UNITED STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No.1
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
Commission file number: 000-12536
China Recycling Energy Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
90-0093373
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
12/F, Tower A | ||
Chang An International Building | ||
No. 88 Nan Guan Zheng Jie | ||
Xi An City, Shan Xi Province | ||
China | 710068 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (011) 86-29-8769-1097
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each Exchange on which registered | |
Common Stock, $.001 par value | NASDAQ Global Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
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 ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes x No¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K 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. x
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 “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer ¨ | |
Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The aggregate market value of the common stock issued and outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sales price for the common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on June 30, 2011, the last business day of the registrant’s second fiscal quarter, was $39,058,605. For the purposes of this calculation, executive officers and directors are deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of March 15, 2012, the registrant had 39,198,982 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the China Recycling Energy Corporation Proxy Statement regarding the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION
FORM 10-K/A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Explanatory Note
PART I | 1 |
Item 1. Business. | 1 |
Item 1A. Risk Factors. | 18 |
Item 2. Properties. | 31 |
Item 3. Legal Proceedings. | 31 |
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures | 31 |
PART II | 31 |
Item 5. Market for Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. | 31 |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data. | 32 |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. | 33 |
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. | 51 |
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. | 51 |
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. | 83 |
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures. | 83 |
Item 9B. Other Information. | 83 |
PART III | 84 |
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. | 84 |
Item 11. Executive Compensation. | 84 |
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters. | 84 |
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, Director Independence. | 84 |
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. | 84 |
PART IV | 84 |
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. | 84 |
Explanatory Note
In response to a comment letter received from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), dated December 14, 2012, China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, originally filed with the SEC on March 22, 2012 (the “Original Form 10-K”) for the following purposes: (i) revise a table comparing our results of operations as a percentage of net sales and revise our discussions relating to non-operating income (expenses), income tax expense and net income in the Results of Operations section of our MD&A; (ii) include a discussion of how cash is transferred to the Company's PRC subsidiaries and how earnings are transferred from its PRC subsidiaries to the Company and revise our discussion on the impact of the issuance of the settlement shares to Xueyi Dong in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of our MD&A; (iii) disclose our considerations with respect to disclosures of fair value of long-term debt obligations and describe how those considerations were applied to our long-term debt obligations in Note 2 (to our consolidated financial statements); (iv) correct a footing error in a table of accrued liabilities and other payables set forth in Note 8 (to our consolidated financial statements); (v) revise Note 12 (to our consolidated financial statements); (vi) restate the fair value of certain settlement shares issued to Xueyi Dong in Note 17 (to our consolidated financial statements); (vii) disclose the statutory reserve amount for each of our Chinese subsidiaries in Note 18 (to our consolidated financial statements); (viii) include a new Note 21 (to our consolidated financial statements) to describe the purpose and underlying reasons of this restatement and present the effect of the restatement on our financial statements; (ix) restate our financial statements and (x) revise the Signature Page.
This Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s periodic filings made with the SEC subsequent to the filing date of the Original Form 10-K, including any amendments to those filings, as well as any Current Reports, filed on Form 8-K subsequent to the date of the Original Form 10-K. In addition, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, this Form 10-K/A includes updated certificates from our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Principal Financial Officer as Exhibit 32.1. Because this Form 10-K/A sets forth the Original Form 10-K in its entirety, it includes both items that have been changed as a result of the amended disclosures and items that are unchanged from the Original Form 10-K. Other than the revision of the disclosures as discussed above, this Form 10-K/A speaks as of the original filing date of the Original Form 10-K and has not been updated to reflect other events occurring subsequent to the original filing date. This includes forward-looking statements and all other sections of this Form 10-K/A that were not directly impacted by this amendment, which should be read in their historical context. The following items have been amended as a result of the amended disclosures:
Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Part IV Financial Statements and Accompanying Notes
Signature Page.
PART I
When we use the terms ”we,” ”us,” ”our” and “the Company,” we mean China Recycling Energy Corporation., a Nevada corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd., and Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. “China” and the “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China , excluding, for the purposes of this Form 10-K, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Prior to March 8, 2007, China Recycling Energy Corporation’s name was China Digital Wireless, Inc.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
We currently engage in the recycling energy business, providing energy savings and recycling products and services. We are a leading developer of waste energy recycling projects for industrial applications in China, and we believe we are the only developer to use a Build-Operate-Transfer (“BOT”) model to provide energy saving and recovery facilities for multiple energy intensive industries in China. Our waste energy recycling projects allow customers who use substantial amounts of electricity to recapture previously wasted pressure, heat, and gas from their manufacturing processes to generate electricity. We currently offer waste energy recycling systems to companies for use in iron and steel, nonferrous metal, cement, coal and petrochemical plants. We construct our projects at our customer’s facility and the electricity produced is used on-site by the customer. While some of our competitors offer projects targeting one or two verticals, we serve multiple verticals.
We develop fully-customized projects across several verticals to better meet customer’s energy recovery needs. Our waste pressure-to-energy solution primarily consists of the Blast Furnace Top Gas Recovery Turbine Unit (“TRT”), a system that utilizes high pressure gas emitted from the blast furnace top to drive turbine units and generate electricity. Our waste heat-to-energy solution primarily consists of heat power generation projects for applications in cement, steel and nonferrous metal industries, which collect the residual heat from various manufacturing processes, e.g. the entrance and exit ends of the cement rotary kilns, to generate electricity. Our waste gas-to-energy solution primarily consists of the Waste Gas Power Generation system (“WGPG”) and the Combined Cycle Power Plant (the “CCPP”). A WGPG system utilizes flammable waste gas from coal mining, petroleum exploitation, refinery processing or other sources as a fuel source to generate electricity through the use of a gas turbine. A CCPP system employs more than one power generating cycle to utilize the waste gas, which not only generates electricity by burning the flammable waste gas in a gas turbine (as a WGPG) but also uses the waste heat from burning the gas to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine.
We provide a clean-technology and energy-efficient solution aimed at reducing the air pollution and energy shortage problems in China. Our projects capture industrial waste energy to produce low-cost electricity, enabling industrial manufacturers to reduce their energy costs, lower their operating costs, extend the life of primary manufacturing equipment, and generate saleable emission credits under the Kyoto Protocol. Based on the differential between the cost to our customers of buying power from China’s national power grid and the cost to them of buying one of our projects, we believe our customers can recover the cost of our project within two to three years of operations. In addition, our waste energy recycling projects allow our industrial customers to reduce their reliance on China’s centralized national power grid, which is prone to black-outs or brown-outs or is completely inaccessible from certain remote areas. Our projects generally produce lower carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, and are hence more environmentally-friendly than other forms of power generation.
Since 2007, we have primarily used the BOT model to serve our customers. For each project, we design, finance, construct and install the waste energy recycling projects for our customers, operate the projects for five to twenty years, and then transfer the projects to the owners. The BOT model creates a win-win solution for both our customers and us. We provide the capital expenditure financing in exchange for attractive returns on each project; our customers can focus their capital resources on their core businesses, do not need to invest additional capital to comply with government environmental regulations, reduce noise and emissions and reduce their energy costs. We in turn efficiently recapture our costs through the stream of lease payments.
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We are headquartered in China. Our principal executive offices are located at 12/F, Tower A, Chang An International Building, No. 88 Nan Guan Zheng Jie, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China, and our telephone number at this location is +86-29-8769-1097.
Company Overview and History
We began operations as a Colorado corporation known as Boulder Brewing Company, or Boulder Brewing. We were incorporated in Colorado on May 8, 1980 and operated as a microbrewery of various beers. Boulder Brewing was unable to become profitable within its core business, became illiquid, and was forced to divest itself of all of its assets. Boulder Brewing became dormant without any operations or assets in 1990.
In September 2001, Boulder Brewing changed its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada and changed its name to Boulder Acquisitions, Inc., or Boulder Acquisitions. From the date of reincorporation until June 23, 2004, Boulder Acquisitions had no material operations or assets.
On June 23, 2004, we completed a stock exchange transaction with the stockholders of Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Sifang Holdings”). The exchange was consummated under Nevada and Cayman Islands law pursuant to the terms of a Securities Exchange Agreement, dated June 23, 2004 by and among Boulder Acquisitions, Sifang Holdings and the stockholders of Sifang Holdings. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, we issued 13,782,636 shares of our common stock to the stockholders of Sifang Holdings, representing approximately 89.7% of our post-exchange issued and outstanding common stock, for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Sifang Holdings.
Effective August 6, 2004, we changed our name from Boulder Acquisitions, Inc. to China Digital Wireless, Inc. From August 2004 to December 2006, we primarily engaged in pager and mobile phone distribution and provided value added information services to the customers in the PRC. We phased out and scaled down most of the business of mobile phone distribution and provision of pager and mobile phone value-added information services, and on May 10, 2007, the Company approved and announced that it halted and discontinued these businesses.
In December 2006, we began to conduct business in the energy saving and recycling industry, including purchasing certain equipment, devices, hardware and software for the construction and installation of TRT systems and other renewable energy products. TRT is an electricity generating system that utilizes the exhaust pressure and heat produced in the blast furnace of steel mills to generate electricity. It has commercial value for the steel mills by using waste heat and steam to produce electricity for the operation of the mills
On March 8, 2007, we changed our name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to China Recycling Energy Corporation.
Our current business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 90% of the investment will be from Xi’an TCH, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004, currently with a registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shannxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. Huaxin was incorporated in Xingtai, PRC in November, 2007. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April, 2009. Huahong was incorporated in February, 2009
Our Projects
We design, finance, construct, operate and eventually transfer waste energy recycling projects to meet the energy saving and recovery needs of our customers. Our waste energy recycling projects use the pressure, heat or gas, which is generated as a byproduct of a variety of industrial processes to create electricity. The residual energy from industrial processes, which was traditionally wasted, may be captured in a recovery process and utilized by our waste energy recycling projects to generate electricity without burning additional fuel and without additional emissions. Among a wide variety of waste-to-energy technologies and solutions, we primarily focus on waste pressure to energy systems, waste heat to energy systems and waste gas power generation systems. We do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of our waste energy recycling projects. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated onsite project for our customers.
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Waste Pressure to Energy Systems
TRT is a power generating system utilizing the exhaust pressure and heat from industrial processes in the iron, steel, petrochemical, chemical and non-ferrous metals industries, often from blast furnace gases in the metal production industries. Without TRT power systems, blast furnace gas is treated by various de-pressurizing valves to decrease its pressure and temperature before the gas is transmitted to end users. No electricity is generated during the process and noise and heat pollution is released. In a TRT system, the blast furnace gas produced during the smelting process is directed through the system to decrease its pressure and temperature. The released pressure and heat is then utilized to drive the turbine unit to generate electricity, which is then transmitted back to the producer. We believe our projects are superior to those of our competitors due to the inclusion of advanced dry-type de-dusting technology, joined turbine systems, and automatic power grid synchronization.
Zhongbao Project
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a set of 7 megawatt capacity Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) systems, which are integral parts of the facilities designed to produce 80,000 tons of nickel-alloy per year according to the recovery and power generation of the waste heat agreement with Zhongbao, an agreement that was transferred from China Zhonggang Binhai Enterprise Ltd. (“Zhonggang”) in July 2009. Zhongbao is a nickel-alloy manufacturing joint venture between Zhonggang and Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group established in June 2009. Total investment in this project was approximately $7.8 million (RMB 55 million). The Contract is for 9 years and states that Xi’an TCH will recycle waste heat from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns of Zhongbao to generate power and steam, which will be supplied back to Zhongbao, and help to reduce over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. By the end of the term, the system shall be transferred to Zhongbao at RMB 1. Under the Contracts, Zhongbao will pay the Company a monthly “energy-saving service fee” based on the volume of the electricity and steam generated from the WHPG system in the prior month within the first five days of each month at a pre-agreed price, but no less than the minimum monthly payment of $224,000 (RMB 1.5 million). Zhongbao agrees to supply Xi’an TCH the nickel-alloy rotary kilns gas, water and compressed air free of charge, except salty water at $0.98 (RMB 6.3) per ton. Zhongbao also guarantees to continuously supply not less than 6,800 heat hours per year for the WHPG, or the operating term will be extended accordingly. Xi’an TCH outsourced its operation and maintenance works to a third party for annual payments of $352,000 (RMB 2.4 million) for the whole operation period. In addition, Xi’an TCH shall be responsible for applying the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”) and the net proceeds from CDM will be distributed between Zhongbao and Xi’an TCH at 60% and 40%, respectively. The CDM work has not commenced as of December 31, 2011.
In June 2011, the system of the project ZhongBao was sold to and leased back from Cinda Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda Financial”), the Company engaged a third party guarantee company as the guarantor for the loan, which was approved by the Industrial Bank in July 1, 2011.
Hebei Xingtai Steel Group Project
On April 8, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and made effective a TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement (“Joint-Operation Agreement”) which was conditionally entered into on February 1, 2007 between Shanghai TCH and Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingfeng”). Under the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued a project to design, construct, install and operate two TRT systems for Xingtai Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Xingtai”). Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties for the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng to transfer from Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns two TRT systems and leases them to Xingtai for five years, commencing on January 25, 2007 and ending on January 25, 2012. During the lease, Xingtai will pay Shanghai TCH monthly rent of $0.13 million (RMB 0.9 million) to use the systems. Assuming all amounts due under the lease have been paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the systems to Xingtai free of charge. All amounts due under the lease were paid; therefore, Shanghai TCH transferred the title of the systems to Xingtai free of charge.
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Shanxi Zhangzhi Steel Group Project
Under the Joint-Operation Agreement discussed above, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng also jointly pursued a project contract, which was entered into between Yingfeng and Zhangzhi Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Zhangzhi”) on June 22, 2006, to design, construct, install and operate a TRT system for Zhangzhi Iron. Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties for the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH acquired this contract as part of its asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng as discussed above. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns a TRT system and leases it to Zhangzhi for 13 years, from July 25, 2007 to July 25, 2020. During the lease term, Zhangzhi will pay Shanghai TCH a monthly rent of $0.16 million (RMB 1.1 million). After the term is over and all due rents are paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the system to Zhangzhi free of charge.
Shengda Project
On March 15, 2011, the Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary Pingshan County Shengda Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shengda”). Xi’an TCH contributed cash of $4,559,271 (RMB 30,000,000) into Shengda as initial capital. Shengda was set up in order to undertake waste energy recycling projects from a steel and chemical company in Pingshan county in accordance with and pursuant to a Recycling Economy Projects Cooperative Framework Agreement entered into by the parties. The final terms for the projects have not been reached and entered, and Shengda is not currently operational.
Waste Heat to Energy Systems
Waste heat to energy systems utilize waste heat generated in industrial production to generate electricity. The waste heat is trapped to heat a boiler to create steam and power a steam turbine. Our waste heat to energy systems have used waste heat from cement production and from metal production. We invested and have built two cement low temperature heat power generation systems. These projects can use about 35% of the waste heat generated by the cement kiln, and generate up to 50% of the electricity needed to operate the cement plant.
Shengwei Group – Tongchuan Project
In November 2007, Shanghai TCH signed a cooperative agreement with Shengwei Group to build two sets of 12MW cement low temperature heat power generation systems for Shengwei’s two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang and for a 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan. At the end of 2008, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation in Tong Chuan was completed at a cost of $6,191,000 (RMB 43,000,000) and put into operation. Under the original agreement, the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems would belong to Shengwei from the date the projects were put into service. Shanghai TCH is responsible for the daily maintenance and repair of the projects, and charges Shengwei a monthly electricity fee based on the actual power generated by the projects at 0.4116 RMB per KWH for an operating period of five years with the assurance from Shengwei of a properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the electricity generator system. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. At the end of the five-year operating period, Shanghai TCH will have no further obligations under the cooperative agreement. On May 20, 2009, Shanghai TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Shengwei Group to amend the timing for title transfer to Shenwei at the end of the lease term. In addition, the supplementary agreement provided that Shanghai TCH will charge Shengwei based on actual power usage subject to a minimum of $0.31 million (RMB 2.1 million) per month during the operating period.
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Shengwei Group – Jinyang Project
On June 29, 2009, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation system in Jin Yang was completed at a cost of $7,318,000 (RMB 50,000,000) and put into operation. Shanghai TCH charges Shengwei a technical service fee of $336,600 (RMB 2,300,000) monthly for the sixty months of the lease term. Shengwei has the right to purchase the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation system for $29,000 (RMB 200,000) at the end of lease term. Shengwei is required to provide assurance of properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the cement low temperature heat power generation. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the waste energy power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. Effective July 1, 2009, Shanghai TCH outsourced the operation and maintenance of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems in Tong Chuan and JinYang to a third party for $732,000 (RMB 5,000,000) per year.
Erdos Projects
On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated a joint venture (“JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos' metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years, and initial registered capital of $2,635,000 (RMB 18,000,000). As of December 31, 2011, total registered capital was increased to $17.55 million (RMB 120 million), of which $16.37 million (RMB 112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos Metallurgy. Total investment for the project is estimated at approximately $78 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000). As of December 31, 2011, Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93% of the total investment. With respect to profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively. The profits to be distributed will be computed based on Chinese generally accepted accounting principles. The principal difference between US GAAP and Chinese GAAP with regards to the Erdos TCH project is that a sales-type lease under US GAAP is treated as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. When the term of the JV expires, Xi’an TCH will transfer its equity in the JV to Erdos at no additional cost.
On April 18, 2009, Erdos TCH signed a Cooperation Agreement with Erdos to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may expand up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $79 million (RMB 500 million). The construction of the projects was split into three phases, two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one power generation system in Phase III with 25MW power capacity.
At the end of 2009, Erdos TCH completed the first 9MW power station of Phase I of the project and put it into operation. At the end of March 2010, Erdos TCH completed the construction of Phase I through completion of the second 9MW power station and delivery of the units for operation. Phase I includes two 9MW systems for a combined 18MW power capacity. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement and the supplement agreements signed between Erdos and Erdos TCH, Erdos shall purchase all the electricity and steam to be generated from the JV’s power generation systems. Erdos TCH leased the two 9MW systems to Erdos and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. Erdos agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system. In addition Erdos will pay the actual amount if the actual sale of the electricity generated is more than $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) monthly per unit. Effective January 1, 2010 and April, 2010 respectively, Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the two 9MW power generation projects for $922,000 (RMB 6.27 million) each per year. After 20 years, the units will be transferred to Erdos without any charge. During the fourth quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase II, two 9MW capacity electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation. During the first quarter of 2011, Erdos power generation system Phase II the 3rd 9MW capacity electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation through sales type lease with terms similar to the Phase I project.
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As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid approximately $19.77 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects. In October 2011, the Company temporarily suspended construction of the 25 MW plant due to the technical transformation and renovation of certain equipment and machinery by the customer; the Company expects to resume the construction of Erdos Phase III in May 2012. The Company currently expects to complete Phase III by the end of fiscal year 2012.
Waste Gas to Energy Systems
Our Waste Gas to Energy Systems primarily include Waste Gas Power Generation (“WGPG”) systems and Combined Cycle Power Plant (“CCPP”) systems. WGPG uses the flammable waste gases emitted from industrial production processes such as blast furnace gas, coke furnace gas, and oil gas, to power gas-fired generators to create energy. A CCPP system employs more than one power generating cycle to utilize the waste gas, which is more efficient because it not only generates electricity by burning the flammable waste gas in a gas-fired generator (WGPG) but also uses the waste heat from burning the gas to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam generator (CCPP).
Shenmu Project
On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH delivered to Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. (“Shenmu”) a set of three 6MW capacity waste gas power generation systems pursuant to a Cooperative Contract on Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (including its Supplementary Agreement) and a Gas Supply Contract for Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (the “Contracts”). The Contracts are for 10 years and state that Xi’an TCH will recycle coke furnace gas from the coke-oven plant of Shenmu to generate power, which will be supplied back to Shenmu. Shenmu agreed to supply Xi’an TCH the coke-oven gas free of charge. Under the Contracts, Shenmu will pay Xi’an TCH an annual “energy-saving service fee” of approximately $5.6 million in equal monthly installments for the life of the contracts, as well as such additional amount as may result from the supply of power to Shenmu in excess of 10.8 million kilowatt hours per month. We are responsible for operating the projects and will do so through an unrelated third party. Shenmu guarantees that monthly gas supply will not be less than 21.6 million standard cubic meters. If gas supply is less, Shenmu agrees to pay Xi’an TCH the energy-saving service fee described above for up to 10.8 million kilowatt-hours per month. Xi’an TCH maintains the ownership of the project throughout the term of the contracts, including the already completed investment, design, equipment, construction and installation as well as the operation and maintenance of the project. At the end of the 10-year term, ownership of the projects transfers to Shenmu at no charge. Shenmu gave a lien on its production line to guarantee its performance under the Contracts. Shenmu’s three major stockholders provided an unlimited joint liability guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts and the Yulin Huiyuan Group, an independent third party, provides a guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts.
On December 31, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Repurchase Agreement for the Coke-Oven Gas Power Generation Project with Shenmu. Under the Repurchase Agreement, Shenmu will purchase the set of 18 megawatt capacity power generating systems (the “System”) from Xi’an TCH and pay outstanding energy saving service fees of $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) to Xi’an TCH within 3 working days from the date of the Repurchase Agreement. Xi’an TCH will transfer the Systems to Shenmu for a price of $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Purchase Price”). Shenmu shall pay the first 30% of the Repurchase Price within 5 working days from the date of the Repurchase Agreement, the second 30% of Repurchase Price within 90 days from date of Repurchase Agreement and the remaining 40% of the Repurchase Price within 180 days from the date of Repurchase Agreement. The ownership of the Systems will be transferred to Shenmu when the entire Repurchase Price has been paid. The Cooperative Contract will be terminated upon Shenmu’s payment of the entire Repurchase Price. In January 2012, the Company received $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) outstanding energy saving service fees, and $5.71 million (RMB 36 million), the first 30% of repurchase price from Shenmu.
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PuCheng Biomass Project
On January 20, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Technical Reconstruction Letter of Intent with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”) a natural person with Chinese citizenship for Xi’an TCH reconstructing and transforming a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Dong into a 12MW Biomass Power Generation Systems (“Biomass Systems” or “BMPG”) for approximately $2.2 million (RMB 15 million), of which, approximately $1.03 million (RMB 7 million) was payable to Dong, and approximately $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was payable to one of the Company’s shareholders, who had previously paid that amount to Dong on behalf of the Company.
After the successful transformation of the systems, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong on June 29, 2010. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong approximately $14,705,900 (RMB 100,000,000) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid the consideration (inclusing the cash portion) in full. On November 22, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 2,941,176 shares of the Company’s common stock to Dong at $4 per share. These shares have piggy back registration rights and are subject to a one year lock-up period. The shares issued to Dong were included in a Form S-3 Registration Statement that we filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012. This registration statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with PuCheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd., (“XHY”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased this same set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to XHY at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for 15 years. The leasing fee will increase proportionately with the biomass generated electricity fee in China during the term of this lease agreement.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (the “Shannxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install two 3MW TRT, one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“Kwh”) for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had paid $12.70 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. The Company is committed to pay an additional $15.87 million for the Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. This project is currently halted due to business reorganization of Shannxi Datong and a renegotiation of one of the power stations with Xi’an TCH to amend certain construction plans. The Company expects to resume the construction in April 2012 and complete one of the power stations by the end of 2012.
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Shenqiu Biomass Thermal Power Generation Projects
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with ShenQiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (the “ShenQiu”) for Xi’an TCH to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by ShenQiu into a 75T/H Biomass Power Generation System for approximately $3.5 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011, and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Seller”). The Transfer Agreement provided for the sale to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems from the Seller after Xi’an TCH completes the conversion of the system for biomass power generation purpose. As consideration for the biomass power generation system, Xi’an TCH will pay to the Seller $10,937,500 (RMB 70,000,000) in cash in three installments in 6 months upon the transfer of ownership of the system. As of December 31, 2011, $7,812,500 (RMB 50,000,000) was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with the Seller. Under the Lease Agreement, Xi’an TCH will lease this set of 12 MW biomass power generation systems to the Seller at approximately $281,250 (RMB 1,800,000) per month for a term of 11 years.
Industry and Market Overview
Overview of Waste-to-Energy Industry
The waste energy recycling industry concentrates mostly on power-intensive manufacturing and production processes, such as iron, steel and nonferrous metal production, cement production, and coal and petrochemical plants. Our waste energy recycling projects allow customers to recapture previously wasted pressure, heat, and gas from their manufacturing and production processes and use this waste to generate electricity. Waste energy recycling projects are installed at a customer’s facility and the electricity produced can be used on-site to lower energy costs and create a more efficient production process. The industry verticals at the vanguard of this trend are metallurgical production (including iron & steel), cement, coal mining, coke production and petrochemicals.
The industry also includes the conversion of biomass to electricity. For thousands of years, biomass, biological material derived from living organisms like plants and their byproducts, was burned to produce heat so as to convert it to energy. A number of non-combustion methods are now available to convert raw biomass into a variety of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels that can be used directly in a power plant to generate electricity.
Waste-to-Energy Industry Growth
China has experienced rapid economic growth and industrialization in recent years, increasing the demand for electricity. In the PRC, growth in energy consumption has exceeded growth in gross domestic product, causing a shortage of electricity with blackouts and brownouts over much of the country. Much of the energy demand has been due to the expansion of energy intensive industrial sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals. China’s increasing modernization and industrialization has made it the world’s largest consumer of energy.
One result of this massive increase in electric generation capacity has been the rise of harmful emissions. China has surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and the country faces enormous challenges from the pollution brought about by its consumption of conventional energy. About 99% of China’s 560 million city dwellers breathe unsafe air under EU standards, environmental problems have led to industrial cities where people rarely see the sun. A 2005 report by Chinese environmental experts, quoted in a New York Times article (“As China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes,” August 26, 2007), estimated that annual premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution in China were likely to reach 550,000 in 2020.
Description of WGPG (Waste Gas Power Generation)
During the process of industrial production, some by-products, such as blast furnace gas, coke furnace gas, oil gas, and others are created with certain high intensive thermal energy. The waste gas can be collected and used as a fuel by gas turbine system to generate power energy.
Gas turbines are a set of hi-tech equipment and devices that is crucial to the energy development strategy of China. Gas turbine, which uses flammable gas as fuel and combines with recycling power generating technology, has many merits. These include high efficiency power generation, low investment, short construction periods, small land usage, water savings, environment protection and more. We believe the market prospect of the gas turbine industry is promising. An analysis report in 2008 indicated that during the Tenth Five-year Plan Period, the total volume of Chinese gas power generating was almost 10,000MW and it is expected to reach 60,000MW million by 2020. The natural gas power plants being or to be built, representing about 6% of the total equipment capability of China, most of which are newly constructed projects, provide huge market potential for gas turbine.
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Through years of research, development and experimental applications, this gas-to-energy system has started to be applied into some high energy intensive industrial plants, such as in the course of iron-smelting in metallurgy plants. Metallurgical enterprises, as the biggest industrial energy user in China, consume 13%-15% of the nation’s electricity. Electricity consumed by the iron-smelting industry accounts for 40% of that consumed by metallurgical enterprises. If all top furnaces in the iron-smelting industry are equipped with gas recovery systems, electricity consumption may decrease by 30-45%. Furthermore, environmental pollution will be reduced while energy efficiency is improved in those heavy industries.
Stringent Environmental Standards and Increasing Government Supports
Since energy is a major strategic issue affecting the development of the Chinese economy, the Chinese government has promoted the development of recycling and encouraged enterprises to use waste energy recycling projects of the type we sell and service. Similar to previous five year periods, the China National Environment Protection Plan, for the Twelfth five year period (2011-2015), is focused on high energy consumption industries, including specific programs to support the building of waste energy recycling projects for application in iron, steel and nonferrous metal plants and in cement production lines. Given the worsening environment and insufficient energy supply in China, the Chinese government has implemented policies to curb pollution and reduce wasteful energy usage. The Renewable Energy Law, strict administrative measures to restrict investment and force consolidation in energy wasting industries, and the requirement to install energy-saving and environment protecting equipment whenever possible are just some ways the government is emphasizing the need to reduce emissions and to maximize energy creation. Local government officials, who sometimes flout central government policies for the sake of local GDP growth, are now required to tie emission, energy usage and pollution to GDP growth. If local emissions of pollutants grows faster than the local GDP, these local officials face the risk of losing their jobs. Such determination and strict enforcement by the central and local governments provide a good backdrop and growth opportunity for CREG’s business activities.
The following tables show the funds invested, or expected to be invested, in the environmental protection industry by the Chinese government.
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Source: China National Environmental Protection Plan in the Twelve Five Years (2011-2015).
According to China’s National Energy Board, recycled energy accounted for 9.6% of China’s total energy consumption during 2010. Because of environmental protection pressure, expanded efforts to improve infrastructure in western China with the related increase in production of cement and other heavy industrial products and emphasis on additional sources of electricity, demand for recycled energy, as a special and stable energy resource, should continue to grow in China.
Waste-to-Energy is a Cost-Effective Means to Meet Rising Energy Needs
According to the International Energy Agency, China will need to increase its electricity generating capacity to meet its future needs. This demand may mean price increases for electricity in China. With the need for more energy, in particular energy that does not cause additional emissions, and the relative low price of the waste-to-energy production we provide, we believe that our markets will continue to expand.
Since China has been experiencing a dramatic surge in its energy consumption as well as widespread energy shortages, recycling energy is not only an attractive alternative to other sources of energy as part of a national diversification strategy to avoid dependence on any one energy source or politically sensitive energy supplies, but also a proven solution to make the use of energy more efficient. Under current economic conditions and current tax and regulatory regimes, waste energy recycling projects generally can create price-competitive electricity compared to electricity generated from fossil fuels or other renewable sources. Our customers can reduce energy costs significantly by installing our waste energy recycling projects. Compared to electricity from the national grid, the generating cost from recycling energy is lower, which means our customers can leverage the waste-to-energy projects to generate low-cost electricity, reducing energy costs for the manufacturing process. The current national grid electricity rate ranges from RMB 0.45-0.50/kwh and our operated recycling rate ranges from 0.35-0.45/kwh subject to project type, generating scale and local situation.
Customers of our energy recycling projects may also qualify for credits from the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”). The CDM is an international arrangement under the Kyoto Protocol allowing industrialized countries with a greenhouse gas reduction commitment to invest in ventures that reduce emissions in developing countries as an alternative to more expensive emission reductions in their own countries. In 2005, China’s government promulgated “Measures for Operation and Management of Clean Development Mechanism Projects in China” (“China CDM Measures”) to facilitate the application and operation of CDM project activities in China. Our energy recycling solutions are of a kind which falls into the beneficial categories accredited by the China CDM Measures. If our customers can get approval from the Chinese government and successfully register their projects in the United Nations’ CDM Executive Board, they can receive additional revenue income through exchanging their Certified Emission Reductions (“CER”) credits with investors in industrialized countries. As of March 11, 2011, 416 China CDM projects received CER credits from the United Nations.
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Trends in Industries We Principally Service
Iron, Steel and Nonferrous Metal Industry
Despite improvements made in reducing the amount of energy consumed per ton of steel produced (from more than 900kgce/ton in 2000 to less than 750kgce/ton in 2008 according to the 2009 Report of China’s Iron & Steel Association), if all furnaces in the iron-smelting industry were equipped with waste energy recycling systems to utilize the waste heat and gas pressure that are byproducts of the metal producing process, electricity consumption in the industry could decrease 30-45%. Furthermore, environmental pollution would be reduced while energy efficiency improved in those heavy industries.
China is one of the largest producers and consumers of nonferrous metals in the world. However, the global economic downturn has slowed the momentum of China's nonferrous metal industry after keeping high-speed growth for almost a decade. A detailed three-year stimulus plan to support the nonferrous metal industry was released in the beginning of 2009 by China’s State Council. Its purpose is to help the nonferrous metal sector maintain steady operations in 2009 and achieve a sustainable development by 2011. China’s nonferrous metal import and export value increased 28% in 2011 from 2010, and the output of the ten major types of nonferrous metals exceeded 31 million tons in 2010, an increase of 20.4% from 2008.
Environmental pollution, shortage of resources and energy shortage have been identified in China as three major challenges for China’s nonferrous metal industry. China aims to save 1.7 million tons of coal and 6 billion KWh of electricity per year, as well as reduce sulfur dioxide by 850,000 tons annually as part of the industrial upgrading for the nonferrous metallurgy sector and, at the same time, to improve the utilization efficiency for resources. In China, the utilization rate for the nonferrous metal mineral resources is 60%, which is 10 to 15% lower than developed countries. The utilization rate for associated nonferrous metals is only 40%, which is 20% lower than developed nations. In addition, parts of nonferrous mines located in different cities are disorganized with random mining, causing severe wastes of resources.
Cement Industry
The Chinese construction industry accounted for approximately 20% of gross domestic product (GDP), contributing RMB 9.52 trillion in 2010. In November 2008, China launched an approximately $593 billion (RMB 4 trillion) fiscal stimulus package to bolster the economy, focusing on infrastructure projects such as new railways, roads, and airports. Against this backdrop, the cement industry experienced significant growth. According to a February 2009 article of China’s Securities News, China’s total investment in the cement industry reached $15 billion (RMB 105 billion) in 2008, a 60% increase from 2007. Of the investment, 65% was spent on New Suspension Pre-heater Dry Process (“NSP”) cement clinker production in 2008, a 10% increase from 2007. NSP cement clinker production can use waste energy recycling projects to utilize medium and low temperature residual heat from the cement production as a source to generate electricity.
In the traditional cement making process in China, the residual heat is released without any further processing, thus causing significant waste heat in the environment. During the period of the Chinese government’s Eleventh Five-Year Plan, the output of NSP production lines reached 70% of the total cement output. The Twelfth Five-Year plan continues to promote the NSP production line as a primary goal for the cement industry. It is estimated that the percentage of NSP production lines of the total will rise to 90% by the end of 2015. At the end of the Tenth Five-Year Plan and the start of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, the Chinese government called for an energy saving campaign and issued a Medium and Long-Term Plan on Special Energy-Saving that indicated that waste energy recycling projects should be widely used, and specified that 30 waste energy recycling projects be established annually on cement production lines with an output of 2000 tons daily. The Twelve Five-Year plan indicates the continued usage and promotion of energy recycling projects. The Twelve Five-Year plan requires that, at a minimum, 65% of all cement dry process production lines installed include a waste heat power generation device by the end of 2015 The rapid development of NSP production creates a good opportunity for the development, marketing and sales of waste energy recycling projects in the cement industry.
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Coal and Petrochemicals
Flammable waste gases emitted from industrial production processes, such as blast furnace gas, coke furnace gas, oil or gas can be used to power gas-fired generators to create energy. Two large producers of these waste gases are coal mining and petrochemical refining. The PRC is the largest coal producer and consumer in the world. Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel and a major cause of methane gas emissions, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Methane gas is found naturally in coal beds. In the 1950s, China began recovering methane to make mines safer. Now, as then, most of the captured methane is released into the air but it could be used as a clean energy source using waste energy recycling technologies.
Biomass Waste to Energy Industry
In China, agricultural waste and biogas are two main sources for biomass waste. China has more than 600 million tons of wasted straw produced every year. It also has 19 billion tons of forest biomass, of which 300 million tons can be utilized as an energy source. The straw burning power industry will grow faster in China with supportive policies, development of new technologies and the formation of raw material collection and storage systems, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Electricity generated from straw has a preferential price of RMB 0.25 per KWH higher than coal-fueled power when sold to the state grid. In addition, straw power plants enjoy a series of preferential policies including tax exemption.
Biogas technology captures methane gases emitted from compostable materials and burns it to power a turbine to produce electricity. The waste that is usually disposed of in landfills is converted into liquid or gaseous fuels. By utilizing the resource from waste cellulosic or organic materials, biomass energy can be generated through the fermentation process.
Our Strategies
Focus on Core Verticals to Increase Market Share in China
We focus on waste-to-energy projects to specific verticals, such as steel, cement, nonferrous metal and coal mining. We plan to continue to focus on such core verticals and leverage our expertise to expand our market share. We intend to expand our waste-to-energy power generating capacity rapidly in order to meet the anticipated growth of demand in China’s energy efficiency industrial applications and to gain market share. We continually identify potential customers in our core verticals. Based on our existing contracts and signed MOUs, we are targeting to increase our in-operation power generating capacity from 153MW in 2012, 190MW in 2013 and 230MW in 2014, respectively.
Expand to New Verticals with Future High Growth Potentials
We plan to pursue disciplined and targeted expansion strategies for verticals which we currently do not serve. We actively seekand explore opportunities to apply waste-to-energy technologies to new industries or segments with high growth potential, including glass, ceramics, magnesium metal and electrolytic aluminum industries. We have expanded into the biomass area, having completed our first biomass to power generation acquisition project. We believe that we have the flexibility to pursue acquisitions or develop new projects in-house through our existing research and development team. Our market entry strategy will focus on obtaining or developing new industrial applications in China as well as accesses to new market segments and customers, with the goal of using our early mover advantage to become the industry standard maker and maintain our leading position in the waste-to-energy industry.
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Increase Sales of Integrated Projects Targeting Large-Scale Customers
Large-scale manufacturers have complex manufacturing processes, from multiple points of which we can collect waste pressure, heat or gas to generate electricity. In addition, we can also combine more than one power generating cycle to recycle the waste collected from such multi-point industrial processes, which results in improved overall energy efficiency. For example, the CCPP system combines both gas and steam cycles - a gas turbine generator generates electricity and the waste heat from the gas turbine is used to make steam to generate additional electricity via a steam turbine. We are targeting mid- to large-scale customers with highly intensive energy consumption, sizeable power generating capacity and substantial project investment requirement, e.g. RMB 500 million/ $78 million or above, which can benefit from economies of scale. We believe offering large-scale integrated systems will increase overall energy efficiency and promote higher customer satisfaction and in return provide us an attractive internal rate of return and higher barrier to entry through the establishment of long-term operation contracts.
Continually Enhance Research and Development Efforts
In 2011 and 2010, we invested about $55 million and $.45 million, respectively, in research and development. We plan to devote substantial resources to research and development in order to enhance our waste-to-energy design and engineering capabilities. Our in-house design and engineering team provide additional competitive advantages, including flexibility to quickly design and evaluate new technologies or applications in response to changing market trends.
Selectively Acquire Waste-to-Energy Power Plants
While we have experienced substantial organic growth, we plan to pursue a disciplined acquisition strategy to accelerate our growth. Our strategy will focus on obtaining additional power generating capacity, research and development capabilities and access to new markets and customers.
Our Business Models
We have sold our products to our customers under two models: the BOT model and the operating lease model, although we emphasize the BOT model which we believe is more economically beneficial to us and to our customers.
BOT Model
We primarily engage in the “Build-Operate-Transfer” (the “BOT”) model to provide waste-to-energy solutions to our customers:
“Build”
We work directly with customers for each of our waste-to-energy projects. Our working process starts with a team of engineers that assesses and analyzes the specific needs of the customer to establish the design layout, equipment procurement list and capital expenditure budget for the project. Our sales team works closely with our engineering staff to present and negotiate the model with the customer.
After the signing of a contract, we finance the entire capital expenditure budget ourselves and commence the construction and installation of the project. We do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of the waste-to-energy power generation facility. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated on-site waste energy recycling project for our customer. The construction and installation period ranges from three to 12 months subject to the project type, size and complexity.
We usually engage an EPC general contractor, who is experienced in power plant and waste energy recycling project construction, to take charge of equipment procurement, project construction and installation. Our team of eight to 10 engineers participates in and monitors the equipment purchase process; this team also oversees the construction and installation activities to ensure that they are completed on time and meet our rigorous standards and specifications.
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“Operate”
After the project has been installed at the customer site and passed a series of stringent tests, we, currently, outsource the operation to a third-party vendor. The operation period ranges from 5 to 20 years subject to the terms of each contract.
During the operation period, the customer can purchase all the electricity at a below-market price. We collect energy-saving-based lease payments from the customer; the lease term is equivalent to the operation period, ranging from five to twenty years, and the payments are based on the sale by us as lessor to our customers as lessee of energy generated by the waste energy recycling project at below-market rates. The customer’s payments are based on a minimum operation schedule agreed upon by us with our customer, and are collateralized by assets of the customer and/or third party guarantees. To reduce risk, we offer leasing services across a wide variety of industries and only target larger manufacturers or state-owned enterprises. Operation in excess of the minimum schedule enables us to receive additional revenues from the excess energy generated and sold to the customer.
“Transfer”
Based on the specific terms for each project, we eventually transfer the waste energy recycling project to the customer at no cost or a nominal cost upon the completion of the operation/lease period.
Why BOT
Waste-to-energy projects are capital intensive, which requires the manufacturers to invest a considerable amount of cash to purchase equipment during the construction period. As a BOT service provider, we fund all contracted projects on our own or jointly with our customers; such financing arrangements can help our customers by removing or reducing the heavy capital expenditure burden required by specific projects, thereby allowing them to concentrate on their core business. While technologically mature in advanced countries, waste-to-energy projects are still new to most of China’s industrial companies and require intensive technology or know-how with respect to energy recycling and power generation. It is time-consuming or not feasible for industrial manufacturers to equip themselves with adequate expertise and technicians. Our specific sector knowledge and rich project experience allow us to construct, operate and maintain the power plants efficiently and to respond to operational issues in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
In exchange for upfront capital investment, we require secured power generating capacity during the operation period and guaranteed attractive internal rates of return from each project. Our operation period ranges from 5 to 20 years, during which we are entitled to sell the recycled electricity to those customers at a predetermined rate. Such electricity sales are secured by long-term electricity production agreements with guarantees which result in minimum annual payments. We employ a process of stringent and systematic internal scrutiny on new customer development so as to minimize operational and default risk; for some smaller or non-SOE businesses, we require property collateral, management or third party guarantees, and/or prepayment of three months. As such, our cash inflow schedule from each in-operation project is fixed and predictable providing clear financial visibility. Our payback period is generally two to three years, depending on the project size.
In our experience, this BOT model is well received by our existing and potential customers in China. The insufficient supply of BOT vendors to the market is wholly due to the funding limitations of most of the recycling energy solution providers. Not all of our competitors have the ability to access sufficient capital on a timely basis.
Operating Lease Model
In the past, we also recorded rental income from two separate one-year operating leases. Under the operating leases, we leased waste-energy systems and subleased the systems to a customer for a greater amount. We choose not to renew our lease agreements, and we do not expect any revenue in the future through such model.
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Contractor and Equipment Suppliers
We generally conduct our project construction through an EPC general contractor. We select the EPC general contractor for each project through a bidding process; then we sign a contract with the selected contractor for that project. The general contractor may outsource parts of our project construction to subcontractors according to the complexity and economics of the project. The general contractor is responsible for purchasing equipment to satisfy the requirements of the project we design for our customer. We generally do not purchase equipment directly from the equipment suppliers, but our general contractors obtain our consent before selecting the equipment suppliers. Our engineering department is involved in the equipment supplier selection process together with our general contractors and makes sure our stringent standards and requirements have been appropriately applied in selection of the equipment. We currently have engaged Shaanxi Huaxin Energy Engineering Co., Ltd. and Xianyang Hengfeng Energy Engineering Co., Ltd. for our projects under construction, and we also maintain relationships with many other quality general contractors in China, including Wuxi Guolian, CITIC Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd.
As mentioned above, we do not manufacture the equipment and materials that are used in the construction of our waste energy recycling projects. Rather, we incorporate standard power generating equipment into a fully integrated onsite system. The key equipment used in our projects are the boilers and turbine generators, which represent the majority of equipment cost for each project. Though we do not place the direct procurement orders, we believe we maintain good relationships with those power generation equipment suppliers, and these relationships help provide cost-effective equipment purchasing by the general contractor for our intended projects and ensure the timely completion of these projects. We have well-established business relationships with most of the suppliers from whom our general contractors procure equipment, including Hangzhou Boiler Plant, Beijing Zhongdian Electric Machinery, Chengdu Engine Group, Shanghai Electric Group, China Aviation Gas Turbine Co. Ltd and Xuji Electric. Therefore, we believe we have a strong position and support in equipment supply and installation, which benefit us, the general contractors and our customers.
Main Customers |
Our customers are mainly mid- to large-size enterprises in China involving high energy-consuming businesses. Following our selection process described in the next paragraph, we conduct stringent evaluation procedures to identify and qualify potential customers and projects. To lower our investment and operational risk, we target companies with geographic or industry competitive advantages, with strong reputations and in good financial condition. Generally, our targets include steel and nonferrous metal mills with over 3 million tons of production capacity per year, cement plants with over 2 million tons of production capacity per year that utilize new-suspension-line process, and coking plants with over 600 tons production capacity per year. Our customers include Zhonggang Binhai’s JV Plant (Zhongbao), which is China’s largest nickel steel plant; Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., which is the largest ferrosilicon alloy plant in the world, as well as other mid- to large-scale players in their specific industries or geographies, including Shengwei Cement Group, Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. Our existing customers operate in Hebei province, Shanxi province, Shaan’xi province, and the Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region in China.
Marketing and Sales
We market and sell our projects nationwide through our direct sales force of 25 employees based in Xi’an, China. Our marketing programs include industrial conferences, trade fairs, sales training, and trade publication advertising. Our sales and marketing group works closely with our research and development and engineering departments to coordinate our project development activities, project launches and ongoing demand and supply planning. We market our projects directly to the industrial manufacturers who can utilize our energy recovery projects in their manufacturing processes, including steel, cement, nonferrous metal, coal and petrochemical industries.
Our management team has long-standing relationships with our existing customers and those companies that we consider to be potential customers. We also maintain relationships with municipal governments, which often sponsor or subsidize potential customers that can utilize our projects.
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Geographic Distribution of Sales
Sales outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 100% of revenue in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Seasonality
For the most part, the Company’s business and sales is not subject to any seasonality factors.
Intellectual Property Rights |
Service Marks
We have applied for the service mark “TCH” in China, which will be used in all of our business operations. We also have applied for CREG and our logo for the trademark in the U.S.
Patents
As of December 31, 2011, we owned two patents: (i) A usage and design patent of High Temperature Flap Valve in China by Xi’an TCH transferred from Shanghai Bake Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Chinese Patent No. ZL 2006 2 0041958.6); and (ii) A usage and design patent of Compound Barrel Type Slag Cooler/Quencher in China by Xi’an TCH transferred from Shanghai Bake Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Chinese Patent No. ZL 2006 2 0047536.X).
Licenses
From time to time, we enter into license agreements with third parties under which we obtain or grant rights to patented or proprietary technology.
Research and Development |
In 2011 and 2010, we invested about $0.55 million and $0.45 million, respectively, in research and development. We believe that our research and development efforts are among the best in the waste heat, gas and pressure to energy industry, particularly with regards to practical usage and application. Our subsidiary, Huaxin, was originally a research institute of Xingtai Iron and Steel Company and, as of year ended December 31, 2011, had 31 scientists and technicians, including 12 senior engineers, three of which are professor level senior engineers - the highest level senior engineer in China, who focus on technology development, engineering design and construction. All of the Huaxin staff have more than 10 years of experience on heat powered energy, mechanical, furnace engineering or power generation engineering.
To develop new and practical solutions for our customers, our R&D team also has the support of our on-site and project engineers who provide feedback and numerous ideas to the R&D team from their daily experiences with installation and operation of various waste gas, heat or pressure to energy projects. Our cooperative relationship with the South China University of Technology School of Power and Electricity and Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology gives us access to the latest developments in energy and waste to energy technologies as well as technical support of the research and development teams of these universities on integrated utilization of waste heat, gas and pressure to energy.
Government and Environmental Management System |
We own all licenses that the Chinese governments require for our operations.
Competition |
In the past, waste energy recycling projects have been mainly installed by the industrial plants themselves. These plants hire general contractors to purchase waste energy recycling equipment manufactured by third parties and with design support from government design institutes, which usually charge a one-time design fee, construct the projects on-site. Pressure has increased on Chinese producers to become more energy-efficient, but many mid-sized companies do not have the special technical expertise or the capital to install and operate such waste energy recycling projects. Many companies have begun to outsource these functions to third-party providers, creating an opportunity in a growing market.
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We are a leading developer of industrial waste energy recycling projects in China. To our knowledge, we are the only non-state owned enterprise primarily using a BOT model to provide energy saving and recovery systems for various energy intensive industries, such as cement, steel and metallurgy industries. We face competition from an array of market participants.
Our main competitors as third-party providers are state owned research institutes or their wholly owned construction companies; however, smaller private companies occasionally employ a BOT model to provide waste to energy systems. The state-owned enterprises include Equipment and System Engineer Co., Ltd. of Hangzhou Steam Turbine & Power Group (Hangzhou Turbine) and Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd of China National Material Group, Sinoma Development Co., Ltd. The private companies include China Senyuan Electronic Co., Ltd., Dalian East New Energy Development Co. Ltd., Top Resource Conservation Engineering Co.,Ltd. and Nanjing Kaisheng Kaineng Environmental Energy.
We believe that there is a larger market in the waste-to-energy industry in China for systems constructed on the “Engineering Procurement Construction” or “EPC” model in which customers purchase the services of a contractor to construct a system for the customer at the customer’s expense. Service providers include Dalian East New Energy Development, Nanjing Kaisheng Cement Technology and Engineering Co., Ltd., Jiangxi Sifang Energy Co., Ltd., Beijing Century Benefits Co., Ltd., Beijing Shineng Zhongjin Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Kunming Sunwise Co., Ltd. and China Everbright International Ltd. We compete with EPC providers for waste-to-energy projects when potential customers are able to obtain external financing or have the necessary capital.
We believe that we offer advantages over our competitors in several ways:
· | Our management team has over 20 years of industry experience and expertise; |
· | We have the capabilities to provide TRT, CHPG and WGPG systems, while our competitors usually concentrate on one type or another; |
· | We have the capabilities and experience in undertaking large scale projects; and |
· | We provide BOT or capital lease services to the customers, while our competitors usually use an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) or turnkey contract model. |
Employees |
As of December 31, 2011, we had 170 employees:
Management: | 10 Employees | |||
Administration: | 8 Employees | |||
Marketing: | 25 Employees | |||
Research & Development: | 43 Employees | |||
Accounting & Finance: | 12 Employees | |||
Project Officer: | 72 Employees, including 69 operators | |||
All of our personnel are employed full-time and none of them are represented under collective bargaining agreements. We consider our relations with our employees to be good.
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Costs and effects of compliance with environmental laws |
There were many new laws, regulations, rules and notices regarding the environment and energy production adopted, promulgated and put into force during past years. The Chinese government is putting more stringent requirements and urgency on reducing pollution and emissions and improving energy efficiency nationwide. Our products are designed and constructed to comply with the environmental laws and regulations of China. As our systems allow our customers to use waste heat and gases to create energy, we help reduce the overall environmental impact of our customers. Since our business focuses on recycling energy, the effect of the strengthening of environmental laws in China may be to increase demand for the products and services we offer and others like them.
Available Information
We file reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports from time to time. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Company is an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains the reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed electronically. Our website address is www.creg-cn.com. Please note that our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on our website is not part of this report, and is therefore not incorporated by reference unless such information is otherwise specifically referenced elsewhere in this report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to our Common Stock
The market price for our common stock may be volatile.
The market price for our common stock is highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors including the following:
· | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; |
· | announcements of new services by us or our competitors; |
· | changes in financial estimates by securities analysts; |
· | conditions in the energy recycling market; |
· | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other companies involved in the same industry; |
· | changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretation or principles; |
· | loss of external funding sources; |
· | failure to maintain compliance with NASDAQ listing rules; |
· | announcements by our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; |
· | additions or departures of key personnel; |
· | potential litigation; |
· | conditions in the market; or |
· | relatively small size of shares of our common stock available for purchase. |
In addition, the securities markets from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Shareholders could experience substantial dilution.
We may issue additional shares of our capital stock to raise additional cash for working capital. If we issue additional shares of our capital stock, our shareholders will experience dilution in their respective percentage ownership in the company.
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We have no present intention to pay dividends.
We have not paid dividends or made other cash distributions on our common stock during any of the past three years, and we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain any future earnings for working capital and to finance current operations and expansion of our business.
A large portion of our common stock is controlled by a small number of shareholders.
A large portion of our common stock is held by a small number of shareholders. As a result, these shareholders are able to influence the outcome of shareholder votes on various matters, including the election of directors and extraordinary corporate transactions including business combinations. In addition, the occurrence of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, may affect our stock price and could impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities. Furthermore, the current ratios of ownership of our common stock reduce the public float and liquidity of our common stock which can in turn affect the market price of our common stock.
We may be unable to maintain compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rules which could cause our common stock to be delisted from the NASDAQ Global Market. This could result in the lack of a market for our common stock, cause a decrease in the value of our common stock, and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules our common stock must maintain a minimum price of $1.00 per share for continued inclusion on the NASDAQ Global Market. The per share price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly. We cannot guarantee that our stock price will remain at or above $1.00 per share and if the price again drops below $1.00 per share, the stock could become subject to delisting. If our common stock is delisted, trading of the stock will most likely take place on an over-the-counter market established for unlisted securities. An investor is likely to find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our common stock on an over-the-counter market, and many investors may not buy or sell our common stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, or due to policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. For these reasons and others, delisting would adversely affect the liquidity, trading volume and price of our common stock, causing the value of an investment in us to decrease and having an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations by limiting our ability to attract and retain qualified executives and employees and limiting our ability to raise capital.
Risks Related to Our Business Operations
We depend on the waste energy of our customers to generate electricity.
We acquire waste pressure, heat and gases from steelworks, cement, coking or metallurgy plants and use these to generate power. Therefore, our power generating capacity depends on the availability of an adequate supply of our “raw materials” from our customers. If we do not have enough supply, power generated for those customers will be impeded. Since our contracts are often structured so that we receive compensation based on the amount of energy we supply, a reduction in production may cause problems for our revenues and results of operations.
Our revenue depends on gaining new customers and project contracts and purchase commitments from customers.
Currently and historically, we have only had a limited number of projects in process at any time. Thus, our revenues have historically resulted, and are expected to continue in the immediate future to result, primarily from the sale and operation of our waste energy recycling projects that, once completed, typically produce ongoing revenues from energy production. Customers may change or delay orders for any number of reasons, such as force majeure or seasonality factors that are unrelated to us. As a result, in order to maintain and expand our business, we must continue to develop and obtain new orders. However, it is difficult to predict whether and when we will receive such orders or project contracts due to the lengthy process, which may be affected by factors that we do not control, such as market and economic conditions, financing arrangements, commodity prices, environmental issues and government approvals.
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We may require additional funds to run our business and may be required to raise these funds on terms which are not favorable to us or which reduce our stock price.
We may need to complete additional equity or debt financings to fund our operations. Our inability to obtain additional financing could adversely affect our business. Financings may not be available at all or on terms favorable to us. In addition, these financings, if completed, may not meet our capital needs and could result in substantial dilution to our stockholders. In November 2011, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC for the issuance and sale of up to $20,000,000 million of equity, proceeds from which will be used for general corporate purposes. The Form S-3 provides additional financial flexibility for the Company to sell shares as needed at any time.
We currently rely on a small number of projects for significant portions of our revenues, and our operating results may decline significantly if we experience delay or fail to secure additional large projects.
Currently, we rely on a few new projects to provide a substantial portion of our revenues in each year. We believe that we will continue to derive in the near future, a significant portion of our sales from a limited number of projects and transactions with customers. While we derive a stream of revenue for completed projects through the ongoing sales of power production, the majority of our annual revenues currently depend on the construction and initial leasing of our projects. Therefore, the delay of completion or cancellation of a large project or a significant reduction in scope could significantly reduce our revenues. In addition, if we fail to secure an equal number of large transactions in the future, our results could be negatively impacted.
Changes in the economic and credit environment could have an adverse effect on demand for our projects, which would in turn have a negative impact on our results of operations, our cash flows, our financial condition, our ability to borrow and our stock price.
Since late 2008 and continuing into 2012, global market and economic conditions have been disrupted and volatile. Concerns over increased energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market and a declining residential real estate market in the U.S. contributed to this increased volatility. These factors, combined with declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, precipitated a global recession. It is difficult to predict how long the current economic conditions will persist or whether they will deteriorate further. As a result, these conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The global economic crisis has also resulted in tighter credit conditions, which may lead to higher financing costs. Although poor market conditions can act as an incentive for our customers to reduce their energy costs, if the global economic crisis persists and has material adverse effects on our customers’ business, our customers may delay or cancel their plan of installing waste energy recycling projects.
Decreases in the price of coal, oil and gas or a decline in popular support for “green” energy technologies could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.
Higher coal, oil and gas prices provide incentives for customers to invest in “green” energy technologies such as our waste energy recycling projects that reduce their need for fossil fuels. Conversely, lower coal, oil and gas prices would tend to reduce the incentive for customers to invest in capital equipment to produce electric power or seek out alternative energy sources. Demand for our projects and services depends in part on the current and future commodity prices of coal, oil and gas. We have no control over the current or future prices of these commodities.
In addition, popular support by governments, corporations and individuals for “green” energy technologies may change. Because of the ongoing development of, and the possible change in support for, “green” energy technologies we cannot assure you that negative changes to this industry will not occur. Changes in government or popular support for “green” energy technologies could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects and results of operations.
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Changes in the growth of demand for or pricing of electricity could reduce demand for our waste energy recycling projects, which could materially harm our ability to grow our business.
Our revenues are dependent on the ability to provide savings on energy costs for our clients. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of the PRC, domestic electricity consumption grew at a rate of 11.7% in 2011. The China Electricity Council has forecasted that the rate of growth in China’s electricity demand will continue to increase in 2011 as the growth in electricity consumption increases due to the continued development of the Chinese economy. However, such growth is unpredictable and depends on general economic conditions and consumer demand, both of which are beyond our control. Furthermore, pricing of electricity in the PRC is set in advance by the state or local electricity administration and may be artificially depressed by governmental regulation or influenced by supply and demand imbalances. If these changes reduce the cost of electricity from traditional sources of supply, the demand for our waste energy recycling projects could be reduced, and therefore, could materially harm our ability to grow our business.
Our insurance may not cover all liabilities and damages.
Our industry can be dangerous and hazardous. The insurance we carry might not be enough to cover all the liabilities and damages that may be caused by potential accidents.
A downturn in the Chinese economy may slow down our growth and profitability.
The growth of the Chinese economy has been uneven across geographic regions and economic sectors. There is no assurance that growth of the Chinese economy will be steady or that any downturn will not have a negative effect on our business. Our profitability will decrease if less energy is consumed due to a downturn in the Chinese economy.
Our heavy reliance on the experience and expertise of our management may cause adverse impacts on us if a management member departs.
We depend on key personnel for the success of our business. Our business may be severely disrupted if we lose the services of our key executives and employees or fail to add new senior and middle managers to our management.
Our future success is heavily dependent upon the continued service of our key executives. We also rely on a number of key technology staff for the operation of our company. Our future success is also dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified senior and middle managers to our management team. If one or more of our current or future key executives or employees are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to easily replace them, and our business may be severely disrupted. In addition, if any of these key executives or employees joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we could lose customers and suppliers and incur additional expenses to recruit and train personnel. We do not maintain key-man life insurance for any of our key executives.
We may need more capital for the operation and failure to raise the capital we need may delay the development plan and reduce the profits.
If we don’t have adequate income or our capital can’t meet the requirement for expansion of operations, we will need to seek financing to continue our business development. If we fail to acquire adequate financial resources at acceptable terms, we might have to postpone our proposed business development plans and reduce projections of our future incomes.
Our use of a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model requires us to invest substantial financial and technical resources in a project before we deliver a waste energy recycling project.
We use a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model to provide our waste energy recycling projects to our customers. This process requires us to provide significant capital at the beginning of each project. The design, construction and completion of a waste energy recycling project is highly technical and the time necessary to complete a project can take three to 12 months without any delays, including delays outside our control such as from the result of customer’s operations, and we incur significant expenses as part of this process. Our initial cash outlay and the length of the delivery time makes us particularly vulnerable to the loss of a significant customer or contract because we may be unable to quickly replace the lost cash flow.
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Our BOT model and the accounting for our projects as sales-type leases could result in a difference between our revenue recognition and our cash flows.
While we recognize a large portion of the revenue from each project when it goes on-line, all of the cash flow from the project is received in even monthly payments across the term of the lease. Although our revenues may be high, the initial cash outlay required for each project is substantial and even with the recovery of this cost in the early years of each lease, we may need to raise additional capital resulting in a dilution in your holdings. This discrepancy between revenue recognition and cash flow could also contribute to volatility in our stock price.
There is collection risk associated with payments to be received over the terms of agreements with customers of our waste energy recycling projects.
We are dependent in part on the viability of our customers for collections under our BOT model. Customers may experience financial difficulties that could cause them to be unable to fulfill their contractual payment obligations to us. Although our customers usually provide collateral or other guarantees to secure their obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the waste energy recycling projects, there is no guarantee that such collateral will be sufficient to meet all obligations under the respective contract. As a result, our future revenues and cash flows could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to assemble and deliver our waste energy recycling projects as quickly as customers may require which could cause us to lose sales and could harm our reputation.
We may not be able to assemble our waste energy recycling projects and deliver them to our customers at the times they require. Manufacturing delays and interruptions can occur for many reasons, including, but not limited to
· | the failure of a supplier to deliver needed components on a timely basis or of acceptable quality; |
· | equipment failures; |
· | personnel shortage; |
· | labor disputes; or |
· | transportation disruptions. |
Assembly of our waste energy recycling projects is complex. If we fail to assemble and deliver our waste energy recycling projects in a timely fashion, our reputation may be harmed, we may jeopardize existing orders and lose potential future sales, and we may be forced to pay penalties to our customers.
We operate in an emerging competitive industry and if we are unable to compete successfully our revenue and profitability will be adversely affected.
Currently, the PRC waste energy recycling market is fragmented but competitive. As the industry evolves, we anticipate that competition will increase. We currently face competition primarily from companies that focus on one type of waste energy recycling project or one industry in the waste energy recycling market, some of which may have more expertise in their area of focus than we do. We also compete against companies that have substantial competitive advantage because of longer operating histories and larger marketing budgets, as well as substantially greater financial and other resources than us. Our largest potential clients may choose to build their own systems. National or global competitors could enter the market with more substantial financial and workforce resources, stronger existing customer relationships, and greater name recognition or could choose to target medium to small companies in our traditional markets. Competitors could focus their substantial resources on developing a more attractive solution set than ours or products with technologies that reduce demand for energy beyond what our solutions can provide and at cheaper prices. Competition also places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins, which presents us with significant challenges in our ability to maintain strong growth rates and acceptable profit margins. If we are unable to meet these competitive challenges, we could lose market share to our competitors and experience an overall reduction in our profits.
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If we infringe the rights of third parties, we could be prevented from selling products, forced to pay damages and compelled to defend against litigation.
If our waste energy recycling projects, methods, processes and other technologies infringe proprietary rights of other parties, we may have to obtain licenses (which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all), redesign our waste energy recycling projects or processes, stop using the subject matter claimed in the asserted patents, pay damages, or defend litigation or administrative proceedings, which may be costly whether we win or lose. All of the above could result in a substantial diversion of valuable management resources and we could incur substantial costs.
We believe we have taken reasonable steps, including prior patent searches, to ensure we have the freedom to operate under our intellectual property rights, and that our development and commercialization efforts can be carried out as planned without infringing others’ proprietary rights. However, a third-party patent may have been filed or will be filed that may contain subject matter of relevance to our development, causing a third-party patent holder to claim infringement. Resolution of such issues sometimes results in lengthy and costly legal proceedings, the outcome of which we cannot predict accurately.
We may not be able to adequately respond to changes in technology affecting the waste energy recycling industry.
Our industry could experience rapid technological changes and new product introductions. Current competitors or new market entrants could introduce new or enhanced products with features which render the systems used in our projects obsolete or less marketable. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to respond to changing technology and industry standards in a timely and cost-effective manner. We may not be successful in effectively using new technologies, developing new systems or enhancing our existing systems and technology on a timely basis. Our new technologies or enhancements may not achieve market acceptance. Our pursuit of new technologies may require substantial time and expense. We may need to license new technologies to respond to technological change. These licenses may not be available to us on terms that we can accept. Finally, we may not succeed in adapting our projects to new technologies as they emerge.
We are dependent on third parties for manufacturing key components and delays by third parties may cause delays in assembly and increased costs to us.
We rely upon third parties for the manufacture of key components. Delays and difficulties in the manufacturing of our waste energy recycling projects could substantially harm our revenues. There are limited sources of supply for some key waste energy recycling project components. Business disruptions, financial difficulties of the manufacturers or suppliers of these components, or raw material shortages could increase our costs, reduce the availability of these components or delay our delivery of projects to customers. To date, we have been able to obtain adequate supplies of these key components. If we are unable to obtain a sufficient supply of required components, we could experience significant delays in construction, which could result in the loss of orders and customers, and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. If the cost of components increases, we may not be able to pass on price increases to our customers if we are to remain competitively priced. This would reduce profit, which in turn would reduce the value of your investment.
Risks Related to the People’s Republic of China
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could materially and adversely affect the demand for our projects and our business.
Currently, all of our operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
· | the amount of government involvement; |
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· | the level of development; |
· | the growth rate; |
· | the control of foreign exchange; and |
· | the allocation of resources. |
While the PRC economy has grown significantly since the late 1970s, the growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.
The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. The continued control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the PRC government could materially and adversely affect our business. The PRC government also exercises significant control over economic growth in China through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Efforts by the PRC government to slow the pace of growth of the PRC economy could result in decreased capital expenditure by energy users, which in turn could reduce demand for our products. In addition, the PRC government, which regulates the power industry in China, has adopted laws related to renewable energy, and has adopted policies for the accelerated development of renewable energy as part of a Development Plan promulgated on August 31, 2007.
Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth and the level of energy investments and expenditures in China, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
Restrictions under PRC law on our subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.
We conduct all of our business through our consolidated subsidiaries and affiliated companies operating in the PRC. We rely on dividends paid by these consolidated subsidiaries for our cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay any dividends and other cash distributions to our stockholders, to service any debt we may incur and to pay our operating expenses. The payment of dividends by entities established in the PRC is subject to limitations imposed by government regulations. Regulations in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with accounting standards and regulations in the PRC, subject to certain statutory procedural requirements and these may not be calculated in the same manner as US GAAP. In addition, each of our subsidiaries in China is required to set aside a certain amount of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund certain statutory reserves. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, if our subsidiaries in China incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us. Any limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct our business.
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Fluctuation in the value of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect on your investment.
The value of the Renminbi (“RMB”) against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may fluctuate and is affected by, among other things, changes in China’s political and economic conditions. The conversion of RMB into foreign currencies, including U.S. dollars, has historically been set by the People’s Bank of China. On July 21, 2005, the PRC government changed its policy of pegging the value of the RMB to the U.S. dollar. Under the new policy, the RMB is permitted to fluctuate within a band against a basket of certain foreign currencies, determined by the Bank of China, against which it can rise or fall by as much as 0.3% each day. Since the adoption of this new policy, the value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar has fluctuated on a daily basis within narrow ranges, but overall has strengthened against the U.S. dollar. There remains significant international pressure on the PRC government to further liberalize its currency policy, which could result in a further and more significant appreciation in the value of the RMB against the U.S. dollar. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms even if there is no underlying change in our business or results of operations. In addition, if we decide to convert our RMB into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making payments for dividends on our common stock or for other business purposes, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the RMB would have a negative effect on the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
The PRC currency is not a freely convertible currency, which could limit our ability to obtain sufficient foreign currency to support our business operations in the future. In addition, changes in foreign exchange regulations in the PRC may affect our ability to pay dividends in foreign currency or conduct other foreign exchange business.
The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. We receive substantially all of our revenues in RMB, which is currently not a freely convertible currency. Shortages in the availability of foreign currency may restrict our ability to remit sufficient foreign currency to pay dividends, or otherwise satisfy foreign currency-denominated obligations. Under existing PRC foreign exchange regulations, payments of current account items, including profit distributions, interest payments and expenditures from the transaction, can be made in foreign currencies without prior approval from the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or the SAFE, by complying with certain procedural requirements. However, approval from appropriate governmental authorities is required where RMB are to be converted into foreign currency and remitted out of China to pay capital expenses such as the repayment of bank loans denominated in foreign currencies.
The PRC government may also at its discretion restrict access in the future to foreign currencies for current account transactions. If the foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currency to satisfy our currency demands, we may not be able to pay certain of our expenses as they come due.
There are significant uncertainties under the Enterprise Income Tax Law regarding our PRC enterprise income tax liabilities, such as tax on dividends paid to us by our PRC subsidiaries and tax on any dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders.
The Enterprise Income Tax Law, also known as the EIT Law, provides that enterprises established outside of the PRC whose “de facto management bodies” are located in the PRC are considered as a “tax-resident enterprise” and are generally subject to the uniform 25.0% enterprise income tax rate on global income. Under the implementation regulations to EIT Law, “de facto management body” refers to a managing body that in practice exercises overall management control over the production and business, personnel, accounting and assets of an enterprise. In addition, on April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation of the PRC issued the Notice on the Issues Regarding Recognition of Overseas Incorporated Enterprises that are Domestically Controlled as PRC Resident Enterprises Based on the De Facto Management Body Criteria, which was retroactively effective as of January 1, 2008. This notice provides that an overseas incorporated enterprise that is controlled domestically will be recognized as a “tax-resident enterprise” if it satisfies all of the following conditions: (i) the senior management responsible for daily production/business operations are primarily located in the PRC, and the location(s) where such senior management execute their responsibilities are primarily in the PRC; (ii) strategic financial and personnel decisions are made or approved by organizations or personnel located in the PRC; (iii) major properties, accounting ledgers, company seals and minutes of board meetings and stockholder meetings, etc, are maintained in the PRC; and (iv) 50.0% or more of the board members with voting rights or senior management habitually reside in the PRC.
In addition, dividends paid by us to our non-PRC stockholders as well as gains realized by such stockholders from the sale or transfer of our stock may be subject to a PRC tax under the EIT Law, and we may be required to withhold PRC tax on dividends paid to our non-PRC stockholders.
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We face uncertainty from China’s Circular on Strengthening the Administration of Enterprise Income Tax on Non-Resident Enterprises' Share Transfer (Circular 698) which was released in December 2009 with retroactive effect from January 1, 2008.
The State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) issued Circular 698 on December 10, 2009, which reinforced taxation on transfer of non-listed shares by non-resident enterprises through overseas holding vehicles. Circular 698 applies retroactively and was deemed effective as of January 1, 2010. Pursuant to Circular 698, where (i) a foreign investor who indirectly holds equity interest in a PRC resident enterprise through an offshore holding company indirectly transfers equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise by selling the shares of the offshore holding company, and (ii) the offshore holding company is located in a jurisdiction where the effective tax rate is lower than 12.5% or where the offshore income of its residents is not taxable, the foreign investor is required to provide the tax authority in charge of that PRC resident enterprise with certain relevant information within 30 days of the transfer. The tax authorities in charge will evaluate the offshore transaction for tax purposes. In the event the tax authorities determine that such transfer is abusing forms of business organization and there is no reasonable commercial purpose other than avoidance of PRC enterprise income tax, the tax authorities will have the power to conduct a substance-over-form re-assessment of the nature of the equity transfer. A reasonable commercial purpose may be established when the overall offshore structure is set up to comply with the requirements of supervising authorities of international capital markets. If the SAT’s challenge of a transfer is successful, they will deny the existence of the offshore holding company that is used for tax planning purposes. Since Circular 698 has a short history, there is uncertainty as to its application. We and our foreign investors may become at risk of being taxed under Circular 698 and may be required to expend resources to comply with Circular 698 or to establish that we or our foreign investors should not be taxed under Circular 698, which could have a material adverse effect on our or our foreign investors’ financial condition and results of operations.
PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment by offshore holding companies in PRC entities may delay or prevent us from making loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating companies, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and ability to fund and expand our business.
As an offshore holding company of PRC operating companies, we may make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC operating companies. Any loans to our PRC operating companies are subject to PRC regulations. For example, loans to our operating companies in China to finance their activities may not exceed statutory limits and must be registered with SAFE. If we decide to make capital contributions to our operating entities in the PRC, the PRC Ministry of Commerce, or MOFCOM, (or MOFCOM’s local counterpart, depending on the amount involved) must approve these capital contributions. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain these government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to any such capital contributions. If we fail to receive such approvals, our ability to use the proceeds of this offering and to capitalize our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could adversely affect our ability to fund and expand our business.
We may face PRC regulatory risks relating to our equity incentive plan.
On March 28, 2007, the SAFE promulgated a notice requiring PRC individuals who are granted stock options and other types of stock-based awards by an overseas publicly-listed company to obtain approval from the local SAFE branch through an agent of the overseas publicly-listed company (generally its PRC subsidiary or a financial institution).
We urged our PRC management personnel, directors, employees and consultants who were granted stock options under our 2007 Plan to register them with the local SAFE pursuant to the said regulation. However, we cannot ensure that each of these individuals have carried out all of the required registration procedures.
If we, or any of these persons, fail to comply with the relevant rules or requirements, we may be subject to penalties, and may become subject to more stringent review and approval processes with respect to our foreign exchange activities, such as our PRC subsidiaries’ dividend payment to us or borrowing foreign currency loans, all of which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.
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The Chinese government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.
The Chinese government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, environmental regulations, land use rights, property and other matters. The central or local governments of these jurisdictions may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations. Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof, and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us and we may have limited legal recourse under PRC law if disputes arise under our contracts with third parties.
Since 1979, PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China in particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their non-binding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until some time after violation.
The Chinese government has enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, their experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance, or to seek an injunction under PRC law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent others from violating our rights. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We must comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption laws.
We are required to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, which prohibits U.S. companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some of our competitors, are not subject to these prohibitions. The PRC also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. Certain of our suppliers are owned by the PRC government and our dealings with them are likely to be considered to be with government officials for these purposes. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time-to-time in China. It is our policy to prohibit our employees and to discourage our agents, representatives and consultants from engaging in such practices. If our competitors engage in these practices, they may receive preferential treatment from personnel of some companies, giving our competitors an advantage in securing business or from government officials who might give them priority in obtaining new licenses, which would put us at a disadvantage. Our employees, agents, representatives and consultants may not always be subject to our control. If any of them violates FCPA or other anti-corruption law, we might be held responsible. We could suffer severe penalties in that event. In addition, the U.S. government may seek to hold us liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or which we acquire.
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We may have difficulty maintaining adequate management, legal and financial controls in the PRC.
The PRC historically has been deficient in western style management and financial reporting concepts and practices, as well as in modern banking, and other control systems. We may have difficulty in hiring and retaining a sufficient number of qualified employees to work in the PRC. As a result of these factors, and especially since we are a publicly listed company in the U.S. and subject to regulation as such, we may experience difficulty in maintaining management, legal and financial controls, collecting financial data and preparing financial statements, books of account and corporate records and instituting business practices that meet western standards. We may have difficulty establishing adequate management, legal and financial controls in the PRC. Therefore, we may, in turn, experience difficulties in implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX 404, and other applicable laws, rules and regulations. This may result in significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls which could impact the reliability of our financial statements and prevent us from complying with SEC rules and regulations and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any such deficiencies, weaknesses or lack of compliance could have a materially adverse effect on our business and the market price of our stock.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected and investor confidence and the market price of our ordinary shares may be adversely impacted.
As directed by SOX 404, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in their annual reports. In addition, the independent registered public accounting firm auditing a company’s financial statements must also attest to and report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal controls over our financial reporting are not effective. Even if our management concludes that our internal controls over financial reporting are effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our controls or the level at which our controls are documented, designed, operated or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. Any of these possible outcomes could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our reporting processes, which could adversely impact the market price of our common stock.
Your ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, will be limited because we conduct substantially all of our operations in the PRC and because the majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States.
We are a Nevada corporation but nearly all of our assets are located outside of the U.S.. Most of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of the PRC. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts. The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. Courts in the PRC may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based on treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. The PRC does not have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with the United States. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or the public interest. So it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the U.S.
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A failure by our stockholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents to comply with certain PRC foreign exchange regulations could restrict our ability to distribute profits, restrict our overseas and cross-border investment activities or subject us to liability under PRC laws, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
On October 21, 2005, SAFE issued the Notice on Relevant Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration for PRC Residents Engaging in Financing and Roundtrip Investments via Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles, or SAFE Circular 75. SAFE Circular 75 states that PRC residents (including both legal persons and natural persons) must register with SAFE or its local branch in connection with their establishment or control of an offshore entity established for the purpose of overseas equity financing involving a roundtrip investment whereby the offshore entity acquires or controls onshore assets or equity interests held by the PRC residents. In addition, such PRC residents must update their SAFE registrations when the offshore SPV undergoes material events relating to increases or decreases in investment amount, transfers or exchanges of shares, mergers or divisions, long-term equity or debt investments, external guarantees, or other material events that do not involve roundtrip investments. To further clarify the implementation of SAFE Circular 75, the General Affairs Department of SAFE issued SAFE Circular 106 on May 29, 2007. Under SAFE Circular 106, PRC subsidiaries of an offshore company governed by SAFE Circular 75 are required to coordinate and supervise the filing of SAFE registrations in a timely manner by the offshore holding company’s shareholders who are PRC residents. If these shareholders fail to comply, the PRC subsidiaries are required to report to the local SAFE authorities. If our shareholders who are PRC residents do not complete their registration with the local SAFE authorities, our PRC subsidiaries will be prohibited from distributing their profits and proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to us, and we may be restricted in our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries.
We are committed to complying, and to ensuring that our shareholders, who are PRC residents, comply with the SAFE Circular 75 requirements. We believe that all of our PRC resident shareholders and beneficial owners have completed their required registrations with SAFE, or are otherwise in the process of registering. However, we may not at all times be fully aware or informed of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC residents, and we may not always be able to compel our beneficial owners to comply with the SAFE Circular 75 requirements. As a result, we cannot assure you that all of our shareholders or beneficial owners who are PRC residents will at all times comply with, or in the future make or obtain any applicable registrations or approvals required by, SAFE Circular 75 or other related regulations. Failure by any such shareholders or beneficial owners to comply with SAFE Circular 75 could subject us to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
PRC regulations involve complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors that could make our restructuring or an offering subject to government approval.
Pursuant to the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (“M&A Rule”), effective as of September 8, 2006 and revised as of June 22, 2009, additional procedures and requirements were established that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies and special anti-monopoly submissions for parties meeting certain reporting thresholds.
The M&A Rules require offshore companies formed for overseas listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by PRC companies or individuals to obtain the approval of MOFCOM prior to a cross-border share swap and the CSRC prior to the public listing of their securities on an overseas stock exchange through share swap. On September 21, 2006, pursuant to the M&A Rule and other PRC Laws, the CSRC published on its official website relevant guidance with respect to the listing and trading of PRC domestic enterprises’ securities on overseas stock exchanges (“Related Clarifications”), including a list of application materials regarding the listing on overseas stock exchange by special purpose vehicles, however, the CSRC currently has not issued any definitive rule concerning whether an offering, such as an offering under the previously described registration statement of Form S-3, is subject to the M&A Rule and Related Clarifications.
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There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of the above rules, and MOFCOM and CSRC have yet to promulgate any written provisions or formally to declare or state whether the overseas listing of a PRC related company similar to us will be subject to approvals from MOFCOM and CSRC with respect to any offering or a failure to maintain an offering. If MOFCOM and CSRC approvals are required in connection with our previous restructuring and this offering, our failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval could result in penalties imposed by MOFCOM, CSRC and other PRC regulatory agencies. These penalties could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restriction or limitation on remitting dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may cause a material and adverse effect on our business, operations and financial conditions.
Notwithstanding those provisions, we are advised by our PRC counsel, Kang Da Law Firm, that MOFCOM and CSRC approvals are not required in the context of our previous restructuring, because our previous restructuring does not constitute a cross-border share swap contemplated by the M&A Rule. However, we cannot assure you that the relevant PRC government agencies, including MOFCOM and CSRC, would reach the same conclusion, and we still cannot rule out the possibility that MOFCOM and CSRC may deem our listing structure as circumventing the M&A Rule and Related Clarifications, in particular in consideration of the fact that our restructuring was completed through several steps. Please refer to the Company History section about our restructuring.
PRC regulations also involve complex procedures for acquisitions conducted by foreign investors that could make it more difficult for us to grow through acquisitions.
We may grow our business in part by acquiring other companies in the PRC. Complying with the requirements of the M&A Rule to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
Our labor costs may increase due to the implementation of the new PRC Labor Contract Law.
The PRC Labor Contract Law was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of PRC in June 2007 and became effective on January 1, 2008. The Implementation Rules of the PRC Labor Contract Law were passed by the PRC State Council in September 2008 and became effective that same month. The implementation of the new law and its Implementation Rules, particularly the following provisions, may increase our labor costs: (a) an employer shall make monetary compensation, which shall be based on the number of an employee’s working years with the employer at the rate of one month’s wage for each year, to the employee upon termination of an employment contract with certain exceptions (for example, in circumstances where the term of a fixed-term employment contract expires and the employee does not agree to renew the contract even though the conditions offered by the employer are the same as or better than those stipulated in the current contract); (b) the wages of an employee who is on probation may not be less than the lowest wage level for the same job with the employer or less than 80% of the wage agreed upon in the employment contract, and may not be less than the local minimum wage rate; (c) if an employee has been working for the employer for a consecutive period of not less than 10 years, or if a fixed-term employment contract with an employee was entered into on two consecutive occasions, generally the employer should enter into an open-ended employment contract with such employee, unless the employee requests a fixed-term employment contract; (d) if an employer fails, in violation of the related provisions, to enter into an open-ended employment contract with an employee, it shall in each month pay to the employee twice his wage, starting from the date on which an open-ended employment contract should have been entered into; (e) if an employer fails to enter into a written employment contract with an employee more than one month but less than one year after the date on which it started employing him, it shall in each month pay to the employee twice his wage; and (f) if an employer hires an employee whose employment contract with another employer has not yet been terminated or ended, causing the other employer to suffer a loss, the later hiring employer shall be jointly and severally liable with the employee for the compensation for such loss. Our labor costs may increase due to the implementation of the new PRC Labor Contract Law and the Implementation Rules of the PRC Labor Contract Law and our business and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We currently lease two office spaces, one in Xi’an and one in Shanghai. On February 1, 2010, we expanded and moved our leased office space in Xi’an within the Chang’an Metropolis Center where we previously occupied part of a floor in Tower B. Our leased space in Xi-an is now the 12th Floor of Tower A at Chang’an Metropolis Center, No. 88, Nanguanzheng Street, Xi’an, PRC. Our leased office space in Shanghai is located at Room 3163, Floor 31, Jinmao Plaza, No.88 Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai, PRC. Average monthly rent for all locations was $16,937 in 2010 and $17,503 in 2011.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that it believes will have a material adverse effect upon the conduct of its business or its financial position.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND SMALL BUSINESS ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CREG.” Prior to March 22, 2010, our common stock was traded on FINRA’s Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “CREG”. On August 6, 2004 we changed our name from Boulder Acquisitions, Inc. to China Digital Wireless, Inc. and changed our symbol from “BAQI” to “CHDW.” On March 8, 2007, we changed our name from China Digital Wireless, Inc. to China Recycling Energy Corporation, and changed our symbol from “CHDW” to “CREG”. On March 7, 2012, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $1.20 per share. As of March 7, 2012, there were 46,474,350 shares of our common stock outstanding held by approximately 2,754 shareholders of record.
The table below provides information with respect to the Company’s quarterly stock prices during 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4Q | 3Q | 2Q | 1Q | 4Q | 3Q | 2Q | 1Q | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | $ | 1.47 | $ | 2.10 | $ | 2.81 | $ | 3.22 | $ | 3.50 | $ | 3.62 | $ | 5.09 | $ | 5.73 | ||||||||||||||||
Low | 1.12 | .90 | 1.77 | 2.26 | 2.64 | 2.90 | 2.91 | 3.25 |
Dividend Policy
We did not pay any cash dividends on our common stock in 2010 or 2011. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance operations and the expansion of our business.
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Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On November 22, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 2,941,176 shares of the Company’s common stock to Xueyi Dong, a Chinese citizen, pursuant to the Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and Mr. Dong, dated June 29, 2010, disclosed in the Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2010. The issuance of shares to Mr. Dong is a part of the consideration, which is equivalent to 80 million RMB at $ 4 per share with an exchange rate of $1: 6.8 RMB, for the transfer of a set of 12MW biomass power generation systems by Mr. Dong to Xi’an TCH in 2010, pursuant to the Transfer Agreement.
On July 21, 2011, we issued 4,149,599 shares of common stock of the Company to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and 184,593 shares of Common Stock to CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., pursuant to the 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated April 29, 2008, disclosed in the Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2008. The Investors converted the principal amount under the 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000 into 4,334,192 shares of Common Stock of the Company at the conversion price per share of $1.154.
The issuance of these shares were made in reliance on the exemptions from registration provided by (i) Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering and (ii) Regulation S and Regulation D under the Securities Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
There were no common stock purchases by the Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2011. However, on September 27, 2011, David Chong, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, became the sole stockholder of Sino Way Limited, an entity that owns 100,000 shares of our Common Stock.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information about our equity compensation plans at December 31, 2011 that were either approved or not approved by our shareholders is as follows:
Number of | ||||||||||||
securities | ||||||||||||
Number of | remaining | |||||||||||
securities | available | |||||||||||
to be issued | for future | |||||||||||
upon | issuance | |||||||||||
exercise of | Weighted-average | under equity | ||||||||||
outstanding | exercise price of | compensation | ||||||||||
Plan Category | options | outstanding options | plans | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 4,466,666 | $ | 1.64 | 733,334 | ||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | - | $ | - | |||||||||
Total | 4,466,666 | $ | 1.64 | 733,334 |
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not applicable.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC (collectively the “Filings”) contain or may contain forward-looking statements and information that are based upon beliefs of, and information currently available to, Company’s management as well as estimates and assumptions made by Company’s management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. When used in the filings, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “plan”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions as they relate to Company or Company’s management identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of Company with respect to future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors (including the risks contained in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and the section “results of operations” below). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, or planned.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this annual report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
Our financial statements are prepared in US Dollars and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. See “Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)” below for information concerning the exchange rates at which Renminbi (“RMB”) were translated into US Dollars (“USD”) at various pertinent dates and for pertinent periods.
OVERVIEW OF BUSINESS BACKGROUND
The Company was incorporated on May 8, 1980, under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company re-domiciled its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada. The Company, through its subsidiaries Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai TCH”) and Huahong New Energy Technology Co, Ltd, sells and leases energy saving systems and equipment to our customers. On March 8, 2007, the Company changed its name to “China Recycling Energy Corporation.”
In September 2001, Boulder Brewing changed its state of incorporation from Colorado to Nevada and its name to Boulder Acquisitions, Inc., or Boulder Acquisitions. From the date of reincorporation until June 23, 2004, Boulder Acquisitions had no material operations or assets.
On June 23, 2004, we completed a stock exchange transaction with the stockholders of Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Sifang Holdings”). The exchange was consummated under Nevada and Cayman Islands law pursuant to the terms of a Securities Exchange Agreement, dated June 23, 2004 by and among Boulder Acquisitions, Sifang Holdings and the stockholders of Sifang Holdings. Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Agreement, we issued 13,782,636 shares of our common stock to the stockholders of Sifang Holdings, approximately 89.7% of our post-exchange issued and outstanding common stock, for 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Sifang Holdings.
Effective August 6, 2004, we changed our name from Boulder Acquisitions, Inc. to China Digital Wireless, Inc. From August 2004 to December 2006, we primarily engaged in pager and mobile phone distribution and provided value added information services to the customers in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). We phased out and scaled down our operations in the mobile phone distribution business and the pager and mobile phone value-added information services, and, on May 10, 2007, the Company approved and announced it discontinued these businesses.
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In December 2006, we began to conduct business in the energy saving and recycling industry, including purchasing equipment, devices, hardware and software for the construction and installation of TRT systems and other renewable energy products. TRT is an electricity generating system that utilizes the exhaust pressure and heat produced in the blast furnace of steel mills to generate electricity. It has commercial value for the steel mills by using waste heat and steam to produce electricity for the operation of the mills.
Our current business is primarily conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Huahong”) and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Company, Ltd (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 90% of the investment will be from Xi’an TCH, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. Shanghai TCH was established as a foreign investment enterprise in Shanghai under the laws of the PRC on May 25, 2004, currently with a registered capital of $29.80 million. Xi’an TCH was incorporated in Xi’an, Shannxi Province under the laws of the PRC on November 8, 2007. Huaxin was incorporated in Xingtai, PRC in November, 2007. Erdos TCH was incorporated in April, 2009. Huahong was incorporated in February, 2009.
Hebei Xingtai Steel Group Project
On April 8, 2007, our Board of Directors approved and made effective a TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement (“Joint-Operation Agreement”) which was conditionally entered into on February 1, 2007 between Shanghai TCH and Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (“Yingfeng”). Under the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued a project to design, construct, install and operate two TRT systems for Xingtai Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Xingtai”). Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties for the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng to transfer from Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns two TRT systems and leases them to Xingtai for five years, commencing on January 25, 2007 and ending on January 25, 2012. During the lease, Xingtai will pay Shanghai TCH monthly rent of $0.13 million (RMB 0.9 million) to use the systems. Assuming all amounts due under the lease have been paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the systems to Xingtai free of charge. All amounts due under the lease were paid; therefore, Shanghai TCH transferred the title of the systems to Xingtai free of charge.
Shengda Project
On March 15, 2011, the Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary Pingshan County Shengda Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shengda”). Xi’an TCH contributed cash of $4,559,271 (RMB 30,000,000) into Shengda as initial capital. Shengda was set up in order to undertake waste energy recycling projects from a steel and chemical company in Pingshan county in accordance with and pursuant to a Recycling Economy Projects Cooperative Framework Agreement entered into by the parties. The final terms for the projects have not been reached and entered, and Shengda is not currently operational.
Shanxi Zhangzhi Steel Group Project
Under the Joint-Operation Agreement discussed above, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng also jointly pursued a project contract, which was entered into between Yingfeng and Zhangzhi Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (“Zhangzhi”) on June 22, 2006, to design, construct, install and operate a TRT system for Zhangzhi Iron. Shanghai TCH provided various forms of investments and properties for the project including cash, hardware, software, equipment, major components and devices. In return, Shanghai TCH obtained all the rights, titles, benefits and interests that Yingfeng originally had under the Project Contract, including but not limited to the regular cash payments made by Xingtai and other property rights and interests. On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH acquired this contract as part of its asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng as discussed above. According to the transferred contracts, Shanghai TCH installed and owns a TRT system and leases it to Zhangzhi for 13 years, from July 25, 2007 to July 25, 2020. During the lease term, Zhangzhi will pay Shanghai TCH a monthly rent of $0.16 million (RMB 1.1 million). After the term is over and all due rents are paid, Shanghai TCH will transfer the title of the system to Zhangzhi free of charge.
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Shengwei Group – Tongchuan Project
In November 2007, Shanghai TCH signed a cooperative agreement with Shengwei Group to build two sets of 12MW cement low temperature heat power generation systems for Shengwei’s two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang and for a 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan. At the end of 2008, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation in Tong Chuan was completed at a cost of $6,191,000 (RMB 43,000,000) and put into operation. Under the original agreement, the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems would belong to Shengwei from the date the projects were put into service. Shanghai TCH is responsible for the daily maintenance and repair of the projects, and charges Shengwei a monthly electricity fee based on the actual power generated by the projects at 0.4116 RMB per KWH for an operating period of five years with the assurance from Shengwei of a properly functioning 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the electricity generator system. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. At the end of the five-year operating period, Shanghai TCH will have no further obligations under the cooperative agreement. On May 20, 2009, Shanghai TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Shengwei Group to amend the timing for title transfer to Shenwei at the end of the lease term. In addition, the supplementary agreement provided that Shanghai TCH will charge Shengwei based on actual power usage subject to a minimum of $0.31 million (RMB 2.1 million) per month during the operating period.
Shengwei Group – Jin Yang Project
On June 29, 2009, construction of the cement low temperature heat power generation system in Jin Yang was completed at a cost of $7,318,000 (RMB 50,000,000) and put into operation. Shanghai TCH charges Shengwei a technical service fee of $336,600 (RMB 2,300,000) monthly for the sixty months of the lease term. Shengwei has the right to purchase the ownership of the cement low temperature heat power generation system for $29,000 (RMB 200,000) at the end of lease term. Shengwei is required to provide assurance of properly functioning two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines and not less than 7,440 heat hours per year for the cement low temperature heat power generation. Shengwei Group collateralized the cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang to guarantee its obligations to provide the minimum electricity income from the waste energy power generator system under the agreement during the operating period. Effective July 1, 2009, Shanghai TCH outsourced the operation and maintenance of the cement low temperature heat power generation systems in Tong Chuan and JinYang to a third party for $732,000 (RMB 5,000,000) per year.
Shenmu Project
On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH delivered to Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. (“Shenmu”) a set of three 6 MW capacity waste gas power generation systems pursuant to a Cooperative Contract on Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (including its Supplementary Agreement) and a Gas Supply Contract for Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (the “Contracts”). The Contracts are for 10 years and state that Xi’an TCH will recycle coke furnace gas from the coke-oven plant of Shenmu to generate power, which will be supplied back to Shenmu. Shenmu agreed to supply Xi’an TCH the coke-oven gas free of charge. Under the Contracts, Shenmu will pay Xi’an TCH an annual “energy-saving service fee” of approximately $5.6 million in equal monthly installments for the life of the contracts, as well as such additional amount as may result from the supply of power to Shenmu in excess of 10.8 million kilowatt hours per month. We are responsible for operating the projects and will do so through an unrelated third party. Shenmu guarantees that monthly gas supply will not be less than 21.6 million standard cubic meters. If gas supply is less, Shenmu agrees to pay Xi’an TCH the energy-saving service fee described above for up to 10.8 million kilowatt-hours per month. Xi’an TCH maintains the ownership of the project throughout the term of the contracts, including the already completed investment, design, equipment, construction and installation as well as the operation and maintenance of the project. At the end of the 10-year term, ownership of the projects transfers to Shenmu at no charge. Shenmu gave a lien on its production line to guarantee its performance under the Contracts. Shenmu’s three major stockholders provided an unlimited joint liability guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts and the Yulin Huiyuan Group, an independent third party, provides a guarantee to Xi’an TCH for Shenmu’s performance under the Contracts.
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On December 31, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Repurchase Agreement for the Coke-Oven Gas Power Generation Project with Shenmu. Under the Repurchase Agreement, Shenmu will purchase the set of 18 megawatt capacity power generating systems (the “System”) from Xi’an TCH and pay outstanding energy saving service fees of $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) to Xi’an TCH within 3 working days from the date of the Repurchase Agreement. Xi’an TCH will transfer the Systems to Shenmu for a price of $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Purchase Price”). Shenmu shall pay the first 30% of the Repurchase Price within 5 working days from the date of the Repurchase Agreement, the second 30% of Repurchase Price within 90 days from date of Repurchase Agreement and the remaining 40% of the Repurchase Price within 180 days from the date of Repurchase Agreement. The ownership of the Systems will be transferred to Shenmu when the entire Repurchase Price has been paid. The Cooperative Contract will be terminated upon Shenmu’s payment of the entire Repurchase Price. In January 2012, the Company received $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) outstanding energy saving service fees, and $5.71 million (RMB 36 million), the first 30% of repurchase price from Shenmu.
Erdos Projects
On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated a joint venture (“JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (“Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos' metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years, and initial registered capital of $2,635,000 (RMB 18,000,000). As of December 31, 2011, total registered capital was increased to $17.55 million (RMB 120 million), of which $16.37 million (RMB 112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos Metallurgy. Total investment for the project is estimated at approximately $79 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000). As of December 31, 2011, Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93% of the total investment. With respect to profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively. The profits to be distributed will be computed based on Chinese generally accepted accounting principles. The principal difference between US GAAP and Chinese GAAP with regards to the Erdos TCH project is that a sales-type lease under US GAAP is treated as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. When the term of the JV expires, Xi’an TCH will transfer its equity in the JV to Erdos at no additional cost.
On April 18, 2009, Erdos TCH signed a Cooperation Agreement with Erdos to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may expand up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $75 million (RMB 500 million). The construction of the projects was split into three phases, two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one power generation system in Phase III with 25MW power capacity.
At the end of 2009, Erdos TCH completed the first 9MW power station of Phase I of the project and put it into operation. At the end of March 2010, Erdos TCH completed the construction of Phase I through completion of the second 9MW power station and delivery of the units for operation. Phase I includes two 9MW systems for a combined 18MW power capacity. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement and the supplement agreements signed between Erdos and Erdos TCH, Erdos shall purchase all the electricity and steam to be generated from the JV’s power generation systems. Erdos TCH leased the two 9 MW systems to Erdos and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. Erdos agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.24 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system. In addition Erdos will pay the actual amount if the actual sale of the electricity generated is more than $0.24 million (RMB 1.5 million) monthly per unit. Effective January 1, 2010 and April, 2010 respectively, Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the two 9MW power generation projects for $995,000 (RMB 6.27 million) each per year. After 20 years, the units will be transferred to Erdos without any charge. During the fourth quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase II, two 9MW capacity electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation. During the first quarter of 2011, Erdos power generation system Phase II the 3rd 9MW capacity electricity power generation system was completed and put into operation through sales type lease with terms similar to the Phase I project.
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As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid approximately $19.77 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects. The Company currently expects to complete Phase III by the end of fiscal year 2012.
PuCheng Biomass Project
On January 20, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Technical Reconstruction Letter of Intent with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”) a natural person with Chinese citizenship for Xi’an TCH reconstructing and transforming a Thermal Power Generation System owned by Dong into a 12MW Biomass Power Generation Systems (“Biomass Systems” or “BMPG”) for approximately $2.2 million (RMB 15 million), of which, approximately $1.03 million (RMB 7 million) was payable to Dong, and approximately $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was payable to one of the Company’s shareholders, who had previously paid that amount to Dong on behalf of the Company.
After the successful transformation of the systems, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong on June 29, 2010. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong approximately $14,705,900 (RMB 100,000,000) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid the consideration (inclusing the cash portion) in full. On November 22, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 2,941,176 shares of the Company’s common stock to Dong at $4 per share. These shares have piggy back registration rights and are subject to a one year lock-up period. The shares issued to Dong were included in a Form S-3 Registration Statement that we filed with the SEC on February 22, 2012. This registration statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with PuCheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd., (“XHY”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased this same set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to XHY at a minimum of $302,000 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for 15 years. The leasing fee will increase proportionately with the biomass generated electricity fee in China during the term of this lease agreement.
Zhongbao Project
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a set of 7 megawatt capacity Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) systems, which are integral parts of the facilities designed to produce 80,000 tons of nickel-alloy per year according to the recovery and power generation of the waste heat agreement with Zhongbao, an agreement that was transferred from China Zhonggang Binhai Enterprise Ltd. (“Zhonggang”) in July 2009. Zhongbao is a nickel-alloy manufacturing joint venture between Zhonggang and Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group established in June 2009. Total investment in this project was approximately $7.8 million (RMB 55 million). The Contract is for 9 years and states that Xi’an TCH will recycle waste heat from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns of Zhongbao to generate power and steam, which will be supplied back to Zhongbao, and help to reduce over 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. By the end of the term, the system shall be transferred to Zhongbao at RMB 1. Under the Contracts, Zhongbao will pay the Company a monthly “energy-saving service fee” based on the volume of the electricity and steam generated from the WHPG system in the prior month within the first five days of each month at a pre-agreed price, but no less than the minimum monthly payment of $238,000 (RMB 1.5 million). Zhongbao agrees to supply Xi’an TCH the nickel-alloy rotary kilns gas, water and compressed air free of charge, except salty water at $1.00 (RMB 6.3) per ton. Zhongbao also guarantees to continuously supply not less than 6,800 heat hours per year for the WHPG, or the operating term will be extended accordingly. Xi’an TCH outsourced its operation and maintenance works to a third party for annual payments of $380,000 (RMB 2.4 million) for the whole operation period. In addition, Xi’an TCH shall be responsible for applying the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”) and the net proceeds from CDM will be distributed between Zhongbao and Xi’an TCH at 60% and 40%, respectively. The CDM work has not commenced as of December 31, 2011.
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In June 2011, the system of the project ZhongBao was sold to and leased back from Cinda Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda Financial”), the Company engaged a third party guarantee company as the guarantor for the loan, which was approved by the Industrial Bank in July 1, 2011.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (the “Shannxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install two 3MW TRT, one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $28.57 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“Kwh”) for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had paid $12.70 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. The Company is committed to pay an additional $15.87 million for the Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. This project is currently halted due to business reorganization of Shannxi Datong and a renegotiation of one of the power stations with Xi’an TCH to amend certain construction plans. The Company expects to resume the construction in April 2012 and complete by the end of 2012.
Shenqiu Yuneng Biomass Power Generation Projects
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with ShenQiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (“ShenQiu”) for Xi’an TCH to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by ShenQiu into a 75T/H Biomass Power Generation System for approximately $3.57 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011, and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Seller”). The Transfer Agreement provided for the sale to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12 MW biomass power generation systems from the Seller after Xi’an TCH completes the conversion of the system for biomass power generation purpose. As consideration for the biomass power generation system, Xi’an TCH will pay the Seller $10,937,500 (RMB 70,000,000) in cash in three installments in 6 months upon the transfer of ownership of the system. As of December 31, 2011, $7,812,500 (RMB 50,000,000) was paid. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with the Seller. Under the Lease Agreement, Xi’an TCH will lease this set of 12,000 KW biomass power generation systems to the Seller at $286,000 (RMB 1,800,000) per month for a term of 11 years.
Related Party Transactions
Erdos TCH sold all power generation stations through sales type leases to Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., the non-controlling interest holder. Total sales and interest income for this non-controlling interest was $11.88 million and $6.94 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and $41.69 million and $2.54 million for 2010, respectively.
On September 27, 2011, David Chong, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, became the sole stockholder of Sino Way Limited, an entity that owns 100,000 shares of our Common Stock. The 100,000 shares of our Common Stock directly owned by Sino Way Limited, and beneficially owned by Mr. Chong. were included in the previously discussed resale Form S-3 Registration Statement, filed by the Company with the SEC on February 22, 2012. The resale Form S-3 Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid you in fully understanding and evaluating this management discussion and analysis.
Basis of presentation
These accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings; Sifang Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong and Shanghai TCH; Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH and Huaxin; and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Shengda and Erdos TCH, in which 93% of Erdos TCH’s investment is from Xi’an TCH. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the year reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy.
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Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
The Company constructs and then leases waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers. The Company usually transfers ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to its customers at the end of each lease. Investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. The Company manufactures and constructs the waste energy recycling power generating projects and finances its customers for the price of the projects. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the time of sale or inception of the lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the total minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return on the net investment in the lease. While a portion of revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease. Revenue is net of Value Added Tax.
Contingent Rental Income
The Company records the income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payment of each project as contingent rental income in the period earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States dollars (“USD”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income”. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There has been no significant fluctuation in exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income.” Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (ASC Topic 820), to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements. The provisions of this new guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Under the amendments in this update, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income and a total amount for comprehensive income. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. In addition, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
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In September 2011, FASB has issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on its financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
The following table sets forth the results of our operations for the periods indicated as a percentage of net sales:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||
$ | % of Sales | $ | % of Sales | |||||||||||||
Sales | $ | 31,289,864 | 100 | % | $ | 75,605,538 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Sales of products | 30,106,354 | 96 | % | 74,280,703 | 98 | % | ||||||||||
Contingent rental income | 1,183,510 | 4 | % | 1,324,835 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
Cost of product sales | (23,013,807 | ) | 74 | % | (57,033,984 | ) | 75 | % | ||||||||
Gross profit | 8,276,057 | 26 | % | 18,571,554 | 25 | % | ||||||||||
Interest income on sales-type lease | 22,104,162 | 71 | % | 15,136,643 | 20 | % | ||||||||||
Total operating income | 30,380,219 | 97 | % | 33,708,197 | 45 | % | ||||||||||
Total operating expenses | (4,738,266 | ) | 15 | % | (6,340,426 | ) | 9 | % | ||||||||
Income from operations | 25,641,953 | 82 | % | 27,367,771 | 36 | % | ||||||||||
Total non-operating income (expenses), net | (1,820,852 | ) | (6 | )% | 134,222 | 0.2 | % | |||||||||
Income before income taxes | 23,821,101 | 76 | % | 27,501,993 | 36 | % | ||||||||||
Income tax expense | 4,232,945 | 14 | % | 6,866,040 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 948,161 | 3 | % | 1,793,472 | 2 | % | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | $ | 18,639,995 | 59 | % | $ | 18,842,481 | 25 | % |
SALES. Total sales, including system sales and contingent rental income, for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $31.29 million while total sales for the comparable year of 2010 was $75.61 million, a decrease of $44.32 million as a result of decreases in system sales and in contingent rental income. Of the total sales, sales of systems for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $30.11 million, as compared to $74.28 million for the comparable year in 2010, a decrease of $44.17 million. In the year ended December 31, 2011, the company recorded: (1) the completion and sale of the 3rd 9MW capacity power station of Erdos Phase II project through sales-type leasing arrangements, (2) the completion and sale of the 12MW Shenqiu biomass power generation system and (3) $1.18 million from contingent rental income. In comparison, net sales of systems for the comparable year 2010 reflected (1) the completion and sale of the second 9MW capacity power station of Erdos Phase I project through sales-type lease in the first quarter of 2010; Phase I project included two 9MW units, the first 9MW capacity power station was completed and sold in December of 2009; (2) the completion of transformation and sale of Pucheng Biomass Power Generation System; (3) the completion of transformation and sale of Zhongbao Waste Heat Power Generation System; (4) the completion of transformation and sale of two 9MW capacity recycling wasted heat power generation systems of Erdos Phase II project through sales-type lease in the fourth quarter of 2010; Phase II project included three 9MW units; and (5) contingent rental income of $1.32 million from actual usage of the electricity in addition to the minimum lease payments from our Shengwei Group - Tongchuan Project, Erdos Project and Shenmu Project. For the sales-type lease, sales and cost of sales are recorded at the time of leases; interest income from the sales-type leases is our other major revenue source in addition to sales revenue.
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COST OF SALES. Cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $23.01 million while our cost of sales for 2010 was $57.03 million, a decrease of $34.02 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to the fact that the 3rd 9MW capacity power station for the Erdos Phase II project and the Shenqiu biomass power generation system were both completed and sold during the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the year of 2010 when cost of sales consisted of the second 9MW capacity power station of Erdos Phase I project, the first and the third 9MW recycling waste heat power generation system of Erdos Phase II project, the Pucheng biomass power generation system and the Zhongbao WHPG System.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $8.28 million for 2011 compared to $18.57 million for 2010, a gross margin of 26% and 25% for 2011 and 2010, respectively.
INTEREST INCOME ON SALES TYPE LEASES. Interest income on sales-type leases for 2011 was $22.10 million, a $6.96 million increase from $15.14 million for 2010. During 2011, interest income was derived from thirteen systems: two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system, two systems with Erdos Phase I project and three systems of Erdos Phase II project, the Pucheng biomass power generation system, Shenqiu biomass power generation system and Zhongbao WHPG system. During 2010, interest income was generated from eight systems: two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system, two waste heat power generating systems associated with our Erdos Phase I project, and the Pucheng biomass power generation system.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses totaling $4.74 million for 2011 as compared to $6.34 million 2010, a decrease of $1.60 million or 25%. The decrease was mainly due to $1.46 million for stock option compensation during 2011, compared to $3.54 million for 2010, and partially offset by the proportional increases in our payroll, welfare, business trip and marketing expenses as a result of continuous expansion of our business.
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES). Non-operating expenses consisted of non sales-type lease interest income, interest expense, bank charges and some miscellaneous expenses. For 2011, net non-operating expense was $1.82 million as compared to net non-operating income of $0.13 million for 2010. The increase in non-operating expense was mainly due to $4.19 million interest expense on loans and $14.83 million interest expense arising from the beneficial conversion feature of the convertible note from Carlyle and China Cinda, but offset by $11.77 million income from changes in fair value of conversion feature liability of the convertible note from China Cinda, and $5.44 million income from changes in fair value of the liability for shares issued to Dong; while in 2010, the interest expense was $1.79 million arising from the beneficial conversion feature for the convertible note and $0.94 million from bank loan interest, but offset with $2.81 million income from changes in fair value of the liability for shares issued to Dong.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Income tax expense was $4.23 million for 2011, a decrease of $2.63 million from $6.87 million for 2010. The decrease was mainly due to decreased sales. Two projects were completed and sold in year 2011; however, five projects were completed and sold in 2010. The consolidated effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 was 17.8% and 25.0%, respectively. The change in the consolidated effective tax rate was mainly due to a permanent non-tax deductible interest expense resulting from amortization of a beneficial conversion feature for a convertible note, but offset with non-taxable income of changes in fair value of conversion feature liability, and non-taxable income from changes in fair value of the liability for shares issued to Dong, which total accounted for net of (7.3)% of pretax income for 2011 compared to (1.3)% for 2010; non-tax deductible expenses were added back to taxable income and non-taxable income was deducted from taxable income for US income tax return purposes. The income tax rate for Shanghai TCH was 24% and 22% for 2011 and 2010, respectively. Xi’an TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 15% as a result of its high tech enterprise status that was approved by the taxing authority. Xingtai Huaxin’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Huahong, Erdos TCH and Shengda’s effective income tax rate for 2011 is 25%
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NET INCOME. Our net income for 2011 was $18.64 million compared to $18.84 million for 2010, a decrease of $0.20 million. This decrease in net income was mainly due to the decreased sales of systems and increased non-operating expenses, despite we had increased interest income from lease payments for energy saving systems compared with the year 2010.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $14.95 million, other current assets were $31.42 million and current liabilities were $30.98 million. Working capital was $15.39 million. The debt-to-equity ratio was 0.57:1 at December 31, 2011.
The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities during the years ended December 31, 2011and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | ||||||||
Operating Activities | $ | (17,233,832 | ) | $ | (14,302,489 | ) | ||
Investing Activities | 1,888,938 | (712,672 | ) | |||||
Financing Activities | 18,481,843 | 24,998,600 |
Net cash used in operating activities was $17.23 million during 2011, as compared to $14.30 million used in 2010. The increase in net cash outflow was mainly from increases in construction in progress, quick payment in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other payables; however, those outflow was partially offset by the increased net income. In addition, the Erdos Phase II project commenced construction in 2010 and was completed in the first quarter of 2011 and the Shenqiu project commenced in June and was completed at the end of September of 2011, which resulted in cash inflow of $7.07 million and $3.46 million from construction in progress in 2011, respectively, but was offset by payments of $5.61 million for construction related to the Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects and the Erdos Phase III project; while in the comparable period of 2010, we had net cash outflow on construction progress of $10.33 million. The construction was considered an operating activity due to the similar nature of producing inventory for sale. Cash received from collection of principal on sales type leases was $7.46 million in 2011 compared with $4.78 million in 2010, an increase of $2.67 million.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.89 million in 2011, compared to $0.71 million used in 2010. The increase of net cash provided by investing activities was mainly due to the release of restricted cash of $1.90 million from the bank, which we previously deposited in the bank as collateral for the bank acceptances. In 2010, we deposited $0.63 million into our bank as restricted cash and purchased equipment for $0.08 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $18.48 million for 2011 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $25.00 million for 2010. The cash inflow in the year ended December 31, 2011 included $7.58 million in proceeds from convertible notes from China Cinda, $24.77 million in proceeds from a bank loan, $6.03 million increase in long term payable and $1.51 million in advance from a related party, offset by repayment on convertible notes from China Cinda of $11.55 million, notes payable (bank acceptances) of $2.32 million and repayment of the bank loan of $7.07 million and $0.39 million prepaid loan fees. In comparison, for 2010, we had cash contributions of $0.91 million from noncontrolling interest, $15.44 million proceeds from bank loans, $7.53 million in proceeds from convertible notes from China Cinda, $0.43 million from stock issuance and $0.68 million advance from related parties.
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On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Dong, a natural person with Chinese citizenship. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong $14,705,900 (RMB 100,000,000) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 with equivalent shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock price was to be the same price as the Company’s public offering price in the first public offering which occurs in 2010 or 2011 but in no circumstance less than $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance is 1:6.8. As of December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a gain of $5.44 million from issuance of the shares to Dong, which is the change of the fair value of 2,941,176 shares issued to Dong at September 30, 2011 and the issuance date. The 2,941,176 shares issued were determined by using the minimum stock price of $4 per share.
We believe we have sufficient cash to continue our current business through 2012 due to stable recurring receipts from sales-type leases in place. As of December 31, 2011, we have two TRT systems, two CHPG systems, one WGPG system (early redeemed by Shenmu through Repurchase Agreement dated December 31, 2011), five recycling waste heat power generating systems from the Erdos projects, two BMPG and one WHPG of Zhongbao, currently generating net cash inflow. In addition, we have access to bank loans in case of an immediate need for working capital. We believe we have sufficient cash resources to cover our anticipated capital expenditures in 2012.
On May 25, 2011, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3, as amended, with the SEC to register an indeterminate number of shares of common stock with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $200,000,000. The registration statement went effective on November 10, 2011; however, the Company has not yet determined the size or timing of any potential future offering. We intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the shares of our common stock that may be offered for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of debt, repurchases of common stock, capital expenditures, the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansions, increasing our working capital and the financing of ongoing operating expenses and overhead.
We do not believe inflation had a significant negative impact on our results of operations during 2011.
Transfers of Cash To and From our Subsidiaries
The Company is able to transfer cash (U.S. dollars) to its PRC subsidiaries by: (i) investment – increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary or (ii) a shareholder loan. Other than as follows, to date, its PRC subsidiaries have not transferred any earnings/cash to the Company. The Company’s business is primarily conducted through its subsidiaries. The Company is a holding company and its material assets consist solely of the ownership interests held in its PRC subsidiaries. The Company relies on dividends paid by its subsidiaries for its working capital/cash needs, including: (i) the funds necessary to pay dividends/cash distributions to its shareholders, (ii) to service any debt obligations and (iii) to pay operating expenses. As a result of PRC laws and regulations (noted below) that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside in a general reserve fund prior to payment of dividends, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted to that extent, as well as the others noted below, in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend.
PRC has currency and capital transfer regulations that require us to comply with regulations for the movement of capital.
With respect to transferring cash from the Company to its subsidiaries, increasing the Company’s registered capital in a PRC subsidiary requires the pre-approval of the local commerce department, and a shareholder loan requires a filing with the state administration of foreign exchange or its local bureau.
With respect to the payment of dividends:
1. | PRC regulations currently permit the payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits, as determined in accordance with accounting standards and PRC regulations (an in-depth description of the PRC regulations is set forth below); |
2. | our PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside, at a minimum, 10% of their net income after taxes, based on PRC accounting standards, each year as statutory surplus reserves until the cumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of their registered capital; |
3. | these reserves may not be distributed as cash dividends; |
4. | our PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits to fund their staff welfare and bonus funds; except in the event of a liquidation, these funds may also not be distributed to shareholders; as disclosed in Note 17, the Company does not participate in a Common Welfare Fund; and |
5. | the incurrence of debt, specifically the instruments governing such debt, may restrict a subsidiary’s ability to pay shareholder dividends or make other cash distributions; the Company is subject to covenants and consent requirements (presently, the Company has all consents necessary). |
If, for the reasons noted above, our subsidiaries are unable to pay shareholder dividends and/or make other cash payments to the Company when needed, the Company’s ability to conduct operations, make investments and/or acquisitions, or undertake other activities requiring working capital may be materially and adversely affected. However, our operations and business, including investment and/or acquisitions by our subsidiaries within China, will not be affected as long as the capital is not transferred in or out of the PRC.
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PRC Regulations
In accordance with PRC regulations on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and their articles of association, a foreign-invested enterprise (“FIE”) that is established in the PRC is required to provide certain statutory reserves, which are appropriated from net profit, as reported in the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts. FIEs are required to allocate at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit to the surplus reserve until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital (based on the FIE’s PRC statutory accounts). The aforementioned reserves may only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. In the event that the FIE’s statutory accounts are insufficient to satisfy this requirement, the FIE’s shareholders are required to contribute capital required to satisfy the registered capital requirement. Until such contribution of capital is satisfied, the FIE is not allowed to repatriate profits to its shareholders, unless otherwise approved by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. After satisfaction of this requirement, the remaining funds may be appropriated at the discretion of the FIE’s board of directors. Our subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, qualifies as an FIE and is therefore subject to the above-mandated regulations on distributable profits.
Additionally, in accordance with PRC Company Law, a domestic enterprise is required to maintain a surplus reserve of at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit until such reserve has reached 50% of its respective registered capital based on the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. A domestic enterprise is also required to provide discretionary surplus reserve, at the discretion of the board of directors, from the profits determined in accordance with the enterprise’s PRC statutory accounts. The aforementioned reserves can only be used for specific purposes and may not be distributed as cash dividends. Xi’an TCH, Xingtai Huaxin, Huahong, Pingshan Shengda (dissolved in 2012) and Erdos TCH were established as domestic enterprises; therefore, each is subject to the above-mentioned restrictions on distributable profits.
As a result of PRC laws and regulations that require annual appropriations of 10% of after-tax income to be set aside, prior to payment of dividends, in a general reserve fund, the Company’s PRC subsidiaries are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company as a dividend or otherwise.
Chart of the Company’s Statutory Reserve
Pursuant to PRC corporate law, effective on January 1, 2006, the Company is now required to maintain a statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings. Our restricted and unrestricted retained earnings under US GAAP are set forth below:
As at December 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Unrestricted retained earnings | $ | 34,414,271 | $ | 17,622,514 | ||||
Restricted retained earnings (surplus reserve fund) | 7,051,843 | 5,203,605 | ||||||
Retained earnings (including surplus reserve fund) | $ | 41,466,114 | $ | 22,826,119 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any other financial guarantees or other commitments to guarantee the payment obligations of any third parties. We have not entered into any derivative contracts that are indexed to our shares and classified as stockholders’ equity or that are not reflected in our consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, we do not have any retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity that serves as credit, liquidity or market risk support to such entity. We do not have any variable interest in any unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit support to us or engages in leasing, hedging or research and development services with us.
Contractual Obligations
Convertible Notes Payable - Carlyle
On April 29, 2008, we issued and sold to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. (“CAGP”) and CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P. (together with CAGP, the “Investors”) a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the principal amount of $5,000,000. The terms for the note were amended and restated on April 29, 2009.
This note bore interest at 5% and matured on April 29, 2011. The principal amount of the note, together with any interest thereon, was convertible, at the option of the holders at any time on or after March 16, 2010 and prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price tied to the after-tax net profits of the Company for 2009. The obligation of the Company under this note was ranked senior to all other debt of the Company. The note was secured by a security interest granted to the investors pursuant to a share pledge agreement. This pledge was released during 2011 and is of no further force or effect.
In June 2011, the Investors converted the note into 4,334,192 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.154 per share. The effective date of the conversion was April 29, 2011. The Company issued 4,334,192 shares of common stock to the Investors on July 21, 2011 (4,149,599 shares of common stock to CAGP; 184,593 shares of common stock to CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P.). The unamortized portion BCF of $745,547 was fully amortized as of the conversion date. During 2011, the Company amortized $1,368,988 BCF for the note.
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On April 29, 2009, we issued an 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $3 million to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. with a maturity date of April 29, 2012. The note holder has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount of this note, together with interest, if any, into shares of our common stock, at any time on or after March 16, 2010 and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this note is paid in full), at a conversion price per share of common stock equal to $0.80. These conversion shares rank pari-passu with those issuable under the 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note.
Loan Payable – Collective Capital Trust Plan
On December 3, 2009, Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (the “Beijing Trust”) formed a Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to the Capital Trust Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into by Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd and Beijing Trust dated November 19, 2009. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust raised $26.75 million (RMB 181,880,000) through the sale of 181,880,000 total trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Plan are loaned to Erdos TCH in connection with the construction and operation of Phases II and III of the Erdos Power Generation Projects. These projects, when completed, will recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate electric power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy.
The Plan included 145,500,000 category A preferred trust units ($21.4 million), consisting of 12,450,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($1.8 million), 15,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($2.2 million), 118,050,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($17.4 million); and 36,380,000 category B secondary trust units ($5.35 million), consisting of 9,100,000 category B1 secondary trust units ($1.34 million) and 27,280,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($4.01 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. Under the Agreement, the annual base interest rate is 9.94% for A1 preferred trust fund units with a term of two years, 11% for A2 preferred trust fund units with a term of three years, 12.05% for A3 preferred trust fund units and 8.35% for the category B secondary trust fund units, each with a term of four years.
Erdos TCH gave a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable to guarantee the loans under the Agreement. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, Chairman, CEO and a major shareholder of the Company, also gave unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees to Beijing Trust for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos Metallurgy (the minority stockholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH.
On December 18, 2009, an additional $3.68 million (RMB 25,000,000) was raised by Beijing Trust to support the Company’s Erdos Power Generation Projects. Beijing Trust sold 25,000,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit which included 20,000,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($2.94 million) and 5,000,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($ 0.74 million). The B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
During December 2009, the Company sold 206,880,000 units for $30.30 million (RMB 206,880,000), of which 9,100,000 units ($1.33 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 32,280,000 units ($4.73 million) were purchased by Xi’an TCH; $4.73 million was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
On April 15, 2010, Beijing Trust completed the second expansion of the Plan. The second expansion of the Plan raised $13.69 million (RMB 93,120,000) through the sale of 93,120,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Second Expansion of the Plan are to be loaned to Erdos TCH. The second expansion of the Plan includes 2,800,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($0.41 million), 5,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($0.73 million), 66,700,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($9.81 million) and 4,650,000 category B1 preferred trust units ($0.68 million) and 13,970,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($2.05 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units have been purchased by Xi’an TCH. With the completion of the second expansion, the Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan reached $44.1 million (RMB 300,000,000) and completed all of its trust plan fundraising program, of which, 13,750,000 units ($2.0 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 47,850,000 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH, of which, 46,250,000 ($6.8 million) were B2 units and 1,600,000 ($235,600) units were A1 units; the amount was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Category A1 units (RMB 35,250,000) were due and paid in full on December 3, 2011, of which, RMB 1,600,000 was invested by Xi’an TCH. The net long term loan payable under this trust plan was $34.68 million (RMB 218,500,000) as of December 31, 2011. Interest expense accrued on this trust loan was $5.1 million and $4.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
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In addition to the above, under the Loan Agreement, Erdos TCH must pay a management incentive benefit to Beijing Trust upon maturity of the category A3 and category B trust units in December 2013 if the ratio of Erdos TCH’s profit to its registered capital exceeds a base amount. If this criterion is met, the amount of the management incentive benefit is calculated based on a formula tied to Erdos TCH’s net profit and the average registered capital for the 2012 fiscal year. Under this formula the management incentive benefit could range between 0% and 100% of the net profit of Erdos TCH in the 2012 fiscal year.
The management incentive benefit was structured to provide an incentive to management to make the joint venture profitable. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute the entire amount of the management incentive benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. As previously disclosed, the holders of the category B trust units are the management of Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH. Category B trust units receive a lower base interest rate than the category A trust units but the economic return to the holders of category B trust units will be enhanced by any management incentive benefit.
Erdos TCH also agrees to share the benefits from the Clean Development Mechanism ("CDM") under the Kyoto Protocol equally with Beijing Trust during the term of the loan. Any benefit received from the CDM will be paid to Erdos Metallurgy first. Under the agreement with Xi’an TCH, Erdos Metallurgy agrees to deliver to Xi’an TCH 50% of the benefit Erdos Metallurgy receives. Xi’an TCH agrees to share 50% of the benefit it receives from Erdos Metallurgy with Erdos TCH. Under the Capital Trust Loan Agreement between Erdos TCH and Beijing Trust, Erdos TCH agrees that 50% of any benefit it receives will be delivered to Beijing Trust. Pursuant to the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute 70% of the CDM benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. The receipt of any CDM benefit is subject to a process of evaluation and certification of the project by the CDM Executive Board and is under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The first stages of the certification process have been completed successfully.
Bank Long Term Loan
Xi’an TCH entered a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (the “Lender”) for a loan designed for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three years from April 6, 2010 to April 6, 2013. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for equipment for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The loan agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 110% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 7.04%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $476,122 (RMB 3,000,000) each quarter. The loan agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Shaanxi Shengwei Construction Material Group and Mr. Guohua Ku. As of December 31, 2011, $2,380,612 of the principal was repaid and $1,904,490 will be repaid within one year which was classified as current liability.
Xi’an TCH entered another loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three years to March 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2011, the Company received $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 7.36%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $476,122 (RMB 3,000,000) each quarter. The Loan Agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Mr. Guohua Ku and Ms. Chaoying Zhang.
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Xi’an TCH entered a third loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $20,631,973 (RMB 130,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for four years to November 27, 2015. As of December 31, 2011, the Company received $20,631,973 (RMB 130,000,000) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The Loan Agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (currently 7.94%). Under the Loan Agreement, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments, beginning nine months after the date of the release of the funds, and Xi’an TCH is required to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $1,587,075 (RMB 10,000,000) each quarter. For the first 9 months, the loan is in a grace period and there is no repayment requirement. The loan is guaranteed by accounts receivable of Xi’an TCH, Pucheng and Shenqiu BMPG systems, and Mr. Guohua Ku.
Convertible note agreement with China Cinda
On August 18, 2010, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sifang, Shanghai TCH and Xi’an TCH entered into a Notes Purchase Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) with China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (the “Cinda”). Under the terms of the Note Agreement, the Company will issue to Cinda two tranches of convertible notes (the “Notes”), each having a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of $7.8 million (RMB 50 million). Also on August 18, 2010, Xi’an TCH and China Jingu International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Jingu”), an affiliate of Cinda, entered into a Capital Trust Loan Agreement (the “Trust Loan Agreement”), in which Jingu will raise $15.5 million (100 million RMB) under a Jingu CREG Recycling Economy No. 1 Collective Fund Trust Plan (the “Trust Plan”) and lend such amount under the Trust Plan to Xi’an TCH (the “Loans”). If the Loans under the Trust Loan Agreement do not occur, then under the Note Agreement the principal amount of the Notes to be issued in each tranche will be the US dollar equivalent of $15.5 million (RMB 100 million). All proceeds from the Notes and the Loans will be used to complete Phases IV and V of the Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (the “Erdos TCH”) project, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. to recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s refining plants to generate power and steam and sell them back to Erdos Metallurgy, as well as other working capital needs.
The term of the Loans is for three years from the date of the first draw. The interest rate for the Loans is the People’s Bank of China’s (“PBOC”) three year loan base interest rate plus two percent (2%). If the Loans are not exchanged for shares of the Common Stock of the Company as described below prior to maturity, Xi’an TCH will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount. Under the Trust Loan Agreement and separate agreements entered by Jingu, Erdos TCH, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku on August 18, 2010, Erdos TCH shall pledge the accounts receivable, equipment and assets of its Phases IV and V projects to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Xi’an TCH shall pledge its 80% equity in Erdos TCH to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Shanghai TCH shall provide a joint liability guarantee to Jingu for the Loans, and Mr. Guohua Ku shall provide his personal joint liability to Jingu for the Loans.
Under the Note Agreement the Notes shall be issued before August 18, 2011. The Notes have a three year maturity date from the date of the issuance of the first tranche. The exchange rate between RMB and US Dollar for each issue of Notes is the middle rate published by the PBOC for the second business day prior to each issuance. Each Note bears interest at a rate equal to that of PBOC base interest rate for the relevant interest period (the period commencing on and including January 1 of each year and ending on and including December 31 of such year) plus two percent (2%). If Cinda does not convert or fully convert the Notes to shares prior to maturity, the Company will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount.
As collateral for the Notes, Mr. Guohua Ku, the Chairman, CEO and a major shareholder of the Company, entered into a Share Pledge Agreement with Cinda, on August 18, 2010, to pledge 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the first Note. The Agreement also calls for an additional 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Ku to secure the second Note before its issuance. On December 30, 2010, the Company received proceeds of $7,533,391 (RMB 50,000,000) from the first tranche of the Loans. On January 30, 2011, the Company received proceeds of another $7,533,391 (RMB 50,000,000) from the first tranche convertible Note.
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On December 9, 2011, the Company, Cinda and Mr. Guohua Ku, the Chairman, CEO and a major shareholder of the Company entered into a Supplemental Agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”). Under the terms of the Supplemental Agreement, the Company and Cinda agreed to terminate their respective obligations to sell and purchase the second tranche of convertible note under the Note Agreement which has a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of RMB 50 million. The Company and Cinda also agreed that the Company will redeem the outstanding convertible notes at the amount equivalent to RMB 25 million each on December 30, 2011 and November 30, 2012, respectively, plus accrued interest at eighteen percent (18%) per annum (the "Redemption Interest Rate") up to the applicable Redemption Date, minus any interest already accrued and paid (together with the Redemption Principal Amount, the "Redemption Price"). For any default in payment of the Redemption Price, the interest rate on the Redemption Principal Amount will be the Redemption Interest Rate plus an additional five percent (5%) per annum and due on demand. The interest on the Redemption Principal Amount due on November 30, 2012 (the "Second Redemption Principal Amount") will accrue at a rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum and should be payable by the Company on June 20, 2012.
In connection with the Supplementary Agreement, the Company, Xi’an TCH, Mr. Ku, Cinda and Kent International Industrial (Shenzhen) Limited (“Kent International”), an affiliate of Cinda also entered into an Agreement on Oversea’s Financial Payment on December 9, 2011, pursuant to which Xi’an TCH will make the two RMB 25 million payments to Kent International before December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2012 respectively if the Company cannot acquire equivalent U.S. dollar currency to pay back the note to Cinda after its best efforts. If the Company is able to acquire U.S. dollar currency to repay the Cinda note within one year of their due dates under Supplementary Agreement, it shall wire the dollar payment to Cinda and Kent International shall return the equivalent RMB to Xi’an TCH at the exchange rate of the middle rate published by the People’s Bank of China on the date when Cinda receives such dollar payment. Shanghai TCH and Mr. Ku will provide joint liability guarantees to Kent International for payment obligations of the Company and Xi’an TCH. Shanghai TCH and Mr. Ku also entered into Guarantee Agreements with Kent International, respectively.
On December 9, 2011, Xi’an TCH and China Jingu International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Jingu”), an affiliate of the Cinda also entered into a Supplemental Agreement (the “Jingu Agreement”) to the Capital Trust Loan Agreement.
Under the terms of the Jingu Agreement, Xi’an TCH will repay the entire outstanding RMB 50 million loan principal amount plus interests at eighteen percent (18%) per annum and related fees to Jingu by December 16, 2011. Any default in payment by Xi’an TCH by such date, a penalty at the rate of twenty three percent (23%) per annum will be imposed on the unpaid amount. Upon the execution of the Supplementary Agreement, Jingu Agreement and repayment of the Loan, Xi’an TCH’s obligations under the Trust Loan Agreement will be terminated and all the pledge and guarantee agreements ancillary to the Trust Loan Agreement shall be terminated and released.
Out of first tranche of $7.94 million (RMB 50 million), $3.97 million (RMB 25 million) and interest $1.11 million (RMB 7.14 million) were repaid to Cinda on December 30, 2011; second tranche of $7.94 million (RMB 50 million) and interest $1.00 million (RMB 6.45 million) were fully repaid to Jingu on December 16, 2011.
Financial Leasing
Financing Agreement- - Sale Lease-back transaction
On June 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH” entered into a Financing Agreement with Cinda Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda Financial”), an affiliate of China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda HK”).
Under the Agreement, Xi’an TCH transferred its ownership of a set of 7MW steam turbine waste heat power generation systems (the “WHPG system currently used by Zhongbao”) and four furnaces and ancillary apparatus (the “Assets”) to Cinda Financial for $6.69 million (RMB 42.50 million), and Cinda Financial in turn leased the Assets to Xi’an TCH for 5 years with an overall leasing fee of $8.11 million (RMB 51.54 million) based upon the transfer cost and the benchmark interest rate for five year loans by People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) (then 6.65%) plus 15% of that rate (which was 7.6475%). The interest rate will increase if the five year benchmark interest rate of PBOC increases but will remain the same if the benchmark rate decreases in the future. Xi’an TCH shall make pro rata quarterly payments to Cinda Financial for the leasing fees. Upon the completion of the leasing term and full payment of all leasing fees and other fees, Xi’an TCH can pay $669 (RMB 4,250) to acquire the ownership of the Assets. The quarterly minimum payment is $396,875 (RMB 2,577,109). For 2011, the Company made repayment of $820,852 to Cinda Financial. In addition to the leasing fees, Xi’an TCH prepaid a one-time non-refundable leasing service charge of $401,265 (RMB 2,550,000), which was amortized over 5 years, and a refundable security deposit of $334,388 (RMB 2,125,000) to Cinda Financial as of December 31, 2011. For 2011, $39,481 (RMB 255,000) was amortized. The unamortized portion was recorded as prepaid loan fees of $80,941 and $283,293 into current and non-current portions respectively.
49 |
Commitments
Erdos Phase III of Power Generation Projects
In April 2009, Erdos TCH signed a contract with Erdos Metallurgy to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, to be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may grow up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $79 million (RMB 500 million). The Company split the construction of the projects into three phases, two units of power generation in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three units in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one unit in Phase III with 25MW power capacity. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. During the lease term, Erdos TCH will be responsible for operating the projects and charge Erdos Metallurgy for supply of electricity and steam. Erdos Metallurgy agreed to pay a fixed minimum of $0.24 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system.
During the first quarter of 2010, the Erdos power generation system Phase I project was completed and put into operation. During the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011, three 9MW power generation systems of Phase II were completed and put into operation. Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the power generation system for $995,000 (RMB 6.27 million) per year for each system. After 20 years, the systems will be transferred to Erdos without any charge.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid approximately $19.77 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects. In October 2011, the Company temporarily suspended construction of the 25 MW plant due to the technical transformation and renovation of certain equipment and machinery by the customer; the Company expects to resume the construction of Erdos Phase III in May 2012. The Company currently expects to complete Phase III by the end of fiscal year 2012.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (the “Shannxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install two 3MW TRT, one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“Kwh”) for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
50 |
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had paid $12.70 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. The Company is committed to pay an additional $15.87 million for the Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. This project is currently halted due to business reorganization of Shannxi Datong and a renegotiation of the power stations with Xi’an TCH to amend certain construction plans. The Company expects to resume the construction in April 2012 and complete one of the power stations by the end of 2012.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders of
China Recycling Energy Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of China Recycling Energy Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Company” or “CREG”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of China Recycling Energy Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in footnote 21 to the financial statements for December 31, 2011 and 2010, certain amounts have been restated.
/s/ Goldman Kurland and Mohidin, LLP
Encino, California
March 12, 2012 except for notes 2, 12, 17, 18 & 21 which are as of July 9, 2013.
51 |
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
2011 | 2010 (RESTATED) | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash & equivalents | $ | 14,949,253 | $ | 11,072,250 | ||||
Restricted cash | 317,415 | 2,151,690 | ||||||
Notes receivable | 82,528 | - | ||||||
Accounts receivable | 19,113,812 | - | ||||||
Current portion of investment in sales type leases, net | 8,725,345 | 7,624,637 | ||||||
Interest receivable on sales type leases | 2,423,184 | 554,930 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | 145,615 | 33,274 | ||||||
Other receivables | 530,283 | 393,015 | ||||||
Prepaid loan fees - current | 80,941 | - | ||||||
Total current assets | 46,368,376 | 21,829,796 | ||||||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Prepaid interest | 814,169 | 774,609 | ||||||
Prepaid loan fees - noncurrent | 283,293 | - | ||||||
Investment in sales type leases, net | 127,576,695 | 117,586,131 | ||||||
Long term deposit | 387,559 | - | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 116,815 | 159,968 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 32,466,242 | 25,377,983 | ||||||
Total non-current assets | 161,644,773 | 143,898,691 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 208,013,149 | $ | 165,728,487 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 3,907,854 | $ | 5,012,640 | ||||
Notes payable - bank acceptances | 634,830 | 2,868,921 | ||||||
Taxes payable | 2,943,034 | 1,631,900 | ||||||
Interest payable on Trust loans | 345,311 | 380,524 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | 1,279,558 | 2,874,058 | ||||||
Advance from related parties | 2,981,977 | 1,365,877 | ||||||
Convertible notes, net of discount due to beneficial conversion feature | 4,626,645 | 4,403,078 | ||||||
Accrued interest on convertible notes - current | 168,000 | 191,828 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability - current | 1,624,665 | 1,188,504 | ||||||
Bank loans payable - current | 6,983,129 | 1,811,950 | ||||||
Trust loans payable - current | 3,174,150 | 5,081,010 | ||||||
Conversion feature liability on convertible notes | 1,127,401 | - | ||||||
Current portion of long term payable | 1,183,516 | - | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 30,980,070 | 26,810,290 | ||||||
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Shares to be issued | - | 8,970,587 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability, net | 6,388,537 | 6,429,139 | ||||||
Refundable deposit from customers | 587,218 | 286,892 | ||||||
Long term payable | 4,999,718 | - | ||||||
Convertible notes, net of discount net of discount due to beneficial conversion feature | - | 4,095,356 | ||||||
Conversion feature liability on convertible notes | - | 6,438,035 | ||||||
Accrued interest on long term convertible notes | - | 419,922 | ||||||
Bank loans payable | 20,790,681 | 2,264,937 | ||||||
Trust loans payable | 31,503,436 | 32,992,586 | ||||||
Total noncurrent liabilities | 64,269,590 | 61,897,454 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 95,249,660 | 88,707,744 | ||||||
CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS | - | - | ||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 46,474,350 and 39,198,982 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively | 46,475 | 39,200 | ||||||
Additional paid in capital | 55,416,140 | 44,666,824 | ||||||
Statutory reserve | 7,051,843 | 5,203,605 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 11,284,190 | 6,083,840 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 34,414,271 | 17,622,514 | ||||||
Total Company stockholders' equity | 108,212,919 | 73,615,983 | ||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 4,550,570 | 3,404,760 | ||||||
Total equity | 112,763,489 | 77,020,743 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 208,013,149 | $ | 165,728,487 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
52 |
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(RESTATED) | (RESTATED) | |||||||
Revenue | ||||||||
Sales of systems | $ | 30,106,354 | $ | 74,280,703 | ||||
Contingent rental income | 1,183,510 | 1,324,835 | ||||||
Total revenue | 31,289,864 | 75,605,538 | ||||||
Cost of sales | ||||||||
Cost of systems | 23,013,807 | 57,033,984 | ||||||
Gross profit | 8,276,057 | 18,571,554 | ||||||
Interest income on sales-type leases | 22,104,162 | 15,136,643 | ||||||
Total operating income | 30,380,219 | 33,708,197 | ||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
General and administrative | 4,738,266 | 6,340,426 | ||||||
Income from operations | 25,641,953 | 27,367,771 | ||||||
Non-operating income (expenses) | ||||||||
Interest income | 110,843 | 52,582 | ||||||
Interest expense | (19,271,974 | ) | (2,728,685 | ) | ||||
Changes in fair value of conversion feature liability | 11,772,065 | - | ||||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | 5,441,176 | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Other income (expenses) | 133,347 | 441 | ||||||
Financial expense | (6,309 | ) | - | |||||
Total non-operating income (expenses), net | (1,820,852 | ) | 134,222 | |||||
Income before income tax | 23,821,101 | 27,501,993 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 4,232,945 | 6,866,040 | ||||||
Income before noncontrolling interest | 19,588,156 | 20,635,953 | ||||||
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 948,161 | 1,793,472 | ||||||
Net income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | 18,639,995 | 18,842,481 | ||||||
Other comprehensive items | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | 5,200,350 | 2,374,350 | ||||||
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to noncontrolling interest | 197,649 | 86,772 | ||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to China Recycling Energy Corp | $ | 23,840,345 | $ | 21,216,831 | ||||
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | $ | 1,145,810 | $ | 1,880,244 | ||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 42,454,304 | 38,837,656 | ||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding * | 56,055,390 | 51,296,893 | ||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.49 | ||||
Diluted earnings per share * | $ | 0.34 | $ | 0.38 |
* Interest expense accrued on convertible notes is added back to net income for the computation of diluted EPS.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
53 |
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010 |
Common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Paid in capital | Statutory reserves | Other comprehensive income | Accumulated retained earning | Total | Noncontrolling interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2010 | 38,778,035 | $ | 38,779 | $ | 38,319,163 | $ | 2,497,724 | $ | 3,709,490 | $ | 1,485,914 | $ | 46,051,070 | $ | 616,237 | |||||||||||||||||
Capital contribution | - | - | 41 | - | - | - | 41 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued for services | 350,000 | 350 | 1,032,150 | - | - | - | 1,032,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants exercised | 70,947 | 71 | (71 | ) | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation related to stock options and warrants | - | - | 2,940,985 | - | - | - | 2,940,985 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash contribution from noncontrolling interest | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 908,279 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unamortized beneficial conversion feature | - | - | 2,374,556 | - | - | - | 2,374,556 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for year | - | - | - | - | - | 18,842,481 | 18,842,481 | 1,793,472 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer to statutory reserves | - | - | - | 2,705,881 | - | (2,705,881 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | 2,374,350 | - | 2,374,350 | 86,772 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 (Restated) | 39,198,982 | 39,200 | 44,666,824 | 5,203,605 | 6,083,840 | 17,622,514 | 73,615,983 | 3,404,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued to settle debt | 2,941,176 | 2,941 | 3,526,470 | - | - | - | 3,529,411 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of convertible note | 4,334,192 | 4,334 | 5,767,733 | - | - | - | 5,772,067 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Compensation related to stock options and warrants | - | - | 1,455,113 | - | - | - | 1,455,113 | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for year | - | - | - | - | - | 18,639,995 | 18,639,995 | 948,161 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transfer to statutory reserves | - | - | - | 1,848,238 | - | (1,848,238 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | 5,200,350 | - | 5,200,350 | 197,649 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 (Restated) | 46,474,350 | $ | 46,475 | $ | 55,416,140 | $ | 7,051,843 | $ | 11,284,190 | $ | 34,414,271 | $ | 108,212,919 | $ | 4,550,570 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
54 |
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, | ||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
(RESTATED) | (RESTATED) | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Income including noncontrolling interest | $ | 19,588,156 | $ | 20,635,953 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile income including noncontrolling | ||||||||
interest to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
Changes in sales type leases receivables | (30,106,354 | ) | (74,280,703 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 57,767 | 23,631 | ||||||
Amortization of prepaid loan fees | 39,481 | - | ||||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | (5,441,176 | ) | (2,809,884 | ) | ||||
Cost of equipment purchased by stock | - | 11,817,712 | ||||||
Amortization of discount related to conversion feature of convertible note | 12,116,481 | 1,789,558 | ||||||
Interest expense from changes in fair value of conversion feature liability | (11,772,065 | ) | - | |||||
Stock compensation expense | - | 602,000 | ||||||
Stock options and warrants expenses | 1,455,113 | 2,940,985 | ||||||
Changes in deferred tax | 6,352 | 4,516,906 | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in current assets: | ||||||||
Interest receivable on sales type lease | (1,794,931 | ) | (101,476 | ) | ||||
Collection of principal on sales type leases | 7,457,187 | 4,784,949 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses | (107,937 | ) | (341,043 | ) | ||||
Account receivables | (579,047 | ) | - | |||||
Other receivables | (114,331 | ) | 1,153,682 | |||||
Construction in progress | (5,650,550 | ) | 10,333,466 | |||||
Long term deposit | (378,084 | ) | - | |||||
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | (1,327,523 | ) | 2,622,021 | |||||
Taxes payable | 1,197,773 | 908,894 | ||||||
Interest payable | (53,311 | ) | 372,272 | |||||
Refundable deposit from customers | 572,862 | - | ||||||
Accrued liabilities and other payables | (1,967,836 | ) | 481,783 | |||||
Accrued interest on convertible notes | (431,829 | ) | 246,805 | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (17,233,802 | ) | (14,302,489 | ) | ||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Restricted cash change | 1,896,637 | (630,697 | ) | |||||
Acquisition of property & equipment | (7,699 | ) | (81,975 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 1,888,938 | (712,672 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||
Issuance of common stock | - | 430,500 | ||||||
Issuance of convertible notes | 7,583,801 | 7,533,391 | ||||||
Repayment of convertible notes | (11,551,457 | ) | - | |||||
Cash contribution from noncontrolling interest | - | 908,279 | ||||||
Notes receivable - bank acceptances | (80,510 | ) | ||||||
Notes payable - bank acceptances | (2,322,413 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds from loans | 24,772,404 | 15,444,272 | ||||||
Repayment of loans | (7,067,876 | ) | - | |||||
Long term payable | 6,032,071 | - | ||||||
Prepaid loan fees | (394,810 | ) | ||||||
Advance from related parties | 1,510,633 | 682,158 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 18,481,843 | 24,998,600 | ||||||
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGE ON CASH & EQUIVALENTS | 740,024 | (23,132 | ) | |||||
NET INCREASE IN CASH & EQUIVALENTS | 3,877,003 | 9,960,307 | ||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR | 11,072,250 | 1,111,943 | ||||||
CASH & EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR | $ | 14,949,253 | $ | 11,072,250 | ||||
Supplemental Cash flow data: | ||||||||
Income tax paid | $ | 3,471,124 | $ | 1,745,643 | ||||
Interest paid | $ | 9,373,650 | $ | 4,758,991 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
55 |
CHINA RECYCLING ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2011 AND 2010
1. ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
China Recycling Energy Corporation (the “Company” or “CREG”) was incorporated on May 8, 1980, under the laws of the State of Colorado. On September 6, 2001, the Company re-domiciled its state of incorporation to Nevada. The Company, through its subsidiaries, Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shanghai TCH”) and Huahong New Energy Technology Co, Ltd, provides energy saving solution and services, including selling and leasing energy saving systems and equipment to our customers. On March 8, 2007, the Company changed its name to “China Recycling Energy Corporation” from “China Digital Wireless, Inc.”
On February 1, 2007, the Company’s subsidiary, Shanghai TCH, conditionally entered into two top gas recovery turbine systems (the “TRT”) projects, each evidenced by a joint-operation agreement, with Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Yingfeng”). TRT is an electricity generating system that utilizes the exhaust pressure and heat produced in the blast furnace of a steel mill to generate electricity.
Under the Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued a top gas recovery turbine project (the "TRT Project") which was to design, construct, install and operate a TRT Project for Zhangzhi Iron and Steel Holdings Ltd. (the"Zhangzhi"). This TRT Project was initiated by a contract to design and construct the TRT System (the “Project Contract”) which Yingfeng and Zhangzhi entered in 2006. This project was completed and put into operation in February 2007.
Under another Joint-Operation Agreement, Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng jointly pursued another TRT project to design, construct, install and operate a TRT Project for Xingtai Iron and Steel Company, Ltd. (the “Xingtai”). This project was completed and put into operation in August 2007.
On October 31, 2007, Shanghai TCH entered an asset-transfer agreement with Yingfeng. The terms and conditions of this agreement required the transfer of all electricity-generating related assets owned by Yingfeng to Shanghai TCH. As a result, the contractual relationships between Shanghai TCH and Yingfeng under the TRT Project Joint-Operation Agreement on April 8, 2007 were terminated.
In November 2007, Shanghai TCH signed a cooperative agreement with Shengwei Group to build two sets of 12MW pure low temperature cement waste heat powered generator systems (“CHPG”) for Shengwei’s two 2,500-tons-per-day cement manufacturing lines in Jin Yang and for a 5,000-tons-per-day cement manufacturing line in Tong Chuan. At the end of 2008, construction of the CHPG in Tong Chuan was completed for $6,191,000 (RMB 43,000,000) and put into operation. On June 29, 2009, construction of the CHPG in Jin Yang was completed for $7,318,000 (RMB 50,000,000) and put into operation.
On April 14, 2009, the Company incorporated a joint venture (the “JV”) with Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (the “Erdos”) to recycle waste heat from Erdos’ metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos. The name of the JV is Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (the “Erdos TCH”) with a term of 20 years. Total investment for the project is estimated at approximately $78 million (RMB 500 million) with an initial investment of $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000). As of December 31, 2011, Erdos contributed 7% of the total investment of the project, and Xi’an TCH contributed 93%. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH receives the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively. The profits to be distributed will be computed based on Chinese generally accepted accounting principles. The main difference between US GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and Chinese GAAP with regards to Erdos is that Erdos is treated as a sales-type lease under US GAAP and as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. When the term of the JV expires, Xi’an TCH will transfer its equity in the JV to Erdos at no additional cost.
On April 18, 2009, Erdos TCH signed a Cooperation Agreement with Erdos to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, which will then be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may expand up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment of over $79 million (RMB 500 million). The construction of the projects was split into three phases, two power generation systems in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three power generation systems in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one power generation system in Phase III with 25MW power capacity.
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At the end of 2009, Erdos TCH completed the first 9MW power station of Phase I of the project and put it into operation. Phase I includes two 9MW units for a combined 18MW power capacity. In March of 2010, the Company completed the second 9MW capacity power station and put it into operation. Pursuant to the Co-operation Agreement and the supplement agreements signed between Erdos and Erdos TCH, Erdos shall purchase all the electricity and steam to be generated from the JV’s power generation projects.
On December 10, 2010, Erdos TCH entered into a supplementary agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) to change the Erdos Phase II project of four 9MW waste heat generation systems to three 9MW systems, and to move the fourth 9MW waste heat generation system into Phase III of the project; as a result of entering into this supplementary agreement, the construction costs decreased from $37.4 million (RMB248 million) to $28.1 million (RMB186 million) for the Phase II. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company completed all three 9MW power stations of Phase II and put them into operation.
On September 30, 2009, Xi’an TCH delivered three 6MW capacity Waste Gas Power Generation (“WGPG”) power generating systems to Shenmu County Jiujiang Trading Co., Ltd. (“Shenmu”) pursuant to a Cooperative Contract on Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project (including its Supplementary Agreement) the “Cooperative Agreement”) and a Gas Supply Contract for Coke-oven Gas Power Generation Project. The terms of these contracts are for 10 years, and they state that Xi’an TCH will recycle coke furnace gas from the coke-oven plant of Shenmu to generate power, which will be supplied back to Shenmu.
On December 31, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Repurchase Agreement for the Coke-Oven Gas Power Generation Project (the “Repurchase Agreement”) with Shenmu. Under the Repurchase Agreement, Shenmu will purchase the set of 18MW capacity power generating systems (the “Systems”) from Xi’an TCH and pay outstanding energy saving service fees of $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) to Xi’an TCH within 3 working days from the date of the Repurchase Agreement. Xi’an TCH will transfer the Systems to Shenmu for $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Repurchase Price”). Shenmu shall pay the first 30% of the Repurchase Price within 5 working days of the Repurchase Agreement date, the second 30% of Repurchase Price within 90 days of the Repurchase Agreement date and the remaining 40% of the Repurchase Price within 180 days of the date of Repurchase Agreement date. The ownership of the Systems will be transferred to Shenmu when the entire Repurchase Price has been paid. The Cooperative Contract will be terminated upon Shenmu’s payment of the entire Repurchase Price. In January 2012, the Company received $3.08 million (RMB 19.44 million) outstanding energy saving service fees and $5.71 million (RMB 36 million) of the first 30% of repurchase price from Shenmu.
On January 20, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Technical Reconstruction Letter of Intent with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”) a natural person with Chinese citizenship for Xi’an TCH reconstructing and transforming a Thermal Power Generation Systems owned by Dong into a 12MW Biomass Power Generation System (the “Biomass Systems” or “BMPG”) for $2.2 million (RMB 15 million), which was paid by Xi’an TCH to Dong. After the transformation of the system, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Dong on June 29, 2010. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred the Biomass Systems to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH will pay Dong $14,705,900 (RMB 100,000,000) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance was 1:6.8. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had paid the cash portion in full and issued 2,941,176 shares of common stock, which represented payment in full of the RMB 80,000,000, in connection with this transaction. In connection with this transaction, the Company, for the year ended December 31, 2011, recorded a gain due to change in fair value of liability on settlement of debt in the amount of $5.44 million.
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with PuCheng XinHengYuan Biomass Power Generation Co., Ltd., (“XHY”). Under this lease agreement, Xi’an TCH leased this same set of 12MW biomass power generation systems to XHY at a minimum of $279,400 (RMB 1,900,000) per month for 15 years.
On September 30, 2010, Xi’an TCH delivered to Zhongbao Binhai Nickel Co., Ltd. (“Zhongbao”) a 7MW capacity Waste Heat Power Generation (“WHPG”) system, an integral part of the facilities designed to produce 80,000 tons of nickel-alloy per year according to the recovery and power generation of waste heat agreement with Zhongbao, a nickel-alloy manufacturing joint venture between Zhonggang and Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group established in June 2009. Total investment in this project was approximately $7.8 million (RMB 55 million). The waste heat agreement with Zhongbao has a term of nine years and provides that Xi’an TCH will recycle waste heat from the nickel-alloy rotary kilns of Zhongbao to generate power and steam, which will be supplied back to Zhongbao. In addition, Xi’an TCH is responsible for applying for the Clean Development Mechanism (“CDM”) under the Kyoto Protocol. Net proceeds from any CDM credit will be distributed between Zhongbao and Xi’an TCH at 60% and 40%, respectively. Xi’an TCH had not commenced the CDM application process as of December 31, 2011.
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On March 15, 2011, the Company incorporated a new wholly owned subsidiary Pingshan County Shengda Energy Technology Co., Ltd (“Shengda”). Xi’an TCH contributed cash of $4,559,271 (RMB 30,000,000) into Shengda as initial capital. Shengda was set up in order to undertake waste energy recycling projects from a steel and chemical company in Pingshan county in accordance with and pursuant to a Recycling Economy Projects Cooperative Framework Agreement entered into by the parties. The final terms for the projects have not been reached and entered, and Shengda is not currently operational.
On May 25, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Letter of Intent with ShenQiu YuNeng Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (the “ShenQiu”) for Xi’an TCH to reconstruct and transform a Thermal Power Generation System owned by ShenQiu into a 75T/H Biomass Power Generation System for approximately $3.5 million (RMB 22.5 million). The project commenced in June 2011, and was completed in the third quarter of 2011. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement with Shenqiu (the “Seller”). The Transfer Agreement provided for the sale to Xi’an TCH of a set of 12,000 KW biomass power generation systems from the Seller after Xi’an TCH completes the conversion of the system for biomass power generation purpose. As consideration for the biomass power generation system, Xi’an TCH will pay to the Seller $10,937,500 (RMB 70,000,000) in cash in three installments in 6 months upon the transfer of ownership of the system. As of December 31, 2011, $7,812,500 (RMB 50,000,000) was paid by Xi’an TCH to the Seller. On September 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH also entered into a Biomass Power Generation Project Lease Agreement with the Seller. Under the Lease Agreement, Xi’an TCH will lease this set of 12,000 KW biomass power generation systems to the Seller at approximately $281,250 (RMB 1,800,000) per month for a term of 11 years. Seller provided one month leasing fee as security deposit to Xi’an TCH as well as personal guarantees from its legal representative. The ownership of this system will be transferred to Shenqiu with no cost at the end of the lease term.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
These accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Huahong") and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Pingshan Shengda Energy Technology Ltd Co. (“Shengda”) and Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 93% of the investment is from Xi’an TCH. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates
In preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
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Revenue Recognition
Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition
We construct and lease waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers. We usually transfer ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers at the end of the lease term. Our investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. We finance construction of waste energy recycling power generating. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the total minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (lessor) and the customer (lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payment consists of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of Sales Tax.
Contingent Rental Income
The Company records income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payments of each project as contingent rental income in the period contingent rental income is earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments.
Cash and Equivalents
Cash and equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date of such investments.
Accounts Receivable
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had accounts receivable of $19.04 million arising, in part, from the transfer of a set of 18MW capacity power generating systems to Shenmu by Xi’an TCH for $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Repurchase Price”). Shenmu shall pay the first 30% of the Repurchase Price within 5 working days of the Repurchase Agreement date, the second 30% of Repurchase Price within 90 days of the Repurchase Agreement date and the remaining 40% of the Repurchase Price within 180 days of the Repurchase Agreement date. The ownership of the Systems will be transferred to Shenmu when the entire Repurchase Price has been paid. In January 2012, the Company received $5.71 million (RMB 36 million), the first 30% of repurchase price from Shenmu.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:
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Building | 20 years |
Vehicle | 2 - 5 years |
Office and Other Equipment | 2 - 5 years |
Software | 2 - 3 years |
Impairment of Long-life Assets
In accordance with SFAS 144 (codified in FASB ASC Topic 360), the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the asset. There was no impairment as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing, and rental expenses for two pieces of power generation equipment for the operating lease.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740), which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company follows the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 740. When tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had not taken any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording of tax related liability.
Non-Controlling Interest
The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests (NCIs) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability (as was previously the case), that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.
The net income (loss) attributed to the NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of income and other comprehensive income. Losses attributable to the NCI in a subsidiary may exceed the NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to the NCI is attributed to those interests. The NCI shall continue to be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance.
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Statement of Cash Flows
In accordance with SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 230), cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Cash from financing activities exclude: (i) our issuance of 2,941,176 shares of our common stock in connection with our payment in full of RMB 80 million for the Pucheng project; and (ii) the conversion of a $5,000,000 note by Carlyle into 4,334,192 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.154 per share.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease.
ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
● | Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
● | Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. |
● | Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. |
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815.
The following are our considerations with respect to disclosures of fair value of long-term debt obligations.
As of fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s long term debt obligations consisted of the following: (i) bank loans payable in the amount of $20.79 million, (ii) trust loans payable in the amount of $31.50 million and (iii) a long term payable for a sale-leaseback transaction in the amount of $5.00 million.
Fair value measurements/approximations, for certain financial instruments, are based on what a reporting entity would likely have to pay to transfer the financial obligation to an entity with a comparable credit rating. Our bank loans and trust loans payable are privately held (i.e., nonpublic) debt; therefore, pricing inputs are not observable. For this reason, we classified bank loans and trust loans payable as a Level 3 fair value measurement in the valuation hierarchy.
For each of our long term debt obligations noted above, we believe the carrying amounts approximate their fair values. The following reasons are supportive of this determination.
Bank Loans Payables of $20.79 Million (noncurrent portion)
As of fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had three loans with the same Chinese commercial bank with terms of 3, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Each loan was for our subsidiary’s (Xi’an TCH’s) energy saving and emission reduction projects and had a floating interest rate that reset at the beginning of each quarter at 110%, 115% and 115%, respectively, of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan. Each of these loans was guaranteed by Xi’an TCH (along with a pledge of its accounts receivables) and by certain executive officers of the Company, and a pledge of certain BMPG (Biomass Power Generation) systems. Based on our understanding of the credit markets, the fact that our business is in a sector (energy-saving green) that is supported by the PRC government and the lending bank, we believe that we could have obtained similar loans at December 31, 2011 on similar terms and interest rates. In addition, in connection with the fair value measurement, we considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk) relating to the debt obligations, including the following: (i) we are considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and our creditors; (ii) we have a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) we have a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from our sales-type lease of energy saving projects.
Trust Loans Payable of $31.50 Million (noncurrent portion)
Pursuant to a Trust Loan Plan, the Company issued trust loans at RMB 1 per unit for total of 300,000,000 units with interest rates ranging from 8.35% - 12.05% and terms ranging from 2 – 4 years. Of these units, (i) 13,750,000 units ($2.0 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; and (ii) 47,850,000 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. All of the proceeds raised under the Trust Loan Plan were loaned to Erdos TCH to fund the construction and operation of its waste heat power generation projects. To guarantee the repayment of the loans, Erdos TCH provided a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, our CEO, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and a major shareholder, provided unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos (the minority shareholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH. The carrying value of the trust loans approximates the fair value, because we believe that we could obtain similar trust loans at December 31, 2011 for the same purpose of usage on comparable interest rates and terms. In addition, in connection with the fair value measurement, we considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk), including the following: (i) we are considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and our creditors; (ii) we have a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) we have a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from our sales-type lease of energy saving projects to make repayment.
Sale-Leaseback Transaction of $5.00 Million
We recorded the sale-lease back transaction at fair value, which is the present value of the total future cash outflow including principal and interest payments.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value.
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 718 and 505). The Company recognizes in its statement of operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees.
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740). Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method. The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
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The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net income for common shares | $ | 18,639,995 | $ | 18,842,481 | ||||
Interest accrued on convertible notes* | 168,000 | 496,805 | ||||||
Net income for diluted shares | $ | 18,807,995 | $ | 19,339,286 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic | 42,454,304 | 38,837,656 | ||||||
Effect of dilutive securities: | ||||||||
Convertible notes | 11,976,692 | 10,065,630 | ||||||
Options granted | 1,612,614 | 2,282,674 | ||||||
Warrants granted | 11,780 | 110,933 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted | 56,055,390 | 51,296,893 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) per share – basic | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.49 | ||||
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted | $ | 0.34 | $ | 0.38 |
* | Interest expense on convertible notes was added back to net income for the computation of diluted earnings per share. |
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There was no significant fluctuation in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date.
The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders.
Segment Reporting
SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280) requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. SFAS 131 has no effect on the Company’s financial statements as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC.
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Registration Rights Agreement
The Company accounts for payment arrangements under a registration rights agreement in accordance with ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” which requires the contingent obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate agreement or included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement, be separately recognized and measured in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies,” (see Note 14, Registration Rights Agreement for Convertible Note).
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in the current period. The Company reclassified rental deposits of $286,892 from accrued liabilities to non-current liabilities and interest payable of $11,922 from current convertible notes to accrued interest on long term convertible notes for the year ended December 31, 2011.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (ASC Topic 820), to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements. The provisions of this new guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Under the amendments in this update, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income and a total amount for comprehensive income. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. In addition, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on its financial statements.
In September 2011, FASB has issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on its financial statements.
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3. NET INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES
Under sales-type leases, Shanghai TCH leased TRT systems to Xingtai and Zhangzhi with terms of five and thirteen years, respectively and leased CHPG systems to Tong Chuan Shengwei and Jin Yang Shengwei respectively for five years, BMPG systems to Pucheng for fifteen years, BMPG systems to Shenqiu for eleven years, and a power and steam generating system from waste heat from metal refining to Erdos for twenty years. The components of the net investment in sales-type leases as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Total future minimum lease payments receivable | $ | 400,972,427 | $ | 379,641,671 | ||||
Less: executory cost | (106,560,187 | ) | (99,866,170 | ) | ||||
Less: unearned interest income | (158,110,200 | ) | (154,564,733 | ) | ||||
Net investment in sales - type leases | 136,302,040 | 125,210,768 | ||||||
Current portion | 8,725,345 | 7,624,637 | ||||||
Noncurrent portion | $ | 127,576,695 | $ | 117,586,131 |
As of December 31, 2011, the future minimum rentals to be received on non-cancelable sales-type leases by years are as follows:
2012 | $ | 37,140,831 | ||
2013 | 33,910,375 | |||
2014 | 27,905,951 | |||
2015 | 25,528,105 | |||
2016 | 25,528,105 | |||
Thereafter | 250,959,059 | |||
Total | $ | 400,972,426 |
4. RESTRICTED CASH, NOTES PAYABLE – BANK ACCEPTANCES
Restricted cash as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $317,415 and $2,151,690, respectively, held by the bank as collateral to issue bank acceptances. The Company endorses bank acceptances to vendors as payment of its own obligations. Most of the bank acceptances have maturities of less than six months. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had bank acceptances of $634,830 and $2,868,921, respectively.
5. PREPAID EXPENSES
Prepaid expenses mainly consisted of prepayment for supplies, office rental, parking space, insurance and legal fees.
6. CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
“Construction in progress” is the amount paid for constructing power generation systems. At December 31, 2011, the Company had paid approximately $19.77 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects, and $12.70 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project (See Note 19). The Company was committed to pay an additional $8.78 million for Phase III projects excluding quality deposits of $120,000 in 2011, and $15.87 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project.
7. TAXES PAYABLE
Taxes payable consisted of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Income | $ | 2,205,337 | $ | 1,237,823 | ||||
Business | 305,141 | 347,654 | ||||||
VAT arising from transfer WGPG to Shenmu | 380,898 | - | ||||||
Other | 51,658 | 46,423 | ||||||
$ | 2,943,034 | $ | 1,631,900 |
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8. ACCRUED LIABILITIES AND OTHER PAYABLES
Accrued liabilities and other payables consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Employee training, labor union expenditure and social insurance payable | $ | 305,800 | $ | 245,019 | ||||
Consulting, auditing, and legal expenses | 439,731 | 541,638 | ||||||
Payable to Yingfeng | - | 1,730,451 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and welfare | 284,011 | 259,120 | ||||||
Accrued system maintenance expense | 76,107 | 72,409 | ||||||
Other | 173,909 | 25,421 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,279,558 | $ | 2,874,058 |
Payable to Yingfeng is the cost of obtaining the ownership of two TRT projects (Zhangzhi and Xingtai) that were previously owned by Yingfeng. As of December 31, 2011, the Company made full payment to Yingfeng.
9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of December 31, 2011, advances from related parties totaled $2,981,977, including $2,941,043 from Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. (the minority shareholder of Erdos TCH), as an advance for the capital needs of Erdos TCH, and $40,934 advance from the Company’s management, respectively, which bore no interest, payable on demand. As of December 31, 2010, advances from related parties totaled $1,365,877, including $1,328,763 from Erdos (the minority shareholder of Erdos TCH) as an advance for the capital needs of Erdos TCH and a $37,114 payment by the Company’s management for paying certain operating expenses on behalf of the Company.
Erdos TCH sold all power generation stations through sales type leases to Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., the non-controlling interest holder. Total sales and interest income for this non-controlling interest was $11.88 million and $6.94 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and $41.69 million and $2.54 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.
On September 27, 2011, David Chong, our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, became the sole stockholder of Sino Way Limited, an entity that owns 100,000 shares of our Common Stock. The 100,000 shares of our Common Stock directly owned by Sino Way Limited, and beneficially owned by Mr. Chong. were included in the previously discussed resale Form S-3 Registration Statement, filed by the Company with the SEC on February 22, 2012. The resale Form S-3 Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective by the SEC.
10. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
“Non-controlling interest” was a 7% equity interest of Erdos TCH owned by Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. According to Xi’an TCH and Erdos’ agreement on profit distribution, Xi’an TCH and Erdos will receive 80% and 20% of the profit from the JV, respectively, until Xi’an TCH has received the complete return of its investment. Xi’an TCH and Erdos will then receive 60% and 40% of the profit from the JV, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011, the total registered capital of Erdos TCH is $17.55 million (RMB 120,000,000), of which, $16.37 million (RMB 112 million) was contributed by Xi’an TCH and $1.18 million (RMB 8 million) was from Erdos. Erdos TCH engages in a business similar to that of Xi’an TCH.
Erdos TCH allocates its income to Xi’an TCH and Erdos at a proportion of 80% and 20% based on net income calculated under Chinese GAAP. The main difference between US GAAP and Chinese GAAP with respect to Erdos TCH is that the Erdos agreement is treated as a sales-type lease under US GAAP and as an operating lease under Chinese GAAP. The following is an unaudited profit and loss statement of Erdos TCH, prepared under Chinese GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (note: Erdos TCH’s US GAAP basis financial statements are part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements discussed in Note 2 – Basis for Consolidation):
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net Revenue | $ | 13,664,259 | $ | 4,735,846 | ||||
Cost of Revenue | (7,818,027 | ) | (2,682,829 | ) | ||||
Gross Profit | 5,846,232 | 2,053,017 | ||||||
Operating expenses | 29,990 | 20,014 | ||||||
Income from operations | 5,816,242 | 2,033,003 | ||||||
Non-operating income | 10,473 | 8,961 | ||||||
Income tax expense | (1,456,679 | ) | (510,491 | ) | ||||
Net Income | $ | 4,370,036 | $ | 1,531,473 |
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The following is a reconciliation of net income per Chinese GAAP to net income per US GAAP:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Net income per Chinese GAAP | $ | 4,370,036 | $ | 1,531,473 | ||||
Adjustments under US GAAP: | ||||||||
Revenue per sales-type lease | (1,788,667 | ) | 36,952,170 | |||||
Cost of revenue | (1,044,251 | ) | (29,299,172 | ) | ||||
Operating income | - | 2,133 | ||||||
Income from operation | 1,537,118 | 9,186,604 | ||||||
Interest income | 3,331,647 | 2,260,621 | ||||||
Income before income tax | 4,868,765 | 11,447,225 | ||||||
Deferred income tax expense | (127,958 | ) | (2,479,864 | ) | ||||
Net income per US GAAP | $ | 4,740,807 | $ | 8,967,361 |
The following is an unaudited balance sheet of Erdos TCH, prepared under Chinese GAAP as of December 31, 2011 and 2010:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Cash and equivalents | $ | 78,243 | $ | 2,250,638 | ||||
Other current assets | - | 45,380 | ||||||
Property and equipment | 49,069,745 | 40,317,773 | ||||||
Construction in process | 23,481,662 | 25,635,027 | ||||||
Total Assets | $ | 72,629,650 | $ | 68,428,818 | ||||
Liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 442,080 | $ | 1,528,757 | ||||
Other current liabilities | 5,009,894 | 1,745,863 | ||||||
Long term loan | 42,017,808 | 45,298,745 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 47,469,782 | 48,573,365 | ||||||
Equity | ||||||||
Paid in capital | 17,573,578 | 17,573,578 | ||||||
Statutory reserve | 570,094 | 153,147 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income | 1,714,014 | 579,578 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 5,302,182 | 1,369,150 | ||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 25,159,868 | 19,675,453 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 72,629,650 | $ | 68,248,818 |
11. DEFERRED TAX
Deferred tax asset was a result of the accrued maintenance cost on power generation systems that can be deducted for tax purposes in the future; and difference between tax and accounting basis of cost of fixed assets which was capitalized for tax purposes and expensed as part of cost of systems in the book. Deferred tax liability arose from the difference between tax and accounting basis of net investment in sales-type leases.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, deferred tax liability consisted of the following:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (accrual of system maintenance cost) | $ | 33,146 | $ | 23,161 | ||||
Deferred tax asset — noncurrent (depreciation of fixed assets) | 25,527,126 | 22,571,649 | ||||||
Deferred tax liability — noncurrent (net investment in sales-type leases) | (31,948,809 | ) | (29,023,949 | ) | ||||
Deferred tax liability, net of deferred tax asset – noncurrent | $ | 6,388,537 | ) | $ | (6,429,139 | ) | ||
Deferred tax liability — current (net investment in sales-type leases) | $ | (1,624,665 | ) | $ | (1,188,504 | ) |
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12. INCOME TAX
Effective January 1, 2008, the PRC government implemented a new corporate income tax law with a maximum rate of 25%. The Company is governed by the Income Tax Law of the PRC concerning privately-run enterprises, which are generally subject to tax at 25% (33% prior to 2008) on income reported in the statutory financial statements after appropriate tax adjustments. Under the 2008 Chinese tax law, the tax treatment of finance and sales-type leases is similar to US GAAP. However, the local tax bureau continues to treat CREG sales-type leases as operating leases. Accordingly, the Company recorded deferred income taxes.
The Company’s subsidiaries generate all of their net income from their PRC operations. Shanghai TCH’s effective income tax rates for 2011 and 2010 are 24% and 22%, respectively. Xi’an TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 15% as a result of its high tech enterprise status that was approved by the taxing authority. Xingtai Huaxin’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Huahong and Erdos TCH’s effective income tax rate for 2011 and 2010 is 25%. Pingshan Shengda’s effective income tax rate for 2011 is 25%. Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH, Xingtai Huaxin, Huahong, Pingshan Shengda and Erdos TCH file separate income tax returns. If Xi’an TCH had not been granted high tech enterprise status, income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2011, would have been increased by $1,725,123 and earnings per share would have been reduced by $0.04.
Shanghai TCH, as a business in a Development Zone, was subject to a 15% income tax rate. According to the new income tax law that became effective January 1, 2008, for those enterprises to which the 15% tax rate was previously applicable, the applicable rates shall increase as follows:
Year | Tax Rate | |||
2012 | 25 | % |
There is no income tax for companies domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements do not present any income tax provisions related to Cayman Islands tax jurisdiction where Sifang Holding is domiciled.
The parent company, China Recycling Energy Corporation, is taxed in the U.S. and, as of December 31, 2011, had net operating loss carry forwards for income taxes of $108,000, which may be available to reduce future years’ taxable income as NOLs can be carried forward up to 20 years from the year the loss is incurred. Our management believes the realization of benefits from these losses may be uncertain due to the Company’s limited operating history and continuing losses. Accordingly, a 100% deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided.
Consolidated foreign pretax earnings approximated $23.6 million and $23.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Pretax earnings of a foreign subsidiary are subject to U.S. taxation when repatriated. The Company provides income taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries except to the extent that such earnings are indefinitely invested outside the United States. As of December 31, 2011, $62.6 million of accumulated undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries was indefinitely invested. At the existing U.S. federal income tax rate, additional taxes of approximately $11.7 million would have to be provided if such earnings were remitted currently.
The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory rates to the Company’s effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
U.S. statutory rates | 34.0 | % | 34.0 | % | ||||
Tax rate difference – current provision | (8.9 | )% | (10.4 | )% | ||||
Effective tax holiday | (7.2 | )% | (7.3 | )% | ||||
Non-taxable income, net | (7.3 | )% | (1.3 | )% | ||||
Effect of tax rate change on deferred tax items | -% | 3.1 | % | |||||
Other | 0.2 | % | 0.2 | % | ||||
Valuation allowance on NOL | 7.0 | % | 6.7 | % | ||||
Tax per financial statements | 17.8 | % | 25.0 | % |
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Non-tax deductible expenses represented permanent non-tax deductible interest expense resulting from an amortization of a beneficial conversion feature for a convertible note, changes in fair value of conversion feature liability, and non-taxable income on gains from stock issued to a third party for settlement of debt on equipment purchase.
The provision for income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 consisted of the following:
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Income tax expense - current | $ | 4,226,593 | $ | 2,349,135 | ||||
Income tax expense - deferred | 6,352 | 4,516,905 | ||||||
Total income tax expenses | $ | 4,232,945 | $ | 6,866,040 |
13. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Two customers accounted for 37% and 35% of sales during the year ended December 31, 2011. Three customers accounted for 45%, 26% and 12% of sales during the year ended December 31, 2010.
14. LOANS PAYABLE
Collective Capital Trust Plan
On December 3, 2009, the Company and Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Trust”) formed a Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan (“Plan”) pursuant to the Capital Trust Loan Agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into by Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd and Beijing Trust dated November 19, 2009. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust raised $26.75 million (RMB 181,880,000) through sale of 181,880,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the Plan were loaned to Erdos TCH in connection with its waste heat power generation projects Phase II and Phase III construction and operation.
The Plan included 145,500,000 category A preferred trust units ($21.4 million), consisting of category A1 preferred trust 12,450,000 units ($1.8 million), category A2 preferred trust 15,000,000 units ($2.2 million), and category A3 preferred trust 118,050,000 units ($17.4 million); and 36,380,000 category B secondary trust units ($5.35 million), consisting of category B1 secondary trust 9,100,000 units ($1.34 million) and category B2 secondary trust 27,280,000 units ($4.01 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH, and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. Under the Agreement, the annual base interest rate is 9.94% for A1 preferred trust fund units with a term of two years, 11% for A2 preferred trust fund units with a term of three years, 12.05% for A3 preferred trust fund units and 8.35% for the category B secondary trust fund units, each with a term of four years.
Erdos TCH provided a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable to guarantee the loans under the Agreement. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, our CEO, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and a major shareholder, provided unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees to Beijing Trust for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos (the minority shareholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH.
On December 18, 2009, an additional $3.68 million (RMB 25,000,000) was raised by Beijing Trust to support the Company’s Erdos Power Generation Projects. Beijing Trust sold 25,000,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit which included 20,000,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($2.94 million) and 5,000,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($ 0.74 million). The B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
During December 2009, the Company sold 206,880,000 units for $30.30 million (RMB 206,880,000), of which 9,100,000 units ($1.33 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 32,280,000 units ($4.73 million) were purchased by Xi’an TCH; $4.73 million was considered as investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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On April 15, 2010, Beijing Trust completed the second expansion of the Plan. The second expansion raised $13.69 million (RMB 93,120,000) through the sale of 93,120,000 trust units at RMB 1 per unit. All amounts raised under the second xxpansion were loaned to Erdos TCH. The second expansion included 2,800,000 category A1 preferred trust units ($0.4 million), 5,000,000 category A2 preferred trust units ($0.7 million), 66,700,000 category A3 preferred trust units ($9.8 million), 4,650,000 category B1 preferred trust units ($0.7 million), and 13,970,000 category B2 secondary trust units ($2.1 million). The B1 units were purchased by members of management of Erdos TCH and the B2 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH.
With the completion of the second expansion, the Low Carbon Fortune-Energy Recycling No. 1 Collective Capital Trust Plan reached $44.1 million (RMB 300,000,000) and completed all its trust plan fundraising, of which, 13,750,000 units ($2.0 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; 47,850,000 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH, of which, 46,250,000 ($6.8 million) were B2 units and 1,600,000 ($235,600) units were A1 units, the amount was considered as an investment by Xi’an TCH into Erdos TCH and, accordingly, was eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Category A1 units (RMB 35,250,000) were due and paid in full on December 3, 2011, of which, RMB 1,600,000 was invested by Xi’an TCH. The net long term loan payable under this trust plan was $34.68 million (RMB 218,500,000) as of December 31, 2011. Interest expense on this trust loan was $5.1 million and $4.5 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
In addition to the above, under the Loan Agreement, Erdos TCH must pay a management incentive benefit to Beijing Trust upon maturity of the category A3 and category B trust units in December 2013 if the ratio of Erdos TCH’s profit to its registered capital exceeds a base amount. If this criterion is met, the amount of the management incentive benefit is calculated based on a formula tied to Erdos TCH’s net profit and the average registered capital for the 2012 fiscal year. Under this formula the management incentive benefit could range between 0% and 100% of the net profit of Erdos TCH in the 2012 fiscal year.
The management incentive benefit was structured to provide an incentive to management to make the joint venture profitable. Under the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute the entire amount of the management incentive benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. As previously disclosed, the holders of the category B trust units are the management of Erdos TCH and Xi’an TCH. Category B trust units receive a lower base interest rate than the category A trust units but the economic return to the holders of category B trust units will be enhanced by any management incentive benefit.
Erdos TCH also will share the benefits from Clean Development Mechanism ("CDM") under the Kyoto Protocol equally with Beijing Trust during the term of the loan. Any benefit received from CDM will be paid to Erdos Metallurgy first. Under the agreement with Xi’an TCH, Erdos Metallurgy agrees to deliver to Xi’an TCH 50% of the benefit Erdos Metallurgy receives. Xi’an TCH agrees to share 50% of the benefit it receives from Erdos Metallurgy with Erdos TCH. Under the Capital Trust Loan Agreement between Erdos TCH and Beijing Trust, Erdos TCH agrees that 50% of any benefit it receives will be delivered to Beijing Trust. Pursuant to the Plan, Beijing Trust will distribute 70% of the CDM benefit it receives to the holders of the category B trust units. The receipt of any CDM benefit is subject to a process of evaluation and certification of the project by the CDM Executive Board and is under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The first stages of the certification process have been completed successfully.
Bank Long Term Loans - Industrial Bank
Xi’an TCH entered a loan agreement with Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (the “Lender”) for a loan designed for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three years from April 6, 2010 to April 6, 2013. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for equipment for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The loan agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 110% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 7.04%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of RMB $476,122 (RMB 3,000,000) each quarter. The loan agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Shaanxi Shengwei Construction Material Group and Mr. Guohua Ku. As of December 31, 2011, $2,380,612 of the principal was repaid and $1,904,490 will be repaid within one year which was classified as current liability.
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The loan has the following covenants: (i) maintain the current assets and net assets not less than $78 million (RMB 500 million); (ii) assets to liability ratio not less than 80%; and (iii) the current ratio not less than 2.5. The borrower was Xi’an TCH. On March 28, 2011, the Company received a waiver letter from the Lender waiving all covenants.
Xi’an TCH entered another loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan RMB $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for three years to March 30, 2014. As of December 31, 2011, the Company received $4,761,225 (RMB 30,000,000) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The loan agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 7.36%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning six months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $476,122 (RMB 3,000,000) each quarter. The loan agreement contains standard representations, warranties and covenants, and the loan is guaranteed by Xi’an TCH, Mr. Guohua Ku and Ms. Chaoying Zhang.
The loan was originally pledged with the system and revenue of the project ZhongBao. In June 2011, the system of the project ZhongBao was sold to and leased back from Cinda Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda Financial”), the Company engaged a third party guarantee company as the guarantor for the loan, which was approved by the Industrial Bank in July 1, 2011.
The loan has the following covenants: (i) maintain the current assets and net assets not less than $78 million (RMB 500 million); (ii) assets to liability ratio not less than 80%; and (iii) the current ratio not less than 1. The borrower was Xi’an TCH. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company received a waiver letter from the Lender waiving all covenants.
Xi’an TCH entered the third loan agreement with the same Industrial Bank for energy saving and emission reduction projects, whereby the Lender agreed to loan $20,631,973 (RMB 130,000,000) to Xi’an TCH for four years to November 27, 2015. As of December 31, 2011, the Company received $20,631,973 (RMB 130,000,000) of the loan. The proceeds of the loan are required to be used in payment for construction and equipment purchase for Xi’an TCH’s energy saving and emission reduction projects. The loan agreement has a floating interest rate that resets at the beginning of each quarter at 115% of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan (then 7.94%). Under the loan, Xi’an TCH is required to make quarterly interest payments and, beginning nine months after the date of the release of the funds, to make minimum quarterly principal payments of $1,587,075 (RMB 10,000,000) each quarter. For the first 9 months, the loan is in a grace period and there is no repayment requirement. The loan is guaranteed by accounts receivable of Xi’an TCH, Pucheng and Shenqiu BMPG systems and Mr. Guohua Ku.
As of December 31, 2011, the future minimum repayment of all the bank loans to be made by years is as follows:
2012 | $ | 6,983,129 | ||
2013 | 8,728,912 | |||
2014 | 7,300,544 | |||
2015 | 4,761,225 | |||
Total | $ | 27,773,810 |
Financing Agreement- - Sale Lease-back transaction
On June 28, 2011, Xi’an TCH entered into a Financing Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Cinda Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda Financial”), an affiliate of China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd. (the “Cinda HK”).
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Under the Agreement, Xi’an TCH transferred its ownership of a set of 7MW steam turbine waste heat power generation system (the “WHPG system currently used by Zhongbao”) and four furnaces and ancillary apparatus (the “Assets”) to Cinda Financial for $6.69 million (RMB 42.50 million), and Cinda Financial leased the Assets to Xi’an TCH for 5 years for $8.11 million (RMB 51.54 million) based upon the transfer cost and the benchmark interest rate for five year loans by People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”) (then 6.65%) plus 15% of that rate (approximately 7.6475%). The interest rate will increase if the five year benchmark interest rate of PBOC increases but will remain the same if the benchmark rate decreases in the future. Xi’an TCH shall make pro rata quarterly payments to Cinda Financial for the leasing fees. Upon the completion of the leasing term and full payment of all leasing fees and other fees, Xi’an TCH can pay $669 (RMB 4,250) to acquire the ownership of the Assets from Cinda Financial. The quarterly minimum leasing payment to Cinda Financial is $396,875 (RMB 2,577,109).
In addition to the leasing fees, Xi’an TCH prepaid a one-time non-refundable leasing service charge of $401,265 (RMB 2,550,000) and a refundable security deposit of $334,388 (RMB 2,125,000) to Cinda Financial as of December 31, 2011. The prepaid leasing service fee was amortized over 5 years. For the year ended December 31, 2011, $39,481 (RMB 255,000) was amortized. The unamortized portion was recorded as prepaid loan fees of $80,941 and $283,293 into current and non-current portions respectively.
In accordance with ASC 840-10-25-4, since CREG retains substantially all of the benefits and risks relating to the property, this transaction is a financing and will be recorded as such. The proceeds of this financing were not received prior to June 30, 2011; therefore, this transaction was recorded in the third quarter of 2011. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company made repayment of $823,392 to Cinda Financial.
As of December 31, 2011, the future minimum payment to be made by years is as follows:
2012 | $ | 1,647,383 | ||
2013 | 1,647,383 | |||
2014 | 1,647,383 | |||
2015 | 1,647,383 | |||
2016 | 823,689 | |||
Total | $ | 7,413,221 | ||
Unamortized interest | (1,229,987 | ) | ||
Total long term payable | 6,183,234 | |||
Current portion | (1,183,516 | ) | ||
Non current portion | $ | 4,999,718 |
15. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE AND REVOLVING FINANCING AGREEMENT
Convertible Notes from Carlyle
On November 16, 2007, the Company entered into a Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. (“CAGP”) and CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P. (together with CAGP, the “Investors”). Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company sold the Investors a 10% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000 (the “First Note”). Additionally, the Purchase Agreement provides for two subsequent transactions to be effected by the Company and the Investors, which include (i) the issuance by the Company of and subscription by the Investors for 4,066,706 shares of common stock of Company, at $1.23 per share for $5,000,000, and (ii) the issuance and sale by the Company to the Investors of a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $15,000,000 (the foregoing transactions, together with sale and purchase of the First Note, are hereinafter referred to as the “Offering”). The subsequent transactions are contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement, including entry into specified energy and recycling project contracts and the purchase of certain energy recycling systems.
The First Note bore interest at 10% and was due November 16, 2009. The principal amount of the First Note, together with any interest thereon, converted, at the option of the holders at any time on or prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price of $1.23 per share (subject to anti-dilution adjustments). The First Note was subject to mandatory conversion upon the consummation of the aforementioned issuance and subscription of shares of the Company’s common stock under the Purchase Agreement. The obligations of the Company under the First Note ranked senior to all other debt of the Company.
As collateral for the First Note, Mr. Ku, our CEO and the Chairman of our Board of Directors, pledged 9,653,471 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the First Note. This pledge was released during the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 and is of no further force or effect.
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The First Note was considered to have a beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) because the conversion price was less than the quoted market price at the time of issuance. Accordingly, the beneficial conversion feature of $5,000,000 was recorded separately as unamortized beneficial conversion feature based on the intrinsic value method. As the BCF was greater than the face value of the note, all of the proceeds were allocated to the BCF. No value was assigned to the note option or the equity option (two subsequent transactions discussed above). The First Note was recorded in the balance sheet at face value less the unamortized beneficial conversion feature. The terms for the First Note were amended on April 29, 2008 and the First Note was repaid in full on June 25, 2008, as described below.
On April 29, 2008, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Purchase Agreement with the Investors. Under the terms of the Amendment, (i) the Company issued and the Investors subscribed for 4,066,706 shares of common stock of the Company, at $1.23 per share for $5,002,048, as originally contemplated under the Agreement; (ii) the Investors converted the principal under the First Note (and waived any accrued interest thereon) into 4,065,040 shares of common stock of the Company at $1.23, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the First Note issued under the Agreement; (iii) the Company issued and sold to the Investors a new 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $5,000,000 (the “Second Note” and collectively with the First Note, the “Notes”); and (iv) the Company granted to the Investors an option to purchase a 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $10,000,000, exercisable by the Investors at any time within nine (9) months following the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Amendment (the “Option Note”).
The Second Note bore interest at 5% and matured on April 29, 2011. The principal face amount of the Second Note, together with any interest thereon, was convertible, at the option of the holders at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to maturity, into shares of the Company’s common stock at an initial conversion price that is tied to the after-tax net profits of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2009, as described in the Second Note. As more fully described in the Second Note, the obligations of the Company under the Second Note are senior to all other debt of the Company.
The Second Note and the 8% Note described below are both secured by a security interest granted to the Investors pursuant to the Share Pledge Agreement.
On June 25, 2008, the Company and investors entered into a Rescission and Subscription Agreement to rescind the conversion of the First Note and the issuance of conversion shares of Common Stock at the Second Closing pursuant to Amendment to Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement dated April 29, 2008. The Company and the Investors rescinded the conversion of the principal amount ($5,000,000) under the First Note into 4,065,040 shares of Common Stock, and the Investors waived accrued interest on the First Note. Accordingly, the interest expense which had accrued on the note was recorded as a decrease in interest expense for the period. At the Rescission and Subscription Closing, the Company repaid the First Note to the Investors in full, and as partial repayment sold and issued 4,065,040 shares of Common Stock to the Investors at $1.23 per share for $5,000,000. This was done through a cross receipt arrangement; the BCF was reversed to additional paid in stock. The Company has now concluded that in substance the transaction resulted in the conversion of the first $5,000,000 note into common stock, and based on substance over form, the remaining BCF of $3,472,603 at the date of conversion was expensed.
On April 29, 2009, CREG issued an 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note of $3 million to CAGP with a maturity of April 29, 2012. The note holder has the right to convert all or any part of the outstanding principal amount of this note, together with interest, if any, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available on a date prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this note is paid in full), at a conversion price per share of common stock equal to US $0.80. The conversion feature of this note is not beneficial to the holder as the stock price on April 29, 2009 was $0.47.
On April 29, 2009, CREG and the Investors amended and restated the 5% secured convertible promissory note (the “Second Note”), which was issued as part of the amendment of the Purchase Agreement on April 28, 2008. Accordingly, the Conversion Rights and Conversion Price were amended so that the holder of the Second Note has the right, but not the obligation, to convert all or any part of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Second Note, together with interest, into shares of the Company’s common stock, at any time on or after March 30, 2010 (or such earlier date if the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009 are available on a date prior to March 30, 2010) and prior to the maturity date (or such later date on which this Note is paid in full), at the following conversion price: (a) an amount equal to (i) the Company’s net profit, adjusted in accordance with the Second Note, multiplied by (ii) 5.5, and less (iii) the principal amount of the Second Note, together with accrued interest, divided by (b) the then total shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding on a fully-diluted basis. This note is considered to have a beneficial conversion feature starting from January 1, 2010 because the conversion price for this note was $1.154 as of April 29, 2011. Accordingly, the beneficial conversion feature of $3.15 million was recorded separately as unamortized beneficial conversion feature based on the intrinsic value method and the Second Note was recorded in the balance sheet at face value less the unamortized beneficial conversion feature.
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The interest on the convertible debts is payable annually, in arrears, provided the holder gives 30-day notice before each April 29 that it requires the interest payment. Unpaid interest is due and payable at maturity. At the holder’s election, at the time the holder elects to convert the debt into shares, shares can be issued as paid-in-kind interest to the extent that there is unpaid interest at the time of conversion. To date, the Company has timely paid all interest payable, in cash.
In June 2011, Carlyle converted the Second Note into 4,334,192 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.154 per share. The effective date of the conversion was April 29, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the interest accrued on the second note was fully paid. The Company issued 4,334,192 shares of common stock to the Investors on July 21, 2011 (4,149,599 shares of common stock to CAGP; 184,593 shares of common stock to CAGP III Co. Investment, L.P.). A BCF of $745,547 was fully amortized as of the conversion date. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company amortized $1,368,988 BCF for the note.
Registration Rights Agreement
On April 29, 2009, the Company also agreed with Carlyle to amend and restate the Registration Rights Agreement for the convertible notes to amend the rights for demand registration by the Investors and the applicable liquidated damages for the Company if it fails to timely comply with the demand for registration.
Under the registration rights agreement, the Company must file the registration statement within 90 days of receipt of a demand notice to convert (the “Filing Date”), and the registration statement must have become effective within 120 days after filing (the “Effective Date”) or the Company must pay damages to the holders of the shares to be registered. The Company must also pay damages if the registration statement ceases for any reason to remain continuously effective as to all Registrable Shares for which it is required to be effective, or the holders are not permitted to utilize the prospectus to resell shares for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days during any 12-month period.
The damages for failure to meet any of these requirements are equal to 1% of the sum of:
(x) | the purchase price of the unconverted notes; |
(y) | the purchase price of shares of Company Common Stock purchased under a related agreement; and |
(z) | the conversion price of shares of Common Stock received on conversion of notes, for each 30 days, or a pro rata portion of such 1% for a period less than 30 days. |
The liquidated damages must be paid in cash; the registration rights agreement does not provide for any alternative payment arrangement. The maximum potential amount of consideration, undiscounted, that the Company could be required to transfer under the registration payment arrangement cannot exceed 1% of the sum described above in any thirty (30) calendar day period.
Convertible Note Agreement with China Cinda
On August 18, 2010, the “Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sifang, Shanghai TCH and Xi’an TCH entered into a Notes Purchase Agreement (the “Note Agreement”) with China Cinda (HK) Asset Management Co., Ltd, a company organized under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China (“Cinda”). Under the terms of the Note Agreement, the Company will issue Cinda two tranches of convertible notes (the “Notes”), each having a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of RMB 50 million. Also on August 18, 2010, Xi’an TCH and China Jingu International Trust Co. Ltd. (“Jingu”), an affiliate of Cinda also entered into a Capital Trust Loan Agreement (“Trust Loan Agreement”), in which Jingu will raise 100 million RMB under a Jingu CREG Recycling Economy No. 1 Collective Fund Trust Plan (“Trust Plan”) and lend such amount under the Trust Plan to Xi’an TCH (the “Loans”). If the Loans under the Trust Loan Agreement do not occur, then under the Note Agreement the principal amount of the Notes to be issued in each tranche will be the US dollar equivalent of RMB 100 million. All proceeds from the Notes and the Loans will be used to complete the Phases IV and V of the Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. (“Erdos TCH”) project, a joint venture between Xi’an TCH and Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd. to recycle waste heat from Erdos Metallurgy’s refining plants to generate power and steam and sell them back to Erdos Metallurgy, as well as other working capital needs.
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Under the Trust Loan Agreement and separate agreements entered by Jingu, Erdos TCH, Shanghai TCH, Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku on August 18, 2010, Erdos TCH shall pledge the accounts receivable, equipment and assets of its Phases IV and V projects to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Xi’an TCH shall pledge its 80% equity in Erdos TCH to Jingu as a guarantee to the Loans, Shanghai TCH shall provide a joint liability guarantee to Jingu for the Loans, and Mr. Guohua Ku shall provide his personal joint liability to Jingu for the Loans.
Under the Note Agreement the Notes shall be issued before August 18, 2011. The Notes have a three year maturity date from the date of the issuance of the first tranche. The exchange rate between RMB and US Dollar for each issue of Notes is the middle rate published by the People’s Bank of China (the “PBOC”) for the second business day prior to each issuance. Each Note bears interest at a rate equal to that of PBOC base interest rate for the relevant interest period (the period commencing on and including January 1 of each year and ending on and including December 31 of such year) plus two percent (2%). If Cinda does not convert or fully convert the Notes to shares prior to maturity, the Company will pay the difference between the interest rate described above and 18% on the outstanding amount.
The Loans have the following covenants: (i) maintain at all time a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2:1; (ii) obtain consent from the lender prior to pay or declare any cash dividends or distributions on outstanding common stock; and (iii) maintain at all times a consolidated leverage ratio of not less than 65%. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Trust Loan Agreement, the Company is required to comply with these covenants annually on its consolidated financial statements audited under US GAAP. The Company met all of the covenants.
Each Note has a conversion price at the lower of (i) US$2.46 per share or (ii) an amount equal to the Company’s earnings per share based upon the consolidated earnings of the Company for 2010 on a weighted average fully diluted basis, multiplied by 7. In connection with the Trust Loan Agreement, the Company also entered into an Exchange Rights Agreement pursuant to which the Loans can be exchanged (on the same terms as the Notes can be converted) for shares of the Company’s common stock which can in turn be registered under the Registration Rights Agreement. The Notes will have a contingent beneficial conversion feature which will be recorded when the contingency is resolved.
As collateral for the Notes, Mr. Ku, our CEO, Chairman of our Board of Directors, and a major shareholder of the Company, entered into a Share Pledge Agreement with Cinda, on August 18, 2010, to pledge 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by him to secure the first Note. The Agreement also calls for an additional 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Ku to secure the second Note before its issuance.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company received $7,533,391 (RMB 50,000,000) from the first tranche of the Loans. As of January 30, 2011, the Company received another $7,533,391 (RMB 50,000,000) from the first tranche convertible Note. Under ASC 815 – Derivatives and Hedging, the fair value of the conversion option is a derivative that has been bifurcated and treated as liability at the date of inception. Based on AU 560 - subsequent events, the conversion feature has been accounted for at December 31, 2011 and 2010 using the conversion price of $2.46. The conversion feature is akin to a call option, therefore, the Black-Scholes option pricing model was used by using the maximum conversion price of $2.46 as the strike price. Since the conversion option is an embedded derivative and is bifurcated from the host contact, BCF analysis is not required. The fair value of the conversion feature was recorded as a liability and will be marked to market until the conversion rate is set. As the loan has a reset clause in the event the Company issues shares below the conversion price, it will be treated as a liability as long as the loan is outstanding. The unamortized discount due to conversion feature will continue to be amortized over the term of the loan; during the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company amortized $10,747,493 from unamortized discount due to beneficial conversion feature including the fully expensed unamortized portion as a result of repayment of the loans.
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For the first RMB 50,000,000 of the Note, RMB 25,000,000 has been repaid. The Company recorded the derivative liability of $1.12 million for the remaining half conversion option at December 31, 2011, based on the Black-Scholes model by using the following assumptions: estimated life of three years, volatility of 153%, risk free interest rate of 0.36%, and dividend yield of 0%.
On December 9, 2011, the Company, Cinda and Mr. Guohua Ku, the Chairman, CEO and a major shareholder of the Company entered into a Supplemental Agreement (the “Supplemental Agreement”) to the Notes Purchase Agreement which was dated August 18, 2010.
Pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Agreement, the Company and Cinda terminated their respective obligations to sell and purchase the second tranche of convertible note under the Note Agreement which has a principal amount equal to the US Dollar equivalent of RMB 50 million. The Company and Cinda also agreed that the Company will redeem the outstanding convertible note at the U.S. Dollar amount equivalent to RMB 25 million each on December 30, 2011 and November 30, 2012, respectively, plus accrued interest at eighteen percent (18%) per annum (the "Redemption Interest Rate") up to the applicable Redemption Date, minus any interest already accrued and paid (together with the Redemption Principal Amount, the "Redemption Price"). For any default in payment of the Redemption Price, the interest rate on the Redemption Principal Amount will be the Redemption Interest Rate plus an additional five percent (5%) per annum and due on demand. The interest on the Redemption Principal Amount due on November 30, 2012 (the "Second Redemption Principal Amount") will accrue at a rate of eighteen percent (18%) per annum and should be payable by the Company on June 20, 2012.
On December 9, 2011, Mr. Ku executed a Certificate for additional collateral to pledge an additional 1.5 million shares of the common stock of the Company that he owns as collateral to Cinda to secure the unpaid note.
In addition, on December 9, 2011, Xi’an TCH and Jingu, an affiliate of Cinda also entered into a Supplemental Agreement (the “Jingu Agreement”) to the Capital Trust Loan Agreement which was dated August 18, 2010.
Under the terms of the Jingu Agreement, Xi’an TCH will repay the entire outstanding RMB 50 million loan principal amount plus interest at 18% and related fees (the “Loan”) to Jingu by December 16, 2011. If there is a default in payment by Xi’an TCH by such date, a penalty at the rate of 23% will be imposed on the unpaid amount. Upon the execution of the Supplementary Agreement, Jingu Agreement and repayment of the Loan, Xi’an TCH’s obligations under the Trust Loan Agreement will be terminated and all the pledge and guarantee agreements ancillary to the Trust Loan Agreement shall be terminated and released.
In connection with the Supplementary Agreement, the Company, Xi’an TCH, Mr. Ku, Cinda and Kent International Industrial (Shenzhen) Limited (“Kent International”), an affiliate of Cinda also entered into an Agreement on Oversea’s Financial Payment on December 9, 2011, pursuant to which Xi’an TCH will make the two RMB 25 million payments to Kent International before December 31, 2011 and November 30, 2012 respectively if the Company cannot acquire the equivalent U.S. dollar currency to pay back the note to Cinda after its best efforts. If the Company is able to acquire U.S. dollar currency to repay the Cinda note within one year of their due dates under Supplementary Agreement, it shall wire the dollar payment to Cinda and Kent International shall return the equivalent RMB to Xi’an TCH at the exchange rate of the middle rate published by the PBOC on the date when Cinda receives such dollar payment. Shanghai TCH and Mr. Ku will provide joint liability guarantees to Kent International for payment obligations of the Company and Xi’an TCH. Shanghai TCH and Mr. Ku also entered into Guarantee Agreements with Kent International.
Out of the first tranche of $7.94 million (RMB 50 million), $3.97 million (RMB 25 million) and interest $1.13 million (RMB 7.14 million) were repaid to Cinda on December 30, 2011; second tranche of $7.94 million (RMB 50 million) and interest of $1.00 million (RMB 6.45 million) was repaid to Jingu on December 16, 2011.
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16. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
Options to Employees
On November 13, 2007, the Company approved the 2007 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, which was later amended and restated in August 2008 (the “2007 Plan”), and granted 3,000,000 options to acquire the Company’s common stock at $1.23 per share to twenty (20) managerial and non-managerial employees under the 2007 Plan.
On April 23, 2010, the Company amended the 2007 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan from 3.2 million to 5 million.
The vesting terms of options granted under the 2007 Plan are subject to the Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreements for managerial and non-managerial employees. For managerial employees, 15% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the six month anniversary of the grant date. An additional 15% and 50% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the first and second year anniversary of the grant date, respectively. The remaining 20% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the third year anniversary of the grant date. For non-managerial employees, 30% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the first year anniversary of the grant date. An additional 50% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the second year anniversary of the grant date. The remaining 20% of the total stock options shall vest and become exercisable on the third year anniversary of the grant date. Each stock option shall become vested and exercisable over a period of no longer than five years from the grant date.
Based on the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 (Revised) “Share Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 718, the fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option pricing model has assumptions for risk free interest rates, dividends, stock volatility and expected life of an option grant. The risk free interest rate is based upon market yields for United States Treasury debt securities at a maturity near the term remaining on the option. Dividend rates are based on the Company’s dividend history. The stock volatility factor is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected life of an option grant is based on management’s estimate as no options have been exercised in the Plan to date. The fair value of each option granted to employees is calculated by the Black-Scholes method and is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of each stock option award. For stock options issued, the fair value was estimated at the date of grant using the following range of assumptions:
The options vest over three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.76%, and dividend yield of 0%. No estimate of forfeitures was made as the Company has a short history of granting options.
Effective June 25, 2008, the Company and each of the option holders agreed to cancel all vested options and accepted the option holders’ forfeiture of any unvested shares underlying such options.
On August 4, 2008, the Company granted stock options to acquire 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001, at $0.80 per share to 17 employees under the 2007 Plan. The options vest over a period of three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 2.76%, and dividend yield of 0%. No estimate of forfeitures was made as the Company has a short history of granting options. The options were accounted for as a modification to the options that were cancelled on June 25, 2008. The grant date fair value of options was $5.04 million.
On November 9 and 11, 2009, the Company and three option holders agreed to cancel vested but unexercised options for 87,000 vested but unexercised shares and forfeit unvested options for 203,0000 unvested shares. On November 11, 2009, the Company granted options to two other employees for 290,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $2.35 per share. The options vest over three years and have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions, estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.84%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $518,513.
On April 23, 2010, the Company amended and restated the 2007 Plan, which increases the aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance under 2007 Plan by 2,200,000 shares, from 3,000,000 shares to 5,200,000 shares, effective from January 1, 2010. The Amended and Restated 2007 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders meeting on June 4, 2010.
On August 13, 2010, the Company granted 2,200,000 options to acquire the Company’s common stock at $3.05 per share to thirty six (36) managerial and non-managerial employees as new equity awards pursuant to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated 2007 plan, which increased the number of shares available under the plan from 3 million to 5.2 million.
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According to the vesting terms, the options granted were divided into three tranches, (i) 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Company meets its minimum revenue and earnings goals in the Company’s guidance for 2010 as delivered in its earnings releases and/or conference calls in the first quarter of 2010, such vesting to occur immediately upon completion of the annual audit confirming the financial results for 2010; and (ii) an additional 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Company meets certain financial goals of 2011 which will be set out and decided by the Compensation Committee, such vesting to occur immediately upon Compensation Committee’s determination that the Company has met such goals for 2011; and (iii) the remaining 1/3 (one third) of the total number of shares subject to the options shall vest and become exercisable if the Company meets certain financial goals of 2012 which is set out and decided by the Compensation Committee, such vesting is to occur immediately upon Compensation Committee’s determination that the Company has met such goals for 2012. The Option may only be exercised to the extent that the Option has become vested and exercisable. The management used its estimates for determining the probability of achieving each year’s financial goals; these goals were 100%, 50% and 50% for 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company believes it did not meet the financial goal of 2011; accordingly, the second tranche (one third of the total number of 2,200,000 options) was forfeited.
The options have a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions; estimated life of five years, volatility of 92%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. Each tranche of the options was deemed independent of the others; therefore, the fair value of each tranche of the options will be fully expensed within each year.
The following table summarizes activity for employees in the Company’s Plan:
Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighed Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | ||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | 3,000,000 | 0.95 | 3.71 | |||||||||
Exercisable at January 1, 2010 | 813,000 | 0.80 | 3.59 | |||||||||
Granted | 2,200,000 | 3.05 | 5.00 | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 | 5,200,000 | 1.84 | 3.52 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010 | 2,255,000 | $ | 0.86 | 2.59 | ||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | 733,333 | 3.05 | 3.61 | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2011 | 4,466,667 | 1.64 | 2.34 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2011 | 3,675,333 | $ | 1.35 | 2.07 |
In July 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved and provided the employees cashless exercise elections to the stock Options granted by the Board on August 4, 2008.
The Company recorded $1,411,138 and $2,224,691 compensation expense for stock options to employees during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Options that were vested and exercisable at December 31, 2011 were 3,675,333 shares, weighted average exercise price of $1.35, no intrinsic value, and weighted-average remaining contractual term of 2.07 years. Options that were expected to vest at December 31, 2011 were 791,334 shares, weighted average exercise price of $3.00, no intrinsic value, and weighted-average remaining contractual term of 3.56 years. The fair value of non-vested stock options was $0.60 million at December 31, 2011.
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Options to Independent Directors
On October 30, 2009, the Company granted stock options for 130,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at $1.85 per share to three independent directors. The options vested and became exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $183,000.
On January 20, 2010, the Company granted stock options for 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at $4.68 per share to another independent director. The options vest and become exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $142,000.
On October 7, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the increase in its size from seven to nine members as a result of entering the Loan and Note agreements with Cinda on August 18, 2010 as described in Note 15 above. At the same time, our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Yilin Ma and Mr. Chungui Shi as new members of the Board of Directors to fill the vacancies on our Board of Directors until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Mr. Shi is also appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. In connection with the appointment, our Board of Directors has authorized the Company to provide Mr. Shi with (i) compensation of $2,000 per month and (ii) the grant of an option to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, at an exercise price equal to the closing price per share of the Company's Common Stock on October 7, 2010. The options vested and became exercisable on the six-month anniversary of the grant date with a life of 5 years. The fair value of the options was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 87%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%. The grant date fair value of options was $83,000.
The following table summarizes option activity with respect to the independent directors:
Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighed Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | ||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | 130,000 | 1.85 | 4.83 | |||||||||
Exercisable at January 1, 2010 | - | - | - | |||||||||
Granted | 80,000 | 3.83 | 5.00 | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 | 210,000 | 2.60 | 4.05 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010 | 170,000 | $ | 2.52 | 3.89 | ||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2011 | 210,000 | 2.60 | 3.05 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2011 | 210,000 | $ | 2.60 | 3.05 |
The Company recorded $43,975 and $302,969 compensation expense for stock options to independent directors during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No options were exercised during the year ended December 31, 2011.
Options that were vested and exercisable at December 31, 2011 were 210,000 shares, weighted average exercise price of $2.60, no intrinsic value, and weighted-average remaining contractual term of 3.05 years.
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Warrants to Investor Relation Firms
On October 1, 2009, the Company granted warrants to acquire 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at $1.50 per share to certain investor relations firms. The warrants are exercisable, in whole or in part, at any time from July 1, 2010 (the “Vesting Date”) to October 1, 2014 (the “Expiration Date”). The Company accounted for warrants issued to investor relations firms based on ASC 505-50 at each balance sheet and expense recorded based on the period elapsed at each balance sheet date, which is the date at which the counterparty’s performance is deemed to be completed for the period. The fair value of each warrant granted is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model under ASC 505-30-11 and is recognized as compensation expense over the service term of the investor relations agreement as it is a better matching of cost with services received. Under that Agreement, the issuance of the warrants was irrevocable and the Company agreed to take no action to cause the warrants to be void or revoked or their issuance to be otherwise terminated. The warrants are classified as equity instruments and are exercisable into a fixed number of common shares. There is no commitment or requirement to change the quantity or terms based on conditions to the counterparty’s performance or market conditions. The fair value of the warrants was calculated using the following assumptions: estimated life of five years, volatility of 100%, risk free interest rate of 3.54%, and dividend yield of 0%.
The following table summarizes activity for the warrants to certain investor relations IR firms:
Number of Shares | Average Exercise Price per Share | Weighed Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | ||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2010 | 200,000 | 1.50 | 4.75 | |||||||||
Exercisable at January 1, 2010 | - | - | - | |||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | 150,000 | 1.50 | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 | 50,000 | 1.50 | 3.75 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2010 | 50,000 | $ | 1.50 | 3.75 | ||||||||
Granted | - | - | - | |||||||||
Exercised | - | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited | - | - | - | |||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2011 | 50,000 | 1.50 | 2.75 | |||||||||
Exercisable at December 31, 2011 | 50,000 | $ | 1.50 | 2.75 |
The Company recorded $0 and $413,325 compensation expense for warrants to the IR firms during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. There were no warrants exercised during the year ended December 31, 2011, there were 150,000 warrants exercised through cashless exercise during 2010.
Warrants that were vested and exercisable at December 31, 2011 were 50,000 shares, weighted average exercise price of $1.50, no aggregate intrinsic value, and weighted-average remaining contractual term of 2.75 years.
17. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On June 29, 2010, Xi’an TCH entered into a Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) with Xueyi Dong (“Dong”), a natural person with Chinese citizenship. Under the Transfer Agreement, Dong transferred a set of biomass systems (the “Biomass Systems”) to Xi’an TCH, and Xi’an TCH agreed to pay Dong approximately $14,705,900 (RMB 100,000,000) for the systems, including RMB 20,000,000 in cash and RMB 80,000,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid the consideration (inclusing the cash portion) in full. On November 22, 2011, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 2,941,176 shares of the Company’s common stock to Dong at $4 per share. The exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and Chinese RMB in connection with the stock issuance was 1:6.8.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company recorded a gain of $5.44 million from issuance of the shares to Dong, which is change of the fair value of 2,941,176 shares for the period from December 31, 2010 till the issuance date.
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ARC Settlement
The Company and investment relationship company ARC China, Inc. (“ARC”) entered into a Share Purchase Binding Letter of Intent dated as of July 17, 2009 regarding ARC’s purchase of certain Preferred Stock Units of the Company (the “LOI”). Disputes arose between the Parties regarding the LOI, and a lawsuit was pending in federal court. On September 27, 2010, the Company approved the settlement of the lawsuit and the related disputes, claims or disagreements regarding the LOI and the Preferred Stock Units. Pursuant to the settlement, the Company will issue to ARC up to 520,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at $1.23 per share. The Company issued 350,000 of these shares upon the execution of the settlement agreement. Upon satisfaction of certain conditions of the settlement agreement, the Company may issue to ARC or its affiliates up to an additional 170,000 shares at $1.23 per share. ARC has agreed to provide consulting and investor relations services from November 1, 2010 to February 28, 2011. The Company received $430,500 from issuance of 350,000 shares in October 2010, which was recorded as subscription receivable. The difference between the stock price at the settlement date and the issuance price for the 350,000 settlement shares was recorded as stock compensation expense for investor relations services in the amount of $602,000. A copy of the dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice was filed by ARC in a Nevada federal court on November 10, 2010. The conditions for the issuance of the additional 170,000 shares were not met; consequently, 150,000 of those shares, which had been issued and delivered to an escrow agent, were returned to the Company and cancelled on March 29, 2011.
18. STATUTORY RESERVES
Pursuant to the corporate law of the PRC effective January 1, 2006, the Company is only required to maintain one statutory reserve by appropriating from its after-tax profit before declaration or payment of dividends. The statutory reserve represents restricted retained earnings.
Surplus Reserve Fund
The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are now only required to transfer 10% of their net income, as determined under PRC accounting rules and regulations, to a statutory surplus reserve fund until such reserve balance reaches 50% of the Company’s registered capital. The Company’s Chinese subsidiaries are not required to make appropriation to other reserve funds and do not have any intentions to make appropriations to any other reserve funds. There are no legal requirements in the PRC to fund these reserves by transfer of cash to restricted accounts, and the Company’s Chinese subsidiaries do not intend to do so.
The surplus reserve fund is non-distributable other than during liquidation and can be used to fund previous years’ losses, if any, and may be utilized for business expansion or converted into share capital by issuing new shares to existing shareholders in proportion to their shareholding or by increasing the par value of the shares currently held by them, provided that the remaining reserve balance after such issue is not less than 25% of the registered capital.
Common Welfare Fund
The common welfare fund is a voluntary fund to which the Company can elect to transfer 5% to 10% of its net income. This fund can only be utilized on capital items for the collective benefit of the Company’s employees, such as construction of dormitories, cafeteria facilities, and other staff welfare facilities. This fund is non-distributable other than upon liquidation. The Company does not participate in this voluntary fund.
The maximum statutory reserve amount has not been reached for any subsidiary. The table below discloses the statutory reserve amount for each Chinese subsidiary as of December 31, 2011.
Name of Chinese Subsidiaries | Registered Capital | Maximum Statutory Reserve Amount | Statutory reserve at December 31, 2011 | |||||||
Shanghai TCH | $ | 29,800,000 | $ | 14,900,000 | $ | 959,387 | ||||
Xi’an TCH | ¥ | 202,000,000 | ¥ | 101,000,000 | ¥31,905,710 ($4,663,086) | |||||
Erdos TCH | ¥ | 120,000,000 | ¥ | 60,000,000 | ¥9,780,018 ($1,429,370) | |||||
Shanxi Huahong | $ | 2,500,300 | $ | 1,250,150 | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit | |||||
Xingtai Huaxin | ¥ | 550,000 | ¥ | 275,000 | Did not accrue yet due to accumulated deficit |
19. CONTINGENCIES
The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among others, the political, economic and legal environments and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to make the remittance.
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The Company sold goods to its customers and received commercial notes (bank acceptance) from them in lieu of payments for accounts receivable. The Company discounted the commercial notes with the bank or endorsed the commercial notes to vendors for payment of their own obligations or to get cash from third parties. Most of the commercial notes have a maturity of less than six months. As of December 31, 2011, Xi’an TCH had outstanding notes receivable RMB 520,000 ($82,528), and transferred commercial notes to vendors in lieu of payment for RMB380,000 ($60,309); if the original remitters’ fail to pay the notes, Xi’an TCH will be responsible for making the payment, there was contingent liability of RMB 380,000 ($60,309).
20. COMMITMENTS
On March 5, 2010, Xi’an TCH leased its office under a two year operating lease that will expire on March 4, 2012. The monthly rental payment is $16,360. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the rental expense was $209,000 and $164,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the Company renewed the lease for one more year with the monthly payment increased by 8%.
ShangHai TCH entered into a one year renewable rental agreement to lease a virtual office effective, April 1, 2011. The monthly payment is $260. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the rental expense was $2,340. The lease will be automatically renewed when it is expired.
Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows by years:
2012 | $ | 226,000 | ||
2013 | 38,000 | |||
$ | 264,800 |
Erdos Phase III of Power Generation Projects
In April 2009, Erdos TCH signed a contract with Erdos Metallurgy to recycle heat from groups of furnaces of Erdos Metallurgy’s metal refining plants to generate power and steam, to be sold back to Erdos Metallurgy. According to the contract, Erdos TCH will install a group of power generation projects with a total of 70MW power capacity, which may grow up to 120MW, and 30-ton steam per hour, with an estimated total investment in excess of $75 million (RMB 500 million). The Company split the construction of the projects into three phases, two units of power generation in Phase I with a total of 18MW power capacity, three units in Phase II with a total of 27MW power capacity and one unit in Phase III with 25MW power capacity. For each phase of the project, the lease term is 20 years starting from the date of completion of the phase. During the lease term, Erdos TCH will be responsible for operating the projects and charge Erdos Metallurgy for supply of electricity and steam. Erdos Metallurgy agreed to pay a minimum of $0.22 million (RMB 1.5 million) per month for each 9MW capacity power generation system.
During the first quarter of 2010, Erdos power generation system Phase I project was completed and put into operation. During the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011, three 9MW power generation systems of Phase II were completed and put into operation. Erdos TCH outsourced to an independent third party the operation and maintenance of the power generation system for $922,000 (RMB 6.27 million) per year for each system. After 20 years, the systems will be transferred to Erdos without any charge.
As of December 31, 2011, the projects of Erdos Phase III are under construction. As of December 31, 2011, the Company paid $19.77 million for Phase III of the Erdos TCH power generation system projects. The Company is committed to pay an additional $8.78 million for the Phase III projects, excluding quality deposits of $120,000 paid by the Company in 2011. In October 2011, the Company temporarily suspended construction of the 25 MW plant due to the technical transformation and renovation of certain equipment and machinery by the customer; the Company expects to resume the construction of Erdos Phase III in May 2012. The Company currently expects to complete Phase III by the end of fiscal year 2012.
Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation Projects
In February 2011, Xi’an TCH signed a contract with Shannxi Datong Coal Group Steel Ltd Co (the “Shannxi Datong”) to recycle gas and steam from groups of blast-furnaces and converter of Shannxi Datong’s metal refining plants to generate power. According to the contract, Xi’an TCH will install two 3MW TRT, one 15MW WGPG and two 1MW steam power generation systems, with a total of 23MW power capacity for an estimated total investment of $27.45 million (RMB 180 million). The lease term is 30 years. During the lease term, Shannxi Datong will be responsible for operating the projects and pay service fee to Xi’an TCH. The service fee is based on an average of 8,000 electricity-generating hours per year and $0.05 (RMB 0.33) per kilowatt hour (“Kwh”) for the first 5 years from the completion of each power generation station. For each of the leases, at the 6th year, 11th year and 21st year thereafter, the rate will be RMB 0.3 Kwh, 0.27 Kwh and 0.25 Kwh, respectively. After 30 years, the units will be transferred to Shannxi Datong without any charge.
On February 28,2011, Xi’an TCH entered into an agreement with Xi’an Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd (the contractor for construction) for Shannxi Datong Coal projects of two 3MW TRT and one 15 MW WGPG systems described above. The project is scheduled to complete in 12 months from construction commencement.
As of December 31, 2011, the Company had paid $12.70 million for Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. The Company is committed to pay an additional $15.87 million for the Shannxi Datong Coal Group Power Generation project. This project is currently halted due to business reorganization of Shannxi Datong and a renegotiation of one of the power stations with Xi’an TCH to amend certain construction plans. The Company expects to resume the construction in April 2012 and complete this project by the end of 2012.
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21. RESTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were restated to reflect the following:
According to FASB ASC 480-10-35-5, all other financial instruments recognized under the guidance in Section 480-10-25 shall be measured subsequently at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings, unless either this subtopic or another subtopic specifies another measurement attribute.
Accordingly, the shares to be issued to Dong (with fixed obligation of RMB 80 million ( $11.78 million)) pursuant to Biomass Power Generation Asset Transfer Agreement entered on June 29, 2010 (“Note 17 - Shareholders’ Equity”) should be classified as a liability on the balance sheet and adjusted to fair value at each reporting period. Previously, the Company did not measure the changes in fair value of the liability at each reporting date.
The following table presents the effects of the restatement adjustment on the accompanying consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2011:
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income | As Previously Reported | Restated | Net Adjustment | |||||||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | $ | 8,251,060 | $ | 5,441,176 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Total non-operating income (expense), net | $ | 989,032 | $ | (1,820,852 | ) | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | ||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 26,630,985 | $ | 23,821,101 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Income from operations | $ | 22,398,040 | $ | 19,588,156 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Net income attributable to CREG | $ | 21,449,879 | $ | 18,639,995 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive income attributable to CREG | $ | 26,650,229 | $ | 23,840,345 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Basic | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.44 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||||
Diluted | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.05 | ) |
The following table presents the effects of the restatement adjustment on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2011:
As Previously Reported | Restated | Net Adjustment | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 22,398,040 | $ | 19,588,156 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | $ | (8,251,090 | ) | $ | (5,441,176 | ) | $ | 2,809,884 |
The following table presents the effects of the restatement adjustment on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010:
Consolidated Balance Sheet | As Previously Reported | Restated | Net Adjustment | |||||||||
Shares to be issued | $ | 11,780,471 | $ | 8,970,587 | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | |||||
Retained earnings | $ | 14,812,630 | $ | 17,622,514 | $ | 2,809,884 |
The following table presents the effects of the restatement adjustment on the accompanying consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2010:
Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income | As Previously Reported | Restated | Net Adjustment | |||||||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | $ | - | $ | 2,809,884 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Total non-operating income (expense), net | $ | (2,675,662 | ) | $ | 134,222 | $ | 2,809,884 | |||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 24,692,109 | $ | 27,501,993 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Income from operations | $ | 17,826,069 | $ | 20,635,953 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Net income attributable to CREG | $ | 16,032,597 | $ | 18,842,481 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to CREG | $ | 18,406,947 | $ | 21,216,831 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Basic | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 0.08 | ||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.05 |
The following table presents the effects of the restatement adjustment on the accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010:
As Previously Reported | Restated | Net Adjustment | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 17,826,069 | $ | 20,635,953 | $ | 2,809,884 | ||||||
Changes in fair value of the liability | $ | - | $ | (2,809,884 | ) | $ | (2,809,884 | ) |
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2011 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. Disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed, operated and managed, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Because of the inherent limitations of disclosure controls and procedures, no evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations.
We conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, the last day of our fiscal year. This assessment was based on criteria established in the framework Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and included an evaluation of elements such as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process documentation, accounting policies, and our overall control environment. Based on our assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of the end of the fiscal year to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We reviewed the results of management’s assessment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm.
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, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Not applicable.
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PART III
The information required by Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A relating to the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information regarding our directors and executive officers required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Proposal 1 — Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Information About Our Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information required by this Item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Information About Our Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS.
Information required by this Item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
Information required by this Item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Information About Our Board of Directors and Corporate Governance” and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Information required by this Item will be set forth in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “Information about Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) | Financial Statements and Schedules |
(1) | The following Financial Statements are filed as a part of this report: |
(i) | Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
(ii) | Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. |
(iii) | Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. |
(iv) | Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. |
(v) | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. |
(vi) | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
(2) | All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted. |
(3) | Exhibits. Please see the list of exhibits set forth on our Exhibit Index, which is incorporated herein by reference. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
China Recycling Energy Corporation | ||
Date: July 18, 2013 |
By: | /s/ Gouhou Ku |
Guohua Ku | ||
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: July 18, 2013 |
By: | /s/ David Chong |
David Chong | ||
Secretary, Principal Financial Officer and | ||
Principal Accounting Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on July 18, 2013.
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Guohua Ku as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorney-in-fact and agent, acting alone, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ Guohua Ku | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer | |
Guohua Ku | ||
/s/ David Chong |
Secretary, Principal Financial Officer and | |
David Chong |
Principal Accounting Officer | |
/s/ Lanwei Li | Director and Vice President of Business | |
Lanwei Li | ||
/s/ Timothy Driscoll | Director | |
Timothy Driscoll | ||
/s/ Julian Ha | Director | |
Julian Ha | ||
/s/ Albert McLelland | Director | |
Albert McLelland | ||
/s/ Yilin Ma | Director | |
Yilin Ma | ||
/s/ Chungui Shi | Director | |
Chungui Shi |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents listed below that have been previously filed with the SEC (1934 Act File No. 000-12536 unless otherwise stated) are incorporated herein by reference:
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.05 to the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001). | |
3.2 | Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 25, 2009). | |
4.1 | Common Stock Specimen (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated November 12, 2004; 1934 Act File No. 333-120431). | |
10.1 | Securities Exchange Agreement by and among Boulder Acquisitions, Inc., Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd. and the stockholders of Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd., dated effective as of June 23, 2004 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 23, 2004). | |
10.2 | Share Purchase Agreement, dated January 24, 2007, between individual purchasers and shareholders of China Digital Wireless, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 11.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2007). | |
10.3 | TRT Project Joint Operation Agreement by and between Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co. Ltd. and Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co. Ltd., dated February 1, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 8, 2007). | |
10.4 | Share Exchange Agreement by and among Hanqiao Zheng, Guohua Ku and a group of individual purchasers all of whom are stockholders of Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co. Ltd, dated February 22, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2007). | |
10.5 | Share Exchange Agreement by and among Guohua Ku and a group of individual purchasers all of whom are stockholders of Xi’an Yingfeng Science and Technology Co. Ltd, dated on August 22, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 21, 2007). | |
10.6 | Share Purchase Agreement by and between Guohua Ku and Hanqiao Zheng, dated on August 23, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 23, 2007). | |
10.7 | Assets Transfer and Share Issuance Agreement between the Company and Hanqiao Zheng, dated November 14, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2007). | |
10.8 | Share Purchase Agreement between Company and Hanqiao Zheng on November 16, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). | |
10.9 | Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd., Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated November 16, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). | |
10.10 | Amendment to Stock and Notes Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd., Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated April 29, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2008). | |
10.11 | Form of 10% Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by the Company to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). | |
10.12 | Form of 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note issued by the Company to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). |
10.13 | 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 issued by the Company to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2008). | |
10.14 | Form of 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note in the aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 issued by the Company to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 30, 2008). | |
10.15 | Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company, Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated November 16, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). | |
10.16 | Stockholders Agreement by and among the Company, Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P., CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., Hanqiao Zheng and Ping Sun, dated November 16, 2007 (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2007). | |
10.17 | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement - Manager Employee (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 2008). | |
10.18 | 2007 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated November 13, 2007).* | |
10.19 | Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement - Non-Manager Employee (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 8, 2008). | |
10.20 | Stock Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, Sifang Holdings Co., Ltd., Shanghai TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Great Essential Investment, Ltd., dated April 15, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 20, 2009). | |
10.21 | Registration Rights Agreement by and between the Company and Great Essential Investment, Ltd., dated April 15, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 20, 2009). | |
10.22 | Note Subscription and Amendment Agreement between the Company and Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2009). | |
10.23 | Form of 8% Secured Convertible Promissory Note for the aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 issued to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated April 29, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2009). | |
10.24 | Form of Amended and Restated 5% Secured Convertible Promissory Note for the aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 issued to Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated April 29, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’ s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2009). | |
10.25 | Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company, Carlyle Asia Growth Partners III, L.P. and CAGP III Co-Investment, L.P., dated April 29, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 2009). | |
10.26 | Supplementary Agreement by and between Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd. and Inner Mongolia Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., dated December 1, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). | |
10.27 | Joint Operation Agreement by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Inner Mongolia Erdos Metallurgy Co., Ltd., dated January 20, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009). | |
10.28 | Short Term Loan Contract by and between Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch, dated April 13, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009). |
10.29 | Capital Trust Loan Contract by and between Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy Conservation Development Co., Ltd. and Beijing International Trust Co., Ltd. (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). | |
10.30 | Non-Promissory Short-Term Revolving Financing Agreement by and between Citi Bank (China) Limited, Shanghai Branch, Xi’an TCH Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Inner Mongolia Erdos TCH Energy-Saving Development Co., Ltd., dated October 12, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009). | |
10.31 | Form of Independent Director Agreement. (filed as Exhibit 10.28 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on February 5, 2010)* | |
10.32 | Employment Agreement between the Company and Guohua Ku (filed as Exhibit 10.29 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on February 5, 2010).* | |
10.33 | Employment Agreement between the Company and Xinyu Peng (filed as Exhibit 10.30 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on February 5, 2010).* | |
10.34 | Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and David Chong. (filed as Exhibit 10.34 on the Company’s Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2010) | |
10.35 | Loan Agreement for Energy Saving and Emission Reduction between Xi’an TCH and Industrial Bank Co., Ltd., Xi’an Branch (filed as Exhibit 10.1 on the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010). | |
14.1 | Code of Ethics (filed as Exhibit 14.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 2, 2009). | |
21.1 | Subsidiaries (filed as Exhibit 21.1 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 dated November 12, 2004). | |
23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. † | |
23.2 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. † | |
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Executive Officer. † | |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Financial Officer. † | |
32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. † | |
32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. † | |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document | |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
* Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.
† Exhibits filed herewith.