United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________________________
FORM 10-Q
______________________________________
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☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
or
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-37822
______________________________________
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________________
| | | | | | | | |
Delaware | | 27-5472457 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
8051 E. Maplewood Ave, Suite 210, Greenwood Village, CO | | 80111 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(720) 598-3500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
______________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | | ☐ |
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Non-accelerated filer | | ☒ | | Smaller reporting company | | ☒ |
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| | | | Emerging growth company | | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | | ADES | | Nasdaq Global Market |
As of November 2, 2022, there were 19,110,910 outstanding shares of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. common stock, par value $0.001 per share.
INDEX
Part I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands, except share data) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
ASSETS | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 75,823 | | | $ | 78,753 | |
Receivables, net | | 13,903 | | | 12,622 | |
Receivables, related parties | | — | | | 2,481 | |
Inventories, net | | 15,261 | | | 7,850 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 7,653 | | | 6,661 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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Total current assets | | 112,640 | | | 108,367 | |
Restricted cash, long-term | | 10,000 | | | 10,027 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $10,704 and $7,684, respectively | | 33,286 | | | 30,171 | |
Other long-term assets, net | | 29,529 | | | 36,871 | |
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Total Assets | | $ | 185,455 | | | $ | 185,436 | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | $ | 18,652 | | | $ | 16,486 | |
| | | | |
Current portion of finance lease obligations | | 1,182 | | | 1,011 | |
Other current liabilities | | 5,361 | | | 5,124 | |
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Total current liabilities | | 25,195 | | | 22,621 | |
Long-term finance lease obligations, net of current portion | | 3,731 | | | 3,152 | |
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Other long-term liabilities | | 13,906 | | | 12,362 | |
Total Liabilities | | 42,832 | | | 38,135 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | |
Preferred stock: par value of $.001 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued | | — | | | — | |
Common stock: par value of $.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,730,499 and 23,460,212 shares issued, and 19,112,353 and 18,842,066 shares outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | | 24 | | | 23 | |
Treasury stock, at cost: 4,618,146 and 4,618,146 shares as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively | | (47,692) | | | (47,692) | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 103,175 | | | 102,106 | |
Retained earnings | | 87,116 | | | 92,864 | |
| | | | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | 142,623 | | | 147,301 | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 185,455 | | | $ | 185,436 | |
See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands, except per share data) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables | | $ | 28,437 | | | $ | 26,693 | | | $ | 79,578 | | | $ | 62,642 | |
License royalties, related party | | — | | | 4,165 | | | — | | | 11,888 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
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Total revenues | | 28,437 | | | 30,858 | | | 79,578 | | | 74,530 | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | | 21,575 | | | 19,956 | | | 62,992 | | | 48,672 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Payroll and benefits | | 2,313 | | | 2,637 | | | 7,458 | | | 8,014 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Legal and professional fees | | 3,668 | | | 1,106 | | | 7,395 | | | 4,340 | |
General and administrative | | 1,833 | | | 1,715 | | | 5,628 | | | 5,223 | |
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion | | 1,671 | | | 2,145 | | | 4,765 | | | 6,155 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Loss (gain) on change in estimate, asset retirement obligation | | — | | | — | | | 34 | | | (1,942) | |
Total operating expenses | | 31,060 | | | 27,559 | | | 88,272 | | | 70,462 | |
Operating (loss) income | | (2,623) | | | 3,299 | | | (8,694) | | | 4,068 | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from equity method investments | | — | | | 22,195 | | | 3,222 | | | 61,944 | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | — | | | 3,345 | | | — | | | 3,345 | |
Interest expense | | (83) | | | (86) | | | (259) | | | (1,416) | |
Other | | 315 | | | 81 | | | (19) | | | 652 | |
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Total other income | | 232 | | | 25,535 | | | 2,944 | | | 64,525 | |
(Loss) income before income tax expense | | (2,391) | | | 28,834 | | | (5,750) | | | 68,593 | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | — | | | 4,581 | | | — | | | 14,013 | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (2,391) | | | $ | 24,253 | | | $ | (5,750) | | | $ | 54,580 | |
(Loss) earnings per common share (Note 1): | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | (0.13) | | | $ | 1.33 | | | $ | (0.31) | | | $ | 2.99 | |
Diluted | | $ | (0.13) | | | $ | 1.31 | | | $ | (0.31) | | | $ | 2.96 | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | 18,487 | | | 18,292 | | | 18,435 | | | 18,243 | |
Diluted | | 18,487 | | | 18,489 | | | 18,435 | | | 18,416 | |
See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | | | | | | | |
(Amounts in thousands, except share data) | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
Balances, January 1, 2022 | | 23,460,212 | | | $ | 23 | | | (4,618,146) | | | $ | (47,692) | | | $ | 102,106 | | | $ | 92,864 | | | | | $ | 147,301 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | 323,742 | | | 1 | | | — | | | — | | | 463 | | | — | | | | | 464 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy minimum tax withholdings | | (59,736) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (382) | | | — | | | | | (382) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3,033) | | | | | (3,033) | |
Balances, March 31, 2022 | | 23,724,218 | | | 24 | | | (4,618,146) | | | (47,692) | | | 102,187 | | | 89,831 | | | | | 144,350 | |
Stock-based compensation | | (30,459) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 484 | | | — | | | | | 484 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy minimum tax withholdings | | (551) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (3) | | | — | | | | | (3) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (326) | | | | | (326) | |
Balances, June 30, 2022 | | 23,693,208 | | | 24 | | | (4,618,146) | | | (47,692) | | | 102,668 | | | 89,505 | | | | | 144,505 | |
Stock-based compensation | | 37,291 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 507 | | | — | | | | | 507 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends canceled on common stock | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 2 | | | | | 2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,391) | | | | | (2,391) | |
Balances, September 30, 2022 | | 23,730,499 | | | $ | 24 | | | (4,618,146) | | | $ | (47,692) | | | $ | 103,175 | | | $ | 87,116 | | | | | $ | 142,623 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | | | | | |
(Amounts in thousands, except share data) | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Total Stockholders’ Equity |
Balances, January 1, 2021 | | 23,141,284 | | | $ | 23 | | | (4,618,146) | | | $ | (47,692) | | | $ | 100,425 | | | $ | 32,454 | | | $ | 85,210 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | 381,339 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 421 | | | — | | | 421 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy minimum tax withholdings | | (40,975) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (216) | | | — | | | (216) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 13,737 | | | 13,737 | |
Balances, March 31, 2021 | | 23,481,648 | | | 23 | | | (4,618,146) | | | (47,692) | | | 100,630 | | | 46,191 | | | 99,152 | |
Stock-based compensation | | (25,330) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 566 | | | — | | | 566 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy minimum tax withholdings | | (3,833) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (25) | | | — | | | (25) | |
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Net income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16,590 | | | 16,590 | |
Balances, June 30, 2021 | | 23,452,485 | | | 23 | | | (4,618,146) | | | (47,692) | | | 101,171 | | | 62,781 | | | 116,283 | |
Stock-based compensation | | 30,801 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 489 | | | — | | | 489 | |
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Net income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 24,253 | | | 24,253 | |
Balances, September 30, 2021 | | 23,483,286 | | | $ | 23 | | | (4,618,146) | | | $ | (47,692) | | | $ | 101,660 | | | $ | 87,034 | | | $ | 141,025 | |
See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (5,750) | | | $ | 54,580 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion | | 4,765 | | | 6,155 | |
Earnings from equity method investments | | (3,222) | | | (61,944) | |
Operating lease expense | | 1,953 | | | 1,481 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | 1,455 | | | 1,476 | |
Deferred income tax expense | | — | | | 9,046 | |
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | | — | | | 945 | |
Loss (gain) on change in estimate, asset retirement obligation | | 34 | | | (1,942) | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | — | | | (3,345) | |
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Other non-cash items, net | | 404 | | | (352) | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | |
Receivables and related party receivables | | 1,199 | | | (2,835) | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | (991) | | | (16) | |
Inventories, net | | (7,222) | | | 3,658 | |
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Other long-term assets, net | | 2,136 | | | (4,009) | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | 1,827 | | | 2,388 | |
Other current liabilities | | (184) | | | (3,489) | |
Operating lease liabilities | | 1,445 | | | 3,878 | |
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Other long-term liabilities | | 206 | | | (3,031) | |
Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment | | 2,297 | | | 22,044 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | 352 | | | 24,688 | |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | |
Distributions from equity method investees in excess of cumulative earnings | | 3,316 | | | 44,707 | |
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Acquisition of property, plant, equipment, and intangible assets, net | | (6,178) | | | (5,403) | |
Mine development costs | | (345) | | | (1,262) | |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | | 1,241 | | | 895 | |
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Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | | (1,966) | | | 38,937 | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | |
Principal payments on finance lease obligations | | (913) | | | (1,085) | |
Repurchase of common shares to satisfy tax withholdings | | (385) | | | (241) | |
Dividends paid | | (45) | | | (92) | |
Principal payments on term loan | | — | | | (16,000) | |
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Net cash used in financing activities | | (1,343) | | | (17,418) | |
(Decrease) increase in Cash and Restricted Cash | | (2,957) | | | 46,207 | |
Cash and Restricted Cash, beginning of period | | 88,780 | | | 35,932 | |
Cash and Restricted Cash, end of period | | $ | 85,823 | | | $ | 82,139 | |
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Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: | | | | |
Acquisition of property and equipment through finance lease | | $ | 1,641 | | | $ | — | |
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Acquisition of property and equipment through accounts payable | | $ | 339 | | | $ | 128 | |
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See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
Nature of Operations
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. ("ADES" or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation with its principal office located in Greenwood Village, Colorado and manufacturing, mining and logistics operations located in Louisiana. The Company is principally engaged in the sale of consumable air and water treatment solutions including activated carbon ("AC") and chemical technologies. The Company's proprietary technologies in the advanced purification technologies ("APT") market enable customers to reduce air and water contaminants, including mercury and other pollutants, to maximize utilization levels and to improve operating efficiencies to meet the challenges of existing and pending air quality and water regulations. The Company manufactures and sells AC and other chemicals used to capture and remove contaminants for coal-fired power, industrial and water treatment markets. The Company also owns an associated lignite mine ("Five Forks Mine") which supplies the primary raw material for manufacturing AC.
Through December 31, 2021, the Company generated substantial earnings from its equity ownership in Tinuum Group, LLC ("Tinuum Group") and Tinuum Services, LLC ("Tinuum Services"), both of which are unconsolidated entities. Both Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services ceased material operations effective December 31, 2021 as a result of the expiration of a tax credit program under Internal Revenue Code Section 45 - Production Tax Credit (the "Section 45 Tax Credit Program"). Tinuum Group provided reduction of mercury and nitrogen oxide ("NOx") emissions at select coal-fired power generators through the production and sale of refined coal ("RC") that qualified for tax credits under the Section 45 Tax Credit Program ("Section 45 tax credits"). The Company also earned royalties for technologies which were licensed to Tinuum Group and used at certain RC facilities to enhance combustion and reduce emissions of NOx and mercury from coal burned to generate electrical power. Tinuum Services operated and maintained the RC facilities under operating and maintenance agreements with Tinuum Group and owners or lessees of the RC facilities. Presently, both Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services continue to wind-down their operations, and the Company has received what it anticipates to be final cash distributions from these entities.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES are unaudited and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES in this quarterly report ("Quarterly Report") are presented on a consolidated basis and include ADES and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). Also included within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are the Company's unconsolidated equity investments, Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services, which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and Highview Enterprises Limited (the "Highview Investment"), which is accounted for in accordance with U.S. GAAP applicable to equity investments that do not qualify for the equity method of accounting.
Results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts were eliminated in consolidation for all periods presented in this Quarterly Report.
In the opinion of management, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the "2021 Form 10-K"). Significant accounting policies disclosed therein have not changed.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed in a manner consistent with that of basic earnings per share, while considering other potentially dilutive securities. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, potentially dilutive securities consist of unvested restricted stock awards ("RSAs") and contingent performance stock units ("PSUs").
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table sets forth the calculations of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (2,391) | | | $ | 24,253 | | | $ | (5,750) | | | $ | 54,580 | |
| | | | | | | | |
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Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding | | 18,487 | | | 18,292 | | | 18,435 | | | 18,243 | |
Add: dilutive effect of equity instruments | | — | | | 197 | | | — | | | 173 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | | 18,487 | | | 18,489 | | | 18,435 | | | 18,416 | |
(Loss) earnings per share - basic | | $ | (0.13) | | | $ | 1.33 | | | $ | (0.31) | | | $ | 2.99 | |
(Loss) earnings per share - diluted | | $ | (0.13) | | | $ | 1.31 | | | $ | (0.31) | | | $ | 2.96 | |
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, potentially dilutive securities of 0.8 million and 0.7 million shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive. Further, for the three and nine months ended 2021, potentially dilutive securities of zero and 0.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted net (loss) income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. There have been no changes in the Company’s critical accounting estimates from those that were disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Risks and Uncertainties
The loss of earnings and cash distributions from both Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services will continue to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. For 2022, the Company is principally dependent on operations of its APT business and its cash on hand to provide liquidity over the near and long term. The Company's revenues, sales volumes, earnings and cash flows are significantly affected by prices of competing power generation sources such as natural gas and renewable energy. During periods of low natural gas prices, natural gas provides a competitive alternative to coal-fired power generation and therefore, coal consumption may be reduced, which in turn reduces the demand for the Company's products. However, during periods of higher prices for competing power generation sources, there is an increase in coal consumption and thus demand for the Company's products also increases.
In addition, coal consumption and demand for the Company's products are affected by the demand for electricity, which is higher in the warmer and colder months of the year. As a result, the Company's interim period results are subject to seasonal variations whereby its revenues and cost of revenues tend to be higher in its first and third fiscal quarters compared to its second and fourth fiscal quarters. Abnormal temperatures during the summer and winter months may significantly affect coal consumption and impurities within various municipalities' water sources, and thus impact the demand for the Company's products.
Concentration of credit risk
The Company is exposed to concentrations of credit risk primarily related to cash held at financial institutions and accounts receivable. The Company regularly monitors its credit risk to mitigate the possibility of current and future exposures resulting in a loss. Historically, the losses related to credit risk have been immaterial.
The Company holds cash at two financial institutions as of September 30, 2022. If a financial institution was unable to perform its obligations, the Company would be at risk regarding the amount of cash and investments in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits (currently $250 thousand) that would be returned to the Company.
The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers prior to entering into an agreement to sell its products and, as necessary, through the life of the customer relationship.
Reclassifications
Certain balances have been reclassified from the prior year to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position in any of the periods presented.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Segments
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by a company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), or a decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing financial performance. As of September 30, 2022, the Company's CODM was the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and the Company concluded that APT was its one reportable segment.
Given the wind-down of Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services and the impact on the Company's financial statements, the Company determined the historical RC segment no longer met the qualitative or quantitative criteria to be considered a reporting segment under U.S. GAAP. As a result, including the method in which the CODM allocates resources, beginning January 1, 2022, the Company determined that it had one reportable segment and therefore has removed its segment disclosures for this Quarterly Report.
New Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). The main objective of ASU 2016-13 is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this objective, the amendments in ASU 2016-13 replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to form credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for "smaller reporting companies" (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those years, and must be adopted under a modified retrospective method approach. The Company intends to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2023 and is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance and assessing the impact on its financial statements and disclosures. The Company does not believe this standard will have a material impact on its financial statements and disclosures.
Note 2 - Proposed Merger
On August 19, 2022, the Company entered into a Transaction Agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") with Elbert Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("New ADES"), Elbert Merger Sub 1, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of New ADES ("Merger Sub"), and Arq Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Jersey ("Arq"), pursuant to which (i) New ADES will acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Arq (the "Arq Share Acquisition"), and (ii) stockholders of ADES will have the right to receive shares of New ADES and either their pro rata share of a $10.0 million aggregate cash payment or additional shares in New ADES ((i) and (ii) collectively, the "Merger").
The transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including but not limited to the ADES Merger (defined below), the Arq Share Acquisition, and the PIPE Investment (defined below), (collectively, the "Transactions") will occur through multiple steps at the time of closing. First, Merger Sub 1 will be merged into ADES, with ADES surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of New ADES (the "ADES Merger").
In the ADES Merger, stockholders of the Company will be given the election to exchange each share of common stock of the Company for either (i) 1.11 shares of New ADES common stock plus $0.52 in cash (the "Mixed ADES Consideration") or (ii) 1.22 shares of New ADES common stock (the "All-Stock ADES Consideration," and such conversion rate, the "All Stock Conversion Rate"). Stockholders that do not make an affirmative election to receive the Mixed ADES Consideration or the All-Stock ADES Consideration will receive the All-Stock ADES Consideration in the ADES Merger.
Second, following the completion of the ADES Merger pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement (the "Scheme of Arrangement") and in accordance with the Laws of the Bailiwick of Jersey, existing shareholders of Arq will transfer all of their equity interests in Arq to New ADES in exchange for an aggregate number of 19,729,235 newly issued shares of New ADES common stock (the "Arq Share Acquisition"). The Scheme of Arrangement will become effective at such time as an act of the Royal Court of Jersey sanctioning the Scheme of Arrangement has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies in Jersey. Concurrently with the execution of the Transaction Agreement, persons holding more than 75% of the voting rights of the Arq shareholders delivered irrevocable voting agreements to Arq and ADES pursuant to which those shareholders agreed to vote in favor of the Scheme of Arrangement.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
In connection with the Transactions, each ADES equity award made or otherwise denominated in shares of the Company’s common stock that is outstanding immediately prior to the ADES Merger will be assumed by New ADES. Such equity awards will continue to have the same terms and conditions of such awards immediately prior to the ADES Merger, except that each equity award will become exercisable for shares of New ADES common stock, and the number of shares subject to such award will be equal to the number of shares of ADES common stock subject to such award multiplied by the All Stock Conversion Rate.
The closing of the Transactions (the "Closing") is conditioned on the absence of any order, law or injunction preventing the consummation of the Transactions; approval for listing of the shares of New ADES common stock issued in the ADES Merger and the Arq Share Acquisition (subject to official notice of issuance) on the Nasdaq Global Market; approval of the Transaction Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of ADES; the approval of the Scheme of Arrangement by resolution of a majority in number of the Arq shareholders representing three-fourths (75%) or more of the voting rights of the Arq shareholders; expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act; subject to certain qualifications, the accuracy of representations and warranties of the other party set forth in the Transaction Agreement; the performance by the other party in all material respects of its obligations under the Transaction Agreement, and other customary conditions. In addition, ADES’ obligation to consummate the Transactions is conditioned upon the consummation of term debt financing in the amount of $10.0 million provided by a third-party financial institution (the "Debt Financing") and a PIPE Investment in the amount of $20.0 million from current Arq shareholders (the "PIPE Investment").
On August 18, 2022, the ADES Board unanimously approved and adopted the Transaction Agreement and the Transactions and recommends that the ADES shareholders approve and adopt the Transaction Agreement, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Transaction Agreement.
Assuming the Merger is consummated, the Company has determined that it will be the accounting acquirer.
Note 3 - Customer Supply Agreement
On September 30, 2020, the Company and Norit Activated Carbon - Americas (f/k/a Cabot Norit Americas, Inc.) ("Norit"), entered into a supply agreement (the "Supply Agreement") pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and deliver to Norit, and Norit agreed to purchase and accept from the Company certain lignite-based AC products ("Furnace Products"). The term of the Supply Agreement is for 15 years with 10-year renewal terms that are automatic unless either party provides three years prior notice of intention not to renew before the end of any term.
Under the Supply Agreement, Norit also reimburses the Company for certain capital expenditures incurred by the Company that are necessary to manufacture the Furnace Products. Reimbursements are comprised of revenues earned from capital expenditures incurred that will benefit both the Company and Norit (referred to as "Shared Capital") and revenues earned from capital expenditures incurred that will benefit Norit exclusively (referred to as "Specific Capital"). In the event that Norit ceases to make purchases under the Supply Agreement, Norit is obligated to pay the balance of any outstanding payments for Specific Capital.
Further, under the terms of the Supply Agreement, Norit was obligated to pay the Reclamation Reimbursement (defined in Note 4 below) to the Company for $10.2 million of the Reclamation Costs (defined in Note 4 below), inclusive of interest. The Company recorded the Norit Receivable for the Reclamation Reimbursement at its estimated fair value, which was measured using a discounted cash flows valuation model that considered the estimated credit risk associated with the obligor's (Norit's) future performance, which the Company estimated was approximately 1.5%.
On February 25, 2022, the Company received $10.6 million in cash from Norit (the "Norit Payment") as a result of a change in control provision in the Supply Agreement (the "Change in Control"), which occurred as a result of the sale of Norit by its parent, Cabot Corporation. Under the Change in Control, the Company received from Norit full payment of all amounts outstanding under the Reclamation Reimbursement, payment of all unbilled amounts related to Specific Capital for expenditures incurred through February 28, 2022 and payment of $0.8 million related to additional costs due to the third-party operator of Marshall Mine (the "Norit Reclamation Costs"). Under the Reclamation Contract (defined in Note 4 below), the Company was obligated to remit payment for the Norit Reclamation Costs to the third-party operator of Marshall Mine (defined in Note 4 below), and such payment was remitted in March 2022. The Change in Control did not impact any other provisions of the Supply Agreement.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
As of February 25, 2022, the carrying value of the Reclamation Reimbursement was $9.0 million, which included the principal balance, adjusted for accretion of interest and payments made to date. Under the Change in Control, the Company received $8.5 million in cash for full payment of the outstanding Reclamation Reimbursement. The Company concluded that the cash proceeds received represented an early payment of a receivable based on a change in contractual terms and accounted for the difference between the cash proceeds received and the carrying amount of the Reclamation Reimbursement of $0.5 million as a loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022, which is included in the "Other Income (Expense)" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Also, under the Change in Control, the Company received $1.3 million in advance of revenue to be recognized in future periods related to Specific Capital and recorded this amount as deferred revenue, which is recognized ratably over the remaining contractual term as stipulated in the Supply Agreement.
Note 4 - Marshall Mine
Acquisition
Concurrently with the execution of the Supply Agreement, on September 30, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase from Norit 100% of the membership interests in Marshall Mine, LLC (the "Marshall Mine Acquisition") for a nominal cash purchase price. Marshall Mine, LLC owns a lignite mine located outside of Marshall, Texas (the "Marshall Mine"). The Company concluded that the Marshall Mine did not have any remaining economic reserves and independently determined to immediately commence activities to shutter it. Accordingly, on September 30, 2020, the Company and a third party entered into a reclamation contract (the "Reclamation Contract") for full reclamation of the Marshall Mine, which was expected to be completed by 2030. Under the terms of the Supply Agreement, Norit was obligated to reimburse the Company for $10.2 million (the "Reclamation Reimbursement") for a portion of the total costs incurred under the Reclamation Contract (the "Reclamation Costs"), which was payable semi-annually over 13 years and inclusive of interest. As discussed in Note 3, on February 25, 2022 as part of the Change in Control, Norit fully paid the outstanding amount owed under the Reclamation Reimbursement and has no further liability related to the Marshall Mine.
The Company accounted for the Marshall Mine Acquisition as an asset acquisition, and it included the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities as well as the incurrence of an obligation for the Reclamation Costs (the "Marshall Mine ARO"). As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying value of the Marshall Mine ARO was $4.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
As the Marshall Mine Acquisition represented a transaction with a customer of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Norit, the Company accounted for the excess of the fair value of liabilities assumed over assets acquired as upfront consideration transferred to a customer, Norit (the "Upfront Customer Consideration"). The amount of the Upfront Customer Consideration was also recognized net of the Reclamation Reimbursement. The total Upfront Customer Consideration is being amortized as a reduction to revenues on a straight-line basis over the expected 15-year contractual period of the Supply Agreement. Amortization of the Upfront Customer Consideration is approximately $0.5 million per year.
Disposition
On September 2, 2022, (the "Agreement Date"), the Company (the "Seller"), entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with a third party (the "MM Buyer") to sell all of its membership interests in Marshall Mine, LLC to the MM Buyer (the "MM Sale") in exchange for a cash payment to be made by the Seller to the MM Buyer of approximately $2.4 million (the "Purchase Price") and the assumption by the MM Buyer of certain liabilities of Marshall Mine, LLC. The MM Buyer previously operated the Marshall Mine on behalf of Marshall Mine, LLC and is currently performing reclamation under the Reclamation Contract.
The Purchase Price is subject to adjustments for certain events that may occur during the period from the Agreement Date and the Closing Date (as defined below) as follows: (1) increased or reduced as agreed upon by the Seller and the MM Buyer (collectively, the "Parties"); (2) increased or decreased by income, proceeds, receipts and credits earned with respect to the assets and operations of Marshall Mine, LLC between signing and closing of the MM Sale, (3) increased by any amounts that are, or under US GAAP should be, accrued as liabilities of Marshall Mine LLC as of the closing of the MM Sale, as more fully described in the Purchase Agreement; and (4) decreased by agreed amounts which escalate depending on the timing of closing if it occurs after January 1, 2023.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The obligations of the Parties to close the MM Sale (the "Closing Date") is subject to certain events, including (1) obtaining the approval of the Railroad Commission of Texas (the "Commission") for an operating permit in the name of the MM Buyer or an affiliate of the MM Buyer; and (2) the MM Buyer replacing the Seller’s surety bond with a reclamation performance bond, letter of credit or other form of security to which the MM Buyer or an affiliate of the MM Buyer is the principal that is satisfactory to the Commission. The Purchase Agreement may be terminated: (1) by mutual consent of the MM Buyer and the Seller at any time prior to the Closing Date; (2) by the MM Buyer or Seller, if the Closing has not occurred within one year after the Agreement Date, unless the failure of the consummation of the Closing shall be due to the failure of the party wishing to terminate to comply in all material aspects with the agreements and covenants contained therein; (3) if there is a material breach (by either the MM Buyer or Seller) of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the Purchase Agreement that is not cured within a specified time frame; and (4) if the MM Sale is prohibited by governmental authority in a final, non-appealable order or applicable law.
As of September 30, 2022, Marshall Mine, LLC had outstanding liabilities of approximately $5.1 million, which the Company expects to be fully discharged upon payment of the Purchase Price. Because the Closing Date is uncertain, primarily due to a date uncertain for the Parties to receive approval of the MM Buyer's operating permit and surety bond by the Commission, the Company is unable to determine the accounting period in which it will recognize the MM Sale.
The following tables summarize the assets and liabilities of Marshall Mine, LLC and their classification in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 | | Balance sheet component |
| | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | — | | | $ | 914 | | | Current assets |
Norit receivable, short-term | | — | | | 2,056 | | | Current assets |
| | | | | | |
Restricted cash | | 10,000 | | | 10,027 | | | Non-current assets |
| | | | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | — | | | 1,968 | | | Non-current assets |
Norit receivable, long-term | | — | | | 6,846 | | | Non-current assets |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 10,000 | | | $ | 21,811 | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 525 | | | $ | 1,065 | | | Current liabilities |
Asset retirement obligation, short-term | | 418 | | | 1,775 | | | Current liabilities |
Asset retirement obligation, long-term | | 4,180 | | | 4,546 | | | Non-current liabilities |
| | $ | 5,123 | | | $ | 7,386 | | | |
Note 5 - Revenues
Trade receivables represent an unconditional right to consideration in exchange for goods or services transferred to a customer. The Company invoices its customers in accordance with the terms of the contract. Credit terms are generally net 30 - 45 days from the date of invoice. The timing between the satisfaction of performance obligations and when payment is due from the customer is generally not significant.
Contract liabilities are comprised of deferred revenue, which represents an obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Company has received consideration from the customer and, if deliverable within one year or less, is included in "Other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and, if deliverable outside of one year, is included in "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table shows the components of the Company's Receivables, net:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Trade receivables, net | | $ | 13,824 | | | $ | 10,476 | |
Other receivables | | 79 | | | — | |
Norit Receivable - current | | — | | | 2,146 | |
Receivables, net | | $ | 13,903 | | | $ | 12,622 | |
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, all material performance obligations related to revenues recognized were satisfied at a point in time. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, approximately 7% and 9%, respectively, of Consumables revenues were generated in Canada, and all other revenues were generated in the U.S. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, approximately 8% and 12%, respectively, of Consumables revenues were generated in Canada, and all other revenues were generated in the U.S.
Note 6 - Inventories, net
The following table summarizes the Company's inventories recorded at the lower of average cost or net realizable value, as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Product inventory, net | | $ | 6,723 | | | $ | 4,901 | |
Raw material inventory | | 8,538 | | | 2,949 | |
| | | | |
Total inventories, net | | $ | 15,261 | | | $ | 7,850 | |
Note 7 - Leases
The Company's operating and finance lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 consisted of the following items (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
Leases | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Operating Leases | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization (1) | | $ | 7,610 | | | $ | 6,000 | |
| | | | |
Operating lease obligations, current | | $ | 2,654 | | | $ | 2,157 | |
Long-term operating lease obligations | | 5,127 | | | 4,178 | |
Total operating lease obligation | | $ | 7,781 | | | $ | 6,335 | |
| | | | |
Finance Leases | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization (2) | | $ | 2,806 | | | $ | 1,743 | |
| | | | |
Finance lease obligations, current | | $ | 1,182 | | | $ | 1,011 | |
Long-term finance lease obligations | | 3,731 | | | 3,152 | |
Total finance lease obligations | | $ | 4,913 | | | $ | 4,163 | |
(1) Operating lease ROU assets are reported net of accumulated amortization of $3.6 million and $1.9 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(2) Finance lease ROU assets are reported net of accumulated amortization of $1.7 million and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
Operating leases
ROU assets under operating leases and operating lease liabilities are included in the "Other long-term assets" and "Other current liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" line items, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Lease expense for operating leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $1.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, of which $1.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively, is included in the "Consumables - cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization" line item, and $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, is included in the "General and administrative" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for those periods. Lease expense for operating leases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $1.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively of which $1.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, is included in the "Consumables - cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization" line item, and $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, is included in "General and administrative" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for those periods.
Finance leases
ROU assets under finance leases are included in the "Property, plant and equipment" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Interest expense related to finance lease obligations and amortization of ROU assets under finance leases are included in the "Interest expense" and "Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion" line items, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Lease financial information as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is provided in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Finance lease cost: | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of right-of-use assets | | $ | 236 | | | $ | 152 | | | $ | 607 | | | $ | 500 | |
Interest on lease liabilities | | 76 | | | 74 | | | 240 | | | 223 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Operating lease cost | | 805 | | | 647 | | | 2,389 | | | 1,732 | |
Short-term lease cost | | 373 | | | 493 | | | 832 | | | 1,293 | |
Variable lease cost (1) | | 5 | | | 9 | | | 12 | | | 30 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total lease cost | | $ | 1,495 | | | $ | 1,375 | | | $ | 4,080 | | | $ | 3,778 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Other Information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Operating cash flows for finance leases | | | | | | $ | 240 | | | $ | 223 | |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | | | | | | $ | 2,118 | | | $ | 2,514 | |
Financing cash flows for finance leases | | | | | | $ | 913 | | | $ | 1,085 | |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | | | | | | $ | 1,641 | | | $ | — | |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | | | | | | $ | 3,563 | | | $ | 6,392 | |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases | | | | | | 2.9 years | | 3.1 years |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | | | | | | 4.2 years | | 3.1 years |
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | | | | | | 5.9 | % | | 6.4 | % |
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | | | | | | 6.1 | % | | 6.6 | % |
(1) Primarily includes common area maintenance, property taxes and insurance payable to lessors.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies
Retention Agreements
On May 4, 2022, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors (the "Board") approved the amendment to retention agreements (the "Retention Agreements" and each a "Retention Agreement"), which had been executed in May 2021, between the Company and its executive officers and certain other key employees in order to maintain the Company's business operations while it pursues and executes on its strategic initiatives (the "Amended Retention Agreements"). Under the Amended Retention Agreements, employees will receive (i) 40% of the original amount agreed to in the Retention Agreements ("Retention Pay") in August 2022; (ii) 60% of the Retention Pay on the earliest of (1) the date the employee’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason (as those terms are defined in the Retention Agreement or the employee’s employment agreement, as applicable), (2) 90 days after a Transaction Date or a Change in Control (as those terms are defined in the Retention Agreement or the employee’s employment agreement, as applicable), or (3) January 18, 2023; and (iii) an additional lump sum payment, ranging from 10% to 40% of the Retention Pay, will also be paid at the earliest of (1) the date the employee’s employment is terminated without Cause or for Good Reason (as those terms are defined in the Retention Agreement or the employee’s employment agreement, as applicable), (2) 90 days after a Transaction Date or a Change in Control (as those terms are defined in the Retention Agreement or the employee’s employment agreement, as applicable), or (3) in January 2023.
In order to receive the Amended Retention Agreements payments, employees must remain employed at the Company through the dates above. In August 2022, the Company paid out $1.0 million pursuant to the payment terms of the Amended Retention Agreements. As of September 30, 2022, the total cash payable pursuant to the Amended Retention Agreements is $1.1 million and is included in the "Other current liabilities" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Surety Bonds and Restricted Cash
As the owner of the Marshall Mine, the Company is required to post a surety bond with a regulatory commission. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had posted a $16.6 million surety bond (the "MM Surety Bond") which will remain in place until the Marshall Mine is fully reclaimed, and may be further reduced in amount from time to time as the Company progresses with its reclamation activities.
As the owner of the Five Forks Mine, the Company is required to post a surety bond with a regulatory commission. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had posted a $7.5 million surety bond related to performance requirements associated with the Five Forks Mine.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company posted cash collateral of $10.0 million for both the Marshall Mine and Five Forks Mine as required by the Company's surety bond provider, which is reported as long-term restricted cash on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Tinuum Group
The Company has certain limited obligations contingent upon future events in connection with the activities of Tinuum Group. The Company, NexGen Refined Coal, LLC ("NexGen") and two entities affiliated with NexGen have provided an affiliate of the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with limited guaranties (the "Tinuum Group Party Guaranties") related to certain losses it may suffer as a result of inaccuracies or breach of representations and covenants committed by Tinuum Group. The Company also is a party to a contribution agreement with NexGen under which any party called upon to pay on a Tinuum Group Party Guaranty is entitled to receive contributions from the other party equal to 50% of the amount paid. The Company has not recorded a liability or expense provision related to this contingent obligation as it believes that it is not probable that a loss will occur with respect to the Tinuum Group Party Guaranties.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is from time to time subject to various pending or threatened legal actions and proceedings, including those that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes, the financial impacts of which are not predictable with assurance and that may not be known for extended periods of time. The Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for costs related to claims, settlements and judgments where management has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. There were no significant legal proceedings as of September 30, 2022.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 9 - Supplemental Financial Information
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
The following table summarizes the components of Other long-term assets, net as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other long-term assets, net: | | | | |
Right of use assets, operating leases, net | | $ | 7,610 | | | $ | 6,000 | |
Upfront Customer Consideration | | 6,602 | | | 6,982 | |
Mine development costs, net | | 5,369 | | | 5,330 | |
Spare parts, net | | 5,500 | | | 4,598 | |
Mine reclamation asset, net | | 1,666 | | | 1,742 | |
Intangible assets, net | | 947 | | | 1,237 | |
Other | | 1,835 | | | 1,745 | |
Equity method investments | | — | | | 2,391 | |
Norit Receivable | | — | | | 6,846 | |
Total other long-term assets, net | | $ | 29,529 | | | $ | 36,871 | |
Spare parts include critical spares required to support plant operations. Parts and supply costs are determined using the lower of cost or estimated replacement cost. Parts are recorded as maintenance expenses in the period in which they are consumed or are capitalized if applicable.
Mine development costs include acquisition costs, the cost of other development work and mitigation costs related to the Five Forks Mine and are depleted over the estimated life of the related mine reserves. The Company performs an evaluation of the recoverability of the carrying value of mine development costs to determine if facts and circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be impaired and if any adjustment is warranted. There were no indicators of impairment as of September 30, 2022. Mine reclamation asset, net represents an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") asset related to the Five Forks Mine and is depreciated over its estimated life.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, Other includes the Highview Investment in the amount of $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, that is carried at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable changes in price for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Fair value measurements, if any, represent Level 2 measurements. The Highview Investment is evaluated for indicators of impairment such as an event or change in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. There were no changes to the carrying value of the Highview Investment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as there were no indicators of impairment or observable price changes for identical or similar investments.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table details the components of Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Other current liabilities: | | | | |
Current portion of operating lease obligations | | $ | 2,654 | | | $ | 2,157 | |
Income and other taxes payable | | 1,286 | | | 807 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other | | 1,421 | | | 2,160 | |
Total other current liabilities | | $ | 5,361 | | | $ | 5,124 | |
Other long-term liabilities: | | | | |
Mine reclamation liabilities | | $ | 7,979 | | | $ | 8,184 | |
Operating lease obligations, long-term | | 5,127 | | | 4,178 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other | | 800 | | | — | |
Total other long-term liabilities | | $ | 13,906 | | | $ | 12,362 | |
The Mine reclamation liability related to the Five Forks Mine is included in Other long-term liabilities. The Mine reclamation liability related to Marshall Mine is included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities. The Mine reclamation liabilities represent AROs and changes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of period | | $ | 9,959 | | | $ | 21,447 | |
| | | | |
Accretion | | 460 | | | 1,102 | |
Liabilities settled | | (2,056) | | | (10,010) | |
Changes due to scope and timing of reclamation (1) | | 34 | | | (2,580) | |
| | | | |
Asset retirement obligations, end of period | | 8,397 | | | 9,959 | |
Less current portion | | 418 | | | 1,775 | |
Asset retirement obligations, long-term | | $ | 7,979 | | | $ | 8,184 | |
(1) Represent reductions to the Marshall Mine ARO primarily based on scope reductions related to future reclamation requirements for Marshall Mine. Amounts recorded as changes in estimates in the Statement of Operations for the corresponding periods.
Note 10 - Equity Method Investments
Tinuum Group, LLC
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company's ownership interest in Tinuum Group was 42.5%. Tinuum Group supplied technology equipment and technical services at select coal-fired generators, but its primary purpose was to put into operation facilities that produced and sold RC that lowered emissions and also qualified for Section 45 tax credits. The Company concluded that Tinuum Group was a VIE, but the Company did not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted Tinuum Group's economic performance, as the voting partners of Tinuum Group have identical voting rights, equity control interests and board control interests, and therefore power was shared. Accordingly, the Company accounted for its investment in Tinuum Group under the equity method of accounting since inception.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table summarizes the results of operations of Tinuum Group:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Gross (loss) profit | | $ | — | | | $ | (3,226) | | | $ | 964 | | | $ | 8,269 | |
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses | | 457 | | | 12,077 | | | 4,705 | | | 38,308 | |
Loss from operations | | (457) | | | (15,303) | | | (3,741) | | | (30,039) | |
Other income (expenses), net | | 6 | | | 6,027 | | | 534 | | | 10,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | | — | | | 34,551 | | | (874) | | | 99,167 | |
Net (loss) income available to members | | $ | (451) | | | $ | 25,275 | | | $ | (4,081) | | | $ | 79,158 | |
ADES equity earnings from Tinuum Group | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,975 | | | $ | 3,137 | | | $ | 55,462 | |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recognized earnings from Tinuum Group's net (loss) income available to members that were different from its pro-rata share of Tinuum Group's net (loss) income available to members for those periods, as cash distributions for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 exceeded the carrying value of the Tinuum Group equity investment.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following tables present the Company's investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions in excess of the investment balance, if any, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Date(s) | | Investment balance | | ADES equity earnings | | Cash distributions | | Memorandum Account: Cash distributions and equity earnings in (excess) of investment balance |
Beginning balance | | 12/31/2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (21,779) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
ADES proportionate share of net loss from Tinuum Group | | First Quarter | | (861) | | | (861) | | | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | First Quarter | | (21,779) | | | (21,779) | | | — | | | 21,779 | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Group | | First Quarter | | (1,012) | | | — | | | 1,012 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | First Quarter | | 23,652 | | | 23,652 | | | — | | | (23,652) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 3/31/2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,012 | | | $ | 1,012 | | | $ | (23,652) | |
ADES proportionate share of net loss from Tinuum Group | | Second Quarter | | (682) | | | $ | (682) | | | $ | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | Second Quarter | | (23,652) | | | (23,652) | | | — | | | 23,652 | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Group | | Second Quarter | | (2,125) | | | — | | | 2,125 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Second Quarter | | 26,459 | | | 26,459 | | | — | | | (26,459) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 6/30/2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,125 | | | $ | 2,125 | | | $ | (26,459) | |
ADES proportionate share of net loss from Tinuum Group | | Third Quarter | | (192) | | | $ | (192) | | | $ | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | Third Quarter | | (26,459) | | | (26,459) | | | — | | | 26,459 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Third Quarter | | 26,651 | | | 26,651 | | | | | (26,651) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 9/30/2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (26,651) | |
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Date(s) | | Investment balance | | ADES equity earnings | | Cash distributions | | Memorandum Account: Cash distributions and equity earnings in (excess) of investment balance |
Beginning balance | | 12/31/2020 | | $ | 3,387 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
ADES proportionate share of net income from Tinuum Group | | First Quarter | | 10,755 | | | 10,755 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Group | | First Quarter | | (19,749) | | | — | | | 19,749 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | First Quarter | | 5,607 | | | 5,607 | | | — | | | (5,607) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 3/31/2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,362 | | | $ | 19,749 | | | $ | (5,607) | |
ADES proportionate share of net income from Tinuum Group | | Second Quarter | | 12,146 | | | $ | 12,146 | | | $ | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | Second Quarter | | (5,607) | | | (5,607) | | | — | | | 5,607 | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Group | | Second Quarter | | (19,125) | | | — | | | 19,125 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Second Quarter | | 12,586 | | | 12,586 | | | — | | | (12,586) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 6/30/2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,125 | | | $ | 19,125 | | | $ | (12,586) | |
ADES proportionate share of net income from Tinuum Group | | Third Quarter | | 10,742 | | | $ | 10,742 | | | $ | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | Third Quarter | | (12,586) | | | (12,586) | | | — | | | 12,586 | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Group | | Third Quarter | | (19,975) | | | — | | | 19,975 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Third Quarter | | 21,819 | | | 21,819 | | | — | | | (21,819) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 9/30/2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,975 | | | $ | 19,975 | | | $ | (21,819) | |
Tinuum Services, LLC
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company has a 50% voting and economic interest in Tinuum Services. The Company determined that Tinuum Services was not a VIE and further evaluated it for consolidation under the voting interest model. Because the Company did not own greater than 50% of the outstanding voting shares, either directly or indirectly, it has accounted for its investment in Tinuum Services under the equity method of accounting since inception. As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s investment in Tinuum Services was zero and $2.4 million, respectively.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table summarizes the results of operations of Tinuum Services:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Gross profit (loss) | | $ | 16 | | | $ | (20,389) | | | $ | 1,062 | | | $ | (61,552) | |
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses | | 68 | | | 42,346 | | | 2,785 | | | 144,068 | |
Loss from operations | | (52) | | | (62,735) | | | (1,723) | | | (205,620) | |
Other income (expenses), net | | 2 | | | 3,204 | | | 1,159 | | | 2,810 | |
(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | | — | | | 63,977 | | | 323 | | | 215,779 | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (50) | | | $ | 4,446 | | | $ | (241) | | | $ | 12,969 | |
ADES equity earnings from Tinuum Services | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,223 | | | $ | 84 | | | $ | 6,485 | |
Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations of Tinuum Services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests of Tinuum Services' VIE entities, which was eliminated in the calculation of Tinuum Services' net income (loss) attributable to the Company's interest.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recognized earnings from Tinuum Services' net income (loss) available to members that were different from its pro-rata share of Tinuum Services' net income (loss) available to members for those periods, as cash distributions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 exceeded the carrying value of the Tinuum Services' equity investment.
The following tables present the Company's investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions in excess of the investment balance, if any, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Date(s) | | Investment balance | | ADES equity earnings | | Cash distributions | | Memorandum Account: Cash distributions and equity earnings in (excess) of investment balance |
Beginning balance | | 12/31/2021 | | $ | 2,391 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
ADES proportionate share of net loss from Tinuum Services | | First Quarter | | (180) | | | (180) | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Services | | First Quarter | | (1,501) | | | — | | | 1,501 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 3/31/2022 | | $ | 710 | | | $ | (180) | | | $ | 1,501 | | | $ | — | |
ADES proportionate share of net income from Tinuum Services | | Second Quarter | | 85 | | | $ | 85 | | | $ | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum Services | | Second Quarter | | (974) | | | — | | | 974 | | | — | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Second Quarter | | 179 | | | 179 | | | — | | | (179) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 6/30/2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | 264 | | | $ | 974 | | | $ | (179) | |
ADES proportionate share of loss from Tinuum Services | | Third Quarter | | (25) | | | $ | (25) | | | $ | — | | | — | |
Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions) | | Third Quarter | | (179) | | | (179) | | | — | | | 179 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance | | Third Quarter | | 204 | | | 204 | | | | | (204) | |
Total investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions | | 9/30/2022 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (204) | |
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following table details the carrying value of the Company's respective equity method investments included in the Equity method investments line item on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and indicates the Company's maximum exposure to loss:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
(in thousands) | | September 30, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Equity method investment in Tinuum Services | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,391 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total equity method investments | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,391 | |
The following table details the components of the Company's respective equity method investments included in the "Earnings from equity method investments" line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Earnings from Tinuum Group | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,975 | | | $ | 3,137 | | | $ | 55,462 | |
Earnings from Tinuum Services | | — | | | 2,223 | | | 84 | | | 6,485 | |
(Loss) earnings from other | | — | | | (3) | | | 1 | | | (3) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Earnings from equity method investments | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,195 | | | $ | 3,222 | | | $ | 61,944 | |
The following table details the components of the cash distributions from the Company's respective equity method investments included as a component of cash flows from operating activities and investing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Distributions from equity method investees are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as "Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment" as a component of cash flows from operations until such time as the carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero. Thereafter, such distributions are reported as "Distributions from equity method investees in excess of cumulative earnings" as a component of cash flows from investing activities.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment | | | | |
Tinuum Services | | $ | 2,297 | | | $ | 7,902 | |
Tinuum Group | | — | | | 14,142 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 2,297 | | | $ | 22,044 | |
Distributions from equity method investees in excess of investment basis | | | | |
Tinuum Services | | $ | 179 | | | $ | — | |
Tinuum Group | | 3,137 | | | 44,707 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | $ | 3,316 | | | $ | 44,707 | |
Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity
Stock Repurchase Program
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $7.0 million remaining under a stock repurchase program, which will remain in effect until all amounts are utilized or is otherwise modified by the Board.
Tax Asset Protection Plan
U.S. federal income tax rules, and Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code in particular, could substantially limit the use of net operating losses and tax credits if the Company experiences an "ownership change" (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code). In general, an ownership change occurs if there is a cumulative change in the ownership of the Company by "5 percent stockholders" that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
On May 5, 2017, the Board approved the declaration of a dividend of rights to purchase Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of common stock as part of a tax asset protection plan (the "TAPP") designed to protect the Company’s ability to utilize its net operating losses and tax credits. The TAPP is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
On March 15, 2022, the Board approved the Fifth Amendment to the TAPP (the "Fifth Amendment"), which amends the TAPP, as previously amended by the First, Second, Third and Fourth Amendments that were approved the Board on April 6, 2018, April 5, 2019, April 9, 2020 and April 9, 2021, respectively. The Fifth Amendment amends the definition of "Final Expiration Date" under the TAPP to extend the duration of the TAPP and makes associated changes in connection therewith. Pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, the Final Expiration Date shall be the close of business on the earlier of (i) December 31, 2023 or (ii) December 31, 2022 if stockholder approval of the Fifth Amendment has not been obtained prior to such date. At the Company's 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company's stockholders approved the Fifth Amendment, thus the Final Expiration Date will be the close of business on December 31, 2023.
Note 12 - Stock-Based Compensation
The Company grants equity-based awards to employees, non-employee directors and consultants that may include, but are not limited to, RSAs, PSUs, restricted stock units and stock options. Stock-based compensation expense related to manufacturing employees and administrative employees is included within the "Cost of revenue" and "Payroll and benefits" line items, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Stock-based compensation expense related to non-employee directors and consultants is included within the "General and administrative" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Total stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
RSA expense | | $ | 420 | | | $ | 435 | | | $ | 1,240 | | | $ | 1,353 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PSU expense | | 87 | | | 54 | | | 215 | | | 123 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total stock-based compensation expense | | $ | 507 | | | $ | 489 | | | $ | 1,455 | | | $ | 1,476 | |
The amount of unrecognized compensation cost as of September 30, 2022, and the expected weighted-average period over which the cost will be recognized is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, 2022 |
(in thousands, expect years) | | Unrecognized Compensation Cost | | Expected Weighted- Average Period of Recognition (in years) |
RSA expense | | $ | 2,767 | | | 1.86 |
| | | | |
PSU expense | | 648 | | | 1.57 |
| | | | |
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | | $ | 3,415 | | | 1.81 |
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock is typically granted with vesting terms of three years. The fair value of RSAs is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the authorization date of the grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the stock award. Compensation expense for RSAs is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the entire vesting period.
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
A summary of RSA activity under the Company's various stock compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 is presented below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Restricted Stock | | | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Non-vested at January 1, 2022 | | 531,623 | | | | | $ | 5.94 | | | |
Granted | | 400,301 | | | | | $ | 6.12 | | | |
Vested | | (249,620) | | | | | $ | 6.44 | | | |
Forfeited | | (69,737) | | | | | $ | 5.94 | | | |
Non-vested at September 30, 2022 | | 612,567 | | | | | $ | 5.84 | | | |
Performance Share Units
Compensation expense is recognized for PSUs on a straight-line basis over the applicable service period, which is generally three years, based on the estimated fair value at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. A summary of PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 is presented below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Units | | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) | | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
PSU's outstanding, January 1, 2022 | | 88,026 | | | $ | 6.65 | | | | | |
Granted | | 60,565 | | | 9.59 | | | | | |
Vested / Settled | | — | | | — | | | | | |
Forfeited / Canceled | | — | | | — | | | | | |
PSU's outstanding, September 30, 2022 | | 148,591 | | | $ | 7.85 | | | $ | 406 | | | 1.57 |
Note 13 - Income Taxes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company's income tax expense and effective tax rates were:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands, except for rate) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,581 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 14,013 | |
Effective tax rate | | — | % | | 16 | % | | — | % | | 14 | % |
The Company incurred pretax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and expects to incur pretax loss for the year ending December 31, 2022. As a result, the effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was zero as the resultant tax benefit was offset by a valuation allowance recorded as of September 30, 2022. The effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was lower than the federal statutory rate primarily from the impact of a decrease in the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2021.
The Company assesses a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets at each reporting date. The determination of whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is appropriate requires the evaluation of positive and negative evidence that can be objectively verified. Consideration must be given to all sources of taxable income available to realize deferred tax assets, including, as applicable, the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income forecasts exclusive of the reversal of temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax planning strategies. In estimating income taxes, the Company assesses the relative merits and risks of the appropriate income tax treatment of transactions taking into account statutory, judicial and regulatory guidance.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of our operations should be read together with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. ("ADES" or the "Company") included elsewhere in Item 1 of Part I ("Item 1") of this Quarterly Report and with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes of ADES included in the 2021 Form 10-K.
The results of operations discussed in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" are those of ADES and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively, the "Company," "we," "our" or "us."
Overview
We sell consumable products that utilize AC and chemical-based technologies to a broad range of customers, including coal-fired utilities, industrials, water treatment plants, and other diverse markets through a customer supply agreement described below. Our primary products are comprised of AC, which is produced from a variety of carbonaceous raw materials. Our AC products include both powdered activated carbon ("PAC") and granular activated carbon ("GAC"). Our proprietary technologies and associated product offerings provide purification solutions to enable our customers to reduce certain contaminants and pollutants to meet the challenges of existing and potential future regulations. Additionally, we own an associated lignite mine which supplies the primary raw material for the manufacturing of our products.
Through December 31, 2021, we generated substantial earnings from our equity investments in Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services. Both entities ceased operations effective December 31, 2021 as a result of the expiration of a tax credit program under the Section 45 Tax Credit Program. Tinuum Group provided reduction of mercury and nitrogen oxide ("NOx") emissions at select coal-fired power generators through the production and sale of refined coal ("RC") which qualified for tax credits under the Section 45 Tax Credit Program ("Section 45 tax credits"). We also earned royalties for technologies that were licensed to Tinuum Group and used at certain RC facilities to enhance combustion and reduced emissions of NOx and mercury from coal burned to generate electrical power. Tinuum Services operated and maintained the RC facilities under operating and maintenance agreements with Tinuum Group and owners or lessees of the RC facilities. Presently, both Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services continue to wind-down their operations, and we have received what we anticipate are the final distributions from these equity-method investments.
Given the wind-down of Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services and the impact on our financial statements, we determined the historical RC segment no longer met the qualitative or quantitative criteria to be considered a reporting segment under U.S. GAAP. As a result, as well as the method in which the chief operating decision maker allocates resources, beginning January 1, 2022, we determined that we had one reportable segment, and therefore have removed segment disclosures for this Quarterly Report.
Drivers of Demand and Key Factors Affecting Profitability
Drivers of demand and key factors affecting our profitability are sales of our consumables-based solutions for coal-fired power generation, industrials, municipal water customers and other diverse markets served by Norit, whom we supply through the Supply Agreement as discussed below. Our operating results are influenced by: (1) changes in our manufacturing production and sales volumes; (2) changes in price and product mix; (3) changes in coal-fired dispatch and electricity power generation sources and (4) changes in demand for contaminant removal within water treatment facilities. During the three months ended September 30, 2022, we have continued to see high demand for our AC products. As such, we continue to purchase inventory to supplement customer demands in excess of our production capacity and to achieve our target inventory levels. Although we expect to continue to supplement inventories throughout 2023, we expect those purchases to be at reduced levels compared to 2022.
Proposed Merger
As more fully discussed in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, on August 19, 2022, we and Arq entered into the Transaction Agreement, which if approved, would combine both companies under New ADES, which will be renamed Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and trade under the ticker symbol ADES. New ADES will acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interests of Arq (the "Arq Share Acquisition"), and our stockholders will receive shares of New ADES and the right to receive either their pro rata share of a $10.0 million aggregate cash payment or additional shares in New ADES.
As part of the Transaction Agreement, we have entered into subscription agreements from existing Arq shareholders for the purchase of $20.0 million of shares of New ADES' common stock (the "PIPE Investment") and a term debt commitment letter for $10.0 million (the "Debt Financing"), both of which will fund at Closing.
The Closing is conditioned on the absence of any order, law or injunction preventing the consummation of the Transactions; approval for listing of the shares of New ADES common stock issued to our stockholders and the Arq shareholders (subject to official notice of issuance) on the Nasdaq Global Market; approval of the Transaction Agreement by holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of ADES; the approval of the Scheme of Arrangement by resolution of a majority in number of the Arq shareholders representing three-fourths (75%) or more of the voting rights of the Arq shareholders; expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act; subject to certain qualifications, the accuracy of representations and warranties of the other party set forth in the Transaction Agreement; the performance by the other party in all material respects of its obligations under the Transaction Agreement, and other customary conditions. In addition, ADES’ obligation to consummate the Transactions is conditioned upon the consummation Debt Financing and the PIPE Investment.
Arq developed and owns a novel, patent-protected manufacturing process for producing carbon products through remediating coal waste sites. The Merger creates a North American based, integrated environmental technology company with access to diverse growth markets and a competitively advantaged position supported by patent-protected intellectual property ("IP") and products. We believe Arq’s technology and unique, waste-derived feedstock provide significant growth opportunities into high-growth GAC markets as well as large, adjacent markets including, but not limited to, additives to be utilized within the Carbon Black, Asphalt and Marine Fuel markets. The combined company will seek to leverage Arq’s existing strategic partnerships with Peabody, Vitol, Hafnia and Mitsubishi.
The utilization of a waste-derived feedstock results in lower manufacturing emissions and promotes the reclamation of property for future use. Further, with Arq’s feedstock, we believe New ADES’ vertically integrated supply chain will enable highly efficient production and distribution of an expanded portfolio of both GAC and PAC products.
We believe the combination of ADES and Arq provides entry into broader, higher performance and higher value AC markets by applying our existing organizational infrastructure, large scale manufacturing capabilities, established distribution network, world-class research, technical support, market-leading sales channels and customer base, while integrating Arq’s unique patent-protected and environmentally sustainable feedstock. The Merger also provides for the optimization of the Red River plant to produce additional GAC products made from Arq’s feedstock, thereby allowing entrance into growing and diverse markets, as well as improving the plant’s economics. We believe this combination provides ADES with end-market opportunities that may not be available to us without more diverse feedstocks and provides economic growth opportunities within AC markets that may not be available without the Merger.
Supply Agreement
On February 25, 2022, we received $10.6 million in cash from Norit as a result of the Change in Control, of which $8.5 million represented full payment of the outstanding Reclamation Reimbursement. As a result of the Change in Control, we recognized a loss of $0.5 million, which is included within the "Other income (expense)" line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operation for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Change in Control did not impact any other provisions of the Supply Agreement.
Marshall Mine
On September 2, 2022, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with a third party (the "MM Buyer") to sell all of our membership interests in Marshall Mine, LLC to the MM Buyer in exchange for a cash payment to be made by the Seller to the MM Buyer of approximately $2.4 million and the assumption by the MM Buyer of certain liabilities of Marshall Mine, LLC (the "MM Sale"). The MM Buyer previously operated the Marshall Mine on behalf of Marshall Mine, LLC and is currently performing reclamation under the Reclamation Contract. The Purchase Price is subject to adjustments for certain events that may occur during the period from the Agreement Date and the Closing Date.
The obligations of the Parties to close the MM Sale is subject to certain events, including (1) obtaining the approval of the Commission for an operating permit in the name of the MM Buyer or an affiliate of the MM Buyer; and (2) the MM Buyer replacing the Seller’s surety bond with a reclamation performance bond, letter of credit or other form of security to which the MM Buyer or an affiliate of the MM Buyer is the principal that is satisfactory to the Commission. As of September 30, 2022, Marshall Mine, LLC had outstanding liabilities of approximately $5.1 million, which we expect to be fully discharged upon payment of the Purchase Price. Because the Closing Date is uncertain, primarily due to the uncertain date for the Parties to receive approval of the MM Buyer's operating permit and surety bond by the Commission, we are unable to determine the accounting period in which we will recognize the MM Sale.
Results of Operations
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized net loss of $2.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, compared to net income of $24.3 million and $54.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The most significant factor impacting results period over period was the decrease in equity earnings from Tinuum Group as the ability to generate Section 45 tax credits, the driver for Tinuum Group's operations, ceased as of December 31, 2021.
The following sections provide additional information regarding these comparable periods. For comparability purposes, the following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. The current year period to prior year period comparisons of financial results may not be indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Total Revenue and Cost of Revenue
A summary of the components of our revenues and cost of revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables | | $ | 28,437 | | | $ | 26,693 | | | $ | 1,744 | | | 7 | % |
License royalties, related party | | — | | | 4,165 | | | (4,165) | | | (100) | % |
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Total revenues | | $ | 28,437 | | | $ | 30,858 | | | $ | (2,421) | | | (8) | % |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | | $ | 21,575 | | | $ | 19,956 | | | $ | 1,619 | | | 8 | % |
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Consumables and consumables cost of revenue
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, consumables revenues increased from the comparable quarter in 2021 primarily driven by higher volumes sold, which comprised $1.5 million of the total change. Product volumes were higher among power generation customers primarily due to higher natural gas prices and higher demand for electricity compared to the same quarter in 2021, which contributed to increased utilization of coal-fired generation and increased demand for our products. Total consumables revenues also increased due to overall higher pricing of our products by approximately $1.5 million from the comparable quarter in 2021. Offsetting these increases to Consumable revenue was unfavorable product mix of approximately $1.3million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to 2021.
Consumables gross margin, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, remained flat for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, our consumables gross margin was negatively impacted by higher prices for key raw materials, transportation, including fuel, and other operational costs to produce and deliver our products, including an increase in the amount of third-party carbons purchased in order to meet customer demand for our products and supplement the higher operating utilization of the Red River Plant. Offsetting these negative impacts was an increase in the prices of our products, most of which were in place as of the beginning of April 2022, as well as sales volume remaining consistent quarter over quarter, and incremental positive impact from net electricity generated.
We expect that consumables revenues and gross margin will continue to be positively impacted by our product price increases related to new or renewed contracts and our efforts to move our product mix to higher margin products. We anticipate that the product price increases will help offset both the inflation we are experiencing in many of our operating costs and the higher operating costs from purchasing third-party carbon. We expect consumables cost of revenue and gross margin to be negatively impacted due to routine scheduled maintenance outages planned for the second quarter of 2023.
Consumables revenues continues to be affected by electricity demand driven by seasonal weather and related power generation needs, as well as competitor prices related to alternative power generation sources such as natural gas and renewables.
License royalties, related party
As discussed above, Tinuum Group ceased operations as of December 31, 2021 and as a result, we did not recognize any revenues from license royalties from Tinuum Group for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Other Operating Expenses
A summary of the components of our operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, exclusive of cost of revenue items (presented above), is as follows:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Payroll and benefits | | $ | 2,313 | | | $ | 2,637 | | | $ | (324) | | | (12) | % |
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Legal and professional fees | | 3,668 | | | 1,106 | | | 2,562 | | | 232 | % |
General and administrative | | 1,833 | | | 1,715 | | | 118 | | | 7 | % |
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion | | 1,671 | | | 2,145 | | | (474) | | | (22) | % |
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| | $ | 9,485 | | | $ | 7,603 | | | $ | 1,882 | | | 25 | % |
Payroll and benefits
Payroll and benefits expenses, which represent costs related to selling, general and administrative personnel, decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related expenses of employees as our headcount decreased quarter over quarter.
Legal and professional fees
Legal and professional fees increased for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021 as a result of an increase in costs incurred related to the Merger, and was comprised mostly of legal and consulting fees.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses had no significant changes quarter over quarter.
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021 primarily due to higher production volumes compared to sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2022, resulting in $0.2 million less absorption of depreciation in inventory. Further driving the decrease was a reduction in accretion expense of $0.1 million related to the Marshall Mine ARO and amortization expense of $0.1 million related to patents.
Other Income (Expense), net
A summary of the components of other income (expense), net for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from equity method investments | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,195 | | | $ | (22,195) | | | (100) | % |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | — | | | 3,345 | | | (3,345) | | | (100) | |
Interest expense | | (83) | | | (86) | | | 3 | | | (3) | % |
Other | | 315 | | | 81 | | | 234 | | | 289 | % |
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Total other income | | $ | 232 | | | $ | 25,535 | | | $ | (25,303) | | | (99) | % |
Earnings from equity method investments
As discussed above, both Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services ceased operations as of December 31, 2021, and as a result we recognized zero earnings from Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The following table details the components of our respective equity method investments included in the Earnings from equity method investments line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
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| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | | | |
Earnings from Tinuum Group | | $ | — | | | $ | 19,975 | | | | | |
Earnings from Tinuum Services | | — | | | 2,223 | | | | | |
(Loss) earnings from other | | — | | | (3) | | | | | |
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Earnings from equity method investments | | $ | — | | | $ | 22,195 | | | | | |
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we did not recognize any equity earnings from Tinuum Group compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Group's net loss of $0.2 million for the quarter. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized $20.0 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Group compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Group's net income of $10.7 million for the quarter. For both of these quarters, the difference between our pro-rata share of Tinuum Group's net (loss) income and our earnings from the Tinuum Group equity method investment as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is the result of cumulative distributions received from Tinuum Group being in excess of the carrying value of the investment, and therefore we recognize such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we did not recognize any equity earnings from Tinuum Services compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Services' net loss of less than $0.1 million for the quarter. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized $2.2 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Services, which was our proportionate share of Tinuum Services' net income of $4.4 million for the quarter. The difference between our pro-rata share of Tinuum Services' net loss and our earnings from the Tinuum Services equity method investment as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is the result of cumulative distributions received from Tinuum Services being in excess of the carrying value of the investment, and therefore we recognize such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur.
Additional information related to equity method investments is included in Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Report.
Gain on extinguishment of debt
For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded a gain on extinguishment of a loan obtained through the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP Loan"), administered by Small Business Administration ("SBA"), in the amount of $3.3 million.
Interest expense
Interest expense had no significant changes quarter over quarter.
Other
Other increased for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding quarter in 2021 as a result of a recognizing a gain on the sale of a right of way easement at the Marshall Mine of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Income tax expense
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded no income tax expense or benefit compared to income tax expense of $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to pretax loss for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $2.4 million compared to pretax income for the three months ended September 30, 2021 of $28.8 million. We did not recognize a tax benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2022 related to the pretax loss for this period, as we recorded a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2022 primarily based on our forecast of pretax loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 and 2021
Total Revenue and Cost of Revenue
A summary of the components of our revenues and cost of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
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| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables | | $ | 79,578 | | | $ | 62,642 | | | $ | 16,936 | | | 27 | % |
License royalties, related party | | — | | | 11,888 | | | (11,888) | | | (100) | % |
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Total revenues | | $ | 79,578 | | | $ | 74,530 | | | $ | 5,048 | | | 7 | % |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Consumables cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization | | $ | 62,992 | | | $ | 48,672 | | | $ | 14,320 | | | 29 | % |
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Consumables and consumables cost of revenue
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, consumables revenues increased from the comparable period in 2021 primarily driven by higher product volumes, which comprised approximately $11.2 million of the total change. Product volumes in 2022 were higher in power generation primarily due to higher natural gas prices compared to the prior year period, which contributed to increased demand for our products. Total consumables revenues also increased due to favorable selling prices of our products by approximately $4.3 million and favorable product mix of $0.6 million.
Consumables gross margin, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the corresponding period in 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, our consumables gross margin was negatively impacted by higher prices for key raw materials, transportation, including fuel, and other operational costs to produce and deliver our products, including an increase in the amount of third-party carbons purchased in order to meet customer demand for our products and supplement the higher operating utilization of the Red River Plant. Offsetting these negative impacts were higher product volumes, which resulted in lower fixed costs per pound, as well as increases in the prices of our products implemented during the first half of 2022, sales volume remaining consistent quarter over quarter and incremental positive impact from net electricity generated.
License royalties, related party
As discussed above, Tinuum Group ceased operations as of December 31, 2021 and as a result, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we did not recognize any revenues from license royalties from Tinuum Group.
Other Operating Expenses
A summary of the components of our operating expenses, exclusive of cost of revenue items (presented above), for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
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| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
Payroll and benefits | | $ | 7,458 | | | $ | 8,014 | | | $ | (556) | | | (7) | % |
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Legal and professional fees | | 7,395 | | | 4,340 | | | 3,055 | | | 70 | % |
General and administrative | | 5,628 | | | 5,223 | | | 405 | | | 8 | % |
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion | | 4,765 | | | 6,155 | | | (1,390) | | | (23) | % |
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Loss (gain) on change in estimate, asset retirement obligation | | 34 | | | (1,942) | | | 1,976 | | | (102) | % |
| | $ | 25,280 | | | $ | 21,790 | | | $ | 3,490 | | | 16 | % |
Payroll and benefits
Payroll and benefits expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to a decrease in payroll-related expenses of employees of approximately $0.8 million as our headcount decreased period over period. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in expense of $0.2 million related to the Amended Retention Agreements.
Legal and professional fees
Legal and professional fees increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily as a result of an increase in costs incurred related to the Merger, and was comprised mostly of legal and consulting fees.
General and administrative
General and administrative expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to an increase in rent and occupancy expense of $0.1 million, research and development expense of $0.1 million, travel of $0.1 million and recruiting fees of $0.1 million.
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 primarily due to higher production volumes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, resulting in $0.7 million less absorption of depreciation in inventory. Further driving the decrease was a reduction in accretion expense of $0.4 million related to the reduction of the Marshall Mine ARO compared to prior year period and a decrease in amortization expense of $0.3 million related to patents.
Loss (gain) on change in estimate, asset retirement obligation
We recorded a loss on change in estimate of $34.0 thousand primarily based on a change in the timing of estimated payments for future reclamation requirements of the Marshall Mine, which is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
We recorded a gain on change in estimate of $1.9 million related to a reduction in scope of our future reclamation efforts of the Marshall Mine, which is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Other Income (Expense), net
A summary of the components of our other income (expense), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
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| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
(in thousands, except percentages) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | ($) | | (%) |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from equity method investments | | $ | 3,222 | | | $ | 61,944 | | | $ | (58,722) | | | (95) | % |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | — | | | 3,345 | | | (3,345) | | | (100) | |
Interest expense | | (259) | | | (1,416) | | | 1,157 | | | (82) | % |
Other | | (19) | | | 652 | | | (671) | | | (103) | % |
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Total other income | | $ | 2,944 | | | $ | 64,525 | | | $ | (61,581) | | | (95) | % |
Earnings from equity method investments
The following table details the components of our respective equity method investments included within the Earnings from equity method investments line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
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| | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | | | | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Earnings from Tinuum Group | | | | | | $ | 3,137 | | | $ | 55,462 | |
Earnings from Tinuum Services | | | | | | 84 | | | 6,485 | |
Earnings (loss) from other | | | | | | 1 | | | (3) | |
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Earnings from equity method investments | | | | | | $ | 3,222 | | | $ | 61,944 | |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized $3.1 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Group compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Group's net loss of $1.7 million for the period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized $55.5 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Group compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Group's net income of $33.6 million for the period. For both of these periods, the difference between our pro-rata share of Tinuum Group's net (loss) income and our earnings from Tinuum Group equity method investment as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is the result of cumulative distributions received from Tinuum Group being in excess of the carrying value of the investment, and therefore we recognize such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized $0.1 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Services compared to our proportionate share of Tinuum Services' net loss of $0.1 million for this period. The difference between our pro-rata share of Tinuum Services' net loss and our earnings from the Tinuum Services equity method investment as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is the result of cumulative distributions received from Tinuum Services being in excess of the carrying value of the investment, and therefore we recognize such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur. For the three months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized $6.5 million in equity earnings from Tinuum Services, which was our proportionate share of Tinuum Services' net income of $13.0 million for the quarter.
See additional information related to equity method investments is included in Note 10 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I - Item 1 of this Report.
Gain on extinguishment of debt
As previously discussed, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $3.3 million related to the SBA forgiveness of the PPP Loan.
Interest expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, interest expense decreased $1.2 million primarily due to the pay-off of a senior term loan as of June 1, 2021.
Other
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, Other is primarily comprised of a loss of $0.5 million recognized on the settlement of the Reclamation Reimbursement related to the Change in Control on February 25, 2022, which was partially offset by a gain on sale of right of way easement of $0.2 million at the Marshall Mine and gain on sale of property plant and equipment of $0.2 million.
Income tax expense
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded no income tax expense or benefit compared to income tax expense of $14.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to pretax loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $5.8 million compared to pretax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 of $68.6 million. We did not recognize a tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 related to the pretax loss for this period, as we recorded a valuation allowance as of September 30, 2022 primarily based on our forecast of pretax loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP (or "GAAP"), we provide non-GAAP measures of certain financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA. We have included these non-GAAP measures because management believes that they help to facilitate period to period comparisons of our operating results and provide useful information to both management and users of the financial statements by excluding certain expenses, gains and losses which may not be indicative of core operating results and business outlook. Management uses these non-GAAP measures in evaluating the performance of our business.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.
We define Consolidated EBITDA as net income (loss) adjusted for the impact of the following items that are either non-cash or that we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance: depreciation, amortization, depletion, accretion, amortization of upfront customer consideration, which was recorded in conjunction with the Marshall Mine Acquisition ("Upfront Customer Consideration"), interest expense, net and income taxes. We define Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as Consolidated EBITDA reduced by the non-cash impact of equity earnings from equity method investments and gain on extinguishment of debt, increased by cash distributions from equity method investments, loss on early settlement of the Norit Receivable and the change in ARO as a result of a change in estimate. Because Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA omits certain non-cash items, we believe that the measure is less susceptible to variances that affect our operating performance.
When used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, we believe these non-GAAP measures are supplemental measures of operating performance which explain our operating performance for our period-to-period comparisons and against our competitors' performance. Generally, we believe these non-GAAP measures are less susceptible to variances that affect our operating performance results.
We expect the adjustments to Consolidated EBITDA and Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in future periods will be generally similar. These non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyzing our results as reported under GAAP.
Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
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(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (2,391) | | | $ | 24,253 | | | $ | (5,750) | | | $ | 54,580 | |
Depreciation, amortization, depletion and accretion | | 1,671 | | | 2,145 | | | 4,765 | | | 6,155 | |
Amortization of Upfront Customer Consideration | | 127 | | | 127 | | | 381 | | | 381 | |
Interest expense, net | | 44 | | | 25 | | | 163 | | | 1,188 | |
Income tax expense | | — | | | 4,581 | | | — | | | 14,013 | |
Consolidated ( EBITDA loss) EBITDA | | (549) | | | 31,131 | | | (441) | | | 76,317 | |
Cash distributions from equity method investees | | — | | | 22,875 | | | 5,613 | | | 66,751 | |
Equity earnings | | — | | | (22,195) | | | (3,222) | | | (61,944) | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | — | | | (3,345) | | | — | | | (3,345) | |
Loss (gain) on change in estimate, asset retirement obligation | | | | — | | | 34 | | | (1,942) | |
Loss on early settlement of Norit Receivable | | — | | | — | | | 535 | | | — | |
Consolidated (Adjusted EBITDA loss) Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | (549) | | | $ | 28,466 | | | $ | 2,519 | | | $ | 75,837 | |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Current Resources and Factors Affecting Our Liquidity
As of September 30, 2022, our principal sources of liquidity included:
•cash on hand, excluding restricted cash of $10.0 million pledged as collateral under a surety bond agreement; and
•our operations.
As of September 30, 2022, our principal uses of liquidity included:
•our business operating expenses;
•capital and spare parts expenditures;
•payments on our lease obligations; and
•payments of AROs associated with the Five Forks Mine and Marshall Mine.
Due to the expiration of the Section 45 tax credit period as of December 31, 2021 and the resultant wind down of Tinuum Group's and Tinuum Services' operations in 2022, distributions from Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services are no longer a significant source of liquidity.
Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services Distributions
The following table summarizes the cash distributions from our equity method investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
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| | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 |
Tinuum Services | | $ | 2,476 | | | $ | 7,902 | |
Tinuum Group | | 3,137 | | | 58,849 | |
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Distributions from equity method investees | | $ | 5,613 | | | $ | 66,751 | |
Cash distributions from Tinuum for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 decreased by $61.1 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to Tinuum Group and Tinuum Services ceasing material operations as of December 31, 2021.
Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Cash and restricted cash decreased from $88.8 million as of December 31, 2021 to $85.8 million as of September 30, 2022. The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively:
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Operating activities | | $ | 352 | | | $ | 24,688 | | | $ | (24,336) | |
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Investing activities | | (1,966) | | | 38,937 | | | (40,903) | |
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Financing activities | | (1,343) | | | (17,418) | | | 16,075 | |
Net change in cash and restricted cash | | $ | (2,957) | | | $ | 46,207 | | | $ | (49,164) | |
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Cash flow from operating activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 decreased by $24.3 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to net loss of $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to net income of $54.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease in Deferred income tax expense of $9.0 million, a decrease in Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment of $19.7 million and an increase in net working capital of $5.1 million. Offsetting the net decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 were decreases in Earnings from equity method investments of $58.7 million, Other long-term assets, net of $6.1 million, primarily from the Norit Payment in settlement of the Reclamation Reimbursement, and the non-cash gain recognized from the change in estimate of the Marshall Mine ARO of $2.0 million.
Cash flow from investing activities
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 by $40.9 million primarily as a result of a decrease in distributions from equity earnings in excess of cumulative earnings of $41.4 million. Offsetting the net decrease in cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities was an increase in property, plant and equipment additions of $0.8 million.
Cash flow from financing activities
Cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021 decreased by $16.1 million primarily from a decrease in principal loan repayments on a senior term loan.
Material Cash Requirements
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, there were no material changes to our contractual obligations outside of the ordinary course of business from those reported as of December 31, 2021. We expect that our cash on hand as of September 30, 2022 will provide sufficient liquidity to fund operations for the next 12 months.
Capital Expenditures
For 2022, we expect to incur $11.4 million in capital expenditures compared to $7.6 million incurred in 2021. This increase is primarily the result of forecasted capital improvements to the Red River Plant of approximately $4.4 million, product specific capital expenditures related to the Supply Agreement of approximately $0.7 million and scheduled maintenance improvements. We expect to fund all capital expenditures for 2022 from cash on hand.
Retention Agreements
In August 2022, the Company paid out $1.0 million pursuant to the payment terms of the Amended Retention Agreements. As of September 30, 2022, the remaining outstanding amount due under the Amended Retention Agreements is $1.1 million.
Five Forks Mine and Marshall Mine Obligations
As of September 30, 2022, we had outstanding surety bonds with regulatory commissions totaling $24.1 million related to both the Marshall Mine and Five Forks Mine. As of September 30, 2022, and as required by our surety bond provider, we held restricted cash of $10.0 million pledged as collateral related to performance requirements required under reclamation contracts for both the Marshall Mine and Five Forks Mine. We expect that the obligations secured by these surety bonds will be performed in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the applicable contractual terms. To the extent that the obligations are performed, the related surety bonds should be released and collateral requirements reduced. However, in the event any surety bond is called, our indemnity obligations could require us to reimburse the surety bond provider.
We intend to fund our mine reclamation costs associated with both the Five Forks Mine and Marshall Mine from cash on hand. As discussed above, on September 2, 2022, we executed the sale of all of our equity interests in Marshall Mine, LLC and upon the expected closing of this transaction, we expect to fully discharge the liability associated with the Reclamation Costs and also reduce both the surety bond and collateral requirements as we will only be obligated for future remediation costs for the Five Forks Mine.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies and estimates have not changed from those reported in Item 7 - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the 2021 Form 10-K.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Refer to Note 1 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for information regarding recently issued accounting standards applicable to us.
Forward-Looking Statements Found in this Report
This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, such forward-looking statements are found in this Part I, Item 2 above. Words or phrases such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "predicts," the negative expressions of such words, or similar expressions are used in this Quarterly Report to identify forward-looking statements, and such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements or expectations regarding:
(a)the anticipated effects from the increase in pricing of our AC products;
(b)the anticipated effects from the increase in costs of our AC products related cost increases in supply and logistics;
(c)expected supply and demand for our AC products and services;
(d)increasing competition in the AC market;
(e)the timing and effects of the proposed merger with Arq Limited;
(f)future level of research and development activities;
(g)the effectiveness of our technologies and the benefits they provide;
(h)probability of any loss occurring with respect to certain guarantees made by Tinuum Group;
(i)the timing of awards of, and work and related testing under, our contracts and agreements and their value;
(j)the timing and amounts of or changes in future revenues, backlog, funding for our business and projects, margins, expenses, earnings, tax rates, cash flows, royalty payment obligations, working capital, liquidity and other financial and accounting measures;
(k)the amount of future capital expenditures needed for our business;
(l)awards of patents designed to protect our proprietary technologies both in the U.S. and other countries;
(m)the adoption and scope of regulations to control certain chemicals in drinking water;
(n)the impact of adverse global macroeconomic conditions, including rising interest rates, recession fears and inflationary pressures, and geopolitical events or conflicts; and
(o)opportunities to effectively provide solutions to U.S. coal-related businesses to comply with regulations, improve efficiency, lower costs and maintain reliability.
The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, timing of new and pending regulations and any legal challenges to or extensions of compliance dates of them; the U.S. government’s failure to promulgate regulations that benefit our business; changes in laws and regulations, accounting rules, prices, economic conditions and market demand; impact of competition; availability, cost of and demand for alternative energy sources and other technologies; technical, start up and operational difficulties; our inability to commercialize our APT technologies on favorable terms; our inability to ramp up our operations to effectively address recent and expected growth in our business; loss of key personnel; availability of materials and equipment for our business; intellectual property infringement claims from third parties; pending litigation; as well as other factors relating to our business, as described in our filings with the SEC, with particular emphasis on the risk factor disclosures contained in those filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report and to consult filings we have made and will make with the SEC for additional discussion concerning risks and uncertainties that may apply to our business and the ownership of our securities. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are presented as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements unless required by law to do so.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The information under this Item is not required to be provided by smaller reporting companies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a‑15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), we have evaluated, under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2022 due to the material weakness described in Item 9A. "Controls and Procedures" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 for the initial application of the adoption of ASC 606 related to the accounting for freight, which was previously immaterial; an inadequate monitoring of interpretative guidance of previously adopted accounting standards; and a lack of a control related to an annual review of policies and procedures for material accounts.
Notwithstanding the material weaknesses, management has concluded that the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report present fairly, in all material aspects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Under the applicable SEC rules (Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) management is required to evaluate any changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during each fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As discussed in Item 9A. "Controls and Procedures" of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting described above. As of September 30, 2022, we designed and implemented remediation procedures which enhanced existing controls that were ineffective in the prior year and implemented new controls to address the design gaps related to the material weakness. The updates to the internal controls framework include enhanced monitoring of interpretative guidance of previously adopted accounting standards and a periodic review of policies and procedures associated to material accounts. For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, the new controls were in place and remediation procedures continued, and, accordingly, we believe the controls will be in place for a sufficient period of time to conclude on their effectiveness as of December 31, 2022.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in litigation, claims and other proceedings related to the conduct of our business. Information with respect to this item may be found in Note 8 "Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are no material updates to our risk factors as disclosed in the 2021 Form 10-K except as described below.
Risks Related to our Pending Business Combination
We are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties related to the pending Transactions including, but not limited to, the risks discussed below in this section of the risk factors. For additional information about the pending Transactions and the additional risks and uncertainties related to the Transactions, see New ADES’ registration statement on Form S-4, filed with the SEC on November 3, 2022.
Completion of the Transactions is subject to certain conditions, some of which are outside of the parties’ control, and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Transactions will not be completed.
The closing of the Transactions is subject to certain conditions, including (i) ADES stockholder approval of the merger proposal and related matters at our special meeting of stockholders, (ii) Arq shareholder approval of the Scheme of Arrangement and certain related matters, (iii) the expiration or termination of all waiting periods applicable to the Contemplated Transactions under the HSR Act, (v) the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 for the New ADES Shares, (vi) receipt of Nasdaq listing approval for the New ADES Shares and the shares of New ADES to be issued in the Arq Acquisition, (vii) subject to certain materiality exceptions, the accuracy of each of our and Arq’s representations and warranties in the Transaction Agreement and performance by us and Arq of obligations under the Transaction Agreement and (viii) the sanctioning of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Royal Court of Jersey and the delivery of the order of the Royal Court of Jersey sanctioning the Scheme of Arrangement to the Registrar of Companies in Jersey.
The requirement to satisfy each of the foregoing conditions could delay completion of the Transactions for a significant period of time or prevent them from occurring at all. Any delay in completing the Transactions could cause New ADES not to realize some or all of the benefits that the parties expect New ADES to achieve if the Transactions are successfully completed within the expected timeframe. Additionally, any delay in completing the Transactions could lead to increased costs for us and Arq. Further, as a condition to approving the Transactions, governmental authorities may impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions on the conduct of the parties’ business after the completion of the Transactions. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Transaction Agreement, if the parties were to become subject to any conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions (whether because such conditions, terms, obligations and restrictions do not rise to the specified level of materiality or because the parties consent to their imposition), it is possible that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will delay completion of the Transactions or otherwise adversely affect the parties’ business, financial condition, or operations. Furthermore, governmental authorities may require that the parties divest assets or businesses as a condition to the closing of the Transactions. If we are required to divest assets or businesses, there can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate such divestitures expeditiously or on favorable terms or that the governmental authorities will approve the terms of such divestitures. There can be no assurance that the conditions to the closing of the Transactions will be satisfied or, where applicable, waived or that the Transactions will be completed.
In addition, if the Transactions shall not have occurred by April 30, 2023 (subject to certain extension rights), either we or Arq may choose not to proceed with the Transactions. We and Arq may also terminate the Transaction Agreement under certain specified circumstances.
Failure to complete the Transactions could negatively impact our stock price and the future business and financial results.
If the Transactions are not completed for any reason, including as a result of our stockholders failing to adopt the Transaction Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, or Arq shareholders failing to approve the Scheme of Arrangement, our ongoing business may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the Transactions, we would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
•we may be required, under certain circumstances, to pay Arq a termination fee of approximately $3 million and/or reimburse Arq for certain fees and expenses in an amount of up to $3 million;
•we are subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of our businesses prior to completing the Transactions, which may adversely affect our ability to execute certain of our respective business strategies going forward if the Transactions are not completed;
•we have incurred and will continue to incur significant costs and fees associated with the proposed Transactions, such as legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees, regardless of whether the Transactions are completed;
•we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on our stock prices;
•we may experience negative reactions from our customers, regulators and employees; and
•matters relating to the Transactions (including integration planning) will require substantial commitments of time and resources by our management, which would otherwise have been devoted to day-to-day operations and other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us as an independent company.
In addition, we could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the Transactions or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against us to perform our obligations under the Transaction Agreement. If the Transactions are not completed, these risks may materialize and may adversely affect our business, financial condition, financial results and stock price.
The Transaction Agreement limits our ability to pursue alternatives to the Transaction, may discourage other companies from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in specified circumstances, could require us to pay Arq a termination fee and/or reimburse Arq for certain of its expenses.
The Transaction Agreement contains certain provisions that restrict our ability to solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage induce or facilitate any inquiry, proposal or offer with respect to, or making or completion of, any acquisition proposal, or any inquiry, proposal or offer that would reasonably be expected to lead to, an acquisition proposal with respect to the Company, and we have agreed to certain terms and conditions relating to our ability to enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any acquisition proposal. In addition, Arq generally has an opportunity to offer to modify the terms of the Transaction Agreement in response to any competing acquisition proposals or intervening events before our Board may withdraw, modify or qualify its recommendation. The Transaction Agreement further provides that under specified circumstances, including after receipt of certain alternative acquisition proposals, we may be required to pay Arq a cash termination fee equal to $3 million and/or reimburse Arq for certain fees and expenses in an amount of up to $3 million.
These provisions could discourage a potential third-party acquirer or other strategic transaction partner that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of our Company from considering or pursuing an alternative transaction with us or proposing such a transaction, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share value than the total value proposed to be paid or received in the mergers. These provisions might also result in a potential third-party acquirer or other strategic transaction partner proposing to pay a lower price than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee that may become payable in certain circumstances.
We will incur significant transaction and merger-related costs in connection with the Transactions.
We have incurred and expect to incur a number of non-recurring direct and indirect costs associated with the Transactions. These costs and expenses include fees paid to financial, legal and accounting advisors, severance and other potential employment-related costs, including payments that may be made to certain of our executives, filing fees, printing expenses and other related charges. Some of these costs are payable by us regardless of whether the Transactions are completed. There are also processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be integrated in connection with the Transactions and the integration of the two companies’ businesses. While we have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred in connection with the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and continue to assess the magnitude of these costs, there are many factors beyond our control that could affect the total amount or the timing of the integration and implementation expenses.
There may also be additional unanticipated significant costs in connection with the Transactions that we may not recoup. These costs and expenses could reduce the realization of efficiencies and strategic benefits we expect New ADES to achieve from the Transactions. Although we expect that these benefits will offset the transaction expenses and implementation costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term or at all.
In connection with the Transactions, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could negatively affect our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations.
Although we have conducted extensive due diligence in connection with the Transactions and related transactions, we cannot assure stockholders that this diligence revealed all material issues that may be present, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence or that factors outside of our control will not later arise. Even if our due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Further, as a result of the Transactions, purchase accounting and the proposed operation of New ADES going forward, we may be required to take write-offs or write-downs, restructuring and impairment or other charges. As a result, we may be forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations or incur impairment or other charges that could negatively affect our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations.
We may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other key employees due to uncertainty associated with the Transactions.
New ADES’ success after completion of the Transactions will depend in part upon the ability of New ADES to retain our key employees. Competition for qualified personnel can be intense. Our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about the effect of the Transactions, which may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key management, sales, marketing, manufacturing, technical and other personnel prior to and following the Transactions. Employee retention may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the Transactions, as our employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with New ADES.
In addition, pursuant to severance provisions in our executive employment agreements, certain of our key employees are entitled to receive severance payments upon certain qualifying terminations of their employment. Certain of our key employees potentially could terminate their employment following specified circumstances set forth in the applicable executive severance scheme or employment agreement, including certain changes in such key employees’ title, status, authority, duties, responsibilities or compensation, and be entitled to receive severance. Such circumstances could occur in connection with the Transactions as a result of changes in roles and responsibilities.
While we may employ the use of certain retention programs, there can be no guarantee that they will prove to be successful. If our key employees depart, the integration of the companies may be more difficult and New ADES’ business following the Transactions may be harmed. Furthermore, New ADES may be required to incur significant costs in identifying, hiring, training and retaining replacements for departing employees and may lose significant expertise and talent relating to our business, which may adversely affect New ADES’ ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that New ADES will be able to attract or retain our key employees to the same extent that we have been able to attract or retain our own employees in the past.
Our business relationships may be subject to disruption due to uncertainty associated with the Transactions.
Companies with which we do business may experience uncertainty associated with the Transactions, including with respect to current or future business relationships with us or New ADES. Our business relationships may be subject to disruption as customers, distributors, suppliers, vendors and others may attempt to negotiate changes in existing business relationships or consider entering into business relationships with parties other than us or New ADES. These disruptions could have an adverse effect on the businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of New ADES, including an adverse effect on New ADES’ ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions. The risk and adverse effect of such disruptions could be exacerbated by a delay in completion of the Transactions.
Completion of the Transactions may trigger change-in-control or other provisions in certain agreements to which we are a party.
The completion of the Transactions may trigger change-in-control or other provisions in certain agreements to which we are a party. If we are unable to negotiate waivers of those provisions, the respective counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the applicable agreements, including in some instances potentially terminating the agreements or seeking monetary damages. Even if we are able to negotiate waivers, the respective counterparties may require a fee for such waivers or seek to renegotiate the agreements on terms less favorable to the combined business.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
The statement concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
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Exhibit No. | | Description | | Form | | File No. | | Incorporated by Reference Exhibit | | Filing Date |
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2.1 | | | | 8-K | | 001-37822 | | 2.1 | | August 19, 2022 |
10.1 | | | | 8-K | | 001-37822 | | 10.1 | | September 6, 2022 |
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31.1 | | | | | | | | | | |
31.2 | | | | | | | | | | |
32.1 | | | | | | | | | | |
95.1 | | | | | | | | | | |
101. INS | | XBRL Instance Document* | | | | | | | | |
101.SCH | | XBRL Schema Document* | | | | | | | | |
101.CAL | | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document* | | | | | | | | |
101.LAB | | XBRL Label Linkbase Document* | | | | | | | | |
101.PRE | | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document* | | | | | | | | |
101.DEF | | Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document* | | | | | | | | |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* | | | | | | | | |
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Notes:
* Filed herewith.
** Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. |
| (Registrant) |
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November 8, 2022 | By: | /s/ Greg Marken |
| | Greg Marken |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
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| | |
November 8, 2022 | By: | /s/ Morgan Fields |
| | Morgan Fields |
| | Chief Accounting Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer) |