of all core manufacturing activities from our Hawthorne plant to the Seymour plant resulting in significant cost, productivity and quality enhancements. If there is any interruption in the operation of our Seymour plant, our sales and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. Further expansions will depend on growth in market demand.

Downturns in general economic conditions could adversely affect our profitability.

Downturns in general economic conditions can cause fluctuations in demand for our products, product prices, volumes and gross margins. Future economic conditions may not be favorable to our industry. A decline in the demand for our products or a shift to lower-margin products due to deteriorating economic conditions could adversely affect sales of our products and our profitability and could also result in impairments of certain of our assets.

Risks related to our common stock

Our common stock is subject to the “Penny Stock” rules of the SEC and the trading market in our securities is limited, which makes transactions in our stock cumbersome and may reduce the value of an investment in our stock.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require:

 

that a broker or dealer approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks; and

 

that the broker or dealer receives from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased.

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must:

 

obtain financial information concerning the person’s financial situation, and investment experience and investment objectives of the person; and

 

make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks.

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form:

 

sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination; and

 

that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction.

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock.

Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.

WeBecause our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, investors may failfind it difficult to qualify for continuedbuy and sell our shares.

In December 2012, we voluntarily withdrew the listing of our common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market. Since such delisting, our common stock does not trade on any national securities exchange. Accordingly, investors may find it more difficult to buy and sell our shares than if our common stock was traded on a national securities exchange. Although our common stock is traded

on the OTCQB, this market is an unorganized, inter-dealer, over-the-counter market which provides significantly less liquidity than the NASDAQ Capital Market which could make it more difficultor other national securities exchanges and quotes for investors to sell their shares.

In April 2010, our common stock was approved for listingstocks included on the NASDAQ Capital Market and continues to beOTCQB are not listed onin the NASDAQ Capital Market. There can be no assurance that tradingfinancial sections of our common stock on such market will be sustained or that we can meet NASDAQ’s continued listing standards. On March 7, 2012, we were advised by NASDAQ that we were non-compliant with the audit committee requirement as a result of the resignation of Petros Kitsos from our Company’s Board of Directors. On March 5, 2012, our Board of Directors appointed Frank Hunt to serve on the audit committee, effective April 1, 2012. On April 3, 2012, we were advised by NASDAQ that we were in compliance with the audit committee requirement for continued listing.

In the event that our common stock fails to qualify for continued inclusion, our common stock could thereafter be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets. Under such circumstances,newspapers. Therefore, shareholders may find it more difficult to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations, for our common stock, and our common stock would become substantially less attractive to certain purchasers such as financial institutions, hedge funds and other similar investors.stock.

Our common stock may be affected by limited trading volume and price fluctuations which could adversely impact the value of our common stock.

Trading in our common stock can fluctuate significantly and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will either develop or be maintained. Our common stock is expected to continue to experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This trading activity could adversely affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. In addition, we believe that factors such as quarterly fluctuations in our financial results and changes in the overall economy or the condition of the financial markets could cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate substantially. These fluctuations may also cause short sellers to periodically enter the market in the belief that our stock price will decline in the future. We cannot predict the actions of market participants or the stock market as a whole. We can offer no assurances that the market for our common stock will be stable or that our stock price will fluctuate in a manner that is consistent with our operating results.

We have not and do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common stock.

We have paid no dividends on our common stock to date and it is not anticipated that any dividends will be paid to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. While our future dividend policy will be based on the operating results and capital needs of the business, it is currently anticipated that any earnings will be retained to finance our future expansion and for the implementation of our business plan. As an investor, you should take note of the fact that a lack of a dividend can further affect the market value of our stock, and could significantly affect the value of any investment in our Company.

Our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with terms that may not be beneficial to common stockholders.

Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of preferred shares which may be issued with dividend, liquidation, voting and redemption rights senior to our common stock without prior approval by the stockholders. The preferred stock may be issued for such consideration as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may issue such shares of preferred stock in one or more series, with such designations, preferences and rights or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated in the resolution of resolutions.

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of common stock. Preferred stock may be issued quickly with terms calculated to discourage, make more difficult, delay or prevent a change in control of our Company or make removal of management more difficult. As a result, the Board of Directors’ ability to issue preferred stock may discourage the potential hostile acquirer, possibly resulting in beneficial negotiations. Negotiating with an unfriendly acquirer may result in, among other things, terms more favorable to us and our stockholders. Conversely, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect any market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders of the common stock. We presently have no plans to issue any preferred stock.

 

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable

 

Item 2.Properties

Our principal executive offices are located in El Segundo, California where we lease approximately 5,475 square feet under an arrangement that expires in March 2015. In Seymour, Indiana we lease approximately 105,000 square feet for research and development, manufacturing and distribution of our products under an arrangement that expires in January 2018. In Bönen, Germany we lease approximately 1,000 square feet of office space for sales and support staff under an arrangement that expires in December 2018. In Cannara, Italy we own an industrial plant and its occupied real estate to be used for manufacturing and distribution of our products. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current needs and that we can renew our existing leases or obtain alternative space on terms that would not have a material impact on our financial condition.

 

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

PART II

 

Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital MarketOTCQB marketplace under the trading symbol “CERP.” Previously our common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin BoardNASDAQ Capital Markets from November 4, 2005 through April 12, 2010 under the symbol “CERP.OB”to December 17, 2012. The following table shows the reported high and low closing bid quotations per share for our common stock based on information provided by the NASDAQ.

Effective March 15, 2010, we implemented a reverse stock split in a ratio of 1 for 40 shares. The following table reflectsNASDAQ and the impact of the reverse stock split.OTCQB.

 

  2011   2010   2012   2011 
  High   Low   High   Low   High   Low   High   Low 

First Quarter ended March 31

  $5.34    $4.36    $6.73    $4.00    $1.19    $0.62    $5.34    $4.36  

Second Quarter ended June 30

  $5.15    $4.16    $5.36    $3.02    $0.82    $0.20    $5.15    $4.16  

Third Quarter ended September 30

  $4.87    $2.80    $3.99    $3.14    $0.49    $0.18    $4.87    $2.80  

Fourth Quarter ended December 31

  $2.74    $0.80    $4.15    $2.82    $0.30    $0.02    $2.74    $0.80  

Holders

As of April 11, 20125, 2013 there were approximately 132137 record holders of our common stock, not counting shares held in “street name” in brokerage accounts which is unknown. As of April 11, 20125, 2013 there were 18,933,139332,681,674 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding according to our transfer agent, Computershare.

Dividend Policy

Historically, we have not paid any dividends to the holders of our common stock and we do not expect to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future as we expect to retain our future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business.

Recent Issuance of Unregistered Securities

We issued the following unregistered securities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011:2012:

 

On December 7, 2011,November 20, 2012, we issued 14,58661,644 shares of common stock valued at $15,606$9,000 for employeelegal services.

We relied on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act with respect to the foregoing issuance.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

As of December 31, 2011:2012:

 

Plan Category

  Number of shares to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding  options and
warrants
   Weighted-
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options and
warrants
   Number of shares
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 

Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders

   —       —       —    

Equity Compensation Plan not approved by security holders

   71,250    $ 22.40     34,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   71,250    $22.40     34,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Plan Category

  Number of shares to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding  options and
warrants
   Weighted-
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options and
warrants
   Number of shares
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 

Equity Compensation Plans approved by security holders

   —      —      —   

Equity Compensation Plan not approved by security holders

   203,750    $5.62     34,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   203,750    $5.62     34,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

STOCK OPTION PLAN

General

The 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “Plan” was adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has initially reserved 625,000 shares of our common stock for issuance under the Plan. Under the Plan, options may be granted which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) or which are not (“Non-ISOs”) intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options thereunder.

The Plan and the right of participants to make purchases there under are intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Plan is not a qualified deferred compensation plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel for our company in order to promote the success of our business and to facilitate the ownership of our stock by employees.

Administration

The Plan is administered by our Board of Directors, as the Board of Directors may be composed from time to time. All questions of interpretation of the Plan are determined by the Board, and its decisions are final and binding upon all participants. Any determination by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors at any meeting, or by written consent in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed to have been made by the whole Board of Directors.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors may at any time, or from time to time, appoint a committee (the “Committee”) of at least two members of the Board of Directors, and delegate to the Committee the authority of the Board of Directors to administer the Plan. Upon such appointment and delegation, the Committee shall have all the powers, privileges and duties of the Board of Directors, and shall be substituted for the Board of Directors, in the administration of the Plan, subject to certain limitations.

Members of the Board of Directors who are eligible employees are permitted to participate in the Plan, provided that any such eligible member may not vote on any matter affecting the administration of the Plan or the grant of any option pursuant to it, or serve on a committee appointed to administer the Stock Option Plan. In the event that any member of the Board of Directors is at any time not a “disinterested person”, as defined in Rule 16b-3(c)(3)(i) promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Plan shall not be administered by the Board of Directors, and may only by administered by a Committee, all the members of which are disinterested persons, as so defined.

Eligibility

Under the Plan, options may be granted to our key employees, officers, directors or consultants, as provided in the Plan.

Terms of Options

The term of each Option granted under the Plan shall be contained in a stock option agreement between the Optionee and us and such terms shall be determined by the Board of Directors consistent with the provisions of the Plan, including the following:

(a)Purchase Price.The purchase price of the shares of our common stock subject to each ISO shall not be less than the fair market value (as set forth in the Stock Option Plan), or in the case of the grant of an ISO to a Principal Stockholder, not less than 110% of fair market value of such shares at the time such Option is granted. The purchase price of the shares subject to each Non-ISO shall be determined at the time such Option is granted, but in no case less than 85% of the fair market value of such shares at the time such Option is granted.

(b)Vesting. The dates on which each Option (or portion thereof) shall be exercisable and the conditions precedent to such exercise, if any, shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, at the time such Option is granted.

(c)Expiration.The expiration of each Option shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, at the time such Option is granted; however, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors at the time such Option is granted, an Option shall be exercisable for ten (10) years after the date on which it was granted (the “Grant Date”). Each Option shall be subject to earlier termination as expressly provided in the Plan or as determined by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, at the time such Option is granted.

(d)Transferability.No Option shall be transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and any Option may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by him. No Option granted under the Plan shall be subject to execution, attachment or other process.

(e)Option AdjustmentsAdjustments.. The aggregate number and class of shares as to which Options may be granted under the Plan, the number and class shares covered by each outstanding Option and the exercise price per share thereof (but not the total price), and all such Options, shall each be proportionately adjusted for any increase decrease in the number of issued shares of our common stock resulting from split-up spin-off or consolidation of shares or any like capital adjustment or the payment of any stock dividend.

Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, any Option granted hereunder shall terminate in the event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation of our company. However, the Optionee shall have the right immediately prior to any such transaction to exercise his Option in whole or in part notwithstanding any otherwise applicable vesting requirements.

(f)Termination, Modification, and Amendment.The Plan (but not Options previously granted under the Plan) shall terminate ten (10) years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors or the date on which the Plan is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, and no Option shall be granted after termination of the Plan. Subject to certain restrictions, the Plan may at any time be terminated and from time to time be modified or amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock present, or represented, and entitled to vote at a meeting duly held in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of Nevada.

 

Item 6.Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing elsewhere in this report. The selected consolidated statements of operations data presented below for each of the years ended December 31, 2011,2012, and 2010,,2011, and the consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 20112012 and 20102011 are derived from our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 2008 and 20072008 and consolidated balance sheet data at December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 20072008 are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements not included in this report.

report (in thousands).

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011  2010  2009  2008  2007 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

      

Net revenues

  $20,256   $6,344   $2,739   $4,512   $2,180  

Cost of net revenues

   18,223    5,247    2,401    4,432    2,091  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   2,033    1,097    338    80    89  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Research and development

   1,048    466    313    1,072    321  

Selling, general and administrative

   13,397    7,519    5,641    12,212    11,693  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES

   (12,412  (6,888  (5,616  (13,204  (11,925
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSES

      

Restructuring costs

   —      (586  (449  —      —    

Interest income (expense), net

   (1,590  (15  (8  455    247  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE, NET

   (1,590  (601  (457  455    247  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

   (14,002  (7,489  (6,073  (12,749  (11,678

Income tax expense

   —      —      —      —      —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET LOSS

   (14,002  (7,489  (6,073  (12,749  (11,678

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

      

Gain on Foreign Currency Translation

   14    35    8    29    —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  $(13,988 $(7,454 $(6,065 $(12,720 $(11,678
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

  $(0.88 $(0.64 $(0.75 $(0.05 $(0.05
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted:

   15,989    11,779    8,044    6,644    5,960  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   December 31, 
   2011  2010  2009  2008 ��2007 
   (in thousands) 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash

  $3,940   $2,391   $1,306   $502   $8,594  

Working capital

   17,555    5,161    1,021    540    10,084  

Total assets

   36,251    12,984    6,862    7,646    13,294  

Long-term liabilities

   20,052    2,119    9    40    91  

Stockholders’ equity

   9,698    6,889    5,181    5,363    12,367  

   2012  2011  2010  2009  2008 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

      

Net revenues

  $894   $20,256   $6,344   $2,739   $4,512  

Cost of net revenues

   975    18,223    5,247    2,401    4,432  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Gross profit

   (81  2,033    1,097    338    80  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Research and development

   471    1,048    466    313    1,072  

Selling, general and administrative

   18,877    13,397    7,519    5,641    12,212  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES

   (19,429  (12,412  (6,888  (5,616  (13,204
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

OTHER EXPENSES

      

Restructuring and debt extinguishment costs

   (954     (586  (449   

Loss on derivative liability

   (1,800            

Interest income (expense), net

   (7,979  (1,590  (15  (8  455  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE, NET

   (10,733  (1,590  (601  (457  455  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

   (30,162  (14,002  (7,489  (6,073  (12,749

Income tax expense

                
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

NET LOSS

   (30,162  (14,002  (7,489  (6,073  (12,749

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

      

Gain on Foreign Currency Translation

   2    14    35    8    29  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  $(30,160 $(13,988 $(7,454 $(6,065 $(12,720
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per share

  $(1.16 $(0.88 $(0.64 $(0.75 $(0.05
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding basic and diluted:

   25,975    15,989    11,779    8,044    6,644  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   2012  2011  2010  2009  2008 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash

  $183   $3,940   $2,391   $1,306   $502  

Working capital

   (7,609  17,555    5,161    1,021    540  

Total assets

   16,182    36,251    12,984    6,862    7,646  

Long-term liabilities

   11,096    20,052    2,119    9    40  

Stockholders’ equity

   (10,023  9,698    6,889    5,181    5,363  

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

General

We have developed and are commercializing proprietary bio-based resins through two complementary product families: (1) Cereplast Compostables® resins, which are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for traditional petroleum-based non-compostable plastics, and (2) Cereplast Sustainables™ resins, which replace up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of traditional plastics with materials from renewable resources. Our resins aim to be competitively priced compared to fully petroleum-based plastic resins and can be converted into finished products using conventional manufacturing equipment without significant additional capital investment by downstream converters.

The demand for non-petroleum based, clean and renewable sources for materials, such as bioplastics, and the demand for compostable/biodegradable products, is each being driven globally by a variety of factors, including environmental concerns, new stringent regulations on compostable material, fossil fuel price volatility and energy security. These factors have led to increased spending on clean and sustainable products by corporations and individuals as well as legislative initiatives at the local and state level.

We are a full-service resin solution provider uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic products.

We primarily conduct our operations through two product families:

 

  

Cereplast Compostables® resins are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily compostable bags, single-use food service products and packaging applications. We offer 1317 commercial grades of Compostable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Compostable line in November 2006.

 

  

Cereplast Sustainables™ resins are partially or fully bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for fully petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily durable goods, packaging applications. We offer sixfour commercial grades of Sustainable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment, making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Sustainable line in late 2007 under the name “Cereplast Hybrid Resins®.”

 

  

Cereplast Hybrid Resins® products replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with bio-based materials such as industrial starches sourced from plants. The Hybrid resins line is designed to offer similar properties to traditional polyolefins such as impact strength and heat deflection temperature, and is compatible with existing converter processes and equipment. The Cereplast Hybrid Resins® line provides a viable alternative for brand owners and converters looking to partially replace petroleum-based resins in durable goods applications. Hybrid resins address this need in a wide range of markets, including automotive, consumer goods, consumer electronics, medical, packaging, and construction. We commercially introduced our first grade of Hybrid resin, Hybrid 150, at the end of 2007. We currently offer foureight commercial grades in this product line.

 

  

Cereplast Algae Plastic® resins. In October of 2009 we announced that we have been developing a new technology to transform algae into bioplastics and intend to launch a new resin family containing algae-based materials that will complement our existing line of resins. The first commercial product with Cereplast Algae Plastic® resin is now being produced and sold as part of our Sustainables resin family. We believe that it is important to enhance research on non-food crops as we expect a surge in demand in bioplastics in future years, thus potentially creating pressure on food crops. Algae are the first non-food crop project that we have introduced and our R&D department is contemplating the development of additional non-food crop based materials in future years.

Our patent portfolio is currently comprised of sixfive patents in the United States (“U.S.”), one Mexican patent, and eightseven pending patent applications in the U.S. and abroad. Our trademark portfolio is currently comprised of approximately 4547 registered marks, 4 allowed marks and 2112 pending applications in the U.S. and abroad.

Recent Strategic Events

Italian Expansion.

On October 24, 2011 we completed the purchase of a manufacturing plant in Cannara, Italy that will serve as the hub for our European bioplastics production. We believe that this purchase will enable us to meet the growing demand for bioplastic resin in Europe while improving efficiencies, reducing transportation costs and minimizing logistics related risks. The plant is located on a 125,000 square foot former industrial plant site, enabling us to benefit from existing infrastructure. Current plans for the plant include a total annum capacity of approximately 220 million pounds, which will be built in phases; the first phase of 50,000 tons. Additional capacity will be added coincidental with market demand.

The aggregate purchase price of €4.6 million ($6.5 million) was financed with loan and credit facilities established by Cereplast Italia SpA, our wholly owned subsidiary, and local Italian banking institutions. Additional capital expenditures to complete Phase I of the expansion are estimated at between €6 million and €8 million, or between $8 million and $11 million. We expect that these costs will also be financed entirely through local debt facilities and subsidies from government agencies.

While we had initially anticipate to start operations in late 2012, however due to a combination of the financial crisis in Europe and other factors, including large accounts receivables balances with some of our European customers, we have determined to delay the commencement of operations until a later time.

New Distribution Agreements.

During 2011, we announced the signing of eight new distribution agreements in Italy, Romania, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Sweden, Norway and Denmark with multiple companies. These contracts reflect our growth and expansion across the Pan-European marketplace.

Private Placement.

In February, 2011 we raised $12.3 million through a private placement offering pursuant to which we issued 2,596,500 shares of common stock and 649,128 warrants with an exercise price of $6.35 per share. Proceeds of the financing are being allocated to fund working capital needed to meet the growing demand for our products, particularly in the European market.

Venture Loan.

In February, 2011 we received additional $2.5 million in growth capital from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation pursuant to a Venture Loan and Security Agreement entered into in December, 2010. Proceeds from the loan are being allocated to fund working capital needed to meet the demand for our resin.

Convertible Subordinated Notes.

In May, 2011 we issued $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 7% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due June 1, 2016 (the “Notes”). Proceeds from the Notes are being allocated to fund working capital needed to meet the growing demand for our products, particularly in the European market.

Registered Direct Offering.

In November, 2011 we entered into subscription agreements for the sale of up to an aggregate of 3,125,000 units in a registered direct offering for gross proceeds of approximately $5.0 million before deducting the placement agents’ fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and one warrant to purchase 0.75 of a share of common stock.

Trends and Uncertainties that May Impact Future Results of Operations

Global Market and Economic Conditions. Recent global market and economic conditions, particularly in Europe, have been unprecedented and challenging with tighter credit conditions and slower growth. These conditions, combined with volatile oil prices, declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment have contributed to continued volatility of unprecedented levels.

As a result of these market conditions, the cost and availability of credit has been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads. Concern about the stability of the markets generally, and the strength of counterparties specifically, has led many lenders and institutional investors to reduce, and in some case cease, to provide funding to borrowers and to

developing companies, such as our company. Continued turbulence in the U.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition and the liquidity and financial condition of our customers. If these market conditions continue, they may limit our ability, and the ability of our customers, to timely replace maturing liabilities and access the capital markets to meet liquidity needs, resulting in an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Sales. We record sales at the time that we ship our products, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, fees are fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. We record sales net of sales discounts and allowances. For the year ended December 31,Beginning in 2011, we provided price incentives to several customers that entered into multi-yearsignificant supply contractscontract for their initial purchase commitments to assist in testing, sample production and commercial launch activities. In the future, we may offer these incentives on a selectedselective basis as we continue to grow our customer base. The amount of these incentives in the future periods will be a function of the growth of our customer base and the particular commercialization.

Operating ExpensesExpenses.. Operating expenses consist principally of salaries (both cash and non-cash equity-based compensation), professional fees (including legal, accounting, patent-related, government compliance), marketing, sales commissions, rent and research and development. Salaries include all cash and non-cash compensation and related costs for all principal functions including executive, finance, accounting, production,selling, general and human resources.administrative functions. During recent periods we have made grants of equity awards, including shares of restricted stock and stock options, to attract directors and members of senior management, which have resulted in non-cash compensation expense for the periods reported. We expect that non-cash compensation expense attributed to equity-based awards may increase in future periods as the result of future equity-based incentive compensation awards granted to attract and retain talented employees as we continue to grow our business. In addition, we expect to experience increases in our research and development expenses as we continue to develop new products and formulations, as well as increases in marketing and promotional expenses as we seek to increase our customer base.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We monitor our estimates on an on-going basis for changes in facts and circumstances, and material changes in these estimates could occur in the future. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from our estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue at the time of shipment of products, when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is probable.

Certain of our product sales are made to distributors under agreements with generally the same terms of sale and credit as all other customer agreements. Revenue from product sales to our customers, including our customers who are distributors, is recognized upon shipment provided the above noted fundamental criteria of revenue recognition are met. The sale of products to our customers who are distributors is not contingent upon the distributor selling the product to the end-user, and our current agreements with distributors do not have any rights of return.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line method. Adjustments to this expense are made periodically to recognize actual rates of forfeiture which vary significantly from estimates.

Accounts Receivable

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that may arise if any of our customers are unable to make required payments. Management performs a quantitative and qualitative review of the receivables past due from customers on a monthly basis. Quantitative factors include customer’s past due balance, prior payment history, recent sales activity and days sales outstanding. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic environment, current product demand, estimated inventory levels and customer’s financial position. In certain cases, we may have access to repossess unsold products held at customer locations as recourse for payment defaults. The fair market value of these products are considered as potential recovery in estimating net losses from uncollectible accounts. On July 27, 2012, we entered into a Settlement Agreement with Colortec S.r.l. (“Colortec”) to resolve a

dispute regarding unfair competition within the Italian market and our claims on outstanding accounts receivable balances. In exchange for renouncing our claim on outstanding accounts receivable from Colortec, we were granted access to recover unused containers of our products held by Colortec, valued at approximately $1.5 million. We have eliminated the outstanding accounts receivable balance due from Colortec in exchange for the value of inventory we recovered. We record an allowance against uncollectible items for each customer after all reasonable means of collection have been exhausted, and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market, and consist primarily of raw materials used in the manufacturing of bioplastic resins, finished bioplastic resins and finished goods. Inventories are reviewedassessed for recoverability through an ongoing review of inventory levels in relation to foreseeable demand, which is typically six to twelve months. We consider any quantities in excess of three years of inventory to be excessive due to the shelf life of our products. A significant qualitative factor used in our evaluation is the fact that polypropylene is a core ingredient to our bioplastic resin products. Polypropylene is a multi-billion dollar commodity market within the plastics industry, which provides us an active marketplace to monetize potential excess or obsolete inventory. Our foreseeable demand, which is based upon all available information, including sales forecasts, new product marketing plans and obsolescence and a reserveproduct life cycles, indicates that our current inventory on hand represents approximately 12-18 months of inventory. When the inventory on hand exceeds the foreseeable demand, we write down the value of those inventories which, at the time of our review, we expect to be unable to sell or return to the vendor. The amount of the inventory write down is the excess of historical cost over estimated realizable value. Once established, accordingly.these write downs are considered permanent adjustments to the cost basis of the excess inventory.

Intangibles

Intangibles are stated at cost and consist primarily of patents and trademarks. Amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated life of these assets, estimated to be between five and fifteen years.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, and depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of the assets are between three and seven years. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Assets under construction are not depreciated until placed into service.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors we consider include:

Significant changes in the operational performance or manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business,

Significant negative market conditions or economic trends, and

Significant technological changes or legal factors which may render the asset obsolete.

We evaluate long-lived assets based upon an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparing the carrying value to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Future net undiscounted cash flows include estimates of future revenues and expenses which are based on projected growth rates. We continually use judgment when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment tests, the undiscounted cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of a potentially impaired asset. The reasonableness of our judgment could significantly affect the carrying value of our long-lived assets.

During fiscal year 2012, we experienced a significant decline in sales volume due to liquidity and sales resource constraints, which we believe to be temporary. Our reduced production volume has not changed the manner in which we use our property and equipment, nor its physical condition. Our current estimate of future net undiscounted cash flows indicates that the carrying value of our long-lived assets is recoverable and therefore no impairment is indicated.

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.

The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Our derivative financial instruments consist of embedded and free-standing derivatives related primarily to the convertibles notes. The embedded derivatives include the conversion features, and liquidated damages clauses in the registration rights agreement. The accounting treatment of derivative financial instruments requires that we record the derivatives and related warrants at their fair values as of the inception date of the agreement and at fair value as of each subsequent balance sheet date. The recorded value of all derivatives at December 31, 2012 totaled approximately $3.2 million. We did not carry any derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2011. Any change in fair value of these instruments will be recorded as non-operating, non-cash income or expense at each reporting date. If the fair value of the derivatives is higher at the subsequent balance sheet date, the Company will record a non-operating, non-cash charge. If the fair value of the derivatives is lower at the subsequent balance sheet date, the Company will record non-operating, non-cash income. At December 31, 2012 derivatives were valued primarily using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20112012 COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 20102011

Net Sales

Net sales increased by $13.9 million or 219.3%, to $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 20112012 were approximately $0.9 million, compared to $6.3$20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The sales increase for the period is attributable to volume increases associated with both existing customer contracts and new contracts with European customers. Environmental legislation, such as that banning the use of plastic bags in Italy that took effect on January 1, 2011, as well as the increased volatility in oil prices, were key drivers of demand for our bioplastic resins in the same period in 2011. The decrease in sales was due to transitioning significant resources and efforts toward recovery of past due accounts receivables from customers and minimizing any additional exposure to our accounts receivable credit risk. Our current year.period sales were primarily prepaid shipments of sample materials and nominal shipments to established existing customers with low risk credit limits.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includesis comprised of both fixed and variable costs, including materials and supplies, labor, facilities and other overhead costs associated with our product revenues. Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 was2012 were approximately $1.0 million, compared to $18.2 million or 90.0% of net sales, compared to $5.2 million, or 82.7% of net sales for the same period in 2010.2011. The increasedecline in cost of sales overis due to our lower variable manufacturing costs from our reduced sales volumes and the same period in the prior year is attributable to two main factors: (1)reclassification of fixed production overhead from cost of sales to selling, general and administrative expense due to extended period of abnormally low production volume experienced in the prior year period cannot be considered representative of normal sales or operations as we were in the process of relocating our production operations from California to Indiana and therefore had minimal production during this period in 2010, and (2) cost of sales in the current period reflects the tremendous growth in sales volume from the prior year.2012.

Gross Profit (Loss)

Gross profit (loss) for the year ended December 31, 20112012 was $2.0approximately ($0.1) million, or 10.0% of net sales, compared to $1.1$2.0 million or 17.3% of net sales for the same period in 2010. The decrease2011. Our decline in gross profit percentage reflects the unusually high margins on very low volumewas attributable to our decline in sales in the prior year period combined with our sales strategy to gain critical market share in 2011 by offering low introductory pricing to some key customers to support their programs to bring new bioplastic products to market. This strategy has proven effective in contributing to strong sales growth and growing market share. We expect that margins will improve gradually in future periods as we capitalize on demand growth to diversify our customer base, implement strategic price increases and continue to gain operational efficiencies.stated above.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 20112012 were $1.0$0.5 million, or 5.2% of net sales, compared to approximately $0.5$1.0 million or 7.3% of net sales, for the same period in 2010. Although2011. Our decrease in research and development expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales, we incurred higher expenses in 2011was primarily attributable to lower outside services costs related to additional headcount, including the appointment of a new Chief Technology Officer and increased manufacturing supplies used for new product development.our current projects.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 20112012 were $13.4$18.9 million, or 66.1% of net sales, compared to $7.5$13.4 million or 118.5% of net sales, for the same period in 2010. The increase is primarily attributable to the $5.3 million2011. Our increase in our allowancesales, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to bad debt expense of $12.3 million in 2012, offset by reduced headcount and variable sales and marketing expenses due to lower sales volume in the current year.

Other Income and Expense, Net

Other income and expense, net for doubtful accounts during the year ended December 31, 2011. In addition, we incurred incremental expenses in 2011 across all areas of the business, including compensation associated with increased headcount, performance related compensation, marketing, sales commissions, professional fees (including legal and accounting fees) to support the rapid growth of the business, including the expansion of European operations, specifically with our new industrial plant in Italy.

Other Expense, Net

Other expenses, net for year ended December 31, 2011 were $1.62012 was ($10.7) million, as compared to $0.6($1.6) million in the same period in 2010. Other expense in 2011 consists of2011. The increase was primarily related to additional interest expense related to our Loan Agreement andthe issuance of our convertible senior subordinated notes. Other expensedebentures in 2010 consistedMay 2011, the impact from our Forbearance and Exchange Agreement with certain holders of restructuring charges which were not incurredour convertible debentures and the change in the current year period.our derivative liability related to our warrants, short term convertible debt and preferred stock agreements.

Net Loss

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 20112012 was $14.0$30.2 million, as compared to $7.5$14.0 million in the same period in 2010.2011. As discussed above, our results were favorablyunfavorably impacted by increasesour decrease in net sales and gross profit, offset by higher operating expenses and interest expense incurred to support the growth of the business.sales.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We require working capital to fund our operations, including payments to finance our research and development and expand sales and marketing, to purchase equipment, service indebtedness, satisfy lease obligations and execute on our business plan and growth strategy.

We had net unrestricted cash of $3.9$0.2 million at December 31, 20112012 as compared to $2.4 million at December 31, 2010. The net increase in unrestricted cash is attributable principally to funds received through equity sold through a private placement and proceeds received from our venture loan and convertible senior subordinated notes, offset by cash used in operations.

Our working capital increased from $5.2 million at December 31, 2010, to $17.6$3.9 million at December 31, 2011. The increasedecrease in working capitalunrestricted cash is primarily due to increasescash used in accounts receivableoperations, offset by financing provided through issuance of debt and inventory associated with higher revenue volumes and increased product demand.equity securities.

Cash used in operating activities forduring the year ended December 31, 20112012 was $24.8$5.5 million, compared to $8.6$24.8 million during the same period in the 2010.2011. The increasedecrease in the use of cash for operating activitiesused in operations was primarily a result of an increase in working capital, including increases in accounts receivable and inventory, which reflect the significant sales growth and increased product demandreducing our cash expenses in the 2011 comparedcurrent year due to 2010.a decline in sales activity.

Cash used in investing activities forduring the year ended December 31, 20112012 was $7.9$0.2 million compared to cash used in investing activities of approximately $0.3$7.9 million during the same period in 2010. The increase in cash used in investing activities during 2011 was primarily attributed to purchase of our industrial plant in Italy and capital equipment purchases to increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency at our Seymour manufacturing facility.2011.

Cash provided by financing activities forduring the year ended December 31, 20112012 was $34.2$1.9 million compared to $9.9$34.2 million provided by financing activities during the same period in 2010.2011. The increasedecrease is attributable to an increase$25.1 million of debt and equity financing that occurred in funds received through issuance of common stockthe prior year, compared to $1.4 million in a private placementdebt and a registered direct offering, proceeds from our issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes and proceeds from a venture loan from Compass Horizon Technology.equity financing that occurred during the current year.

We have incurred a net loss of $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, and have an accumulated deficit of $56.9$87.1 million as of December 31, 2011.2012. Based on our operating plan, our existing working capital will not be sufficient to meet the cash requirements to fund our planned operating expenses, capital expenditures and working capital requirements through December 31, 20122013 without additional sources of cash.

In order to provide and preserve the necessary working capital to operate, we have successfully completed the following transactions in 2012:

Entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Ironridge Technology Co., a division of Ironridge Global IV, Ltd, (“Ironridge”) for the sale of up to $5.0 million in shares of convertible redeemable Series A Preferred Stock. Ironridge funded $0.5 million in exchange for 92 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

Amended Venture Loan and Security Agreement with Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC to provide an additional $0.4 million loan to fund operating expenses.

Entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Hanover Purchase Agreement”) with Hanover Holding I, LLC (“Hanover”), pursuant to which Hanover agreed to purchase from the Company, and we agreed to sell to Hanover (subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein), an aggregate of $0.8 million of convertible promissory notes (the “Hanover Notes”). Hanover funded $0.3 million of the Hanover Notes in 2012.

Entered into an Exchange Agreement with Magna Group LLC (“Magna”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue to Magna convertible notes, in the aggregate principal amount of up to $4.6 million, in exchange for repayment of our Term Loan with Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC. This Exchange Agreement was subsequently terminated and assumed by Ironridge.

Obtained a Forbearance Agreement on our semi-annual coupon payment due on June 1, 2012 with certain holders of our Senior Subordinated Notes to defer payment until December 1, 2012 and subsequently extended into January 2013.

Reduced future interest payments through executing an Exchange Agreement for $2.5 million with certain holders of our Senior Subordinated Notes for conversion of their Notes and accrued interest into shares at an exchange rate of one share of our common stock for each $1.00 amount of the Note and accrued interest.

Issued 84,959,270 shares of our common stock to an institutional investor in settlement of approximately $1.4 million of our outstanding accounts payable balances.

Completed a Registered Direct offering to issue 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.50 per share for gross proceeds of $0.5 million.

Obtained unsecured short-term convertible debt financing of $0.8 million with additional availability of approximately $0.6 million at the lender’s sole discretion.

Returned unused raw materials to our suppliers in exchange for refunds net of restocking charges of approximately $0.2 million.

Our plan to address the shortfall of working capital is to generate additional financing through a combination of refinancing existing credit facilities,sale of our equity securities, additional funding from our new short-term convertible debt financings, incremental product sales into new markets with advance payment terms and collection of outstanding past due receivables. We are confident that we will be able to deliver on our plans, however, there are no assurances that we will be able to obtain any sources of financing on acceptable terms, or at all.

If we cannot obtain sufficient additional financing in the short-term, we may be forced to curtail or cease operations or file for bankruptcy. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be forced to take such actions.

Loans Payable and Long Term Debt

Venture Loan Payable

On December 21, 2010, we entered into a Venture Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC (the “Lender” or “Horizon”). The Loan Agreement provides for a total loan commitment of $5.0 million comprising of Loan A and Loan B, each in the amount of $2.5 million. Loan A was funded at closing on December 21, 2010 and matures 39 months after the date of advance. Loan B was funded on February 17, 2011 and also matures 39 months after the date of advance. We are obligated to pay interest per annum equal to the greater of (a) 12% or (b) 12% plus the difference between (i) the one month LIBOR Rate in effect on the date preceding the funding of such loan by five business days and (ii) .30%. We are required to make interest only payments for the first nine months of each loan and equal payments of principal over the final thirty months of each loan. In connection with the loan, we issued a seven year warrant to the Lender to purchase 140,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.40. We granted a security interest in all of our assets to the Lender.

Effective November 27, 2012, we entered into a Second Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, Horizon agreed to extend additional loans to us in the form of Loan C in the amount of $150,000 and Loan D in the amount of $250,000. The Amendment provides for a maturity date of April 4, 2013 and an annual rate of interest of 15% for Loans C and D.

The Amendment also amends other portions of the Loan Agreement to include Loans C and D and sets forth the terms governing repayment, interest rate and use of proceeds and conditions to funding such loans.

Auto Loan Payable

We signed a promissory note in the amount of $20,359 related to the purchase of an automobile in fiscal year 2010. The note bears interest at 7.7% per annum and is to be repaid over a period of 60 months. We repaid this promissory note in full during the first quarter of 2012.

Convertible Subordinated Notes

On May 24, 2011, we issued $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 7% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due June 1, 2016 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”), entered into between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, on May 24, 2011. In connection with the issuance of the Notes, we entered into a Waiver to our Venture Loan and Security Agreement with Horizon, dated May 18, 2011 pursuant to which Horizon provided its consent to the offering of the Notes and waived any restrictions in the Loan Agreement.

The Notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations which will rank subordinate in right to payment to all of our existing and future senior secured indebtedness and bear interest at a rate of 7% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2011. The Notes mature on June 1, 2016, with an early repurchase date of June 15, 2014 at the option of the purchaser. The Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock in accordance with the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, at the initial conversion rate of 172.4138 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $5.80 per share, subject to adjustment. If the Notes are converted into shares of our common stock prior to June 2, 2014, an interest make-whole payment will be due based on the conversion date up until June 2, 2014. Upon a non-stock change in control, additional shares of our common stock may need to be issued upon conversion, with a maximum additional shares of 25.606 per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes being issuable thereunder, for a total maximum of 198.0198 shares per $1,000 Note. Certain customary anti-dilution provisions included in the Indenture and/or the Notes could adjust the conversion rate. At December 31, 2011, the Notes are convertible into 2,155,173 shares of our common stock.

The conversion feature within the Notes is not considered to be a beneficial conversion feature within the meaning of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470, Debt, and therefore all of the gross proceeds from the Notes have been classified as long term debt. In connection with the issue of the Notes, we incurred approximately $1.3 million of debt issue costs which were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term to the early repurchase date of June 15, 2014.

Also in connection with the issuance of the Notes, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 18, 2011 pursuant to which we agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the SECSecurities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registering the resale of the Notes and the shares of common stock underlying the Notes. The registration statement was declared effective on August 10, 2011.

On June 1, 2012, we entered into an Exchange Agreement and a Forbearance Agreement with certain of the holders of our Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, certain of the holders agreed to exchange the Notes for shares at an exchange rate of one share of our common stock for each $1.00 amount of the Notes exchanged.

Pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, certain of the holders agreed to forbear from exercising their rights to require us to pay accrued interest on June 1, 2012 until the earlier of December 1, 2012 or our failure to meet certain milestones. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, we agreed to amend the conversion rate of the Notes as set forth in the Indenture to provide for an effective conversion rate of $1.00. At December 31, 2012 the Notes were convertible into 10,000,000 shares of our common stock.

On January 3, 2013, we received a Notice of Event of Default from Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture. The Notice was triggered by our failure to pay on December 1, 2012 pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreements dated as of May 31, 2012 entered into with the holders of the Notes, interest in the amount of $332,500 that was due on June 1, 2012 (the “June 2012 Interest Payment”) and interest in the amount of $332,500 due on December 1, 2012 (the “December 2012 Interest Payment”). On January 25, 2013, the Holders of the Notes entered into a payment agreement with IBC Funds, LLC pursuant to which IBC agreed to purchase up to $2,000,000 of the principal amount of the Notes in tranches. In connection with the execution of the payment agreement, the Holders agreed to waive the Event of Default and forebear from exercising any of their rights and remedies under the Indenture in connection with our failure to make the June 2012 and December 2012 Interest Payments until the earlier of December 31, 2013 or the date IBC has failed to make payments as set forth in the Payment Agreement.

Mortgage Payable

Effective October 24, 2011, Cereplast Italia S.p.A (“Cereplast Italia”), our wholly owned subsidiary, completed its acquisition of an industrial plant and the real estate on which the industrial plant is located in Cannara, Italy. The Deed of Sale between Cereplast Italia and Societa Regionale Per Lo Sviluppo Economico Dell’Umbria — Sviluppumbria S.p.A, provided for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.5 million. The acquisition had previously been secured by a mortgage loan with Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Sienna S.p.A for the principal of $4.5 million.

Effective October 25, 2012, Cereplast Italia renegotiated the terms of the acquisition of the industrial plant located in Cannara, Italy with Societa Regionale Per Lo Sviluppo Economico Dell’Umbria — Sviluppumbria S.p.A In connection with our renegotiation, the acquisition,sale of the land was rescinded and Cereplast Italia entered intoretained the following financing transactions:

existing building, reducing the value of the purchase price to approximately $4.2 million. In exchange, Cereplast Italia rescinded the Mortgage loan with Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Sienna S.p.A for the principal of $4.5 million. The loan bearsmillion in paying a limited rescission fee and cancelled all credit facility. Sviluppumbria S.p.A accepted to carry over a Note secured by the building, in amount of $3.2 million with an annual interest rate of Euribor (6-month) plus 5.7%. The loan5.5%, until a new lender is forsecured. During that period of time Cereplast Italia agreed to negotiate the refurbishment of the building by a termthird party at no cost. Svilluppumprbia requested Cereplast Italia to represent a plan of 15 yearsdevelopment to occur within a longer period of time.

Preferred Stock

On August 24, 2012, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with interest only paymentsIronridge Technology Co., a division of Ironridge Global IV, Ltd, for the first two years, payable January 1 and July 1 each year and principal and interest payments thereafter accordingsale of up to an amortization schedule. 20%$5 million in shares of convertible redeemable Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at a price of $10,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock. The closing of the principal is guaranteedtransactions contemplates the fulfillment of certain closing conditions. The initial closing with respect to the sale of 30 shares of Series A Preferred Stock occurred on August 24, 2012.

On August 24, 2012, we filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The Certificate of Designation provides that the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior with respect to dividend and rights upon liquidation to the Company’s common stock and junior to all existing and future indebtedness. Except as otherwise required by law, the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. The Certificate of Designation provides for 10 yearsthe payment of cumulative dividends at a rate of 2.5% per annum when and if declared by Gepafin, a local government agency; $0.5 millionthe Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Dividends and any Embedded Derivative Liability (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) may be paid in cash or free trading shares of the principal is guaranteed by Eurofidi through December 31, 2016.

Credit facility with Intesa Sanpaolo for up $0.7 million. The facility is for a termCompany as provided in the Certificate of eight months with a floating interest rate based on Euribor (3 month), currently 5.85%. Interest is deferred forDesignation.

Unless we have received the first two monthsapproval of the term. Cereplast Italia obtainedholders of a guarantee of 60%majority of the amount drawn onSeries A Preferred Stock then outstanding, we shall not (i) alter or change adversely the facility from Eurofidi.

Credit facility with Unicredit Bank for up to $0.8 million. The facility is for a term of 18 months with a floating interest rate based on Euribor (3 month), currently 5.93%. Cereplast Italia obtained a guarantee of 60%powers, preferences or rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation; (ii) authorize or create any class of stock ranking senior as to distribution of dividends senior to the Series A Preferred Stock; (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation in breach of any provisions of the Certificate of Designation; increase the authorized number of Series A Preferred Stock; (iv) liquidate, or wind-up the business and affaires of the Corporation or effect any Deemed Liquidation Event, as defined in the Certificate of Designation.

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, pari pasu with any distribution to the holders of Common Stock of the Company, an amount drawn onequal to $10,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Upon or after 18 years after the facility from Eurofidi.Issuance Date, the Corporation will have the right to redeem 100% of the Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $10,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends (the “Corporation Redemption Price”). We are also permitted to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at any time after issuance as provided in the Certificate of Designation. The Certificate of Designation also provides for mandatory redemption if the Company determines to liquidate, dissolve or wind-up its business and affects or effect any Deemed Liquidation Event as such term is defined in the Certificate of Designation.

The Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into share of common stock of the Company at the option of the Company or the holder. In the event of a conversion by the Holder at a price per share equal to the sum of (a) the Corporation Redemption Price plus the Embedded Derivative Liability (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) less any dividends paid, multiplied by (b) the number of shares being converted, divided by (c) the conversion price of $0.25.

Contractual Obligations

Our material contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter as of December 31, 2011,2012, are as follows (in thousands):

 

  Due in Year Ended December 

Obligation

  Total   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   Thereafter   Total   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   Thereafter 

Loans Payable and Long-Term Debt(1)

  $21,831    $1,855    $2,075    $939    $213    $12,729    $4,020    $19,962    $2,075    $1,023    $176    $12,689    $189    $3,810  

Interest payments(2)

   8,412     1,550     1,485     1,246     1,203     749     2,179     6,825     1,485     1,246     1,203     749     296     1,846  

Operating Leases(3)

   2,551     481     486     491     396     324     373     2,070     486     491     396     324     324     49  

Capital Leases(4)

   318     73     82     64     51     48     —       245     82     64     51     48     —      —   
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $33,112    $3,959    $4,128    $2,740    $1,863    $13,850    $6,572    $29,102    $4,128    $2,824    $1,826    $13,810    $809    $5,705  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(1)The interest payment amounts above include the fixed interest rate payments for the Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo and an estimated interest rate payment on the variable rate IRB based on the five year historical interest rate average for the Municipal Swap Index plus 20 basis points plus the letter of credit and remarketing fees of 62.5 basis points resulting in an estimated rate of 2.515%.
(2)Interest related to all obligations except operating leases.
(3)Related to rental expenses at El Segundo, CA, Seymour, IN and Bönen, Germany facilities.
(4)Principal only reported; the related interest is included in the Interest Expense line.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities that would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance-sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Financial statements required by this item are included after the signature page of this filing.

Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is: (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”) is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.2012. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on this evaluation, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that, as of December 31, 2011,2012, our ICFR were ineffective due to a material weakness existing in our internal control overcontrols as of December 31, 2012.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies in ICFR such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Material weaknesses would permit information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit to not be recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the Securities Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

As a result of our assessment and based on the criteria in the COSO framework, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, our ICFR was not effective due to the existence of the following material weakness:

Inadequate Reviews to Ensure Complex Accounting Transactions and Foreign Subsidiary Balances are Accurately Recorded in Accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”): Due to our liquidity situation, we did not have adequate staffing of trained accounting personnel with appropriate expertise in U.S. GAAP to ensure that certain complex material and non-routine transactions are properly reflected in our financial statements. Consequently, we may not anticipate and identify accounting issues, or other risks critical to financial reporting, was effectivethat could materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

Remediation Activities. We will begin to implement remediation steps outlined below to eliminate the material weakness identified.

Inadequate Reviews to Ensure Complex Accounting Transactions and Foreign Subsidiary Balances are Accurately Recorded in Accordance with U.S. GAAP: We have engaged a consulting firm to provide review and analysis for complex transactions and technical accounting research to ensure transactions are properly recorded in compliance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, we are seeking to hire additional staff with greater knowledge of U.S. GAAP both in the U.S. and our foreign operations as well as engaging selected third parties to improve the accuracy of our financial reporting.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permits us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes inDuring 2012, we initiated the steps outlined above under “Remediation Activities” to improve the quality of our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.ICFR.

 

Item 9B.Other Information

None.

PART III

 

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers,Officer and Corporate Governance

The information required by this item will be set forthOur directors and executive officers are as follows:

Name

  Age  

Position

Frederic Scheer58CEO, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Michael Okada45Senior Vice President and CFO
Mark Barton54Senior Vice President, Operations
Kelvin Okamoto53Senior Vice President and CTO
Jacques Vincent66Director
Craig Peus40Director
Franklin Hunt63Director
Paul Pelosi44Director

FREDERIC SCHEER, our CEO, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, since Cereplast’s inception, became involved in the proxy statementbiodegradable plastics industry in 1994 through Montedison SpA, a large chemical conglomerate operating Novamont SpA, an Italian resin manufacturer and research company. Foreseeing that the demand for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or an amendment to this Form 10-K, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days afterbiodegradable products in North America would expand rapidly by the end of the decade, Mr. Scheer created the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), and this non-profit organization has quickly become the largest biodegradable association in the world, with more than 40 members, including BASF, DuPont, Georgia Pacific, NatureWorks, Dow and Eastman. Prior to his involvement in the biodegradable industry, Mr. Scheer was a merchant banker in Europe. He holds a Doctor of Laws from the University of Paris, a Masters Degree in Finance and Political Science from Institut d’Etudes Politiques, Paris, France. Mr. Scheer, a U.S. citizen, is fluent in French, Spanish, Italian and English.

Due to his knowledge of the bioplastic industry and the fact that Mr. Scheer is the founder of the Company, the Board of Director concluded that Mr. Scheer had all qualifications to be a member of the Board.

MICHAEL OKADA, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February, 2013, joined Cereplast as Vice President and Corporate Controller in April 2011. From June, 2009 through February, 2011, Mr. Okada served as Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller of Mindspeed Technologies, Inc. (MSPD – NasdaqGS), a fabless semiconductor company based in Newport Beach, CA. Mr. Okada served as Interim Vice President of Financial Reporting from September, 2008 through April, 2009 of American Apparel, Inc. (APP – Amex), a publicly traded vertically integrated apparel company. Mr. Okada also served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of ExtruMed, LLC, a medical device component manufacturer, from May, 2007 through August, 2008. Mr. Okada holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Santa Clara University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of California.

MARK BARTON,joined Cereplast as Senior Vice President Manufacturing in July 2008. Mr. Barton leads overall manufacturing operations. With over 25 years of successful plastic compounding industry experience, most recently as Vice President of Toray Resin Company, Mr. Barton has held a succession of resin manufacturing leadership positions. Under Mr. Barton’s leadership, Toray Resin’s engineering resin compounding operations became an industry leader, achieving registrations of ISO 9001/TS16949 for quality systems, ISO 14001 for environmental systems and receiving the Toray Industries, Presidents Award in 2006 for overall performance and achievement. Mr. Barton’s experience includes championing successful lean manufacturing and continuous improvement systems in resin compounding operations. Mr. Barton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science/Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio.

KELVIN OKAMOTO, our Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer since April, 2011, joined Cereplast as Senior Vice President Research & Development in December, 2010. Dr. Okamoto brings 20 plus years of research and development experience in the plastics and packaging industries to his role as Chief Technology Officer. Prior to joining Cereplast, he served as Manager of Materials Engineering and Manager of Materials Engineering for Solo Cup Operating Corp. Dr. Okamoto’s career has included positions as an Intellectual Property Consultant, Chief Engineer at Taylor-Made-Adidas, Director of Intellectual Property at Trexel, Inc., Materials Development Manager at Pactiv, Group Leader-Structural Plastics Product Development and Research Chemist at Himont USA (presently Lyondell Basell) and Staff Chemist at GE Corporate Research and Development. Dr. Okamoto has been affiliated with the American Chemical Society, ASTM, National Association of Patent Practitioners and the Society of Plastic Engineers, where he has held a number of elected positions. Dr. Okamoto holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Stanford University.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

JACQUES VINCENT, Director. Mr. Vincent has served as a Director of the Company since January 2008. Mr. Vincent was recently named vice chairman and advisor to the chairman and previously served as the vice chairman and chief operating officer at Groupe Danone. Mr. Vincent began his career with Danone in 1970 and has since held various financial and overall management positions within the company. Mr. Vincent is a graduate engineer of the Ecole Centrale, Paris, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Paris University and a Master’s of Science from Stanford University. In addition to Mr. Vincent’s position at Groupe Danone, he is the Chairman of Daniel Carasso Research Center and Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, and board member of Syngenta in Switzerland and Yakult Honsha in Japan.

Due to his knowledge of the Trade and marketing of food service items and dairy products around the world, the Board concluded that Mr. Vincent is qualified to serve as a Director.

CRAIG PEUS, Director and Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Peus was appointed as one of our directors effective September 29, 2010. Mr. Peus currently serves as the Chairman and Founder of One Simple Move Inc., a web-based relocation software company, a position he has held since June 2006. Mr. Peus also currently serves as an advisor to three operating companies providing general business advice. Mr. Peus has served as a Managing Director of Waveland Capital Group, Inc. a multi-service investment bank. From June 2003 through December 2009, Mr. Peus was the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Blossom Street Capital Advisors, LLC, an investment banking firm and licensed broker/dealer. Mr. Peus has held executive level positions at Astera Care, LLC, MTS Health Partners, LP, KRS Kapital, LLC and was a financial analyst at Salomon Brothers, Inc. Mr. Peus received a Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University.

Due to his knowledge of the financial industry, the Board concluded that Mr. Peus is qualified to serve as a Director. Mr. Peus is also Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

FRANKLIN HUNT, Director and Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Hunt was appointed as one of our directors effective September 29, 2010. Mr. Hunt is the owner of Hunt Business Consulting, a company that provides consultation to companies regarding current requirements under GAAP and IFRS. Mr. Hunt served as a member of HJ &Associates, LLC from 1995 through May 2010. Mr. Hunt received a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University. He is a member of AICPA and UACPA and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of Utah.

Due to his experience in public accounting, the Board concluded that Mr. Hunt is qualified to serve as a Director. Mr. Hunt is also Chairman of the Audit Committee.

PAUL PELOSI, JR., Director. Mr. Pelosi was appointed as one of our directors effective February 24, 2012. Mr. Pelosi has 16 years of experience in advising emerging and Fortune 500 companies in the areas of finance, infrastructure, sustainability and public policy. Since October 2011, Mr. Pelosi has served as Director of Corporate Development at Petrus Capital Partners, LLC. Mr. Pelosi also served as Director of Investment Banking and M&A at WR Hambrecht from March 2009 through September 2011. Mr. Pelosi served as Senior Vice President of Business Development at InfoUSA, from February 2007 through March 2009. From January 2003 through January 2007, Mr. Pelosi was Manager and Originator in the New Construction Division at Bank of America Countrywide. Mr. Pelosi received a BA in History in 1991, and a JD/MBA with a specialization in International Business in 1995 from Georgetown University.

Due to his knowledge of the environmental issues in public policy, the Board concluded that Mr. Pelosi is qualified to serve as a Director.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers.

BOARD COMMITTEES

AUDIT COMMITTEE

The audit committee of the board of directors reviews the internal accounting procedures of our company and consults with and reviews the services provided by our independent accountants. The audit committee is currently comprised with Franklin Hunt as our Chairman, Jacques Vincent and Craig Peus. The Board of directors has determined that Franklin Hunt is the audit committee financial expert.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

The compensation committee of the board of directors:

Reviews and recommends to the board the compensation and benefits of our executive officers;

Administers our stock option plans; and

Establishes and reviews general policies relating to compensation and employee benefits.

Our compensation committee is currently comprised with Mr. Craig Peus as our Chairman and Mr. Jacques Vincent.

No interlocking relationships exist between the board of directors or compensation committee and the board of directors or compensation committee of any other company.

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

The Nominating Committee identifies individuals qualified to become members of the Board. The Committee’s duties also includes the development and recommendation to the Board of Directors of corporate governance principles that are applicable to the Company, and is responsible for leading an annual review of the Board’s performance. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is currently comprised with Mr. Jacques Vincent as our Chairman and Mr. Craig Peus.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires that our officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with any exchange on which the Company’s securities are traded. Officers, directors and persons owning more than ten percent of such securities are required by Commission regulation to file with the Commission and furnish the Company with copies of all reports required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. To our knowledge, based solely upon our review of the copies of such reports furnished to us, during the fiscal year covered by this reportended December 31, 2012, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were complied with, except that: certain employees who received stock in exchange for services did not timely file Form 4s. The transactions have since been reported on Form 10-K,5s filed by each of the foregoing.

Changes in Nominating Procedures

None.

CODE OF ETHICS

We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Officers, Directors and Employees that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics may be obtained, free of charge, by submitting written request to the Company.

INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

To our knowledge, during the past ten years, none of our directors, executive officers, promoters, control persons, or nominees has been:

convicted in a criminal proceeding or is incorporatedsubject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);

subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or any Federal or State authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities;

found by reference from our proxy statement.a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law.

the subject of, or a party to, any Federal or State judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, relating to an alleged violation of (a) any Federal or State securities or commodities law or regulation; (b) any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order; or (c) any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; or

the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(26))), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1(a)(29))), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member.

 

Item 11.Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth the cash compensation (including cash bonuses) paid and equity awards granted by us for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 to our Chief Executive Officer and our most highly compensated officers other than the Chief Executive Officer at December 31, 2012 whose total compensation exceeded $100,000.

Name & Principal Position

  Year   Salary ($)   Bonus
($)(1)
   Stock
Awards
($)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Non-Equity
Incentive

Plan
Compensation
($)
   Change in
Pension Value
and Non-
Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings ($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(2)
   Total ($) 

Frederic Scheer,

   2012     336,077     —       —       —       —       —       12,500     348,577  

Chief Executive Officer

   2011     513,218     401,000     97,330     —       —       —       12,100     1,023,648  

Michael Okada(3)

   2012     152,308     —        —       —       —       —       —       152,308  

SVP, Chief Financial Officer

                  

Heather Sheehan(4)

   2012     42,417     —        14,833     —       —       —       1,300     58,550  

Former Chief Financial Officer

   2011     180,000     —        28,246     230,467     —       —       57,800     496,513  

Mark Barton

   2012     180,000     9,000     9,000     —       —       —       —       198,000  

SVP, Operations

   2011     178,846     —       18,488     230,467     —       —       —       427,801  

Kelvin Okamoto

   2012     200,00     10,000     10,000     —       —       —       —       220,000  

SVP, Chief Technology Officer

   2011     173,077     —       47,479     —       —       —       —       220,556  

(1)

Bonus paid in 2011 was approved by our Board of Directors, as recommended by the Compensation Committee for growth initiatives and accomplishments achieved throughout the duration of the 5 year term of Mr. Scheer’s expiring Employment Agreement.

(2)

Other compensation comprises payments made of salary amounts voluntarily deferred from a prior year in 2010 and 2011, as well as auto allowances in 2011.

(3)

Mr. Okada was appointed as our Interim Chief Financial Officer effective on February 10, 2012. Mr. Okada was subsequently appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer on February 5, 2013.

(4)

Ms. Sheehan joined the Company on August 16, 2010 and resigned as our Chief Financial Officer effective on February 29, 2012.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth with respect to the named director, compensation information required by this item will be set forthinclusive of equity awards and payments made in the proxy statementyear end December 31, 2012.

Name

Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
Stock Awards
($)
Option
Awards
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
Change in Pension
Value and Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Earnings ($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)

Jacques Vincent

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  

Paul Pelosi

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  

Craig Peus

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  

Frank Hunt

—  —  —  —  —  —  —  

During the year ended December 31, 2012, our independent directors did not receive any shares of restricted Cereplast stock.

EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

Effective August 1, 2011, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Frederic Scheer (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Mr. Scheer will continue to serve as our Chief Executive Officer for our 2012 Annual Meetinga period of Stockholdersfour (4) years, unless earlier terminated, as provided in the Agreement. Six months prior to the expiration of the Term, the Company and Mr. Scheer agree in good faith to enter into discussions on a new employment term and related employment agreement.

The Agreement provides for annual compensation of $565,000 and can be terminated for Cause, as defined in the agreement, or without cause; provided however, if Mr. Scheer is terminated without cause or resigns for Good Reason, as defined in the Agreement, he is entitled to receive in a severance package: (i) an amendmentamount equal to one and one half times (1.5x) the annual base salary in effect at the date of the termination; (ii) the average of the previous two annual bonus payments or the previous year’s annual bonus if less than two years of bonuses that have been paid; and (iii) all required COBRA premiums to the Company’s health plan insurer in order to continue Mr. Scheer’s health care coverage. Mr. Scheer’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Mr. Scheer’s death.

If a Change of Control occurs, Mr. Scheer may elect to terminate this Form 10-K, to be filed with the SEC not later thanAgreement within 120 days after such Change of Control by giving written notice of such election to the endCompany. If Mr. Scheer elects to terminate as a result of a Change of Control, the Company shall pay to Mr. Scheer the total of 2.99 times his Annual Base Salary and the average of the fiscal year coveredprevious two Annual Bonus payments or the previous year’s Annual Bonus if less than two years of bonuses have been paid. Mr. Scheer’s unvested stock options, if any, shall immediately vest and Mr. Scheer will also be entitled to continued health benefits.

The Scheer Agreement provides for the payment of a performance based annual bonus which shall not exceed 50% of Mr. Scheer’s base salary and a discretionary bonus to be determined by this reportthe Board and the Compensation Committee of the Company.

If Mr. Scheer’s employment is terminated by the Company for cause, by Mr. Scheer for good reason, or due to Mr. Scheer’s death, then effective on Form 10-K,the date of termination all unvested rights held by Mr. Scheer to any equity, quasi-equity, or similar interests, including but not limited to options, stock units, or stock appreciation rights, shall become fully vested.

The Agreement also contains standard assignment of inventions, non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and is incorporated by reference from our proxy statement.conflict of interest clauses.

 

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder MattersStockholders Matters.

The following table sets forth information requiredregarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 15, 2013. The information in this table provides the ownership information for:

each person known by this item willus to be set forththe beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock;

each of our directors;

each of our executive officers; and

our executive officers and directors as a group.

Beneficial ownership has been determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the shares. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons named in the proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meetingtable below have sole voting and investment power with respect to the number of Stockholdersshares indicated as beneficially owned by them. Common stock beneficially owned and percentage ownership is based on 332,681,674 shares outstanding on April 5, 2013, and assuming the exercise of any options or an amendment to this Form 10-K, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120warrants or conversion of any convertible securities held by such person, who are presently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated by reference from our proxy statement.April 5, 2013

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

Number of Shares Beneficially OwnedPercent of Class

Frederic Scheer(1)

2,903,784*

Mark Barton

69,614*

Kelvin Okamoto

32,423*

Michael Okada

12,565*

Jacques Vincent

38,500*

Craig Peus

15,000*

Franklin Hunt

12,500*

Paul Pelosi, Jr.

—  *

All officers and directors as a group

3,084,386*

*Less than one percent

(1)

Mr. Scheer beneficially owns such shares jointly with his wife, Jocelyne Scheer and through their private foundation The Frederic & Jocelyne Scheer Foundation.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

The information required by this item will be set forthThere were no transactions since the beginning of the registrant’s last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which the proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholdersregistrant was or an amendment to this Form 10-K,is to be filed witha participant and the SEC not later than 120 days after the endamount involved exceeds $ 120,000, and in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

Board Determination of Independence

Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Hunt, Peus and Pelosi, comprising a majority of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, andboard of directors are currently “independent” as that term is incorporated by reference from our proxy statement.defined under current listing standards of NASDAQ.

 

Item 14.Principal AccountingAccountant Fees and Services

The information requiredfollowing table sets forth all fees we incurred in connection with professional services rendered by this item willHJ Associates & Consultants, LLP during the years ended December 31, 2012, and 2011:

Fee Type

  2012   2011 

Audit Fees

  $107,500    $96,400  

Tax Fees

   3,200     2,100  

All Other Fees

   —       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $110,700    $98,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has adopted procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accountants, HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP, up to specified amounts. Pre-approval may also be set forth in the proxy statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or an amendment to this Form 10-K, to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the endgiven as part of the fiscal year covered by this reportaudit committee’s approval of the scope of the engagement of the independent registered public accountants or on Form 10-K, andan individual explicit case-by-case basis before the independent registered public accountants are engaged to provide each service.

The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services is incorporated by reference from our proxy statement.compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

PART IV

 

Item 15.Exhibits Financial Statement Schedules

(a)     Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule

(a)Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

    3.1  Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
    3.2  Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated February 26, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
    3.3  Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated July 19, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
    3.4  Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation dated March 18, 2005 (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
    3.5  Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation filed January 6, 2010 ((Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2010)
    3.6  Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
    3.7  Amendment to Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 28, 2009)
    4.1  Form of Subscription Agreement used in connection with private offering dated April 2005 (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated August 26, 2005)
    4.2  Stock Option Plan(IncorporatedPlan (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated August 26, 2005)
    4.3  Form of Placement Agent Warrant issued to Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2010)
    4.4  Form of Warrant pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 9, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2010)
    4.5  Form of Warrant issued pursuant to the Venture Loan and Security Agreement by and between Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC and Cereplast, Inc. dated as December 21, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 22, 2010)
    4.6  Indenture dated as of May 24, 2011(Incorporated2011 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 24, 2011)
    4.64.7  Global Note issued pursuant to the Indenture dated as of May 24, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 24, 2011)
    4.74.8  Form of Warrant issued to the subscribers (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2011)
10.1  Sale and Purchase Agreement entered between the Company and Cargill Dow LLC (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated August 26, 2005)

10.2  Letter re: Termination of Periodic Equity Investment Agreement dated December 8, 2008(Incorporated2008 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2010)
10.3  Lease between Continental Grand I, L.P. and Cereplast, Inc. dated December 31, 2009 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2010)
10.4  Form of Securities Purchase Agreement entered into between Cereplast, Inc. and certain investors in March 2010 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2010)
10.5  Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 9, 2010, entered into between Cereplast, Inc. and each investor in the Offering (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2010)
10.6  Placement Agent Agreement between Cereplast, Inc. and Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 15, 2010)

Exhibit
Number

Description

10.7  Venture Loan and Security Agreement by and between Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC and Cereplast, Inc. dated as December 21, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 22, 2010)
10.8  Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 26, 2011 by and among Cereplast, Inc. and the investors party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1, 2011)
10.9  Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of May 18, 2011 by and among Cereplast, Inc. and the investors party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2011)
10.10  Waiver to Venture Loan and Security Agreement dated May 18, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 24, 2011)
10.11  Amended and Restated Agreement by and between Cereplast, Inc. and Frederic Scheer effective as of August 1, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 15, 2011)
10.12  Placement Agent Agreement, dated November 10, 2011, among the Company, Lazard Capital Markets LLC and Ardour Capital Investments, LLC (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2011)
10.13  Form of Subscription Agreement between the Company and each of the investors signatories thereto. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2011)
10.14  Indemnification Agreement between Cereplast, Inc. and Michael Okada dated as of February 13, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to the registrants annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 16, 2012).
  10.15Form of Subscription Agreement between the Company and each of the investor signatory thereto (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 1, 2012).
  10.16First Amendment of Venture Loan and Security Agreement dated as May 1, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2012)
  10.17Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note (Loan A) (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 5, 2012)
  10.18Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note (Loan B) (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 5, 2012)
  10.19Amended and Restated Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 5, 2012)
  10.20Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 5, 2012)
  10.21Form of Exchange Agreement (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 9, 2012)
  10.22Stock Purchase Agreement (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 30, 2012)
  10.23Registration Rights Agreement dated August 24, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 30, 2012)
  10.24Note Purchase Agreement dated October 15, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2012).
  10.25Form of Hanover Note (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2012).
  10.26Exchange Agreement dated October 15, 2012. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2012).
  10.27Form of Magna Note (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2012).
  10.28First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated November 8, 2012 by and between Cereplast, Inc. and Hanover Holdings I, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2012).

Exhibit
Number

Description

  10.29First Amendment to Exchange Agreement dated November 8, 2012 by and between Cereplast, Inc. and Magna Group, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 15, 2012).
  10.30Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 2, 2013, between the Company and Ironridge (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2013).
  10.31Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 2, 2013, between the Company and Ironridge. (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 8, 2013).
  10.32Waiver Agreement, dated September 28, 2012, between the Company and Ironridge (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2013).
  10.33Waiver Agreement, dated October 8, 2012, between the Company and Ironridge (Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s registration statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on January 25, 2013).
  10.34Purchase Agreement dated as of January 25, 2013 between the Holders of the Company’s 7% Convertible Senior subordinated Notes due 2016 and IBC Funds LLC (Filed herewith)
  10.35Employment agreement between Michael Okada and Cereplast, Inc. dated February 5, 2013 (Filed herewith).
14.1  Code of Ethics (Incorporated by reference to the Form SB-2 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission dated July 5, 2005.)
21.1  Subsidiaries (Filed herewith)(Incorporated by reference to the registrant’s report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 16, 2012)
23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP. (Filed herewith)
31.1  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
31.2  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
32.1  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
32.2  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
101.INS  XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned on April 16, 2012, thereunto duly authorized.

CEREPLAST, INC.

 

CEREPLAST, INC.
Dated: April 16, 20122013  By: 

/s/ Frederic Scheer

  Frederic Scheer
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 16, 20122013  By: 

/s/ Michael Okada

  Michael Okada
  Senior Vice President Chief Accounting Officer
and Interim Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal Financial Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Dated: April 16, 20122013 By: 

/s/ Frederic Scheer

  Frederic Scheer,
  (Principal Executive Officer)
Dated: April 16, 20122013 By: 

/s/ Craig Peus

  Craig Peus, Director
Dated: April 16, 20122013 By: 

/s/ Frank Hunt

  Franklin Hunt, Director
Dated: April 16, 20122013 By: 

/s/ Jacques Vincent

  Jacques Vincent, Director
Dated: April 16, 20122013 By: 

/s/ Paul Pelosi

  Paul Pelosi, Director

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors

Cereplast, Inc.

El Segundo, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cereplast, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income, shareholders’stockholders’ equity (deficit) and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cereplast Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered significant recurring losses, has a significant accumulated deficit, and has insufficient working capital to fund planned operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

/s/ HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP

HJ Associates & Consultants, LLP

Salt Lake City, Utah

April 16, 20122013

CEREPLAST, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except shares data)

 

  December 31, 2011 December 31, 2010   December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 

ASSETS

      

Current Assets

      

Cash

  $3,940   $2,391    $183   $3,940  

Accounts Receivable, Net

   14,744    5,285     149    14,744  

Inventory, Net

   4,406    1,392     6,941    4,406  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

   966    69     227    966  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Current Assets

   24,056    9,137     7,500    24,056  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Property and Equipment

      

Property and Equipment

   13,752    5,564     11,601    13,752  

Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization

   (3,151  (2,213   (4,004  (3,151
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

   10,601    3,351     7,597    10,601  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Other Assets

      

Restricted Cash

   43    43     43    43  

Deferred Loan Costs

   1,321    266     750    1,321  

Intangible Assets, Net

   183    170     245    183  

Deposits

   47    17     47    47  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Other Assets

   1,594    496     1,085    1,594  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Assets

  $36,251   $12,984    $16,182   $36,251  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current Liabilities

      

Accounts Payable

  $1,813   $2,567    $803   $1,813  

Accrued Expenses

   2,760    1,251     3,663    2,760  

Capital Leases, Current Portion

   73    9     85    73  

Loan Payable, Current Portion

   1,855    149  

Loan Payable, Current Portion (net of discount of $148)

   5,978    1,855  

Convertible Subordinated Notes, Current Portion (net of discount of $451)

   891    —    

Derivative Liability

   3,189    —    

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value;
5,000,000 shares authorized; 92 and 0 shares issued and Outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

   500    —    
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

   6,501    3,976     15,109    6,501  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Long-Term Liabilities

      

Loan Payable

   7,307    2,119  

Loan Payable, (net of discount of $50)

   923    7,307  

Convertible Subordinated Notes

   12,500    —       10,000    12,500  

Capital Leases, Long-Term

   245    —       173    245  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Long-Term Liabilities

   20,052    2,119     11,096    20,052  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Liabilities

   26,553    6,095     26,205    26,553  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

   

Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and none outstanding

   —      —    

Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 495,000,000 shares authorized; 18,933,139 and 12,992,195 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively

   19    13  

Equity

   

Shareholder’s Equity

   

Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000,000,000 shares authorized; 63,463,659 and 18,933,139 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively

   63    19  

Additional Paid in Capital

   66,524    49,737     76,919    66,524  

Accumulated Deficit

   (56,935  (42,933   (87,097  (56,935

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

   86    72     88    86  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 
   9,694    6,889  

Total Shareholder’s Equity

   (10,027  9,694  

Noncontrolling Interests

   4    —       4    4  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

   9,698    6,889     (10,023  9,698  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

  $36,251   $12,984    $16,182   $36,251  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CEREPLAST, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

  Year ended   Year ended 
  December 31, 2011 December 31, 2010   December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 

GROSS SALES

  $20,893   $6,416    $911   $20,893  

Sales Discounts, Returns and Allowances

   (637  (72   (17  (637
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET SALES

   20,256    6,344     894    20,256  

COST OF SALES

   18,223    5,247     975    18,223  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

GROSS PROFIT

   2,033    1,097     (81  2,033  

Research and Development

   1,048    466     471    1,048  

Selling, General and Administrative

   13,397    7,519     18,877    13,397  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

LOSS FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE OTHER EXPENSES

   (12,412  (6,888   (19,429  (12,412

OTHER EXPENSES

      

Restructuring Costs

   —      586  

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

   (954  —   

Loss on Derivative Liability

   (1,800  —   

Interest and Other Income

   18    —   

Interest Expense, Net

   1,590    15     (7,997  (1,590
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE, NET

   1,590    601     (10,733  (1,590
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

   (14,002  (7,489

NET LOSS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

   (30,162  (14,002

Provision for Income Taxes

   —      —       —     —   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET LOSS

   (14,002  (7,489   (30,162  (14,002

Other Comprehensive Income

   

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   

Gain on Foreign Currency Translation

   14    35     2   14 
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

  $(13,988 $(7,454  $(30,160 $(13,988
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE

  $(0.88 $(0.64  $(1.16 $(0.88
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC AND DILUTED

   15,989,397    11,779,087     25,975,227    15,989,397  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CEREPLAST, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands, except share data)

 

         Additional
Paid-In Capital
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Other
Comprehensive
Income
  Total           Additional
Paid-In Capital
 Accumulated
Deficit
 Other
Comprehensive
Income
   Total 
 Preferred Stock Common Stock   Common Stock             
 Shares Amount Shares Amount 

Balance, December 31, 2009

  —     $ —      9,825,476   $10   $ 40,578   $ (35,444 $37   $5,181  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Issuance of common stock as compensation. Stock at prices ranging from $2.82 per share to $5.10 per share

  —      —      104,785    —      375    —      —      375  

Issuance of common shares under a private placement at a net price of $2.00 per share

  —      —      705,000    1    1,288    —      —      1,289  

Sales of shares made pursuant to an effective to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-166307) at a net price of $2.91 per share

  —      —      2,137,642    2    6,216    —      —      6,218  

Fees association with an early lease termination

  —      —      31,250    —      125    —      —      125  

Issuance of stock in for board member services

  —      —      12,500    —      50    —      —      50  

Shares issued pursuant to settlement agreement

  —      —      20,162    —      75    —      —      75  

Issuance of common stock for vendor services.

  —      —      153,802    —      782    —      —      782  

Rounding due to Stock Split

  —      —      1,578    —       —      —      —    

Warrants issued in connection with debt financing arrangements

  —      —      —      —      248    —      —      248  

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010

  —      —      —      —      —      (7,489  —      (7,489

Gain on foreign currency translation

  —      —      —      —      —      —      35    35  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   Shares   Amount             

Balance, December 31, 2010

  —      —      12,992,195    13    49,737    (42,933  72    6,889     12,992,195    $13    $49,737   $(42,933 $72    $6,889  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Issuance of common stock under a private placement

  —      —      5,721,500    6    15,699    —      —      15,705     5,721,500     6     15,699    —      —       15,705  

Issuance of common stock for employee compensation

  —      —      130,882    —      489    —      —      489     130,882     —       489    —      —       489  

Issuance of common stock for Board member services

  —      —      37,500    —      185    —      —      185     37,500     —       185    —      —       185  

Issuance of common stock for settlement agreements

  —      —      4,062    —      20    —      —      20     4,062     —       20    —      —       20  

Issuance of common stock for vendor services

  —      —      12,000    —      59    —      —      59     12,000     —       59    —      —       59  

Issuance of common stock from warrant exercise

  —      —      35,000    —      155    —      —      155     35,000     —       155    —      —       155  

Compensation expense related to stock option plan

  —      —      —      —      180    —      —      180     —       —       180    —      —       180  

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2011

  —      —      —      —      —      (14,002  —      (14,002   —       —       —      (14,002  —       (14,002

Gain on foreign currency translation

  —      —      —      —      —      —      14    14     —       —       —      —      14     14  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2011

  —     $—      18,933,139   $19   $66,524   $(56,935 $86    9,694     18,933,139     19     66,524    (56,935  86     9,694  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Issuance of common stock under a private placement

   1,000,000     1     487    —      —       488  

Issuance of common stock for employee compensation

   84,478     —       88    —      —       88  

Issuance of common stock for vendor services

   111,644     —       20    —      —       20  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to settlement agreements

   27,234,587     27    1,233    —      —       1,260  

Issuance of common stock pursuant to exchange agreements

   16,099,811     16    4,012    —      —       4,028  

Forbearance of coupon interest on Convertible Notes

   —       —       4,403    —      —       4,403  

Warrant issued in connection with debt modification

   —       —       149    —      —       149  

Compensation expense related to stock option plan

   —       —       66    —      —       66  

Issuance costs for Registration Statement on Form S-1

   —       —       (63  —      —       (63

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2012

   —       —       —      (30,162  —       (30,162

Gain on foreign currency translation

   —       —       —      —      2     2  
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

   63,463,659    $63    $76,919   $(87,097 $88    $(10,027
  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CEREPLAST, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, except shares data)

 

  Year Ended   Year Ended 
  December 31, 2011 December 31, 2010   December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net Loss

  $(14,002 $(7,489  $(30,162 $(14,002

Adjustment to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

      

Depreciation and Amortization

   944    803     874    944  

Reserve for Inventory Obsolescence

   229    —       (31  229  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   5,338    32     12,279    5,338  

Common Stock Issued for Services, Salaries and Wages

   912    1,407     185    912  

Amortization of Loan Discount

   76    2     5,698    76  

Loss on Disposal of Leasehold Improvements

   —      14  

Impairment of Intangible Assets

   61    —       —      61  

Extinguishment of Convertible Debt

   954    —    

Loss on Derivative Liability

   1,800    —    

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities

      

Accounts Receivable

   (14,797  (4,992   530    (14,797

Deferred Loan Costs

   361    (130   710    361  

Inventory

   (3,243  (543   671    (3,243

Deposits

   (29  75     —      (29

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

   (896  147     319    (896

Restricted Cash

   —      (43   —      —    

Accounts Payable

   (1,246  1,578     (219  (1,246

Accrued Expenses

   1,530    511     939    1,530  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

   (24,762  (8,628   (5.453  (24,762
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchase of Property, Equipment and Intangibles

   (7,918  (263   (182  (7,918

Proceeds from Sale of Equipment

   15   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

   (7,918  (263   (167  (7,918
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Payments on Capital Leases

   (47  (25   (60  (47

Proceeds from Capital Leases

   356      —      356  

Noncontrolling Interest Activities

   4      —      4  

Payments on Notes and Loan Payable

   (145  (59   (366  (145

Proceeds from Loan Payable, Net of Loan Costs

   6,962    2,520     400    6,962  

Proceeds from Convertible Subordinated Notes, Net of Issuance Costs of $1,275

   11,225   

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock and Subscriptions, Net of Issuance Costs of $1,619

   15,860    7,505  

Proceeds from Convertible Subordinated Notes, Net of Issuance Costs

   1,050    11,225  

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock and Subscriptions, Net of Issuance Costs

   400    15,860  

Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, Net of Issuance Costs

   437    —    
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

   34,215    9,941     1,861    34,215  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

   14    35     2    14  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

NET INCREASE IN CASH

   1,549    1,085  

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH

   (3,757  1,549  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

   2,391    1,306     3,940    2,391  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

  $3,940   $2,391    $183   $3,940  
  

 

  

 

 
     

 

  

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Cash Paid During the Year For:

      

Interest

  $1,025   $2    $700   $1,025  

Income Taxes

  $—     $—      $—    $—   

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock in exchange for net proceeds of $488 under a private placement.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 5,721,500 shares of common stock in exchange for net proceeds of $15,860 under

a private placement. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company issued 2,842,642 shares in exchange for net proceeds of $8,025 under a private placement.

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued 84,478 shares valued at$88 for services to employees, issued 111,644 shares valued at $20 for prepaid services, issued 27,234,587 shares valued at $1,260 for a settlement agreement and issued 16,099,811 shares valued at $4,028 for an exchange agreement. The Company also recognized $66 of expense related to vesting of employee stock options for the same period.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company issued 168,382 shares valued at$673 for services to directors and employees, issued 35,000 shares valued at $155for exercise of common stock warrants, issued 12,000 shares valued at $59 for prepaid services and issued 4,062 shares valued at $20 for a settlement agreement. The Company also recognized $180 of expense related to vesting of employee stock options for the same period.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company issued 31,250 shares valued at $125 for fees associated with an early lease termination, issued 12,500 shares valued at $50 for board member services, issued 151,302 shares valued at $782 for prepaid services and rent, issued 78,605 shares valued at $375 for employee services and issued 20,162 shares valued at $75 pursuant to a settlement agreement.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

CEREPLAST, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010

1. ORGANIZATION AND LINE OF BUSINESS

Organization

We were incorporated on September 29, 2001 in the State of Nevada under the name of Biocorp North America Inc. On March 18, 2005, we filed an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to change our name to Cereplast, Inc.

Line of Business

Cereplast, Inc. (“we” or “Cereplast”) hasWe have developed and isare commercializing proprietary bio-based resins through two complementary product families: Cereplast Compostables® resins which are compostable, renewable, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics, and Cereplast Sustainables™ resins (including the Cereplast Hybrid Resins product line), which replaces up to 90% of the petroleum-based content of traditional plastics with materials from renewable resources. Our resins can be converted into finished products using conventional manufacturing equipment without significant additional capital investment by downstream converters.

The demand for non-petroleum based, clean and renewable sources for materials, such as bioplastics, and the demand for compostable/biodegradable products are being driven globally by a variety of factors, including fossil fuel price volatility, energy security and environmental concerns. These factors have led to increased spending on clean and renewable products by corporations and individuals as well as legislative initiatives at national, state and local level.

We are a full-service resin solution provider uniquely positioned to capitalize on the rapidly increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic products.

We primarily conduct our operations through two product families:

 

  

Cereplast Compostables® resins are compostable and bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily compostable bags, single-use food service products and packaging applications. We offer 1317 commercial grades of Compostable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Compostable line in November 2006.

 

  

Cereplast Sustainables™ resins are partially or fully bio-based, ecologically sound substitutes for fully petroleum-based plastics targeting primarily durable goods, packaging applications. We offer sixfour commercial grades of Sustainable resins in this product line. These resins are compatible with existing manufacturing processes and equipment, making them a ready substitute for traditional petroleum-based resins. We commercially introduced our Sustainable line in late 2007 under the name “Cereplast Hybrid Resins®.”

 

  

Cereplast Hybrid Resins® products replace up to 55% of the petroleum content in conventional plastics with bio-based materials such as industrial starches sourced from plants. The Hybrid resins line is designed to offer similar properties to traditional polyolefins such as impact strength and heat deflection temperature, and is compatible with existing converter processes and equipment. The Cereplast Hybrid Resins® line provides a viable alternative for brand owners and converters looking to partially replace petroleum-based resins in durable goods applications. Hybrid resins address this need in a wide range of markets, including automotive, consumer goods, consumer electronics, medical, packaging, and construction. We commercially introduced our first grade of Hybrid resin, Hybrid 150, at the end of 2007. We currently offer foureight commercial grades in this product line.

  

Cereplast Algae Plastic® resins. In October of 2009 we announced that we have been developing a new technology to transform algae into bioplastics and intend to launch a new resin family containing algae-based materials that will complement our existing line of resins. The first commercial product with Cereplast Algae Plastic® resin is now being produced and sold as part of our Sustainables resin family. We believe that it is important to enhance research on non-food crops as we expect a surge in demand in bioplastics in future years, thus potentially creating pressure on food crops. Algae are the first non-food crop project that we have introduced and our R&D department is contemplating the development of additional non-food crop based materials in future years.

Our patent portfolio is currently comprised of sixfive patents in the United States (“U.S.”), one Mexican patent, and eightseven pending patent applications in the U.S. and abroad. Our trademark portfolio is currently comprised of approximately 4547 registered marks, 4 allowed marks and 2112 pending applications in the U.S. and abroad.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The audited consolidated financial statements include the financial condition and results of operations of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Cereplast International, S.A., a Luxembourg company organized during the year ended December 31, 2008, for the purpose of conducting sales operations in Europe. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements. Significant estimates made in preparing these financial statements include the estimate of useful lives of property and equipment, the deferred tax valuation allowance and the fair value of stock options. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At various times throughout the year, we may have exceeded federally insured limits. At December 31, 20112012 and December 31, 2010,2011, balances in our cash accounts exceeded federally insured limits of $0.25 million by approximately $3.7 million$0 and $2.2$3.4 million, respectively. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and we do not believe we are exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Concentration of Credit Risk

We had unrestricted cash totaling $3.9$0.2 million and $2.4$3.9 million at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and 2010, respectively. OurThe unrestricted cash isand cash equivalents are held for working capital purposes. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Some of the securities in which we invest, however, may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. To minimize this risk, we intend to maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities, including commercial paper, money market funds, debt securities and certificates of deposit. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, we believe that we do not have any material exposure to changes in the fair value of our investment portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates.

Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to certain European customers to whom we make substantial sales. As of December 31, 2011 we had one large European customer that accounted for $7.6 million, or 36% of our accounts receivable balance, which is past due. We have another large European customer with $6.1 million, or 29% of our receivable balance. Agreed upon payment terms for both of these customers are 90 days from receipt of goods. These customers have acknowledged to us their agreement with the amounts owing and no amounts recognizedactively monitor changes in revenue or recorded in accounts receivable from these customers are in dispute. To reduce risk, we routinely assess the financial strength of our most significant customers, using standard credit risk evaluation methods with reference to publicly available and customer supplied information, and monitor the amounts owed to us, taking appropriate action when necessary. As a result of the recent deterioration in the general economic conditions in Europe and the slow payment by some of our European customers, we have increased our allowance for doubtful accounts to $5.4 million to reflect management’s assessment of credit risk associated with these customer balances. We are working with all customers to mitigate credit risk and ensure collection of all outstanding amounts.

Other Concentration

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we had three significant suppliers that accounted for 33.1%, 27.5% and 10.8% of total cost of goods sold, respectively. During the same period in the prior year, we had two significant suppliers that accounted for 45.9% and 23.2% of total cost of goods sold, respectively. No other suppliers accounted for more than 10% of cost of goods sold during these periods.interest rates.

Liquidity and Capital ResourcesGoing Concern

We have incurred a net loss of $30.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, and have an accumulated deficit of $56.9$87.1 million as of December 31, 2011.2012. Based on our operating plan, our existing working capital will not be sufficient to meet the cash requirements to fund our planned operating expenses, capital expenditures and working capital requirements through December 31, 20122013 without additional sources of cash. This raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our plan to address the shortfall of working capital is to generate additional financing through a combination of refinancing existing credit facilities, incremental product sales and collection of outstanding receivables.raising additional debt and equity financing. We are confident that we will be able to deliver on our plans, however, there are no assurances that we will be able to obtain any sources of financing on acceptable terms, or at all.

If we cannot obtain sufficient additional financing in the short-term, we may be forced to curtail or cease operations or file for bankruptcy. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should we be forced to take such actions.

Restricted Cash

We had restricted cash in the amount of approximately $43,000 on December 31, 20112012 and 2010.2011. The restricted cash amount consists of a “Certificate of Deposit” which supports a “Letter of Credit” for a leased facility.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of our financial instruments as of December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, which include cash, accounts receivable, unbilled receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, loans payable and convertible subordinated notes approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Accounts Receivable

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that may arise if any of our customers are unable to make required payments. Management performs a quantitative and qualitative review of the receivables past due from customers on a monthly basis. Quantitative factors include customer’s past due balance, prior payment history, recent sales activity and days sales outstanding. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic environment, current product demand, estimated inventory levels and customer’s financial position. In certain cases, we may have access to repossess unsold products held at customer locations as recourse for payment defaults. The fair market value of these products are considered as potential recovery in estimating net losses from uncollectible accounts. We record an allowance against uncollectible items for each customer after all reasonable means of collection have been exhausted, and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The allowance for doubtful accounts was approximately $5.4$15.0 million and $66,000$5.4 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market and consist primarily of raw materials used in the manufacturing of bioplastic resins, finished bioplastic resins and finished goods. Inventories are reviewed for excess and obsolescence and a reserve is established accordingly. For the years ended December 31, 2011,2012, and 2010,2011, inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

  2011 2010   2012 2011 

Raw Materials

  $2,565   $936    $1,950   $2,565  

Bioplastic Resins

   1,959    318     5,082    1,959  

Finished Goods

   42    44     42    42  

Packaging Materials

   69    53     66    69  

Work In Process

   —      41     —      —    

Obsolescence Reserve

   (229  —       (199  (229
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Inventories, Net

  $4,406   $1,392    $6,941   $4,406  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, and depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of the assets are between five and seven years. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

  2011 2010   2012 2011 

Equipment

  $5,434   $5,074    $5,732   $5,434  

Building

   5,906    —       4,218    5,906  

Land

   32    —       —      32  

Construction In Progress

   1,743    135     1,255    1,743  

Auto

   37    25     12    37  

Furniture and Fixtures

   327    279     297    327  

Leasehold Improvements

   273    51     87    273  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 
   13,752    5,564     11,601    13,752  

Accumulated Depreciation

   (3,151  (2,213   (4,004  (3,151
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Property and Equipment, Net

  $10,601   $3,351    $7,597   $10,601  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are stated at cost and consist primarily of patents and trademarks. Amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated life of these assets, estimated to be between five and fifteen years. Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

  2011 2010   2012 2011 

Intangible Assets

  $222   $203    $294   $222  

Accumulated Amortization

   (39  (33   (49  (39
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Intangible Assets, Net

  $183   $170    $245   $183  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are provided using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of the changes in tax laws and rates of the date of enactment.

The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the statement of income.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue at the time of shipment of products, when the following fundamental criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred; (iii) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; and (iv) collection of the sales price is probable.

Certain of our product sales are made to distributors under agreements with generally the same terms of sale and credit as all other customer agreements. Revenue from product sales to our customers, including our customers who are distributors, is recognized upon shipment provided the above noted fundamental criteria of revenue recognition are met. The sale of products to our customers who are distributors is not contingent upon the distributor selling the product to the end-user, and our current agreements with distributors do not have any rights of return.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.

We reviewevaluate long-lived assets for possible impairment by evaluating whetherwhenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of assets exceed its recoverable amount. Our judgment regardingvalue may not be recoverable. Factors we consider include:

Significant changes in the existence of impairment is based on legal factors, market conditions and operational performance or manner of use of acquired assets or the strategy for our assets. Future adverse changes in legal environment,overall business,

Significant negative market conditions or poor operating resultseconomic trends, and

Significant technological changes or legal factors which may render the asset obsolete.

We evaluate long-lived assets based upon an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparing the carrying value to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Future net undiscounted cash flows include estimates of future revenues and expenses which are based on projected growth rates. We continually use judgment when applying these impairment rules to determine the timing of the impairment tests, the undiscounted cash flows used to assess impairments and the fair value of a potentially impaired asset. The reasonableness of our judgment could result in losses or an inability to recoversignificantly affect the carrying value of our long-lived assets.

During fiscal year 2012, we experienced a significant decline in sales volume due to liquidity and sales resource constraints, which we believe to be temporary. Our reduced production volume has not changed the manner in which we use our property and equipment, nor its physical condition. Our current estimate of future net undiscounted cash flows indicates that the carrying value of our long-lived assets thereby possibly requiring anis recoverable and therefore no impairment charge in the future.is indicated.

Comparative Figures

Certain of the prior year figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.

3. CAPITAL STOCK

Reverse Stock Split

On March 15, 2010, we implemented a reverse split of our common stock in ratio of one-for-forty. The reverse split was effective at 6:00 a.m. on March 15, 2010. All historical and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

Capital Stock Issued

During the twelve monthsyear ended December 31, 2012, we issued shares of common stock as follows:

In a private placement transactions made in reliance upon an exemption from registration under rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, we issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock for net cash proceeds of $0.5 million.

We issued 196,122 shares of restricted common stock valued at $0.1 million to various employees and third parties for services rendered during the period. We issued 27,234,587 shares of common stock valued at $1.2 million pursuant to settlement agreements.

We issued 16,099,811 shares of common stock valued at $4.0 million pursuant to exchange agreements.

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we issued shares of common stock as follows:

 

We issued 2,596,500 shares of common stock and 649,128 warrants with an exercise price of $6.35 for net proceeds of $12.3 million pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated January 26, 2011 under a private placement.

 

We issued 180,382 shares of restricted common stock valued at $0.7 million to various employees, directors, and third parties for services rendered during the period.

 

We issued 4,062 shares of common stock valued at $20,000 pursuant to a settlement agreement.

 

We issued 35,000 shares of common stock valued at $155,400 pursuant to a warrant exercise.

 

In a private placement transactions made in reliance upon an exemption from registration under rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, we issued 3,125,000 shares of common stock for net cash proceeds of $4.5 million. We issued 3,125,000 shares of common stock for net cash proceeds of $4.5 million.

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, we issued shares of common stock as follows:

We issued 2,137,642 shares of common stock for net cash proceeds of $6.2 million pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333- 166307) initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 2010, and amended on May 21, 2010. The Registration Statement was declared effective on May 26, 2010.

In a private placement transactions made in reliance upon an exemption from registration under rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, we issued 705,000 shares of common stock for net cash proceeds of $1.3 million.

We issued 268,587 shares of common stock valued at $1.2 million to various employees, directors, and third parties for services rendered during the period.

We issued 31,250 shares of common stock valued at $125,000 for fees associated with the early termination of a lease in California.

We issued 20,162 shares of common stock valued at $75,000 pursuant to a settlement agreement.

We issued 2,500 shares of common stock valued at $12,000 as a termination fee related to the Periodic Equity Investment Agreement with Cumorah Capital, Inc. dated December 8, 2008.

Valuation Assumptions for Stock Options

During the year ended December 31, 2011, we granted options to our employees to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 shares of our common stock, with estimated total grant-date fair values of $0.7 million. We estimate that stock-based compensation for awards not expected to be exercised is $0.2 million. During the three and nine monthsyears ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we recorded stock-based compensation related to stock options of $23,000$66,000 and $0.2 million, respectively. The grant date fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, assuming no dividends and the following assumptions:

 

   Year ended
December 31,
 
   2011 

Average risk-free interest rate

   2.29

Average expected life (in years)

   6.0  

Volatility

   41.9

 

  

Expected Volatility: The fair values of stock based payments were valued using a volatility factor based on our historical stock prices.

 

  

Expected Term: We elected to use the “simplified method” as discussed in SAB No. 107 to develop the estimate of the expected term.

 

  

Expected Dividend: We have not paid any dividends and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

  

Risk-Free Interest Rate: We base the risk-free interest rate used on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining term equivalent to the expected term of the options.

Stock Option Activity

Under the 2004 Employee Stock Option Plan adopted by our board of directors (the “Plan”), our board of directors may issue incentive and non-qualified stock options to our employees. Options granted under the Plan generally expire at the end of five or ten years and vest in accordance with a vesting schedule determined by our board of directors, usually over three years from the grant date. As of December 31, 2011,2012, we have 34,375 shares available for future grants under the Plan. We settle stock option exercises with newly issued shares of our common stock (in thousands except, per share data):

 

   2011   2010 
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding—beginning of year

   73    $22.40     73    $22.40  

Granted at fair value

   300     5.31     —       —    

Exercised

   —       —       —       —    

Cancelled/forfeited

   —       —       —       —    
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Outstanding—end of year

   373     8.65     73     22.40  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

Options exercisable at year-end

   133    $14.69     73    $22.40  
  

 

 

     

 

 

   

   2012   2011 
   Shares  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding—beginning of year

   373   $8.65     73    $22.40  

Granted at fair value

   —      —       300     5.31  

Exercised

   —      —       —       —    

Cancelled/forfeited

   (169)  12.26     —       —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Outstanding—end of year

   204    5.62     373     8.65  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Options exercisable at year-end

   84   $6.08     133    $14.69  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

The following table summarizes information about stock options as of December 31, 20112012 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 

Range of Exercise Prices

  Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining

Contract
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

$0.0-$5.31

   300    $5.31     9.2     —       60    $5.31     9.16     —    

5.32 - $22.40

   73     22.40     2.92     —       73     22.40     2.92     —    
   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 

Range of Exercise Prices

  Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
   Shares   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contract
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

$0.00 - $5.31

   200    $5.31     8.16     —       80    $5.31     8.16     —    

$5.32 - $22.40

   4     22.40     1.92     —       4     22.40     1.92     —    

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on our closing stock price of $0.96$0.02 at December 31, 20112012 which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date.

No options were granted duringPreferred Stock

On August 24, 2012, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Ironridge Technology Co., a division of Ironridge Global IV, Ltd, for the year ended December 31, 2010.sale of up to $5 million in shares of convertible redeemable Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at a price of $10,000 per share of Series A Preferred Stock. The closing of the transactions contemplates the fulfillment of certain closing conditions. The initial closing with respect to the sale of 30 shares of Series A Preferred Stock occurred on August 24, 2012.

On August 24, 2012, we filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designation”) with the Secretary of State of Nevada. The Certificate of Designation provides that the Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior with respect to dividend and rights upon liquidation to the Company’s common stock and junior to all existing and future indebtedness. Except as otherwise required by law, the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights. The Certificate of Designation provides for the payment of cumulative dividends at a rate of 2.5% per annum when and if declared by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion. Dividends and any Embedded Derivative Liability (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) may be paid in cash or free trading shares of the Company as provided in the Certificate of Designation.

Unless we have received the approval of the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding, we shall not (i) alter or change adversely the powers, preferences or rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or alter or amend the Certificate of Designation; (ii) authorize or create any class of stock ranking senior as to distribution of dividends senior to the Series A Preferred Stock; (iii) amend its certificate of incorporation in breach of any provisions of the Certificate of Designation; increase the authorized number of Series A Preferred Stock; (iv) liquidate, or wind-up the business and affaires of the Corporation or effect any Deemed Liquidation Event, as defined in the Certificate of Designation.

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, after payment or provision for payment of debts and other liabilities of the Company, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, pari pasu with any distribution to the holders of Common Stock Warrants

In connection withof the registered direct offering of 3,125,000 Units effective November 2011, we issued warrantsCompany, an amount equal to purchase 2,343,750 of our common stock. The$10,000 per share exerciseof Series A Preferred Stock plus any accrued and unpaid dividends.

Upon or after 18 years after the Issuance Date, the Corporation will have the right to redeem 100% of the Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $10,000 per share plus any accrued and unpaid dividends (the “Corporation Redemption Price”). We are also permitted to redeem the warrants is $2.20. The warrants are exercisableSeries A Preferred Stock at any time onafter issuance as provided in the Certificate of Designation. The Certificate of Designation also provides for mandatory redemption if the Company determines to liquidate, dissolve or afterwind-up its business and affects or effect any Deemed Liquidation Event as such term is defined in the date that is 180 days after the initial issuance on the dateCertificate of closing and will expire on a date that is five years from the date of closing.Designation.

In connection with the issue of 2,596,500 sharesThe Series A Preferred Stock may be converted into share of common stock of the Company at the option of the Company or the holder. In the event of a conversion by the Holder at a price per share equal to accredited investors pursuant to a securities purchase agreement entered into on January 26, 2011, we issued warrants to purchase 649,128the sum of (a) the Corporation Redemption Price plus the Embedded Derivative Liability (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) less any dividends paid, multiplied by (b) the number of shares of our common stock. The warrants have an exercisebeing converted, divided by (c) the conversion price of $6.35 per share and are exercisable until July 31, 2016.$0.25.

A summary of warrant activity is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

   2011   2010 
   Number of
Warrants
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Number of
Warrants
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding— January 1,

   1,273   $4.44     —      $—    

Issued

   2,993    3.10     1,273     4.44  

Cancelled

   (12  5.28     —       —    

Exercised

   (35  4.44     —       —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Outstanding—December 31,

   4,219    5.09     1,273     4.44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Warrants exercisable at end of period

   4,219   $3.48     1,273    $4.44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

4. LOANS PAYABLE AND CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

Venture Loan Payable

On December 21, 2010, we entered into a Venture Loan and Security Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC (the “Lender” or “Horizon”). The Loan Agreement provides for a total loan commitment of $5.0 million (“the Loan”) comprising of Loan A and Loan B, each in the amount of $2.5 million. Loan A was funded at closing on December 21, 2010 and matures 39 months after the date of advance. Loan B was funded on February 17, 2011 and also matures 39 months after the date of advance. We are obligated to pay interest per annum equal to the greater of (a) 12% or (b) 12% plus the difference between (i) the one month LIBOR Rate in effect on the date preceding the funding of such loan by five business days and (ii) .30%. We are required to make interest only payments for the first nine months of each loan and equal payments of principal over the final thirty months of each loan. We granted a security interest in all of our assets to the Lender.

In connection with Loan Agreements, we issued a seven year warrant to the Lender to purchase 140,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $4.40. The relative fair value of the warrants was $0.2 million and will beis being recorded as interest expense over the term of the Loan. We estimated the fair value of the warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

   December 22,
2010
 

Assumptions:

  

Expected Life

   7 years  

Expected volatility

   39.9

Dividends

   None  

Risk-free interest rate

   2.74

Also in connection with the Loan Agreement, we incurred $0.4 million of debt issue costs which were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan.

On June 29, 2012, we amended the Loan Agreement (the “Amendment”) to change the Maturity Date to the earlier to occur of (i) August 1, 2014, or (ii) the date of acceleration of a Loan following an event of default or the date of prepayment of the Loan. In addition, the definition of Scheduled Payments was amended. The definition of Events of Default was expanded to include the failure to pay certain late fees and amendment fees, which were agreed upon among the parties.

In connection with the Amendment, we issued a warrant to Horizon representing the right to purchase 225,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “new Warrant”). In addition, we issued a restated and amended warrant to purchase 140,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.26 (the “amended Warrant”). The relative fair value of the new Warrant was $117,000. The difference between the fair value of the amended Warrant immediately before and after the modification was $32,000. These amounts were recorded as a debt discount and are being recorded as interest expense over the remaining term of the loan. We estimated the fair value of the new and amended Warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

May 1, 2012

Expected life

7 years

Expected volatility

88.2

Dividends

None

Risk-free interest rate

1.35

Promissory Note

We signed a promissory note in the amount of $20,359 related to the purchase of an automobile in fiscal year 2010. The note bears interest at 7.7% per annum and is to be repaid over a period of 60 months. This note was paid in full in January 2012.

Convertible Subordinated Notes

On May 24, 2011, we issued $12.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 7% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due June 1, 2016 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”), entered into between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, on May 24, 2011. In connection with the issuance of the Notes, we entered into a Waiver to our Venture Loan and Security Agreement with Horizon, dated May 18, 2011 pursuant to which Horizon provided its consent to the offering of the Notes and waived any restrictions in the Loan Agreement.

The Notes are senior subordinated unsecured obligations which will rank subordinate in right to payment to all of our existing and future senior secured indebtedness and bear interest at a rate of 7% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2011. The Notes mature on June 1, 2016, with an early repurchase date of June 15, 2014 at the option of the purchaser. The Notes are convertible into shares of our common stock in accordance with the terms of the Notes and the Indenture, at the initial conversion rate of 172.4138 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $5.80 per share, subject to adjustment. If the Notes are converted into shares of our common stock prior to June 2, 2014, an interest make-whole payment will be due based on the conversion date up until June 2, 2014. Upon a non-stock change in control, additional shares of our common stock may need to be issued upon conversion, with a maximum additional shares of 25.606 per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes being issuable thereunder, for a total maximum of 198.0198 shares per $1,000 Note. Certain customary anti-dilution provisions included in the Indenture and/or the Notes could adjust the conversion rate. At December 31, 2011, the Notes are convertible into 2,155,173 shares of our common stock.

The conversion feature within the Notes is not considered to be a beneficial conversion feature within the meaning of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 470, Debt, and therefore all of the gross proceeds from the Notes have been classified as long term debt. In connection with the issue of the Notes, we incurred approximately $1.3 million of debt issue costs which were deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the term to the early repurchase date of June 15, 2014.

Also in connection with the issuance of the Notes, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 18, 2011 pursuant to which we agreed to prepare and file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registering the resale of the Notes and the shares of common stock underlying the Notes. The registration statement was declared effective on August 10, 2011.

On June 1, 2012, we entered into an Exchange Agreement and a Forbearance Agreement with certain of the holders of our Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, certain of the holders agreed to exchange the Notes for shares at an exchange rate of one share of our common stock for each $1.00 amount of the Notes exchanged.

Pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, certain of the holders agreed to forbear from exercising their rights to require us to pay accrued interest on June 1, 2012 until the earlier of December 1, 2012 or our failure to meet certain milestones. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, we agreed to amend the conversion rate of the Notes as set forth in the Indenture to provide for an effective conversion rate of $1.00. At December 31, 2012 the Notes were convertible into 10,000,000 shares of our common stock.

Short-Term Convertible Notes

The total amount of Short-Term Convertible Notes Payable as of December 31, 2012 was $1,341,500, offset by discounts totalling $450,932. These Notes are comprised of the following:

From June 1, 2012 through December 11, 2012, we issued Convertible Promissory Notes to Asher Enterprises, Inc. (the “Asher Notes”) with a remaining principal amount of $271,500 and bears 8% annual interest. The Asher Notes have maturity dates between March 5, 2013 and September 13, 2013 with repayment options from 100% to 135% of the principal amount beginning 90 days from each issuance date. The holder has the option to convert the principal and accrued interest into shares of our Company stock at a conversion price calculated as 70% of the average of the five lowest trading prices for our common stock during the 90 days prior to the conversion date. Proceeds from the Asher Notes were used to fund Company operations.

On June 26, 2012, we issued a Promissory Note to JMJ Financial (the “JMJ Note”) of up to $1.1 million which bears 0% interest if repaid at maturity. The JMJ Note has a maturity date of 180 days from the effective date of each funding. The principal amount due to JMJ Financial (“JMJ”) was prorated based on the consideration actually paid by JMJ, plus an approximate 10% Original Issue Discount (“OID”) that is prorated based on the consideration actually paid by JMJ as well as any other interest or fees. In addition, we will issue 100% warrant coverage for each amount funded under the JMJ Note. In addition, JMJ has the right, at any time at its election, to convert all or part of the outstanding and unpaid principal and any other fees, into shares of fully paid and non-assessable shares of our common stock. The conversion price is a variable calculation of 80% of the average of the three lowest closing prices for our common stock during the 20 days prior to the conversion date. We are only required to repay the amount funded and we are not required to repay any unfunded portion of the JMJ Note.

The consideration received as of December 31, 2012 is $400,000, in exchange for a principal amount of $440,000 and issuance of 1,886,792 warrants (“the JMJ Warrants”) with an exercise price of $0.21, which may be reset if securities are issued for less than $0.21. For financial accounting purposes, the JMJ Warrants and conversion feature embedded in the JMJ Note were considered derivatives. The fair values of the JMJ Warrants and JMJ Note conversion features were estimated at inception and recorded as a debt discount and is being recorded to interest expense over the life of the JMJ Note. The derivatives will be valued at each reporting date and the change in estimated fair value will result in a gain or loss recorded in the statement of operations. The estimated grant date fair value of the JMJ Warrants and JMJ Note conversion were $198,113 and $187,195, respectively. We estimated the fair value of the JMJ Warrants and JMJ Note conversion features using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

  June 26, 2012  August 9, 2012 

Expected life

   4 years    4 years  

Expected volatility

   95.4  97.7

Dividends

   None    None  

Risk-free interest rate

   0.59  0.66

The estimated fair value of the JMJ Warrants and JMJ Note conversion features was $615,300 and $156,470 at December 31, 2012. We estimated the fair value of the JMJ Warrants and JMJ Note conversion feature at December 31, 2012 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

December 31, 2012

Expected life

3.5 years

Expected volatility

112.0

Dividends

None

Risk-free interest rate

0.36

On October 15, 2012, we entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with Magna Group LLC (“Magna”), pursuant to which we agreed to issue to Magna convertible notes (the “Magna Notes”), in the aggregate principal amount of up to $4.6 million, in exchange for an equal amount of participation interests in certain secured promissory notes (the “Secured Notes”) issued by us to Horizon to be acquired by Magna. Pursuant to a participation purchase agreement dated as of October 15, 2012 (the “Magna Purchase Agreement”), Magna agreed to acquire, in tranches through on or around February 15, 2013, participation interests in the Secured Notes from Horizon up to the maximum amount of the principal outstanding, together with accrued interest and fees. The total issuances in 2012 were $1.0 million under the Exchange Agreement, pursuant to which we issued a Magna Note in exchange for a participation interest in a Secured Note. The Magna Notes bear interest at the rate of 6% per annum and mature 12 months after the date of issuance. The Magna Notes are convertible at the option of the holder at a conversion price equal to 75% of the average of the three lowest volume weighted average prices during the ten consecutive trading day period immediately prior to the date of conversion. The Magna Notes contain standard default provisions and provisions for adjustment of the conversion price in the event of subsequent equity sales. For financial accounting purposes, the conversion feature embedded in the Magna Notes were considered derivatives. The fair values of the Magna Notes conversion features were estimated at inception and recorded as a debt discount and is being recorded to interest expense over the life of the Magna Notes. The derivatives will be valued at each reporting date and the change in estimated fair value will result in a gain or loss recorded in the statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the Magna Notes conversion were $198,113. We estimated the fair value of the Magna Notes conversion feature using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

  October 15, 2012  November 8, 2012 

Expected life

   1 year    1 year  

Expected volatility

   155.6  125.9

Dividends

   None    None  

Risk-free interest rate

   0.19  0.20

The estimated fair value of the Magna Notes conversion features was $178,200 at December 31, 2012. We estimated the fair value of the Magna Notes conversion feature at December 31, 2012 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

December 31, 2012

Expected life

0.9 years

Expected volatility

154.9

Dividends

None

Risk-free interest rate

0.16

On October 15, 2012, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Hanover Purchase Agreement”) with Hanover Holding I, LLC (“Hanover”), pursuant to which Hanover agreed to purchase from us, and we agreed to sell to Hanover (subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein), an aggregate of $0.8 million of convertible promissory notes (the “Hanover Notes”). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Hanover Purchase Agreement, the Hanover Notes will be sold in tranches of $100,000 through on or around February 15, 2013. The total issuances in 2012 were $0.3 million under the Hanover Purchase Agreement. The Hanover Notes bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum and mature eight months after issuance. The Hanover Notes are convertible at the option of the holder at a price equal to 75% of the average of the three lowest volume weighted average prices during the ten consecutive trading day period immediately prior to the date of conversion. The Hanover Notes contain standard default provisions and provisions for adjustment for the conversion price in the event of subsequent equity sales. For financial accounting purposes, the conversion feature embedded in the Hanover Notes were considered derivatives. The fair values of the Hanover Notes conversion features were estimated at inception and recorded as a debt discount and is being recorded to interest expense over the life of the Hanover Notes. The derivatives will be valued at each reporting date and the change in estimated fair value will result in a gain or loss recorded in the statement of operations. The estimated fair value of the Hanover Notes conversion were $204,498. We estimated the fair value of the Hanover Notes conversion feature using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

  October 15, 2012  November 8, 2012  December 19, 2012 

Expected life

   0.7 years    0.7 years    0.7 years  

Expected volatility

   133.3  138.0  163.9

Dividends

   None    None    None  

Risk-free interest rate

   0.15  0.15  0.10

The estimated fair value of the Hanover Notes conversion features was $143,000 at December 31, 2012. We estimated the fair value of the Hanover Notes conversion feature at December 31, 2012 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

Assumptions:

December 31, 2012

Expected life

0.5 years

Expected volatility

170.5

Dividends

None

Risk-free interest rate

0.11

Mortgage Payable

Effective October 24, 2011, Cereplast Italia S.p.A (“Cereplast Italia”), our wholly owned subsidiary, completed its acquisition of an industrial plant and the real estate on which the industrial plant is located in Cannara, Italy. The Deed of Sale between Cereplast Italia and Societa Regionale Per Lo Sviluppo Economico Dell’Umbria — Sviluppumbria S.p.A, provided for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.5 million. The acquisition had previously been secured by a mortgage loan with Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Sienna S.p.A for the principal of $4.5 million.

Effective October 25, 2012, Cereplast Italia renegotiated the terms of the acquisition of the industrial plant located in Cannara, Italy with Societa Regionale Per Lo Sviluppo Economico Dell’Umbria — Sviluppumbria S.p.A In connection with our renegotiation, the acquisition,sale of the land was rescinded and Cereplast Italia entered intoretained the following financing transactions:

existing building, reducing the value of the purchase price to approximately $4.2 million. In exchange, Cereplast Italia rescinded the Mortgage loan with Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Sienna S.p.A for the principal of $4.5 million. The loan bearsmillion in paying a limited rescission fee and cancelled all credit facility. Sviluppumbria S.p.A accepted to carry over a Note secured by the building, in amount of $3.2 million with an annual interest rate of Euribor (6-month) plus 5.7%. The loan5.5%, until a new lender is for a termsecured. During that period of 15 years with interest only payments fortime Cereplast Italia agreed to negotiate the first two years, payable January 1 and July 1 each year and principal and interest payments thereafter according to an amortization schedule. 20%refurbishment of the principal is guaranteed for 10 yearsbuilding by Gepafin, a local government agency; $0.5 million of the principal is guaranteed by Eurofidi through December 31, 2016.

Credit facility with Intesa Sanpaolo for up $0.7 million. The facility is for a term of eight months with a floating interest rate based on Euribor (3 month), currently 5.85%. Interest is deferred for the first two months of the term.third party at no cost. Svilluppumprbia requested Cereplast Italia obtainedto represent a guaranteeplan of 60%development to occur within a longer period of the amount drawn on the facility from Eurofidi.time.

Credit facility with Unicredit Bank for up to $0.8 million. The facility is for a term of 18 months with a floating interest rate based on Euribor (3 month), currently 5.93%. Cereplast Italia obtained a guarantee of 60% of the amount drawn on the facility from Eurofidi.

5. LEASES

We currently operate out of El Segundo, California, Seymour, Indiana and Bönen, Germany. The leases underlying these three facilities are summarized below:

California Facility — The El Segundo facility consists of approximately 5,475 square feet of corporate office space. The lease commenced on March 1, 2010 and has a term of five years. The lease was subsequently amended on April 1, 2011 to add additional office space. The lease term relating to the additional office space expires on May 31, 2013. Our current monthly rent is $13,124, with 3% annual escalation.

Indiana Facility — The Seymour facility consists of approximately 105,000 square feet used as a manufacturing and distribution facility for our products. The lease commenced in January 2008, with a ten year term expiring in January 2018. Our current monthly rent is $25,000.

Bönen Facility— The Bönen facility consists of approximately 1,000 square feet of corporate office space. The facility is subject to a lease with monthly rents of approximately $2,000 expiring in December 2018.

6. MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND FOREIGN SALES

The following customers accounted for 10% or more of net revenue in the periods presented:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2011     2010  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Customer A

   27.8   —    

Customer B

   27.1   —    

Customer C

   25.6   —    

Customer D

   —       48.8

Customer E

   —       14.1

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2012  2011 

Customer A

   —     27.8

Customer B

   —     27.1

Customer C

   —     25.6

Customer D

   23.3  —   

Customer E

   13.4  —   

Our net sales were made up of sales to customers in the following geographic regions (in thousands):

 

  Year Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
  2011 2010   2012 2011 

North America

  $719     3.5 $1,455     22.9  $469     52.5 $719     3.5

International

              

Italy

   12,055     59.5  3,091     48.7   389     43.5  12,055     59.5

Germany

   5,501     27.2  1,074     17.0   14     1.6  5,501     27.2

Malta

   1,128     5.6  —       —     —       —    1,128     5.6

Other

   853     4.2  724     11.4   22     2.4  853     4.2
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

Net sales

  $20,256     100 $6,344     100.  $894     100 $20,256     100
  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

 

7. INCOME TAX

We are subject to U.S. and California income tax. Subject to limited statutory exceptions, we are no longer subject to federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2006.2009. We are not presently liable for any income taxes nor are we undergoing any tax examinations by the Internal Revenue Service. No Deferred Tax Assets or Deferred Tax Liabilities are included in our balance sheets at December 31, 20112012 or December 31, 2010.2011.

Our policy is to recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.

8. DEFERRED TAX BENEFIT

At December 31, 2011,2012, we have available federal and state cumulative net operating loss carry forwards of ($38.449.4 million), which expire at various dates from 20122013 through 2031.2032.

The differences between our effective income tax rate and the statutory federal rate for the years ended December 31, 20112012 and 20102011 relate primarily to losses incurred for which no tax benefit was recognized, due to the uncertainty of realization. The valuation allowance was $16.3$27.0 million and $11.4$16.3 million at December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, respectively. Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carryforwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to significant annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net operating loss carryforwards may be limited as to use in future years.

A reconciliation of income tax expense that would result from applying the U.S. Federal and State rate of 39% to pre-tax income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 20112012 and 2010,2011, with federal income tax expense presented in the financial statements is as follows (in thousands):

 

   2011  2010 

Income tax benefit computed at U.S. Federal statutory rate (34%)

  $(4,665 $(2,546

State income taxes, net of benefit federal taxes

   (686  (374

Meals & Entertainment

   106    39  

Stock for services

   393    589  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   2,081    12  

Inventory Reserve

   89    —    

Depreciation

   40    (456

Deferred Loan Costs

   (464  (50

Research & Development Credit

   26    —    

Accruals

   (7  (67

Disposal of Assets

   —      3  

Less Valuation Allowance

   3,087    2,850  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income tax expense

  $—     $—    
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

   2012  2011 

Income tax benefit computed at U.S. Federal statutory rate (34%)

  $(10,048 $(4,665

State income taxes, net of benefit federal taxes

   (2,483  (686

Stock for Services

   78    393  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   4,060    2,081  

Inventory Reserve

   (13  89  

Depreciation

   124    40  

Deferred Loan Costs

   242    (464

Research & Development Credit

   17    26  

Accruals

   87    (7

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

   404    —   

Loss on Derivative Valuation

   763    —   

Amortization of Debt Discount

   2,416    —   

Other

   7    106  

Less Valuation Allowance

   4,346    3,087  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense

  $—    $—   
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The deferred income tax benefit at December 31, 20112012 and 20102011 reflects the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recorded for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured in accordance with tax laws. The items, which comprise a significant portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities, are approximately as follows (in thousands):

 

  2011 2010   2012 2011 

Deferred Tax Assets:

      

NOL Carryover

  $14,990   $11,973    $20,962   $14,990  

R&D Carryover

   171    104     188    171  

Capital Loss Carryover

   101    —   

Contribution Carryover

   1    1     1    1  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

   2,107    26     6,351    2,107  

RP Accruals

   48    54     138    48  

Inventory Reserve

   89    —       84    89  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

      

Depreciation

   (625  (689   (504  (625

Deferred Loan Costs

   (515  (50   (318  (515

Less Valuation Allowance

   (16,266  (11,419   (27,003  (16,266
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Income Tax Expense

  $—     $—      $—    $—   
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

9. COMMON STOCK WARRANTS

In connection with the registered direct offering of 3,125,000 Units effective November 2011, we issued warrants to purchase 2,343,750 of our common stock. The per share exercise price of the warrants is $2.20. The warrants are exercisable at any time on or after the date that is 180 days after the initial issuance on the date of closing and will expire on a date that is five years from the date of closing.

In connection with the issue of 2,596,500 shares of common stock to accredited investors pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement entered into on January 26, 2011, we issued warrants to purchase 649,128 shares of the our common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $6.35 per share and are exercisable for a period of five years commencing August 1, 2011.

In connection with the issue of 1,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to a Subscription Agreement entered into on April 30, 2012, we issued a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock for offering costs. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.50 per share and are exercisable for a period of seven years.

In connection with the Amendment with Compass Horizon Funding Company, LLC, we issued a warrant representing the right to purchase 225,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. In addition, we issued a restated and amended warrant to purchase 140,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.26.

In connection with our JMJ Note, we issued a warrant to purchase 1,886,792 shares of our common stock. The warrants had an initial exercise price of $0.21 per share and are exercisable for a period of four years. The warrants also contained a reset provision that was triggered upon conversion of debts during the fourth quarter of 2012. As a result, there were a total of 30,769,231 warrants with an exercise price of $0.013 outstanding in connection with the JMJ Note as of December 31, 2012.

A summary of warrant activity for the period ending December 31 is as follows(in thousands except per share data):

   2012   2011 
   Number of
Warrants
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Number of
Warrants
  Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding—January 1,

   4,219    $3.48     1,273   $4.44  

Issued

   31,094     0.01     2,993    3.10  

Cancelled

   —      —      (12  5.28  

Exercised

   —      —      (35  4.44  
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Outstanding—December 31,

   35,313     0.41     4,219    3.48  
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

Warrants exercisable at end of period

   35,313    $0.41     4,219   $3.48  
  

 

 

     

 

 

  

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had no related party transactions.

11. CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Future payments on capital lease obligations are as follows (in thousands):

 

Twelve months ending December 31:

    

2012

  $73  

2013

   82    $85  

2014

   64     74  

2015

   51     51  

2016

   48     48  

Thereafter

   —       —   
  

 

   

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

  $318    $258  
  

 

   

 

 

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had no related party transactions.

11.12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

We have evaluated subsequent eventsissued 147 shares of Series A Preferred Shares to Ironridge since December 31, 2012, in accordance with the SPA in exchange for $0.8 million.

As of April 5, 2013, we have issued the 269.2 million shares of common stock since December 31, 2012, as follows:

63.2 million shares in connection with the settlement of our outstanding accounts payable balances.

120.7 million shares pursuant to ASC Topic 855our exchange agreements.

50.2 million shares pursuant to conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock.

35.1 million shares pursuant to our short term convertible notes.

On April 5, 2013, Cereplast, Inc. (the “Company”) held a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”). A total of 257,168,109 shares of common stock, representing 91.05 % of the shares outstanding and noteeligible to vote and constituting a quorum, were represented in person or by valid proxies at the Special Meeting. The final results for each of the matters submitted to a vote of shareholders at the Special Meeting as set forth in the Proxy Statement are as follows:

Proposal 1. The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock, at a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not greater than one-for-fifty, with the exact ratio to be set within such range in the discretion of the Board of Directors without further approval or authorization of the Company’s shareholders, provided that there arethe Board of Directors determines to effect the reverse stock split and such amendment is filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada no eventslater than one year from the date of the Special Meeting was approved by the shareholders and received the votes set forth in the table below:

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

146,705,493

  107,094,500  274,070

Proposal 2. The amendment to disclose.the Articles of Incorporation of the Company to increase the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 495,000,000 to 2,000,000,000 was approved by the shareholders and received the votes set forth in the table below:

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

142,813,653

  110,836,212  424,198

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description
10.1410.34  IndemnificationPurchase Agreement between Cereplast, Inc. and Michael Okada dated as of February 13, 2012January 25, 2013 between the Holders of the Company’s 7% Convertible Senior subordinated Notes due 2016 and IBC Funds LLC
21.110.35  Subsidiaries
23.1Consent of HJ Associates & Consultants, LLPEmployment agreement between Michael Okada and Cereplast, Inc. dated February 5, 2013.
31.1  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS  XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase