| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities which it controls. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated for consolidated reporting purposes. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consists of money market funds and demand deposits with financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are carried at invoiced amount less allowance for doubtful accounts. Management estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on existing economic conditions, the financial conditions of customers, and the amount and age of past due accounts. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after reasonable collection attempts have been exhausted. Activity regarding the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows: Balance, January 1, 2014 $ 2,124 Amount charged to selling, general and administrative expenses 1,453 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (1,304 ) Balance, December 31, 2014 2,273 Amount charged to selling, general and administrative expenses (803 ) Charge-offs, net of recoveries (119 ) Balance, December 31, 2015 1,351 Amount charged to selling, general and administrative expenses 630 Charge-offs, net of recoveries (106 ) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ 1,875 Inventories Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined based on the first-in, first-out method. There were no lower of cost or market adjustments made to the inventory values reported as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 . Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) When the Company produces and sells a gallon of biomass-based diesel, 1.5 to 1.7 RINs per gallon are generated. RINs are used to track compliance with Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS2). RFS2 allows the Company to attach between zero and 2.5 RINs to any gallon of biomass-based diesel. As a result, a portion of the selling price for a gallon of biomass-based diesel is generally attributable to RFS2 compliance. However, RINs that the Company generates are a form of government incentive and not a result of the physical attributes of the biomass-based diesel production. Therefore, no cost is allocated to the RIN when it is generated, regardless of whether the RIN is transferred with the biomass-based diesel produced or held by the Company pending attachment to other biomass-based diesel production sales. In addition, the Company also obtains RINs from third parties who have separated the RINs from gallons of biomass-based diesel. From time to time, the Company holds varying amounts of these separated RINs for resale. RINs obtained from third parties are initially recorded at their cost and are subsequently revalued at the lower of cost or market as of the last day of each accounting period and the resulting adjustments are reflected in costs of goods sold for the period. The value of these RINs is reflected in “Prepaid expenses and other assets” on the consolidated balance sheet. The cost of goods sold related to the sale of these RINs is determined using the average cost method, while market prices are determined by RIN values, as reported by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS). California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard The Company generates Low Carbon fuel Standard (LCFS) credits for its low carbon fuels or blendstocks when its qualified low carbon fuels are imported by REG to California though approved physical pathways. LCFS credits are used to track compliance with California’s LCFS, which enables the Company to generate LCFS credits based upon the carbon intensity of qualified fuels that are imported by REG into California. Other companies can take title outside of California and generate LCFS credits instead of REG upon import into the state. One LCFS credit equates to one metric ton reduction of carbon dioxide compared to the petroleum fuel baseline so the amount gallons of low carbon fuel consumption to generate one credit will vary. As a result, a portion of the selling price for a gallon of biomass-based diesel sold into California is also attributable to LCFS compliance. However, LCFS credits that the Company generates are a form of government incentive and not a result of the physical attributes of the biomass-based diesel production. Therefore, no cost is allocated to the LCFS credit when it is generated, regardless of whether the LCFS credit is transferred with the biomass-based diesel produced or held by the Company on other biomass-based diesel sales that do not transfer credits. In addition, the Company also obtains LCFS credits from third party trading activities. From time to time, the Company holds varying amounts of these 3rd party LCFS credits for resale. LCFS credits obtained from third parties is initially recorded at their cost and are subsequently revalued at the lower of cost or net realizable value as of the last day of each accounting period and the resulting adjustments are reflected in costs of goods sold for the period. The value of LCFS obtained from third parties is reflected in “Prepaid expenses and other assets” on the consolidated balance sheet. The cost of goods sold related to the sale of these LCFS credits is determined using the average cost method, while market prices are determined by LCFS values, as reported by the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS). At year end, the Company held no LCFS credits purchased from third parties. The Company records assets acquired and liabilities assumed through the exchange of non-monetary assets based on the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired or the fair value of the consideration exchanged, whichever is more readily determinable. Derivative Instruments Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings. The Company did not elect to use hedge accounting for all periods presented. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense is computed on a straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are as follows: Automobiles and trucks 5 years Computers and office equipment 5 years Office furniture and fixtures 7 years Machinery and equipment 5-30 years Leasehold improvements the lesser of the lease term or 30 years Buildings and improvements 30-40 years In April 2015, the Company experienced a fire at its Geismar facility, resulting in the shutdown of the facility. The Company estimated fixed assets of approximately $11,027 were impaired as a result of the fire. At December 31, 2016, the Company had received property proceeds of $19,037 from insurance for the property damage. The excess of the property insurance proceeds over the net book value of the impaired assets, $8,010 , was recorded as gain on involuntary conversion on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These proceeds for property damage were final and have been approved and paid by the insurance carriers. In September 2015, another fire occurred at the Geismar facility. The Company estimated fixed assets of approximately $1,414 were impaired by the September fire. At December 31, 2016, the Company recorded proceeds of $2,939 from insurance for the property damage. The excess of the property insurance proceeds over the net book value of the impaired assets of $1,525 , was recorded as gain on involuntary conversion on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, as of December 31, 2016, the Company recognized the undisputed portion of $15,060 from its business interruption insurance claim related to the September 2015 fire, which was recorded as an increase in biomass-based diesel sales in the Company's consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company continues to work with the insurance carriers on the in-dispute portion of the business interruption claim. None of this in-dispute business interruption insurance amount has been recognized in earnings at December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the Company capitalized interest incurred on debt during the construction of assets of $537 , $897 and $1,345 , respectively. Goodwill Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on July 31 or when impairment indicators exist. Goodwill is allocated and tested for impairment by reporting units. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had goodwill in the Services reporting unit. The analysis is based on a comparison of the carrying value of the reporting unit to its fair value, determined utilizing both a discounted cash flow methodology and a market comparable methodology. The determination of whether or not the asset has become impaired involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the fair value of the Company’s reporting units. The inputs used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s Services reporting unit are considered Level 3 inputs of the fair value hierarchy and included the following: (1) The Company’s financial projections for its reporting unit were based on its analysis of various factors which include, among other things, demands, margins, whether the BTC is reinstated, capital expenditures and economic conditions. Such estimates are consistent with those used in the Company’s budgeting and capital investment reviews, incorporating current market information, historical factors and the regulatory environment; (2) The long-term growth rates assumed for the Company’s reporting unit was based on a comparison to similar publicly traded companies, supported by market information obtained from external sources; and (3) The discount rate used to measure the present value of the projected future cash flows was determined by separately estimating borrowing cost of capital, equity cost of capital, and entity structure. Changes in estimates of future cash flows caused by items such as unforeseen events or sustained unfavorable changes in market conditions could negatively affect the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill asset and result in an impairment charge. The 2016 annual impairment test determined that the fair value of the Services reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 16% . During 2015, the Company had a full write-off of goodwill in the Biomass-based Diesel and Renewable Chemicals reporting units. Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company tests its long-lived assets for recoverability when events or circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Significant assumptions used in the undiscounted cash flow analysis, when it is required, include the projected demand for biomass-based diesel based on annual renewable fuel volume obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS2), the Company's capacity to meet that demand, the market price of biomass-based diesel and the cost of feedstock used in the manufacturing process. For facilities under construction, estimates also include the capital expenditures necessary to complete construction of the plant and the projected costs of financing. Late during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $15,593 related to its Emporia facility's property, plant and equipment assets resulting from competition from foreign, imported product and the probability of that project being completed in the near term is unlikely. In addition, the Company recorded impairment charges of $2,300 against certain property, plant and equipment as the carrying amounts of these assets were deemed not recoverable given the assets' deteriorating physical conditions identified during the fourth quarter of 2016. In 2015, other than those related to the 2015 Geismar fires of $12,441 , which were fully offset by insurance receipts and/or accounts receivable for insurance coverage, there was no other impairments recorded for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Convertible Debt In June 2016, the Company issued $152,000 aggregate principal amount of 4% convertible senior notes due 2036 (the "2036 Convertible Notes"). The Company may not elect to issue shares of common stock upon conversion of the 2036 Convertible Notes to the extent such election would result in the issuance of more than 19.99% of the common stock outstanding immediately before the issuance of the 2036 Convertible Notes until the Company receives stockholder approval for such issuance. As a result, the embedded conversion option is accounted for as an embedded derivative liability. This liability is recorded at fair value, and $13,045 fair value adjustments were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2016 . The Company expects to continue marking the embedded conversion option to market unless and until shareholders authorize additional common shares during its Annual Shareholder Meeting. See "Note 10 - Debt" for a further description of the transaction. Capped Call Transaction In connection with the issuance of the 2014 convertible senior notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions. The purchased capped call transactions were recorded as a reduction to common stock-additional paid-in-capital. Because this was considered to be an equity transaction and qualifies for the derivative scope exception, no future changes in the fair value of the capped call will be recorded by the Company. During 2016, in connection with the issuance of the 2036 Convertible Notes, certain call options covered by the original capped call transaction were rebalanced and reset to cover 100% of the total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock underlying the remaining principal of the 2019 Convertible Notes. The impact of these transactions, net of tax, was reflected as an addition/reduction to common stock-additional paid-in capital as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Equity. Share Repurchase Programs In February 2015, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program of up to $30,000 of the Company's shares of common stock. Shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or by other means. The Company accounts for share repurchases using the cost method. Under this method, the cost of the share repurchase is recorded entirely in treasury stock, a contra equity account. The Company used the remaining available funds of approximately $6,687 authorized under this program to repurchase 738,448 shares of Common Stock during the first 6 months of 2016. In March 2016, the Company's board of directors approved a repurchase program of up to $50,000 of the Company's shares of common stock and/or convertible notes, in effect through March 5, 2018. Under the program, which is in addition to the $30,000 common stock repurchase program announced in February 2015, the Company may repurchase shares or convertible notes from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions or by other means. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions were determined by the Company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, bond price, legal requirements and other factors. During 2016, the Company repurchased 5,070,375 shares of Common Stock for $44,019 under this program. In addition, the Company used approximately $5,584 under this program to repurchase $6,000 principal amount of the Company's 2019 Convertible Notes, finishing up the program in 2016. Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation The Company’s reporting and functional currency is U.S. dollars. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are remeasured into their respective functional currencies at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange gain or loss is included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations as foreign exchange gain (loss) unless the remeasurement gain or loss relates to an intercompany transaction that is of a long-term investment nature and for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future. Gains or losses arising from translation of such transactions are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries from their respective functional currencies to U.S. dollars at the appropriate spot rates as of the balance sheet date. Generally, our foreign subsidiaries use the local currency as their functional currency. Changes in the carrying value of these assets and liabilities attributable to fluctuations in spot rates are recognized in foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The other comprehensive loss amounts presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Preferred Stock and Equity mainly include the foreign currency translation adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of Petrotec AG from Euros to US Dollars, the Company's functional currency. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenues from the following sources: • the sale of biomass-based diesel and its co-products, as well as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits (LCFS credits) and raw material feedstocks, purchased or produced by the Company at owned manufacturing facilities and manufacturing facilities with which the Company has tolling arrangements; • the resale of biomass-based diesel, RINs, LCFS credits and raw material feedstocks acquired from third parties; • the sale of petroleum-based heating oil and diesel fuel acquired from third parties, along with the sale of these items further blended with biodiesel produced at wholly owned facilities; • incentives received from federal and state programs for renewable fuels; and • fees received for the marketing and sales of biomass-based diesel produced by third parties and from managing operations of third party facilities. Biomass-based diesel, including RINs and LCFS credits, and raw material feedstock revenues are recognized where there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price has been fixed or is determinable and collectability can be reasonably assured. Fees received under toll manufacturing agreements with third parties are generally established as an agreed upon amount per gallon of biomass-based diesel produced. The fees are recognized where there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price has been fixed or is determinable and collectability can be reasonably assured. Revenues associated with the governmental incentive programs are recognized when the amount to be received is determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and the sale of product giving rise to the incentive has been recognized. The Company received funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the amount of $434 , $624 and $600 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company records amounts when it has received notification of a payment from the USDA or is in receipt of the funds and records the awards under the Program in "Biodiesel government incentives" as they are closely associated with the Company's biomass-based diesel production activities. Freight Amounts billed to customers for freight are included in biomass-based diesel sales. Costs incurred for freight are included in costs of goods sold. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are charged to expense as they are incurred. Advertising and promotional expenses were $1,746 , $1,288 and $755 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Research and Development Research and development (R&D) costs are charged to expense as incurred. In process research and development (IPR&D) assets acquired in connection with acquisitions are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as intangible assets. During October 2016, the Company entered into the first commercial sale agreement to sell certain products made from the IPR&D platform. This triggered the review of the impairment and useful life of the IPR&D assets. The Company performed a final discounted cash flow analysis at October 31, 2016 prior to assigning a useful life to the IPR&D assets. No impairment was identified related to the Company's IPR&D balance at October 1, 2016, December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company then determined the useful life of the IPR&D assets to be 15 years and utilizes a straight line method to amortize these assets over the useful life. Employee Benefits Plan The Company sponsors an employee savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company makes matching contributions equal to 50% of the participant’s pre-tax contribution up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s eligible earnings. Total expense related to the Company’s defined contribution plan was $1,168 , $1,071 and $855 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant-date fair value of the award and recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. Income Taxes The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes. Accordingly, deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. Changes in tax rates are recognized directly to the income statement as they arise. Consideration is given to positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets and valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. Significant judgment is required in making this assessment. For uncertain tax positions, the Company recognizes tax benefits that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized. With regard to non-US subsidiaries, the Company will indefinitely reinvest any future earnings outside of the U.S. and currently does not have any undistributed earnings. Concentrations One customer represented slightly less than 10% of the total consolidated revenues of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. This customer accounted for more than 10% of the total consolidated revenues of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2014 . All customer amounts disclosed in the table are related to biomass-based diesel sales: 2016 2015 2014 Customer A $ 144,849 $ 114,030 $ 231,780 The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions, which may at times exceed the $250 coverage by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Company. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates are based on information that is currently available to management and on various assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates. New Accounting Pronouncements On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which introduces a lessee model that brings most leases on the balance sheet. The new standard also aligns many of the underlying principles of the new lessor model with those in ASC 606, the FASB’s new revenue recognition standard (e.g., those related to evaluating when profit can be recognized). Furthermore, the ASU addresses other concerns related to the current leases model. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein. The Company anticipates this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. While the Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, the Company currently believes the most significant impact relates to its accounting for office, railcar and terminal operating leases. The Company plans to apply a modified retrospective transition approach to each applicable lease that exists at January 1, 2017 as well as leases entered after this date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The amendments in this updated guidance include changes to simplify the codification for several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. For public entities, this guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected early adoption for the quarter ended December 31, 2016. As part of the adoption the Company has elected to continue to account for forfeitures of share-based payments by estimating the number of award expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is no longer probable that the employee will fulfill the service condition. This change had no cumulative effect on retained earnings or other components of equity and did not change the net assets as of the beginning of the period of adoption (January 1, 2016). In addition, the Company assessed that the other adjustments provided in the new guidance did not have any material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), (ASU 2014-09) which will require entities to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount based on the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. The amendments may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is still evaluating its contracts with customers in relation to the requirements of ASU 2014-09, and has not concluded on the financial statement impact of implementing ASU 2014-09. The Company expects to complete its assessment by the quarter ending September 30, 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Consideration (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)" that clarifies how an entity should identify the unit of accounting for the principal versus agent evaluation and how it should apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements, such as service transactions. The guidance also re-frames the indicators to focus on evidence that an entity is acting as a principal rather than an agent. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which amends certain aspects of the new revenue standard, ASU 2014-09. The amendments address issues such as collectability; presentation of sales tax and other similar taxes collected from customers; noncash consideration; contract modifications and completed contracts at transition; and transition technical correction. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20 providing technical corrections and improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. While the Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the new revenue standard, the Company anticipates that the standard will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. |
