UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QSB
(Mark One) | | |
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x | | QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| | For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2007 |
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o | | TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-32531
Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc.
(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in its Charter)
Nevada | | 91-2028450 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
2777 Allen Parkway, Suite 860, Houston, Texas 77019
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(713) 869-6682
(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to the |
filing requirements for the past 90 days. | Yes x No o |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). |
| Yes o No x |
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APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Class | | Outstanding as of June 12, 2007 |
Common stock, $0.001 par value | | 109,998,692 |
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes o No x
Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Index to Report
Presentation and Forward-Looking Statements | | |
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Part I- Financial Information | | |
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Item 1. Financial Statements | | |
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2007 and October 31, 2006 (unaudited) | | |
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Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended April 30, 2007, the three months ended April 30, 2006 and for the Period from Inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 (unaudited) | | |
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended April 30, 2007 and the Period from Inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 (unaudited) | | |
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | | |
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation | | |
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Item 3. Controls and Procedures | | |
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Part II- Other Information | | |
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Item 1. Legal Proceedings | | |
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | | |
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Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities | | |
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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | | |
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Item 5. Other Information | | |
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Item 6. Exhibits | | |
i
Presentation
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB, the terms “Nova,” “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The term “Nova Biosource Fuels” refers to Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. only, and not its subsidiaries. The term “Nova Oil” refers to Nova Oil, Inc. prior to the share exchange with Biosource America, Inc. on March 31, 2006. Nova Oil, Inc. changed its name to Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. on September 12, 2006.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to our outlook or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses, future financial or business performance, plans, goals, strategies, intent, beliefs or current expectations. Specifically, forward looking statements may include statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words: “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “forecast” and the like, or future-tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc.). Statements contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, economic performance, financial condition, business prospects, revenue, income, market size, refinery construction, testing, completion and production schedules, collaborations, and trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements.
Although these forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of management based on currently available information, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Some of the factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ include general economic conditions, availability of financing on economic terms, cost and availability of feedstocks, engineering and construction delays, adverse weather conditions, wholesale and retail prices of petroleum-based diesel fuels, competitive rate fluctuations, continued government mandates and incentives for the use of alternative fuels and audits or tax assessments of various federal, state or local taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, and other risks referenced from time to time in our SEC filings and those factors listed under “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation—Risk Factors.”
The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. You are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures that we make in our reports filed with the SEC which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
| | April 30, 2007 | | October 31, 2006 | |
Assets | | | | | |
Current assets | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 40,176,000 | | $ | 21,826,000 | |
Accounts receivable | | 271,000 | | — | |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | | 3,842,000 | | 1,803,000 | |
Prepaid expenses | | 426,000 | | 112,000 | |
Other current assets | | 52,000 | | 52,000 | |
Total current assets | | 44,767,000 | | 23,793,000 | |
Fixed assets | | | | | |
Land | | 3,650,000 | | — | |
Plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $179,000 and $118,000, respectively | | 948,000 | | 988,000 | |
Assets being developed for our own use | | 23,017,000 | | 10,519,000 | |
Total fixed assets | | 27,615,000 | | 11,507,000 | |
Intangible assets | | | | | |
Patent, net of accumulated amortization of $11,000 and $4,000, respectively | | 239,000 | | 246,000 | |
Intellectual property and proprietary technology | | 4,945,000 | | 4,945,000 | |
Total intangible assets | | 5,184,000 | | 5,191,000 | |
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Total Assets | | $ | 77,566,000 | | $ | 40,491,000 | |
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Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Current liabilities | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 8,205,000 | | $ | 4,658,000 | |
Accrued expenses and other | | 7,866,000 | | 4,134,000 | |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | | 911,000 | | 11,941,000 | |
Total current liabilities | | 16,982,000 | | 20,733,000 | |
| | | | | |
Note payable | | 2,520,000 | | — | |
Minority interest | | 4,008,000 | | 4,002,000 | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding | | — | | — | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized; 109,998,692 and 85,646,358 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | | 110,000 | | 86,000 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 92,590,000 | | 44,185,000 | |
Accumulated deficit | | (38,644,000 | ) | (28,515,000 | ) |
Total stockholders’ equity | | 54,056,000 | | 15,756,000 | |
| | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 77,566,000 | | $ | 40,491,000 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | Period from | |
| | | | | | | | Inception | |
| | Three Months Ended April 30, | | Six Months Ended | | (December 1, 2005) through | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | April 30, 2007 | | April 30, 2006 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | |
Contracting | | $ | 7,914,000 | | $ | 4,545,000 | | $ | 16,122,000 | | $ | 4,545,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | |
Contracting | | 11,250,000 | | 4,446,000 | | 19,458,000 | | 4,446,000 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | 3,971,000 | | 1,536,000 | | 7,862,000 | | 1,572,000 | |
Total expenses | | 15,221,000 | | 5,982,000 | | 27,320,000 | | 6,018,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | (7,307,000 | ) | (1,437,000 | ) | (11,198,000 | ) | (1,473,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | 626,000 | | — | | 1,092,000 | | — | |
Interest expense | | — | | (1,413,000 | ) | (17,000 | ) | (1,413,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary | | (2,000 | ) | — | | (6,000 | ) | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (6,683,000 | ) | $ | (2,850,000 | ) | $ | (10,129,000 | ) | $ | (2,886,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share | | $ | (0.06 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding | | 109,998,692 | | 70,417,803 | | 103,136,985 | | 70,405,278 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| | | | Period from | |
| | | | Inception | |
| | Six Months | | (December 1, | |
| | Ended | | 2005) through | |
| | April 30, 2007 | | April 30, 2006 | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (10,129,000 | ) | $ | (2,886,000 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | 68,000 | | 59,000 | |
Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary | | 6,000 | | — | |
Compensation expense – employee and director stock options | | 4,485,000 | | 862,000 | |
Consulting and agents expense – consultant stock options | | 148,000 | | — | |
Interest expense upon exchange of note for common stock | | — | | 1,413,000 | |
Changes in: | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | (271,000 | ) | — | |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | | (2,039,000 | ) | — | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | (314,000 | ) | (318,000 | ) |
Accounts payable | | 3,547,000 | | 1,137,000 | |
Accrued expenses and other | | 3,732,000 | | 198,000 | |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | | (11,030,000 | ) | 5,552,000 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | (11,797,000 | ) | 6,017,000 | |
| | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | |
Assets being developed for our own use | | (12,498,000 | ) | — | |
Purchase of land | | (3,650,000 | ) | — | |
Purchase of assets in business combination | | — | | (1,000,000 | ) |
Purchases of plant and equipment | | (20,000 | ) | (36,000 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (16,168,000 | ) | (1,036,000 | ) |
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Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | |
Proceeds from private placement of stock | | 47,000,000 | | 350,000 | |
Costs associated with sale of stock | | (3,205,000 | ) | — | |
Proceeds from note payable to purchase land | | 2,520,000 | | — | |
Payments on note payable | | — | | (50,000 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | 46,315,000 | | 300,000 | |
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | 18,350,000 | | 5,281,000 | |
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Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | 21,826,000 | | — | |
| | | | | |
End of period | | $ | 40,176,000 | | $ | 5,281,000 | |
| | | | | |
Non-cash financing and investing activities: | | | | | |
Purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets in exchange for note payable | | $ | — | | $ | 5,000,000 | |
Repayment of note payable in exchange for issuance of common stock | | $ | — | | $ | 5,000,000 | |
Purchase of patent in exchange for issuance of note payable | | $ | — | | $ | 250,000 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As of April 30, 2007
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. (“Nova”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They do not include all information and notes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes contained in Nova’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through October 31, 2006.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2—ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Nova is an energy company in the business of refining and marketing renewable diesel fuel products and related co-products. Nova has developed technology for the production of biodiesel fuel from vegetable oils and animal fats, oils and greases. It also designs and constructs facilities for the production of biodiesel fuels.
Nova is now transitioning to its intended primary business of constructing and operating refineries that it will own and operate to refine and market its own products. However, Nova’s initial focus was to design and build three biodiesel refineries for outside parties. At April 30 2007, Nova was constructing two biodiesel refineries for outside parties (see Note 3) and three additional biodiesel refineries for its own use (see Note 4). Each refinery will use Nova’s proprietary, patented process-technology, which enables the use of a broad range of feedstocks which include, in particular, the use of lower cost, non-vegetable based feedstocks.
NOTE 3—CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
At April 30, 2007, Nova was constructing biodiesel refineries for separate outside parties in two locations: Sanimax Energy Inc. (formerly Anamax Energy Services, Inc.) in DeForest, Wisconsin; and Scott Petroleum Corporation in Greenville, Mississippi. During the three months ended April 30, 2007, construction of a biodiesel refinery was completed for Clinton County Bio Energy, LLC in Clinton County, Iowa. Sanimax Energy accounted for 62% and 60% and Scott Petroleum Corporation accounted for 38% and 40% of contracting revenues during the three and six months ended April 30, 2007, respectively.
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The percentage of completion on construction contracts is estimated based on total costs incurred to date compared to estimated total costs at the outset of each contract. At April 30, 2007, total amounts of construction contracts and the estimated percentage of completion are as follows:
| | Contract | | Percentage of | |
Contract | | Amount | | Completion | |
Clinton Country Bio Energy, LLC | | $ | 5,924,000 | | 100 | % |
Sanimax Energy Inc. | | 17,426,000 | | 99 | % |
Scott Petroleum Corporation | | 12,500,000 | | 77 | % |
| | $ | 35,850,000 | | | |
The backlog balance represents the amount of revenue Nova expects to realize from work to be performed on uncompleted contracts in progress at period end. Changes in contract backlog during the six months ended April 30, 2007 and the backlog at April 30, 2007 are as follows:
Backlog balance at November 1, 2006 | | $ | 19,764,000 | |
Less contract revenue earned during the period | | (16,122,000 | ) |
Backlog balance at April 30, 2007 | | $ | 3,642,000 | |
At April 30, 2007, estimated remaining expenditures to complete the construction of the plants being built for third parties approximates $9,480,000. Of that amount, approximately $6,195,000 is committed through purchase orders issued to sub-contractors and equipment vendors for delivery of goods and services after April 30, 2007.
Cumulative costs and estimated earnings (loss) on uncompleted contracts and related amounts billed at April 30, 2007 and October 31, 2006 are as follows:
| | April 30, 2007 | | October 31, 2006 | |
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts, including estimated losses | | $ | 41,370,000 | | $ | 21,912,000 | |
Estimated losses on uncompleted contracts | | (9,162,000 | ) | (5,826,000 | ) |
Net costs to be billed on uncompleted contracts | | 32,208,000 | | 16,086,000 | |
Less billings to date | | (29,277,000 | ) | (26,224,000 | ) |
| | $ | 2,931,000 | | $ | (10,138,000 | ) |
Actual contract costs and estimated earnings may exceed billings to customers. Similarly, contractually billed amounts may exceed actual costs and estimated earnings. The net of those cumulative amounts above are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at April 30, 2007 and October 31, 2006 under the following captions:
| | April 30, 2007 | | October 31, 2006 | |
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | | $ | 3,842,000 | | $ | 1,803,000 | |
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | | (911,000 | ) | (11,941,000 | ) |
| | $ | 2,931,000 | | $ | (10,138,000 | ) |
During the three months ended April 30, 2007, $3,336,000 of additional estimated losses on contracts were recognized. Cumulative losses on all contracts are estimated to be $9,162,000. Previously, estimated costs related to contract losses totaling $5,826,000 were recognized and recorded during the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through October 31, 2006.
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NOTE 4— ASSETS BEING DEVELOPED FOR OUR OWN USE
Assets being developed for our own use consist of three biodiesel refinery plants, one of which started construction in early fiscal year 2007, with expected completion dates during early fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2009. Total estimated costs to be incurred for construction of the three facilities are between $215,000,000 and $265,000,000. At April 30, 2007, construction expenditures of $23,017,000 have been recognized and, in addition, approximately $17,139,000 was committed through purchase orders issued to sub-contractors and equipment vendors for services and equipment to be provided after April 30, 2007.
NOTE 5—NOTE PAYABLE
On January 11, 2007, Nova Biofuels Seneca LLC (“Nova Seneca”), a subsidiary of Nova, completed the purchase of approximately 54 acres of land in the Shipyard Industrial Park of Seneca, Illinois for $3,650,000. Nova Seneca paid $1,130,000 in cash and issued a note payable to a bank for the balance of $2,520,000. Nova Seneca is building a biodiesel refinery on the property with a production capacity of 60,000,000 gallons per year. The note payable bears interest at 8.25% per annum and is secured by a mortgage on the land. The loan provides for monthly interest-only payments for the first eighteen months followed by monthly principal and interest payments of $22,000 for the remaining eighteen months of the term. A final principal payment is due at maturity on February 11, 2010.
The maturities of long-term debt at April 30, 2007 are as follows:
Year ending April 30: | | | |
2008 | | $ | — | |
2009 | | 38,000 | |
2010 | | 2,482,000 | |
| | $ | 2,520,000 | |
Interest costs incurred on borrowed funds during the period of construction of capital assets is capitalized as a component of the costs of acquiring these assets. During the three and six months ended April 30, 2007, $49,000 of interest was capitalized.
Cash paid for interest during the six months ended April 30, 2007 was $17,000, net of amounts capitalized. There was no interest paid during the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006.
NOTE 6—NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic net loss per common share is calculated by dividing the net loss applicable to common shares by the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. For all periods presented, there were no potential common equivalent shares used in the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding as the effect would be anti-dilutive because of the net loss.
| | | | | | | | Period from | |
| | | | | | | | Inception | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Six Months | | (December 1, | |
| | April 30, | | Ended | | 2005) through | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | April 30 2007 | | April 30, 2006 | |
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share | | 109,998,692 | | 70,417,803 | | 103,136,985 | | 70,405,278 | |
Securities convertible into shares of common stock not used because the effect would be anti-dilutive: | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan | | 6,029,241 | | 4,298,991 | | 6,029,241 | | 4,298,991 | |
Stock warrants related to private equity placements | | 15,525,845 | | — | | 15,525,845 | | — | |
Other stock warrants | | 104,250 | | 104,250 | | 104,250 | | 104,250 | |
| | 21,659,336 | | 4,403,241 | | 21,659,336 | | 4,403,241 | |
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NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES
Nova did not incur any income tax expense during any of the periods presented due to operating losses and the related increase in the valuation allowance.
Nova has recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of the net deferred tax assets because management does not currently believe that it is more likely than not that these assets will be recovered in the foreseeable future. At April 30, 2007, Nova had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $15,780,000 that may be offset against future taxable income. To the extent not used, the net operating loss carryforwards will expire in 2026 and 2027.
NOTE 8—PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF COMMON STOCK AND WARRANTS
On December 19, 2006, Nova issued and sold in a private placement to certain institutional and individual accredited investors units of securities consisting of a total of 24,352,334 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase up to 7,772,217 additional shares of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $47,000,000. The purchase price was $1.93 per unit. The warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $2.72 per share. The relative fair value of the common stock was $33,474,000 and the relative fair value of the warrants was $13,526,000.
The fair value of the warrants granted with this private placement was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the option-pricing model include (1) risk-free interest rate at the date of grant (5.7%), (2) expected warrant life of 5 years, (3) expected volatility of 137%, and (4) zero expected dividends.
Nova filed a registration statement on Form S-3 on January 16, 2007 to register for resale from time to time 32,124,551 shares of common stock, which included 7,772,217 shares of common stock that are issuable if the warrants are exercised. The registration statement became effective on February 16, 2007.
In connection with the private placement, Nova paid the placement agents a fee of $3,055,000 and incurred other expenses of $150,000. In addition, Nova issued to one of the placement agents warrants to purchase 466,519 shares of common stock. The warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $2.72 per share.
As a result of the issuance of securities in the private placement, the exercise price and number of shares obtainable pursuant to warrants issued to investors and the placement agent in connection with the July 2006 private placement of securities of Nova were adjusted according to the anti-dilution provisions described in the warrants. The adjustments were based on a weighted-average difference between the purchase price of the securities issued in the private placement and the exercise price of the warrants as follows:
Original Exercise Price | | Original Warrant Shares | | Adjusted Exercise Price | | Adjusted Warrant Shares | |
$2.60 | | 1,088,062 | | $ | 2.45 | | 1,154,678 | |
$2.54 | | 5,335,756 | | $ | 2.40 | | 5,647,008 | |
$2.40 | | 69,916 | | $ | 2.30 | | 72,956 | |
$2.34 | | 396,603 | | $ | 2.25 | | 412,467 | |
Nova considers the adjustments in warrants triggered by the anti-dilution clause to be an adjustment of the original relative fair values allocated to common stock and to warrants. Nova has not recorded a charge to operations for the application of the anti-dilution provisions described in the warrants.
NOTE 9—EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Nova’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”) authorizes issuance of a maximum of 10,000,000 shares of common stock in connection with compensatory awards to employees and consultants. At April 30, 2007, Nova had 2,896,698 shares remaining for future awards under the 2006 Plan. At April 30, 2007, 4,330,804 of the non-qualified stock options granted pursuant to the 2006 Plan were vested and exercisable.
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Non-cash stock for services expense for employees was $2,084,000 and $4,485,000 and for consultants was $84,000 and $148,000 for the three and six months ended April 30, 2007, respectively. Non-cash stock for services expense for employees was $862,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2006 and for the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006.
The fair value of the stock options granted during the six months ended April 30, 2007 was computed using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Variables used in the option-pricing model include (1) risk-free interest rate at the date of grant (4.6% to 4.8%), (2) expected option life of 10 years, (3) expected volatility of between 132% and 134% and (4) zero expected dividends.
It is anticipated that unvested options for employees and consultants at April 30, 2007 will result in compensation expense being recognized during the remainder of the year ending October 31, 2007 and in future years as follows:
May 1, 2007 through October 31, 2007 | | $ | 3,085,000 | |
Year ending October 31, 2008 | | 2,981,000 | |
Year ending October 31, 2009 | | 135,000 | |
| | $ | 6,201,000 | |
NOTE 10—OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
The weighted-average exercise prices of outstanding options and warrants at April 30, 2007 are as follows:
| | Number of Options and Warrants | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |
Options under 2006 Equity Incentive Plan: | | | | | |
Outstanding at October 31, 2006 | | 5,698,991 | | $ | 3.00 | |
Option grants | | 330,250 | | $ | 2.89 | |
Outstanding at April 30, 2007 | | 6,029,241 | | $ | 3.00 | |
| | | | | |
Exercisable at April 30, 2007 | | 4,330,804 | | $ | 3.13 | |
| | | | | |
Warrants: | | | | | |
Private placement, July 2006 | | 6,890,337 | | $ | 2.35 | |
Other | | 104,250 | | $ | 0.09 | |
Anti-dilution provisions, July 2006 placement | | 396,772 | | $ | 2.35 | |
Private placement, December 2006 (including 466,519 warrants issued to placement agent) | | 8,238,736 | | $ | 2.72 | |
Outstanding at April 30, 2007 | | 15,630,095 | | $ | 2.53 | |
| | | | | |
Overall weighted-average exercise price for outstanding options and warrants | | | | $ | 2.66 | |
NOTE 11—CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Changes in stockholders’ equity from October 31, 2006 through April 30, 2007:
| | Common Shares | | Total | |
Balance at October 31, 2006 | | 85,646,358 | | $ | 15,756,000 | |
Sale of common stock in private placement | | 24,352,334 | | 43,795,000 | |
Issuance of stock options | | — | | 4,634,000 | |
Net loss | | — | | (10,129,000 | ) |
Balance at April 30, 2007 | | 109,998,692 | | $ | 54,056,000 | |
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NOTE 12—COMMITMENT
On March 7, 2007, a subsidiary of Nova entered into a biofuel tolling and off-take agreement with Scott Petroleum Corporation (“Scott”). Under the Agreement, Nova has agreed to purchase and Scott has agreed to sell 50% of the production of Scott’s biodiesel refinery in Greenville, Mississippi at approximately the production cost, after paying an initial tolling fee of $2,500,000 plus a deferred tolling fee. The deferred tolling fee is payable over time in connection with the off-take of production and will equal $2,700,000 plus incremental infrastructure costs, which are estimated to be approximately $2,100,000, incurred by Scott in connection with the construction of the refinery plus an interest charge of 7% per annum on un-recovered deferred tolling fee and infrastructure costs.
The Agreement has a ten year term that will begin on the first date on which the refinery begins producing sufficient volumes of biodiesel and glycerin to sell in commercial quantities. Under the Agreement, Scott will also permit Nova to use its facilities for blending biodiesel purchased under the Agreement with petroleum-based diesel fuel and Nova will be entitled to any tax credits available for blending biodiesel and for selling the products that are purchased by Nova pursuant to the agreement.
NOTE 13—CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, Nova may become subject to lawsuits and other claims and proceedings. These matters are subject to uncertainty and outcomes are not predictable with assurance. Management is not aware of any pending or threatened lawsuits or proceedings which would have a material effect on Nova’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
NOTE 14—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On May 9, 2007, the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) approved Nova’s listing application to trade its common stock on that exchange. Nova’s common stock started trading on the AMEX under the symbol “NBF” on Monday, May 14, 2007.
Previously, Nova’s common stock was quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board System under the symbol “NVBF.”
On June 8, 2007 the SEC issued a notice of effectiveness as to Nova’s universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for the offer and sale from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis in one or more offerings of up to $200,000,000 of securities which may consist of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, which may include guarantees of the debt securities by some or all of its subsidiaries, warrants to acquire common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprising one or more classes of these types of securities. No securities have yet been offered or sold under this registration statement.
Nova has executed rail car leases for 65 insulated tank cars to transport its raw material feedstocks and biodiesel. The leases are effective for 60 months beginning upon delivery, and will be treated as operating leases. The monthly rent for each car is $760. Nova has subleased these railcars under identical terms until they are needed in Nova’s operations, expected to be in the first quarter of 2008. The first seven rail cars were delivered in June 2007.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.
General
Our Business
We are an energy company that refines and markets standard biodiesel. Our strategy is to profitably use our patented, proprietary biodiesel technology and become the industry leader in the production of biodiesel. Biodiesel is a clean burning, biodegradable and renewable fuel made from a variety of feedstocks, such as animal-derived fats, oils and greases and vegetable-based oils. Biodiesel is typically blended with petroleum diesel to create a biodiesel blend that is nearly indistinguishable from, and in some respects superior to, 100% petroleum diesel.
In addition, 100% biodiesel fuel, or B100, can be used in all compression-ignition (diesel) engines without modifications, which some end users use in environmentally sensitive areas and for large fleets of diesel powered vehicles. In the U.S., the majority of the consumption will likely comprise a blend of 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, or B20, although a B5 blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% petroleum diesel is also common in the U.S. and is the most common blend in Europe and Australia. Currently, the key markets in the U.S. for biodiesel and biodiesel blends are diesel blending facilities and distributors, government fleets, mass transit vehicles, commercial fleets and marine fleets, as well as for general use in environmentally sensitive areas.
Our patented, proprietary technology enables us to refine biodiesel that meets and exceeds the industry’s product specifications and quality standards published by the American Society of Testing and Materials or ASTM. We currently own and have operated a fully continuous flow biodiesel small-scale refinery in Butte, Montana that has a production capacity of 80,000 gallons of biodiesel per year.
We believe our technology can efficiently produce biodiesel by processing over 25 different animal-derived fats, oils and greases and vegetable-based oils with free fatty acid levels in excess of 20% and produce our two marketable products: ASTM D6751 standard biodiesel and technical grade glycerin. We believe the ability to process a wide range of feedstocks gives us a significant cost advantage because many of these feedstocks are residual substances that have limited alternative uses. Many of our competitors are limited to a more narrow range of feedstocks and, in many instances, their feedstock options are vegetable-based oils with little or no ability to process lower cost animal-based feedstocks.
Our main competitive strength derives from the expertise, production process and plant technology developed by the engineers and staff we currently employ. We will continue to develop and refine our technology to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of our proprietary process technology. We may conduct additional research and development activities into improvements in the Nova process and into the use of additional feedstocks for the production of biodiesel, such as jatropha and algae.
We protect the intellectual property comprising the Nova process technology through a combination of patents, patent applications, common law copyrights and trade secrets. The first of our patents does not expire until 2023. All of our technical employees enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements and, in some cases, non-competition agreements. We also require contractors, vendors, construction customers and others to enter into confidentiality agreements prior to being given access to proprietary information regarding our technology. There can be no assurance, however, that such measures will be adequate to protect our technology.
Building Biodiesel Refineries that Nova Will Own and Operate
Our current and longer-term business focus is to build and profitably operate our own biodiesel refineries. We are in the process of building three biodiesel refineries for our own use. We have purchased a site in Seneca, Illinois and leased another site in Muskogee, Oklahoma for two of these facilities. The engineering and permitting processes for these three refineries are in progress and, pursuant to purchase orders we have issued, our sub-contractors and equipment vendors have procured and fabricated certain long-lead time items for the three refineries. We are evaluating potential sites for additional refineries.
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Construction activity at the Seneca, Illinois refinery has increased. Site preparation is nearly complete and construction is underway for the process and administration buildings and the rail track to facilitate the delivery of feedstock and the transport of biodiesel and glycerin production.
Completing Two Remaining Biodiesel Plants for Outside Parties
Our initial business focus was to design and build three biodiesel refineries for outside parties. We have completed the first full-scale refinery, which is designed to produce 10,000,000 gallons of biodiesel per year, in Clinton County, Iowa. This refinery has demonstrated production on a sustained and continuous throughput basis of more than 1,200 gallons per hour of biodiesel and met or exceeded the product specification requirements of ASTM 6751 for biodiesel from vegetable oil feedstock. The refinery also produced, as a co-product, technical grade glycerin in excess of 97% purity. The sustained production and quality was monitored and tested by an independent laboratory and an independent engineering firm and demonstrated the designed operational capacity and product quality of the refinery.
We are nearing completion of the two other full-scale production facilities that we designed and built for outside parties. One of these is being built near DeForest, Wisconsin under an agreement with Sanimax Energy Inc. (formerly Anamax Energy Services, Inc.). The contract provides for the design and construction of a facility with a production capacity of 20,000,000 gallons per year along with an adjacent tank farm. The Sanimax facility is currently producing limited amounts of biodiesel from animal-based feedstock with a free fatty-acid content of nearly 2%. Test results from samples indicate that the biodiesel produced is meeting or exceeding the specifications of ASTM D6751. By the end of June 2007 we anticipate the facility will be producing ASTM D6751 quality biodiesel from animal-based feedstock with a free fatty-acid content of approximately 5%.
The targeted substantial completion date for the Sanimax facility is the middle or late summer of 2007. Our contracts define substantial completion as a point in construction when we demonstrate, and our customer agrees, that the refinery is capable of performing at certain warranted levels with respect to product quality, sustainable output volume and feedstock conversion ratios. Additional completion work after a point of substantial completion is reached is inevitable, but the following completion phase is ‘wrap-up’ in nature. The time period following substantial completion can vary but may typically be between 90 to 180 days.
The last plant that we are building for outside parties is located in Greenville, Mississippi. The agreement with Scott Petroleum Corporation provides for the design and construction of a facility with a production capacity of 20,000,000 gallons per year. The targeted substantial completion date is the late summer or early fall of 2007.
For the Scott Petroleum refinery, we have an agreement for the right to receive 50% of this facility’s production at approximately the production cost after paying an initial tolling fee of $2,500,000, plus a deferred tolling fee and a portion of infrastructure costs. The deferred tolling fee and infrastructure costs are payable over time in connection with the delivery of biodiesel production and will equal $2,700,000 plus additional incremental infrastructure costs, which may approximate $2,100,000. An annual interest charge of 7% per annum will be assessed on the deferred tolling fee and infrastructure costs until the costs are recovered by Scott Petroleum.
There can be no assurances that the construction and completion of these plants will not be delayed.
Corporate History
Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc. was originally incorporated under the name Nova Oil, Inc. on February 25, 2000 under the laws of the State of Nevada and was organized primarily for the purpose of acquiring, either alone or with others, interests in developed producing oil and gas leases, with the objective of establishing steady cash flows from operations. As of October 19, 2005, Nova Oil completed the sale of all of its oil and gas well interests and, as a result, became a “shell company,” as such term is defined by Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, because it ceased operations and shifted its primary activity to seeking merger or acquisition candidates with whom it could either merge or acquire.
Our engineering and construction subsidiary, Biosource America, Inc., was incorporated in Texas on December 1, 2005, which is, as we explain below, the date that we use as our date of inception for accounting purposes. On February 10, 2006,
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Biosource America completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and working capital of Biosource Fuels, LLC (an independent and non-affiliated company), which had been in the business of engineering, construction and licensing of processes and technologies for the refining of biodiesel and other co-products from animal-derived fats, oils and greases and vegetable-based oils.
On March 31, 2006, Nova Oil completed a share exchange pursuant to which it issued 40,000,000 shares of its common stock in exchange for all of the shares of common stock of Biosource America. As a result of the share exchange, Biosource America became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nova Oil. A change of control of Nova Oil occurred because the former Biosource America shareholders acquired approximately 86% of the issued and outstanding shares of Nova Oil’s common stock. At that point, Nova Oil ceased being a “shell company.” An additional 23,462,523 shares of common stock were issued on April 24, 2006 as a result of a three for two forward stock split.
For accounting purposes, the transaction described above was treated as an acquisition of Nova Oil by Biosource America coincident with a recapitalization of Biosource America. The historical financial statements and other information prior to March 31, 2006, unless expressly stated otherwise, are those of Biosource America. In connection with the share exchange, Nova Oil changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to October 31 to conform to the fiscal year end of Biosource America. On September 12, 2006, Nova Oil changed its name to Nova Biosource Fuels, Inc.
On May 9, 2007, the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) approved our listing application to trade our common stock on that exchange. Our common stock started trading on the AMEX under the symbol “NBF” on Monday, May 14, 2007. Previously, our common stock was quoted on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board System under the symbol “NVBF.”
We are a “small business issuer” as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act. We, as recapitalized, have not had revenue or public float above $25,000,000 at the end of two consecutive fiscal years. In accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-B, we are providing a plan of operations and description of any off-balance sheet arrangements. We also include a discussion and analysis of our liquidity and capital resources as of April 30, 2007 and of our results of operations for the six months ended April 30, 2007 and for the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006.
PLAN OF OPERATIONS
Current Plan of Operations
We are currently completing the construction of the last two of three biodiesel refineries originally planned for outside parties. As a result, our results of operations and financial condition reflect, and for approximately the next six months will generally reflect, that of a biodiesel refinery engineering and construction company. Thereafter, if we are successful in implementing our main business strategy of building and operating refineries for our own account and entering into joint ventures with third parties for a portion of the production of other biodiesel refineries, our results of operations are anticipated to reflect that of a biodiesel refiner and marketer. Accordingly, the results of operations and cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 2007 and the fiscal period ended October 31, 2006 are not anticipated to be indicative of the results of operations and cash flows for future periods.
Execution of our business plan for the next twelve months will require the ability to generate cash flow to satisfy planned expenditure requirements. We currently do not have sufficient cash reserves to meet all of our anticipated operating and capital expenditure obligations for the remainder of fiscal year 2007. As a result, we are in the process of seeking additional debt and equity funding.
Our current plan for growth during the remainder of fiscal year 2007 will depend on our ability to successfully execute our financial plan to raise capital and arrange for financing sufficient to accomplish the following integrated strategy:
· We must obtain debt or equity financing necessary to implement and execute our business plan.
· We must complete the remaining two of the three agreements for designing and building biodiesel refineries for outside parties and take measures to ensure these plants are operational at the contractually required levels of capacity and quality. (The first of these three plants was completed in this quarter.)
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· We intend to continue with the design and construction of three biodiesel refineries for our own account, and to secure adequate financing for construction and initial operation of these plants.
· We must secure additional financing of at least $25,000,000 to $35,000,000 prior to the end of this fiscal year to complete our first biodiesel refinery being built for our own account, to pay general and administrative expenses, and to pay operating expenses that we expect to incur during fiscal 2007 for that plant. The financing may consist of debt but may also consist of common or preferred equity, project financing or a combination of these financing techniques. We anticipate that a 60,000,000 gallon per year biodiesel refinery will cost approximately $60,000,000 to $70,000,000 to build, exclusive of any land acquisition costs, the costs of related or ancillary infrastructure and working capital costs. However, there can be no assurances that costs may not be greater depending on site conditions, costs of materials, labor costs, engineering and design changes and other potential cost overruns.
· We intend to seek to arrange additional long-term contracts for the supply of low cost feedstock for our own biodiesel refineries, similar to the agreements already reached with Lipid Logistics, LLC with respect to the Seneca facility and ConAgra Trade Group with respect to the Muskogee facility.
· We intend to enter into contracts for the sale of the biodiesel fuel produced from these plants, such as the agreements already reached with ConAgra Trade Group with respect to the biodiesel refineries to be built in Seneca and Muskogee.
· We intend to seek out business or joint venture partners who are strategically situated to help us with respect to the engineering, construction and operation of biodiesel plants for our mutual benefit. An example of such a strategic partner might be a supplier of feedstock who can also provide the debt, equity or other project financing capital necessary for the joint venture’s construction and operation of a biodiesel plant.
Our corporate offices are located in Houston, Texas. We have approximately 35 full-time equivalent employees in Houston, Texas, Butte, Montana and Seneca, Illinois. We have six officers in our Houston office and two officers in our Butte office. Six of our employees are responsible for our administrative and accounting functions.
Plan of Operations for Fiscal Year 2008
As we execute our current plan of operations, we intend to implement a business plan for the last part of fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2008 that includes:
· Seeking out opportunities domestically to increase biodiesel refinery production capacity and cash flow through the construction and operation of domestic biodiesel plants for our own account and through joint ventures.
· Entering into long-term feedstock supply contracts in order to supply our own refineries with the feedstock needed to produce biodiesel.
· Continuing our efforts to find committed buyers for our biodiesel product. Our initial buyers will likely consist of diesel blending facilities and wholesale distribution channels for further distribution into fleet and retail biodiesel and biodiesel blend markets. We believe that market, governmental, and environmental incentives will increase the fleet and retail biodiesel and biodiesel blend markets. Heavy trucks represent an opportunity for immediate biodiesel sales, either directly to fleet owners or through diesel blending facilities and wholesale distribution channels, due to increased government regulations on emissions, established distribution channels and the lack of U.S. biodiesel production.
For example, the U.S. armed forces are currently the nation’s single largest consumer of diesel fuel. We believe there is a current opportunity to provide fuel to the military’s existing vehicles, as well as future opportunities when it is expected that new government regulations will require that a high percentage of new Department of Defense vehicles use alternative fuel. The U.S. Post Office and other government agencies, such as the National Parks Service, are expected to become large consumers of biodiesel blends in their vehicles. In addition, the States of Minnesota and Texas have both passed legislation to increase the use of biodiesel in government vehicles.
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· Continuing to develop and refine our technology to improve efficiency and reliability of our proprietary process technology. To that end, we intend to expand the number of feedstocks commercially viable for producing biodiesel and may conduct additional research and development activities on our current technology.
· Seeking qualified, experienced and effective professionals to enhance our management team. Qualified refinery operators, technicians, managers and engineers are in short supply; however, we believe that we will be in a position to offer attractive professional opportunities for these individuals. Each biodiesel refinery is expected to require approximately 30 full-time employees to operate. Consequently, if we are successful in bringing on-line three or more biodiesel refineries in fiscal years 2008 and 2009, we would need to hire approximately sixty to ninety additional full-time employees to operate our facilities.
· Seeking out business or joint venture partners domestically as well as in foreign markets that can provide us strategic benefits in terms of long-term feedstock supply contracts, long-term commitments to buy biodiesel and capital commitments necessary to engineer, construct and operate biodiesel plants domestically and internationally. Foreign opportunities likely would include joint venture partners for the construction and operation of biodiesel refineries in the U.K. and Europe.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Consolidated Cash Balance
As of April 30, 2007, we had a cash balance of $40,176,000, up from a cash balance of $21,826,000 at October 31, 2006. Summarized immediately below and discussed in more detail in the subsequent sub-sections are the main elements of the $18,350,000 net increase in cash during the six months ended April 30, 2007:
· Cash provided: $46,315,000 of net cash was provided by financing activities, primarily from the sale of equity securities in December 2006 which is discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements;
· Cash used: $16,168,000 of net cash was used in investing activities to build our own refineries, most of which relates to land acquisition and construction costs at Seneca, Illinois;
· Cash used: $11,797,000 of net cash was used in operating activities, primarily to complete the construction of refineries we are building for outside parties, mostly Sanimax Energy Inc. and Scott Petroleum Corporation.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Current Activity
On December 19, 2006, we raised a net amount of $43,795,000 from a sale of equity securities. We issued and sold in a private placement to certain institutional and individual accredited investors units of securities consisting of 24,352,334 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 7,772,217 additional shares of common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $47,000,000. The purchase price for the securities was $1.93 per unit and the warrants have a five-year term and an exercise price of $2.72 per share.
In connection with the private placement, we paid the placement agents a fee of $3,055,000 and incurred other expenses of $150,000. In addition, we issued warrants to one of the placement agents that entitle the holder to purchase up to 466,519 shares of common stock with a five-year term at an exercise price of $2.72 per share.
We are using the funds generated from the private placement for the initial costs of building the first three refineries that we will own and operate for ourselves, for completing the plants under construction for outside parties, and for general operations.
In January 2007, we issued a promissory note payable to a bank for $2,520,000 for the purchase of land, which is described in the investing activities section below.
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The $300,000 of net cash raised from financing activity during the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 was primarily related to issuing stock in a private placement during the start-up preparations of the company.
Planned Activity
We will need to enter into additional debt and equity financing arrangements to meet our projected financial needs for operations and completing the construction of the biodiesel refineries that we will own and operate for ourselves. The financing may consist of debt, common or preferred stock, project financing or a combination of these financing techniques.
On June 8, 2007, the SEC issued a notice of effectiveness as to our universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 for the offer and sale from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis in one or more offerings of up to $200,000,000 of securities, which may consist of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities which may include guarantees of the debt securities by some or all of our subsidiaries, warrants to acquire common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or units comprising one or more classes of these types of securities.
We intend to use the net proceeds of any offering under the shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes, which may include reducing or repaying existing or future indebtedness, providing additional working capital, acquiring and developing sites for future biodiesel refineries, capital expenditures and construction costs for existing biodiesel refinery projects and future biodiesel refineries, procuring equipment and supplies for biodiesel refineries, providing credit support for project and joint venture financing and acquiring joint venture interests or companies in biodiesel and related business.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Current Activity
On January 11, 2007, we acquired 54 acres of land for our Seneca refinery for $3,650,000. We made a cash down payment of $1,130,000 and issued a promissory note payable to a bank for $2,520,000. During the six months ended April 30, 2007, we also spent an additional $12,498,000 for equipment and construction costs at our plant sites, primarily our first facility that we will own and operate and which is under construction in Seneca, Illinois. Spending for plant construction and equipment costs at Seneca for this period was $8,731,000 and we spent another $3,767,000 for long-lead time equipment that we will install at the next two refineries we will build.
It is important to note that in the summer of 2006 we placed firm orders for long-lead time process equipment for the first three refineries we plan to build. We placed the orders to be able to have the equipment available to us at an early point in the construction process and also to obtain pricing for the stainless steel-based equipment at a time when the price of stainless steel was escalating rapidly. By committing to equipment and related stainless steel costs, particularly for the second and third refineries we plan to build, based on the relative price difference for stainless steel between July 2006 and April 2007, we believe we avoided approximately $2,000,000 of higher costs than if we had waited to place the orders for the equipment in April 2007.
There was $1,000,000 of cash investing activity in the prior year period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 that was related to the purchase price of approximately $6,000,000 for the assets and working capital of Biosource Fuels, LLC (an independent and non-affiliated company). The balance of $5,000,000 of the purchase price for the assets was paid by issuing a note payable. The note payable was subsequently repaid by issuing common stock. A premium of $1,413,000 in the value of common stock issued in exchange for the note payable was charged as a non-cash interest expense as a result of the exchange of the note for stock.
Planned Activity
The costs to build the first three refineries that we will own and operate and that will have an estimated production capacity of between 180,000,000 and 220,000,000 gallons per year are estimated to be between $215,000,000 and $265,000,000. These cost estimates include land acquisition costs, costs of related or ancillary infrastructure and working capital costs.
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The first project began construction in early 2007 and all three projects have estimated completion dates during early fiscal year 2008 through fiscal year 2009. At April 30, 2007, we have recorded cumulative construction expenditures of approximately $23,017,000, and we are committed to approximately $17,139,000 of additional costs through purchase orders issued to sub-contractors and equipment vendors for services and equipment to be provided after April 30, 2007.
During the remainder of the fiscal year 2007, we expect to make additional capital expenditures of up to $49,000,000 for these plants and for our commitments and infrastructure costs related to our agreement with Scott Petroleum. This amount includes the contractual obligation costs at April 30, 2007 discussed below for plants being built for our own use. Most of the expenditures will relate to our Seneca refinery, which is scheduled to be completed in the first half of fiscal 2008. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2008 to complete our Seneca facility are budgeted to be up to another $14,000,000.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
For the six months ended April 30, 2007, cash used in operations was $11,797,000. The primary net use of cash in operations was spent on construction costs of plants for outside parties. Cash used for general corporate operating purposes was approximately $3,172,000 for the period.
During the next two quarters, we expect to use approximately $9,480,000 of net operating cash to complete the remaining two plants being built for outside parties, of this amount, approximately $6,195,000 is committed through purchase orders issued to sub-contractors and equipment vendors for delivery of goods and services after April 30, 2007. During the next two quarters, we also expect to use approximately $3,600,000 of net operating cash for general corporate operating purposes.
Cash provided by operations during the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 was $6,017,000. The primary funding of operations was received as cash advances from customers related to contracts in progress.
Contractual Commitments
Our material contractual obligations are composed of construction commitments for plants being built for outside parties, construction commitments for plants being built for our own use, repayment of amounts borrowed through issuance of notes and obligations under our operating lease agreements.
Contractual obligations at April 30, 2007 are as follows:
| | Payments Due by Period | |
Contractual Obligations | | Less Than 1 Year | | More Than 1 Year | | Total | |
| | | | | | | |
Construction commitments for plants being built for: | | | | | | | |
Our own use | | $ | 17,139,000 | | $ | — | | $ | 17,139,000 | |
Outside parties | | 6,195,000 | | — | | 6,195,000 | |
Note payable | | — | | 2,520,000 | | 2,520,000 | |
Operating lease obligations | | 106,000 | | 612,000 | | 718,000 | |
| | $ | 23,440,000 | | $ | 3,132,000 | | $ | 26,572,000 | |
In connection with a plant being built for our own use, Nova Seneca, our subsidiary, agreed to buy 100% of the feedstock requirements for the Seneca biodiesel plant refinery from Lipid Logistics at a benchmark price that will be adjusted according to the market price of the feedstock for a ten-year period. Additionally, Nova Seneca will pay a service fee of one- quarter cent for every pound of feedstock purchased and Nova Seneca agreed to purchase, and Lipid Logistics agreed to supply, a minimum of 60,000,000 gallons of feedstock per year from Lipid Logistics commencing on the date of initial production of biodiesel at the plant. If Nova Seneca does not commence biodiesel production at the Seneca facility by May 1, 2008, then both parties will have the right to terminate the agreement upon fifteen days prior notice to the other party.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended April 30, 2007 and for the Period from Inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006
Contracting revenues are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date compared to estimated total costs for each contract. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined.
We earned contracting revenues of $16,122,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2007 and incurred contracting expenses on contracts in progress of $19,458,000 for the same period. Contracting expenses include a provision for estimated contract losses of $3,336,000 which was recorded during the three months ended April 30, 2007. These additional losses primarily relate to costs that we expect to incur to complete our contractual obligations that will not be reimbursed by our customers. We incurred selling, general and administrative expenses of $7,862,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2007. Included in this amount are non-cash share based compensation expense of $4,485,000 for options granted to certain key employees and $148,000 for options granted to certain key consultants under our 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.
During the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006, contracting revenues were $4,545,000 and contracting expenses were $4,446,000. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,572,000 during the same period and included $862,000 of non-cash share based compensation expense.
Interest income was $1,092,000 during the six months ended April 30, 2007. We earned this interest primarily on the unexpended proceeds from the sale of our equity securities in December 2006 which is described above. There was no interest income during the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006. Interest costs of $49,000 during the three months ended April 30, 2007 were capitalized as a cost of constructing our refinery in Seneca.
During the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006, we recorded a non-cash interest expense of $1,413,000 as a result of issuing 1,333,333 shares of common stock to Biosource Fuels, LLC in exchange for the cancellation of our debt obligation that arose as a result of the acquisition of the business of Biosource Fuels.
The net loss for the six months ended April 30, 2007 was $10,129,000 or $0.10 per common share. The net loss for the period from inception (December 1, 2005) through April 30, 2006 was $2,886,000 or $0.04 per common share.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from construction contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs of each contract at completion. This method is used because we consider total costs to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. Contract costs include all direct material and labor costs and indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, equipment repairs, employee travel and supervisor time. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Provisions for estimated losses (if any) on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are identified. Changes in job conditions, job performance and total contract values may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.
The asset, “Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts,” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability, “Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
General
In the event that facts and circumstances indicate that the cost of the long-lived assets used in our operations might be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability would be performed. If an evaluation were required, the estimated undiscounted cash flow estimated to be generated by those assets would be compared to their carrying amounts to determine if a write-down to either market value or a discounted cash flow value is required.
Intangible assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of Biosource Fuels, LLC included intellectual property and proprietary technology related to the processes developed by the acquired entity with respect to the synthesis of biodiesel and other biofuels from animal and vegetable based fats, oils and greases. The value of intellectual property and proprietary technologies and accordingly the life of the intangible assets are dependent on such factors as the cost of different sources of energy, the cost of feedstocks and other processing costs for the subject technology as well as other economic factors. We have assessed these factors and determined that these intangible assets have an indefinite life. However, in accordance with SFAS No. 142 and SFAS No. 144, these assets will be evaluated for impairment at least on an annual basis.
The amount of any impairment considered necessary would be determined by comparing the net book value of the assets in the applicable line of business to fair value determined by using methods such as the present-value of estimated future cash flows, market value or other valuation methodologies appropriate at the time, depending on the stage of development of the line of business and our intentions as to the use of the assets at the time an impairment adjustment was considered necessary.
Patent
Intangible assets with definite lives are subject to amortization. Such intangible assets consist of a purchased patent which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the patent life of 17 years. Intangible assets with definite lives are tested for impairment if conditions exist that indicate the net carrying value may not be recoverable. These conditions may include an economic downturn, regulations relating to alternative fuels, or a change in the assessment of future operations.
Intellectual Property
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. Such intangible assets consist of intellectual property and proprietary technology. Tests for impairment are performed at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Impairment tests include a comparison of estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset to the asset’s carrying amount. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the value of the asset to fair value.
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Business Combinations
We allocate the purchase price of acquired companies and assets to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the time of acquisition. We engage independent third-party appraisal firms to assist us in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This valuation requires significant estimates and judgments, especially with respect to long-lived and intangible assets.
Share Based Compensation Expense
We measure all share-based payments, including grants of employee stock options, using a fair-value based method. We use the Black-Scholes model, a standard option-pricing model, to measure the fair value of stock options granted. Determining the appropriate fair value model and calculating the value of share-based awards, which includes estimates of stock-price volatility and expected lives, requires judgment.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We do not expect that adoption of recently issued accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and all of the information included in this Quarterly Report before making any investment decision regarding our securities. Additional unknown risks may also impair our financial performance and business operations. Our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flow may be materially and adversely affected by the nature and impact of these risks. In such case, the market value of our securities could be detrimentally affected, and investors may lose part or all of the value of their investment.
Risks Related To Our Business
We are engaged in a business focused on designing, building and operating biodiesel refineries, as well as producing biodiesel fuel through proprietary process technologies. The business is inherently risky and we face numerous and varied risks, both known and unknown. Despite the knowledge and experience of management, careful evaluation, and strategic planning, we may not be able to overcome the risks associated with our business, which may prevent us from achieving our goals.
We are in an early stage with limited operating history and may never attain profitability.
We are currently in an early stage of our current business plan and, in addition to the land purchased to build our Seneca refinery and the lease for the Muskogee refinery, we have only three agreements for the engineering and construction of biodiesel refineries for outside parties. Our limited operating history makes it difficult for potential investors to evaluate our business. Therefore, our proposed operations are subject to all of the risks inherent in the initial expenses, challenges, complications and delays frequently encountered in connection with the formation of any new business, as well as those risks that are specific to the biodiesel industry in general. Investors should evaluate an investment in our common stock in light of the problems and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies attempting to develop markets for new products, services and technologies. Despite best efforts, we may never overcome these obstacles to achieve financial success.
Our business is speculative and dependent upon the implementation of our business plan, as well as our ability to enter into agreements with third parties for the provision of necessary feedstock sources and the sale and distribution of our biodiesel fuel on terms that will be commercially viable for us. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or result in revenue or profit. There is no assurance that we will earn significant revenues or that our investors will not lose their entire investment.
Unanticipated problems or delays in building biodiesel refineries to the proper specifications may harm our business and viability.
Our current operating cash flow depends on our ability to timely design, construct and complete our first three biodiesel refineries for the account of third parties. In addition, our business strategy involves the design, construction and operation of biodiesel refineries for our own account. If our engineering and construction operations are disrupted or the economic integrity of these projects is threatened for unexpected reasons, our business may experience a substantial setback. Prolonged problems may threaten the commercial viability of these project completions. Moreover, the occurrence of significant unforeseen conditions or events in connection with these contracts may require us to reexamine the thoroughness of our due diligence and planning processes. Any change to our business model or management’s evaluation of the viability of these projects may adversely affect our business.
With respect to our biodiesel refinery construction contracts, we are responsible for ensuring that these refineries operate according to specifications required by the contracts and if we cannot meet the specifications, whether due to design or construction defects of our subcontractors or due to problems implementing our technology, then we may incur additional costs in order to modify the refineries so that they meet the guaranteed contract specifications. With respect to two of these design-build agreements, our potential liabilities are not limited prior to substantial completion and we are at risk for substantial cost overruns and potential payments for damages if we do not meet the guaranteed production specifications at the contractually specified times.
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Our construction costs for additional biodiesel refineries may also increase to a level that would make a new facility too expensive to complete or unprofitable to operate. Contractors, engineering firms, construction firms and equipment suppliers also receive requests and orders from other companies and, therefore, we may not be able to secure their services or products on a timely basis or on acceptable financial terms. We may suffer significant delays or cost overruns as a result of a variety of factors, such as increases in the prices of raw materials, shortages of workers or materials, transportation constraints, adverse weather, equipment failures, fires, damage to or destruction of property and equipment, environmental damage, unforeseen difficulties or labor issues, any of which could prevent us from commencing operations as expected at our facilities.
Our results of operations, financial condition and business outlook will be highly dependent on commodity prices, which are subject to significant volatility and uncertainty, and the availability of supplies, so our results could fluctuate substantially.
Our results are substantially dependent on many different commodity prices, especially prices for feedstock, biodiesel, petroleum diesel and materials used in the construction of our refineries. As a result of the volatility of the prices for these items, our results may fluctuate substantially and we may experience periods of declining prices for our products and increasing costs for our raw materials, which could result in operating losses. Although we may attempt to offset a portion of the effects of fluctuations in prices by entering into forward contracts to supply biodiesel or purchase feedstock or other items or by engaging in transactions involving exchange-traded futures contracts, the amount and duration of these hedging and other risk mitigation activities may vary substantially over time and these activities also involve substantial risks.
The price of feedstock is influenced by market demand, weather conditions, animal processing and rendering plant decisions, factors affecting crop yields, farmer planting decisions and general economic, market and regulatory factors. These factors include government policies and subsidies with respect to agriculture and international trade, and global and local demand and supply. The significance and relative effect of these factors on the price of feedstock is difficult to predict. Any event that tends to negatively affect the supply of feedstock, such as increased demand, adverse weather or crop disease, could increase feedstock prices and potentially harm our business. In addition, we may also have difficulty, from time to time, in physically sourcing feedstock on economical terms due to supply shortages. Such a shortage could require us to suspend operations until feedstock is available at economical terms, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position. The price we pay for feedstock at a facility could increase if an additional multi-feedstock biodiesel production facility is built in the same general vicinity or if alternative uses are found for lower cost feedstocks.
Biodiesel fuel is a commodity whose price is determined based on the price of petroleum diesel, world demand, supply and other factors, all of which are beyond our control. World prices for biodiesel fuel have fluctuated widely in recent years. We expect that prices will continue to fluctuate in the future. Price fluctuations will have a significant impact upon our revenue, the return on our investment in biodiesel refineries and on our general financial condition. Price fluctuations for biodiesel fuel may also affect the investment market, and our ability to raise investor capital. Although market prices for biodiesel fuel rose to near-record levels during 2005 and have remained near those levels since then, there is no assurance that these prices will remain at high levels. Future decreases in the prices of biodiesel or petroleum diesel fuel may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and future results of operations.
We may be unable to obtain the additional capital required to implement our business plan.
We expect that current capital and other existing resources will be sufficient to provide only a limited amount of capital to operate and build our plants. On their own, the revenues generated from the designing and building biodiesel refineries and the proceeds from our recently completed private placements of securities are not currently sufficient to fund operations and planned growth to own and operate our own refineries. We will require additional capital to continue to expand our business beyond the initial phase. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain the capital required in a timely fashion, on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to obtain required additional financing, we may be forced to restrain our growth plans or cut back existing operations.
Future construction and operation of biodiesel refineries, capital expenditures to build and operate our refineries, hiring qualified management and key employees, complying with licensing, registration and other requirements, maintaining compliance with applicable laws, production and marketing activities, administrative requirements, such as salaries,
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insurance expenses and general overhead expenses, legal compliance costs and accounting expenses will all require a substantial amount of additional capital and cash flow.
We will be required to pursue sources of additional capital through various means, including joint venture projects, debt financing, equity financing or other means. There is no assurance that we will be successful in locating a suitable financing transaction in a timely fashion or at all. In addition, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining the capital we require by any other means. Future financings through equity investments are likely, and these are likely to be dilutive to the existing shareholders, as we issue additional shares of common stock to investors in future financing transactions. Also, the terms of securities we issue in future capital transactions may be more favorable for our new investors. Newly issued securities may include preferences, superior voting rights, the issuance of warrants or other derivative securities, and the issuances of incentive awards under equity employee incentive plans, which may have additional dilutive effects. Further, we may incur substantial costs in pursuing future capital or financing, including investment banking fees, legal fees, accounting fees, securities law compliance fees, printing and distribution expenses and other costs. We may also be required to recognize non-cash expenses in connection with certain securities we may issue, such as convertible notes and warrants, which may adversely affect our financial condition.
Our ability to obtain needed financing may be impaired by such factors as the capital markets, both generally and specifically in the biodiesel industry, the fact that we are a new enterprise without a proven operating history, the location of our biodiesel refineries in the United States, instead of Europe or other regions where biodiesel is more widely accepted, and the price of biodiesel and oil on the commodities market. Furthermore, if petroleum or biodiesel prices on the commodities markets decrease, then our revenues will likely decrease and decreased revenues may increase our requirements for capital. Some of the contractual arrangements governing our operations may require us to maintain minimum capital, and we may lose our contract rights if we do not have the required minimum capital. If the amount of capital we are able to raise from financing activities, together with our revenues from operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our capital needs, even to the extent that we reduce our operations accordingly, we may be required to cease operations.
Strategic relationships on which we may rely are subject to change.
Our ability to identify and enter into commercial arrangements with feedstock suppliers, construction contractors, equipment fabricators and biodiesel customers will depend on developing and maintaining close working relationships with industry participants. Our success in this area will also depend on our ability to select and evaluate suitable projects as well as to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. These realities are subject to change and may impair our ability to grow.
To develop our business, we will use the business relationships of management in order to form strategic relationships. These relationships may take the form of joint ventures with other private parties or local government bodies, contractual arrangements with other companies, including those that supply feedstock that we will use in our business, or minority investments from third parties. There can be no assurances that we will be able to establish these strategic relationships, or, if established, that the relationships will be maintained, particularly if members of the management team leave our company. In addition, the dynamics of our relationships with strategic partners may require us to incur expenses or undertake activities we would not otherwise be inclined to incur or undertake in order to fulfill our obligations to these partners or maintain these relationships. If we do not successfully establish or maintain strategic relationships, our business may be negatively affected.
Our business may suffer if we are unable to attract or retain talented personnel.
As of May 31, 2007, we had 35 full-time equivalent employees. Our success will depend in large measure on the abilities, expertise, judgment, discretion, integrity, and good faith of our management, as well as other personnel. We have a relatively small but very effective management team, and the loss of a key individual or inability to attract suitably qualified replacements or additional staff could adversely affect our business. We may also experience difficulties in certain jurisdictions in our efforts to obtain and/or retain suitably qualified staff willing to work in such jurisdictions. Our success depends on the ability of management and employees to interpret market and technical data correctly, as well as respond to economic, market and other conditions. No assurance can be given that our key personnel will continue their association or employment with us or that replacement personnel with comparable skills will be found. If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel and additional employees, our business may be adversely affected.
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We may be unable to locate suitable properties and obtain the development rights needed to build and expand our business.
Our long-term business plan focuses on designing, building and operating biodiesel refineries for our own account. Although we were able to successfully enter into agreements to purchase land in Seneca and to lease land in Muskogee, our ability to acquire quality properties in the future is uncertain and we may be required to delay construction of our facilities, which may create unanticipated costs and delays. In the event that we are not successful in identifying and obtaining development rights on suitable properties for building and operating biodiesel refineries, our future prospects for profitability will likely be substantially limited, and our financial condition and resulting operations may be adversely affected.
The production, sale and distribution of biodiesel is dependent on sufficient and necessary infrastructure which may not occur on a timely basis, if at all, and our operations could be adversely affected by infrastructure disruptions.
Substantial development of infrastructure will be required by persons and entities outside our control for our operations, and the biodiesel industry generally, to grow. Areas requiring expansion include, but are not limited to:
· adequate rail capacity, including sufficient numbers of dedicated tanker cars;
· sufficient terminal and storage facilities for feedstock and biodiesel;
· increases in truck fleets capable of transporting biodiesel within localized markets; and
· expansion of refining and blending facilities to handle biodiesel.
Substantial investments required for these infrastructure changes and expansions may not be made or they may not be made on a timely basis. Any delay or failure in making the changes to or expansion of infrastructure could hurt the demand or prices for our products, impede our delivery of products, impose additional costs on us or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
The U.S. biodiesel industry is highly dependent upon a myriad of federal and state legislation and regulation and any changes in legislation or regulation could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.
The production of biodiesel is made significantly more competitive by federal and state tax incentives. The federal excise tax incentive program for biodiesel was originally enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, but is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2008. This program provides fuel blenders, generally distributors, with a one-cent tax credit for each percentage point of vegetable oil derived biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel. For example, distributors that blend soybean-derived biodiesel with petroleum diesel into a B20 blend would receive a twenty cent per gallon excise tax credit. The program also provides blenders of recycled oils, such as yellow grease from restaurants, with a one-half cent tax credit for each percentage point of recycled oil derived biodiesel blended with petroleum diesel. For example, distributors that blend recycled oil derived biodiesel with petroleum diesel into a B20 blend would receive a ten cent per gallon excise tax credit.
In addition, approximately thirty-one states provide mandates, programs and other incentives to increase biodiesel production and use, such as mandates for fleet use or for overall use within the state, tax credits, financial grants, tax deductions, financial assistance, tax exemptions and fuel rebate programs. These incentives are meant to lower the cost of biodiesel in comparison to petroleum diesel. The elimination or significant reduction in the federal excise tax incentive program or state incentive programs benefiting biodiesel may have a material and adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.
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Adverse public opinions concerning the biodiesel industry in general or biodiesel produced from animal-derived fats, oils and greases could harm our business.
The biodiesel industry is new, and general public acceptance of biodiesel is uncertain, particularly with respect to biodiesel produced from animal-derived fats, oil and greases. Public acceptance of biodiesel produced by the Nova process as a reliable, high-quality alternative to diesel may be limited or slower than anticipated due to several factors, including:
· public perception that biodiesel produced from animal-derived fats, oil and greases or waste vegetable oils does not consistently comply with ASTM D6751 or other applicable standards;
· public perception that the use of biodiesel will require excessive engine modifications, or that engines running biodiesel will not reliably start in cold conditions;
· actual or perceived problems with biodiesel quality or performance; and
· concern that using biodiesel will void engine warranties.
Even if the Nova process consistently produces biodiesel that complies with ASTM D6751 and other applicable standards, actual or perceived problems with quality control in the industry generally may lead to a lack of consumer confidence in biodiesel and harm our ability to successfully market biodiesel. For example, the State of Minnesota temporarily suspended its 2% biodiesel, or B2, mandate on at least two occasions due to concerns about biodiesel quality. Similar quality control issues in biodiesel that is produced by other industry participants could result in a decrease in demand or mandates for biodiesel, with a resulting decrease in our revenue
Public perception may be further exacerbated by misinformation disseminated for political purposes. For example, a prominent U.S. Congressman recently issued a press release disparaging biodiesel produced from animal-derived fats in connection with proposed legislation intended to eliminate a portion of the biodiesel excise tax credit. This legislation was introduced after a major U.S. oil company and a major U.S. poultry processor announced a joint venture to produce biodiesel from excess poultry fat. While we believe the Nova process will consistently produce ASTM D6751 quality biodiesel, as well as biodiesel that meets or exceed the European EN 14214 standard, such public statements may adversely affect public and industry perceptions. Such public perceptions or concerns, whether substantiated or not, may adversely affect the demand for our biodiesel, which in turn could decrease our sales, harm our business and adversely affect our financial condition.
Cold weather can cause biodiesel to gel sooner than petroleum-based diesel, which could require blending with petroleum-based diesel and result in increased blending and storage costs and may result in loss of consumer confidence in biodiesel if there is continued use of unblended biodiesel in sufficiently cold weather. Such loss of confidence could adversely impact our ability to successfully market and sell our biodiesel.
The pour point for a fuel is the temperature at which the flow of the fuel substantially stops. A lower pour point means the fuel will flow more readily in cold weather. The pour points for No. 2 diesel and No. 1 diesel, which are used extensively for automotive transportation, are approximately -17ºF and -45ºF, respectively. In contrast, the pour points of soybean-based, yellow grease-based and animal tallow-based pure biodiesel, or B100, are approximately 32ºF, 37ºF and 64ºF, respectively. However, in testing conducted in 2005 by the Biodiesel Cold Flow Consortium established by the National Biodiesel Board, the pour points of soybean-based, yellow grease-based and animal tallow-based 2% blended biodiesel, or B2, were approximately -17ºF each, the same pour point as No. 2 diesel. We believe that B5 and B20 blends would produce similar results. Therefore, we believe that most biodiesel produced in the U.S. will need to be a blended product to provide an acceptable pour point in cold weather. This may cause the demand for our biodiesel in colder climates to diminish seasonally. This may also require us to use particular feedstocks that customers believe are better suited for their climate, which could require us to purchase more expensive feedstocks and increase our cost of sales. In addition, the testing conducted by the Biodiesel Cold Flow Consortium showed that successful blending of biodiesel with petroleum-based diesel would require the biodiesel to be heated to approximately 10 ºF above its cloud point. This would necessitate that use of heated facilities in order to produce a blended product, which would increase blending costs and resulting cost of biodiesel sold to the public. Further, at low temperatures, biodiesel may need to be stored in a heated building or heated storage tanks,
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which would increase storage costs. Any reduction in the demand for, or increased costs of, our biodiesel will reduce our revenue and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our commercial success will depend in part on our ability to obtain and maintain protection of our intellectual property.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to maintain or obtain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for our technologies and to preserve our trade secrets, and to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of third parties. We have obtained or developed rights to patents and patent applications in the United States and internationally, and may, in the future, seek rights from third parties to other patent applications or patented technology. Significant aspects of our technology are currently protected as trade secrets, for which we intend to file patent applications when appropriate. There can be no assurance that patents will issue from the patent applications filed or to be filed or that the scope of any claims granted in any patent will provide us with proprietary protection or a competitive advantage. We cannot be certain that the creators of our technology were the first inventors of inventions covered by our patents and patent applications or that they were the first to file. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our patents will be valid or will afford us with protection against competitors with similar technology.
The failure to obtain or maintain patent or other intellectual property protection on the technologies underlying our biodiesel refining process may have a material adverse effect on our competitive position and business prospects. It is also possible that our technologies may infringe on patents or other intellectual property rights owned by others. We may have to alter our products or processes, pay licensing fees, defend an infringement action or challenge the validity of the patents in court, or cease activities altogether because of patent rights of third parties, thereby causing additional unexpected costs and delays to us. There can be no assurance that a license will be available to us, if at all, upon terms and conditions acceptable to us or that we will prevail in any intellectual property litigation.
Intellectual property litigation is costly and time consuming, and there can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to pursue such litigation. If we do not obtain a license under such third party intellectual property rights, are found liable for infringement or are not able to have such patents declared invalid, we may be liable for significant money damages and may encounter significant delays in bringing products and services to market. There can be no assurance that we have identified United States and foreign patents that pose a risk of infringement.
Competition may impair our success.
We face competition from other producers of biodiesel with respect to procuring feedstock, obtaining suitable properties for the construction of biodiesel refineries and selling biodiesel and related products. Such competition could be intense thus driving up the cost of feedstock and driving down the price for our products. Competition will likely increase as prices of energy in the commodities market, including petroleum and biodiesel, rise, as they have in recent years. Additionally, new companies are constantly entering the market thus increasing the competition.
Larger foreign owned and domestic companies who have been engaged in this business for substantially longer periods of time, such as vertically integrated agricultural and food supply companies such as ADM and Bunge, or who decide to enter into our industry, such as Tyson and ConocoPhillips, may have access to greater resources. These companies may have greater success in the recruitment and retention of qualified employees, as well as in conducting their own refining and fuel marketing operations, and may have greater access to feedstocks, market presence, economies of scale, financial resources and engineering, technical and marketing capabilities, which may give them a competitive advantage. In addition, actual or potential competitors may be strengthened through the acquisition of additional assets and interests. If we are unable to compete effectively or adequately respond to competitive pressures, this may materially adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition and could also have a negative impact on our ability to obtain additional capital from investors.
Competition due to advances in alternative fuels may lessen the demand for biodiesel and negatively impact our profitability.
Alternative fuels, gasoline oxygenates, ethanol and biodiesel production methods are continually under development. A number of automotive, industrial and power generation manufacturers are developing alternative clean power systems using fuel cells or clean-burning gaseous fuels that, like biodiesel, may address increasing worldwide energy costs, the long-term
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availability of petroleum reserves and environmental concerns. Additionally, there is significant research and development being undertaken regarding the production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass, the production of methane from anaerobic digestors and the production of electricity from wind and tidal energy systems, among other potential sources of renewable energy. If these alternative fuels continue to expand and gain broad acceptance such that the overall demand for diesel is reduced, we may not be able to compete effectively.
Our business is subject to local legal, political, and economic factors which are beyond our control.
We believe that the current political environment for construction of biodiesel refineries is sufficiently supportive to enable us to plan and implement our operations. However, there are risks that conditions will change in an adverse manner. These risks include, but are not limited to, laws or policies affecting mandates or incentives to promote the use of biodiesel, environmental issues, land use, air emissions, water use, zoning, workplace safety, restrictions imposed on the biodiesel fuel industry such as restrictions on production, substantial changes in product quality standards, restrictions on feedstock supply, price controls and export controls. Any changes in biodiesel fuel, financial incentives, investment regulations, policies or a shift in political attitudes are beyond our control and may adversely affect our business and future financial results.
Changes in industry specification standards for biodiesel may increase production costs or require additional capital expenditures to upgrade or modify our biodiesel production facilities. Such upgrades or modifications may entail delays in construction or stoppages of production.
The American Society of Testing and Materials, or ASTM, is the recognized standard-setting body for fuels and additives in the U.S. ASTM’s specification for biodiesel as a blend stock, D6751, has been adopted by the EPA, and compliance with such specification is required in order for our biodiesel to qualify as a legal motor fuel for sale and distribution. In Europe, biodiesel standard is EN 14214, which has been modified to a more stringent standard in Germany. ASTM and the European standard setting bodies have modified the biodiesel specifications in the past, and are expected to continue to modify the specification in the future as the use of biodiesel expands. There is no guarantee that our production facilities will be able to produce ASTM-compliant biodiesel in the event of changes to the specifications. We may need to invest significant capital resources to upgrade or modify our production facilities, which might cause delays in construction or stoppages of production and the resultant loss of revenue, or which might not be economically feasible at all. Any modifications to our production facilities or to the biodiesel ASTM specification or other specification with which we attempt to comply may entail increased construction or production costs or reduced production capacity. These consequences could result in a negative impact on our financial performance.
Environmental risks and regulations may adversely affect our business.
All phases of designing, constructing and operating biodiesel refineries present environmental risks and hazards. We are subject to environmental regulation implemented or imposed by a variety of federal, state and municipal laws and regulations as well as international conventions. Among other things, environmental legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills and discharges, as well as emissions of various substances produced in association with biodiesel fuel operations. Legislation also requires that facility sites be operated, maintained, abandoned and reclaimed in such a way that would satisfy applicable regulatory authorities. Compliance with such legislation can require significant expenditures and a breach may result in the imposition of fines and penalties, some of which may be material. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner we expect may result in stricter standards and enforcement, larger fines and liability, as well as potentially increased capital expenditures and operating costs.
The presence or discharge of pollutants in or into the air, soil or water may give rise to liabilities to governments and third parties and may require us to incur costs to remedy such presence or discharge. If we are unable to remediate such conditions economically or obtain reimbursement or indemnification from third parties, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, environmental regulatory standards for emissions into the air may adversely affect the market for biodiesel. For example, in 2005, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a rule for its Texas Low Emission Diesel program, which mandated reformulated diesel fuels that are less polluting. While biodiesel is generally believed to reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, sulfur, carbon monoxide and particulate pollutants, its effect on the emissions of nitrogen oxide in comparison to petroleum diesel are not, at this time, clearly established. In 2005, the Texas
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Commission on Environmental Quality stated that biodiesel did not comply with the Texas Low Emission Diesel program, but suspended the implementation of its statement until December 31, 2007 while it reviews technical data related to nitrogen oxide emissions from biodiesel as compared to petroleum diesel. If the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules that biodiesel does not meet the mandates for the Texas Low Emission Diesel program, market demand for biodiesel in the State of Texas would be significantly reduced. We cannot give assurance that the application of environmental laws to our business will not cause us to limit our production, to significantly increase the costs of our operations and activities, to reduce the market for our products or to otherwise adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or prospects.
Penalties we may incur could impair our business.
Failure to comply with government regulations could subject us to civil and criminal penalties, require us to forfeit property rights and may affect the value of our assets or our ability to conduct our business. We may also be required to take corrective actions, including, but not limited to, installing additional equipment, which could require us to make substantial capital expenditures. We could also be required to indemnify our employees in connection with any expenses or liabilities that they may incur individually in connection with regulatory action against them. These could result in a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and our results of operation.
Our business will suffer if we cannot obtain or maintain necessary permits or licenses.
Our operations will require licenses, permits and in some cases renewals of these licenses and permits from various governmental authorities. Our ability to obtain, sustain, or renew such licenses and permits on acceptable, commercially viable terms are subject to change, as, among other things, the regulations and policies of applicable governmental authorities may change. Our inability to obtain or extend a license or a loss of any of these licenses or permits may have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Our insurance may be inadequate to cover liabilities we may incur.
Our involvement in the design, construction and operation of biodiesel refineries may result in our becoming subject to liability for pollution, property damage, personal injury, or other hazards. Although we will obtain insurance in accordance with industry standards to address those risks, insurance has limitations on liability that may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of our liabilities. In addition, some risks may not be insurable or, in certain circumstances, we may choose not to obtain insurance to manage specific risks due to the high premiums associated with the insurance, or for other reasons. The payment of uninsured liabilities could reduce the funds available for operations or capital needs. If we suffer a significant event or occurrence that is not fully covered by insurance, or if the insurer of a particular incident is not solvent, this could result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Increases in our energy costs will affect operating results and financial condition.
Our biodiesel production costs will be dependent on the costs of the energy sources used to run our refineries. These costs are subject to fluctuations and variations in different locations where we intend to operate, and we may not be able to predict or control these costs. If these costs exceed our expectations, this may adversely affect our results of operations.
We may not be able to effectively manage our growth.
Our strategy includes expanding our business operations. If we fail to effectively manage the growth, our financial results could be adversely affected. Growth may place a strain on our management systems and resources. We must continue to refine and expand our business development capabilities, our systems and processes and our access to financing sources. As we grow, we must continue to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. We cannot assure that we will be able to:
· meet our capital needs;
· expand our systems effectively, efficiently or in a timely manner;
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· allocate our human resources optimally;
· identify and hire qualified employees or retain valued employees; or
· effectively incorporate the components of any business that we may acquire in the future.
If we are unable to manage our growth and operations, then our financial results could be adversely affected.
Lack of diversification may increase the risk.
Larger companies have the ability to manage their risk through diversification. However, we lack diversification, in terms of both the nature and geographic scope of our business. As a result, we could potentially be affected more by factors affecting the biodiesel industry or the regions in which we operate than we would if our business were more diversified.
We will rely on technology to conduct our business and our technology could become ineffective or obsolete.
We will be required to continually enhance and update our technology to maintain its efficacy and to avoid obsolescence. The costs of doing so may be substantial and may be higher than the costs that we anticipate for technology maintenance and development. If we are unable to maintain the efficacy of our technology, our ability to manage our business and to compete may be impaired. Even if we are able to maintain technical effectiveness, our technology may not be the most efficient means of reaching our objectives, in which case we may incur higher operating costs than we would if our technology was more effective. The impact of technical shortcomings could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Litigation or other proceedings relating to intellectual property rights could result in substantial costs and liabilities and prevent us from selling our biodiesel.
We must operate in a way that does not infringe the intellectual property rights of others in the U.S. and foreign countries. Third parties may claim that our production process or related technologies infringe their patents or other intellectual property rights. Competitors may have filed patent applications or have issued patents and may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights related to production processes that are similar to ours. We may not be aware of all of the patents potentially adverse to our interests. We may need to participate in interference proceedings in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or in similar agencies of foreign governments to determine the priority of invention involving issued patents and pending applications of another entity.
The cost to us of any litigation or other proceeding relating to intellectual property rights, even if resolved in our favor, may cause us to incur significant expenses, divert the attention of our management and key personnel from other business concerns and, in certain cases, result in substantial additional expenses to license technologies from third parties. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can because they have substantially greater resources or engage legal counsel willing to advance the litigation costs. An unfavorable outcome in an interference proceeding or patent infringement suit could require us to pay substantial damages, cease using the technology or to license rights, potentially at a substantial cost, from prevailing third parties. There is no assurance that any prevailing party would offer us a license or that we could acquire any license made available to us on commercially acceptable terms. Even if we are able to obtain rights to a third party’s intellectual property, those rights may be non-exclusive and therefore our competitors may obtain access to the same intellectual property. Ultimately, we may be unable to produce and sell our biodiesel or may have to cease some of our business operations as a result of infringement claims, which could severely harm our business. We cannot give assurances that our biodiesel technologies will not conflict with the intellectual property rights of others. Additionally, any involvement in litigation in which we are accused of infringement may result in negative publicity about us and injure our relations with any then-current or prospective customers or vendors.
Decommissioning costs are unknown and may be substantial.
We may become responsible for costs associated with abandoning facilities that we use for production of biodiesel, which we anticipate will have a useful life of twenty years in the absence of a major overhaul. Abandonment and reclamation of these facilities and the associated costs are often referred to as “decommissioning.” We have not yet
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determined if we will establish a reserve account for these potential costs for any of our biodiesel refineries or if we will be able to pay for the costs of decommissioning from the proceeds of future sales. The use of other funds to pay for decommissioning costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and future results of operations.
We are subject to financial reporting and other requirements for which our accounting, internal audit and other management systems and resources may not be adequately prepared.
As a result of our share exchange with Biosource America in March 2006, we became subject to reporting and other obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 will require us to conduct an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting, provide a report on our assessment and obtain a report by our independent auditors addressing our assessments. These reporting and other obligations will place significant demands on our management, administrative, operational, internal audit and accounting and financial resources.
Risks related to our prior business may adversely affect our business.
Prior to the share exchange and the resulting change in control of our company, our business involved oil and natural gas exploration, with an emphasis on the development and production of oil and natural gas assets. This included ownership of non-operating, working interests in two wells in Texas and the exploration of this property. We have determined not to pursue this line of business. However, claims arising from our former business may be made against us. These claims may arise from these former activities (including employee and labor matters), financing and credit arrangements or other commercial transactions. While no claims are pending and we have no actual knowledge of any threatened claims, it is possible that third parties may seek to make claims against us related to the activities and liabilities of our company prior to the share exchange. Even if asserted claims are without merit and we have no liability, defense costs and the distraction of management’s attention may adversely affect our business. If any potential claims are made, our business could suffer, particularly if any such claims are material in terms of their magnitude or complexity. Therefore, claims arising from our business prior to the share exchange may have a material adverse effect on our business in the future.
An NASD review of the trading activity in our shares of common stock could have a material adverse effect on us.
On April 26, 2006, we received a letter from the National Association of Securities Dealers, or NASD, stating that the Staff of the Market Regulation Department of the NASD is conducting a review of the trading activity in our shares of common stock surrounding the March 31, 2006 announcement that we entered into a share exchange agreement with Biosource America. In connection with such review, the Staff requested that we provide a detailed, written chronology of the events that preceded the corporate disclosure and other documents and information. We conducted an internal review of the circumstances surrounding the announcement in connection with our response to the NASD request. We responded to such requests by providing copies of the requested documents and the requested chronology. In the course of such review, we learned that the press release containing the March 31 announcement was sent to our outside investor relations service provider on the evening of March 30, 2006 to be forwarded to Market Wire for immediate release. That apparently was not done until the morning of March 31, 2006. Our investor relations service provider has advised us that Market Wire confirmed receipt of the press release by return e-mail to our investor relations service provider around 6:51 a.m. CST on March 31, 2006 but that Market Wire did not disseminate the press release until 9:01 a.m. CST. The reason for the delay is unclear.
Although the precise timing is currently not known, it appears that our current President, believing that the press release had been disseminated the night before, may have advised three individuals about the press release after it was sent to Market Wire but prior to its public dissemination by Market Wire the morning of March 31, 2006. Such officer has advised our board of directors that at the time he advised such individuals about the press release he believed that Market Wire had already disseminated it to the public. He also advised our board of directors that each of the individuals to whom he had advised of the press release on the morning of March 31, 2006 have informed him that they purchased shares of our common stock. In the course of our internal review, each of such individuals provided us with trade information or other documentation from their respective brokers. It appears from such documentation that one and possibly two of these individuals purchased shares of common stock prior to the dissemination of the press release by Market Wire at 9:01 a.m. CST.
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Our internal review remains open and cannot predict what action, if any, we may take or what action, if any, the NASD staff may finally recommend or whether it will refer its review to governmental agencies for further investigation or enforcement action. Members of our board of directors and management may spend considerable time and effort addressing this matter. This expenditure of time and effort may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Further, the resolution of this review could result in the administrative, civil or injunctive proceedings, sanctions, fines or other penalties, the loss of key personnel and increased review and scrutiny of us by regulatory authorities and others.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR SECURITIES
There is not a well-established trading market for our common stock.
Our common stock is currently quoted on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “NBF.” While our common stock is now listed on a national securities exchange, the average trading volume has not changed significantly from the recent historical average daily trading volume experienced by our common stock when it was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board system and the sales prices for our common stock have fluctuated widely since the share exchange in March 2006 depending on the trading volume. The limited public trading market and price volatility may impair your ability to sell your shares of our common stock at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable, reduce the fair market value of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital by selling additional shares of capital stock and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using common stock as consideration.
Prior to May 14, 2007, our common stock was quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board system under the symbol “NVBF.”
Other factors could cause the market price of our common stock to continue to be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations.
In addition to the limited trading market, the market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
· dilution caused by our issuance of additional shares of common stock and other forms of equity securities, which we expect to make in connection with future capital financings to fund our operations and growth, to attract and retain valuable personnel and in connection with future strategic partnerships with other companies;
· announcements of new financings, refinery startups, acquisitions and other business initiatives by our competitors;
· fluctuations in revenue from our biodiesel refineries;
· volatility in the market for biodiesel fuel commodities and/or generally in the capital markets;
· changes in the availability of feedstock on commercially economic terms;
· changes in the availability of the rail transportation equipment or access to the rail transportation system;
· changes in the demand for biodiesel fuel, including changes resulting from the expansion of other alternative fuels;
· changes in the social, political and/or legal climate in the regions in which we will operate;
· quarterly variations in our revenues and operating expenses;
· changes in the valuation of similarly situated companies, both in our industry and in other industries;
· changes in analysts’ estimates affecting us, our competitors or our industry;
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· changes in the accounting methods used in or otherwise affecting our industry;
· additions and departures of key personnel;
· announcements of technological innovations or new products available to the biodiesel refineries industry;
· announcements by relevant governments pertaining to incentives for alternative energy development programs;
· fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates and the availability of capital in the capital markets; or
· significant sales of our common stock, including sales by shareholders holding shares of common stock issued in the share exchange and future investors in future offerings from which we expect to raise additional capital.
These and other factors are largely beyond our control, and the impact of these risks, singly or taken together, may result in material adverse changes to the market price of the common stock and/or our results of operation and financial condition.
Shares of our common stock that previously could not be traded without restriction are currently eligible for trading upon compliance with Rule 144.
As of June 4, 2007, 109,998,692 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding. Of the shares outstanding as of such date, approximately 61,170,000 shares were “restricted securities” and were not eligible for trading without compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities Act. On April 3, 2007 substantially all such shares had satisfied the initial one-year holding period of Rule 144.
As a result, the “restricted securities” are eligible for trading so long as all the requirements of Rule 144 are met. During the period from February 1, 2007 to June 5, 2007, stockholders holding 1,521,500 shares of commons stock submitted to us Notices of Proposed Sale of Securities on Form 144. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that the availability of these shares for sale, or the sale of these shares, will have on the market price for our common stock. If the number of shares offered for sale is greater than the number of shares sought to be purchased, then the price of our common stock would decline. The market price of our securities could be adversely affected by future sales of these securities.
A large number of shares of our common stock underlying warrants and options may be eligible for future sale and the sale of these shares may depress the market price of our common stock.
The issuance of shares of common stock upon the exercise of our outstanding options and warrants will result in dilution to the interests of our shareholders and you as an investor, and may have an adverse effect on the trading price and market for our common stock. As of April 30, 2007, we had options and warrants outstanding that may be exercised at various times to acquire 21,659,336 shares, or approximately 16.5%, of our common stock on a fully diluted basis. The future sale of these shares may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Shares issued upon exercise of our outstanding warrants and options will also cause immediate and substantial dilution to our existing shareholders. In addition, as long as these warrants and options remain outstanding, our ability to obtain additional capital through the sale of our securities might be adversely affected.
Our existing shareholders can exert significant influence over us. Their interests may not coincide with yours and they may make decisions with which you may disagree.
Kenneth T. Hern, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, J.D. McGraw, our President, and Dallas Neil, our Vice President of Marketing, own approximately 13.4%, 13.2% and 9.4%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these shareholders, acting individually or together, could exert significant influence over substantially all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions. In addition, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change in control of our company and make some transactions more difficult or impossible without the support of these shareholders. The interests of these shareholders may not always coincide with our interests as a company or the interest of other shareholders. Accordingly, these shareholders
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could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that you would not approve or make decisions with which you may disagree.
We are a holding company and there may be limitations on our ability to receive distributions from our subsidiaries.
We conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries and are dependent on dividends or other intercompany transfers of funds from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations. Our subsidiaries may not have funds legally available for dividends or distributions and we may enter into credit or other agreements that would contractually restrict our subsidiaries from paying dividends, making distributions or making intracompany loans to our parent company or to any other subsidiary, which may adversely affect our ability to finance construction of other biodiesel refineries from operating cash flow or to pay dividends to stockholders.
We do not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We do not intend to declare dividends for the foreseeable future, as we anticipate that we will reinvest any future earnings into the development and growth of our business. Therefore, investors will not receive any funds unless they sell their common stock, and shareholders may be unable to sell their shares on favorable terms or at all. Investors cannot be assured of a positive return on investment or that they will not lose the entire amount of their investment in the common stock.
If we are or become a “United States real property holding corporation,” non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, in connection with the disposition of our shares, and U.S. investors selling our shares may be required to certify as to their status in order to avoid withholding.
A non-U.S. holder of our common stock will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax with respect to distributions made by us that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, a non-U.S. holder of our common stock not otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain from the sale or other disposition of our common stock may nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such sale or other disposition if we are, or have been, a United States real property holding corporation at any time within the five-year period preceding the disposition, or the non-U.S. holder’s holding period if shorter. Generally, a corporation is a “United States real property holding corporation” at any time the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and applicable regulations, equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. Although we believe that we are not currently a United States real property holding corporation, and do not expect to become a United States real property holding corporation, no assurances can be made in this regard.
Certain non-U.S. holders of our common stock may be eligible for an exception to the general rule described above if our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and the non-U.S. holder holds no more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, directly or indirectly, during the relevant period, or the 5% exception. If we are a United States real property holding corporation during the relevant time period, and the 5% exception does not apply, the purchaser or other transferee of our common stock will generally be required to withhold tax at the rate of 10% on the sales price or other amount realized, unless the transferor furnishes an affidavit certifying that it is not a foreign person in the manner and form specified in the applicable U.S. Treasury regulations.
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Item 3. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Management, under the general direction of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, has performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation included consideration of the controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in this report.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting.
There have been no changes in our system of internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended April 30, 2007, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We are currently not subject to any material legal proceedings.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
We did not submit any matters to a vote of our security holders during this fiscal quarter that ended April 30, 2007.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (composite as amended) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended October 31, 2006 and filed with the SEC on January 16, 2007). |
| | |
3.2 | | Bylaws of the Company (composite as amended) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended January 31, 2007 and filed with the SEC on March 19, 2007). |
| | |
10.1* | | Biofuel Tolling and Off-Take Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, between Nova Biofuels Trade Group, LLC and Scott Petroleum Corporation. |
| | |
31.1* | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
31.2* | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
32.1* | | Certification of 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 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 with this report.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| NOVA BIOSOURCE FUELS, INC. | |
| | |
| | |
June 14, 2007 | /s/ Kenneth T. Hern | |
| Kenneth T. Hern | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| | |
| | |
June 14, 2007 | /s/ David G. Gullickson | |
| David G. Gullickson | |
| Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| | | |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (composite as amended) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended October 31, 2006 and filed with the SEC on January 16, 2007). |
| | |
3.2 | | Bylaws of the Company (composite as amended) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended January 31, 2007 and filed with the SEC on March 19, 2007). |
| | |
10.1* | | Biofuel Tolling and Off-Take Agreement, dated March 7, 2007, between Nova Biofuels Trade Group, LLC and Scott Petroleum Corporation. |
| | |
31.1* | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
31.2* | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
| | |
32.1* | | Certification of 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 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 with this report.