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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Those estimates and assumptions include estimates for depreciable lives of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, analysis of impairments of recorded intangible assets, accruals for potential liabilities and assumptions made in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation and the fair value of convertible notes and related warrants.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and making disclosures about fair value measurements. FASB ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of financial instruments and the characteristics specific to them. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

 

There are three levels within the hierarchy that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 – A quoted price in an active market for identical assets or liabilities.
   
Level 2 – Significant pricing inputs are observable inputs, which are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources.
   
Level 3 – Significant pricing inputs are unobservable inputs, which are inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

 

The fair value measurements level of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used should maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The valuation methodologies described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of future net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.

 

The fair value of cash and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term maturity.

 

Convertible notes

 

Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity Instruments Issued

The Company applies the guidance in ASC Topic 480 to determine the classification of financial instruments issued. The Company first determines if the instruments should be classified as liabilities under this guidance based on the redemption features, if mandatorily redeemable or not, and the method of redemption, if in cash, a variable number of shares or a fixed number of shares.

 

If the terms proved that an instrument is mandatorily redeemable in cash, or the holder can compel a settlement in cash, or will be settled in a variable number of shares predominantly based on a fixed monetary amount, the instrument is generally classified as a liability. Instruments that are settled by issuing a fixed number of shares are generally classified as equity instruments.

 

In some cases, the instruments issued contain settlement features that differ depending upon the prevailing price of the Company’s shares at the date of settlement. Depending on the share price, the instrument will be settled either in a manner consistent with ASC Topic 480 liability treatment, by issuing a variable number of shares based on a fixed monetary amount, or in a manner consistent with ASC Topic 480 treatment for an equity instrument, by issuing a fixed number of shares if the share price is above or below certain levels. In these cases, the Company assesses the likelihood of the various possible settlement outcomes at the inception of the instrument. The classification of the instrument is based on the outcome that is more likely than not to occur. Factors that the Company considers in evaluating the likelihood of the outcomes include:

 

  • The terms of the instrument, including its maturity date and the formula for adjustments to the range.
  • The volatility of the Company’s stock.
  • The relationship between the price of the Company’s stock on the inception date and fixed prices or ranges the low and high end of the original range.
  • Historical and expected dividend levels.

When warrants or similar instruments are issued, the Company applies the guidance in ASC Topic 815 to determine if the warrants should be classified as equity instruments or as derivative instruments. Generally, warrants that are both indexed to the Company’s own stock and that would be classified as equity instruments are not classified as derivative instruments under this guidance. A key element to consider in determining if a warrant would be considered indexed to the Company’s own stock is if the warrants settlement amount is equal to the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of equity shares and a fixed monetary amount. This criterion is sometimes known as the “fixed-for fixed” criteria. In cases where the fixed for fixed criteria are not met, the warrants are classified as derivative instruments.

 

Convertible liabilities are also assessed to determine if they contain a beneficial conversion feature. A beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) of a convertible note is normally characterized as the convertible portion feature that provides a rate of conversion that is below market value or “in-the-money” when issued. A BCF related to the issuance of a convertible note is recorded at is intrinsic value at the issue date.

 

Initial measurement

Instruments are initially measured at fair value. If multiple instruments are issued together, the aggregate proceeds are allocated first to derivative instruments or any instrument that will be subsequently accounted for at fair value and the remainder is to the allocated to the various instruments based on their relative fair value.

 

Subsequent measurement

Instruments initially classified as liabilities are subsequently measured at the present value of the amount to be paid, either in cash or by issuing a variable number of shares based on a fixed monetary amount, and at settlement, accruing interest cost using the rate implicit at inception.

 

Derivative instruments are recorded at fair value at each reporting period and the variations in fair value recorded in income.

 

Deferred financing costs and other transaction costs


Deferred financing costs represent commitment fees, legal fees and other costs associated with obtaining commitments for financing. These fees are amortized as a component of interest expense over the terms of the respective financing agreements, including convertible notes, on a straight-line basis. Unamortized deferred financing fees are expensed in full when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in seeking financial transactions that do not close are expensed in the period in which it is determined that the financing will not be successful. Deferred financing fees related to the liability portion of Convertible Notes are deducted from their related liabilities on the balance sheet.

Transaction costs associated with the equity portion of convertible notes are reflected as a charge to deficit or as a reduction of accumulated paid-in-capital. The cost of issuing equity is reflected as a reduction of accumulated paid-in-capital.

Foreign currency translations and transactions

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, the functional currency of the Company. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries that have a functional currency other than that of the Company are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate as at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate of the period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income and loss (“OCI”). As a result, foreign currency exchange fluctuations may impact operating expenses. The Company currently has not engaged in any currency hedging activities.

 

For transactions and balances, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency of the entity at the prevailing exchange rate at the reporting date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities, and revenue and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate prevailing at the dates of the respective transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, except for gains or losses arising from the translation of intercompany balances denominated in foreign currencies that forms part in the net investment in the subsidiary which are included in OCI.

 

Value added tax and tax credits receivable

 

The Company is registered for the Canadian federal and provincial goods and services taxes. As such, the Company is obligated to collect, and is entitled to claim sale taxes paid on its expenses and capital expenditures incurred in Canada. As at February 28, 2019, the computed net recoverable sale taxes amounted to $82,992 (2018 – $177,903).

 

In addition, Loop Canada is entitled to receive government assistance in the form of refundable and non-refundable research and development tax credits from the federal and provincial taxation authorities, based on qualifying expenditures incurred during the fiscal year. The refundable credits are from the provincial taxation authorities and are not dependent on its ongoing tax status or tax position and accordingly are not considered part of income taxes. The Company records refundable tax credits as a reduction of research and development expenses when the Company can reasonably estimate the amounts and it is more likely than not, they will be received. During the year ended February 28, 2019, the Company recorded $305,592 (2018 – $221,202; 2017 - $148,547) as a reduction of research and development expenses. During the year ended February 28, 2019, research and development tax credits received by the Company from taxation authorities amounted to nil (2018 – nil; 2017 - $88,080). As at February 28, 2019, research and development tax credits receivable from taxation authorities amounted to $410,997 (2018 - $109,298).

 

Research and development expenses are also presented net of eligible government grants from the federal and provincial taxation authorities. Government grants received during the year ended February 28, 2019 were $73,581 and government grants receivable at February 28, 2019 amounted to nil (2018 – $4,000 and $73,581, respectively; 2017 - nil and nil, respectively).

 

The Company is also eligible for non-refundable research and development tax credits from the federal taxation authorities which can be used as a reduction of income tax expense in any given year to the extent the Company has taxable income. The Company has not had taxable income since inception and has not been able to use these non-refundable federal research and development tax credits. During the year ended February 28, 2019, the Company was eligible for non-cash research and development tax credits in the amount of $255,975 (2018 - $248,690; 2017 – $25,227).

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, unless the useful life is indefinite, using the straight-line method over the following periods:

 

Building   30 years 
Land   Indefinite 
Office equipment and furniture   8 years 
Machinery and equipment   3-8 years 
Building improvements   5 years 

 

Costs related to repairs and maintenance of property, plant and equipment are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Upon sale or disposal, the Company writes off the cost of the asset and the related amount of accumulated depreciation. The resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Management assesses the carrying value of property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If there is indication of impairment, management prepares an estimate of future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If these cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized to write down the asset to its estimated recoverable value. As at February 28, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company determined that there were no indicators of impairment and did not recognize any impairment of its property, plant and equipment.

 

Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets are recorded at cost and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, unless the useful life is indefinite, using the straight-line method over 7 years.

 

The Company reviews intangible assets subject to amortization at least annually to determine if any adverse conditions exist or a change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in the remaining useful life. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its undiscounted cash flows, the Company writes down the carrying value of the intangible asset to its fair value in the period identified. If the carrying value of assets is determined not to be recoverable, the Company records an impairment loss equal to the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the assets. The Company’s estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, in the absence of quoted market prices. The Company generally calculates fair value as the present value of estimated future cash flows that the Company expects to generate from the asset using a discounted cash flow income approach as described above. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the Company amortizes the remaining carrying value of the intangible asset prospectively over the revised remaining useful life.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

Loop Industries periodically issues stock options to employees and non-employees in non-capital raising transactions for services and financing costs. The Company accounts for stock options granted to employees based on the authoritative guidance provided by the FASB wherein the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and where there are no performance conditions, recognized as compensation expense on the straight-line basis over the vesting period and where performance conditions exist, recognize compensation expense when it becomes probable that the performance condition will been met. Forfeitures on share-based payments are accounted for by recognizing forfeitures as they occur.

 

The Company accounts for stock options granted to non-employees in accordance with the authoritative guidance of the FASB wherein the fair value of the stock compensation is based upon the measurement date determined as the earlier of the date at which either a) a commitment is reached with the counterparty for performance or b) the counterparty completes its performance.

 

The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock unit awards to employees and directors based on the closing market price of its common stock on the date of grant.

 

The fair value of the stock options granted are estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Option Pricing (“Black-Scholes”) model, which uses certain assumptions related to risk-free interest rates, expected volatility, expected life of the stock options, and future dividends. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded based on the value derived from the Black-Scholes model and on actual experience. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model could materially affect stock-based compensation expense recorded in the current and future periods.

 

Income taxes

 

The Company calculates its provision for income tax on the basis of the tax laws enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income, in accordance with FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Company uses an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes that allows recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or that future deductibility is uncertain. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses relate primarily to the development, design, testing of preproduction samples, prototypes and models, compensation, and consulting fees, and are expensed as incurred. Total research and development costs recorded during the years ended February 28, 2019, 2018 and 2017 amounted to $3.5 million,$6.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and are net of government research and development tax credits and government grants from the federal and provincial taxation authorities accrued and recorded during the year based on qualifying expenditures incurred during the fiscal year.

 

Net earnings (loss) per share

 

The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. The Company includes common stock issuable in its calculation. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive potential common shares had been issued, using the treasury stock method. Potential common shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is antidilutive.

 

For the years ended February 28, 2019 and 2018, the calculations of basic and diluted loss per share are the same because potential dilutive securities would have an antidilutive effect. As at February 28, 2019, the potentially dilutive securities consisted of 1,962,400 outstanding stock options (2018 – 2,374,581; 2017 – 1,010,000), 402,868 outstanding restricted stock units (2018 – 34,102; 2017 - nil) and 802,469 outstanding warrants (2018 – 140,667; 2017 – 637,670).

 

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Scope of Modification Accounting, which amends the guidance in Topic 718 to clarify when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award requires the application of the guidance in Topic 718. The amendments provide that an entity shall account for the effects of a modification of a share-based payment award unless all the following conditions are met:

 

a.The fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. If the modification does not affect any of the inputs to the valuation technique that the entity uses to value the award, the entity is not required to estimate the value immediately before and after the modification.

 

b.The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.

 

c.The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified.

 

For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The company adopted ASU 2017-09 on March 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard had no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which permits entities to reclassify the disproportionate income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act on items within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") to retained earnings. These disproportionate income tax effect items are referred to as "stranded tax effects." Amendments in this update only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. Other accounting guidance that requires the effect of changes in tax laws or rates to be included in net income from continuing operations is not affected by this update. ASU 2018-02 should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Reform Act is recognized. ASU 2018-02 is applicable beginning March 1, 2019. The Company does not expect that ASU 2018-02 will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this Update expand the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost (that is, the period of time over which share-based payment awards vest and the pattern of cost recognition over that period). The amendments specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this Update are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect that ASU 2018-07 will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements, which clarify certain amendments to guidance that may have been incorrectly or inconsistently applied by certain entities and includes Amendments to Subtopic 718-740, Compensation – Stock Compensation – Income Taxes. The guidance in paragraph 718-740-35-2, as amended by the amendments in ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, is unclear on whether an entity should recognize excess tax benefits (or tax deficiencies) for compensation expense that is taken on the entity’s tax return. The amendment to paragraph 718-740-35-2 in this Update clarifies that an entity should recognize excess tax benefits in the period in which the amount of deduction is determined. The amendments in this Update are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect that this update will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” amended in July by ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” ASU 2018-11, “Targeted Improvements,” and ASU 2018-20, “Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors,” which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet while continuing to recognize expenses in the income statement in a manner similar to current accounting standards. For lessors, the new standard modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. Enhanced disclosures will also be required to give financial statement users the ability to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This ASU may either be adopted on a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the earliest comparative period, or through a cumulative-effect adjustment at the adoption date. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is required to adopt these standards effective March 1, 2019, but it still in the process of determining the quantitative impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company will elect to apply the package of practical expedients that allows us not to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases, the classification of these leases and whether previously capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under Accounting Standards Codification (or “ASC”) 842. Furthermore, we will elect to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment of the right-of-use assets.