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1. Nature of Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

1. Nature of Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Activities. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is an advanced renewable fuels and biochemicals company focused on the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace traditional petroleum-based products through the conversion of first-generation ethanol and biodiesel plants into advanced biorefineries. Founded in 2006, we own and operate a 60 million gallon per year ethanol plant in the California Central Valley near Modesto where we manufacture and produce ethanol, wet distillers’ grains (WDG), condensed distillers solubles (CDS), and distillers’ corn oil (DCO). We also own and operate a 50 million gallon per year renewable chemical and advanced fuel production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin for customers in India and Europe. We operate a research and development laboratory and hold a portfolio of patents and related technology licenses for the production of renewable fuels and biochemicals.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aemetis, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, Aemetis or the Company). Additionally, we consolidate all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest either directly or by option to acquire the interest. A controlling financial interest is usually obtained through ownership of a majority of the voting interests; however, an enterprise must consolidate a variable interest entity (VIE) if the enterprise is the primary beneficiary of the VIE, even if the enterprise does not own a majority of the voting interests. The primary beneficiary is the party that has both the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In July 2017, Goodland Advanced Fuels, Inc. (GAFI) acquired a partially completed ethanol plant in Goodland, Kansas, and as part of the transaction, GAFI entered into a note purchase agreement (GAFI Note Purchase Agreement) for a revolving loan (GAFI Revolving Loan) and term loan (GAFI Term Loan, and together with the GAFI Revolving Loan, the GAFI Loans) with Third Eye Capital Corporation (Third Eye Capital). The transaction provided Aemetis with both an option agreement (GAFI Option Agreement) to acquire all of the outstanding stock from GAFI at $0.01 per share, as well as the ability for Aemetis, and its subsidiary Aemetis Advanced Products Keyes, Inc. (AAPK), to borrow portions of the GAFI Revolving Loan. In exchange, Aemetis and AAPK each provided a limited guaranty (GAFI Limited Guaranty). GAFI is thinly capitalized by its sole shareholders, and dependent on the terms of the agreements with Third Eye Capital and Aemetis to support its own activities. Additionally, the combination of the GAFI Limited Guaranty and the GAFI Option Agreement provide sufficient basis for Aemetis to direct the activities of GAFI. Upon application of the consolidation guidance in ASC 810 Consolidation, we determined that GAFI is a variable interest entity with Aemetis as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements include the account of GAFI. See “Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements – Note 5. Variable Interest Entity.” All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, including transactions between GAFI and Aemetis, Inc.

The accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2018, the consolidated condensed statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and the consolidated condensed statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are unaudited. The consolidated condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 was derived from the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The consolidated condensed financial statements in this report should be read in conjunction with the 2017 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote, disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated statements as of December 31, 2017 and reflect all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of its statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any subsequent quarter, for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, revenues, and expenses during the reporting period. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be affected.

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition of revenue. The guidance stated that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. In March and April 2016, the FASB issued further revenue recognition guidance amending principal vs. agent considerations regarding whether an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. There was no cumulative impact to retained earnings. We assessed all of our revenue streams to identify any differences in the timing, measurement or presentation of revenue recognition.

We derive revenue primarily from sales of ethanol and related co-products in North America, and biodiesel and refined glycerin in India based on the supply agreements and purchase order contracts. We assessed the following criteria under the guidance: i) identify the contracts with customer, ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, iii) determine the transaction price, iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations, and v) recognize revenue when the entity satisfies the performance obligations.

In North America, we sell the majority of our production to one customer under a supply contract, with individual sales transactions occurring under this contract. Given the similarity of these transactions, we have assessed them as a portfolio of similar contracts. The performance obligation is satisfied by delivery of the physical product to the tank of J.D. Heiskell & Co. (J.D. Heiskell) or to one of their contracted trucking companies. At this point in time, the customer has the ability to direct the use of the product and receive substantially all of its benefits. The transaction price is determined based on daily market prices negotiated by Kinergy Marketing for ethanol and by A.L. Gilbert on WDG and DCO. There is no transaction price allocation needed.

The below table shows our sales in North America by product category:

North America (in thousands)

	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Ethanol sales	$	29,661	$	27,996	$	88,002	$	79,672
Wet distiller's grains sales		8,116		6,938		24,443		18,975
Other sales		799		1,078		2,935		2,783

	$	38,576	$	36,012	$	115,380	$	101,430

In India where we sell product on purchase orders (written or verbal) or by contract with governmental or international parties, the performance obligation is satisfied by delivery and acceptance of the physical product. When the contracts are sufficiently similar in nature, we have assessed these contracts as a portfolio of similar contracts as allowed under the practical expedient. Doing so does not result in a materially different outcome compared to individually accounting for each contract. All domestic and international deliveries are subject to certain specifications as identified in contracts. The transaction price is determined based on reference market prices for biodiesel and refined glycerin every day net of taxes. There is no transaction price allocation needed.

The below table shows our sales in India by product category:

India (in thousands)

	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Biodiesel sales	$	5,207	$	2,526	$	13,548	$	7,460
Refined Glycerin sales		852		397		3,753		2,383
	$	6,059	$	2,923	$	17,301	$	9,843

We also assessed principal versus agent criteria as we buy our feedstock from our customers and process and sell finished goods to those customers in some contractual agreements.

In North America, we buy corn as feedstock in producing ethanol from our working capital partner J.D. Heiskell and we sell all ethanol, WDG, and corn oil produced in this process to J.D. Heiskell. Our finished goods tank is leased by J.D. Heiskell and they require us to transfer legal title to the product upon transfer of our finished ethanol to this location. We consider the purchase of corn as a cost of goods sold and the sale of ethanol upon transfer to the finished goods tank as revenue on the basis that (i) we control and bear the risk of gain or loss on the processing of corn which is purchased at market prices into ethanol and (ii) we have a legal title to the goods during the processing time. Revenues from sales of ethanol and its co-products are billed net of the related transportation and marketing charges. The transportation component is accounted for in cost of goods sold and the marketing component is accounted for in sales, general and administrative expense. Transportation and marketing charges are known within days of the transaction and are recorded at the actual amounts. The Company has elected an accounting policy under which these charges have been treated as fulfillment activities provided after control has transferred. As a result, these charges are recognized in cost of goods sold and selling, general, & administrative expenses, respectively, when revenue is recognized. Revenues are recorded at the gross invoiced amount.

In India, we occasionally enter into contracts where we purchase feedstock from the customer, process the feedstock into biodiesel, and sell to the same customer. In those cases, we receive the legal title to feedstock from our customers once it is on our premises. We control the processing and production of biodiesel based on contract terms and specifications. The pricing for both feedstock and biodiesel is set independently. We hold the title and risk to biodiesel as long as it resides on our premises. Hence, we are the principal in both North America and India sales scenarios where our customer and vendor are the same.

Based upon the timing of the transfer of control of our products to our customers, there are no contract assets or liabilities as of September 30, 2018.

We have elected to adopt the practical expedient that allows for ignoring the significant financing component of a contract when estimating the transaction price when the transfer of promised goods to the customer and customer payment for such goods are expected to be within one year of contract inception. Further, we have elected to adopt the practical expedient in which incremental costs of obtaining a contract are expensed when the amortization period would otherwise be less than one year.

Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold includes those costs directly associated with the production of revenues, such as raw material consumed, factory overhead and other direct production costs. During periods of idle plant capacity, costs otherwise charged to cost of goods sold are reclassified to selling, general and administrative expense.

Accounts Receivable. The Company sells ethanol, WDG, CDS, and DCO through third-party marketing arrangements generally without requiring collateral. The Company sells biodiesel, glycerin, and processed natural oils to a variety of customers and may require advanced payment based on the size and creditworthiness of the customer. Usually, invoices are due within 30 days on net terms. Accounts receivables consist of product sales made to large creditworthy customers. Trade accounts receivable are presented at original invoice amount, net of any allowance for doubtful accounts.

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for balances that appear to have specific collection issues. The collection process is based on the age of the invoice and it requires attempted contacts with the customer at specified intervals. If, after a specified number of days, the Company has been unsuccessful in its collection efforts, a bad debt allowance is recorded for the balance in question. Delinquent accounts receivable are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts once un-collectability has been determined. The factors considered in reaching this determination are the apparent financial condition of the customer and the Company’s success in contacting and negotiating with the customer. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. We did not reserve any balance for allowances for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Inventories. Ethanol inventory, raw materials, and work-in-process are valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value (NRV). Distillers’ grains and related products are stated at NRV. In the valuation of inventories, NRV is determined as estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation after assets are placed in service and are comprised primarily of buildings, furniture, machinery, equipment, land, and the plants in Keyes, California (Keyes plant), Goodland, Kansas (GAFI plant) and Kakinada, India (Kakinada plant). The GAFI plant is partially completed and is not ready for operation; hence, we are not depreciating these assets yet. Otherwise, it is the Company’s policy to depreciate capital assets over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets with finite lives in accordance with ASC Subtopic 360-10-35 Property Plant and Equipment –Subsequent Measurements, which requires testing for impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, based on estimated undiscounted cash flows, the impairment loss would be measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and its estimated fair value.

Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share. Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share reflects the dilution of common stock equivalents such as options, convertible preferred stock, debt, and warrants to the extent the impact is dilutive. As the Company incurred net losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the diluted net loss per share computations as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

The following table shows the number of potentially dilutive shares excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculation as of September 30, 2018 and 2017:

	As of
	September 30, 2018		September 30, 2017

Series B preferred (post split basis)		132		132
Common stock options and warrants		2,990		2,554
Debt with conversion feature at $30 per share of common stock		1,228		1,194
SARs conversion if stock issued at $1.11 per shares to cover $2.1 million		1,893		-
Total number of potentially dilutive shares excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculation		6,243		3,880

Comprehensive Loss. ASC 220 Comprehensive Income requires that an enterprise report, by major components and as a single total, the change in its net assets from non-owner sources. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) and accumulated other comprehensive loss consists solely of cumulative currency translation adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements of its foreign subsidiary.

Foreign Currency Translation/Transactions. Assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiary that operates in a local currency environment, where that local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the resulting translation, adjustments directly recorded to a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates. Gains and losses from other foreign currency transactions are recorded in other income (expense).

Operating Segments. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Aemetis recognized two reportable geographic segments: “North America” and “India.”

The “North America” operating segment includes the Company’s 60 million gallons per year capacity Keyes plant in Keyes, California, the GAFI plant in Goodland, Kansas and the research and development facility in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The “India” operating segment encompasses the Company’s 50 million gallon per year capacity Kakinada plant in Kakinada, India, the administrative offices in Hyderabad, India, and the holding companies in Nevada and Mauritius.

Share-Based Compensation. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense in accordance with ASC 718 Stock Compensation, requiring the Company to recognize expense related to the estimated fair value of the Company’s share-based compensation awards at the time the awards are granted adjusted to reflect only those shares that are expected to vest.

Commitments and Contingencies. The Company records and/or discloses commitments and contingencies in accordance with ASC 450 Contingencies. ASC 450 applies to an existing condition, situation or set of circumstances involving uncertainty as to possible loss that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.

Debt Modification Accounting. The Company evaluates amendments to its debt in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt – Modification and Extinguishments for modification and extinguishment accounting. This evaluation includes comparing the net present value of cash flows of the new debt to the old debt to determine if changes greater than 10 percent occurred. In instances where the net present value of future cash flows changed more than 10 percent, the Company applies extinguishment accounting and determines the fair value of its debt based on factors available to the Company.

Convertible Instruments. The Company evaluates the impacts of convertible instruments based on the underlying conversion features. Convertible instruments are evaluated for treatment as derivatives that could be bifurcated and recorded separately. Any beneficial conversion feature is recorded based on the intrinsic value difference at the commitment date.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2018-07”), which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees, with certain exceptions. ASU 2018-07 supersedes the guidance in ASC 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees, which previously included the accounting for non-employee awards. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not intend to early adopt and is in the process of determining the impact of adoption of this standard on its financial statements.

For a complete summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1, “Nature of Activities and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2018.