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Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2022

Notes to Financial Statements

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LiqTech International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). The terms "Company", “us", "we" and "our" as used in this report refer to the Company and its subsidiaries, which are set forth below. The Company engages in the development, design, production, marketing, and sale of automated filtering systems, ceramic silicon carbide liquid applications, and diesel particulate air filters in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. Set forth below is a description of the Company and each of its subsidiaries:

LiqTech International, Inc., a Nevada corporation organized in July 2004, formerly known as Blue Moose Media, Inc.

LiqTech USA, a Delaware corporation and a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company formed in May 2011.

LiqTech Holding A/S (formerly known as LiqTech International A/S), a Danish corporation, incorporated on January 15, 2000 (“LiqTech Holding”), a 100% owned subsidiary of LiqTech USA, handling all joint group activities such as management, marketing, finance, IT, etc.

LiqTech NA, Inc. (“LiqTech NA”), incorporated in Delaware on July 1, 2005, a 100% owned subsidiary of LiqTech USA, engaged in the production, marketing, and sale of ceramic diesel particulate and liquid filters in the United States and Canada. LiqTech NA closed operations in January 2021, and all activity in this company has ceased.

LiqTech Water A/S (formerly known as LiqTech Systems A/S), a Danish Corporation (“LiqTech Water”), incorporated on September 1, 2009, engaged in the manufacture of fully automated filtering systems for use within marine applications, municipal pool and spa applications, and other industrial applications within Denmark and international markets.

LiqTech Plastics A/S (formerly known as BS Plastic A/S), a Danish Corporation (“LiqTech Plastics”), acquired on September 1, 2019, engaged in the manufacture of specialized machined and welded plastic parts within Denmark and international markets.

LiqTech Ceramics A/S, a Danish corporation (“LiqTech Ceramics”), incorporated on December 20, 2019, engaged in the development, design, application, marketing, and sales of membranes, ceramic diesel particulate and liquid filters, and catalytic converters in Europe, Asia, and South America.

LiqTech Water Projects A/S, a Danish corporation (“LiqTech Water Projects”), incorporated on July 28, 2020, that is a dormant company without activity. This company was formed to include the investments for our joint venture in the Middle East.

LiqTech Emission Control A/S, a Danish corporation (“LiqTech Emission Control”), incorporated on March 1, 2021, that is a dormant company without activity. This company was formed to include the investments for our joint venture in China.

LiqTech Environment Technologies (China) Co. Ltd. (“LiqTech China”), incorporated on September 23, 2021, to be engaged in the development, design, application, marketing, and sales of ceramic diesel particulate, liquid filters, and catalytic converters in Asia.

LiqTech PTE Ltd (“LiqTech Singapore”), a 95% owned subsidiary of LiqTech Holding, incorporated in Singapore on January 19, 2012. This company is in the process of closing operations, and all activity in this company has ceased.

Consolidation -- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and its majority-owned subsidiary. All material intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in the consolidation.

Functional Currency / Foreign currency translation -- The functional currency of LiqTech International, Inc. and LiqTech USA, Inc. is the U.S. Dollar. The functional currency of LiqTech Holding, LiqTech Water, LiqTech Plastics, LiqTech Ceramics, LiqTech Water Projects, and LiqTech Emission Control is the Danish Krone (“DKK”); the functional currency of LiqTech China is the Renminbi (“RMB”); the functional currency of LiqTech Germany is the Euro; and the functional currency of LiqTech Singapore is the Singapore Dollar. The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar for the purpose of these consolidated financial statements. The balance sheet accounts of the foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the period-end exchange rates, and all revenue and expenses are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average exchange rates prevailing during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. Translation gains and losses are deferred and accumulated as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arose from exchange rate fluctuations from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the statement of operations as incurred.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash -- The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2022, and 2021, the Company held $1,440,394 and $2,125,695, respectively, of restricted cash. The restricted cash is held as security by a local financial institution for ensuring a leasing facility and for payment guarantees issued for the benefit of customers in connection with prepayments of sales orders and for warranties after the delivery of sales orders.

Accounts held in each U.S. institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had $12,999,271 and $11,346,826 in excess of the FDIC insured limit, respectively.

Accounts Receivable -- Accounts receivable consist of trade receivables arising in the normal course of business. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. The Company determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience, age, financial information that is publicly accessible, and other currently available evidence.

The roll-forward of the allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is as follows:

2022

2021

Allowance for doubtful accounts at the beginning of the period
$ 409,076 $ 498,044

Bad debt expense
(24,534
)
(28,499
)

Receivables written off during the periods
(295,778
)
(24,415
)

Effect of currency translation
(29,205
)
(36,054
)

Allowance for doubtful accounts at the end of the period
$ 59,559 $ 409,076

The receivables written off during the period 2022 mainly relates to legacy marine scrubber contracts and partnerships, renegotiated and terminated amid the COVID disruptions and general slowdown in the marine scrubber market.

Inventory -- Inventory directly purchased is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as determined on the first-in, first-out method.

For inventory produced, standard costs that approximate actual cost on the FIFO method are used to value inventory. Standard costs are reviewed at least annually by management, or more often in the event that circumstances indicate a change in cost has occurred.

Work in process and finished goods include material, labor, and production overhead costs. The Company adjusts the value of its inventory to the extent management determines that the cost cannot be recovered due to obsolescence or other factors.

Inventory valuation adjustments for excess and obsolete inventory are calculated based on current inventory levels, movement, expected useful lives, and estimated future demand for our products.

Contracts Assets / Liabilities -- Contract assets are the Company’s rights to consideration in exchange for goods or services and are recognized when a performance obligation has been satisfied but has not yet been billed. When the Company issues invoices to the customer, and the billing is higher than the capitalized Contract assets, the net amount is transferred to Contract liabilities. Contract assets/liabilities are transferred to revenue and cost of goods sold when the right to consideration is unconditional and billed per the terms of the contractual agreement.

Contract assets also include unbilled receivables, which usually comprise the last invoice remaining after the delivery of the water treatment unit, where revenue is recognized at the transfer of control based upon signed acceptance of the unit by the customer. Most commonly, this invoice is sent to the customer at commissioning of the product or no later than 12 months after delivery. Further included in Contract Assets are short-term receivables such as VAT and other receivables.

Assets Held for Sale -- Assets are classified as held for sale when all of the following criteria for a plan of sale have been met: (1) management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the assets; (2) the assets are available for immediate sale, in their present condition, subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets; (3) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the assets have been initiated; (4) the sale of the assets is probable and is expected to be completed within one year; (5) the assets are being actively marketed for a price that is reasonable in relation to their current fair value; and (6) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or the plan will be withdrawn. When all of these criteria have been met, the assets are classified as held for sale on the balance sheet. Assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Depreciation and amortization of assets ceases upon designation as held for sale.

Leases -- The Company has elected to not recognize lease assets and liabilities with an initial term of 12 months or less and to not separate lease and non-lease components. The Company’s accounting for finance leases (formerly called capital lease obligations) remains substantially unchanged. Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date is used in determining the present value. The Company will use the implicit rate when readily determinable. The operating lease ROU asset also included prepaid lease payments and reduced by accrued lease payments. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease, recognized when it is reasonably certain that those options will be exercised. Operating lease cost for lease payments will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Property and Equipment -- Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized upon being placed in service. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed for financial statement purposes on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to ten years.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets -- The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between intangible assets and the net tangible assets of the acquired business, with the residual purchase price recorded as goodwill. The determination of the value of the intangible assets acquired involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital.

Acquired intangible assets with determinable useful lives are amortized on a straight-line or accelerated basis over the estimated periods benefited, ranging from one to ten years. Customer relationships and other non-contractual intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over periods of five years.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to estimated future net undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The evaluation of recoverability involves estimates of future operating cash flows based upon certain forecasted assumptions, including, but not limited to, revenue growth rates, gross profit margins, and operating expenses over the expected remaining useful life of the related asset. A shortfall in these estimated operating cash flows could result in an impairment charge in the future.

Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated annually for impairment at the reporting unit level or when indicators of a potential impairment are present. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit using the discounted cash flow and market approaches. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on the Company’s best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, using primarily expected category expansion, pricing, market segment fundamentals, and general economic conditions.

Revenue Recognition -- On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which includes clarifying ASUs issued in 2015, 2016, and 2017 (“new revenue standard”). The new revenue standard was applied to all open revenue contracts using the modified retrospective method as of January 1, 2018.

The Company sells products throughout the world; sales by geographical region are as follows for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

% Distribution

For the Year Ended December 31

2022

2021

2022

2021

Americas
7 % 17 % $ 1,073,433 $ 3,121,797

Asia-Pacific
21 % 25 % 3,406,420 4,658,070

Europe
59 % 58 % 9,379,337 10,493,575

Middle East & Africa
13 % 0 % 2,123,248 -

100 % 100 % $ 15,982,438 $ 18,273,442

The Company’s sales by product line are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021:

% Distribution

For the Year Ended December 31

2022

2021

2022

2021

Water
33 % 39 % $ 5,297,286 $ 7,196,465

Ceramics
43 % 39 % 6,844,861 7,183,868

Plastics
22 % 20 % 3,528,606 3,615,681

Corporate
2 % 2 % 311,685 277,428

100 % 100 % $ 15,982,438 $ 18,273,442

For Water (systems and aftermarket), Ceramics (diesel particulate filters and membranes), and Plastics (components), revenue is recognized when performance obligations specified within the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied, which occurs when control of the product transfers to the customer or when services are rendered by the Company. The majority of the Company's sales contracts contain performance obligations satisfied at a point in time when title along with risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer. This generally occurs when the product is shipped or accepted by the customer. Revenue for service contracts is recognized as the services are provided. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring the goods or providing services. The satisfaction of performance obligations under the terms of a revenue contract generally gives rise to the right to receive payment from the customer. The Company's standard payment terms vary by the type and location of the customer and the products or services offered. Generally, the time between when revenue is recognized and when payment is due is not significant. Pre-payments received prior to satisfaction of performance obligations are recorded as a Contract liability. Considering the relatively short time between revenue recognition and receipt of payment, financing components do not exist between the Company and its customers.

For contracts with customers that include multiple performance obligations, judgment is required to determine whether performance obligations specified in these contracts are distinct and should be accounted for as separate revenue transactions for recognition purposes. For such arrangements, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are generally determined based on the prices charged to customers or using expected cost-plus margin.

System sales are recognized when the Company transfers control to the customer based upon sales and delivery conditions specified in the sales contract. This typically occurs upon shipment of the system from the production facility but can also occur upon other agreed delivery terms. In connection with the completion of the system, it is normal procedure to issue a FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) asserting that the customer has accepted the performance of the system as it is being shipped from our production facility in Hobro. As part of the performance obligation, the customer is normally offered commissioning services (final assembly and configuration at a place designated by the customer), and this commissioning is therefore considered a second performance obligation and is valued at cost, with the addition of a standard gross margin. This second performance obligation is recognized as revenue at the time of the commissioning services being rendered together with the cost incurred. Part of the invoicing to the customer is also attributed to the commissioning, and at transfer of the control of the system (i.e., the first performance obligation), this portion is recognized as Contract liabilities.

Aftermarket sales represent parts, extended warranties, and maintenance services. For the sale of aftermarket parts, the Company transfers control and recognizes revenue when parts are shipped to the customer. When customers are given the right to return eligible parts and accessories, the Company estimates the expected returns based on an analysis of historical experience. The Company adjusts estimated revenues at the earlier of when the most likely amount of consideration expected to be received changes or when the consideration becomes fixed. The Company recognizes revenue for extended warranty and maintenance agreements based on the standalone selling price over the life of the contract.

The Company has received long-term contracts for grants from government entities for the development and use of silicon carbide membranes in various water filtration and treatment applications and historically in the installation of various water filtration systems. We measure the transfer of control of the performance obligation on long-term contracts utilizing the cost-to-cost measure of progress, with cost of revenue including direct costs such as labor and materials. Under the cost-to-cost approach, the use of estimated costs to complete each performance obligation is a significant variable in the process of determining recognized revenue and a significant factor in the accounting for such performance obligations. The timing of when we bill our customers is generally dependent upon advance billings terms, milestone billings based on completion of certain phases of the work, or when services are provided or products are shipped. Projects with performance obligations recognized over time that have costs and estimated earnings recognized to date in excess of cumulative billings are reported on our balance sheet as Contract assets. Projects with performance obligations recognized over time that have cumulative billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings recognized to date are reported on our balance sheet as Contract liabilities.

The roll-forward of Contract Assets/Liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 is:

2022

2021

Cost incurred
$ 3,860,179 $ 3,381,994

Unbilled project deliveries
950,105 454,158

VAT
229,006 542,255

Other receivables
45,814 60,158

Prepayments
(3,363,039
)
(2,947,736
)

Deferred Revenue
(118,327
)
(499,146
)

$ 1,603,738 $ 991,682

Distributed as follows:

Contract assets
$ 2,253,295 $ 1,906,510

Contract liabilities
(649,557
)
(914,828
)

$ 1,603,738 $ 991,682

Advertising Cost -- Costs incurred in connection with advertising of the Company’s products is expensed as incurred. Advertising cost is included in sales expenses, and total advertising costs amounted to $144,043 and $308,880 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Research and Development Cost -- The Company expenses research and development costs for the development of new products as incurred. Included in operating expense for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $1,835,890 and $1,862,653, respectively, of research and development costs.

Income Taxes -- The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740: Accounting for Income Taxes. This statement requires an asset and liability approach for accounting for income taxes.

Income/(Loss) Per Share -- The Company calculates earnings (loss) per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per common share (EPS) are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per common share are based on shares outstanding (computed as under basic EPS) and potentially dilutive common shares. Potential common shares included in the diluted earnings per share calculation include in-the-money stock options and warrants that have been granted but have not been exercised.

Stock Awards -- During the years presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the Company has granted stock awards. The Company accounts for stock awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Stock-based compensation costs of $934,423 and $481,105 have been recognized for the vesting of options and stock awards granted to directors, management, and certain key employees for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments -- The Company accounts for fair value measurements for financial assets and liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820. The authoritative guidance, which, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exit price, representing the amount that would either be received to sell an asset or be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

●

Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

●

Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

●

Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their recorded values due to their short-term maturities.

Accounting Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, including accounts receivable; allowance for doubtful accounts; reserve for excess and obsolete inventory; depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment; goodwill and intangible assets; liabilities including contingencies; the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; warrant liability; and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimated.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-02, Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) and Vintage Disclosures (Topic 326): Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. This amended guidance will eliminate the accounting designation of a loan modification as a TDR, including eliminating the measurement guidance for TDRs. The amendments also enhance existing disclosure requirements and introduce new requirements related to modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. Additionally, this guidance requires entities to disclose gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables, such as loans and interest receivable. The ASU is effective January 1, 2023, and is required to be applied prospectively, except for the recognition and measurement of TDRs which can be applied on a modified retrospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The FASB is issuing this Update to increase the transparency of government assistance including the disclosure of (1) the types of assistance, (2) an entity’s accounting for the assistance, and (3) the effect of the assistance on an entity’s financial statements. The ASU was effective for annual reporting periods after January 1, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06 Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in An Entity’s Own Equity. ASU 2020-06 simplifies the accounting for certain convertible instruments by removing the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and for convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. As a result, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument with no separate accounting for embedded conversion features. Additionally, ASU 2020-06 amends the diluted earnings per share calculation for convertible instruments by requiring the use of the if-converted method. The treasury stock method is no longer available. For SEC filers, excluding smaller reporting companies, ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, ASU 2020-06 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company early adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022, using a modified retrospective approach.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-4 Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). This ASU provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The new standard was effective upon issuance and upon adoption can be applied prospectively to applicable contract modifications made on or before December 31, 2022. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this update, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. As a smaller reporting company, the guidance is effective for our fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.