Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-281457
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated February 11, 2025)
Common Stock
$210,000,000
We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, or the sales agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (the "distribution agent"), dated January 26, 2021, as amended from time to time through the date of this prospectus supplement, relating to the sale of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, under this prospectus supplement we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $210,000,000 from time to time through the distribution agent, acting as our agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The distribution agent is not required to sell any specific amount, but will act as our distribution agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices.
The distribution agent will be entitled to compensation at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the sales agreement. The net proceeds, if any, that we receive from the sales of our common stock will depend on the number of shares sold and the offering price for such shares. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-15 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to the distribution agent. In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the distribution agent will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the distribution agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the distribution agent with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
You should read this prospectus supplement in conjunction with the accompanying base prospectus, including any supplements and amendments thereto. This prospectus supplement is qualified by reference to the accompanying base prospectus except to the extent that the information in this prospectus supplement supersedes the information contained in the accompanying base prospectus. This prospectus supplement is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in connection with, the accompanying base prospectus, including any supplements and amendments thereto.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AMTX.” On February 5, 2025, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $2.11 per share.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the corresponding sections in the accompanying base prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
H.C. Wainwright & Co.
The date of this prospectus supplement is February 12, 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PROSPECTUS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including the information included and referred to under “Risk Factors” below, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus, and the financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus, before making an investment decision.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus form part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. This document contains two parts. The first part consists of this prospectus supplement, which provides you with specific information about this offering. The second part, the accompanying base prospectus, provides more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined. This prospectus supplement may add, update, or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in the accompanying base prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, the statements made in this prospectus supplement will be deemed to modify or supersede those made in the accompanying base prospectus and such documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Aemetis, Inc.,” “Company,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Aemetis, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. When we refer to “you” we mean the purchaser or potential purchaser of the shares of common stock offered hereby.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to the offering of common stock. Before buying any securities offered hereby, we urge you to carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein and therein by reference as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision. This prospectus supplement may add, update, or change information in the accompanying base prospectus.
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. We have not, and the distribution agent has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the distribution agent is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including the information included and referred to under “Risk Factors” below, the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying base prospectus, and the financial statements and the other information incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus, before making an investment decision.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part or as exhibits to documents incorporated by reference herein, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.” We note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference herein were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreement, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
The industry and market data and other statistical information contained in the documents we incorporate by reference are based on our own estimates, independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, and, in each case, are believed by us to be reasonable estimates. Although we believe these sources are reliable, we have not independently verified the information.
Securities offered pursuant to the registration statement to which this prospectus supplement relates may only be offered and sold if not more than three years have elapsed since the initial effective date of the registration statement, subject to the extension of this period in compliance with applicable SEC rules.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This prospectus supplement, including the sections entitled “Prospectus Supplement Summary” and “Risk Factors,” the accompanying base prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the PSLRA, or in releases made by the SEC. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of such laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, including statements regarding our future operating results and financial position, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus supplement include, without limitation, statements regarding:
● | management’s plans; |
● | trends in market conditions with respect to prices for inputs for our products versus prices for our products; |
● | our ability to maintain and expand strategic relationships with suppliers; |
● | trends in demand for renewable fuels; |
● | trends in market conditions with respect to prices for inputs for our products versus prices for our products; |
● | our ability to leverage approved feedstock pathways; |
● | our ability to leverage our location and infrastructure; |
● | our ability to incorporate lower-cost, non-food advanced biofuels feedstock at the Keyes plant; |
● | our ability to adopt value-add by-product processing systems; |
● | our ability to expand into alternative markets for biodiesel and its by-products, including continuing to expand our sales into international markets; |
● | the impact of changes in regulatory policies on our performance, including the Indian government’s recent changes to tax policies, biofuels policy, and biodiesel prices; |
● | our ability to generate and sell credits under state and federal programs, including the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the federal Renewable Fuels Standard, and the prices obtained for such credits; | |
| ● | our ability to generate and/or transfer federal investment tax credits and production tax credits and the value of the credits; | |
● | our ability to continue to develop new, and to maintain and protect new and existing, intellectual property rights; |
● | our ability to adopt, develop and commercialize new technologies; |
● | our ability to refinance our senior debt on more commercial terms or at all; |
● | our ability to continue to fund operations and our future sources of liquidity and capital resources; |
● | our ability to sell additional notes under our EB-5 note program and our expectations regarding the release of funds from escrow under our EB-5 note program; |
● | our ability to improve margins; |
● | our ability to raise additional capital; and |
● | our anticipated use of the net proceeds from this offering. |
Forward looking statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus supplement. If we update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections with respect to other forward-looking statements.
In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions.
The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus reflect our views as of the date of this prospectus supplement about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, results, performance or achievements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those factors described in “Risk Factors.” All readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or that the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements we have included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus are based on information available to us on the date of the applicable document. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.
You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, together with the documents we have filed with the SEC that are incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in the foregoing documents by these cautionary statements.
The following summary of our business highlights some of the information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Because this is only a summary, however, it does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, which are described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. You should also carefully consider the matters discussed in the section in this prospectus supplement entitled “Risk Factors” and in the accompanying base prospectus and in other documents incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, the information contained in this prospectus supplement includes “forward-looking statements,” which are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. There can be no assurance that future developments actually affecting us will be those anticipated.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis, Inc. is an international renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on the operation, acquisition, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies to produce low and negative carbon intensity renewable fuels that replace fossil-based products. We do this by building a local circular bioeconomy using agricultural products and waste to produce low carbon, advanced renewable fuels that reduce greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and improve air quality. Our current operations include:
► California Ethanol - We own and operate a 65 million gallon per year capacity ethanol production facility in Keyes, California (the “Keyes Plant”). In addition to low carbon renewable fuel ethanol, the Keyes Plant produces Wet Distillers Grains (“WDG”), Distillers Corn Oil (“DCO”), and Condensed Distillers Solubles (“CDS”), all of which are sold as animal feed to local dairies and feedlots. The Keyes Plant also produces and sells CO₂ to Messer Gas who converts it to liquid and sells it to food, beverage, and industrial customers. We are implementing several energy efficiency initiatives at the Keyes Plant focused on reducing operating costs and lowering the carbon intensity of our fuel by reducing fossil fuel inputs. We are also continuing to evaluate the use of lower cost and lower carbon intensity feedstocks for potential use at the Keyes Plant.
► California Dairy Renewable Natural Gas - We produce Renewable Natural Gas ("RNG") in central California. Our facilities include twelve anaerobic digesters that produce biogas from dairy waste, a 36-mile biogas collection pipeline leading to a central upgrading hub, and a utility interconnection to inject the RNG into the natural gas pipeline for delivery to customers for use as transportation fuel. We are actively expanding our RNG production dairies, with two additional digesters under construction, agreements with a total of 48 dairies, and environmental review completed for an additional 24 miles of pipeline. We are also building our own RNG dispensing station, which is planned to begin operating in 2025.
► India Biodiesel - We own and operate a plant in Kakinada, India ("Kakinada Plant" or "India Plant") with a capacity to produce 80 million gallons per year of high-quality distilled biodiesel from a variety of vegetable oil and animal waste feedstocks. The Kakinada Plant is one of the largest biodiesel production facilities in India. The Kakinada Plant also distills the crude glycerin byproduct from the biodiesel refining process into refined glycerin, which is sold to the pharmaceutical, personal care, paint, adhesive, and other industries.
In addition, we are actively growing our business by seeking to develop or acquire new facilities, including the following key projects:
► Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Renewable Diesel – We are developing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel (“SAF/RD”) production plant to be located at the Riverbank Industrial Complex in Riverbank, CA. The plant is currently designed to produce an expected 90 million gallons per year of SAF/RD from renewable oil and fats obtained from our biofuels plants and other sources. The plant will use low-carbon hydroelectric electricity and renewable hydrogen that is generated within the plant’s own processes using byproducts of the SAF/RD production. In 2023, we received approval of the Use Permit and California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") evaluation for the development of the plant, and in March 2024, we received the Authority to Construct air permits for the plant. We are continuing with the engineering and other required development activities for the plant.
► Carbon Capture and Sequestration – We are developing Carbon Capture and Sequestration (“CCS”) facilities that will inject carbon dioxide captured from our biofuel production facilities and other sources deep into the ground for geologic storage to reduce emissions to the atmosphere of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. In May 2023, we received a permit from the State of California to build a geologic characterization well that will provide information for the permitting and design of a CCS well located in Riverbank, California. We drilled the first phase of the characterization well in September 2024, and plan to complete the drilling in 2025 while at the same time continuing engineering, permitting and other development activities for the sequestration well.
Our current and planned businesses produce renewable fuels and reduce carbon emissions, while generating federal Renewable Fuel Standard credits, California Low Carbon Fuel Standard credits, and federal tax credits.
Our principal executive offices and corporate headquarters are located at 20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014. Our telephone number is (408) 213-0940. See also “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-17 below.
Issuer | Aemetis, Inc.
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Securities Offered | Shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $210,000,000.
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Manner of Offering | We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, or the sales agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or the distribution agent, dated January 26, 2021, as amended from time to time through the date of this prospectus supplement, relating to the sale of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement. In accordance with the terms of the sales agreement, under this prospectus supplement we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $210,000,000 from time to time through the distribution agent, acting as our agent. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement will be made by any method permitted that is deemed an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement.
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Nasdaq Global Market Symbol | AMTX
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Use of Proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to upgrade our Keyes, California facility with energy efficiency projects; to fund engineering, permitting, construction and start-up of new projects; to construct additional dairy digesters along with the related pipeline, gas clean-up and pipeline interconnection facilities; to provide working capital; and to fund general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to repay certain indebtedness. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds” on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement.
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Risk Factors | Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus before making a decision to invest in our common stock.
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An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks described below, together with the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and the information contained in our other filings with the SEC as well as any amendment or update to our risk factors reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the information and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, and in any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to This Offering
You may experience immediate and substantial dilution.
The offering price per share in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per share of our common stock. Assuming that an aggregate of 23,304,000 shares of our common stock are sold at a price of $2.11 per share pursuant to this prospectus supplement, which was the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on February 5, 2025, for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $48.2 million after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, you would experience immediate dilution of approximately $5.11 per share. See the section entitled “Dilution” on page S-13 of this prospectus supplement for a more detailed illustration of the dilution you would incur if you participate in this offering. As indicated, the gross proceeds raised in this offering may be less than $210,000,000 because the number of shares available to be sold is limited by the number of authorized shares of common stock in our Delaware certificate of incorporation.
We are currently not profitable and historically, we have incurred significant losses. If we incur continued losses, we may have to curtail our operations, which may prevent us from successfully operating and expanding our business.
Historically, we have relied upon cash from debt and equity financing activities to fund substantially all of the cash requirements of our activities. As of September 30, 2024, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $546.7 million. For our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023, we reported a net loss of $107.8 million and $46.4 million, respectively. We may incur losses for an indeterminate period of time and may not achieve consistent profitability. We expect to rely on cash on hand, if any, cash generated from our operations, borrowing availability, if any, under our lines of credit, and proceeds from future financing activities, if any, to fund all of the cash requirements of our business. In some market environments, we may have limited access to incremental financing, which could defer or cancel growth projects, reduce business activity, or cause us to default on our existing debt agreements if we are unable to meet our payment schedules. An extended period of losses or negative cash flow may prevent us from successfully operating and expanding our business.
Management will have broad discretion as to the use of the proceeds from this offering.
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to upgrade our Keyes, California facility with energy efficiency projects; to fund engineering, permitting, construction and start-up of new projects; to construct additional dairy digesters along with the related pipeline, gas clean-up and pipeline interconnection facilities; to repay certain indebtedness, to provide working capital; and to fund general corporate purposes. Our management will have broad discretion as to the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could use them for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering. Our management may use the net proceeds for corporate purposes that may not improve our financial condition or market value. The failure by management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.
We may be unable to use some or all of the proceeds of this offering as intended.
Under our note facilities with Third Eye Capital, we owe approximately $208.7 million, excluding debt discounts, as of September 30, 2024. The debt agreements contain certain requirements to apply funds from equity raises to repay interest and principal, and we will require approvals from Third Eye Capital to use funds for other purposes. If the approvals are not provided, we may be required by our senior lender to use a portion or all of the net proceeds of this offering to repay our note facilities.
Future sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the possibility that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future issuances or sales of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, including sales of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement, or the availability of our securities for future issuance or sale, will have on the market price of shares of our common stock. Issuances or sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants, or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, including sales of our common stock pursuant to the sales agreement, or the perception that such issuances or sales might occur, could negatively impact the market price of our common stock and the terms upon which we may obtain additional equity financing in the future.
It is not possible to predict the actual number of shares we will sell under the sales agreement or the gross proceeds resulting from those sales. We may not have access to the full amount available under the sales agreement.
Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice to the distribution agent at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of shares that are sold through the distribution agent after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the market price of the common stock during the sales period, the limits we set with the distribution agent in any applicable placement notice, and the demand for our common stock during the sales period. Because the price per share of each share sold will fluctuate during the sales period, it is not currently possible to predict the number of shares that will be sold or the gross proceeds to be raised in connection with those sales, and we may not be able to access the full amount available under the sales agreement.
Our inability to access a portion or the full amount available under the sales agreement, in the absence of any other financing sources, could have a material adverse effect on our business. The extent to which we rely on sales under the sales agreement as a source of funding will depend on a number of factors including the prevailing market price of our common stock and the extent to which we are able to secure working capital from other sources. If obtaining sufficient funding from sales under the sales agreement were to prove unavailable or prohibitively dilutive, we will need to secure another source of funding in order to satisfy our working capital needs. Even if we were to receive all of the gross proceeds available under the sales agreement, we may still need additional capital to fully implement our business, operating and development plans. Should the financing we require to sustain our working capital needs be unavailable or prohibitively expensive when we require it, the consequences could be a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects.
The common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market" offerings, and investors who buy shares at different times will likely pay different prices.
Investors who purchase shares in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different levels of dilution and different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares sold in this offering. In addition, there is no minimum or maximum sales price for shares to be sold in this offering. Investors may experience a decline in the value of the shares they purchase in this offering as a result of sales made at prices lower than the prices they paid.
Risks Related to Our Business Generally
We rely on the availability of tax credits, carbon credits, grants, and other regulatory and financial incentives. The expiration, elimination, modification, or reduction of these regulations, credits, and incentives could adversely impact our business.
U.S. and India federal, state, and local governments provide regulations and incentives for operations and projects that are designed to promote renewable fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Each of our currently operating businesses and development projects are expected to generate revenue, cash, and credits from these government programs. In particular, we have used and plan to continue to use the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) amendments to the IRC in 2022 that provide Investment Tax Credits, Production Tax Credits, and other credits, and that allow us to either use the credits or to monetize the credits by selling them to third parties. These include certain transferrable IRA tax credits generated from our qualified biogas facilities. We also currently generate and plan to continue to generate credits under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”) and the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (“LCFS”). Our India plant produces biofuel to help India meet the goals of its National Policy on Biofuels. The IRA, RFS, LCFS and other regulations, as well as our ability to qualify for and monetize the tax credits, carbon credits, grants and other financial incentives available thereunder, are subject to modifications, additional regulatory requirements or limits, varying interpretations, reduction, expiration, and other changes. Moreover, the new presidential administration may take action to revise, repeal or otherwise modify existing funding and tax credit arrangements currently in place. For example, on January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order pausing certain funding disbursements under the IRA; the impact of this Executive Order on the use of and our ability to monetize certain federal credits and grants is uncertain at this time. Any such changes can occur with or without advance notice, may affect our past business activities or future plans, and may occur for a variety of reasons resulting from legislation, new or changing regulations, regulatory interpretation, court cases, and other sources. These regulatory programs, credits, and incentives have been and will continue to be material to our business and to our projects under development. Changes to regulations and reductions in or expirations of governmental credits and incentives could adversely impact our revenue, increase cost of materials, and reduce the size of our addressable market, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may issue and sell shares of our common stock having aggregate gross proceeds of up to $210,000,000 from time to time. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition of this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time.
We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to upgrade our Keyes, California facility with energy efficiency projects; to fund engineering, permitting, construction and start-up of new projects; to construct additional dairy digesters along with the related pipeline, gas clean-up and pipeline interconnection facilities; to provide working capital; and to fund general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds of this offering to repay indebtedness. For further details concerning indebtedness, please read our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the other financial information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of the development and commercialization of our technologies and other factors described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds.
If you invest in our common stock, your interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this offering and the net tangible book value or deficit per share of our common stock immediately after this offering. Our historical net tangible book deficit of our common stock as of September 30, 2024, was approximately $261.2 million, or $5.46 per share of our common stock based on 47,817,000 shares outstanding. Historical net tangible book value or deficit per share is equal to our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2024.
Dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers for our common stock in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock immediately following the completion of this offering.
After giving effect to the sale of our common stock in the aggregate amount of $48.2 million at an assumed offering price of $2.11 per share, being the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on February 5, 2025, and after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book deficit as of September 30, 2024, would have been approximately $213.0 million, or $3.00 per share of common stock. This represents an increase in net tangible book value compared to the net tangible book deficit as of September 30, 2024, of $2.46 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $5.11 per share to new investors in this offering.
The following table illustrates this calculation on a per share basis. The as adjusted information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual price to the public, the actual number of shares sold, and other terms of the offering determined at the time shares of our common stock are sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement. The as adjusted information assumes that all of our available shares authorized by our certificate of incorporation are sold at the assumed offering price of $2.11 per share. The shares sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices.
Assumed public offering price per share | $ | 2.11 | |||||
Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of September 30, 2024 | $ | (5.46) | |||||
Increase in net tangible book value (deficit) per share attributable to new investors in this offering | 2.46 | ||||||
As adjusted net tangible book value (deficit) per share immediately after this offering | (3.00) | ||||||
Dilution per share to new investors in this offering | $ | 5.11 | |||||
The foregoing table is based on 47,817,000 shares outstanding and does not give effect to the exercise of any outstanding options or warrants. To the extent options and warrants are exercised, there may be further dilution to new investors.
The shares subject to the sales agreement with the distribution agent are being sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.11 per share shown in the table above, assuming an adjusted 23,304,000 aggregate number of shares sold pursuant to this offering, would increase our adjusted net tangible book deficit per share after the offering to $2.67 per share and would increase the dilution per share to new investors in this offering to $5.78 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.11 per share shown in the table above, assuming an adjusted 23,304,000 aggregate number of shares sold pursuant to this offering, would decrease our adjusted net tangible book deficit per share after the offering to $3.32 per share and would decrease the dilution per share to new investors in this offering to $4.43 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only.
In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.
OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Market Listing
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol AMTX.
Holders
On February 5, 2025, we had 160 holders of record of our common stock and approximately 26,000 stockholders who hold their stock in street name.
Transfer Agent
Equiniti is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Dividend Policy
Historically, we have not paid dividends on our common stock, and we currently do not intend to pay any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently plan to retain any earnings to finance the growth of our business rather than to pay cash dividends. Payments of any cash dividends in the future will depend on our financial condition, results of operations and capital requirements as well as other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Our credit agreement also prohibits us from paying dividends on our common stock.
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2024, on an actual basis, and on an adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of shares of common stock in this offering, the outstanding shares as of September 30, 2024, and the use of funds for the capital expenditures. You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the other financial information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
As of September 30, 2024 | ||||
In thousands, except for par value | Actual | As Adjusted | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 296 | 296 | ||
Long-term debt: | ||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 77,215 | 77,215 | ||
Long-term | 244,991 | 196,802 | ||
| Series A Preferred Units | 123,869 | 123,869 | ||
Total long-term debt | 446,075 | 397,886 | ||
Shareholders’ equity: | ||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 80,000 authorized; 47,817 and 71,121 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | 48 | 71 | ||
Additional paid-in capital | 293,611 | 341,776 | ||
Accumulated deficit | (546,745) | (546,745) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (5,823) | (5,823) | ||
Total stockholders’ deficit attributable to Aemetis, Inc. | (258,909) | (210,721) | ||
Total capitalization | 187,166 | 187,166 | ||
We have entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement, or the sales agreement, with H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, or the distribution agent, dated January 26, 2021, as amended from time to time through the date of this prospectus supplement, under which we may offer and sell up to $210,000,000 of shares of our common stock from time to time through the distribution agent, acting as agent. Sales of shares of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement may be made in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
The distribution agent will offer our common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement on a daily basis or as otherwise agreed upon by us and the distribution agent. We will designate the maximum amount of common stock to be sold through the distribution agent on a daily basis or otherwise determine such maximum amount together with the distribution agent. Subject to the terms and conditions of the sales agreement, the distribution agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell on our behalf all of the shares of common stock requested to be sold by us. We may instruct the distribution agent not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any such instruction. The distribution agent or we may suspend the offering of our common stock being made through the distribution agent under the sales agreement upon proper notice to the other party. The distribution agent and we each have the right, by giving written notice as specified in the sales agreement, to terminate the sales agreement in each party’s sole discretion at any time.
Under the terms of the sales agreement, we may also sell our common stock to the distribution agent, as principal for its own account, at a price negotiated at the time of sale. If we sell shares to the distribution agent in this manner, we will enter into a separate agreement setting forth the terms of such transaction, and we will describe the agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
We will pay the distribution agent commissions for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our common stock at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sale price per share sold. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to the distribution agent under the sales agreement, will be up to approximately $100,000. We have also agreed to reimburse the distribution agent its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorney’s fees, in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
Settlement for sales of common stock will occur by the first business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the distribution agent in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the distribution agent will be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the distribution agent will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the distribution agent against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The offering pursuant to the sales agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the issuance and sale of all shares or our common stock subject to the sales agreement; and (2) the termination of the sales agreement as permitted therein.
The distribution agent and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, the distribution agent will not engage in any market making activities involving our common stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement. This summary of the material provisions of the sales agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the sales agreement is filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement is a part.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “AMTX.” On February 5, 2025, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market was $2.11 per share.
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby and certain other matters have been passed upon for us by Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is counsel for the distribution agent in connection with this offering.
The consolidated financial statements of Aemetis, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Aemetis, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The report of RSM US LLP dated March 28, 2024, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, expressed an opinion that Aemetis, Inc. had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information that we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. Information that we file with the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement automatically updates and supersedes previously filed information as applicable.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement the following documents filed by us with the SEC, other than any portion of any such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules:
● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024 (File No. 001-36475) (including the information in Part III incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 29, 2024); |
● | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024, June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2024; and September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024; |
● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024, May 31, 2024, August 1, 2024, November 12, 2024, and January 23, 2025; and |
● | The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014, as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to the Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 10, 2021, and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus all documents (other than any portions of any such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules) filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement.
Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference will be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, or in any other document that is subsequently filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, modifies, or is contrary to that previous statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus, except as so modified or superseded. Since information that we later file with the SEC will update and supersede previously incorporated information, you should look at all of the SEC filings that we incorporate by reference to determine if any of the statements in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus or in any documents previously incorporated by reference have been modified or superseded.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports; proxy statements; and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. Through our website at www.aemetis.com, you may access, free of charge, our filings, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. Other information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this prospectus supplement or any accompanying base prospectus. You also may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may request, in writing or by telephone, at no charge to you, a copy of these filings at: Aemetis, Inc., Attention: Executive Vice President and General Counsel, 20400 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014, Telephone: 408-213-0940.
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC to register the securities offered hereby under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, including certain exhibits. You may obtain the registration statement and exhibits to the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet website.
* * *
PROSPECTUS
$210,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units that include any of these securities. The preferred stock or warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other of our securities registered hereunder. The debt securities may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, common stock. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and trades under the symbol “AMTX.”
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
We are filing this registration statement to amend the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on August 9, 2024, File No. 333-281457 (the "Current Registration Statement"), in order to update the offering amount and make other technical corrections. The Current Registration Statement was filed as a replacement registration statement pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to securities that remained unsold under the Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-258322, originally filed on July 30, 2021, and declared effective on August 13, 2021 (the "Prior Registration Statement"). As of the date of this filing, the securities that remain unsold under the Prior Registration Statement is $210,000,000.
See the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus below, our filings with the SEC, and the applicable prospectus supplement for certain risks that you should consider before investing in our securities.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities nor passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 11, 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS | 3 |
AVAILABLE INFORMATION | 4 |
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE | 4 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 5 |
RISK FACTORS | 5 |
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER | 6 |
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK | 7 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES | 10 |
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS | 21 |
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS | 23 |
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS | 24 |
USE OF PROCEEDS | 25 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 25 |
LEGAL MATTERS | 27 |
EXPERTS |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts that we will determine from time to time, up to a total dollar amount of $210,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities described in this prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement, incorporate information by reference into this prospectus, or use other offering material, as applicable, containing more specific information about the terms of the securities that are being offered. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings and securities. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, any information incorporated by reference, and any related free writing prospectuses we file with the SEC, includes all material information relating to these offerings and securities. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including without limitation, a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to these offerings or securities or the specific plan of distribution. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference having a later date, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement or incorporated information having a later date. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus.
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have filed and plan to continue to file other documents with the SEC that contain information about us and our business. Also, we will file legal documents that control the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus as exhibits to the reports that we file with the SEC. The registration statement and other reports can be read at the SEC Internet site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Available Information.”
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Available Information.”
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), with respect to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities covered by this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is http://www.sec.gov.
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and, in accordance therewith, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the Public Reference Room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at http://www.aemetis.com. You may access our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC’s rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
● | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024 (File No. 001-36475); | |
● | Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2024, for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2024, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on November 12, 2024; | |
● | Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2024, February 16, 2024, May 31, 2024, August 1, 2024, November 12, 2024, and January 23, 2025; and | |
● | The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014, as amended by the Form 8-A/A (Amendment No. 1) filed with the SEC on November 10, 2021. |
Additionally, all documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after (i) the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (ii) the date of this prospectus and before the termination or completion of this offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of such documents, except that we do not incorporate any document or portion of a document that is “furnished” to the SEC, but not deemed “filed.” Any information that we subsequently file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference as described above will automatically update and supersede any previous information that is part of this prospectus.
Copies of all documents referred to above that have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, are also available on the investors tab of on our website at www.aemetis.com. We will provide, without charge to you, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in those documents. Requests should be directed to:
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Aemetis, Inc.
20400 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 700
Cupertino, CA 95014
This prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference into it, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) or in releases made by the SEC. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements can often be identified by their use of words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “could,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “should,” “will,” “may” and “assume,” as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of such laws.
The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. If any of those risks and uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking statement. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements are those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” below, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as in our other reports filed from time to time with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information about how to obtain copies of those documents.
Readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure that such statements will be realized or that the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into it are made only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, based on information available to us as of the date of that document, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in light of the risks and uncertainties associated with them. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in, or incorporated into, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein. Each of the referenced risks and uncertainties could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings, the following securities:
● | shares of common stock |
● | shares of preferred stock |
● | debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated and may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock |
● | warrants exercisable for debt securities, common stock or preferred stock |
● | rights to purchase any of such securities |
● | units of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or warrants, in any combination |
This prospectus contains a summary of the material general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the securities will be described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be listed on any securities exchange. The summaries contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may not contain all of the information that you would find useful. Accordingly, you should read the actual documents relating to any securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information about how to obtain copies of those documents.
The terms of any particular offering, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, relating to such offering.
General
The following summary of the material features of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation (“Certificate of Incorporation”), our bylaws (“Bylaws”), and other applicable law.
Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock
Our authorized capital stock consists of 80,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 65,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share. As of December 31, 2024, there were 51,152,603 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and should be reviewed in conjunction with our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws.
Common Stock
Dividends - Subject to provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in Delaware Code, Title 8, Chapter 1 ("DGCL") and to the rights of holders of any series of our preferred stock (if any), dividends are paid on our common stock when and as declared by our board of directors.
Voting rights - Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our common stockholders. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.
Liquidation - If we are liquidated, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive all remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders after satisfaction of our liabilities and the preferential rights of any of our preferred stock that may be outstanding at that time.
Preemptive rights - The holders of our common stock do not have any preemptive, conversion or redemption rights by virtue of their ownership of the common stock.
Listing - Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and trades under the symbol “AMTX.”
Transfer Agent And Registrar - The Transfer Agent and Registrar for our common stock is EQ.
Preferred Stock
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorize our Board of Directors (“Board”) to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series within a class upon authority of the Board without further stockholder approval. Shares of our preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, and our Board is authorized to determine the designation and to fix the number of shares of each series. Any preferred stock issued in the future may rank senior to common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In addition, any such shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock or the existence of the unissued preferred stock might tend to discourage or render more difficult a merger or other change in control. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, us or a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Prior to the issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock, our Board will adopt resolutions and file a certificate of designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The certificate of designation will fix for each series the designation and number of shares and the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares including, but not limited to, the following:
● | voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock |
● | any rights and terms of redemption |
● | the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation applicable to the preferred stock |
● | whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative, and if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate |
● | the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs |
● | the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, another series of preferred stock, or any other class of securities being registered hereby, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period |
● | the provision for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock |
● | the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock |
● | liquidation preferences |
● | any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs |
● | any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock |
In addition to the terms listed above, we will set forth in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or related free writing prospectus the following terms relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered:
● | the number of shares of the preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock |
● | the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock |
● | any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange |
● | a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock |
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Certain provisions of Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of the Company.
Issuance of undesignated preferred stock
Our board of directors has the ability to designate and issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could deter hostile takeovers or delay changes in our control or management.
Classified Board
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes of directors. Directors of each class are chosen for three-year terms upon the expiration of their current terms and each year one class of our directors will be elected by our stockholders. Additionally, there is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. This classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. At least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our board of directors. Thus, the classified board provision could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us, even though a stockholder might consider a tender offer or change in control to be in its best interests.
In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that, subject to the terms of any series of preferred stock, directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote at an election of directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide that subject to the terms of any series of preferred stock, any vacancy or newly created directorship in our board of directors, however occurring, shall be filled only by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, and shall not be filled by the stockholders.
Ability of our Stockholders to Act
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not permit our stockholders to call special stockholders meetings; special stockholder meetings may only be called by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Written notice of any special meeting so called shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 or more than 60 days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise required by law. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent; provided, however, that any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of preferred stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series of preferred stock.
Rights Plan
We have a stockholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”) designed to preserve the value of certain tax assets primarily associated with our net operating losses (“NOLs”) and built in losses under Section 382. The use of such losses to offset federal income tax would be limited if we experience an “ownership change” under Section 382. This would occur if stockholders owning (or deemed under Section 382 to own) 5% or more of our stock by value increase their collective ownership of the aggregate amount of our stock by more than 50 percentage points over a defined period of time. While the Rights Plan is intended to protect our NOLs and built-in losses under Section 382, it may also have an “anti-takeover” effect of delaying or preventing beneficial takeover bids by third parties.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific material terms of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet to be attached to the front of this prospectus. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement or term sheet that contradicts different information below.
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “Events of Default.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.
Senior and subordinated debt securities will be issued by us under an indenture (the “indenture”), between us, as issuer, and a trustee to be named therein, as trustee (the “trustee”).
The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”). The terms “we,” “our” and “us,” when used to refer to an issuer of securities, means Aemetis, Inc.
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. See “Where to Find More Information” for information on how to locate the indenture and any supplemental indentures that may be filed.
General Provisions of the Indenture
Each series of debt securities will be unsecured obligations of Aemetis, Inc. Any senior securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Aemetis, Inc. Any subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness of Aemetis, Inc. as more fully described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet.
The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the attached prospectus supplement or term sheet (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), as well as other unsecured debt securities, may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.
You should read the prospectus supplement or term sheet for the material terms of the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, including the following:
● | The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior securities or subordinated securities of Aemetis, Inc. |
● | The total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on such total principal amount. |
● | If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how this portion will be determined. |
● | The date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined or extended, when the principal of the debt securities will be payable. |
● | The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, or how the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates, any record dates for these payments and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. |
● | Any optional redemption provisions |
● | Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities. |
● | The form in which we will issue the debt securities and whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in “certificated” form. |
● | If other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and/or payable. |
| ● | Whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and how these amounts will be determined. |
● | The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities. |
● | If other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 above the minimum denomination in the case of registered securities issued in certificated form, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued. |
● | If the provisions of Article Fourteen of the indenture described under “defeasance” are not applicable and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions. |
● | Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts, as contemplated by Section 1010 of the indenture, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option). |
● | Whether the securities are subordinated and the terms of such subordination. |
● | Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events. |
● | Any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants contained in the applicable indenture. |
● | Whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and conditions. |
● | Any other material terms of the debt securities. |
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt, we repurchase a significant amount of equity or effect a recapitalization, or we are acquired by another entity.
We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars.
Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available funds.
The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above the minimum denomination. The authorized denominations of foreign currency Notes will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
Interest and Interest Rates
Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date it is originally issued. The related prospectus supplement or term sheet will describe the method of determining the interest rate.
Interest on the debt securities other than in global form denominated in U.S. dollars will be paid by check mailed on an Interest Payment Date to the persons entitled thereto to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register or, at our option, by wire transfer to a bank account maintained by the holder. The principal of, and premium, if any, and, if other than an Interest Payment Date, interest on debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, due on the Maturity Date will be paid in immediately available funds upon surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee in The City of New York, or, at our option, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by the applicable registered holder, provided the particular bank has appropriate facilities to receive these payments and the particular Note is presented and surrendered at the office or agency maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in time for the trustee to make these payments in accordance with its normal procedures.
Global Securities
General
We usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with, or on behalf of, and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect owner of a beneficial interest in the global security.
Special considerations for global securities
As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.
If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
● | An investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in the investor's name and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below. |
● | An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to the investor's own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities. |
● | An investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form. |
● | An investor may not be able to pledge the investor's interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective. |
● | The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way. |
● | If we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series. |
● | An investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the trustee. |
● | DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book entry system use immediately available funds. Your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security. |
| ● | Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book−entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries. |
Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for debt securities of the same series in non−book−entry form (certificated debt securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders.
The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:
● | if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days, |
● | if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security, or |
● | if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived; we discuss defaults later under “Events of Default.” |
The prospectus supplement or term sheet may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement or term sheet. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee, will be responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.
Payment and Paying Agents
We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each regularly scheduled date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, typically set at a date approximately two weeks prior to the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
Payments on Global Securities
We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “General” above.
Payments on Certificated Debt Securities
We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, duly and punctually to the office of the trustee.
Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we may pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 calendar days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above. In addition, see the description under “Interest and Interest Rates.”
Material Covenants
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance
The indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:
● | the successor or transferee entity, if other than us, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on, all of our outstanding debt securities and the performance of every covenant and obligation in the indenture to be performed or observed by us; immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in the indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and |
● | we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each in the form required by the indenture and stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction. |
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, the successor entity will succeed to and be substituted for us as obligor on the debt securities with the same effect as if it had been named in the indenture as issuer.
Restrictions on Liens
We will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed secured by a Mortgage (“Secured Debt”) upon any Operating Property or any shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the indenture or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the debt securities of each series then outstanding under the indenture are secured equally and ratably with or, at our option, prior to such Secured Debt so long as such Secured Debt shall be so secured.
The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Secured Debt in any computation under such restriction, Secured Debt secured by:
(1) | Mortgages on any property, shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; |
(2) | Mortgages on property or shares of stock existing at the time of acquisition of such property or stock by us or a Restricted Subsidiary or existing as of the original date of the applicable indenture; |
(3) | Mortgages to secure the payment of all or any part of the price of acquisition, construction or improvement of such property or stock by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, or to secure any Secured Debt incurred by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after, the later of the acquisition or completion of construction (including any improvements on an existing property), which Secured Debt is incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction of improvements thereon; provided, however, that, in the case of any such acquisition, construction or improvement, the Mortgage shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, other than, in the case of any such construction or improvement, any theretofore substantially unimproved real property on which the property or improvement so constructed is located; |
(4) | Mortgages securing Secured Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to us or to another Restricted Subsidiary; |
(5) | Mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with us or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us or a Restricted Subsidiary; |
(6) | Mortgages on property of us or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States or any state thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any state thereof, or in favor of any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality of such country or political subdivision, to secure partial progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Mortgages; |
| (7) | Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Mortgage referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above and (9) below; provided, however, that the principal amount of Secured Debt so secured shall not exceed the principal amount of Secured Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property which secured the Mortgage so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and construction on such property); |
| (8) | Mortgages upon any Operating Property, or any transfer or disposition of any Operating Property, that is created or implemented as a necessary component of a bond for title transaction, payment in lieu of tax agreement or other tax incentive vehicle designed to provide us or any Subsidiary with certain ad valorem property tax savings or other incentive savings; or |
(9) | Mortgages to secure Hedging Obligations entered into the ordinary course of business to purchase any raw material or other commodity or to hedge risks or reduce costs with respect to the interest rate, currency or commodity exposure of us or any Restricted Subsidiary of ours and not for speculative purposes. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and any one or more of our Restricted Subsidiaries may, however, without securing any debt securities, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Secured Debt secured by a Mortgage if, after giving effect to the transaction, the aggregate of the Secured Debt then outstanding (not including Secured Debt permitted under the above exceptions) does not exceed 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as shown on our financial statements as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination.
“Commodity Agreement” means any forward contract, commodity swap, commodity option or other financial agreement or arrangement relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon, fluctuations in commodity prices.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total assets of Aemetis, Inc. and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any net investment in Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries) after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities (excluding any thereof constituting indebtedness for borrowed money) and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, franchises, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense, organization and developmental expenses and other like segregated intangibles, all as computed by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination; provided, that any items constituting deferred income taxes, deferred investment tax credit or other similar items shall not be taken into account as a liability or as a deduction from or adjustment to total assets.
“Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.
“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other successor entities as have been sanctioned and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, that are applicable at the date of any relevant calculation or determination.
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement, Commodity Agreement or derivative contract entered into to hedge interest rate risk, currency exchange risk, and commodity price risk.
“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.
“Mortgage” or “Mortgages” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrances upon any Operating Property or any shares of stock or on indebtedness for borrowed money of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Operating Property, shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money are now owned or hereafter acquired).
“Operating Property” means each plant or facility of Aemetis, Inc. or a Restricted Subsidiary located within the United States except any such plant or facility which the Board of Directors of Aemetis, Inc. by resolution reasonably determines not to be of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of us (i) substantially all of the property of which is located, or substantially all of the business of which is carried on, within the United States, and (ii) which owns or is the lessee of any Operating Property.
“Subsidiary” means (1) any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by us or by one or more other Subsidiaries and (2) any other Person in which we or one or more other Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, (x) own at least a majority of the outstanding ownership interests or (y) have the power to elect or direct the election of, or to appoint or approve the appointment of, at least the majority of the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.
Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
We will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:
(1) we or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by a Mortgage upon such property at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement without equally and ratably securing the debt securities; provided, however, that from and after the date on which such arrangement becomes effective, the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement shall be deemed, for all purposes described under “—Restrictions on Liens” above, to be Secured Debt subject to the provisions of the covenants described therein;
(2) since the original date of the indenture and within a period commencing twelve months prior to the consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and ending twelve months after the consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, we or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has expended or will expend for the Operating Property an amount equal to (A) the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, and we elect to designate such amount as a credit against such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, or (B) a part of the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and we elect to designate such amount as a credit against such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and apply an amount equal to the remainder of the net proceeds as provided in the following paragraph; or
(3) such Sale and Leaseback Transaction does not come within the exceptions provided by the first paragraph above under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” and we do not make the election permitted by the second paragraph under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” or make such election only as to a part of such net proceeds, in either of which events we shall apply an amount in cash equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement (less any amount elected under the second paragraph under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions”) to the retirement, within 360 days of the effective date of any such arrangement, of indebtedness for borrowed money of we or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than indebtedness for borrowed money of Aemetis, Inc. which is subordinated to the debt securities) which by its terms matures at or is extendible or renewable at the sole option of the obligor without requiring the consent of the obligees to a date more than twelve months after the date of the creation of such indebtedness for borrowed money (it being understood that such retirement may be made by prepayment of such indebtedness for borrowed money, if permitted by the terms thereof, as well as by payment at maturity, and that at our option and pursuant to the terms of the indenture, such indebtedness may include the debt securities).
“Attributable Debt” under the indenture means the present value (discounted at the interest rate inherent in the lease, compounded annually) of the obligation of a lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of any lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended).
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Operating Property, whether such Operating Property is now owned or hereafter acquired (except for temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years and except for leases between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries), which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person with the intention of taking back a lease of such property.
Events of Default
An event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as:
(a) | default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable; |
(b) | default in payment of principal of or any premium on the debt securities of such series at maturity or upon redemption or repayment when the same becomes due and payable; |
(c) | default by us in the performance of any other covenant contained in the applicable indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of such series that has not been remedied by the end of a period of 90 days after notice is given as specified in the indenture; |
(d) | default in the payment of principal or an acceleration of other indebtedness for borrowed money of Aemetis, Inc. where the aggregate principal amount with respect to which the default or acceleration has occurred exceeds $25 million and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled or such indebtedness repaid within a period of 30 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities under the indenture, provided that if any such default is cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, then the event of default by reason thereof would be deemed not to have occurred; and |
(e) | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of Aemetis, Inc. |
The indenture provides that:
● | if an event of default described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above has occurred and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding, and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be due and payable immediately; |
● | upon certain conditions such declarations may be annulled and past defaults (except for defaults in the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on the debt securities and in compliance with certain covenants) may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series; and |
● | if an event of default described in clause (e) occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture, together with any accrued interest through the occurrence of such event, shall become and be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any other holder. |
Under the indenture, the trustee must give to the holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured defaults known to it with respect to the debt securities of such series within 90 days after such a default occurs (the term default to include the events specified above without notice or grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the holders of such debt securities.
No holder of any debt securities may institute any action under the indenture unless:
● | such holder has given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities; |
● | the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default; |
● | such holder or holders have offered the trustee such reasonable indemnity as the trustee may require; the trustee has failed to institute an action for 60 days thereafter; and |
● | no inconsistent direction has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such debt securities. |
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. The indenture provides that, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in exercising its rights and powers under the indenture, will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. The indenture further provides that the trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under the indenture unless it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is reasonably assured to it.
We must furnish to the trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year a statement signed by an officer thereof to the effect that a review of our activities during such year and our performance under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities has been made, and, to the knowledge of the signatories based on such review, we have complied with all conditions and covenants of the indenture or, if we are in default, specifying such default.
Modification of the Indenture
We and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under such indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:
● | to evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption by such successor of its obligations under the indenture and the debt securities; |
● | to add covenants of Aemetis, Inc. or surrender of any of its rights, or add any rights for the benefit of the holders of debt securities; |
● | to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in such indenture; |
● | to establish the form or terms of any other series of debt securities, including any subordinated securities; |
● | to evidence and provide the acceptance of any successor trustee with respect to the debt securities or one or more other series of debt securities under the indenture or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with the indenture; and |
● | to provide any additional events of default. |
With certain exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected thereby, but no such modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby that would:
● | change the maturity of the principal of, or any premium on, or any installment of principal of or interest on any debt securities, or reduce the principal amount or any premium or the rate or manner of calculating interest or any premium payable upon redemption or repayment of any debt securities, or change the dates or periods for any redemption or repayment or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any principal, premium or interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the redemption or repayment date); |
● | reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any such modification, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the indenture; or |
● | modify any of the provisions of certain sections of the indenture, including the provisions summarized in this paragraph, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each of the outstanding debt securities affected thereby. |
Defeasance
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
Covenant Defeasance
Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
● | Deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates. |
● | Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. |
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
Full Defeasance
If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
● | We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of such series a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates. |
● | We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities of such series would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on your debt securities at the time of the deposit. |
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities of such series. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent.
Legal defeasance and full defeasance are both subject to certain conditions, such as no default or event of default occurring and continuing, and no breach of any material agreement.
Discharge of the Indenture
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities or by depositing with the trustee or the paying agent after the debt securities have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, or otherwise, cash sufficient to pay all of the outstanding debt securities and paying all other sums payable under the indenture.
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Debt Securities
If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:
● | only in fully registered certificated form, |
● | without interest coupons, and |
● | unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and amounts above the minimum denomination that are integral multiples of $1,000. |
Holders may exchange their certificated debt securities of smaller denominations or combine into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated debt securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
If any certificated debt securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.
If a registered debt security is issued in book−entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.
Resignation of Trustee
The trustee may resign or be removed at any time with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
The Trustee Under the Indenture
The trustee may be one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships and from which we may obtain credit facilities and lines of credit in the future. The trustee may also serve as trustee under other indentures under which we are the obligor in the future.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or any combination of these securities. We may issue the warrants independently or together with any underlying securities, and the warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the warrants that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When warrants are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the warrants as described in a prospectus supplement information, incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of warrants in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific warrant document or agreement, which we will file with the SEC for incorporation by reference into this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.
When we refer to a series of warrants, we mean all warrants issued as part of the same series under the applicable warrant agreement.
Terms
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any warrants that we may offer, including but not limited to the following:
● | the title of the warrants; |
● | the total number of warrants; |
● | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
● | the currency or currencies that investors may use to pay for the warrants; |
● | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire; |
● | whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form; |
● | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
● | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
● | if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security; |
● | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable; if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; |
● | if applicable, the terms of redemption of the warrants; |
● | the identity of the warrant agent, if any; |
● | the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and |
● | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Warrant Agreements
We may issue the warrants in one or more series under one or more warrant agreements, each to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as warrant agent. We may add, replace, or terminate warrant agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent or may choose one of our subsidiaries to do so.
The warrant agent under a warrant agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants issued under that agreement. The warrant agent will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of those warrants. Any holder of warrants may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those warrants in accordance with their terms. Until the warrant is properly exercised, no holder of any warrant will be entitled to any rights of a holder of the warrant property purchasable upon exercise of the warrant.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We may issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form. Warrants issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the warrants represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in a global warrant will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any warrants are issued in non-global form, warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus.
Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of holders of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise.
Exercise of Warrants
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be redeemed as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus.
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
We may issue rights to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all which will be set forth in the relevant offering material. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to rights that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When rights are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the rights as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or related free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of rights in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the rights agreement and the rights certificates. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of rights. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” above for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may describe:
● | in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution; |
● | in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder; |
● | the exercise price payable for the underlying debt securities, common stock or preferred stock upon the exercise of the rights; |
● | the number and terms of the underlying debt securities, common stock or preferred stock which may be purchased per each right; |
● | the extent to which the rights are transferable; |
● | the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire; |
● | the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; |
● | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights; and |
● | any other terms of the rights, including, but not limited to, the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights. |
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “—Description of Debt Securities” and “—Description of Capital Stock” above, will apply, as applicable, to any rights we offer.
We may issue units composed of any combination of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and warrants. We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. As a result, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to units that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When units are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the units as described in a prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
This summary and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable. We will file these documents with the SEC for incorporation by reference into this prospectus, as applicable. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may describe:
● | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately; |
● | any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities composing the units; |
● | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and |
● | any other terms of the units. |
The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Capital Stock” and “Description of Warrants,” will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes.
We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to one or more purchasers, through a rights offering, or otherwise. We will describe the terms of the offering of the securities in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, including:
● | the name or names of any underwriters, if any; |
● | the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
● | any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation; |
● | any initial public offering price; |
● | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
● | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Only underwriters we name in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus are underwriters of the securities offered thereby.
The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including:
● | block transactions (which may involve crosses) and transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded; |
● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; |
● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
● | sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; |
● | sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers; |
● | a combination of any such methods of disposition; and |
● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
Agents may, from time to time, solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.
If underwriters are used in an offering, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus, and the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.
If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our subsidiaries or affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
Any person participating in the distribution of common stock registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our common stock by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock.
Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain or
otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.
All securities we offer other than common stock will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for us.
The consolidated financial statements of Aemetis, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Aemetis, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The report of RSM US LLP dated March 28, 2024, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, expressed an opinion that Aemetis, Inc. had not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.
