UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended

March 31, 20212022

or 

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

For the transition period from ______ to______.

Commission file number: 001-33059

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

20-5657551

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation of organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

Fuel Tech, Inc.

27601 Bella Vista Parkway

Warrenville, IL 60555-1617

630-845-4500

www.ftek.com

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

  ________________________________

 

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

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

 FTEK

NASDAQ

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

 

   

Emerging growth company

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐

 

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

 

On April 30, 202129, 2022 there were outstanding 30,263,791 sharesoutstanding 30,296,297 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

Form 10-Q for the three-monththree-month period ended March 31, 20212022

 

INDEX

 

  

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three-Month PeriodsThree Months Ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three-Month PeriodThree Months Ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three-Month PeriodThree Months Ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three-Month PeriodThree Months Ended March 31, 20212022 and 20202021

5

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

2017

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

2220

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2220

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

2321

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

2321

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2321

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2321

Item 6.

Exhibits

2422

SIGNATURES

2523

 

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

March 31,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

ASSETS

            

Current assets:

         

Cash and cash equivalents

 $35,711  $10,640  $34,174  $35,893 

Restricted cash

  150   1,595  1,066  891 

Accounts receivable, net

  4,601   6,548  4,795  3,259 

Inventories, net

  156   97  361  348 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  1,771   2,193   1,060  1,074 

Total current assets

  42,389   21,073  41,456  41,465 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $27,007 and $26,889, respectively

  5,041   5,220 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,325 and $18,243, respectively

 4,554  4,609 

Goodwill

  2,116   2,116  2,116  2,116 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $791 and $757, respectively

  529   553 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $355 and $341, respectively

 448  448 

Restricted cash

  270   371  0  270 

Right-of-use operating lease assets

  350   394  210  242 

Other assets

  348   361   837  824 

Total assets

 $51,043  $30,088  $49,621  $49,974 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

            

Current liabilities:

         

Accounts payable

 $1,466  $2,353  $2,240  $1,561 

Accrued liabilities:

         

Operating lease liabilities - current

  148   149  106  113 

Employee compensation

  699   930  637  688 

Other accrued liabilities

  1,580   2,099   999  861 

Total current liabilities

  3,893   5,531  3,982  3,223 

Operating lease liabilities - non-current

  194   237  98  122 

Long-term borrowings

     1,556 

Deferred income taxes, net

  134   134  139  139 

Other liabilities

  299   309   269  290 

Total liabilities

  4,520   7,767   4,488  3,774 

Stockholders’ equity:

         

Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 31,227,300 and 25,639,702 shares issued, and 30,263,791 and 25,228,951 shares outstanding, respectively

  312   262 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 31,272,303 and 31,227,300 shares issued, and 30,296,297 and 30,263,791 shares outstanding, respectively

 313  312 

Additional paid-in capital

  164,137   140,138  164,216  164,199 

Accumulated deficit

  (114,205)  (114,603) (115,547) (114,549)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (1,563)  (1,370) (1,674) (1,604)

Nil coupon perpetual loan notes

  76   76  76  76 

Treasury stock, at cost

  (2,234)  (2,182)  (2,251) (2,234)

Total stockholders’ equity

  46,523   22,321   45,133  46,200 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $51,043  $30,088  $49,621  $49,974 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

1

 

                                        

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per-share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Revenues

 $5,033  $3,778  $5,535  $5,033 

Costs and expenses:

            

Cost of sales

  2,675   2,251  3,245  2,675 

Selling, general and administrative

  3,100   3,886  3,054  3,100 

Research and development

  415   324   220  415 
  6,190   6,461   6,519  6,190 

Operating loss

  (1,157)  (2,683) (984) (1,157)

Interest expense

  (4)  (3) (5) (4)

Interest income

  1   11  1  1 

Other income, net

  1,558   226 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  398   (2,449)

Other (expense) income, net

  (10) 1,558 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 (998) 398 

Income tax expense

     (118)  0  0 

Net income (loss)

 $398  $(2,567)

Net income (loss) per common share:

        

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 $0.01  $(0.10)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 $0.01  $(0.10)

Net (loss) income

 $(998) $398 

Net (loss) income per common share:

    

Basic net (loss) income per common share

 $(0.03) $0.01 

Diluted net (loss) income per common share

 $(0.03) $0.01 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

  27,510,000   24,597,000   30,267,000  27,510,000 

Diluted

  27,737,000   24,597,000   30,267,000  27,737,000 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Net income (loss)

 $398  $(2,567)

Other comprehensive income loss:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (193)  (231)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $205  $(2,798)
  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Net (loss) income

 $(998) $398 

Other comprehensive loss:

        

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (70)  (193)

Comprehensive (loss) income

 $(1,068) $205 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

Fuel Tech, Inc.FUEL TECH, INC.

Condensed Statements of Stockholders’ EquityCONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)(in thousands of dollars or shares, as appropriate)appropriate)

 

The following summarizes the changes in total stockholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020:2021:

 

                  

Accumulated

  

Nil

         
          

Additional

      

Other

  

Coupon

         
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Comprehensive

  

Perpetual

  

Treasury

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Income (Loss)

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

  24,592  $254  $139,560  $(110,325) $(1,778) $76  $(1,612) $26,175 

Net loss

           (2,567)           (2,567)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

              (231)        (231)

Stock compensation expense

        81               81 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

  55                      

Treasury shares withheld

  (11)                 (5)  (5)

Balance at March 31, 2020

  24,636  $254  $139,641  $(112,892) $(2,009) $76  $(1,617) $23,453 
                  

Accumulated

  

Nil

         
          

Additional

      

Other

  

Coupon

         
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Comprehensive

  

Perpetual

  

Treasury

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Loss

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

  25,229  $262  $140,138  $(114,603) $(1,370) $76  $(2,182) $22,321 

Net income

     0   0   398   0   0   0   398 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0   0   0   (193)  0   0   (193)

Stock compensation expense

     0   20   0   0   0   0   20 

Common stock issued in connection with private placement, net

  5,000   50   23,979   0   0   0   0   24,029 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

  50   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (15)  0   0   0   0   0   (52)  (52)

Balance at March 31, 2021

  30,264  $312  $164,137  $(114,205) $(1,563) $76  $(2,234) $46,523 

 

The following summarizes the changes in total stockholders' equity for the three months ended March 31, 2021:2022:

 

                  

Accumulated

  

Nil

         
          

Additional

      

Other

  

Coupon

         
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Comprehensive

  

Perpetual

  

Treasury

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Income (Loss)

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

  25,229  $262  $140,138  $(114,603) $(1,370) $76  $(2,182) $22,321 

Net income

           398            398 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

              (193)        (193)

Stock compensation expense

        20               20 

Common stock issued in connection with private placement, net

  5,000   50   23,979               24,029 
Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units  50                      
Treasury shares withheld  (15)                 (52)  (52)

Balance at March 31, 2021

  30,264  $312  $164,137  $(114,205) $(1,563) $76  $(2,234) $46,523 
                  

Accumulated

  

Nil

         
          

Additional

      

Other

  

Coupon

         
  

Common Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Accumulated

  

Comprehensive

  

Perpetual

  

Treasury

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Loss

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

  30,264  $312  $164,199  $(114,549) $(1,604) $76  $(2,234) $46,200 

Net loss

     0   0   (998)  0   0   0   (998)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     0   0   0   (70)  0   0   (70)

Stock compensation expense

     0   18   0   0   0   0   18 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

  45   1   (1)  0   0   0   0   0 

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (13)  0   0   0   0   0   (17)  (17)

Balance at March 31, 2022

  30,296  $313  $164,216  $(115,547) $(1,674) $76  $(2,251) $45,133 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Operating Activities

            

Net income (loss)

 $398  $(2,567)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

        

Net (loss) income

 $(998) $398 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:

 

Depreciation

  168   163  94  168 

Amortization

  34   43  14  34 

Loss on disposal of equipment

  2     0  2 

Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries

  47     (25) 47 

Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures

  20   81  18  20 

Gain of forgiveness on Paycheck Protection Plan Loan

  (1,556)    0  (1,556)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

         

Accounts receivable

  1,831   795  (1,520) 1,831 

Inventories

  (59)  (104) (13) (59)

Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other non-current assets

  422   99  (3) 422 

Accounts payable

  (874)  (313) 682  (874)

Accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities

  (658)  (102)  5  (658)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (225)  (1,905)  (1,746) (225)

Investing Activities

            

Purchases of equipment and patents

  (4)  (14)  (53) (4)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (4)  (14)  (53) (4)

Financing Activities

            

Proceeds from sale of common stock issued in connection with private placement

  25,812     0  25,812 

Costs related to sale of common stock issued in connection with private placement

  (1,783)    0  (1,783)

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (52)  (5)  (17) (52)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  23,977   (5)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (17) 23,977 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash

  (223)  (441)  2  (223)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

  23,525   (2,365)

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 (1,814) 23,525 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period (Note 2)

  12,606   13,501   37,054  12,606 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period (Note 2)

 $36,131  $11,136  $35,240  $36,131 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 20212022

(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per-share data)

 

 

1.     General

 

Organization

 

Fuel Tech, Inc. and subsidiaries ("Fuel Tech", the "Company", "we", "us" or "our") develops and provides proprietary technologies for air pollution control, process optimization, water treatment, and advanced engineering services. These technologies enable customers to operate in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner.

 

The Company’s NOxnitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction technologies reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from boilers, furnaces, and other stationary combustion sources. To reduce NOx emissions, our technologies utilize advanced combustion modification techniques and post-combustion NOx control approaches including non-catalytic, catalytic, and combined systems. The Company also provides solutions for the mitigation of particulate matter, including particulate control with electrostatic precipitator products and services, and using flue gas conditioning systems which modify the ash properties of particulate for improved collection efficiency. The Company’s FUEL CHEM® technology improves the efficiency, reliability, fuel flexibility, boiler heat rate, and environmental status of combustion units by controlling slagging, fouling, corrosion, and opacity. Water treatment technologies include DGI™ Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems which utilize a patented nozzle to deliver supersaturated oxygen solutions and other gas-water combinations to target process applications or environmental issues. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and wastewater industries, including remediation, aeration, biological treatment, and wastewater odor management.

 

Many of Fuel Tech’s products and services rely heavily on the Company’s exceptional Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling capabilities, which are enhanced by internally developed, high-end visualization software.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP")(U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-XS-X of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for athe fair presentationstatement of the statementsFuel Tech's financial position, cash flows, and results of operations for the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2021.2022. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

COVID-19COVID-19 Pandemic and Geopolitical Events

 

The emergenceeffects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world presents(COVID-19) global pandemic have presented significant risks to the Company, not all of which the Company is able to fully evaluate or even foresee at the current time. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Company’s operations in the three months ended March 31, 2021, althoughAlthough the impact of the pandemic is difficult to quantify, and may continue to do so indefinitely thereafter. Thethe Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, reductions in demand for certain of our products due to the delay or abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to our customers’, suppliers’ and other third parties’ financial distress or concern regarding the volatility of global markets.

 

Geopolitical events and global economic sanctions resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may impact new or existing projects and the prices and availability of raw materials, energy and other materials. These events may also impact energy and regulatory policy nationally or regionally for the impacted regions. 

Management cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events on the Company’s sales and marketing channels and supply chain, and as a result, the ultimate extent of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments. Such effects could exist for an extended period of time even aftertime. The Company continues to monitor the pandemic might end.

Private Placement Offering

On February 11, 2021, Fuel Tech entered into a securities purchase agreement to issue and sell, in a private placement, 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,500,000 warrants exercisable for a total of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $5.10 per Warrant Share, at a purchase price of $5.1625 per Share and associated warrant. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Private Placement were $25,812,500, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses of $1,783,000. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the Warrants are immediately exercisable upon issuance and expirepotential impacts on the five and one-half year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement registering the Warrant Shares for resale.  In addition, the Company issued to the placement agent Warrants to purchase up to 350,000 shares of Common Stock.  The Placement Agent Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $6.45 per share of Common Stock and expire on the five and one-half year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement registering the Shares and the Warrant Shares for resale.business. 

 

6

 

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Restricted cash

 

Restricted cash as of March 31, 20212022 represents funds that are restricted to satisfy any amount borrowed against the Company's Cash Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank N.A. The balance of restricted cash totaling $420$1,066 is comprised of $150 in current assets relating to existing standby letters of credit with varying maturity dates and expire no later than March 31, 2022 and $270 in long-term assets will remain throughdates, the expiration dates of the underlying standby letter of credits (the latest maturity date is February 1, 2023) 2023, with BMO Harris Bank N.A. Refer to Note 10 Debt Financing for further information on the Cash Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank N.A.

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

 

March 31,

  

March 31,

  

March 31,

 

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $35,711  $8,003  $34,174  $35,711 

Restricted cash included in current assets

  150   2,771  1,066  150 

Restricted cash included in long-term assets

  270   362   0  270 

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 $36,131  $11,136  $35,240  $36,131 

 

Leases

Inventories

 

Inventories consist primarily of equipment constructed for resale and spare parts and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the weighted-average cost method. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, inventory included equipment constructed for resale of $227 and $227, respectively, and spare parts, net of reserves of $134 and $121, respectively. Usage is recorded in cost of sales in the period that parts were issued to a project, used to service equipment, or sold to customers. Inventories are periodically evaluated to identify obsolete or otherwise impaired parts and are written off when management determines usage is not probable. The Company appliesestimates the provisionsbalance of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 842, Leases.  The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inceptionexcess and obsolete inventory by evaluating whetheranalyzing inventory by age using last used and original purchase date and existing sales pipeline for which the arrangement conveys the right to use an identified asset and whether the Company obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. Operating ROU assets also include the impact of any lease incentives. Operating leases are included in right-of-use ("ROU") operating lease assets, operating lease liabilities - current, and operating lease liabilities - non-current on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.inventory could be used. 

 

Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, and we elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for the majority of our leases. For certain equipment leases, such as vehicles, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component. We also elected the practical expedient to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off of the consolidated balance sheet.

 

3.     Revenue

The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Fuel Tech’s sales of products to customers generally represent single performance obligations. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, not distinct. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Sales, value add, and other taxes we collect concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

7

We generally expense sales commissions on a ratable basis when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Air Pollution Control Technology

Fuel Tech’s APC contracts are typically six to eighteen months in length. A typical contract will have three or four critical operational measurements that, when achieved, serve as the basis for us to invoice the customer via progress billings. At a minimum, these measurements will include the generation of engineering drawings, the shipment of equipment and the completion of a system performance test.

As part of most of its contractual APC project agreements, Fuel Tech will agree to customer-specific acceptance criteria that relate to the operational performance of the system that is being sold. These criteria are determined based on modeling that is performed by Fuel Tech personnel, which is based on operational inputs that are provided by the customer. The customer will warrant that these operational inputs are accurate as they are specified in the binding contractual agreement. Further, the customer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the operating condition information; typically all performance guarantees and equipment warranties granted by us are voidable if the operating condition information is inaccurate or is not met.

Since control transfers over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the single performance obligation. Fuel Tech uses the cost-to-cost input measure of progress for our contracts since it best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer which occurs as we incur costs on our contracts. Under the cost-to-cost input measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred. Costs to fulfill include all internal and external engineering costs, equipment charges, inbound and outbound freight expenses, internal and site transfer costs, installation charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, project personnel travel expenses and other direct and indirect expenses specifically identified as project- or product-line related, as appropriate (e.g. test equipment depreciation and certain insurance expenses).

Fuel Tech’s APC product line also includes ancillary revenue for post contractual goods and services.  Revenue associated with these activities are recognized at point in time when delivery of goods or completion of the service obligation is performed.

Fuel Tech has installed over 1,200 units with APC technology and normally provides performance guarantees to our customers based on the operating conditions for the project. As part of the project implementation process, we perform system start-up and optimization services that effectively serve as a test of actual project performance. We believe that this test, combined with the accuracy of the modeling that is performed, enables revenue to be recognized prior to the receipt of formal customer acceptance.

FUEL CHEM

Revenues from the sale of chemical products are recognized when control transfers to customer upon shipment or delivery of the product based on the applicable shipping terms. We generally recognize revenue for these arrangements at a point in time based on our evaluation of when the customer obtains control of the promised goods or services.

On occasion, Fuel Tech will engineer and sell its chemical pumping equipment.  These projects are similar in nature to the APC projects described above and for those project where control transfers over time, revenue is recognized based on the extent of progress towards completion of the single performance obligation. 

For projects containing multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price based on the estimated standalone selling price. The Company must develop assumptions that require judgment to determine the stand-alone selling price for each performance obligation identified in the contract. The Company utilizes key assumptions to determine the stand-alone selling price, which may include other comparable transactions, pricing considered in negotiating the transaction and the estimated costs. Variable consideration is allocated specifically to one or more performance obligations in a contract when the terms of the variable consideration relate to the satisfaction of the performance obligation and the resulting amounts allocated are consistent with the amounts the Company would expect to receive for the satisfaction of each performance obligation.

The consideration allocated to each performance obligation is recognized as revenue when control is transferred for the related goods or services. For performance obligations which consist of licenses and other promises, the Company utilizes judgment to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring progress. The Company evaluates the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.

The Company receives payments from its customers based on billing schedules established in each contract. Up-front payments and fees are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due until the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.

8

 

Disaggregated Revenue by Product Technology

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by product technology:

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Air Pollution Control

            

Technology solutions

 $373  $729  $1,841  $373 

Spare parts

  180   199  96  180 

Ancillary revenue

  354   268   267  354 

Total Air Pollution Control Technology revenues

  907   1,196 

Total Air Pollution Control technology revenues

 2,204  907 

FUEL CHEM

            

FUEL CHEM technology solutions

  4,126   2,582   3,331  4,126 

Total Revenues

 $5,033  $3,778  $5,535  $5,033 

 

7

Disaggregated Revenue by Geography

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography, based on the location of the billing addresses of our customers:end-user:

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

United States

 $4,463  $3,097  $3,688  $4,463 

Foreign Revenues

            

Latin America

  75   146  69  75 

Europe

  375   393  404  375 

Asia

  120   142   1,374  120 

Total Foreign Revenues

  570   681   1,847  570 

Total Revenues

 $5,033  $3,778  $5,535  $5,033 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

 

The following table presents the timing of our revenue recognition:

 

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Products transferred at a point in time

 $4,660  $3,049 

Products and services transferred over time

  373   729 

Total Revenues

 $5,033  $3,778 

9

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Products transferred at a point in time

 $3,694  $4,660 

Products and services transferred over time

  1,841   373 

Total Revenues

 $5,535  $5,033 

 

Contract Balances

 

The timing of revenue recognition, billings, and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled receivables (contract assets), and customer advances and deposits (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheets. In our Air Pollution Control Technology(APC) technology segment, amounts are billed as work progresses in accordance with agreed-upon contractual terms. Generally, billing occurs subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in contract assets. For the FUEL CHEM technology segment, deliveries made in the current period but billed in subsequent periods are also considered unbilled receivables (contract assets). These assets are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. At March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021, contract assets for APC technology projects were approximately $355$2,222 and $1,927,$1,277, respectively, and are included in accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. There were no contract assets for the FUEL CHEM technology segment as of March 31, 2022 or December 31, 2021.  

 

However, the Company will periodically bill in advance of costs incurred before revenue is recognized, resulting in contract liabilities. These liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Contract liabilities were $787$522 and $850,$390, at March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021, respectively, and are included in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during the three month period ended March 31, 20212022, were not materially impacted by any other items other than amounts billed and revenue recognized as described previously. Revenue recognized that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period was $230 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and $108 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and $248 for three months ended March 31, 2020, which represented primarily revenue from progress towards completion of our Air Pollution ControlAPC technology contracts.

 

As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had one0 construction contractcontracts in progress that waswere identified as a loss contract and a provision for losses of $50 was recorded in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Footnote 14 for an accrual related to an equipment failure issue with a Customer that requires remedy under the warranty provision of the customer contract. As of December 31, 2020, we had one construction contract in progress that was identified as a loss contract and a provision for losses in the amount of $176 was recorded in other accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

8

Remaining Performance Obligations

 

Remaining performance obligations represents the transaction price of Air Pollution ControlAPC technology booked orders for which work has not been performed. As of March 31, 20212022, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $5,151.$9,552. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately $3,000$7,403 of the remaining performance obligations over the next 12 months with the remaining recognized thereafter.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The components of accounts receivable are as follows:

 

 

As of

  

As of

 
 

March 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

  

March 31, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

 

Trade receivables

 $4,231  $5,015  $2,681  $2,122 

Unbilled receivables

  1,196   2,348  2,222  1,277 

Other short-term receivables

  51   20  90  83 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  (877)  (835)  (198) (223)

Total accounts receivable

 $4,601  $6,548  $4,795  $3,259 

 

10

4.     Restructuring Activities

 

On January 18, 2019, the Company announced a planned suspension of its Air Pollution Control (“APC”)APC business operation in China. This action was part of Fuel Tech’s ongoing operational improvement initiatives designed to prioritize resource allocation, reduce costs, and drive profitability for the Company on a global basis. The transition associated with the suspension of the APC business which has taken place through March 31, 20212022 includes staff rationalization and reduction, supplier and partner engagement, and the monetization of certain assets. The remaining transition activities include the execution of the activities to satisfy the requirements for the remaining APC projects in China (with a backlog totaling approximately $16)$6) in addition to collection efforts for the remaining accounts receivable.

 

The following table presents our revenues and net income which includes the Restructuring charge line item within the Condensed Statements of Operations(loss) for 20212022 and 20202021 in China as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Total revenues

 $11  $2  $1  $11 

Net income

  25   127 

Net (loss) income

 (13) 25 

 

Total assets primarily consist of cash, accounts receivable, contract assets, prepaid expenses, and other current assets. Total liabilities consist of accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities.

 

The following table presents net assets in China as follows:

 

  

As of

 
  

March 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

 

Total assets

 $2,242  $2,463 

Total liabilities

  288   396 

Total net assets

 $1,954  $2,067 

  

As of

 
  

March 31, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 

Total assets

 $1,232  $1,235 

Total liabilities

  98   92 

Total net assets

 $1,134  $1,143 

 

 

119

 

5.     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Foreign currency translation

            

Balance at beginning of period

 $(1,370) $(1,778) $(1,604) $(1,370)

Other comprehensive loss:

         

Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)

  (193)  (231)  (70) (193)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(1,563) $(2,009) $(1,674) $(1,563)

 

(1)(1)

In all periods presented, there were no tax impacts related to rate changes and no amounts were reclassified to earnings.

 

 

6.     Treasury Stock

 

Common stock held in treasury totaled 963,509976,006 and 948,347963,509 with a cost of $2,251 and $2,234 and $2,182 at March 31, 20212022 and December 31, 20202021, respectively. These shares were withheld from employees to settle personal tax withholding obligations that arose as a result of restricted stock units that vested in the periods presented.

 

 

7.     Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effects of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), warrants, and the nil coupon non-redeemable convertible unsecured loan notes. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of the nil coupon non-redeemable convertible unsecured loan notes, RSUs, warrants, and unexercised in-the-money stock options, except in periods of net loss where the effect of these instruments is anti-dilutive. Out-of-money stock options and warrants are excluded from diluted earnings per share because they are anti-dilutive.unlikely to be exercised and would be anti-dilutive if they were exercised. For the three months ended March 31 2021, basic earnings per share has been adjusted to include dilutive options and RSU's.  For the three months ended March 31, 2020, 2022, basic earnings per share is equal to diluted earnings per share because all outstanding stock awards, warrants, and convertible loan notes are considered anti-dilutive during periods of net loss. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, basic earnings per share has been adjusted to include dilutive options and RSU's.

 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average shares used in calculating the earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021 2022 and 20202021.

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Basic weighted-average shares

  27,510,000   24,597,000  30,267,000  27,510,000 

Conversion of unsecured loan notes

       0  0 

Unexercised options and unvested RSUs

  227,000      0  227,000 

Diluted weighted-average shares

  27,737,000   24,597,000   30,267,000  27,737,000 

For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, Fuel Tech had outstanding equity awards of 346,500 and 144,500, respectively, and warrants of 2,850,000 in both periods, which were antidilutive for the purpose of the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three month period ended March 31, 2022, Fuel Tech had 56,000 incremental equity awards that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the inclusion of such would have been anti-dilutive due to a net loss in the period. These equity awards could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future years.  

 

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8.     Stock-Based Compensation

 

Under our stock-based employee compensation plan, referred to as the Fuel Tech, Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan), awards may be granted to participants in the form of Non-Qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”),RSUs, Performance Awards, Bonuses or other forms of share-based or non-share-based awards or combinations thereof. Participants in the Incentive Plan may be our directors, officers, employees, consultants, or advisors (except consultants or advisors in capital-raising transactions) as the directors determine are key to the success of our business. There are a maximum of 5,600,676 shares that may be issued or reserved for awards to participants under the Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 20212022, Fuel Tech had 2,548,8012,616,298 shares available for share-based awards under the 2014Incentive Plan.

 

We did not record any excess tax benefits within income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 20212022. Given the Company has a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, there were no excess tax benefits to record for the three months ended March 31, 20212022. In addition, we account for forfeitures of awards based on an estimate of the number of awards expected to be forfeited and adjusting the estimate when it is no longer probable that the employee will fulfill the service condition.

    

Stock-based compensation is included in selling, general, and administrative costs in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The components of stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2021 2022 and 20202021 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Stock options and restricted stock units, net of forfeited

 $20  $81  $18  $20 

After-tax effect of stock-based compensation

 $20  $81  $18  $20 

 

Stock Options

 

Stock options granted to employees under the Incentive Plans have a 10-year life and they vest as follows: 50% after the second anniversary of the award date, 25% after the third anniversary, and the final 25% after the fourth anniversary of the award date. Fuel Tech calculates stock compensation expense for employee option awards based on the grant date fair value of the award, less expected annual forfeitures, and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the four-yearfour-year service period of the award. Stock options granted to members of our board of directors vest immediately. Stock compensation for these awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award and is recognized in expense immediately.

 

Fuel Tech uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of employee stock options. The principal variable assumptions utilized in valuing options and the methodology for estimating such model inputs include: (1)(1) risk-free interest rate – an estimate based on the yield of zero–coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the option; (2)(2) expected volatility – an estimate based on the historical volatility of Fuel Tech’s Common Stock for a period equal to the expected life of the option; and (3)(3) expected life of the option – an estimate based on historical experience including the effect of employee terminations.

 

Stock option activity for Fuel Tech’s Incentive Plans for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 was as follows:

 

         

Weighted- Average

          

Weighted- Average

   
 

Number

  

Weighted-

  

Remaining

  

Aggregate

  

Number

 

Weighted-

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 
 

of

  

Average

  

Contractual

  

Intrinsic

  

of

 

Average

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 
 

Options

  

Exercise Price

  

Term

  

Value

  

Options

 

Exercise Price

 

Term

 

Value

 

Outstanding on January 1, 2021

  484,500  $3.57         

Outstanding on January 1, 2022

 434,500  $3.05      

Granted

               0  0      

Exercised

               0  0      

Expired or forfeited

                0  0      

Outstanding on March 31, 2021

  484,500  $3.57   3.46  $307,020 

Exercisable on March 31, 2021

  484,500  $3.57   3.46  $307,020 

Outstanding on March 31, 2022

  434,500  $3.05  2.84  $43 

Exercisable on March 31, 2022

  434,500  $3.05  2.84  $43 

 

As of March 31, 20212022, there was no0 unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Incentive Plans.



 

1311

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

Restricted stock units (RSUs)RSUs granted to employees vest over time based on continued service (typically vesting over a period between two and four years). Such time-vested RSUs are valued at the date of grant using the intrinsic value method based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the grant date. Compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

In addition to the time vested RSUs, the Company entered into a 2021 Executive Performance RSU Award Agreement (the “2021 Agreement”) with certain officers, including its President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which each 2021 Participating Executive will have the opportunity to earn a specified amount ofperiod. At March 31, 2022, there is 0 unvested restricted stock units (RSUs). The amount of RSUs awarded, if any, will be based on the Company’s achievement of varying levels of operating income before the impact of incentive pay (but including adjustments to reflect the payment of sales commissions) in fiscal 2021 (“Operating Income”), as determined by the Company, in its sole discretion. Nevertheless, no Participating Executive will be entitled to any such RSUs unless the Company achieves a minimum of $1 million in Operating Income in 2021. If awarded, such RSUs will vest in equal amounts (i.e., 1/3, 1/3 and 1/3) over three years commencing one year after the grant date based on continued service. Such RSUs are valued at the date of grant using the intrinsic value method based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Currently there is no expense reflected in the financial statements for these awards as the achievement is not considered probable. 

At March 31, 2021, there is $80 of0 unrecognized compensation cost related to all non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining requisite service period of 0.97 years.

 

A summary of restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 20212022 is as follows:

 

      

Weighted Average

 
      

Grant Date

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Unvested restricted stock units at January 1, 2021

  100,005  $4.08 

Granted

      

Forfeited

      

Vested

  (50,002)  1.50 

Unvested restricted stock units at March 31, 2021

  50,003  $6.65 

      

Weighted Average

 
      

Grant Date

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Unvested restricted stock units at January 1, 2022

  45,003  $1.51 

Granted

      

Forfeited

  0   0 

Vested

  (45,003)  1.51 

Unvested restricted stock units at March 31, 2022

  0  $0 

 

The fair value of restricted stock that vested during the three month period ending March 31, 20212022 was $75.$68.

 

Deferred Directors Fees

 

In addition to the Incentive Plans, Fuel Tech has a Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors (Deferred Plan). Under the terms of the Deferred Plan, Directors can elect to defer Directors’ fees for shares of Fuel Tech Common Stock that are issuable at a future date as defined in the agreement. In accordance with ASC Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, Fuel Tech accounts for these awards as equity awards as opposed to liability awards. During the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 2022 and 20202021, Fuel Tech recorded no0 stock-based compensation expense under the Deferred Plan.

 

 

9.      Warrants

 

On February 11, 2021, Fuel Tech entered into a securities purchase agreement to issue and sell, in a private placement, 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,500,000 warrants exercisable for a total of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $5.10 per Warrant Share, at a purchase price of $5.1625 per Share and associated warrant. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Private Placement were $25,812,500, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses of $1,783,000. Subject to certain ownership limitations, the Warrants are immediately exercisable upon issuance and expire on the five and one-half year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement registering the Warrant Shares for resale.  In addition, the Company issued to the placement agent Warrants to purchase up to 350,000 shares of Common Stock.  The Placement Agent Warrants are exercisable at an exercise price of $6.45 per share of Common Stock and expire on the five and one-half year anniversary of the effective date of the registration statement registering the Shares and the Warrant Shares for resale.

Fuel Tech uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of the warrants. The principal variable assumptions utilized in valuing warrants and the methodology for estimating such model inputs are: (1) risk-free interest rate of 0.59%, an estimate based on the yield of zero–coupon treasury securities with a maturity equal to the expected life of the warrant; (2) expected volatility of 94.66% – an estimate based on the historical volatility of Fuel Tech’s Common Stock for a period equal to the expected life of the warrant; and (3) expected life of the warrant of five and one-half years based on the term of the warrant. 

The calculated fair value allocated to the warrants is $7,336,881.  This amount has been recorded as Additional paid in capital - warrants and is shown net in the Additional paid in capital line of the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  

The issuance of warrants to purchase shares of the Company's common stock are summarized as follows:

Shares

Outstanding on December 31, 2020

Granted2,850,000
Exercised
Outstanding as of March 31, 20212,850,000

The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2021:
2022:

 

Range of Exercise PriceRange of Exercise Price  Number Outstanding/Exercisable  Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years  Weighted Average Exercise Price Range of Exercise Price  Number Outstanding/Exercisable  Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years  Weighted Average Exercise Price 
$5.10$5.10   2,500,000  5.44  $5.10 $5.10  2,500,000  4.37  $5.10 
$6.45$6.45   350,000  5.44  $6.45 $6.45   350,000  4.37  $6.45 
   2,850,000            2,850,000       

 

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10.     Debt Financing

 

On April 17, 2020, the Company received $1,556 in loan proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”)(PPP), established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”)(SBA). The unsecured loan is evidenced by a promissory note of the Company dated April 15, 2020 (the “Note”) in the principal amount of $1,556, issued to BMO Harris Bank N.A. (the “Bank”), the lender. 

 

On January 8, 2021, the Company received full forgiveness from the SBA for the entire balance of loan proceeds used to fund its qualified payroll expenses. The Company accountsaccounted for the PPP Loan as debt in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) ASC 470, Debt and accruesaccrued interest in accordance with the interest method under FASB ASC 835-30.835-30. When the loan was forgiven, the Company reduced the non-current liability by the amount forgiven and recorded other income in the consolidated statementCondensed Consolidated Statement of operations.  Operations.  

 

 

11.     Business Segment and Geographic Financial Data

 

Business Segment Financial Data

We segregate our financial results into two reportable segments representing two broad technology segments as follows:

 

 

TheThe Air Pollution Control technology segment includes technologies to reduce NOx emissions in flue gas generated by the firing of natural gas or coal from boilers, incinerators, furnaces, and other stationary combustion sources. These include Low and Ultra Low NOx Burners (LNB and ULNB), Over-Fire Air (OFA) systems, NOxOUT® and HERT™ Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) systems, and Advanced Selective Catalytic Reduction (ASCR)(SCR) systems. Our ASCRSCR systems can also include ULNB, OFA, and SNCR components, along with a downsized SCR catalyst, Ammonia Injection Grid, (AIG), and Graduated Straightening Grid GSG™ systems to provide high NOx reductions at significantly lower capital and operating costs than conventional SCR systems. The NOxOUT CASCADEULTRA® and NOxOUT-SCR® processes are more basic, using just SNCR and SCR catalyst components. ULTRA™ technology creates ammonia at a plant site using safe urea for use with any SCR application. Electrostatic Precipitator technologies make use of electrostatic precipitator products and services to reduce particulate matter. Flue Gas Conditioning systems are chemical injection systems offered in markets outside the U.S. and Canada to enhance electrostatic precipitator and fabric filter performance in controlling particulate emissions.

 

 

The FUEL CHEM® technology segment, which uses chemical processes in combination with advanced CFDComputational Fluid Dynamics and CKMChemical Kinetics Modeling boiler modeling, for the control of slagging, fouling, corrosion, opacity and other sulfur trioxide-related issues in furnaces and boilers through the addition of chemicals into the furnace using TIFI® Targeted In-Furnace Injection™ technology.

 

The “Other” classification includes those profit and loss items not allocated to either reportable segment. There are no inter-segment sales that require elimination.

 

We evaluate performance and allocate resources based on reviewing gross margin by reportable segment. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (Note 1 in our annual report on Form 10-K)10-K). We do not review assets by reportable segment, but rather, in aggregate for the Company as a whole.

 

13

Information about reporting segment net sales and gross margin from continuing operations are provided below:

 

 

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

          

Air Pollution

 

FUEL CHEM

     

Three months ended March 31, 2021

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Three months ended March 31, 2022

 

Control Segment

 

Segment

 

Other

 

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $907  $4,126  $  $5,033  $2,204  $3,331  $0  $5,535 

Cost of sales

  (531)  (2,144)     (2,675)  (1,429) (1,816) 0  (3,245)

Gross margin

  376   1,982      2,358  775  1,515  0  2,290 

Selling, general and administrative

        (3,100)  (3,100) 0  0  (3,054) (3,054)

Research and development

        (415)  (415)  0  0  (220) (220)

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

 $376  $1,982  $(3,515) $(1,157)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $775  $1,515  $(3,274) $(984)

 

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Three months ended March 31, 2020

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $1,196  $2,582  $  $3,778 

Cost of sales

  (765)  (1,486)     (2,251)

Gross margin

  431   1,096      1,527 

Selling, general and administrative

        (3,886)  (3,886)

Research and development

        (324)  (324)

Operating income (loss) from continuing operations

 $431  $1,096  $(4,210) $(2,683)

15

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Three months ended March 31, 2021

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $907  $4,126  $0  $5,033 

Cost of sales

  (531)  (2,144)  0   (2,675)

Gross margin

  376   1,982   0   2,358 

Selling, general and administrative

  0   0   (3,100)  (3,100)

Research and development

  0   0   (415)  (415)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $376  $1,982  $(3,515) $(1,157)

 

Geographic Segment Financial Data

 

Information concerning our operations by geographic area is provided below. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer.end-user. Assets are those directly associated with operations of the geographic area.

 

 

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
 

March 31,

  

March 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Revenues:

         

United States

 $4,463  $3,097  $3,688  $4,463 

Foreign

  570   681   1,847  570 
 $5,033  $3,778  $5,535  $5,033 

 

 

March 31,

  

December 31,

  

March 31,

 

December 31,

 
 

2021

  

2020

  

2022

 

2021

 

Assets:

         

United States

 $45,379  $24,524  $46,142  $46,271 

Foreign

  5,664   5,564   3,479  3,703 
 $51,043  $30,088  $49,621  $49,974 

 

1614

  

 

12.     Leases

Leases

We have seven total operating leases which relate to both office space locations and certain office equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 2 months to 4 years. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restricted covenants and we currently have no material sublease arrangements. We have no financing leases as defined under ASC 842.

Total operating lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, is as follows:

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Operating lease cost

 $44  $56 

Short-term lease cost

  7   3 

Total lease cost

 $51  $59 

The weighted average remaining lease term was 3.09 years as of March 31, 2021. The weighted average discount rate was 2.84% as of March 31, 2021.

Remaining maturities of our existing lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 were as follows:

Year Ending December 31,

 

Operating Leases

 

2021 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2021)

  131 

2022

  122 

2023

  115 

2024

  26 

Thereafter

  7 

Total lease payments

 $401 

Less imputed interest

  (59)

Total

 $342 

The following is the balance sheet classification of our existing lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021:

  

As of

 
  

March 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

 

Operating lease liabilities - current

 $148  $149 

Operating lease liabilities - non-current

  194   237 

Total operating lease liabilities

 $342  $386 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, was as follows:

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

March 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

 $49  $59 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

  40   52 

17

13.     Accrued Liabilities

 

The components of other accrued liabilities are as follows:

 

 

As of

  

As of

 
 

March 31, 2021

  

December 31, 2020

  

March 31, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

 

Contract liabilities (Note 3)

 $787  $850  $522  $390 

Accrued remediation contingency (Note 14)

  50   176 

Other accrued liabilities

  743   1,073   477  471 

Total other accrued liabilities

 $1,580  $2,099  $999  $861 

 

 

14.13.     Commitments and Contingencies

 

Fuel Tech is subject to various claims and contingencies related to, among other things, workers compensation, general liability (including product liability), and lawsuits. The Company records liabilities where a contingent loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the Company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The Company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred.

 

From time to time we are involved in litigation with respect to matters arising from the ordinary conduct of our business. In the opinion of management, based upon presently available information, either adequate provision for anticipated costs have been accrued or the ultimate anticipated costs will not materially affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We do not believe we have any pending loss contingencies that are probable or reasonably possible of having a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company was notified of an equipment component failure at a foreign customer location.  The failure is being remedied under the warranty provision of the contract that is in place with the customer and supplier.  As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, a charge of $50 and $176 was recorded in the other accrued liability line of the consolidated balance sheets.  

 

Fuel Tech issues a standard product warranty with the sale of its products to customers. Our recognition of warranty liability is based primarily on analyses of warranty claims experienced in the preceding years as the nature of our historical product sales for which we offer a warranty are substantially unchanged. This approach provides an aggregate warranty accrual that is historically aligned with actual warranty claims experienced.

 

There was no0 change in the warranty liability balance included in the other accrued liabilities line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets during the three months ended March 31, 2021 2022 and 20202021. The warranty liability balance was $159 at March 31, 2021 2022and December 31, 2020.2021.

 

15.14.     Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective tax rate is approximately 0% and 5%0.0% for both of the three-month month periods ended March 31, 2021 2022 and 2020, respectively.2021. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to a full valuation allowance recorded on our United States, China and Italy deferred tax assets since we cannot anticipate when or if we will have sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets in the future. Further, our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate due to state taxes, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates, foreign losses incurred with no related tax benefit, non-deductible commissions, and non-deductible meals and entertainment expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Income generated in the three months ended March 31, 2021attributed to the gain on forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Plan loan is tax exempt. 

Fuel Tech had 0 unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.


15.     Subsequent Events

On April 6, 2022, the Company entered into a 2022 Executive Performance RSU Award Agreement (the “2022 Agreement”) with certain officers, including its President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to which each 2022 Participating Executive will have the opportunity to earn a specified amount of RSUs. The amount of RSUs awarded, if any, will be based on the Company’s achievement of varying levels of operating income before the impact of incentive pay (but including adjustments to reflect the payment of sales commissions) in fiscal 2022 (“Operating Income”), as determined by the Company, in its sole discretion. Nevertheless, no Participating Executive will be entitled to any such RSUs unless the Company achieves a minimum of $1 million in Operating Income in 2022. If awarded, such RSUs will vest in equal amounts (i.e.,1/3,1/3 and 1/3) over three years commencing one year after the grant date based on continued service. Such RSUs are valued at the date of grant based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. Currently there is no expense reflected in the financial statements for these awards as the achievement is not considered probable. 

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FUEL TECH, INC.

Item 2.          Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     

Overview

In the first quarter of 2022, the Company continued to experience a challenging operational environment resulting from the ongoing substitution of gas-fired and renewable energy plants for coal-fired installations and the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. We continue to invest in new technologies to expand our product offerings into the water pollution control and treatment market. Our capital resources are sufficient for our immediate and longer-term needs, and we continue to enjoy the services and support of a dedicated workforce. We expect that our cost control efforts will maintain our existing levels of operating expenditures and the diminishing effects of the pandemic should lead to an improved market outlook.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Geopolitical Events

The effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic have presented significant risks to the Company, not all of which the Company is able to fully evaluate or even foresee at the current time. Although the impact of the pandemic is difficult to quantify, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, reductions in demand for certain of our products due to the delay or abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to our customers’, suppliers’ and other third parties’ financial distress or concern regarding the volatility of global markets. Geopolitical events and global economic sanctions resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may impact new or existing projects and the prices and availability of raw materials, energy and other materials. These events may also impact energy and regulatory policy nationally or regionally for the impacted regions. Management cannot predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events on the Company’s sales and marketing channels and supply chain, and as a result, the ultimate extent of the effects on the Company is highly uncertain and will depend on future developments. Such effects could exist for an extended period of time. The Company continues to monitor the potential impacts on the business. 

Key Operating Factors

Our FUEL CHEM segment experienced a decline in revenues and segment operating profits in the quarter compared to 2021. FUEL CHEM faced some headwinds in the quarter due to the loss of one customer from permanent plant retirement and the reduction in demand from other customers due to climate and operating and maintenance scheduling. 

Our Air Pollution Control (APC) business experienced improvement in the quarter compared to 2021, due to the execution on projects awarded in the second half of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022. We are also encouraged by the pace and depth of our business development activities, which reflects an increased focus on global emissions protocols across a variety of fuel sources. Our Consolidated APC backlog at year end was $9,119 and our global sales pipeline is in the $50 -75 million range.

Results of Operations

Revenues

Revenues for the three month periods ending March 31, 2022 and 2021 were $5,535 and $5,033, respectively, representing an increase of $502, or 10%, versus the same period last year. 

The APC technology segment generated revenues of $2,204 and $907 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing an increase of $1,297, or 143%. The increases in APC revenue were primarily related to timing of project execution and new APC orders announced during 2021 and continuing through the first three months of 2022. Consolidated APC backlog at March 31, 2022 was $9,552 versus backlog at December 31, 2021 of $9,119. Our current backlog consists of U.S. domestic projects totaling $8,862 and international projects totaling $690.

The FUEL CHEM® technology segment generated revenues of $3,331 and $4,126 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, representing a decrease of $795, or 19%. The decreases in FUEL CHEM revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to the same period of the prior year were due to decreased demand for power generation.

17

Cost of sales and gross margin

Consolidated gross margin percentage for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were 41% and 47%, respectively. Gross margin decreased versus the comparable period due to the decrease in both operating segment gross margins. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 the APC gross margin decreased to 35% from 41%, respectively, primarily due to product mix. FUEL CHEM gross margins decreased to 45% from 48% in the current quarter due to the decrease in revenue volume and higher material, freight, and labor costs. 

Selling, general and administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $3,054 and $3,100 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. For the three month period ended March 31, 2022 the decrease of $46 is primarily the result of decreases in employee related costs of $84, depreciation expense of $25, and other costs of $9, partially offset by increases in certain administrative overhead expenses of $30, outside services of $22, and travel costs $20. For the three month periods ending March 31, 2022 and 2021, SG&A as a percentage of revenues decreased to 55% from 62%. The decrease versus the comparable period is primarily due to the increase in overall revenues in the current year.

Research and development

Research and development expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 was $220 and for the same period in 2021 was $415. The decrease in expenditures was related to reduced employee related costs and timing of execution on current project initiatives. The expenditures in our research and development expenses are focused on new product development efforts in the pursuit of commercial applications for technologies outside of our traditional markets, and in the development and analysis of new technologies that could represent incremental market opportunities. This includes water treatment technologies and more specifically, our DGI™ Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems, an innovative alternative to current aeration technology. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and wastewater industries, including remediation, treatment, biological activity, and wastewater odor management. DGI technology benefits include reduced energy consumption, installation costs, and operating costs, while improving treatment performance.

Income tax

Income tax expense for both of the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 was $0. The Company is projecting a consolidated effective tax rate of approximately 0% for 2022, which is lower than the federal income tax rate of 21%. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to a full valuation allowance recorded on our United States, China and Italy deferred tax assets since we cannot anticipate when or if we will have sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets in the future. Further, our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate due to state taxes, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates, foreign losses incurred with no related tax benefit, non-deductible commissions, and non-deductible meals and entertainment expenses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.  Income generated inexpenses.

Other (expense) income, net

Other expense, net was $10 for the three monthsmonth period ended March 31, 2021 attributed2022 compared to Other income, net of $1,558 for the gain onsame period in 2021. Other (expense) income, net decreased $1,568 due to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Plan loan is tax exempt. 

Fuel Tech had no unrecognized tax benefits asProgram Loan in 2021 consisting of March 31, 2021$1,556 of principal and December 31, 2020.

18

16.     Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill is allocated among and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. Fuel Tech has two reporting units for goodwill evaluation purposes: the FUEL CHEM® technology segment and the APC technology segment. There is no goodwill associated with our APC segment.  At both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our entire goodwill balance of $2,116 was allocated to the FUEL CHEM® technology segment.

Goodwill is allocated to each of our reporting units after considering the nature of the net assets giving rise to the goodwill and how each reporting unit would enjoy the benefits and synergies of the net assets acquired. There were no indications of goodwill impairment in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

Fuel Tech reviews other intangible assets, which include patent assets, for impairment on a recurring basis or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the event that impairment indicators exist, a further analysis is performed and if the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value is recorded. Management considers historical experience and all available information at the time the estimates of future cash flows are made, however, the actual cash values that could be realized may differ from those that are estimated.

There were no indications of intangible asset impairments for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.

17.     Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to our disclosures in the consolidated financial statements.

18     Liquidity

We continue to monitor our liquidity needs and in response to our continued losses have taken measures to reduce expenses and restructure operations which we feel are necessary to ensure we maintain sufficient working capital and liquidity to operate the business and invest in our future.

We have experienced continued declines in revenues and recurring losses historically. As a result, we have evaluated our ongoing business needs, and considered the cash requirements of our base business of Air Pollution Control (APC) and Fuel Chem businesses. This evaluation included consideration of the following: a) customer and revenue trends in our APC and Fuel Chem business segments, b) current operating structure and expenditure levels, c) current availability of working capital, and d) support for our research and development initiatives. We continue to monitor our liquidity needs and have taken measures to reduce expenses and restructure operations which we feel are necessary to ensure we maintain sufficient working capital and liquidity to operate the business and invest in our future. We believe our current cash position and net cash flows expected to be generated from operations are adequate to fund planned operations of the Company for the next 12 months. 

19

FUEL TECH, INC.

Item 2.          Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     

Results of Operations

Revenues for the three month periods ending March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $5,033 and $3,778, respectively, representing an increase of $1,255 or 33% for the quarter versus the same period last year.

The Air Pollution Control (APC) technology segment generated revenues of $907 and $1,196 for the three month periods ending March 31, 2021, and 2020 respectively, representing a decrease on the quarter of $289 or 24%. The variance in APC revenue was principally related to timing of project execution on existing projects and the lack of new orders announced during 2020 and continuing through the first three months of 2021.

Consolidated APC backlog at March 31, 2021 was $5,151 versus backlog at December 31, 2020 of $5,268. Our current backlog consists of U.S. domestic projects totaling $4,747 and international projects totaling $404.

The FUEL CHEM® technology segment generated revenues of $4,126 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, representing an increase of $1,544 or 60% for the quarter from the prior year amounts of $2,582. The increase in FUEL CHEM revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period of the prior year was due to demand from power generation and recovery from the initial emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted the results in the prior year period. 

Consolidated gross margin percentage for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 47% and 40%, respectively. Gross margin increased versus the comparable period due to the concentration of product mix that is heavily FUEL CHEM weighted.  FUEL CHEM margins increased to 48% from 43% in the current quarter due to the product mix.  Gross margins for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 for the APC segment were 41% and 36%, respectively.  The increase in APC gross margin in the three months ended March 31, 2021 from the same period in 2020 is primarily due to the higher product mix of ancillary products and services.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $3,100 and $3,886, respectively for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 the decrease of $786 is primarily the result of a reduction in administrative costs related to employee compensation of $495, a reduction in administrative costs relating to foreign subsidiaries of $44 (largely driven by the suspension of the APC business operation in China), a reduction in administrative costs related to employees of $149, and professional and consulting services of $71 and space rental of $20.  For the three month periods ending March 31, 2021 and 2020, SG&A as a percentage of revenues decreased to 62% from 103%.  The decrease versus the comparable period is primarily due to the increase in overall revenues in the current year.

Research and development expenses for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were $415 and $324, respectively. The expenditures in our research and development expenses were focused on new product development efforts on new technologies that could represent incremental market opportunities. This includes water treatment technologies and more specifically, our DGI™ Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems, an innovative alternative to current aeration technology. This technology has not yet met the criteria to be a separate operating segment under ASC 280 Segment Reporting. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and waste water industries, including remediation, treatment, biological activity and wastewater odor management. DGI technology benefits include reduced energy consumption, installation costs, and operating costs, while improving treatment performance.

Other income of $1,566 in three month period ending March 31, 2021 is due to the recording of the gain on forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Plan loan received on January 8, 2021.  

Income tax expense for the three month periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0 and $118, respectively. The Company is projecting a consolidated effective tax rate of approximately 0% for 2021 which is lower than the federal income tax rate of 21%. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily due to a full valuation allowance recorded on our United States, China and Italy deferred tax assets since we cannot anticipate when or if we will have sufficient taxable income to utilize the deferred tax assets in the future. Further, our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate due to state taxes, differences between U.S. and foreign tax rates, foreign losses incurred with no related tax benefit, non-deductible commissions, and non-deductible meals and entertainment expenses.accrued interest.

 

20

 

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

We have generated incomelosses from continuing operations during the three month period ended March 31, 20212022 totaling $398.$984. Our cash used in continuingby operations for this same period totaled $225. $1,746

 

Our cash balance as of March 31, 20212022 totaled $36,131$35,240 (including restricted cash of $420)$1,066), and our working capital totaled $38,496.$37,474. We have no outstanding debt other than our outstanding letters of credit, under our current credit agreement which does not have any financial covenants as we are currently in a Cash Collateral Security agreement with our lender. We expect to continue operating under this arrangement for the foreseeable future. 

 

18

Operating activities used cash of $1,746 for the three month period ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable balances of $1,520 and the net loss from continuing operations, partially offset by removals of non-cash items from our net income from continuing operations for depreciation and amortization of $108 and an increase in accounts payable balances of $682.

Operating activities used $225 of cash for the three month period ended March 31, 2021, primarily due to the add back of a non-cash items from our net income from continuing operations of $398 for the gain on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness of $1,556 and decreases in our accounts payable balance of $874 and accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities of $658, partially offset by decreases in our accounts receivable balance of $1,831 and prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets of $422 and the add back of non-cash items from our net income including depreciation and amortization of $202 and provision for doubtful accounts net of recoveries of $47.

Investing activities used cash of $53 and $4 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Investing activities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 primarily consisted of purchases of equipment.

Financing activities used cash of $17 for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 compared to cash provided of $23,977 for the three month period ended March 31, 2021. In 2022, the financing activity was related to the taxes paid on behalf of the equity award participants on the vesting of restricted stock units. In 2021, the Company issued common stock in connection with the private placement offering. Proceeds from the private placement offering were $25,812, partially offset by the costs related to the offering of $1,783.

The effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic have presented significant risks to the Company, not all of which the Company is able to fully evaluate or even foresee at the current time. Although the impact of the pandemic is difficult to quantify, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, reductions in demand for certain of our products due to the delay or abandonment of ongoing or anticipated projects due to our customers’, suppliers’ and other third parties’ financial distress or concern regarding the volatility of global markets. Other directly or indirectly COVID-19 related effects, such as supply chain disruptions and travel restrictions, have been impacting operations and financial performance to varying degrees. We continue to monitor our liquidity needs and in response to our continuedrecent periods of declines in revenue and net losses have taken measures to reduce expenses and restructure operations which we feel are necessary to ensure we maintain sufficient working capital and liquidity to operate the business and invest in our future. We have evaluated our ongoing business needs and considered the cash requirements of our base business of Air Pollution Control and FUEL CHEM, as well as our efforts to wind-down our APC operations in China. This evaluation included consideration of the following: a) customer and revenue trends in our APC and FUEL CHEM business segments, b) current operating structure and expenditure levels, and c) the costs of winding down our APC operations in China as well as other research and development initiatives. Based on this analysis, management believes that currently we have sufficient cash and working capital to operate our base APC and FUEL CHEM businesses. We believe our current cash position and net cash flows expected to be generated from operations are adequate to fund planned operations of the Company for the next 12 months.

We expect additional capital expenditures in 2022 for maintenance of field equipment, computer and systems, and general office equipment. We expect to fund our capital expenditures with cash from operations or cash on hand.

 

On June 19, 2019, the Company entered into a Cash Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. (the BMO Harris agreement) to use for the sole purpose of issuing standby letters of credit. The BMO Harris agreement requires us to pledge as cash collateral 105% of the aggregate face amount of outstanding standby letters of credit. The Company pays 250 basis points on the face values of outstanding letters of credit. There are no financial covenants set forth in the BMO Harris agreement. At March 31, 2021,2022, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit totaling approximately $401$1,015 under the BMO Harris agreement. As of March 31, 2021,2022, the Company held $420$1,066 in a separate restricted use designated BMO Harris Bank N.A. deposit account. Fuel Tech is committed to reimbursing the issuing bank for any payments made by the bank under these instruments. The outstanding standby letters of credit all have maturities within the next 12 months.

 

On April 15,February 11, 2021, Fuel Tech entered into a securities purchase agreement to issue and sell, in a private placement, 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 2,500,000 warrants exercisable for a total of 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock with an exercise price of $5.10 per Warrant Share, at a purchase price of $5.1625 per Share and associated warrant. The gross proceeds to the Company from the Private Placement were $25,812, before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses of $1,783.

In 2020, the Company received $1,556 in loan proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”)(SBA). On January 8, 2021 the Company received full forgiveness from the SBA for the entire balance of loan proceeds used to fund its qualified payroll expenses. When the loan was forgiven, the Company reduced the non-current liability by the amount forgiven and recorded other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.  

 

2119

 

Contingencies and Contractual Obligations

 

Fuel Tech issues a standard product warranty with the sale of its products to customers as discussed in Note 14.13. There was no change in the warranty liability balance during the three months ended March 31, 2021.2022.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and reflect Fuel Tech’s current expectations regarding future growth, results of operations, cash flows, performance and business prospects, and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Fuel Tech has tried to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to Fuel Tech and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20202021 in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors,” which could cause Fuel Tech’s actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Fuel Tech undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances or for any other reason. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Fuel Tech’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 3.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Fuel Tech’s earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We do not enter into foreign currency forward contracts nor into foreign currency option contracts to manage this risk due to the immaterial nature of the transactions involved.

Fuel Tech is also exposed to changes in interest rates primarily due to its debt facility (refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements). A hypothetical 100 basis point adverse move in interest rates along the entire interest rate yield curve would not have a materially adverse effect on interest expense during the upcoming year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Item 4.          Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Fuel Tech maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls designed to ensure (a) that information required to be disclosed in Fuel Tech’s filings under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive and financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Fuel Tech’s Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d -15(e) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this report, and they have concluded that these controls and procedures are effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

2220

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

 

We are from time to time involved in litigation incidental to our business. We are not currently involved in any litigation in which we believe an adverse outcome would have a material effect on our business, financial conditions, results of operations, or prospects.

 

Item 1A.          Risk Factors

 

The risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 20202021 have not materially changed.

 

Item 2.          Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

2321

 

Item 6.          Exhibits

 

a.

Exhibits (all filed herewith)

 

31.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2

Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32

Certification of CEO and principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

101.1

Inline INSXBRL Instance Document - The Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its Inline XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

 

101.2

Inline SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.3

Inline CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.4

Inline DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.5

Inline LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.6

Inline PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Prevention Linkbase Document

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

2422

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: 05/12/2021

May 10, 2022

By:

/s/ Vincent J. Arnone

Vincent J. Arnone

  

Vincent J. ArnonePresident and Chief Executive Officer

  

President and Chief(Principal Executive OfficerOfficer)

Date: May 10, 2022

By:

/s/ Ellen T. Albrecht

  

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: 05/12/2021

By:

/s/ Ellen T. Albrecht

  

Ellen T. AlbrechtActing Treasurer and Controller

  

Acting Treasurer and Controller

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

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