UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
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TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from ______ to ______
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Commission file number: 0-12627
GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of Small Business Issuer as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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87-0407858
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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100 W. Broadway, Suite 650
Long Beach California 90802
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(310) 641-4234
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Issuer’s telephone number:
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Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $0.001 par value.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
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.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein and, will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company þ
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
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The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2012 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $3,993,000.
The outstanding number of shares of common stock as of March 20, 2013 was 333,683,502.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
Form 10-K
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report, including any documents which may be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, contains “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “Forward-Looking Statements” for purposes of these provisions, including our plans to cultivate, produce and market non-food based feedstock for applications in the biofuels market, any projections of revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding the timing and size of Jatropha harvests, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. All Forward-Looking Statements included in this document are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to us as of such date. We assume no obligation to update any Forward-Looking Statement. In some cases, Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or any of the Forward-Looking Statements will prove to be correct, and actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the Forward-Looking Statements. Future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any Forward-Looking Statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including any other factors referred to in our press releases and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent Forward-Looking Statements attributable to the company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Additional factors that may have a direct bearing on our operating results are described under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.
Introductory Comment
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” refer to Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation that was formerly a Utah corporation known as Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. and prior to its name change in 2008, was Medical Discoveries, Inc., and, unless the context indicates otherwise, also includes all of this company's U.S. and foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries through which this company conducts certain of its operations. To the extent applicable, depending on the context of the disclosure, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” may also include GCE Mexico I, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, in which we own 50% of the common membership interests, and our new wholly owned subsidiary, Sustainable Oils, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as well as our other subsidiaries.
Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. is not related to, or affiliated in any manner with “Global Clean Energy, Inc.” Readers are cautioned to confirm the entity that they are evaluating or in which they are making an investment before completing any such investment.
Overview
Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. is a U.S.-based, multi-national, energy agri-business focused on the development of non-food based bio-feedstocks. We have full service in-house development and operations capabilities, which we provide support to our own energy farms and to third parties. With international experience and capabilities in eco-friendly biofuel feedstock management, cultivation, production and distribution, we believe that we are well suited to scale our existing business.
Since 2007, our business focus has been on the commercialization of non-food based oilseed plants and biomass. We began with the development of farms growing Jatropha curcas (“Jatropha”) - a non-edible plant indigenous to many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, including Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. As a result of our acquisition on March 13, 2013 of Sustainable Oils, LLC and its operating assets, our biofuels operations have expanded into the development of Camelina sativa (“Camelina”) – an annual plant from the brassica family traditionally grown in northerly regions of the United States, Europe and Asia. We are focused on these two plants primarily because we feel they have the potential to produce oil seed crops economically, they generally require less water and fertilizer than many conventional crops, and can be grown on land that is normally unsuitable for food production or is fallow or idle due to crop rotation. Both Jatropha and Camelina oil are high-quality plant oils used as direct substitutes for fossil fuels and as feedstock for the production of high quality biofuels and other bio-based products. Both crops have been tested and proven to be highly desirable feedstocks capable of being converted into ASTM approved fuels. The term “biofuels” refers to a range of biological based fuels including bio-kerosene (a.k.a bio-jet fuel) biodiesel, renewable diesel, green diesel, synthetic diesel and biomass, most of which have environmental benefits that are the major driving force for their adoption. Using biofuels instead of fossil fuels reduces net emissions of carbon dioxide and other green-house gases, which are associated with global climate change. Both Jatropha and Camelina oil can also be used as a chemical feedstock to replace fossil and non-food based products that use edible oils in their manufacturing or production process. The residual material derived from the oil extraction process is called press-cake, which in the case of Jatropha is a high-quality biomass that has been proven and tested as a replacement for a number of fossil-based feedstocks, fossil fuels and other high value products such as renewable charcoal, fertilizers, and animal feed. Camelina press-cake or meal is high in Omega3 and has already been approved by the FDA as a livestock (animal) feed or enhancement in the United States.
Our business plan and current principal business activities include the planting, cultivation, harvesting and processing of these oil seed plants to generate plant based oils and biomass for use as replacements for fossil fuels and other high value products. Our strategy is to leverage our agriculture and energy knowledge, experience and capabilities through the following means:
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Own and operate biofuel energy farms for our own account.
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Own, operate and manage farms in a joint venture (JV) with either strategic partners or financial investors. We currently own three Jatropha farms in Mexico under such joint ownership arrangements:
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Contract with third party farmers (such as wheat and barley farmers) for the farming of significant acreage of Camelina sativa in the United States and many parts of Europe.
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Produce and sell certified Camelina seed based upon our patented, high-yielding elite varieties to farmers in the United states and internationally.
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Provide energy farm development and management services to third party owners of biofuel energy farms and to non-energy farmers looking to utilize energy crops in rotation or inter-cropped with their existing crops. Provide advisory services to farmers wishing to certify their farms under international sustainability or carbon certification standards, specifically the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) and Gold Standard Verified Emission Reductions (GS-VERs)
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Provide turnkey franchise operations for individuals and/or companies that wish to establish purpose specific energy farms in suitable geographical areas.
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The development of agricultural-based energy projects, like plant oil and related biomass, may produce carbon credits through the sequestration (storing) of carbon and the displacement of fossil-based fuels. Accordingly, in addition to generating revenues from the sale of non-food based plant oils and biomass, we are seeking to certify our farms, where practical to generate and monetize carbon credits. See, “Business--Carbon Credits,” below.
Organizational History
This company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah on November 20, 1991. On July 19, 2010, we changed the state of our incorporation from Utah to Delaware. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 W. Broadway, Suite 650, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California 90802, and our current telephone number at that address is (310) 641-GCEH (4234). We maintain a website at: www.gceholdings.com. Our annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other information related to this company are available on our website as soon as we electronically file those documents with, or otherwise furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Sustainable Oils subsidiary also maintains a website at www.susoils.com. Our Internet websites and the information contained therein, or connected thereto, are not and are not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Developments During 2012
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we achieved the following milestones in the development of this company:
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We continued to improve our balance sheet by removing legacy liabilities and improving revenues. These actions resulted in a profit for fiscal year 2012 of $63,287. This represents net profits reported in three of the last four years, and;
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We completed the development of our research farm in the Dominican Republic, which we are using to assess the growth of multiple varieties of Jatropha plants and explore the production of Camelina, and;
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We increased our asset base by more than $3.3 million, an increase of over 21%, while decreasing our liabilities by $1.9 million, a decrease of over 14%. We plan to continue to invest in assets and expand farming operations, and;
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We continued to provide management and advisory services to partners and third parties; and
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We raised an additional $5.6 million in project equity and financing for our jointly owned farms and for our parent company, Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.
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Recent Developments--Acquisition of Sustainable Oils
On March 13, 2013, The Company completed the purchase of certain assets, patents, and other intellectual property and rights related to the development of Camelina sativa as a biofuels feedstock (the “Camelina Assets”) from Targeted Growth, Inc., a Washington corporation. Also on March 13, 2013, we purchased all of the membership interests of Sustainable Oils, LLC, (SusOils) a Delaware limited liability company, from Targeted Growth, Inc. and the other, minority owner of that limited liability company. SusOils is a company that, since 2007, has been engaged in the development, production and commercialization of Camelina-based biofuels and FDA approved animal feed. Substantially all of the Camelina Assets were previously owned by SusOils and used in SusOils’ operations.
The Camelina Assets include: three issued U.S. patents on Camelina Sativa varieties; a substantial portfolio of other IP assets, all of the Seller’s intellectual property related to the research, development, breeding and/or genetic development of Camelina; germplasm; licenses, consents, permits, variances, certifications and approvals granted by any governmental agencies relating to Camelina operations; machines, equipment, tractors and vehicles used in Camelina operations; the name “Sustainable Oils” and the Sustainable Oils logo; and certain trade secrets, know-how, and technical data. As described more fully in this Annual Report, we intend to continue, and expand, the operations of Sustainable Oils, although such operations may be conducted under a new subsidiary. Our goal is to obtain additional funding for that subsidiary in order to fund the planned expansion of the Camelina operations previously conducted by Sustainable Oils, which is part of our growth plan.
We paid for the Camelina Assets by issuing to Targeted Growth, Inc. (i) a secured promissory note in the principal amount of $1,300,000 (the “Promissory Note”) and (ii) an aggregate of 40,000,000 shares of our common stock. Of the 40,000,000 shares, 4,000,000 shares will be held by an escrow agent for 15 months following the closing for the purpose of providing a partial security to support the indemnity provisions of the purchase agreement.
The purchase price for the Sustainable Oils, LLC membership interests was $100. Sustainable Oils’ assets include 295,000 pounds of “certified” Camelina seeds that we intend to sell to farmers this year and/or next year for the production of Camelina feedstock. The liabilities of Sustainable Oils include an approximately $2.3 million liability to UOP LLC, which is secured by a lien on the three patents we acquired as part of the Camelina Assets. The foregoing debt owed to UOP LLC will remain a direct obligation of SusOils and not of this company.
In order to facilitate our Camelina operations, we have also entered into a long-term license agreement with Targeted Growth, Inc. under which Targeted Growth granted us a world-wide, exclusive license for the use of certain of its patented intellectual property with our future Camelina operations. The license requires us to pay a royalty commencing with the commercialization of the covered intellectual properties. We have also subleased a portion of Targeted Growth’s Bozeman, Montana research facility, where SusOils had previously performed its research and development. We will continue Camelina research and development at that same facility with the support, as needed by certain employees of Targeted Growth, who will provide services to us under a separate Services Agreement, on an as needed, cost pass-through basis.
Business Operations
We are a multi-national energy agri-business with development and operations capabilities. We maintain in-house staff for the development, management, cultivation, production and distribution of plant-based feedstock used to offset fossil fuels. Our business plan and current principal business activities include the planting, cultivation, harvesting and processing of non-food based plants to generate seed oils and biomass for use in the biofuels industry, including the production of bio-jet, biodiesel and green diesel and renewable chemicals. As a co-product of our farming and production processes, we will also produce feedstocks and product streams that substitute and displace fossil- and edible oil-based inputs in many industrial processes, including fertilizer, paint and fossil fuel production.
Since the inception of the organization, our strategy has been to be a diversified bio-energy feedstock provider by growing and expanding our energy farming and processing business to include numerous bio-based feedstock crops. We plan to expand to the level where economies of scale and our methods of operations allow us to generate significant profits without the need for any government subsidies. The processes and procedures we employ to plant and cultivate our crops for our business are being continually refined in order to produce “best practices” for energy farm operations. By focusing on improving our farming practices and the technology we apply to our operations, we plan to operate economically, environmentally and socially sustainable energy farms which can replace fossil fuels or food based feedstocks at a production cost below the market price of their alternatives. By continuing to invest in research and development, and acquiring or strategically aligning with companies that possess leading-edge technology in plant genetics, we will continue to develop high-yielding energy crops that deliver renewable energy feedstock into the market at competitive prices.
Our strategy is to leverage our farming and energy knowledge, experience and capabilities through the following means:
Research Farms. In 2012, we completed land preparation and planting, and began operations on an energy farm in the Dominican Republic. This farm will be used to test and research the growth of multiple varieties of Jatropha and other oil seed plants in the Dominican Republic for future commercial farm expansion in the region. We plan to perform a full trial of Camelina on this property during 2013, and intend to add additional Research Farms in other locations around the world to determine the best varieties for specific growing regions. As our business progresses, we will continue to work on plant genetics, soil science and cultivation practices to improve short-, medium- and long-term yields.
Partnership Farms Owned Via Joint Ventures. We currently own three farms through joint venture arrangements with a third party financing source. Our first farm in Mexico (which we refer to as Asideros 1), is our largest farm with approximately 5,149 acres of land near Tizimin, in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The second farm (which we refer to as Asideros 2), consisting of approximately 5,100 acres, is located adjacent to the first farm. In 2011, we acquired our third farm (which we refer to as Asideros 3), consisting of approximately 5,557 acres, that is located approximately five miles from the first two Mexican farms. Asideros 1 and 2 have been previously prepared and planted with over 6.0 million Jatropha trees. Asideros 1 was planted with more than 20 varieties from around the world. In part because of this diversity, the seed production capabilities of Asideros 1 are uncertain and may not meet initial estimates. As a result, we are currently focusing operational efforts on Asideros 2, as it has the most current varieties and the greatest potential for production. We plan to utilize the germplasm selections from Asideros 2 or from our breeding program to improve the varieties on Asideros 1. Asideros 3 development is temporarily on hold until we determine the best producing plant selections from Asideros 2. To date, we have acquired all the permits and certifications necessary to develop Asideros 3 as an energy farm. On the first two farms. all the necessary roads and support infrastructure have been developed to support operations. The Jatropha trees on Asideros 2 are expected to gradually mature to become fruit bearing trees, commencing in 2013. Sales from these two farms to date have primarily consisted of seeds for propagation, biomass used for specialty purposes, and oil and biomass for testing by potential customers.
For additional information regarding our joint venture operations, see “Jatropha Farming Operations—Tizimin--Mexico Farm,” below.
Jatropha Farm Development and Management Services. The company continues to provide development and management services to unaffiliated companies and individuals who are planning the development and implementation of energy farms domestically and internationally. These services are provided on a fee-for-service basis. During the past three fiscal years, we have provided such advisory and management services for new Jatropha farm operations based in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, South America, Africa, and the United States. We plan to increase the level of development and management services that we provide as a means of generating near-term revenue and profits, and to allow us to fund the continued expansion of our technical services team.
Contract Farms. Our contract farming operations will focus on the production of Camelina. We will continue with the relationships established by Sustainable Oils, which are expected to allow us to quickly expand contract farming operations on non-company owned farms. Under the existing contract farm arrangement, we will sell our certified Camelina seeds to third party farmers who have the land, skills, labor and equipment to properly farm the land. We will also provide these farmers with “best practices” for Camelina cultivation and with the support of our technical services team of agri-business professionals. The farmers then grow the Camelina plants and sell the Camelina feedstock produced on their farms to us after the harvest (usually 80-100 days after planting). This procedure will allow us to quickly expand our business without the need to acquire land or any of the machinery, equipment or personnel to operate large farming operations. As of the date of this Annual Report, we already have commitments from a number of farmers in California and Montana to conduct Camelina operations under this contract farming format.
Franchise Jatropha Farms. We have established a program for offering franchise operations for Jatropha farms. This program consists of all of the necessary programs and procedures to establish and operate a profitable Jatropha farm. The program also entails establishing and providing methods to obtain all necessary equipment and supplies. To date, we have not entered into any such franchise agreements.
Our core activities consist of planting, cultivating, harvesting and processing non-food based oil seeds to generate liquid and solid feedstocks used in the biofuels industry and other high value, energy intensive industries where fossil- or plant-based oils are used as primary feedstocks. These industries include those that produce biodiesel and renewable diesel, renewable jet, and other high value biofuels and renewable chemicals.
We have identified the Jatropha curcas and Camelina sativa plants as our primary feedstocks for producing biodiesel and other biofuels, but we continue to research and test other plant species. The seeds from these plants contain oil with beneficial properties for the production of biofuels or as direct, drop-in replacements for fossil fuels. We plan to utilize the seed oils for producing biofuels and bio-chemicals, the presscake (the residue of oil seeds when the oil has been pressed out) from Jatropha as a solid fuel, and the presscake from Camelina as animal feed. The FDA has approved the use of Camelina presscake or meal as a protein-rich animal feed for cattle, poultry or swine. We currently use the fruit shell (hull) from the Jatropha fruit as a fertilizer to reduce our fertilizer input and costs.
The Jatropha plant is a perennial tree that produces inedible fruit that containing large seeds with a high percentage of high-quality inedible oil. Camelina is in the mustard seed family and produces small, very high oil content seeds that, like Jatropha, are well suited to the production of renewable fuels and bio-chemicals. Camelina oil-based jet fuel has been tested, approved and certified for use in multiple military aircraft, including several combat planes and helicopters. It is among the most highly tested and approved feedstocks for renewable fuels and chemicals to date.
We have identified strategic locations around the globe ideally suited to Jatropha or Camelina cultivation and processing. These locations have been selected for a number of key strategic reasons, including proximity to large ports for logistics purposes, relatively stable democratic governments, favorable trade agreements with the United States, low-cost land, reasonably priced labor, favorable weather conditions and acceptable soil conditions. We presently maintain farm properties in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, on which we have commenced planting Jatropha and where we conduct research and development activities focusing on plant genetics, soil sciences, plant breeding and other related activities. We also use these facilities for research conducted in collaboration with The Center for Sustainable Energy Farming (www.CfSEF.org). We continue to sponsor and support research to identify and develop improved Jatropha varieties, as well as to establish ideal growing conditions in order to maximize our output of Jatropha fruit, seed oil and biomass while reducing inputs and maximizing resistance to pests and diseases. We also have executed collaboration agreements with a number of developers and researchers around the world and are in process of establishing a number of additional joint research programs to test various “elite” varieties for their applicability in the Latin American market. With the recent acquisition of Sustainable Oils, we will expand these research initiatives to include Camelina.
Our primary focus remains the renewable feedstock oil market, and we will continue expanding our operations, primarily in the areas of planting, harvesting and sale of feedstocks to end users in the energy and bio-chemical industries. In the short term, we will continue our farm development activities and prepare for large-scale harvests of both Jatropha and Camelina seeds. We expect to generate short-term revenues through the sale of Jatropha and Camelina seeds for germination, and the sale of oil, biomass and presscake (meal) as a thermal fuel or approved animal feed. We continue to pursue the sale of our oil and biomass products into higher value, non-fuel, specialty markets like “green chemicals,” “green plastics,” and nutraceuticals. Some of these specialty sales could represent a significant source of future revenues at substantially higher profit margins than the renewable energy feedstock sales.
Our board, management, employees, partners, technical advisors and consultants are senior energy, agricultural and business professionals that possess extensive experience in the energy and alternative fuels market. Collectively, the group has over 100 years of experience in the production of biofuels, renewable energy, and the agriculture businesses. Accordingly, we have the resident expertise to provide development and management services to other companies pursuing biofuels and/or feedstock development activities, on a fee for services basis. As described below, we currently provide such biofuel consulting services in locations that are not directly competitive to our existing or planned sites.
Jatropha Farming Operations
Mexico.
We currently own 50% of the issued and outstanding common membership units of GCE Mexico. The remaining 50% in common membership units were issued to five investors affiliated with one of our largest stockholders (Global Clean Energy Holdings and the other members of GCE Mexico holding the common membership units are collectively referred to as “Common Members.”) In addition, an aggregate of 1,000 preferred membership units were issued to investors also affiliated with one of our largest stockholders (the “Preferred Members”). During 2012, one of the Preferred Members acquired the Membership units of the other Preferred Members and, as a result, is now the sole Preferred Member. As of March 20, 2013, the Preferred Members had provided a total of approximately $25 million to GCE Mexico for the purchase of the land underlying the three farms and for other operational purposes. It is expected that the sole Preferred Member will continue to fund the ongoing operations of GCE Mexico in accordance with the approved 2013 budget. This funding is expected to be necessary, and to continue until the Jatropha farms generate adequate funds to sustain operations. The Preferred Member is entitled to a preferential return on his investment, the accrued cumulative amount of which was approximately $4.9 million as of December 31, 2012.
Included in the approximately $25 million that has been provided to date by the Preferred Members of GCE Mexico, the Preferred Members directly funded the purchase by GCE Mexico of the land in the State of Yucatan in Mexico on which the GCE Mexico three farms are located. The purchase of land for the three farms was funded by mortgage loans, which cumulatively had an initial principal balance of $5,110,189. Each parcel of land was acquired in the name of one of GCE Mexico’s Mexican subsidiaries and is secured by a mortgage in favor of the Preferred Member. The mortgages bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum, and interest is payable on a quarterly basis to the extent the borrower has sufficient cash flow. If the borrower does not have sufficient cash to repay the interest on a current basis, then the loan agreement states that the unpaid interest will continue to accrue and will be payable when the borrower determines that it has sufficient cash to make the interest payment. The three mortgages, including any unpaid interest, become due in April, 2018, February 2019, June and October 2021.
GCE Mexico is managed under the supervision of a board of directors comprising four members, two of whom are appointed by us and two by the Preferred Member. However, we are the manager of the joint venture, and we manage the day-to-day operations of GCE Mexico and the operations in Mexico. GCE Mexico reimburses us for the cost of management of the joint venture and the farms, include a portion of our U.S. administrative expenses that are related to those operations.
The following is a summary of certain factors relevant to an understanding of the operations of the three Mexico farms:
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The Jatropha trees that we planted on the first farm approximately four years ago are continuing to grow and mature. We harvested small quantities of Jatropha fruit in late 2012. We commenced selling oil commercially in 2011 and expect additional revenues from the sale of Jatropha seeds/oil and biomass as a result of the 2013 harvest. Jatropha seeds can be harvested throughout the year. Accordingly, as the trees that we planted during the past several years mature, our harvests of Jatropha seeds will increase future revenues from our Mexican operations.
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Although some of our trees produced fruit and seeds in 2012, we expected a higher yield than we received. Due to a number of environmental conditions many of the trees underperformed and the yield did not materialize to the level we expected. Our Tizimin operations are eligible for agricultural and other subsidies provided to certain foreign owned farming operations by the federal government of Mexico. Through the year ended December 31, 2012, we received a total of $2,099,000 of subsidy payments. These subsidies have been used to defray some of the initial start-up and early adopter costs that we incurred in establishing these farms.
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Our Tizimin farms are being developed with the intent of providing non-food based feedstocks for the production of biofuels and to displace to use of food crops in the oleochemicals market. However, our development and cultivation of these farms has also enabled us to generate ancillary revenues from these operations. For example, we have received revenue from the sale of biomass (wood and agricultural waste removed from our farms as the land is cleared for Jatropha planting) which we plan to expand in 2013.
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Total capital used for start-up expenses and operations, since inception, for the three farms in Mexico (through March 16, 2013) is approximately $25 million (excluding subsidies received from the government of Mexico). All such funding has to date been provided by the investing partners of GCE Mexico, the joint venture that indirectly owns the three Mexican farms. Our investment partner has a priority right to receive revenues generated from these farms until the cumulative amount of their investment, plus a preferred return, has been returned to them.
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Belize.
On July 2, 2009, we purchased Technology Alternatives Limited, a company formed under the laws of Belize (“TAL”). TAL owns land in subtropical Belize, Central America, that was initially used as a Jatropha farm. The research functions from this farm have been relocated to our commercial farms in Mexico and the Belize farm currently is inactive. Accordingly, we are actively pursuing the sale of this asset. The net assets of the Belize farm are classified as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet. In connection with the acquisition, we currently owe the former owners approximately U.S. $263,000 ($516,139 Belize Dollars) based on exchange rates in effect at December 31, 2012. The notes are secured by a mortgage on the land. The notes are currently overdue, but the holders of the notes have not declared a default. We are currently in negotiations with a third party to sell the property. The former owners/current note holders have been informed of the land purchase offer that we received, and they have provided their preliminary approval of the sale. If the offer is accepted, the earliest a transaction could be completed would be the second quarter of 2013.
Camelina Farming Operations
On March 13, 2013, we acquired the assets and business of Sustainable Oils, LLC (SusOils), a Camelina research, production and market development company that has operated since 2007. Since its formation, SusOils has, among other things, developed new Camelina products, been issued three U.S.
plant protection patents on technologies it developed, arranged for the planting and harvesting of over 100,000 acres of Camelina in 10 states and Canadian provinces, performed Camelina research or field level trials in 34 US States and 6 Canadian provinces, as well as seven other countries (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand Ukraine and Saudi Arabia). SusOils has contract processed Camelina oil into renewable jet fuel that they supplied to the U.S. Navy’s aircraft fleet. During the years 2010 through 2012, Sustainable Oils generated over $20 million of revenues from its operations and incurred net losses in part due to its research and business development activities of over $5.8 million (unaudited estimate). Although we intend to utilize SusOils’ technologies and to capitalize on that company’s business development efforts, our business plan for the Camelina business differs from the Sustainable Oils business model. Specifically, at this time, we have no planned sales of oil to the U.S. military.
We currently intend to operate our Camelina business through a new subsidiary. We intend to capitalize that new subsidiary with the Sustainable Oils intellectual properties and operating assets that we recently purchased. In order to fund the operations and expansion of the Camelina operations, we intend to raise additional capital through the sale of debt or equity in the newly formed Camelina subsidiary. Sustainable Oils’ operations have been headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. We intend to continue to conduct our Camelina operations in Montana. Accordingly, in March 2013, we entered into a sublease with Targeted Oils, Inc., a Washington based crop biotechnology company focused on developing products with enhanced yield and improved quality for the agriculture and energy industries, to sublease a portion of Targeted Growth’s research facilities and administrative offices in Bozeman, Montana. See, “Item 1.02. Properties.”
In February 2013, the EPA issued a final rule that describes new fuel pathways to qualify Camelina oil (new feedstock) as an advanced biodiesel and renewable diesel (including jet fuel and heating oil). With the recent approval of Camelina oil by the EPA as an advanced biofuels feedstock under RFS, the new focus for SusOil is to quickly expand its footprint of planted acreage to achieve economies of scale and profitability. We plan to commercialize and expand its products into areas where the highest value can be obtained. This includes for various biofuels, renewable chemicals, specialty chemicals and high value animal feed. We will:
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Utilize established farmers with available land which is either fallow or idle due to crop rotation. By using their existing equipment and labor we will minimize capital costs and maximize resource utilization, increasing net revenue and profits to the farmers, and;
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Utilize existing regional processing resources. This will add incremental revenue to existing processing facilities and allow us to utilize facilities during slower or idle times, further adding revenue and profit for oil and meal processers, and;
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Expand Research & Development efforts to continue to increase yield from Camelina production. We will support our contract farmers with strong plant and soil science. This will further improve revenue and reduce unit production costs, generating additional revenue and profits to be shared with farmers and processers, and;
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Strategically locate “Camelina Farming Regions” near regional support services which include processing and logistics hubs, and;
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Develop strategic partnerships and supply agreements near “Camelina Farming Regions” throughout the U.S. and Europe to produce significant purpose-specific acreage, supplying more regional and local users. This will optimize logistics and processing costs and provide for higher revenue and profit, and;
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In 2014, our plan is to expand to over 50,000 planted acres to achieve economies of scale for growth, and;
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By 2022, our plan is to have 1.0 million acres of Camelina growing annually in the US, with additional international acreage.
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Principal Products
The Jatropha curcas and Camelina sativa plants will be our primary agricultural focus for the foreseeable future. Jatropha is a perennial, inedible tree, and all of its by-products can be used for either fuel, a vegetable oil substitute in non-food products of biomass-based energy production. It is a very efficient tree that produces high quality seed oil and high-energy content biomass. Camelina sativa is an annual plant grown primarily in northerly climates, including the United States, as a rotational crop with wheat and other food crops when land is either fallow or not being used. As a result, Camelina does not compete with food production or create direct land use change. We expect our principal products to include the biofuels oil feedstock, vegetable oil replacement and biomass derived from the cultivation and processing of the both plants. In addition, we expect to generate revenues from the sale of carbon credits earned from our agricultural operations.
Biofuels Oil Feedstock
The feedstock oil needed for the production of bio-jet, biodiesel, renewable diesel and green diesel that is currently available on the market today is primarily supplied from edible seed oils, including soy, canola (rapeseed), sunflower and palm. There are other types of feedstock that can be converted into biofuels, like animal fats and recycled cooking grease, but they make up a small portion of the market supply. Our primary source of biofuels feedstock will be from Jatropha and Camelina seed oil. One significant advantage of Jatropha and Camelina over other traditional oil seed crops is that they do not compete for resources with other crops grown primarily for food consumption.
Camelina sativa is a member of the mustard family, a distant relative to canola, and a relatively new and attractive entrant into the biofuels feedstock sector. Camelina plants are heavily branched, growing from one to three feet tall and have branched stems that become woody as they mature. As the reproductive cycle progresses, seed pods form which contain many relatively small, oily seeds. Because there is no seed dormancy in Camelina, it can be grown in multiple seasons and has a very short maturity curve.
Camelina can produce seeds with relatively little moisture and can be harvested early. It is classified as a low input crop and can survive on little water/rainfall, and it requires less fertilizer than many other crops. Camelina can be seeded and harvested with conventional farm equipment, making it a perfect rotation crop for existing farmers.
Camelina seeds typically contain between 35-38% oil and are high in omega-3 fatty acids. This makes the oil very desirable for biofuels production and the meal left after the oil has been removed is a very good option for livestock feed—competing directly with soy and canola meal.
Biomass Feedstock
The Jatropha plant produces a fruit (about the size of a walnut) containing three large seeds that contain 32%-38% oil content by weight. The non-oil components of the fruit, which represents 62-68% of the total fruit, contain high energy biomass (carbon values) that is an excellent source of feedstock for a number of energy producing processes including direct combustion, gasification, power production, and cellulosic ethanol (alcohol) production. Fifty percent of the energy in the Jatropha seed resides in the biomass.
Camelina produces a co-product from the oil extraction process which is a high protein press-cake (meal) that has been tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a livestock (animal) feed for cattle, chickens and pigs. This provides additonal revenue and reduces the net production cost of the crude Camelina oil, further improving project economics.
Carbon Credits
The production and use of biofuels reduces total global emissions – and corresponding anthropogenic climate change – by recycling carbon that has already been released into the atmosphere and preventing new, fossil-based carbon from being released.
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Growing perennial and annual crops, like Jatropha and Camelina, respectively, offsets the production and release of greenhouse gas intensive fuels and reduces total global emissions.
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Jatropha and Camelina derived biofuels also produce significantly less NOx, SOx and PM10, all of which contribute to regional pollution and global climate change.
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The development of agricultural-based energy projects, like plant oil and related biomass, may produce carbon credits through the sequestration (storing) of carbon and the displacement of fossil-based fuels.
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The international climate consensus that created the Kyoto Accord also prompted several state, regional and sub-regional climate initiatives, mandates and voluntary schemes that require or encourage entities to reduce overall emissions.
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Competing voluntary standards include the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS), the Gold Standard VER (GS-VER), Social Carbon (SC) and Climate Action Reserve (CAR).
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California passed Assembly Bill 32 making it the only state in the U.S. that currently has a functioning cap-and-trade program to limit overall greenhouse gas emissions.
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We continue to pursue the highest value market for our carbon credit development activities, and we anticipate our California Camelina operations will qualify for generating high-value, California compliant credits.
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In response to inaction at the federal level on issues of global climate change, California passed Assembly Bill 32 making it the only state that currently has a functioning cap-and-trade program to limit overall greenhouse gas emissions. Regulated parties, those emitting more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year, are required to hold carbon allowances – those given out by the state to create the “cap” – or carbon credits – those generated from offsetting CO2 emissions – equal to total CO2e emissions. We continue to pursue the highest value market for our carbon credit development activities, and we anticipate our California Camelina operations will qualify for generating high-value, California compliant credits.
With respect to the compliance market, Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) may be generated through Clean Development Mechanism registered projects in non-Annex 1 nations, which include Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Our current business plan contemplates the cultivation of multiple 20,000-hectare Jatropha energy farms. Assuming full maturity of a 20,000-hectare Jatropha farm, we have calculated that we will generate more than 250,000 metric tons of sellable carbon credits annually. If we include the potential to use Jatropha trees as a carbon sink, we estimate this will increase the sellable carbon credits to over 350,000 metric tons per year.
Technology
Camelina: On March 13, 2013, through the acquisition of SusOils we acquired three U.S. patents and two patent applications. The patents consist of the following:
(a) U.S. Patent Serial No. 12/945,420 entitled "Camelina Sativa Variety 'SO-40"
(b) U.S. Patent Serial No. 12/945,438 entitled "Camelina Sativa Variety 'SO-50"
(c) U.S. Patent Serial No. 12/945,455 entitled "Camelina Sativa Variety 'SO-60"
Jatropha: We do not currently possess any patentable technology relating to our Jatropha operations, but we have developed considerable know-how, trade secrets, and proprietary processes and procedures for farm development and operations management. We are currently engaged in research and development activities focused on improved Jatropha varieties, and we continue to expand on technical know-how and proprietary processes for optimizing the quality of our Jatropha yields, reducing operating costs and improving production capacity and efficiency. These research and development activities currently consist of plant biology and molecular genetic research, and are being conducted primarily through in-house research and in joint development activities with the non-profit Center for Sustainable Energy Farming. We continue to develop our proprietary Sustainable Energy Farming Systems and it is expected that patentable technologies will result from our research activities. However, there can be no assurance that patentable technologies will be developed, or if they are developed, that we would be the sole owners of such patents.
Any technology we develop will be in one of three main categories: (i) plant and soil sciences, (ii) agricultural technology and procedure development, or (iii) material processing and end use applications. Such technologies developed are expected to assist in reducing costs, improving efficiency and allowing us to move our products higher up the value creation.
Market
According to both the International Energy Agency (“IEA”) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) estimates, the world demand for crude oil in 2012 was approximately 89 million barrels per day, with approximately 20% of that demand being diesel and fuel oil (distillate fuel oil). This equates to a global consumption of distillate fuel oil of approximately 22.0 million barrels per day, or 337 billion gallons per year. At a 5% blend, the world market for biodiesel exceeds 16.8 billion gallons per year.
U.S. diesel fuel oil consumption for 2012 was over 57 billion gallons. At a 5% blend, the U.S. biodiesel market was over 2.85 billion gallons per year, which we expect will continue to grow.
As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , U.S. biodiesel refineries produced over 1.0 billion gallons of neat (100%) biodiesel fuel in 2012, from a reported 100+ active producers with a total capacity of over 2 billion gallons. This is just over 50% of capacity and represents approximately 1.8% of U.S. demand for diesel fuel. The trend of production and consumption of biodiesel is growing. In 2005, U.S. refineries produced and sold approximately 75 million gallons; in 2006, approximately 250 million gallons; in 2007, approximately 450 million gallon; and in 2008, approximately 678 million gallons; in 2009 approximately 506 million gallons. The drop in production in 2009 is primarily due to increased feedstock costs. In both 2011 and 2012 U.S. biodiesel production exceeded 1.0 billion gallons.
Our primary market is the direct sale of Jatropha and Camelina oil for biodiesel, renewable diesel, renewable jet fuel, green plastics and renewable chemicals. In addition we will sell biomass for energy production and animal feed and we will sell carbon credits we generate from our agricultural operations. Our primary customers are processors of biofuels and users of plant based oils for chemical production. We estimate that there are approximately over 100 biodiesel plants in the United States alone, which can
utilize up to 100% of our crude or refined Jatropha and Camelina oil. However, we expect to generate our highest revenues and greatest margins from customers who have logistical capacity on a water port accessible from the Gulf of Mexico or those located in close proximity to strategic Camelina growing regions. This will reduce redundant transportation costs and allow us to ship large quantities economically. These customers have historically paid a higher price for feedstock oil, since the majority of feedstock oil supplies have been shipped from the Midwestern United States. We anticipate that our key customer profile will include well-financed, low-cost biodiesel refiners and specialty oleochemical companies.
Camelina-based fuels have been tested by the U.S. military and on commercial aircraft. The U.S. Navy has tested and certified Camelina biofuel provided by Sustainable Oils as a 50-percent blend with regular jet fuel in the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-15 Eagle, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the F-22 Raptor. Sustainable Oils has provided nearly 500,000 gallons of Camelina-based hydrotreated renewable jet fuel (HRJ) to multiple branches of the U.S. military for its certification programs, making it the most thoroughly tested alternative fuel feedstock. This activity of the former company is not in the current business plan of GCEH. Jatropha oil has also been tested and approved by ASTM as an aviation biofuel feedstock. A number of airlines, including Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Continental Airlines, Aeromexico and the U.S. Department of Defense have successfully tested bio-jet fuel for commercial use. The ability of Jatropha oil to replace kerosene-based jet fuel is being studied to reduce the aviation industry’s dependence on traditional fossil fuels.
In February 2013, the EPA issued a final rule adding Camelina oil as an official advanced biofuel pathway for the production of biodiesel and renewable diesel (including renewable jet fuel and heating oil). We believe that this new rule will significantly expand the potential market for the Camelina feedstock that we intend to produce through our new Sustainable Oils/Camelina operations. This is a significant ruling as it is the first novel (non-food based) crop to be approved as a feedstock for the production of advanced biofuels under the national renewable fuel standards (RFS). This process took almost three years to complete.
In cooperation with Honeywell’s UOP and Emerald Biofuels, we submitted a pathway application for Jatropha oil to the EPA in June 2011. If it follows the same approval schedule as Camelina, it will be approved by mid-2014.
As our business develops, we expect to utilize industry professionals and distributors for the sale of Jatropha and Camelina oil and biomass in order to strategically target certain specialty markets and reduce overall costs.
Environmental Impact
Biofuels have social, economic and environmental benefits that are a major driving force behind their adoption. Using biofuels instead of fossil fuels reduces net emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses, which are associated with global climate change and adverse regional health impacts. Biofuels are produced from renewable plant resources that “recycle” the carbon dioxide created when biofuels are consumed. Life-cycle analyses consistently show that using biofuels produced in modern facilities results in net reductions of greenhouse gas compared to using fossil fuel-based petroleum equivalents. These life-cycle analyses include the well-to-wheel energy equivalent of farming and production of biomass, including harvesting, conversion, transportation and utilization. Biofuels help nations achieve their goals of reducing carbon emissions and reducing importation of foreign oil. They burn cleanly in vehicle engines and reduce emissions of unwanted products, particularly unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These characteristics contribute to improvements in local air quality and all associated health benefits. In a life-cycle study published in October 2002, entitled “A Comprehensive Analysis of Biodiesel Impacts on Exhaust Emissions, 2002,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) analyzed biodiesel produced from virgin soy oil, rapeseed (canola) and animal fats. The study concluded that the emission impact of biodiesel potentially increased NOx emissions slightly while significantly reducing other major emissions.
We believe there is sufficient global demand for alternative, non-food based inedible biofuel feedstocks to allow a number of companies to successfully compete worldwide. In particular, we note that we are the only U.S.-based public company producing non-food based inedible oils for the production of biodiesel, which gives us a unique competitive advantage over many foreign competitors when competing in the U.S.
The price basis for our oil and biomass products will be comparable to their edible oil and biomass equivalents. To date, we have not identified any substantial effort being undertaken for the commercialization of other inedible oils that could compete with Jatropha or Camelina. With the growing demand for plant-based feedstocks, and the high price of oil and biofuels, we anticipate that we will be able to sell our plant oils and biomass profitably.
Employees.
As of December 31, 2012, we had 281 full time employees, contract employees and consultants, of which 277 were employed by our subsidiaries in Mexico. The number of employees we employ fluctuates depending on our farm operations. Since our first two farms have now been fully planted, and since we have not yet commenced planting the third farm, we plan to reduce the number of employees in 2013. Neither this company, nor any of our subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreements.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below before deciding to invest in or maintain your investment in our company. The risks described below are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all of the potential risks relating to an investment in our securities. If any of the following or other risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or operating results and the trading price or value of our securities could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Related To Our Business
We have operated at a loss and will likely continue to operate at a loss in 2013 and for an uncertain period thereafter.
We have incurred an operating loss since our inception. We had an accumulated deficit of approximately $26,599,000, and a working capital deficit of approximately $1,581,000 as of December 31, 2012. Although we generated a net profit of $63,287 for the fiscal year then ended, we had a loss from continuing operations of $3,276,000 in fiscal 2012. A significant reason for the net profit in 2012 was the receipt by GCE Mexico of grants from the government of Mexico for use with the operations of GCE Mexico’s farm holdings and operations in Mexico. For accounting purposes, were recognized these government grants to our subsidiary as revenues. Also, we realized a gain of $1,013,000 from the settlement of legacy liabilities.
We are likely to continue to incur losses unless and until we are able to generate significant revenues from the sale of Jatropha products, the sale of Camelina seeds and feedstock, the sale of carbon credits, or from fees generated by providing Jatropha management advisory and consulting services. Although we anticipate that our revenues from these sources will increase during fiscal 2013 and thereafter, no assurance can be given that these revenues will be sufficient to maintain or grow our business or that we will be able generate net income in the future. The Camelina business and assets that we acquired in March 2013 are expected to generate significant new revenues in 2013, but the amount of these revenues is not projected to generate net profit for that division in 2013 nor for this company as a whole. Losses have had, and will continue to have, an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and the trading price of our common stock. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our Jatropha operations, we are unable to predict when we may become profitable, if at all. If we do not
become profitable or are unable to maintain future profitability, the market value of our common stock will be adversely affected.
Our projected revenue sources are tenuous, and no assurance can be given that all anticipated revenues will, in fact, be received. The Jatropha seed harvests from our Mexico operations have not met our expectations, and the amount of revenues that we may generate from our new Camelina business is still unknown. In addition, our current liabilities still significantly exceed our current assets, and the amount of revenues that we expect to generate in 2013 from our Jatropha-related consulting services, our new Camelina operations, and other sources may not be sufficient to fund all of our working capital needs. At present, the Company has sufficient funds to operate through the end of June 2013. The Company is in discussions with certain financing sources to provide financing for both Global Clean Energy Holdings and our new Camelina operations; however, no assurances can be given that we will receive some or all of the anticipated financing. Currently, the sole source of cash that we can classify as probable and material are the reimbursement payments that we expect to receive from our GCE Mexico subsidiary. However, the ability of GCE Mexico to make these payments is dependent upon additional capital contributions forecasted to be provided by the Preferred Member of GCE Mexico. While we have been informed that the investor in the GCE Mexico venture will continue to make the necessary capital contributions, no assurance can be given that he will, in fact, do so. The reimbursements from GCE Mexico are expected to cover only approximately 21% of our corporate overhead for the remainder of 2013. Although we anticipate that our new Camelina operations will generate significant revenues from the various agreements that are already in place, these revenues will not be sufficient to fund our working capital needs or generate any profits in 2013. In addition, all of the revenues that our GCE Mexico subsidiary may generate in 2013 from its Jatropha operations are expected to be used to operate the Mexico farms and will not be available to defray our corporate overhead expenses or pay any of our on-going costs of operations. If funds we receive from these sources are not sufficient to fund our operating needs, we will have to raise funds from other sources, such as the sale of securities, strategic partnerships, or governmental grants or loans. No assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain such funding, if needed. In the event that we are unable to raise additional capital, or the revenues we generate are not sufficient to fund our operating expenses, we may have to reduce and restructure our operations.
We may need significant additional capital in order to fund our expansion and the implementation of our business plan, which we may be unable to obtain. If we do not receive additional funding, we may not be able to achieve our business plan of further developing our biofuels business and we may even be forced to reduce our future operations.
In addition to generating funds to cover our operating expenses, we will need a significant amount of additional funding in order to (i) acquire and operate additional Jatropha farms, (ii) ramp up our new Camelina operations in accordance with our business plan, and (ii) otherwise implement our biofuels operations in accordance with our business plan. Our capital requirements for expanding our operations will be significant, and we do not currently have any of the funds that we expect to need for these purposes. Accordingly, we will need to obtain a significant amount of additional capital to continue to fund our operating expenses and to expand our Jatropha and Camelina businesses. To date, we have acquired approximately 15,000-acres of Jatropha farms that we own in Mexico through a joint venture with our financing partners. Cumulatively, our GCE Mexico investors have contributed over $24 million to the acquisition of Jatropha farm land in Mexico and to the operations of that business. However, pursuant to the terms of the Limited Liability Company Agreement for GCE Mexico, once our existing farms become profitable, all such earnings will first be used to repay the existing mortgages and then to repay the Preferred Members. Only after these obligations have been satisfied will the Company receive distributions from earnings of the existing farms. The lack of a near-term return on our Mexico operations may hinder our ability to raise capital to fund our own, company-owned Jatropha farms. We do not have binding commitments from any third parties to provide us with additional funds to finance either (i) the acquisition, development and operation of the Jatropha farms that represent an important aspect of our business plan or (ii) ramp up of our new Camelina business. While we have enough seeds on hand and arrangements in place to operate the new Camelina operations, the profitability of that new business depends on increasing the amount of Camelina that is grown and processed, which in turn requires
additional funding. Certain investors may be unwilling to invest in our securities since we are traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and not on a national securities exchange, particularly if there is only limited trading in our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time we seek financing. There is no assurance that sufficient funding through a financing will be available to us at acceptable terms or at all. Historically, we have raised capital through the issuance of debt and equity securities. However, given the risks associated with a relatively new and untested biofuels business, the risks associated with our common stock (as discussed below), and our status as a small, unknown public company, we expect in the near future, we will have a great deal of difficulty raising capital through traditional financing sources. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to raise capital, or if we are able to raise capital, that such capital will be in the amounts needed. Our failure to raise capital, when needed, and in sufficient amounts, will severely impact our ability to successfully operate our new Camelina business and to develop our Jatropha biofuels business. Any additional funding that we obtain in an equity or convertible debt financing is likely to reduce the percentage ownership of the company held by our existing security holders. The amount of this dilution may be substantial if the trading price of our common stock is low at the time of any financing from its current levels. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we are unable to obtain the needed additional funding, we will have to reduce or even totally discontinue our operations, which would result in a total loss to all of our shareholders.
We have limited operating history in the feedstock and biodiesel industries, which makes it difficult to evaluate our financial position and our business plan.
We commenced our current feedstock and biofuels operations in 2007. Since then, we have focused our efforts on developing our Jatropha business, including, among other things, acquiring our Jatropha farms through a joint venture, and cultivating Jatropha plants for the subsequent production and sale of Jatropha seeds, oil and biomass. Because our operations thus far have concentrated on establishing our Jatropha business, and because the Jatropha trees on our farms have only recently started producing Jatropha fruit, we have had limited sales of Jatropha seeds, oil and by-products to date. Thus, we have little operating history as a feedstock/biofuels company on which a decision to invest in our company can be based. However, to date, our first Jatropha farm has not operated at the level that we expected. Although we still believe that our GCE Mexico operations in general will be successful in the long term, the lack of success so far in Mexico has caused us to modify our business plan with respect to the operations of the three Mexico farms. The future of our company currently is dependent upon our ability to successfully harvest, market and sell the Jatropha products and to otherwise implement our business plan in the Jatropha business. While we believe that our overall business plan, if implemented as conceived, will make our company successful in the long term, we have limited operating history against which we can test our plans and assumptions, and therefore cannot evaluate the likelihood of success.
The Camelina operations that we recently acquired did not operate profitably, and no assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully operate that business.
On March 13, 2013, we bought the assets and business of Sustainable Oils, LLC, a Camelina research, production and market development company that has operated since 2007. Since its formation, Sustainable Oils has, among other things, developed new Camelina products, been issued three U.S. patents on technologies it developed, arranged for the planting and harvesting of over 100,000 acres of Camelina in 10 states and Canadian provinces, and has sold Camelina as feedstock for use a jet fuel that has been used by the U.S. Air Force. During the years 2010 through 2012, Sustainable Oils has generated over $20 million of revenues from its operations (unaudited estimate). However, during those three years, Sustainable Oils, LLC accumulated net losses of over $5.8 million. Although we intend to utilize Sustainable Oils’ technologies and to capitalize on Sustainable Oils’ business arrangements, our business plan for the Camelina business differs from the Sustainable Oils business model. No assurance can be given that we will be able to turn around Sustainable Oils’ operations or that our proposed new Camelina operations will be successful. While we project that our Camelina business will be profitable over the longer term, our internal projections assume, among other things, that we will raise up to $5 million of new capital for the Camelina operations and that we will be able to increase the total acreage of Camelina
planted during the course of a year to over 50,000 acres. No assurance can be given that we will raise the amount of capital needed to expand our Camelina operations, or that if we do raise the capital, that we will increase the amount of Camelina planted acres to the projected level.
The three U.S. patents that we own on Camelina technologies are encumbered by a first priority lien and could be lost to foreclosure.
On March 13, 2013, we acquired three U.S. patents on certain Camelina varieties. The three patents are subject to a lien in favor of UOP, LLC (a Sustainable Oils, LLC service provider) to secure a defaulted obligation in the amount of $2.3 million. Although Global Clean Energy Holdings did not assume this obligation and is not required to repay this amount, we will have to either repay or otherwise settle this obligation in order to remove the lien. The obligation currently is overdue and in default, and UOP LLC could foreclose on the three patents. We have initiated preliminary discussions regarding this lien with UOP LLC, but have not reached an agreement. In the event that UOP LLC were to foreclose on the three patents, our operations may be negatively affected.
Our Jatropha and Camelina operations are subject to all of the risks normally associated with large farming operations, including risks related to the weather.
Through our GCE Mexico I, LLC joint venture, we currently own approximately 15,000 acres of farm land in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico, which land is dedicated to the production of Jatropha biofuel and other related products. Of those 15,000 acres, 8,247 acres have been planted and contain Jatropha trees. The cultivation, planting, maintenance and harvesting of Jatropha trees is subject to all of the risks normally associated with the operation of large farms, including risks related to the weather, soil conditions, pests, insects, plant diseases, and plant selection and breeding. For example, our Mexico farms did not previously produce a significant harvest of Jatropha fruit because of the heavy rains and extended rainy season. No assurance can be given that the weather or other conditions will not adversely affect future harvests of Jatropha fruit at our Mexico farms. In addition, we have contracted with farmers in North America to plant and grow Camelina on their farms, which we intend to acquire for resale as biofuel feedstock. The planting, growing and harvesting of Camelina is also subject to all of the risks normally associated with farming activities in North America.
Because our interest in cash distributions from our Mexico joint venture is subordinated to the return of our investors’ investments and a 12% compounded annual return, we do not expect to receive any cash from our Mexico Jatropha farms for a number of years.
The Jatropha trees we planted in 2008 in the first of our Mexico Jatropha farms are now beginning to produce fruit, and, as a result, we anticipate that in 2013 and thereafter, our Mexico farms will generate increasing amounts of revenues. However, under our GCE Mexico I, LLC operating agreement, revenues from the Jatropha crop are first applied to our farm operating expenses, and then any excess cash flow is first used to return our GCE Mexico I, LLC investors’ investment in these farms and is then used to pay a cumulative 12% per annum preferential return on their investment. As of December 31, 2012, the total amount we have to pay our investors, including the preferential return, before any cash is distributed to us, was approximately $5.0 million. We currently do not anticipate that the Mexico farms we jointly own through GCE Mexico I, LLC will generate sufficient cash to repay this amount for at least several years. Accordingly, other than management fees that GCE Mexico I, LLC is required to pay us, we do not expect to receive any cash distributions from our majority ownership interest in this entity for several years. No assurance can be given that our investment in GCE Mexico I, LLC will ever generate sufficient revenues to repay our joint venture investors and return capital to this company.
Our Jatropha biofuels business is a new and highly risky business that has not been conducted on a similar scale in North America.
Our business plan calls for a large scale planting and harvesting of Jatropha plants, primarily outside of the United States, and for the subsequent production and sale of Jatropha oil (and other Jatropha
byproducts) for use as a biofuel in Mexico and in the United States. In addition to all of the risks normally associated with developing a new line of business, we will be subject to certain risks unique to our Jatropha biofuels business, including the large scale production of plants that have not heretofore been grown on large scale farms in Mexico, logistical issues related to the oil and biomass produced at such farms, market acceptance, uncertain pricing of our products, developing governmental regulations, and the lack of an established market for our products.
Our business could be significantly impacted by changes in government regulations over energy policy.
Our planned operations and the properties we intend to cultivate are subject to a wide variety of federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations, including those governing the use of land, type of development, use of water, use of chemicals for fertilizer, pesticides, export or import of various materials including plants, oil, use of biomass, handling of materials, labor laws, storage handling of materials, shipping, and the health and safety of employees. As such, the nature of our operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to such matters and there can be no assurance that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with such claims. In addition, these governmental regulations, both in the United States and in the foreign countries in which we may conduct our business, may restrict and hinder our operations and may significantly raise our cost of operations. Any breach by our company of such legislation may also result in the suspension or revocation of necessary licenses, permits or authorizations, civil liability and the imposition of fines and penalties, which would adversely affect our ability to operate and our financial condition.
Further, there is no assurance that the laws, regulations, policies or current administrative practices of any government body, organization or regulatory agency in the United States or any other jurisdiction, will not be changed, applied or interpreted in a manner which will fundamentally alter the ability of our company to carry on our business. The actions, policies or regulations, or changes thereto, of any government body or regulatory agency, or other special interest groups, may have a detrimental effect on our company. Any or all of these situations may have a negative impact on our operations.
Our future growth is dependent upon strategic relationships within the feedstock and biodiesel industries. If we are unable to develop and maintain such relationships, our future business prospects could be significantly limited.
Our future growth will generally be dependent on relationships with third parties, including alliances with feedstock oil and biodiesel processors and distributors. In addition, we will likely rely exclusively on third party farmers to plant, grow and harvest the Camelina plants from which we expect to obtain the Camelina oil feedstock. Accordingly, our success will be significantly dependent upon our ability to establish successful strategic alliances with third parties and on the performance of these third parties. These third parties may not regard their relationship with us as important to their own business and operations, and there is no assurance that they will commit the time and resources to our joint projects as is necessary, or that they will not in the future reassess their commitment to our business. Furthermore, these third parties may not perform their obligations as agreed. In the event that a strategic relationship is discontinued for any reason, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.
A significant decline in the price of oil could have an adverse impact in our profitability.
Our success is dependent in part upon the historic high price of crude oil and on the high price of seed oils that are currently used to manufacture biodiesel. A significant decline in the price of either crude oil or the alternative seed oils will have a direct negative impact on our financial performance.
There are risks associated with conducting our business operations in foreign countries, including political and social unrest.
All of our Jatropha farms are currently located in Mexico. We expect that most, if not all, of our future Jatropha operations will also be primarily located in foreign countries, particularly in Mexico. Accordingly, we are subject to risks not typically associated with ownership of U.S. companies and therefore should be considered more speculative than investments in the U.S.
For example, Mexico is a developing country that has experienced a range of political, social and economic difficulties over the last decade. Our operations could be affected in varying degrees by political instability, social unrest and changes in government regulation relating to foreign investment, the biofuels industry, and the import and export of goods and services. Our operations may also be affected in varying degrees by possible terrorism, military conflict, crime, fluctuations in currency rates and high inflation.
In addition, Mexico has a nationalized oil company, and there can be no assurance that the government of Mexico will continue to allow our business and our assets to compete with their interests. Our operations could be adversely affected by political, social and economic unrest in Mexico and any other foreign countries in which we commence agricultural operations.
We plan to grow rapidly and our inability to keep up with such growth may adversely affect our profitability.
We plan to grow rapidly and to significantly expand our operations. Recent examples of our expansion include the purchase of a third farm in Mexico, and the March 13, 2013 acquisition of the Sustainable Oils Camelina business and assets. In addition, we anticipate that the Camelina operations in North America will require us to maintain other offices and hire additional personnel. If we succeed in significantly expanding our operations, our growth may place a significant strain on our management team and other company resources. We will not be able to implement our business strategy in a rapidly evolving market without effective planning and management processes. If we grow significantly in our Jatropha or Camelina operations, we will have to manage multiple farms in various locations (some of which will be in foreign locations), hundreds of domestic and foreign employees, and relationships with various domestic and foreign strategic partners. To manage the expected growth of our operations and personnel, we will have to significantly supplement our existing managerial, financial and operational staff, systems, procedures and controls. We may be unable to supplement and complete, in a timely manner, the improvements to our systems, procedures and controls necessary to support our future operations, and consequently our operations will not function effectively. In addition, our management may be unable to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel, or successfully identify, manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities. As a result, our business and financial condition may be adversely affected.
Our business will not be diversified because we will be primarily concentrated in one industry. As a consequence, we may not be able to adapt to changing market conditions or endure any decline in the biodiesel industry.
We expect our business will be substantially dependent upon the success of our biofuel operations. Accordingly, we expect that a substantial majority of our revenues will be derived from bio-fuel operations (either from the sales of feedstock oil harvested from our Jatropha farms, the biodiesel production and sales of Jatropha or Camelina oil, the sale of carbon credits produced from Jatropha farms, and the development and management services related to the cultivation and production of Jatropha plants and biofuel). We do not have any other lines of business or other sources of revenue to rely upon if the markets for feedstock oil and biodiesel, or ancillary products decline. Our lack of diversification means that we may not be able to adapt to changing market conditions or to withstand any significant decline in the bio-fuels industry.
Reductions in the price of biodiesel, and decreases in the price of petroleum-based fuels could affect the price of our feedstock, resulting in reductions in our revenues.
Historically, biodiesel prices have been highly correlated to the Ultra-Low Sulfur (“ULS”) diesel prices. Increased volatility in the crude oil market has an effect on the stability and long-term predictability of ULS diesel, and hence the biofuels prices in the domestic and international markets. Crude oil prices are impacted by wars and other political factors, economic uncertainties, exchange rates and natural disasters. The demand for, and price of crude oil may decrease due to the predicted increase in the availability of crude oil and natural gas as a result of the recent significant increase in hydraulic fracturing, an extraction method that has made the extraction of oil and natural gas more available and economical. A reduction in petroleum-based fuel prices may have an adverse effect on biodiesel prices and could apply downward pressure on feedstock, affecting revenues and profits in the feedstock industry, which could adversely affect our financial condition.
Delays due to, among others, weather, labor or material shortages, permitting or zoning delays, or opposition from local groups, may hinder our ability to commence operations in a timely manner.
We could incur delays in the implementation of our plans to plant and harvest Jatropha or Camelina, or our plans for the construction of support facilities, due to permitting or zoning delays, opposition from local groups, adverse weather conditions, labor or material shortages, or other causes. In addition, changes in political administrations at the federal, state or local level that result in policy changes towards the large scale cultivation of Jatropha or Camelina, or towards biofuels in general, could negatively affect our future business, operations and profitability.
We may be unable to locate suitable properties and obtain the development rights needed to build and expand our business.
A significant part of our overall business plan assumes that we will be able to identify and develop agricultural properties (farms, nurseries, etc.) for the production of Jatropha and our other biofuels feedstock. The availability of land for this activity is a key element of our projected revenue generation. Our ability to acquire appropriate land in the future is uncertain and we may be required to delay planting, which may create unanticipated costs and delays. In the event that we are not successful in identifying and obtaining rights on suitable land for our agricultural and processing facilities, our future prospects for profitability will likely be affected, and our financial condition and resulting operations may be adversely affected.
Technological advances in feedstock oil production methods in the biodiesel industry could adversely affect our ability to compete and the value of your investment.
Technological advances could significantly decrease the cost of producing feedstock oil and biofuels. There is significant research and capital being invested in identifying more efficient processes, and lowering the cost of producing feedstock oil and biofuels. We expect that technological advances in feedstock oil/biofuel production methods will continue to occur. If improved technologies become available to our competitors, they may be able to produce feedstock oil, and ultimately biofuels, at a lower cost than us. If we are unable to adopt or incorporate technological advances into our operations, our ability to compete effectively in the feedstock/biofuels market may be adversely affected, which in turn will affect our profitability.
The development of alternative fuels and energy sources may reduce the demand for biofuels, resulting in a reduction in our profitability.
Alternative fuels, including a variety of energy alternatives to biofuels, are continually under development. Technological advances in fuel-engines and exhaust system design and performance could also reduce the use of biofuels, which would reduce the demand for biodiesel. Further advances in power generation technologies, using cleaner hydrocarbon based fuels, fuel cells and hydrogen are actively being
researched and developed. If these technological advances and alternatives prove to be economically feasible, environmentally superior and accepted in the marketplace, the market for biofuels could be significantly diminished or replaced, which would adversely affect our financial condition.
Our ability to hire and retain key personnel and experienced consultants will be an important factor in the success of our business and a failure to hire and retain key personnel may result in our inability to manage and implement our business plan.
We are highly dependent upon our management and on Richard Palmer (our Chief Executive Officer) in particular. The loss of the services of any of our management personnel may impair management's ability to operate our company or our ability to develop and manage our Jatropha farms and or new Camelina operations. We have not purchased key man insurance on any of our officers, which insurance would provide us with insurance proceeds in the event of their death. Without key man insurance, we may not have the financial resources to develop or maintain our business until we could replace such individuals or to replace any business lost by the death of such individuals. We may not be able to attract and retain the necessary qualified personnel. If we are unable to retain or to hire qualified personnel as required, we may not be able to adequately manage and implement our business.
Our operating costs could be higher than we expect, and this could reduce our future profitability.
In addition to general economic conditions, market fluctuations and international risks, significant increases in operating, development and implementation costs could adversely affect our company due to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These increases could arise for several reasons, such as:
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Increased cost for land acquisition;
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Increased unit costs of labor for nursery, field preparation and planting;
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Increased costs for construction of facilities;
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Increased transportation costs for required nursery and field workers;
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Increased costs of supplies and sub-contacted labor for preparing of land for planting;
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Increased costs for irrigation, soil conditioning, soil maintenance; or
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Increased time for planting and plant care and custody.
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In addition, our Jatropha farm operations will also subject us to ongoing compliance with applicable governmental regulations, including those regulations governing land use, water use, pollution control, worker safety and health and welfare and other matters. We may have difficulty complying with these regulations and our compliance costs could increase significantly. Increases in operating costs would have a negative impact on our operating income, and could result in substantially decreased earnings or a loss from our operations, adversely affecting our financial condition.
Fluctuations in the Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rate may adversely affect our reported operating results.
Our Jatropha farms are currently all located in Mexico. The Mexican peso is the primary operating currency for our Mexico business operations while our financial results are reported in U.S. dollars. Because our costs will be primarily denominated in pesos, a decline in the value of the dollar to the peso could negatively affect our actual operating costs in U.S. dollars, and our reported results of operations. We do not currently engage in any currency hedging transactions intended to reduce the effect of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on our results of operations. We cannot guarantee that we will enter into any such currency hedging transactions in the future or, if we do, that these transactions will successfully protect us against currency fluctuations.
We may continue to make future acquisitions, which will involve numerous risks.
In March 2013, we acquired Sustainable Oils and its business and assets. In addition, we may make other acquisitions of companies in the future to expand our bio-fuel sources, our products, or our customer base. The acquisition of Sustainable Oils, and the acquisition of other companies or businesses in the future, is subject to numerous risks, including:
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diversion of management’s attention;
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the effect on our financial statements of the amortization of acquired intangible assets;
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the cost associated with acquisitions and the integration of acquired operations;
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we may not be able to secure capital to finance future acquisitions; or
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assumption of unknown liabilities, or other unanticipated events or circumstances.
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Any of these risks could materially harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that any business that we acquire will achieve anticipated revenues or operating results.
Our future profitability is dependent upon many natural factors outside of our control. If these factors do not produce favorable results our future business profitability could be significantly affected.
Our future profitability is highly dependent on agricultural operations. There are many factors that can effect growth and fruit and seed production of the Jatropha plant and Camelina plants that produce our bio-fuel feedstock, including weather, nutrients, pests and other natural enemies of the plants. Many of these are outside of our direct control and could be devastating to our operations. All of our Jatropha agricultural operations are concentrated in the center of the Yucatan peninsula, near Tizimin, Mexico, an area that is subject to occasional periods of drought, excess rain, flooding, and possible Hurricanes. Jatropha trees require water in different quantities at different times during the growth cycle. Accordingly, too much or too little water at any given point can adversely impact production. While we attempt to mitigate controllable weather risks through water management and variety selection, our ability to do so is limited. Our operations in Mexico are also subject to the risk of hurricanes. Hurricanes have the potential to destroy crops and impact Jatropha production through the loss of fruit and destruction of trees either as a result of high winds or through the spread of windblown disease. Likewise, the ability of the North America Camelina farmers with whom we have contractual arrangements to produce the Camelina feedstock that we will need for our operations will, to a large extent, depend on the weather in North America. Recently, much of North America has experienced unusual, and somewhat extreme, weather conditions, which conditions may negatively affect Camelina farming and, therefore, our operations. Adverse weather conditions in either Mexico or North America may materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
Our stock is thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell your shares at or near the quoted bid prices if you need to sell a significant number of your shares.
The shares of our common stock are thinly-traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and on the OTCQB market, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common shares at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent. This situation is attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company which is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk-averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven, early stage company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we became more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as
compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot give you any assurance that a broader or more active public trading market for our common shares will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained. Due to these conditions, we can give you no assurance that you will be able to sell your shares at or near bid prices or at all if you need money or otherwise desire to liquidate your shares.
Our existing directors, officers and key employees hold a substantial amount of our common stock and may be able to prevent other shareholders from influencing significant corporate decisions.
As of March 16, 2013, our directors and executive officers beneficially owned approximately 20% of our outstanding common stock. These shareholders, if they act together, may be able to direct the outcome of matters requiring approval of the shareholders, including the election of our directors and other corporate actions such as:
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our merger with or into another company;
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a sale of substantially all of our assets; and
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amendments to our articles of incorporation.
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The decisions of these shareholders may conflict with our interests or those of our other shareholders.
The market price of our stock may be adversely affected by market volatility.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be volatile and could fluctuate widely in response to many factors, including:
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fluctuation in the world price of crude oil;
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market changes in the biofuels industry;
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government regulations affecting renewable energy businesses and users;
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actual or anticipated variations in our operating results;
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our success in meeting our business goals and the general development of our proposed operations;
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general economic, political and market conditions in the U.S. and the foreign countries in which we plan to operate; and
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the occurrence of any of the risks described in this Annual Report.
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Obtaining additional capital though the sale of common stock will result in dilution of shareholder interests.
We may raise additional funds in the future by issuing additional shares of common stock or other securities, which may include securities such as convertible debentures, warrants or preferred stock that are convertible into common stock. Any such sale of common stock or other securities will lead to further dilution of the equity ownership of existing holders of our common stock. Additionally, the existing options, warrants and conversion rights may hinder future equity offerings, and the exercise of those options, warrants and conversion rights may have an adverse effect on the value of our stock. If any such
options, warrants or conversion rights are exercised at a price below the then current market price of our shares, then the market price of our stock could decrease upon the sale of such additional securities. Further, if any such options, warrants or conversion rights are exercised at a price below the price at which any particular shareholder purchased shares, then that particular shareholder will experience dilution in his or her investment.
We are unlikely to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid dividends on our stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, and it is unlikely that investors will derive any current income from ownership of our stock. This means that your potential for economic gain from ownership of our stock depends on appreciation of our stock price and will only be realized by a sale of the stock at a price higher than your purchase price.
Trading of our stock may be restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission's penny stock regulations, which may limit a shareholder's ability to buy and sell our stock.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which generally define “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer's confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.
Not applicable.
Executive Offices. Currently, we operate out of offices located at 100 W. Broadway, Suite 650, Long Beach California 90802. Our leased offices consist of approximately 2,000 square feet and are leased at a monthly rate of $1.70 sq. ft per month. The term of the lease expires on August 31, 2013.
Mexico Farms and Facilities: As of March 20, 2013, we own the following three Jatropha farms through our GCE Mexico I, LLC joint venture:
1. Our first farm consists of seven separate parcels of land collectively representing 2,084 hectares (approximately 5,149 acres). We purchased these parcels in 2008. The farm is located approximately 12 miles northeast of Tizimin, Yucatan, Mexico and is approximately 110 miles from Merida and the port of Progresso, and 75 miles from Cancun. All of the land has been improved and we have completed planting on all of the planned farmland. We financed the purchase of this farm through a mortgage loan in the amount of $2,051,282, which bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
2. In March 2010 and June 2011, we purchased approximately 5,100, acres of additional land that is contiguous to our first farm. In 2012, we completed planting onthis farm. We financed the purchase of this farm through a mortgage loan in the amount of $963,382. That loans bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
3. In October 2011, we purchased approximately 5,557 acres of additional land for the development of a third Jatropha farm. This land is located in the same region, approximately five miles from our other two farms. We have planted a variety of Jatropha plants in our first two farms, and have used varying agricultural techniques to enhance the production of the trees in order to ascertain which variety is best suited for the region. We expected to commence preparing the third farm once we obtain more information about the Jatropha trees in our first two farms. We financed the purchase of this farm through a mortgage loan in the amount of $ 2,095,525. That loan bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
Montana Offices/Facilities. Our Sustainable Oils operations will be conducted primarily from Bozeman, Montana. In March 2013 we entered into a two-year sublease with Targeted Growth, Inc. for the use of a portion of Targeted Growth’s facilities in Bozeman, Montana. The leased space, consisting of a portion of the approximately 3,149 square feet building, may be used for bona fide biological research and for general office and administrative purposes only. The building includes a seed laboratory along with related equipment and storage facilities and greenhouse space required for a breeding program. We have agreed to pay our pro rata portion of the expenses of the building, including a portion of the rent, utilities, and insurance, which rental payments vary depending on how much of each portion of the building we utilize.
From time to time, the Company may become a party to other legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business, although it is not currently involved in any such material legal proceedings.
Not applicable.
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MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
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Shares of our common stock are traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and on the OTCQB market under the symbol “GCEH.” The following table sets forth the range of closing prices for our common stock for the quarters indicated. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-ups, markdowns or commissions, and may not represent actual transactions.
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Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
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High Bid
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Low Bid
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First Quarter
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$ |
.04 |
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$ |
.03 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
.02 |
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$ |
.02 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
.02 |
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$ |
.01 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
.01 |
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$ |
.01 |
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Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2011
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High Bid
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Low Bid
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First Quarter
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$ |
.034 |
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$ |
.018 |
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Second Quarter
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$ |
.050 |
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$ |
.020 |
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Third Quarter
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$ |
.050 |
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$ |
.036 |
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Fourth Quarter
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$ |
.042 |
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$ |
.020 |
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Shareholders
As of March 16, 2013, there were approximately 1,500 holders of record of our common stock, not including any persons who hold the stock in “street name.”
Dividends
We have not paid any dividends on our common stock to date and do not anticipate that we will pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Any payment of cash dividends on our common stock in the future will be dependent upon the amount of funds legally available, our earnings, if any, our financial condition, our anticipated capital requirements and other factors that the Board of Directors may think are relevant. However, we currently intend for the foreseeable future to follow a policy of retaining all of our earnings, if any, to finance the development and expansion of our business and, therefore, do not expect to pay any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table contains information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012:
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Plan Category
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Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
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Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
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Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in the First Column)
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Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
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1993 Incentive Plan (1)
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3,383,000 |
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$ |
0.03 |
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-- |
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2002 Stock Incentive Plan (1)
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20,000,000 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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-- |
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2010 Equity Incentive Plan
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15,980,000 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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4,020,000 |
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Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Options
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1,350,000 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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Warrants
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54,784,145 |
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$ |
0.02 |
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Total
____________________
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95,497,145 |
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4,020,000 |
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(1) These incentive plans have expired and no additional options or awards can be granted under either of these plans.
Recent Issuances Of Unregistered Securities
We did not issue any unregistered securities during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 that were not previously reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K.
Repurchase of Shares
We did not repurchase any of our shares during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report.
Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.
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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
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Overview
During the past three years, we have focused our efforts on acquiring, improving, and planting Jatropha farms (which are located in Mexico). To date, most of the Jatropha trees that we planted in our new farms have not been mature enough to bear significant amount of Jatropha fruit from which we could produce commercial quantities of Jatropha oil. Most of the trees that we planted are now, however, maturing to the point that they can produce a normal harvest. As a result, we anticipate that our farms will commence generating increased revenues in 2013. Last year we finished planting Jatropha trees on our second farm, and therefore anticipate that those trees will likewise start bearing fruit in late 2013 and early 2014. We have also purchased a third farm, although we do not expect to start cultivating and planting Jatropha trees on this third farm until we have obtained the results of the testing program we conducted on our first two farms to determine the best varieties of Jatropha and the best agricultural practices. As these newly planted trees mature they will bear fruit from which we can produce Jatropha oil. Because our farms are still developing and our agricultural practices are still evolving, we are unable to accurately predict the amount of fruit and Jatropha oil that our farms will produce. Nevertheless, with the additional productive trees, revenues from our farm are expected to increase in the future.
Our Mexican farming operations are managed by us through our wholly owned Mexican subsidiary, Global Energias Renovables, and the farm labor is employed through GCE Mexico I, LLC (“GCE Mexico”), our majority-controlled subsidiary. GCE Mexico obtains its funding from on-going equity contributions of the unaffiliated investors of that entity. Revenues generated, and expected to be generated, by the operations of GCE Mexico’s three farms will be used by that entity, and profits, if any, will be distributed to all owners of GCE Mexico (including this company).
We currently receive monthly payments from GCE Mexico to reimburse us for our expenses (including an allocation for overhead expenses) related to the management of the Mexico operations. In addition to the reimbursements we receive for managing GCE Mexico and the three Mexico farms, this company (Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.) generates revenues from fees received for providing advisory and consulting services to third parties regarding Jatropha farms and the uses of Jatropha biodiesel. Other than subsidies received from the Government of Mexico, these management/advisory service fees and the reimbursement payments from GCE Mexico I, LLC have been our principal sources of cash flow.
In March 2013, we acquired the Camelina assets and operations of Sustainable Oils, LLC, a company that, since 2007, has been engaged in the development, production and commercialization of Camelina-based biofuels. Sustainable Oils has generated over $20 million of revenues during the past three years of its operations, and we anticipate that we will continue to conduct much of its operations in 2013 and thereafter. In connection with the purchase of the Camelina business and operations, we also acquired 295,000 pounds of “certified” Camelina seeds, which seeds we intend to sell to farmers this year. The sale of these seeds, and the sale of the Camelina feedstock that the seeds will produce, are expected to generate revenues this year. Sustainable Oils has not, to date, operated profitably. No assurance can be given that our business plan for the Camelina business will result in profitable operations. Sustainable Oils is a wholly-owned subsidiary. Its liabilities include an approximately $2.3 million liability to UOP LLC, which debt is secured by a lien on the three patents we acquired as part of the purchase of the Camelina assets from Targeted Growth, Inc. The foregoing debt owed to UOP LLC will remain a direct obligation of Sustainable Oils; the debt has not been assumed by this Company.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets, liabilities, sales and expenses in the accompanying financial statements. Critical accounting policies are those that require the most subjective and complex judgments, often employing the use of estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Agricultural Producer. All costs incurred including the actual planting of the Jatropha trees are capitalized as plantation development costs, and are included in “Property and Equipment” on the balance sheet. Plantation development costs are being accumulated in the balance sheet during the development period and will be accounted for in accordance with accounting standards for Agricultural Producers and Agricultural Cooperatives. The direct costs associated with each farm and the production of the Jatropha revenue streams have been deferred and accumulated as a noncurrent asset and are included in “Deferred Growing Costs” on the balance sheet. Other general costs without expected future benefits are expensed when incurred.
Certain other critical accounting policies, including the assumptions and judgments underlying them, are disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report. However, we do not believe that there are any alternative methods of accounting for our operations that would have a material effect on our financial statements.
Results Of Operations
Revenues. During the years ended December 31, 2012, (‘fiscal 2012”) and December 31, 2011 (“fiscal 2011”) , we recognized revenues of $1,136,083 and $1,277,385, respectively. The revenues that we generated in 2012, and 2011 primarily represent government subsidies received and fees earned for Jatropha related advisory services we rendered to third parties. To a lesser extent, revenues also include sales of Jatropha seeds and other products (waste wood, Jatropha seed husks, etc.) from our Mexico farms. Since we acquired our first Jatropha farm in 2008, we have been engaged in cultivating the farms and planting Jatropha trees. The Jatropha trees in our first farm have not produced the amount of fruit that we anticipated. While the varieties of Jatropha trees planted in our second farm are expected to produce more fruit, the size of our harvests from our second farm are currently uncertain. The trees on the second farm are expected to produce their first significant harvest at the end of 2014, while reaching maturity in 2017.
The decrease in revenues in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011 is the result of a decrease in subsidy payments received from the Mexican government, which decrease was partially offset by an increase in Jatropha farm advisory fees received from third parties, and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in revenues generated from the sale of our Jatropha farm products. Our goal in 2013 is to substantially
increase the revenues derived from the operations of our farms and to continue to generate fees from advisory services that we render to third parties.
General And Administrative Expenses. Our general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2012, and fiscal 2011 were $2,069,309 and $2,087,447, respectively. General and administrative expenses principally consist of officer compensation, outside services (such as legal, accounting, and consulting expenses), share-based compensation, and other general expenses (such as insurance, occupancy costs and travel).
Plantation and Operating Costs. We recorded plantation and operating costs of $826,227 and $454,947 for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. Materially, all costs incurred, on the farms, are related to cultivation and harvesting. The increased cost in 2012 is materially related to severance costs incurred related to the scaling back of the farm. Since the farm has now been fully planted, and because of a reduction in on-going cultivation activities at that farm, we reduced the number of employees at our Mexican farms. We incurred severance expenses in connection with that reduction.
Write Down of Impaired Long Lived Assets. During 2012 we recorded an impairment charge of $1,639,815 in the fair value and the carrying value of our first Jatropha farm in Mexico. This write off includes approximately 313 hectares (773 acres) of our first Jatropha farm in Mexico which is now considered to be fallow because the trees that we planted have not produced vegetative growth for the age of the trees, appear to have bad origins and inadequate land preparation, and have no resistance to fungus. The trees on these acres are not expected to produce a yield or generate any future revenues and, accordingly, an impairment charge was recorded in 2012. There was no impairment charge and no related nonrecurring fair value measurement, for the period ended December 31, 2011.
Other Income/Expense. The principal component of Other Income/Expense for fiscal 2012 was the $1,013,387 gain that we recognized from the settlement and write off of liabilities. Gain on settlement of liabilities represents gains we realized by discharging historic liabilities (most of which were incurred while this company operated as a developmental-stage bio-pharmaceutical company) at less than the accrued amount of such liabilities. There was a gain of $1,024,076 on the settlement and write off of liabilities in fiscal 2011.
Interest Income/Expense. In fiscal 2012, we incurred $857,439 of interest expense, compared to interest expense of $608,068 in fiscal 2011. This increase in interest expense is primarily due to the increase in debt associated with the acquisition of additional land for our farm operations in Tizimin, Mexico. We currently own approximately 15,000 acres of land in Mexico that is subject to interest bearing mortgages, compared to approximately 8,849 acres of such land owned in 2011.
Income from Discontinued Operations. During the fiscal 2012, we did not recognized any income or losses from these discontinued operations, compared to $574 of loss we recognized in fiscal 2011. The income from discontinued operations in fiscal 2011 was the result of foreign currency exchange rate gains on remaining liabilities associated with our former bio-pharmaceutical business, which are denominated in euros.
Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest. Our Mexico farm operations are owned through GCE Mexico I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GCE Mexico”). We own 50% of the common membership interests of GCE Mexico and one investor currently owns own the other 50% of the common membership interests. The proceeds from the sale of the preferred membership units, and from subsequent capital contributions, have been used to fund the operations of Asideros Globales Corporativo 1 (“Asideros 1”) and Asideros Globales Corporativo 2 (“Asideros 2”), each of which have acquired land in Mexico that, collectively, constitute our first two Jatropha farms. Asideros Globales Corporativo 3 (“Asideros 3”) acquired our third farm in October 2011, but had no impact on the results of our operations. We own 1% of Asideros 1, Asideros 2 and Asideros 3, and the balance is owned by GCE Mexico. Accordingly, we own 50.5% of Asideros 1, Asideros 2 and Asideros 3 either directly or through our common membership interest in GCE Mexico. As such, our consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Asideros farm entities. Under GCE Mexico’s LLC Agreement, the net loss allocated from these entities to GCE Mexico is then further allocated to the members of GCE Mexico according to the investment balances. Accordingly, since the common membership interest did not make a capital contribution, all of the losses allocated to GCE Mexico have been further allocated to the preferred membership interest. The net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations represents the allocation of the net loss of GCE Mexico to the preferred membership interests.
Net income/loss attributable to Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. In fiscal 2012, we incurred a loss from operations of $3,275,915, compared to a loss from operations of $1,265,009 in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the loss from operations was due in part to the $141,302 decrease in revenues and the $371,280 increase in plantation development costs. Additionally, management incurred losses of $521,992 from impaired assets. However, in fiscal 2012, we realized net income attributable to Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. of $63,287 because of the $1,013,387 gain from the settlement and write off of liabilities. Our net income attributable to Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. in fiscal 2011 was $271,136. In fiscal 2011, we realized $1,024,076 of gains from the settlement and write off of liabilities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2012, we had $942,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of $1,581,000, as compared with $677,000 in cash and a working capital deficit of $1,727,000 at December 31, 2011.
Of the cash and cash equivalent balances as of December 31, 2012, $22,209 represent funds to be used for general corporate purposes. The remaining balance is anticipated to be used in the operations of the Tizimin, Mexico farms owned by that joint venture. As a result, the GCE Mexico I, LLC funds will not be available to us for our working capital or other purposes, and are not available to us to repay indebtedness.
Based on the funds we have available, and on the proceeds we expect to receive during this year from our operations, we do not believe that we have sufficient funds to pay all of our 2013 projected administrative and other operating expenses. We also do not have sufficient cash to repay all of our current liabilities should we be required to do so, nor do we have any funds available to make any capital investments.
Our cash requirements consist of cash required to fund (i) the corporate overhead and operating expenses of Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., (ii) our operations at our three farms in Mexico, and (iii) our new Camelina operations. Our liquidity needs for each of these categories is described below:
Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. Since our inception, we have financed our working capital needs primarily (i) through private sales of equity and debt financing, and (ii) from fees that we have generated by providing consulting and advisory fees to third parties related to Jatropha farm operations and the uses of Jatropha as a biofuel. Part of our corporate overhead (the functions related to our operations in Mexico) has been funded through reimbursement payments we receive from GCE Mexico I, LLC (“GCE Mexico”). During 2012, we received overhead reimbursements of $338,124 from GCE Mexico. We expect to continue to receive fees under a farm management agreement for our Dominican Republic farm through 2013 along with farm management fees from GCE Mexico. Also, in fiscal 2012 we earned advisory fees of $347,048 from third party advisory service clients. However, while we anticipate that we will continue to generate advisory service fees in the near term, we do not have any long-term consulting agreements. Accordingly, the amount of advisory fees that we may receive in 2013 is uncertain and is not expected alone to be sufficient to fund our entire working capital needs. We also expect to receive royalty payments from the legacy pharmaceutical assets we sold in 2009 to Curadis GmbH. In February 2012, Curadis GmbH informed us that it has licensed certain of the technologies that we sold to it, and, as a result that we will be receiving a royalty of 4.5% of all net sales of products sold using the licensed technology. In 2012 we received $24,921 from Curadis under this new licensing arrangement. The foregoing revenues that we anticipate receiving during the next twelve months are not,
however, expected to be alone sufficient to fund all of our projected working capital needs for the next twelve months. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will have to obtain additional equity financing in 2013 to fund our anticipated working capital deficit.
To date, we have not consummated any portion of our targeted equity raise for 2013, and we have not identified the sources for all of the required equity. Certain investors may be unwilling to invest in our securities since we are traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and not on a national securities exchange, particularly if there is only limited trading in our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board at the time we seek financing. The volume and frequency of such trading has been limited to date. There is no assurance that sufficient funding through a financing will be available to us at acceptable terms or at all. Any additional funding that we obtain in a financing is likely to reduce the percentage ownership of the company held by our existing security holders. The amount of this dilution may be substantial based on the trading price of our common stock. If we do not raise additional funds, we may be required to reduce or otherwise restructure our operations.
In 2009, we purchased all of the outstanding capital stock of Technology Alternatives Limited, a company formed under the laws of Belize (“TAL”), from its four shareholders. TAL, now our wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a 400-acre farm in subtropical Belize, Central America, which was used for Jatropha farming purposes. We paid part of the purchase price of TAL by issuing four promissory notes to the four former owners. These notes are secured by a lien on the 400-acre farm and have an aggregate initial principal balance of $516,139 Belize Dollars (approximately U.S. $263,000 based on exchange rates in effect at March 20, 2012). The promissory notes have matured, but the holders of the notes have not declare a default. We have determined that the operation of the Belizean farm is not economical given its small size and remote location, and that this development of this farm was not an efficient use of corporate capital. Therefore, we have ceased operations at that farm and have relocated its research and farm assets to our Mexico farms. We have reclassified the Belizean farm as an investment property and are currently attempting to sell the property. We are currently in negotiations with a third party to sell the property. The former owners/current note holders have been informed of the land purchase offer that we received, and they have provided their preliminary approval of the sale. If the offer is accepted, the earliest a transaction could be completed would be the second quarter of 2013. If the land is sold, any net proceeds will be used for our working capital purposes.
GCE Mexico I, LLC. Our business plan calls for us to acquire, develop and operate large Jatropha farms for the purpose of harvesting Jatropha oil for use as a biofuel. The cost of acquiring and developing these farms significantly exceeds our current funding capabilities. Accordingly, we have funded the acquisition of the three Mexico Jatropha farms through the GCE Mexico joint venture. We currently own 50% of the issued and outstanding common membership units of GCE Mexico. The remaining 50% in common membership units were originally issued to five investors affiliated with two of our largest stockholders. In December 2012, one of our preferred members acquired the interests of the other member. This company’s ownership position in GCE Mexico has remained unchanged. In addition, preferred membership units were issued to two affiliates of our two largest stockholders. As of March 20, 2013, the unaffiliated member of GCE Mexico has provided over $25.0 million to GCE Mexico since the formation of that entity. Distributions of available cash from GCE Mexico will first be used to return the foregoing capital contributions, plus an annual 12% preferred return, and will then be distributed 50% to this company, and 50% to the investor. Because the three Jatropha farms owned through GCE Mexico are new farms (only one of which is expected to generate significant revenues in 2013), we do not project that cash distributions will be made to Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. for several years.
The operations of the three farms owned through GCE Mexico have, to date, been funded (i) primarily by the foregoing capital contributions made by the third party investors in GCE Mexico and, (ii) to a lesser extent, by government subsidies and by revenues generated by that entity (the farms have generated some revenues from the sale of biomass and oil). The seed production from the first of the three farms owned through GCE Mexico has, to date, not met our expectations. We are currently working on steps to increase the yield from the first farm, but such steps are not expected to significantly improve that farm’s operations in 2013. The second GCE Mexico farm is expected to have a higher yield than the first
farm, but because the GCE Mexico operations are still relatively new, we are unable to estimate the amount of revenues that the two planted GCE Mexico farms may generate in 2013 from Jatropha oil and seed sales. However, the revenues from the two operating farms will not be sufficient to pay the operating costs of GCE Mexico in 2013. We have submitted a budget to the third party investor of GCE Mexico for the 2013 operating expenses of GCE Mexico, and he has acknowledged his intent to contribute sufficient additional funds to pay the budgeted cash requirements during 2013. Based on these assurances, we anticipate that we will have sufficient funds to operate our Mexico farms in 2013. No assurance can, however, be given that the costs of operating the Mexico farms will not exceed our budget or that our GCE Mexico investor will, in fact, fund the budgeted amounts.
Camelina Operations. In March 2013, we acquired the business and assets of Sustainable Oils, LLC, a company that has been engaged in developing Camelina products since 2007. Sustainable Oils has generated over $20 million in revenues during the past three years, but has incurred a loss of approximately $5.8 million during that time. The new Camelina operations will require a significant amount of additional cash to scale up its operations and to reach profitable operations. Our goal is to capitalize that new subsidiary with the Sustainable Oils intellectual properties and operating assets that we recently purchased, and then to fund the operations and expansion of the Camelina operations with new debt or equity that we intend to raise specifically for the Camelina subsidiary. While we have been in discussions with a number of sources for the additional funding, we have not entered into any binding arrangements for the desired amount of new funding. No assurance can be given that we will obtain the additional capital necessary to operate and grow our new Camelina operations. In the event that we do not obtain the necessary amount of financing to properly operate and scale up our new Camelina operations, those operations are expected to continue to operate at a loss. Without the additional funding, we may have to re-evaluate our planned Camelina operations and, if we cannot restructure the Camelina operations, we may have to terminate and abandon that business.
Other Liquidity Needs. Our business plan also calls on us to purchase our own Jatropha farms (in Mexico, or elsewhere). Any such expansion will require a significant infusion of additional capital. Because of our negative working capital position, we currently do not have the funds necessary to acquire and cultivate additional farms solely for our own account. In order to purchase Jatropha farms for our own account, or to acquire or build facilities to process our own Jatropha oil, we will have to obtain significant additional capital through the sale of equity and/or debt securities, the forward sale of Jatropha oil and carbon offset credits, and from other financing activities. No assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain sufficient capital from these sources. The trading price of our common stock and the continued risk aversion in the equity and debt markets are expected to make it more difficult to obtain financing through the issuance of equity or debt securities. The sale of additional equity or debt securities may result in further dilution to our existing stockholders, and new equity securities that we may issue may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common stock. If additional financing is not available or is not available on acceptable terms, we will not be able to complete our business plan and expand our operations as planned.
Inflation and changing prices have had no effect on our continuing operations during our two most recent fiscal years.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company.”
Financial Statements are referred to in Item 15, listed in the Index to Financial Statements and filed and included elsewhere herein as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
None.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures which are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer (“Certifying Officers”), to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosures.
In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report, our Certifying Officers evaluated the effectiveness of management’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of December 31, 2012, in accordance with Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that management’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2012.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, and for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
Internal control over financial reporting is intended to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets, (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors, and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Management, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm as such attestation is not required for non-accelerated filers such as us pursuant to applicable SEC rules.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
None.
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DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
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The following table sets forth the name, age and position held by each of our executive officers and directors. Directors are elected for a period of one year and thereafter serve until the next annual meeting at which their successors are duly elected by the stockholders.
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Name
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Age
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Position
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David R. Walker (1)
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68
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Chairman of the Board
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Richard Palmer
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52
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Donald J. Murray
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52
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Interim Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Martin Wenzel(1)
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54
|
Director
|
|
(1)
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Member of our Audit Committee
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Business Experience and Directorships
The following describes the backgrounds of current executive officers and directors. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Walker and Mr. Wenzel are independent directors as defined in the Nasdaq rules governing members of boards of directors.
David R. Walker
David R. Walker joined the Board of Directors on May 2, 1996, and was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors on May 10, 1998. He has served as Chairman of the Audit Committee since its establishment in 2001. For over 20 years, Mr. Walker has been the General Manager of Sunheaven Farms, the largest onion growing and packing entity in the State of Washington. In the capacity of General Manager, Mr. Walker performs the functions of a traditional chief financial officer. Mr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Brigham Young University with minors in accounting and finance.
The Board believes that Mr. Walker’s experience regarding the operation and management of large-scale agricultural farms and his experience as a financial officer are valuable resources to our Board in formulating business strategy, addressing business opportunities and resolving operational issues that arise from time to time.
Richard Palmer
Richard Palmer was appointed as our President and Chief Operating Officer in September 2007, and been a member of the Board of Directors since September 2007. Mr. Palmer became our Chief Executive Officer on December 21, 2007. Mr. Palmer has over 25 years of hands-on experience in the energy field, holding senior level management positions with a number of large engineering, development, operations and construction companies. He is a co-founder of Mobius Risk Group, LLC, an energy risk advisory services consulting company, and was a principal and Executive Vice President of that consulting company from January, 2002 until September 2007. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Palmer was a Senior Director at Enron Energy Services. Prior thereto, from 1995 to 1996 Mr. Palmer was a Vice President of Bentley Engineering, and a Senior Vice President of Southland Industries from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Palmer received his designation as a Certified Energy Manager in 1999, holds two Business Management Certificates from
University of Southern California’s Business School, and is an active member of both the American Society of Plant Biologists and the International Tropical Farmers Association. Mr. Palmer is Trustee & President of the Center for Sustainable Energy Farming (CFSEF), a non-profit research institute dedicated to sustainable communities, fueled by socially-responsible clean energy. In February 2013, Mr. Palmer joined the RSB Services Foundation's Board of Directors. RSB Services is the implementing entity of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) sustainability certification.
Over the last 25 years, Mr. Palmer has held senior level management positions with a number of large engineering, development, operations and construction companies, and, as a result, he has garnered a wealth of experience in the energy field. Mr. Palmer’s experience is important to the development and execution of the Company’s business plan. Mr. Palmer is the only member of management who serves as a director of the Company.
Martin Wenzel
Martin Wenzel joined our Board of Directors in April 2010, and serves on the Board’s audit committee. Mr. Wenzel is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Colorado Energy, the operating entity of Bicent Power, LLC, which is a privately owned limited liability company that owns and operates power generating stations in Colorado, Montana and California. From 2005 until August 2007, he served as the Senior Vice President (Sales and Marketing) of Miasole Inc. Prior thereto, from 2001 to 2004, Mr. Wenzel was President and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Energy LLC. He is also a member of the Board of the Deming Center of Entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado. Mr. Wenzel holds an Executive MBA from Columbia Business School; a Masters degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California; and a Bachelors degree in Engineering and Management from the US Naval Academy.
Mr. Wenzel has an extensive background in the energy industry, including over 25 years of developing, constructing and operating energy projects, marketing energy commodities and operating energy assets in the U.S. and internationally. The Board concluded that Mr. Wenzel’s expertise in energy policy and alternative energy technologies is a valuable asset for the Board of Directors of the Company.
Donald J. Murray
Donald Murray has served as our Interim Chief Financial Officer since December 1, 2012. Mr. Murray has an extensive financial background, including roles as Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance, Vice President of Investment Banking and as a Portfolio Fund Manager. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Murray served LiveFuels, an algae based biofuels company, in a number of capacities, including as the company’s Director of Finance in 2011. Mr. Murray was the Chief Financial Officer of Stored Value Exchange, a technology platform company, from 2011-2012, and the Chief Financial Officer of Truli Media Group, a social media and ecommerce company, also from 2011-2012. From 2007-2008, Mr. Murray served as Vice President of Investment Banking with Global Hunter Securities, from 2006-2007 he served as Vice President of Investment Banking with Pacific Ridge Capital, from 2003-2006 he served as Chief Financial Officer for LifeBase Advisors, from 1999-2001 served as Investment Banker/Operations Manager for Off-Road Capital and from 1996-1999 he was a Portfolio Manager for KW Fund Management. Mr. Murray holds an MBA in Finance and International Business from The Ohio State University and a BA in Business Management from University of Maryland. Mr. Murray served in the United States Air Force from 1988-1993 in Intelligence Operations.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports
of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on information provided to us by our officers and our review of copies of reporting forms received by us, we believe that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our current officers and directors complied with the filing requirements under Section 16(a).
Code of Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officers, principal financial officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions (“Code of Ethics”). A copy of our Code of Ethics will be furnished without charge to any person upon written request. Requests should be sent to: Secretary, Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., 100 W. Broadway, Suite 650, Long Beach, California 90802.
Board Committees
Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, but does not currently have a Compensation Committee or a Nominating Committee.
The Audit Committee meets periodically with management and with our independent registered public accounting firm to, among other things, review the results of the annual audit and quarterly reviews and discuss the financial statements. The audit committee also hires the independent registered public accounting firm, and receives and considers the accountant’s comments as to controls, adequacy of staff and management performance and procedures. The Audit Committee is also authorized to review related party transactions for potential conflicts of interest. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, Dave Walker and Martin Wenzel constituted all of the members of the Audit Committee. Both Mr. Walker and Dr. Wenzel were non-employee directors and independent as defined under the Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing standards. Mr. Walker has significant knowledge of financial matters, and our Board has designated Mr. Walker as the “audit committee financial expert” of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2012 in connection with this Annual Report and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB. The Audit Committee operates under a formal charter that governs its duties and conduct.
Summary Compensation Table.
The following table set forth certain information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services rendered to us in all capacities for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 of all persons who served as our principal executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and for any other executive officer who earned annual compensation during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 greater than $100,000. Since no other executive officer earned more than $100,000 in 2012, our Chief Executive Officer is the sole “Named Executive Officer” of this company.
Summary Compensation Table
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Name and
Principal Position
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Fiscal Year Ended 12/31
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Salary Paid or Accrued
($)
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Bonus Paid or Accrued
($)
|
|
Stock Awards
($)
|
|
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Option Awards
($)
|
|
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All Other Compensation
($)
|
|
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Total
($)
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|
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Richard Palmer
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2012
|
|
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250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
| |
2011
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
22,800 |
|
|
|
272,800 |
|
Stock Option Grant
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2012, concerning unexercised options, unvested stock and equity incentive plan awards for our sole Named Executive Officer.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
| |
Option Awards
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Name
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#) Exercisable
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#) Unexercisable
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options
(#)
|
|
Option Exercise Price
($)
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#)
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Palmer
|
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
3/16/2020
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
6,000,000 |
|
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
3/16/2020
|
|
|
|
|
Director Compensation.
Pursuant to our Board of Directors’ the Compensation Policy, non-employee directors are entitled to receive the following benefits, among others, in consideration for their services as directors of the Company:
|
|
·
|
Monthly cash payments of $2,000;
|
|
|
·
|
Annual grants of non-qualified stock options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock;
|
|
|
·
|
Participation in the Company’s stock option plans; and
|
|
|
·
|
Reimbursement of certain expenses incurred in connection with attendance of meetings of the Board and Board Committee.
|
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation paid to each of our non-employee directors during fiscal 2012 for their services rendered as directors. The compensation of Richard Palmer, who serves as a director and as our President and Chief Executive Officer, is described above in the Summary Compensation Table.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012
|
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
Option Awards(1)(2)
|
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
|
All Other Compensation
|
|
Total
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David R. Walker
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
Richard Palmer
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
Martin Wenzel
|
|
|
24,000 |
|
|
|
|
8,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,500 |
|
|
Total
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,000 |
|
|
(1)
|
This column represents the aggregate grant date fair value of option awards computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For additional information on the valuation assumptions with respect to the option grants, refer to Note 9 of our financial statements in this Annual Report. These amounts do not correspond to the actual value that will be recognized by the named directors from these awards.
|
|
(2)
|
Pursuant to the company’s director compensation, each non-employee director is entitled to an annual grant of options to acquire 500,000 shares. Each director received options to acquire 500,000 shares of the company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, effective July 1, 2012.
|
Employment Agreements
Richard Palmer. On September 7, 2007, we entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Richard Palmer, our President and Chief Executive Officer.
Under the Employment Agreement, we granted Mr. Palmer an incentive option to purchase up to 12,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.03 (the trading price on the date the agreement was signed), subject to our achievement of certain market capitalization goals. On April 22, 2009, our Board of Directors approved accelerating the vesting of all 12,000,000 unvested shares under the option.
In addition, Mr. Palmer’s compensation package includes a base salary of $250,000, and a bonus payment contingent on Mr. Palmer’s satisfaction of certain performance criteria, which will not exceed 100% of Mr. Palmer’s base salary. In the event that (i) we terminate Mr. Palmer’s employment for reasons other than “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement to include material breaches by him of the agreement, fraud, misappropriation of funds or embezzlement), or if (ii) Mr. Palmer resigns because we breached the Employment Agreement, we will be obligated to pay Mr. Palmer an amount equal to one (1) times his then-current annual base salary plus fifty percent (50%) of the target bonus in effect on the date of his termination. However, if Mr. Palmer’s employment is terminated for death or disability, or if Mr. Palmer resigns or is terminated for “cause,” he will not be entitled to receive any severance payments or other post-employment benefits. The original term of the Employment Agreement commenced September 1, 2007, and was scheduled to expire on September 30, 2010.
On March 16, 2010, the Company and Richard Palmer entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Employment Agreement. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Company extended the term of Mr. Palmer’s employment for an additional two years, i.e., through September 30, 2012. Thereafter, the term of employment shall automatically renew for successive one-year periods unless otherwise terminated. In connection with the Amendment, the Company and Mr. Palmer entered into an option agreement (“Option Agreement”). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, the Company granted Mr. Palmer a new option to acquire up to 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.02, subject to the Company’s achievement of certain market capitalization goals. The new option expires after ten (10) years.
Donald J. Murray. On November 28, 2012, we entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with Donald J. Murray, pursuant to which Mr. Murray agreed, effective December 1, 2012, to serve as our Interim Chief Financial Officer. Concurrently with the execution of the Consulting Agreement, we granted Mr. Murray a five year option to purchase 5,280,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Options”), at a strike price of $.0125 per share, subject to the following vesting schedule: upon execution of the Consulting Agreement 660,000 Options vested; upon the first of the month and the first of every month thereafter during the term of the Consulting Agreement, 660,000 additional Options shall vest. In the event that either party terminates the Consulting Agreement prior to June 30, 2013, the Options shall, upon such termination, cease vesting and the unvested Options shall be forfeited, and the Options shall only be exercisable to the extent that such Options have vested prior to the termination date. The Consulting Agreement provides for termination of the Consulting Agreement without “cause” (as defined) by us with 30 days written notice. There is no severance payment provision in the Consulting Agreement.
|
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
|
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 20, 2013 by (a) each person known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of each class of our outstanding voting shares (i.e. our common stock and our Series B Preferred Stock), (b) each of our named executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table and each of our directors and (c) all executive officers and directors of this company as a group. As of March 20, 2013, there were 333,683,502, shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. As of the same date, there were 13,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, which shares of preferred stock were convertible into an aggregate of 11,818,181 shares of common stock. Unless otherwise noted, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all the shares beneficially owned by them.
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned (2)
|
|
|
Percent
of Class of Common Stock
|
|
|
Preferred Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporativo LODEMO S.A DE CV
Calle 18, #201-B x 23 y 25,
Colonias Garcia Gineres, C.P. 97070
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
|
|
|
9,090,908 |
(3) |
|
|
2.70 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenrock Capital Holdings LLC
10531 Timberwood Circle, Suite D
Louisville, Kentucky 40223
|
|
|
2,727,273 |
(4) |
|
|
.82 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Targeted Growth, Inc.
2815 Eastlake Ave E, Suite 300
Seattle WA 98102
|
|
|
40,000,000 |
|
|
|
11.98 |
% |
|
Roll Energy Investments LLC
11444 West Olympic Boulevard, 10th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90064
|
|
|
33,094,500 |
(5) |
|
|
9.62 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Zilkha
1001 McKinney, Suite 1900
Houston TX 77002
|
|
|
39,635,000 |
(6) |
|
|
11.52 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors/Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Palmer
|
|
|
75,280,240 |
(7) |
|
|
21.57 |
% |
|
David R. Walker
|
|
|
6,403,539 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
|
Martin Wenzel
|
|
|
1,500,000 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Named Executive Officers and Directors as a group (3 persons)
|
|
|
83,183,779 |
|
|
|
23.373 |
% |
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each person listed is c/o Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., 100 W. Broadway, Suite 650, Long Beach, California 90802.
(2) For purposes of this table, shares of common stock are considered beneficially owned if the person directly or indirectly has the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting of the securities or the sole or shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of the securities. Shares of common stock are also considered beneficially owned if a person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of the shares upon exercise or conversion of a security within 60 days of March 24, 2011.
(3) Consists of 9,090,908 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Corporativo LODEMO owns 10,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, which represents approximately 76.92% of the issued and outstanding shares of that class of securities.
(4) Consists of 2,727,273 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Greenrock owns 3,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, which represents approximately 23.08% of the issued and outstanding shares of that class of securities.
(5) Includes (i) 945,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of currently exercisable warrants, and (ii) 9,450,000 shares issuable upon conversion of an outstanding convertible promissory note. The common shares, warrants and convertible note disclosed herein are directly owned by Roll Energy Investments LLC (“Roll LLC”). However, Stewart Resnick is the sole manager of Roll LLC and, as a result of his control over Roll LLC, he is deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Roll LLC.
(6) Includes (i) 945,000 shares that may be acquired upon exercise of currently exercisable warrants, and (ii) 9,450,000 shares issuable upon conversion of an outstanding convertible promissory note.
(7) Consists of 15,250,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of currently exercisable options. Mr. Palmer also has options to acquire 12,000,000 shares of common stock that are not currently exercisable and will not become exercisable unless certain conditions are met.
(8) Includes 5,500,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options.
(9) Includes 1,500,000 shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of options.
|
|
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
|
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Roll Energy Investments LLC (“Roll LLC”) and Michael Zilkha each presently owns more than 10% of our common stock. Stewart Resnick is the sole manager of Roll LLC and, as a result of his control over Roll LLC, he is deemed to beneficially own the securities held by Roll LLC.
Our principal asset and our three operating Jatropha farms are owned in a joint venture in which both Mr. Resnick and Mr. Zilkha were principals during 2012. As noted elsewhere in this report, we currently own 50% of the issued and outstanding common membership units of GCE Mexico, with the remaining 50% currently held by four other investors (the “Common Members”). Additionally, Mr. Zilkha (the “Preferred Member”) currently own all of the preferred membership units of GCE Mexico. Until December 2012, Mr. Resnick was affiliated with one of the Common Members and one of the Preferred Members, and Mr. Zilkha was affiliated with four of the Common Members and the other Preferred Member. In December 2012, Mr. Zilkha acquired all of Mr. Resnick’s interests in GCE Mexico. The Preferred Member is entitled to a preferential 12% per annum cumulative compounded return on their investment in GCE Mexico.
As of March 20, 2013, the Preferred Members have contributed a total of $19,936,000 to GCE Mexico. The Preferred Members also directly funded the purchase by GCE Mexico of the land in the State of Yucatan in Mexico on which the GCE Mexico three farms are located. The purchase of land for the three farms was funded by mortgage loans, which cumulatively had an initial principal balance of $5,110,189. The mortgages bear interest at the rate of 12% per annum, and interest is payable on a quarterly basis to the extent the borrower has sufficient cash flow. The three mortgages, including any unpaid interest, become due in April 2018, February 2019, June and October 2021.
Director Independence
Our common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board and OTCQB Market. Neither the OTC Bulletin Board electronic trading platform nor the OTCQB Market maintains any standards regarding the “independence” of the directors on our company’s Board of Directors, and we are not otherwise subject to the requirements of any national securities exchange or an inter-dealer quotation system with respect to the need to have a majority of our directors be independent.
In the absence of such requirements, we have elected to use the definition for “director independence” under the Nasdaq Stock Market’s listing standards, which defines an “independent director” as “a person other than an officer or employee of us or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship, which in the opinion of our Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director.” The definition further provides that, among others, employment of a director by us (or any parent or subsidiary of ours) at any time during the past three years is considered a bar to independence regardless of the determination of our Board of Directors.
Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Walker and Mr. Wenzel are independent directors as defined in the Nasdaq rules relating to director independence. Each of Mr. Walker and Mr. Wenzel are non-employee directors.
|
|
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
|
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees accrued by Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C. during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 for professional services for the audit of our financial statements and the review of financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and SEC filings were $ 76,772 and $80,936 respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C. did not provide and did not bill and it was not paid any fees for, audit-related services in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Tax Fees
Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C. did provide, and bill $7,100 for, tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning services for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and none in year ended December 31, 2011. These services were pre-approved by the audit committee.
All Other Fees
Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C. did not provide, and did not bill and were not paid any fees for, any other services in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent with SEC policies, the Audit Committee charter provides that the Audit Committee shall pre-approve all audit engagement fees and terms and pre-approve any other significant compensation to be paid to the independent registered public accounting firm. No other significant compensation services were performed for us by Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C. during 2012 and 2011.
|
|
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
|
Our financial statements and related notes thereto are listed and included in this Annual Report beginning on page F-1. The following documents are furnished as exhibits to this Form 10-K. Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith. The remainder of the exhibits previously have been filed with the Commission and are incorporated herein by reference.
|
Number
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
3.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
3.2
|
|
Amended Bylaws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
4.1
|
|
Certificate of Designations of Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Medical Discoveries, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-121635 filed on Form SB-2 on December 23, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
4.4
|
|
Amendment to Certificate of Designations of Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Medical Discoveries, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement No. 333-121635 filed on Form SB-2 on December 23, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
4.5
|
|
Certificate Of Designation of Preferences and Rights Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Medical Discoveries, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.1
|
|
2002 Stock Incentive Plan adopted by the Board of Directors as of July 11, 2002 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference).
|
|
10.2
|
|
Employment Agreement dated September 7, 2007 between Medical Discoveries, Inc. and Richard Palmer (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 17, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.3
|
|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated October 30, 2008, between the Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. and the four shareholders of Technology Alternatives Limited, a Belizean Company formed under the Laws of Belize (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB filed November 14, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.4
|
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement of GCE Mexico I, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, dated April 23, 2008 (filed on December 31, 2009, as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.5
|
|
Sale and Asset Purchase Agreement, dated November 16, 2009, between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., MDI Oncology, Inc., and Curadis Gmbh (filed as an Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 20, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.6
|
|
Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 16, 2010, between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. and Richard Palmer (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.7
|
|
Stock Option Agreement, dated March 16, 2010, between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. and Richard Palmer (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
| |
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 2009, among Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., and Technology Alternatives Limited and its shareholders listed therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
10.9
|
|
Office Lease, dated as of August 31, 2012, between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. and Danari Broadway, LLC*
|
|
10.10
|
|
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 12, 2013, between Targeted Growth, Inc. and Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.*
|
|
10.11
|
|
Secured Promissory Note, dated March 13, 2013, issued by Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc. to Targeted Growth, Inc.*
|
|
10.12
|
|
Security Agreement, dated March 13, 2013 between Targeted Growth, Inc. and Global Clean Energy Holdings Inc.*
|
|
10.13
|
|
LLC Interest Purchase Agreement, dated March 12, 2013, between Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc., Targeted Growth, Inc. and Green Earth Fuels, LLC
|
|
14.1
|
|
Medical Discoveries, Inc. Code of Conduct (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 15, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference)
|
|
23
|
|
Consent of Hansen, Barnett & Maxwell. P.C.*
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
|
|
32.2
101.INS
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.DEF
101.LAB
101.PRE
|
|
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
XBRL Instance Document
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
|
|
* Filed herewith.
|
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| |
GLOBAL CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
|
|
|
By: /s/ RICHARD PALMER
Richard Palmer
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
In accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
Date
|
|
/s/ RICHARD PALMER
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
March 27, 2013
|
|
Richard Palmer
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ DONALD MURRAY
|
|
Interim Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
| Donald Murray |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ DAVID WALKER
|
|
Chairman, the Board of Directors
|
|
|
David Walker
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ MARTIN WENZEL
|
|
Director
|
|
|
Martin Wenzel
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Index to Financial Statements
| |
Page |
| |
|
| Financial Statements: |
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011
|
F-3
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011
|
F-5
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011
|
F-6
|
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
F-7 |
