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

September 30, 20222023

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.

 

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 October 31, 20222023 there were outstanding 30,296,297 30,385,297 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the registrant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

Form 10-Q for the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023

 

INDEX

 

  

Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022

1

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

2

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022

5

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

6

Item 2.

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

16

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

19

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

19

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

20

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

20

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

20

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

20

Item 6.

Exhibits

2120

SIGNATURES

2221

 

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

ASSETS

        

Current assets:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $24,082  $35,893  $13,483  $23,328 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

   891 

Short-term investments

 2,469   14,802 2,981 

Accounts receivable, net

 6,658  3,259  7,696  7,729 

Inventories, net

 391  348  325  392 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  696  1,074   1,041  1,395 

Total current assets

 34,296  41,465  37,347  35,825 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,425 and $18,243, respectively

 4,505  4,609 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $18,727 and $18,557, respectively

 4,364  4,435 

Goodwill

 2,116  2,116  2,116  2,116 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $389 and $341, respectively

 410  448 

Restricted cash

   270 

Right-of-use operating lease assets

 225  242 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $452 and $406, respectively

 376  397 

Right-of-use operating lease assets, net

 462  197 

Long-term investments

 7,339   4,883 6,360 

Other assets

  791  824   771  794 

Total assets

 $49,682  $49,974  $50,319  $50,124 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Current liabilities:

  

Accounts payable

 $2,626  $1,561  $2,872  $2,710 

Accrued liabilities:

  

Operating lease liabilities - current

 125  113  103  125 

Employee compensation

 855  688  618  1,105 

Other accrued liabilities

  768  861   1,838  826 

Total current liabilities

 4,374  3,223  5,431  4,766 

Operating lease liabilities - non-current

 94  122  348  66 

Deferred income taxes, net

 139  139  177  177 

Other liabilities

  243  290   275  274 

Total liabilities

  4,850  3,774   6,231  5,283 

Stockholders’ equity:

  

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 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 31,361,303 and 31,272,303 shares issued, and 30,385,297 and 30,296,297 shares outstanding, respectively

 313  313 

Additional paid-in capital

 164,334  164,199  164,752  164,422 

Accumulated deficit

 (115,589) (114,549) (116,990) (115,991)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 (2,051) (1,604) (1,812) (1,728)

Nil coupon perpetual loan notes

 76  76  76  76 

Treasury stock, at cost

  (2,251) (2,234)  (2,251) (2,251)

Total stockholders’ equity

  44,832  46,200   44,088  44,841 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $49,682  $49,974  $50,319  $50,124 

 

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

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Revenues

 $8,017  $7,559  $19,920  $17,810  $7,988  $8,017  $20,736  $19,920 

Costs and expenses:

                

Cost of sales

 4,345  3,840  11,280  9,150  4,376  4,345  12,323  11,280 

Selling, general and administrative

 3,273  2,801  9,201  8,858  2,966  3,273  9,126  9,201 

Research and development

  207  340  716  1,070   513  207  1,144  716 
  7,825  6,981  21,197  19,078   7,855  7,825  22,593  21,197 

Operating income (loss)

 192  578  (1,277) (1,268) 133  192  (1,857) (1,277)

Interest expense

 (4) (5) (13) (14) (5) (4) (15) (13)

Interest income

 92  1  101  4  322  92  968  101 

Other income, net

  34  104  158  1,586 

Other income (expense), net

  9  34  (95) 158 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 314  678  (1,031) 308  459  314  (999) (1,031)

Income tax expense

      (9) (10)        (9)

Net income (loss)

 $314  $678  $(1,040) $298  $459  $314  $(999) $(1,040)

Net income (loss) per common share:

                

Basic net income (loss) per common share

 $0.01  $0.02  $(0.03) $0.01  $0.02  $0.01  $(0.03) $(0.03)

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

 $0.01  $0.02  $(0.03) $0.01  $0.01  $0.01  $(0.03) $(0.03)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

                

Basic

  30,296,000  30,264,000  30,287,000  29,356,000   30,385,000  30,296,000  30,336,000  30,287,000 

Diluted

  30,371,000  30,335,000  30,287,000  29,482,000   30,627,000  30,371,000  30,336,000  30,287,000 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Net income (loss)

 $314  $678  $(1,040) $298  $459  $314  $(999) $(1,040)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

  (155) (153) (447) (213)  (122) (155) (84) (447)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $159  $525  $(1,487) $85  $337  $159  $(1,083) $(1,487)

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

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

 

The following summarizes the changes in total stockholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021:2022:

 

         

Accumulated

 

Nil

              

Accumulated

 

Nil

     
     

Additional

   

Other

 

Coupon

          

Additional

   

Other

 

Coupon

     
 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Perpetual

 

Treasury

    

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Perpetual

 

Treasury

   
 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Loss

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

  

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 

Balance at December 31, 2021

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

Net loss

       (998)       (998)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

         (70)     (70)

Stock compensation expense

     18          18 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

 45  1  (1)          

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (13)                 (17)  (17)

Balance at March 31, 2022

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

Net loss

    (356)    (356)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (222)   (222)

Stock compensation expense

      28          28 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  30,296 $313 $164,244 $(115,903) $(1,896) $76 $(2,251) $44,583 

Net income

       398        398     314    314 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

         (193)     (193)     (155)   (155)

Stock compensation expense

     20          20       90          90 

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               

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (15)                 (52)  (52)

Balance at March 31, 2021

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

Net loss

    (778)    (778)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     133   133 

Stock compensation expense

   20     20 

Balance at June 30, 2021

  30,264 $312 $164,157 $(114,983) $(1,430) $76 $(2,234) $45,898 

Net income

    678    678 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (153)   (153)

Stock compensation expense

      21          21 

Balance at September 30, 2021

  30,264 $312 $164,178 $(114,305) $(1,583) $76 $(2,234) $46,444 

Balance at September 30, 2022

  30,296 $313 $164,334 $(115,589) $(2,051) $76 $(2,251) $44,832 

 

 

The following summarizes the changes in total stockholders' equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022:2023:

 

         

Accumulated

 

Nil

              

Accumulated

 

Nil

     
     

Additional

   

Other

 

Coupon

          

Additional

   

Other

 

Coupon

     
 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Perpetual

 

Treasury

    

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Perpetual

 

Treasury

   
 

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Deficit

  

Loss

  

Loan Notes

  

Stock

  

Total

  

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 

Balance at December 31, 2022

  30,296  $313  $164,422  $(115,991) $(1,728) $76  $(2,251) $44,841 

Net loss

       (998)       (998)       (414)       (414)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

         (70)     (70)         86      86 

Stock compensation expense

     18          18         89               89 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

 45  1  (1)          

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (13)                 (17)  (17)

Balance at March 31, 2022

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

Balance at March 31, 2023

  30,296  $313  $164,511  $(116,405) $(1,642) $76  $(2,251) $44,602 

Net loss

    (356)    (356)    (1,044)    (1,044)

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (222)   (222)     (48)   (48)

Stock compensation expense

   28     28    98     98 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  30,296 $313 $164,244 $(115,903) $(1,896) $76 $(2,251) $44,583 

Exercise of stock options

 44  42     42 

Common shares issued upon vesting of restricted stock units

  45               

Balance at June 30, 2023

  30,385 $313 $164,651 $(117,449) $(1,690) $76 $(2,251) $43,650 

Net income

    314    314     459    459 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (155)   (155)     (122)   (122)

Stock compensation expense

      90          90       101          101 

Balance at September 30, 2022

  30,296 $313 $164,334 $(115,589) $(2,051) $76 $(2,251) $44,832 

Balance at September 30, 2023

  30,385 $313 $164,752 $(116,990) $(1,812) $76 $(2,251) $44,088 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

Operating Activities

        

Net (loss) income

 $(1,040) $298 

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

 

Net loss

 $(999) $(1,040)

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

 

Depreciation

 267  457  247  267 

Amortization

 70  114  46  70 

Loss on disposal of equipment

   13 

Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries

 (45) (2)

Non-cash interest income on held-to-maturity securities

 (319)  

Provision for credit losses, net of recoveries

   (45)

Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures

 136  61  288  136 

Gain of forgiveness on Paycheck Protection Plan Loan

   (1,556)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

  

Accounts receivable

 (3,449) 1,405  5  (3,449)

Inventories

 (44) (32) 68  (44)

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

 370  1,176  363  370 

Accounts payable

 1,094  (980) 172  1,094 

Accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities

  50  (382)  520  50 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

  (2,591) 572 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  391  (2,591)

Investing Activities

        

Purchases of equipment and patents

  (186) (584)  (201) (186)

Purchases of debt securities

  (9,777)   (14,026) (9,777)

Maturities of debt securities

  4,000   

Net cash used in investing activities

  (9,963) (584)  (10,227) (9,963)

Financing Activities

        

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

   25,812 

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

   (1,783)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 42   

Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants

  (17) (52)   (17)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

  (17) 23,977 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  42  (17)

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash

  (401) (249) (51) (401)

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

 (12,972) 23,716 

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

  37,054  12,606 

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

 $24,082  $36,322 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 (9,845) (12,972)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  23,328  37,054 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $13,483  $24,082 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 20222023

(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 nitrogen 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™DGI® Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems which utilize a patented nozzlegas-infusing saturator vessel and a patent-pending channel injector to deliver supersaturated oxygenoxygen-water solutions and potentially other gas-watergas-liquid combinations to target process applications or environmental issues. Thisissues within the municipal and industrial water sectors. The infusion process has a variety of potential applications in the water and wastewater industries,treatment sector, including remediation, aeration, biologicalaquaculture, agriculture/horticulture, pulp & paper, tanneries, landfill leachate, irrigation, treatment andof natural waters, wastewater odor management.management as well as supplying oxygen or other gases for biochemical reactions and pH adjustment.

 

Many of Fuel Tech’s products and services rely heavily on the Company’s 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) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-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 the fair statement of Fuel 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 and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2022.2023. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20212022 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

COVID-19 PandemicGlobal Health and Geopolitical Events

The effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic have presented significant risks to the Company. Although the impact of the pandemic is difficult to quantify, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, supply chain issues, travel restrictions, and 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. In addition, we have experienced and are experiencing varying levels of inflation resulting in part from increased shipping and transportation costs, raw material costs, and labor costs.

 

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 isare 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. 

 

6

 

2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

Restricted cash as of September 30, 2021 represent funds that are restricted to satisfy any amount borrowed against the Company's Cash Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank N.A (Cash Collateral Security agreement). In June 2022, the Company replaced the former Cash Collateral Security agreement with an Investment Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank N.A (Investment Collateral Security agreement) where existing standby letters of credit are collateralized by amounts held in the Company's investment funds (see Note 10). 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents 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:

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Cash

 $23,856  $35,161 

Cash equivalents

  226    

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in current assets

     891 

Restricted cash included in long-term assets

     270 

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

 $24,082  $36,322 

Investments

 

In June 2022,the Board of Directors approved a plan to invest up to $10,000$20,000 of excess capital in debt securities, or held in money market funds until such investments can be made, with BMO Harris Bank N.A (BMO Harris). A portion of the funds invested are restricted as collateral under the Investment Collateral Security agreement (see Note 10). At September 30, 20222023, the amount of funds collateralized under the Investment Collateral Security agreement is $1,0901,488 relating to existing standby letters of credit that is comprised of $1,197 with varying maturity dates and expire no later than September 30, 2023.2024 and $291 with the latest maturity date no later than November 30, 2025.

 

We consider all highly liquid debt investments with original maturities from the date of purchase of three months or less as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include investments in money market funds. Carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the maturities of three months or less.

 

Our investments in debt securities consist of United States (US) Treasury securities, including Notes, Bonds, and Bills, and US Government Agency securities, which are designated as held-to-maturity (HTM) and stated at amortized cost. The Company has the positive intent and ability to hold these investments to maturity and does not expect to sell any debt securities before maturity to settle an obligation under the Investment Collateral Security agreement. The maturities of our HTM investments range from three to thirty-six months. HTM debt investments with original maturities of approximately three months or less from the date of purchase are classified within cash and cash equivalents. HTM debt investments with original maturities at the date of purchase greater than approximately three months and remaining maturities of less than one year are classified as short-term investments. HTM debt investments with remaining maturities beyond one year are classified as long-term investments. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount, are included on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in Interest income under the effective yield method. Accrued interest is included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

 

6

Our investments in debt securities consist of United States (US) Treasury securities, including Notes, Bonds, and Bills, and US Government Agency securities. Due to the creditworthiness of the entities issuing these securities, there is no impairment recorded related to the unrealized losses.

The following table provides the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of our HTM debt securities at September 30, 2022:securities:

 

 

As of

 

Held-to-maturity debt securities:

  

September 30, 2023

  

December 31, 2022

 

Amortized cost

 $9,808  $19,685  $9,341 

Gross unrecognized gains

      

Gross unrecognized losses

  (161)  (187)  (168)

Fair value

 $9,647  $19,498  $9,173 

 

The following table provides the amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by maturities at September 30, 20222023:

 

 

Amortized Cost

 

Fair Value

  

Amortized Cost

 

Fair Value

 

Within one year

 $2,469  $2,460  $14,802  $14,694 

After one year through two years

 3,937  3,866   4,883  4,804 

After two years through three years

  3,402  3,321 

Total

 $9,808  $9,647  $19,685  $19,498 

 

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 September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, inventory included equipment constructed for resale of $208207 and $227207, respectively, and spare parts, net of reserves of $183118 and $121185, 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. Equipment constructed for resale that is in process is recorded in Other assets. In process equipment for inventory recorded as Other assets was $619 and $634 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Inventories are periodically evaluated to identify obsolete or otherwise impaired parts and are written off when management determines usage is not probable. The Company estimates the balance of excess and obsolete inventory by analyzing inventory by age using last used and original purchase date and existing sales pipeline for which the inventory could be used. 

 

Allowance for Credit Losses

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and in November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842). This guidance requires the measurement of all expected losses based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For trade receivables and other financial instruments, we are required to use a forward-looking expected loss model rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses which reflects losses that are probable. The Company adopted these ASUs on January 1, 2023 using the prospective method. Application of the amendments did not require a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date and did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Beginning on January 1, 2023, Fuel Tech will use the caption Allowance for Credit Losses and our expected credit loss model to calculate the allowance.

For the general risk categories, the Company uses historical losses over a fixed period, excluding certain write-off activity that was not considered credit loss events, to determine the historical credit loss. Historical loss rates are then adjusted to consider current economic conditions, and past, current, and future events and circumstances when determining expected credit losses. Investments in financial assets issued by US Government and Government Agency are considered as having zero expected credit losses and are excluded from the allowance for credit loss calculation.

The following table provides the roll forward of the allowance for credit loss:

At January 1, 2022

 $223 

Provision charged to expense

  (19)

(Write-offs) / Recoveries

  (94)

At December 31, 2022

 $110 

Provision charged to expense

   

(Write-offs) / Recoveries

   

At September 30, 2023

 $110 

 

3.     Revenue

 

Disaggregated Revenue by Product Technology

 

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by product technology:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Air Pollution Control

                

Technology solutions

 $1,904  $1,172  $5,711  $1,768  $1,910  $1,904  $7,449  $5,711 

Spare parts

 384  407  742  823  1,339  384  1,938  742 

Ancillary revenue

  440  365  1,217  1,246   462  440  1,305  1,217 

Total Air Pollution Control technology revenues

 2,728  1,944  7,670  3,837  3,711  2,728  10,692  7,670 

FUEL CHEM

                

FUEL CHEM technology solutions

  5,289  5,615  12,250  13,973   4,277  5,289  10,044  12,250 

Total Revenues

 $8,017  $7,559  $19,920  $17,810  $7,988  $8,017  $20,736  $19,920 

 

7

 

Disaggregated Revenue by Geography

 

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

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

United States

 $6,972  $6,049  $14,939  $15,100  $5,640  $6,972  $15,937  $14,939 

Foreign Revenues

                

Latin America

 56  121  185  338  157  56  310  185 

Europe

 613  663  1,939  1,339  1,001 613 2,400 1,939 

Asia

  376  726  2,857  1,033   1,190  376  2,089  2,857 

Total Foreign Revenues

  1,045  1,510  4,981  2,710   2,348  1,045  4,799  4,981 

Total Revenues

 $8,017  $7,559  $19,920  $17,810  $7,988  $8,017  $20,736  $19,920 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

 

The following table presents the timing of our revenue recognition:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Products transferred at a point in time

 $5,969  $6,387  $14,065  $16,042  $6,078  $5,969  $13,287  $14,065 

Products and services transferred over time

  2,048  1,172  5,855  1,768   1,910   2,048   7,449   5,855 

Total Revenues

 $8,017  $7,559  $19,920  $17,810  $7,988  $8,017  $20,736  $19,920 

 

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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In our Air Pollution Control (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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. At September 30, 20222023December 31, 20212022, and December 31, 2020,2021, contract assets for APC technology projects were approximately $1,587,$1,944, $3,082, and $1,277, and $2,079, respectively, and at December 31, 2020, contract assets for the FUEL CHEM technology segment were approximately $269, and are included in accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.respectively. There were no contract assets for the FUEL CHEM technology segment as of September 30, 20222023 or, December 31, 20212022.  , and 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Contract liabilities were $174,$1,365, $372, and $390 and $850 at September 30, 20222023December 31, 20212022, and December 31, 2020,2021, respectively, and are included in other accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023, 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 $131$0 and $381$368 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023, respectively, and $173$131 and $331$381 for three and nine months ended September 30, 20212022, respectively, which represented primarily revenue from progress towards completion of our APC technology contracts.

 

As of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, we had no construction contracts in progress that were identified as a loss contract. 

 

8

 

Remaining Performance Obligations

 

Remaining performance obligations represents the transaction price of APC technology booked orders for which work has not been performed. As of September 30, 20222023, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations was $8,7635,624. The Company expects to recognize revenue on approximately $8,4064,874 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

 
 

September 30, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

  

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

Trade receivables

 $4,935  $2,122  $5,717  $4,605 

Unbilled receivables

 1,587  1,277  1,944  3,082 

Other short-term receivables

 309  83  145  152 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

  (173) (223)

Allowance for credit losses

  (110) (110)

Total accounts receivable

 $6,658  $3,259  $7,696  $7,729 

 

 

4.     Restructuring Activities

 

On January 18, 2019, the Company announced a planned suspension of its 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 September 30, 20222023 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 $5) in addition$3) and those related to collection efforts for the remaining accounts receivable.subsidiary closure.

 

The following table presents our revenues and net loss for 20222023 and 20212022 in China as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Total revenues

 $1  $2  $2  $17  $  $1  $2  $2 

Net loss

 (142) (47) (193) (85) (17) (142) (36) (193)

 

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

 

The following table presents net assets in China as follows:

 

 

As of

  

As of

 
 

September 30, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

  

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

Total assets

 $994  $1,235  $842  $929 

Total liabilities

  150  92   73  79 

Total net assets

 $844  $1,143  $769  $850 

 

9

 
 

5.     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

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

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Foreign currency translation

                

Balance at beginning of period

 $(1,896) $(1,430) $(1,604) $(1,370) $(1,690) $(1,896) $(1,728) $(1,604)

Other comprehensive loss:

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)

  (155) (153) (447) (213)  (122) (155) (84) (447)

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(2,051) $(1,583) $(2,051) $(1,583) $(1,812) $(2,051) $(1,812) $(2,051)

 

(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 976,006 and 963,509 with a cost of $2,251 and $2,234 at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, 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 unlikely to be exercised and would be anti-dilutiveanti-dilutive if they were exercised.exercised. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 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. 

 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average shares used in calculating the earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Basic weighted-average shares

 30,296,000  30,264,000  30,287,000  29,356,000  30,385,000  30,296,000  30,336,000  30,287,000 

Conversion of unsecured loan notes

                

Unexercised options and unvested RSUs

  75,000  71,000    126,000   242,000  75,000     

Diluted weighted-average shares

  30,371,000  30,335,000  30,287,000  29,482,000   30,627,000  30,371,000  30,336,000  30,287,000 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Fuel Tech had weighted-average outstanding equity awards of 246,500 and 382,200, respectively, and warrants of 2,850,000 in both periods, which were antidilutive or represent out-of-the-money options for the purpose of the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Fuel Tech had 250,500 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. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, Fuel Tech had weighted-average outstanding equity awards of 296,500 and 674,000, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2022, Fuel Tech had 33,000 of 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.

 

10

 
 

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, 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 September 30, 20222023, Fuel Tech had 1,874,250745,650 shares available for share-based awards under the Incentive Plan.

 

We did not record any excess tax benefits within income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021.2022. Given the Company has a full valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets, there were no excess tax benefits to record for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021.2022. 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 and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Stock options and restricted stock units, net of forfeitures

 $90  $21  $136  $61  $101  $90  $288  $136 

After-tax effect of stock-based compensation

 $90  $21  $136  $61  $101  $90  $288  $136 

 

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-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) 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) 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) 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 nine months ended September 30, 20222023 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, 2022

 434,500  $3.05      

Outstanding on January 1, 2023

 384,500  $2.98      

Granted

                  

Exercised

          (44,000) 0.96      

Expired or forfeited

  (50,000) 3.55        (70,000) 3.85      

Outstanding on September 30, 2022

  384,500  $2.98  2.69  $18 

Exercisable on September 30, 2022

  384,500  $2.98  2.69  $18 

Outstanding on September 30, 2023

  270,500  $3.09  1.81  $9 

Exercisable on September 30, 2023

  270,500  $3.09  1.81  $9 

 

As of September 30, 20222023, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Incentive Plans.
 

11

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

RSUs granted to employees vest over time based on continued service (typically vesting over a period between two to four years), and RSUs granted to directors vest after a one year vesting period based on continued service. 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 2023 Executive Performance RSU Award Agreement (the “2023 Agreement”) with certain officers, including its President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Sales (each a “2023 Participating Executive”) pursuant to which each 2023 Participating Executive will have the opportunity to earn a specified amount of restricted stock units (RSUs) based on Fuel Tech’s performance in 2023 and 2024. The target amount of RSUs for each of four possible RSU award components is set for each Participating Executive for 2023 and 2024. The amount, if any, of actual RSU awards to be issued is contingent on performance by the Participating Executive and the Company in the performance areas and for the measurement periods set forth in the Agreement as determined by the Company.

The Agreement provides for four possible RSU awards: “Look-Back RSUs,” “Total Revenue RSUs,” “New Business Growth RSUs,” and “Operating Income Growth” RSUs. If the Look-Back RSU’s are awarded, these RSUs will follow a vesting schedule that provides for vesting of one-third of the granted Look-Back RSUs after the first anniversary of the grant determination date, one-third after the second anniversary date and one-third after the third anniversary date. If the Total Revenue RSUs, New Business Growth RSUs, or Operating Income Growth RSUs targets are achieved, these RSU’s will follow a vesting schedule whereby 100% of the granted RSUs will vest one year following the grant determination date. All RSUs are valued at the date of grant based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

At September 30, 20222023, there is $827$1,670 of 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 2.571.92 years.

 

A summary of restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 is as follows:

 

      

Weighted Average

 
      

Grant Date

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Unvested restricted stock units at January 1, 2022

  45,003  $1.51 

Granted

  807,048   1.32 

Forfeited

  (15,000)  1.32 

Vested

  (45,003)  1.51 

Unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2022

  792,048  $1.32 
      

Weighted Average

 
      

Grant Date

 
  

Shares

  

Fair Value

 

Unvested restricted stock units at January 1, 2023

  767,048  $1.32 

Granted

  965,200   1.26 

Vested

  (45,000)  1.37 

Unvested restricted stock units at September 30, 2023

  1,687,248  $1.29 

 

The fair value of restricted stock that vested during the nine-month period endingended September 30, 20222023 was $68.$62.

 

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 Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 718, Fuel Tech accounts for these awards as equity awards as opposed to liability awards. During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, Fuel Tech recorded no stock-based compensation expense under the Deferred Plan.

 

 

9.      Warrants

 

The following table summarizes information about warrants outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 20222023:

 

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  3.87  $5.10 $5.10  2,500,000  2.87  $5.10 
$6.45$6.45   350,000  3.87  $6.45 $6.45   350,000  2.87  $6.45 
   2,850,000           2,850,000       

 

12

 
 

10.     Debt Financing

 

On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into an Investment Collateral Security agreement to use for the sole purpose of issuing standby letters of credit that replaces the former Cash Collateral agreement with BMO Harris. The Investment Collateral Security agreement requires us to pledge our investments as collateral for 150% 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 Investment Collateral Security agreement. At September 30, 20222023, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit totaling approximately $727992 under the Investment Collateral Security agreement. At September 30, 20222023, the investments held as collateral totaled $1,0901,488. Fuel Tech is committed to reimbursing the issuing bank for any payments made by the bank under these instruments.

On April 17, 2020, the Company received $1,556 in loan proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The unsecured loan is evidenced by a promissory note of the Company dated April 15, 2020 in the principal amount of $1,556, issued to BMO Harris Bank N.A., 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 accounted for the PPP Loan as debt in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC 470, Debt and accrued interest in accordance with the interest method under FASB ASC 835-30. When the loan was forgiven, the Company reduced the non-current liability by the amount forgiven and recorded other income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of 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:

 

 

The 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 Over-Fire Air systems, NOxOUT® and HERT™ Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction systems, and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. Our SCR systems can also include Ammonia Injection Grid, and Graduated Straightening Grid GSG™ systems to provide high NOx reductions at significantly lower capital and operating costs than conventional SCR systems. 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 Computational Fluid Dynamics and Chemical 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). 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 operations are provided below:

 

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Three months ended September 30, 2023

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $3,711  $4,277  $  $7,988 

Cost of sales

  (2,214)  (2,162)     (4,376)

Gross margin

  1,497   2,115      3,612 

Selling, general and administrative

        (2,966)  (2,966)

Research and development

        (513)  (513)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $1,497  $2,115  $(3,479) $133 

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Three months ended September 30, 2022

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $2,728  $5,289  $  $8,017 

Cost of sales

  (1,801)  (2,544)     (4,345)

Gross margin

  927   2,745      3,672 

Selling, general and administrative

        (3,273)  (3,273)

Research and development

        (207)  (207)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $927  $2,745  $(3,480) $192 

 

 

Air Pollution

 

FUEL CHEM

      

Air Pollution

 

FUEL CHEM

     

Three months ended September 30, 2021

 

Control Segment

 

Segment

 

Other

 

Total

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2023

 

Control Segment

 

Segment

 

Other

 

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $1,944  $5,615  $  $7,559  $10,692  $10,044  $  $20,736 

Cost of sales

  (1,134) (2,706)   (3,840)  (7,155) (5,168)   (12,323)

Gross margin

 810  2,909    3,719  3,537  4,876    8,413 

Selling, general and administrative

     (2,801) (2,801)     (9,126) (9,126)

Research and development

      (340) (340)      (1,144) (1,144)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $810  $2,909  $(3,141) $578  $3,537  $4,876  $(10,270) $(1,857)

 

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Nine months ended September 30, 2022

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $7,670  $12,250  $  $19,920 

Cost of sales

  (5,032)  (6,248)     (11,280)

Gross margin

  2,638   6,002      8,640 

Selling, general and administrative

        (9,201)  (9,201)

Research and development

        (716)  (716)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $2,638  $6,002  $(9,917) $(1,277)

  

Air Pollution

  

FUEL CHEM

         

Nine months ended September 30, 2021

 

Control Segment

  

Segment

  

Other

  

Total

 

Revenues from external customers

 $3,837  $13,973  $  $17,810 

Cost of sales

  (2,172)  (6,978)     (9,150)

Gross margin

  1,665   6,995      8,660 

Selling, general and administrative

        (8,858)  (8,858)

Research and development

        (1,070)  (1,070)

Operating income (loss) from operations

 $1,665  $6,995  $(9,928) $(1,268)

 

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 end-user. Assets are those directly associated with operations of the geographic area.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

 
 

2022

 

2021

 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

2023

 

2022

 

Revenues:

  

United States

 $6,972  $6,049  $14,939  $15,100  $5,640  $6,972  $15,937  $14,939 

Foreign

  1,045  1,510  4,981  2,710   2,348  1,045  4,799  4,981 
 $8,017  $7,559  $19,920  $17,810  $7,988  $8,017  $20,736  $19,920 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

 

2021

  

2023

 

2022

 

Assets:

  

United States

 $47,170  $46,271  $46,550  $47,007 

Foreign

  2,512  3,703   3,769  3,117 
 $49,682  $49,974  $50,319  $50,124 

 

14

 

12.     Accrued Liabilities

 

The components of other accrued liabilities are as follows:

 

 

As of

  

As of

 
 

September 30, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

  

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

Contract liabilities (Note 3)

 $174  $390  $1,365  $372 

Warranty reserve (Note 13)

 159 159  159 159 

Other accrued liabilities

  435  312   314  295 

Total other accrued liabilities

 $768  $861  $1,838  $826 

 

 

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.

 

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 no change in the warranty liability balance included in the other accrued liabilities line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022. The warranty liability balance was $159 at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022.

 

 

14.     Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective tax rate is approximately 0.9%0.0% and 3.2%0.9% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022. Income generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 attributed to the gain on forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Plan loan is tax exempt. 

 

Fuel Tech had no unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022.

 

15.     Subsequent Events

In October 2022, Fuel Tech finalized a settlement agreement with a supplier related to an equipment component failure at a foreign customer location. The failure was previously recorded and remedied under the warranty provision of the contract. Per the agreement, Fuel Tech will receive a combination of cash, invoice forgiveness, and credit on future equipment purchases totaling approximately $245. Settlement amounts will be recorded during the fourth quarter of 2022.

15

 

FUEL TECH, INC.

 

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

 

Overview

 

In the third quarter of 2022,2023, the Company continued to experience a challenging operational environmentsuccessfully execute on existing orders resulting in improved performance in the APC segment.  Revenues from our Fuel Chem technology segment increased 110% from the ongoing substitution of gas-fired and renewable energy plants for coal-fired installations and the ongoing impacts of geopolitical events and the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.prior quarter as our customer base returned from maintenance outages.  We continue to invest in development of new technologies to expand our product offerings into the water and waste-water 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 COVID-19 global pandemic have presented significant risks to the Company. Although the impact of the pandemic is difficult to quantify, the Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, supply chain issues, travel restrictions, and 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. In addition, we have experienced and are experiencing varying levels of inflation resulting in part from increased shipping and transportation costs, raw material costs, and labor costs. 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 declinean increase in revenuesrevenue and segment operating profits from prior quarter in 2023 and a decrease in the current quarter as compared to 2021.2022. The FUEL CHEM faced some headwinds in the quartersegment was impacted by decreased operational demand from our client base and partially due to scheduled plant closures versus the loss of one customer from permanent plant retirement and the reductionsame period in demand from other customers due to climate and operating and maintenance scheduling. 2022.  

 

Our Air Pollution Control (APC) business experienced improvement in the quarter compared to 2021,2022, due to the execution onof projects awarded in the second halfprior years and earlier in this year and due to increased sales of 2021 and in 2022.aftermarket products. 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. We continue to experience a challenging operational environment resulting from customers delaying the timing of purchasing decisions.  Our Consolidated APC backlog at September 30, 20222023 was $8,7635,624 and our global sales pipeline is in the $50 -75 million range.

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues

 

Revenues for the three-month periods ending September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were $8,0177,988 and $7,5598,017, respectively, representing an increasedecrease of $45829, or 6%0%, versus the same period last year. Revenues for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were $19,92020,736 and $17,81019,920, respectively, representing an increase of $2,110816, or 12%4%, versus the same period last year.

 

The APC technology segment generated revenues of $2,7283,711 for the three-month period ended September 30, 20222023, representing an increase of $784983, or 40%36%, from the prior year amount of $1,9442,728. The APC technology segment generated revenues of $7,67010,692 and $3,8377,670 for the nine-month periods endedending September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, representing an increase of $3,8333,022, or 100%39%These increasesThis increase in APC revenue werewas primarily related to the timing of project execution and new APC orders announced during 20212022 and continuing through the first nine months of 20222023. Consolidated APC backlog at September 30, 20222023 was $8,7635,624 versus backlog at December 31, 20212022 of $9,1198,245. Our current backlog consists of U.S. domestic projects totaling $7,0164,788 and international projects totaling $1,747836

 

The FUEL CHEM technology segment generated revenues of $5,2894,277 and $5,6155,289 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, representing a decrease of $3261,012, or 6%19%. The FUEL CHEM technology segment generated revenues of $12,25010,044 and $13,97312,250 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively, representing a decrease of $1,7232,206, or 12%18%. The decreasesThis decrease in FUEL CHEM revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 as compared to the same periodperiods of the prior year were partiallywas primarily due to the loss of one customer due to permanenta decrease in electrical generation demand, unscheduled plant retirement, dispatch/demand,outages and unforeseen plant outages.closures.

 

16

 

Cost of sales and gross margin

 

Consolidated gross margin percentage for the three-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were 46%45% and 49%46%, respectively. Gross margin decreased versus the comparable period due to the decrease in the FUEL CHEM operating segment gross margin partially offset by an increase in APC operating segment gross margin. For the three-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 the FUEL CHEM operating segment gross margins decreased to 49% from 52% primarily due to the reduction in revenue. APC gross margin decreasedincreased to 34%40% from 42%34%, respectively, primarily due to product and project mix. FUEL CHEM operating segment gross margins remained flat at 52%. 

 

Consolidated gross margin percentage for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were 43%41% and 49%43%, respectively. Gross margin decreased versus the comparable period due to the change in segment mix and to the decrease in boththe APC operating segment gross margins due to increases in supply chain costs and product mix.margin. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 the APC gross margin decreased to 34%33% from 43%34%, respectively, primarily due to product and project mix. FUEL CHEM operating segment gross margins decreased tomargin remained flat at 49% from 50% 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 $3,2732,966 and $2,8013,273 for the three-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. For the three-month period ended September 30, 20222023 the increasedecrease of $472307 is primarily the result of increasesdecreases in employee compensation and benefit related costs of $514$283, professional fees of $44, and outside servicescertain administrative expenses of $73,$30, partially offset by decreasesincreases in depreciation expense of $33, certain administrative overhead expenses for our international operations of $30 travel costs of $15, and other costsmiscellaneous expenses of $37.$20 primarily relating to the corporate headquarters. For the three-month periods ending September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, SG&A as a percentage of revenues increaseddecreased to 41%37% from 37%41%. The increasedecrease versus the comparable period is primarily due to the increasedecrease in SG&A in the currentexpenses when revenues were flat compared to prior year due to employee related costs.quarter.

 

SG&A expenses were $9,2019,126 and $8,8589,201 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023 the increasedecrease of $34375 is primarily the result of decreases in certain administrative expenses of $132 and other miscellaneous expenses of $47, partially offset by increases in employee compensation and benefit related costs of $474, outside services$74, professional fees of $46,$17, and travel costs of $39, partially offset by decreases in depreciation expense of $91, certain administrative overhead expenses for our international operations of $23, and other costs of $102.$13. For the nine-month periods ending September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, SG&A as a percentage of revenues decreased to 46%44% from 50%46%. The decrease versus the comparable period is primarily due to the increase in overall revenues partially offset by the increase in SG&A in the current year due to employee related costs.year.

 

Research and development

 

Research and development expenses for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 were $513 and $1,144, respectively, and for the same periods in 2022 were $207 and $716, respectively, and for the same periods in 2021 were $340 and $1,070, respectively. The decreases in expenditures were 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™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. DGIDGI® technology benefits include reduced energy consumption, installation costs, and operating costs, while improving treatment performance.

 

Income taxInterest income

 

Income tax expense for both of the three-month periods ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $0. Income tax expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022 was $9. Income tax expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021 was $10. 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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 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.

Interest income

Interest income was $92322 for the three-month period ended September 30, 20222023 compared to $192 for the same period in 20212022. Interest income was $101968 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023 compared to $4101 for the same period in 20212022. Interest income increase in both periodsincreased due to the interest income on the held-to-maturity debt securities and money market funds.

Other income (expense), net

Other income, net was $349 for the three-month period ended September 30, 20222023 compared to Other income, net of $10434 for the same period in 20212022. Other income, net decreased $70 mainly due to transactional foreign exchange gain/loss.

Other income,expense, net was $15895 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023 compared to Other income, net of $1,586158 for the same period in 20212022. The changes in Other (expense) income, net decreased $1,428were mainly due to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan in 2021 consisting of $1,556 of principal and $10 of accrued interest.transactional foreign exchange losses.

 

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

 

We have losses from operations during the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023 totaling $1,2771,857. Our cash usedprovided by operations for this same period totaled $2,591391

 

Our cash and cash equivalent balance as of September 30, 20222023 totaled $24,08213,483, which includes $226980 of cash equivalents, and our working capital totaled $29,92231,916. We have no outstanding debt other than our outstanding letters of credit, under our Investment Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. (the Investment Collateral Security agreement), which does not have any financial covenants. We expect to continuecontinue operating under this arrangement for the foreseeable future. 

 

17

 

Operating activities provided cash of $391 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to an increase in other liabilities of $519 due to timing of project related activity, a decrease in other current assets of $365, an increase in accounts payable of $172 due to timing of project related activity, and removals of non-cash items from our net loss from continuing operations for depreciation and amortization of $293 and stock-based compensation of $288.

Operating activities used cash of $2,591$2,591 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable balances of $3,449 due to the timing of project milestone billings and the net loss from continuing operations, partially offset by removals of non-cash items from our net loss from continuing operations for depreciation and amortization of $337, an increase in accounts payable balances of $1,094, and a decrease in other assets of $370.

 

Operating activities provided $572 of cash for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to decreases in our accounts receivable balance of $1,405 and prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets of $1,176 and the add back of non-cash items from our net loss including depreciation and amortization of $571, partially offset by the add back of non-cash items from our net loss for the gain on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness of $1,556 and decreases in our accounts payable balance of $980 and accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities of $382.

Investing activities used cash of $9,96310,227 and $584$9,963 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, respectively. Investing activities for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 primarily consisted of purchases of debt securities as investments.investments of $14,026 and $9,777, respectively. Investing activities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023 was funded by the maturities of debt securities of $4,000.

 

Financing activities usedprovided cash of $1742 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 20222023 compared to cash providedused of $23,977$17 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 20212022. In 2022,2023, the financing activity was related to proceeds from the exercise of stock options. In 2022, financing activities were related to 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 and certain geopolitical events 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 recent 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 20222023 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.

 

In June 2022, the Board of Directors approved an investment plan that would hold $10,000$20,000 in funds at BMO Harris Bank (BMO Harris) to be invested in held-to-maturity debt securities of United States (US) Treasuries, including Notes, Bonds, and Bills, or US Government Agency securities. The funds would be held in money market funds until they are invested in those securities. The investments would be structured to create a maturity “ladder” where the proceeds from maturities are re-invested to maintain a balance of short- and long-term investments based on the expected business needs. Maturities will be between three and thirty-six months. This strategy allows the Company to provide returns on excess cash, while managing liquidity and minimizing exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

 

On June 30, 2022, the Company entered into the Investment Collateral Security agreement to use for the sole purpose of issuing standby letters of credit, which replaces the Cash Collateral Security agreement with BMO Harris Bank, N.A. (the Former Collateral agreement). The Investment Collateral Security agreement requires us to pledge our investments as collateral for 150% 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 Investment Collateral Security agreement. At September 30, 2022,2023, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit totaling approximately $727992 under the Investment Collateral Security agreement. At September 30, 2022,2023, the investments held as collateral totaled $1,0901,488. Fuel Tech is committed to reimbursing the issuing bank for any payments made by the bank under these instruments.

On June 19, 2019, the Company entered into the Former Collateral agreement to use for the sole purpose of issuing standby letters of credit. The Former Collateral agreement requires us to pledge as cash collateral 105% of the aggregate face amount of outstanding standby letters of credit. The Company paid 250 basis points on the face values of outstanding letters of credit. There were no financial covenants set forth in the Former Collateral agreement. At September 30, 2022, the Company had no outstanding standby letters of credit under the Former Collateral agreement. 

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, 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, established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (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 Statements of Operations.  

 

18

 

Contingencies and Contractual Obligations

 

Fuel Tech issues a standard product warranty with the sale of its products to customers as discussed in Note 13. There was no change in the warranty liability balance during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.2023.

 

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, 20212022 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.

 

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.

 

19

 

 

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, 20212022 have not materially changed.

 

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

 

None

20

 

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)

 

2120

 

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: November 8, 20227, 2023

By:

/s/ Vincent J. Arnone

  

Vincent J. Arnone

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

Date: November 8, 20227, 2023

By:

/s/ Ellen T. Albrecht

  

Ellen T. Albrecht

  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

2221