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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.   20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

ý           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

or

 

o           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from           to           

 

Commission File Number 0-19260

 

RENTECH, INC.

(Exact name of registrant in its charter)

 

Colorado

 

84-0957421

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

1331 17th Street, Suite 720

Denver, Colorado 80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(303) 298-8008

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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  ý  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ý  No o

 

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of August 3, 2004 was 89,370,101.

 

 



 

RENTECH, INC.

Form 10-Q

Third Quarter ended June 30, 2004

 

Table of Contents

 

Part I – Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003 (Audited)

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

5

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended June 30, 2004

6

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

7

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

9

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

35

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

35

 

 

 

Part II – Other Information

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

35

 

 

 

Item 2.

Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

35

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

36

 

 

 

 

(a)

Exhibits

 

 

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

39

Certifications

40

 

2



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

June 30, 2004

 

September 30,
2003

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

771,153

 

$

315,763

 

Restricted cash

 

500,000

 

500,000

 

Accounts receivable, net of  $17,500 allowance for doubtful accounts

 

1,271,622

 

1,143,813

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

 

334,992

 

482,070

 

Stock subscription receivable

 

384,000

 

 

Other receivables

 

90,977

 

23,757

 

Receivable from related party

 

19,939

 

30,097

 

Inventories (Note 3)

 

443,753

 

535,782

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

323,874

 

178,720

 

Total current assets

 

4,140,310

 

3,210,002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,987,485 and $1,702,548

 

4,093,221

 

4,217,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

Licensed technology, net of accumulated amortization of $2,477,894 and $2,306,308

 

953,254

 

1,124,841

 

Capitalized software costs, net of accumulated amortization of $88,074 and $868,343

 

8,007

 

32,027

 

Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $400,599

 

1,006,554

 

1,006,554

 

Non-compete agreement, net of accumulated amortization of $96,366 and $71,567

 

66,134

 

90,934

 

Investment in advanced technology companies (Note 4)

 

1,200,000

 

1,200,000

 

Technology rights, net of accumulated amortization of $194,229 and $172,648

 

93,517

 

115,098

 

Deposits and other assets

 

97,690

 

189,705

 

Total other assets

 

3,425,156

 

3,759,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

11,658,687

 

$

11,187,114

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

(continued on following page)

 

3



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

(continued from previous page)

 

 

 

June 30, 2004

 

September 30,
2003

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Liabilities And Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

951,305

 

$

960,561

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

 

290,915

 

6,300

 

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

447,119

 

526,899

 

Deferred compensation

 

491,039

 

437,958

 

Accrued liabilities

 

513,085

 

473,265

 

Other liability

 

 

142,000

 

Convertible notes payable to related parties (Note 6)

 

181,651

 

87,899

 

Lines of credit payable (Note 7)

 

1,421,353

 

1,428,072

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

75,923

 

86,351

 

Current portion of long-term convertible debt to stockholders (Note 5)

 

54,565

 

632,435

 

Total current liabilities

 

4,426,955

 

4,781,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

1,076,029

 

1,054,183

 

Long-term convertible debt to stockholders, net of current portion (Note 5)

 

1,735,155

 

2,147,256

 

Lessee deposits

 

7,485

 

7,485

 

Investment in Sand Creek

 

16,878

 

15,070

 

Total long-term liabilities

 

2,835,547

 

3,223,994

 

Total liabilities

 

7,262,502

 

8,005,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

25,264

 

154,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible preferred stock - $10 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock - $.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 88,939,560 and 79,336,585 shares issued and outstanding

 

889,396

 

793,366

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

48,697,680

 

42,672,791

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(45,216,155

)

(40,439,046

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

4,370,921

 

3,027,111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

11,658,687

 

$

11,187,114

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

693,771

 

$

713,816

 

$

1,615,512

 

$

1,462,898

 

Service revenues

 

1,954,890

 

1,211,218

 

4,742,060

 

4,469,343

 

Royalty income

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

Total revenues

 

2,648,661

 

1,925,034

 

6,357,572

 

6,032,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

323,965

 

341,021

 

817,336

 

687,046

 

Service costs

 

1,332,163

 

920,174

 

3,278,459

 

3,030,146

 

Total cost of sales

 

1,656,128

 

1,261,195

 

4,095,795

 

3,717,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

992,533

 

663,839

 

2,261,777

 

2,315,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

 

1,659,290

 

1,823,357

 

5,341,428

 

5,214,879

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

128,331

 

204,189

 

414,008

 

615,845

 

Research and development

 

194,685

 

244,855

 

580,095

 

487,463

 

Total operating expenses

 

1,982,306

 

2,272,401

 

6,335,531

 

6,318,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(989,773

)

(1,608,562

)

(4,073,754

)

(4,003,138

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of investee

 

(40,970

)

(47,448

)

(141,643

)

(156,674

)

Interest income

 

3,832

 

4,960

 

11,215

 

16,861

 

Interest expense

 

(155,711

)

(382,764

)

(698,292

)

(599,829

)

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

2,486

 

(3,640

)

2,486

 

Total other income (expense)

 

(192,849

)

(422,766

)

(832,360

)

(737,156

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in subsidiary’s net (income) loss

 

(1,465

)

62,637

 

129,005

 

147,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,184,087

)

$

(1,968,691

)

$

(4,777,109

)

$

(4,592,920

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per common share

 

$

(0.01

)

$

(0.03

)

$

(0.06

)

$

(0.06

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding

 

88,241,193

 

73,708,092

 

84,768,418

 

72,632,812

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Convertible Preferred Stock

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Series A

 

Series B

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, September 30, 2003 (audited)

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

79,336,585

 

$

793,366

 

$

42,672,791

 

$

(40,439,046

)

$

3,027,111

 

Common stock issued for cash, net of offering costs of $95,600

 

 

 

 

 

986,665

 

9,867

 

338,533

 

 

348,400

 

Common stock issued for options and warrants exercised, net of offering costs of $124,875

 

 

 

 

 

5,182,632

 

51,826

 

3,739,129

 

 

3,790,955

 

Common stock issued for conversion of convertible notes

 

 

 

 

 

3,361,520

 

33,615

 

1,545,144

 

 

1,578,759

 

Stock options granted for services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,522

 

 

28,522

 

Offering costs of convertible notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

307,000

 

 

307,000

 

Common stock issued for services

 

 

 

 

 

72,158

 

722

 

66,561

 

 

67,283

 

Net loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,777,109

)

(4,777,109

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2004

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

88,939,560

 

$

889,396

 

$

48,697,680

 

$

(45,216,155

)

$

4,370,921

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

6



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,777,109

)

$

(4,592,920

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

5,500

 

Depreciation

 

322,116

 

312,097

 

Amortization

 

241,987

 

454,935

 

Interest income on receivable from related party

 

 

(6,619

)

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

3,640

 

(2,486

)

Equity in loss of investee

 

141,643

 

156,674

 

Minority interest in net loss of subsidiary

 

(129,005

)

(147,374

)

Accrued interest expense

 

36,666

 

49,159

 

Salaries expense paid through debt

 

357,877

 

530,169

 

Common stock issued for services

 

67,282

 

159,000

 

Stock options and warrants issued for services

 

28,522

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(127,809

)

540,071

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings

 

147,078

 

439,493

 

Other receivables and receivable from related party

 

(57,062

)

33,278

 

Inventories

 

92,029

 

(69,877

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

77,194

 

117,656

 

Accounts payable

 

(9,256

)

45,300

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings

 

284,615

 

(114,530

)

Accrued liabilities, accrued payroll and other

 

(128,878

)

23,462

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(3,428,470

)

(2,067,012

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(123,677

)

(47,394

)

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets

 

 

3,670

 

Deposits and other assets

 

347,326

 

119,108

 

Cash used in purchase of investments

 

(139,835

)

(162,652

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

83,814

 

(87,268

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

3,975,831

 

182,819

 

Proceeds from stock subscription receivable

 

 

76,186

 

Payment of offering costs

 

(220,475

)

(18,825

)

Proceeds from long-term debt and notes payable

 

568,476

 

1,955,000

 

Proceeds from line of credit, net

 

(6,719

)

(104,533

)

Payments on long-term convertible debt and notes payable

 

(517,067

)

(637,401

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

3,800,046

 

1,453,246

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash

 

455,390

 

(701,034

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, beginning of period

 

815,763

 

1,032,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, end of period

 

$

1,271,153

 

$

331,886

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

(continued on following page)

 

7



 

(continued from previous page)

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company made cash interest payments of $328,985 and $326,320. Excluded from the statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were the effects of certain non-cash investing and financing activities as follows:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of annual insurance financed with a note payable

 

$

222,348

 

$

191,355

 

Issuance of common stock for conversion of convertible notes payable

 

$

1,578,759

 

$

1,139,592

 

Issuance of common stock for exercise of stock options in partial settlement of deferred compensation

 

$

 

$

65,600

 

Deferred financing charges for convertible promissory notes

 

$

307,000

 

$

459,334

 

Issuance of common stock for subscription receivable

 

$

384,000

 

$

304,490

 

Purchase of a fixed asset with note payable

 

$

77,347

 

$

 

Reclassification of inventory to property and equipment

 

$

 

$

332,258

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

8



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 1 – Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

 

Description of Business

 

Rentech, Inc. (“Rentech”, “we”, or “the Company”) is an energy technology company engaged in the gas-to-liquids (GTL) business.  We have developed and own patented and proprietary GTL technology that we license to members of the energy industry.  In addition to our GTL alternative fuels segment, we own interests in three subsidiary businesses.  Our wholly owned subsidiaries, OKON, Inc. and Petroleum Mud Logging Inc., operate in the paint and oil and gas field services segments, respectively.  In addition, our 56 percent owned subsidiary, REN Corporation, operates in the industrial automation systems segment.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for completer financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003.  Operating results for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be realized for the full fiscal year ending September 30, 2004.

 

Management’s Plans

 

From the Company’s inception on December 18, 1981 through June 30, 2004, the Company has incurred losses in the amount of $45,216,155.  For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recognized a $4,777,109 net loss.  If the Company does not operate at a profit in the future, the Company may be unable to continue its operations at the present level.

 

The Company has been successful in the past in obtaining debt and equity financing.  For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company received net cash proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $1,577,100 and $1,456,724.  For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company received cash proceeds from long-term debt and long-term convertible debt to stockholders of $2,505,000 and $2,250,000.  For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Company received cash proceeds from the issuance of convertible preferred stock of $0 and $500,000.

 

Historically, the Company has relied for working capital upon private placements of our equity represented by our common stock, supplemented by debt financing.  On March 19, 2004, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.  In achieving its objectives as planned for fiscal 2004, the Company will need to issue additional shares of its common stock and may issue shares of its convertible preferred stock or other convertible securities in private placements to fund working capital requirements.  In addition, the Company is seeking buyers to purchase all or some of its one-half interest in the assets of Sand Creek Energy, LLC.  The Company believes that its current available cash, revenues from operations, and the potential sale of assets will not be sufficient to meet its cash operating requirements through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 without additional debt and equity financing.  Obtaining equity financing through placements of additional securities or obtaining debt financing, however, depends upon obtaining investors who are willing to invest in our equity securities, or debt instruments.

 

9



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 2 – Summary of Certain Significant Accounting Policies

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Net Loss Per Common Share

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings Per Share” (“SFAS No. 128”) provides for the calculation of “Basic” and “Diluted” earnings per share.  Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing income (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of an entity, similar to fully diluted earnings per share.

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, stock options for a total of 3,179,419 and 4,827,766 shares, stock warrants for a total of 2,882,904 and 5,292,086 shares and total long-term convertible debt which is convertible into shares of common stock of 4,412,653 and 6,864,154 shares were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because their effect was anti-dilutive.

 

Stock Option Plans

 

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations in accounting for all stock option plans. Under APB Opinion 25, compensation cost is recognized for stock options issued to employees when the exercise price of the Company’s stock options granted is less than the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.  Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” requires the Company to provide pro forma information regarding net loss as if compensation cost for the Company’s stock options plans had been determined in accordance with the fair value based method prescribed in SFAS No. 123.  To provide the required pro forma information, the Company estimates the fair value of each stock option at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation (“FIN 44”).  FIN 44 clarifies the application of APB Opinion 25 for certain issues related to stock issued to employees.  Under the accounting provisions for SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have been increased by the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Loss applicable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(4,777,109

)

$

(4,592,920

)

Pro forma

 

$

(4,940,631

)

$

(4,613,728

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(.06

)

$

(.06

)

Pro forma

 

$

(.06

)

$

(.06

)

 

10



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 3 - Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

September 30, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

$

111,987

 

$

168,055

 

Work in process

 

46,494

 

51,714

 

Raw materials

 

285,272

 

316,013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

443,753

 

$

535,782

 

 

Note 4 – Investment in Advanced Technology Companies

 

On May 29, 1998, the Company acquired a 10% ownership in INICA, Inc. for $3,079,107.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company exchanged its 10% ownership in INICA for a 2.28% ownership in the common stock of Global Solar Energy, Inc. and a 5.76% ownership in the common stock of Infinite Power Solutions, Inc.  Global Solar Energy manufactures and markets flexible photovoltaic (PV) modules, while Infinite Power Solutions is developing micro-miniature thin-film rechargeable batteries.  As of September 30, 2003, the Company assessed the value of its minority ownership interests in Global Solar Energy and Infinite Power Solutions based upon currently available information.  As a result of that assessment, the Company recorded an impairment of investment of approximately $1,900,000 and the investment in the two Advanced Technology Companies is recorded at the estimated net realizable value of $1,200,000.  The assessment that the Company performed was based upon estimates.  The actual value that is realized from these investments may be more or less than $1,200,000.  The Company will recognize gains or losses on these investments, if any, when realized.  As of June 30, 2004, the Company reassessed the value of its minority ownership interests and determined no impairment was necessary.

 

Note 5 – Long-Term Convertible Debt

 

On February 25, 2002, the Company issued four long-term convertible notes totaling $2,250,000 to existing stockholders of the Company, which accrued interest at 8.5% and mature on February 25, 2006.  Monthly cash payments on the notes total $19,526. The notes are convertible into no more than 4,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share, less two shares for every dollar of principal reduction of the notes paid in the form of cash.  Principal in the amount of one thirty-sixth of the declining principal balance of the notes automatically converts into the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $0.50 per share on the first day of each month.  The notes are secured by the assets of OKON, Inc., including the capital stock of that company.  As a result of the automatic conversion feature, $349,678 of the long-term convertible debt to stockholders is scheduled to convert into the Company’s common stock during the next twelve months.  The balance of these convertible notes at June 30, 2004 was $1,245,216.

 

During January, February, and April 2003, the Company entered into ten convertible notes totaling $1,955,000 with existing stockholders of the Company, which accrued interest at 9% and matured in January, February and April 2004.  The notes were converted in whole or in part into common stock of the Company at a conversion rate of $0.45 per share.  Two of the notes automatically converted into common stock of the Company during fiscal 2003.  In addition, the remaining eight notes were converted into 1,947,423 shares of common stock of the Company during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

On August 28, 2003, the Company entered into two convertible notes totaling $865,000 with existing stockholders of the Company, which accrued interest at 10% and mature on August 28, 2006.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company received $315,000 of the proceeds from the notes.  Interest-only payments are due on the first day of each month.  The market price of the Company’s common stock was greater than the conversion rate included in the notes.  As a result, the Company recorded $187,000 in deferred financing charges related to these notes during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.  The notes are convertible at any time in whole or in part into registered common stock of the Company at a conversion rate of $0.45 per share.  The balance of these convertible notes at June 30, 2004 was $865,000.

 

11



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 5 – Long-Term convertible Debt (continued)

 

On October 29, 2003, the Company entered into four convertible notes totaling $250,000 with existing stockholders of the Company, which bear interest at 6% and matured on January 4, 2004.  The market price of the Company’s common stock was greater than the conversion rate included in the notes.  As a result, the Company recorded $120,000 in deferred financing charges related to these notes during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.  The notes were convertible at any time in whole or in part into registered common stock of the Company at a conversion rate of $0.50 per share, and were converted during the quarter ended December 31, 2003 into 500,000 shares of common stock of the Company.

 

Note 6 – Related Party Transactions

 

On January 1, 2003, the Company began to defer monthly salary payments to certain officers.  These officers and the Company entered into convertible notes in the amount of such deferred salary payments.  The notes bear interest at 9% and mature on January 1, 2005.  The notes may be converted in whole or in part into unregistered common stock of the Company at a conversion rate of $0.45 per share for the deferrals between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2003 and at the closing market price for all subsequent deferrals.  As of June 30, 2004 the balance of these convertible notes was $181,651.

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company incurred $1,475 in consulting services to a company in which a director of the Company is a principal.

 

Note 7 – Lines of Credit

 

On February 25, 2002, the Company entered into a $1,000,000 business line of credit agreement with Premier Bank through its 56% owned subsidiary, REN.  The line of credit matures on May 1, 2005, at which time all unpaid principal and interest is due.  The line of credit bears interest at prime plus 1.5% (5.5% at June 30, 2004), and interest is accrued and payable monthly.  On February 27, 2002, the Company purchased a $500,000 certificate of deposit with Premier Bank, to be used as collateral on the line of credit.  The line of credit is also collateralized by the first deed of trust on the real property of Petroleum Mud Logging and REN.  The line of credit is further guaranteed by Rentech, PML, and the minority shareholder of REN. The balance of this line of credit at June 30, 2004 was $921,353.

 

On September 27, 2002, the Company entered into a $500,000 business line of credit agreement with the Bank of Denver.  The line of credit is due on demand.  On March 4, 2004, the Company and the Bank of Denver signed a change in terms agreement converting the line of credit to an installment loan under which the maturity date of the line was extended from March 1, 2004 to September 1, 2007, at which time all unpaid principal and interest is due.  The line of credit bears interest at the Bank of Denver Base Rate plus 0.5% (6.25% at June 30, 2004), and interest is accrued and payable monthly through October 1, 2004, at which time the line of credit will convert to an installment loan, and the remaining balance will be amortized over 36 months beginning October 1, 2004.  The line of credit is collateralized by all inventory, accounts receivable and equipment of Rentech.  In addition, the line of credit is secured by a mortgage against the building in which our research and development laboratory resides, and 1,304,000 shares of the Company’s common stock consisting of shares owned by five officers of the Company.  The balance of this line of credit at June 30, 2004 was $500,000.

 

Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company offered shares of its common stock for sale in a private placement offering of up to $500,000. The Company granted non-exclusive rights to several placement agents to sell the shares under the offering described in the memorandum.  The Company offered its shares for sale at $0.45 per share. In addition, the Company agreed to issue warrants to its brokers, who served as selected dealers in the private placement, to purchase one share of the

 

12



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 8 – Stockholders’ Equity (continued)

 

Company’s common stock for every $4.00 of the Company’s common stock sold, at a purchase price of $1.00.  The warrants are exercisable through November 21, 2006.  The Company issued 124,445 shares of its common stock for cash of $56,000 during September 2003, and an additional 986,665 shares of its common stock for cash of $444,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 under the private placement.  The Company incurred $95,600 in offering costs related to the private placement.  The Company has also issued warrants to purchase 93,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to brokers related to the private placement.  During the period, the Company also issued 5,182,632 shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options and warrants for net cash proceeds of $3,790,955.  As of June 30, 2004, the Company had a subscription receivable of $384,000 related to the issuance of these warrants.  Subsequent to June 30, 2004, the Company received cash payments in satisfaction of the subscription receivable.  The Company incurred $124,875 in offering costs related to the common stock issued for options and warrants exercised.  In addition, the Company issued 3,361,520 shares of its common stock upon the conversion of $1,578,759 of long-term convertible debt to stockholders.  The Company incurred $307,000 in non-cash offering costs during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 related to the convertible notes issued during the period.  During the period, the Company also issued 72,158 shares of common stock for services valued at $67,283.

 

Stock Options and Warrants

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company issued options to employees of the Company to purchase 390,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at the market price on the date of grant.  The options were valued at $163,522 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and did not result in a charge to compensation expense.  The Company also issued warrants to certain consultants to purchase 160,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which resulted in consulting expense charges of $28,522.  In addition, the Company issued warrants to certain brokers to purchase 93,500 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which resulted in an offering cost charge to additional paid in capital of $29,413.  The Company also issued warrants to certain warrant-holders to purchase 139,500 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The warrants were valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which resulted in an offering cost charge to additional paid in capital of $21,547.

 

Note 9 – Segment Information

 

The Company operates in four business segments as follows:

 

Alternative fuels - The Company develops and markets processes for conversion of low-value, carbon-bearing solids or gases into valuable liquid hydrocarbons.

 

Paints - The Company manufactures and distributes water-based stains, sealers and coatings.

 

Oil and gas field services - The Company is in the business of logging the progress of drilling operations for the oil and gas industry.

 

Industrial automation systems - The Company is in the business of manufacturing complex microprocessor controlled industrial automation systems primarily for the fluid power industry.

 

The Company’s reportable operating segments have been determined in accordance with the Company’s internal management structure, which is organized based on operating activities.  The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of accounting policies.  The Company evaluates performance based upon several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment-operating income.

 

13



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

 

Note 9 – Segment Information (continued)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

348,060

 

$

35,208

 

$

528,618

 

$

872,058

 

Paints

 

693,771

 

713,816

 

1,615,512

 

1,462,898

 

Oil and gas field services

 

1,280,959

 

898,932

 

3,503,565

 

2,389,962

 

Industrial automation systems

 

325,871

 

277,078

 

709,877

 

1,307,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,648,661

 

$

1,925,034

 

$

6,357,572

 

$

6,032,241

 

Income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

(1,289,273

)

$

(1,498,780

)

$

(4,153,802

)

$

(3,620,850

)

Paints

 

45,716

 

11,110

 

(124,861

)

(161,040

)

Oil and gas field services

 

250,177

 

21,476

 

495,904

 

111,314

 

Industrial automation systems

 

3,607

 

(142,368

)

(290,995

)

(332,562

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(989,773

)

$

(1,608,562

)

$

(4,073,754

)

$

(4,003,138

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

110,235

 

$

191,805

 

$

351,567

 

$

578,183

 

Paints

 

5,699

 

5,737

 

17,949

 

16,215

 

Oil and gas field services

 

39,971

 

29,977

 

114,245

 

91,584

 

Industrial automation systems

 

26,759

 

27,086

 

80,343

 

81,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

182,664

 

$

254,605

 

$

564,104

 

$

767,032

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

142,536

 

$

367,959

 

$

658,781

 

$

558,238

 

Paints

 

112

 

 

272

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

921

 

346

 

1,447

 

974

 

Industrial automation systems

 

12,142

 

14,459

 

37,792

 

40,617

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

155,711

 

$

382,764

 

$

698,292

 

$

599,829

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in net loss of investees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

(40,970

)

$

(47,448

)

$

(141,643

)

$

(156,674

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures for additions of long-lived assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

4,065

 

$

4,518

 

$

65,250

 

$

13,213

 

Paints

 

1,500

 

11,686

 

1,500

 

15,065

 

Oil and gas field services

 

37,544

 

2,059

 

141,677

 

12,623

 

Industrial automation systems

 

(2,354

)

 

(7,406

)

6,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

40,755

 

$

18,263

 

$

201,021

 

$

47,394

 

 

14



 

RENTECH, INC.

Notes to consolidated financial Statements

June 30, 2004 (unaudited)

 

Note 9 – Segment Information (continued)

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

September 30,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in equity method investees:

 

$

(16,878

)

$

(15,070

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

6,309,632

 

$

5,590,559

 

Paints

 

1,591,096

 

1,613,634

 

Oil and gas field services

 

2,591,463

 

2,298,340

 

Industrial automation systems

 

1,166,496

 

1,684,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11,658,687

 

$

11,187,114

 

 

15



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain information included in this report contains, and other reports or materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by the Company or its management) contain or will contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Section 27A of the Securities Act of  1933, as amended, and pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  The forward-looking statements may relate to financial results and plans for future business activities, and are thus prospective.  The forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  They can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “should” and other comparable terms or the negative of them.  You are cautioned that, while forward-looking statements reflect our good faith belief and best judgment based upon current information, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.  Factors that could affect Rentech’s results include our ability to obtain financing for working capital; obtaining customers for our technology, services and products; the decision of our licensees and potential licensees to proceed with any GTL project; the timing of various phases of a GTL project; the entry into definitive agreements with others related to a project, and the risk factors detailed from time to time to time in the Company’s periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Any forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and thus are current only as of the date made.

 

OUR BUSINESSES

 

Rentech GTL Technology - Alternative Fuels Segment.  We are an energy technology company engaged in the gas-to-liquids (GTL) business.  We have developed and own patented and proprietary GTL technology that we license to members of the energy industry.  Our Rentech GTL Technology is useful for converting feedstock consisting of synthesis gases derived from carbon-bearing materials, either natural gas, liquids or solids, into synthetic liquid hydrocarbons.  The products include clean-burning diesel fuel, naphthas used for making gasoline and certain petrochemicals, and specialty products such as petroleum waxes, petrochemical feedstocks, and synthetic lubricant base oil.  The liquid hydrocarbons resulting from our GTL process are similar to analogous products derived from crude oil refining, but with significant environmental benefits.  Tests of our diesel fuel show that it is clean burning.  Unlike conventional transportation fuels, our fuels emit ultra-low amounts of sulfur and aromatics that cannot be detected by standard tests.

 

Rentech’s efforts have been focused on achieving commercial use of our proprietary gas-to-liquids process, which we call the Rentech GTL Technology.  We are seeking revenues from licensing the technology, from royalties charged for each barrel of liquid hydrocarbons produced by process plants that would use the technology, and from contract payments for the engineering designs and technical services we provide for evaluating the feasibility of proposed plants, and after a license is granted, for the basic engineering design of a plant.  We have maintained a GTL development and testing laboratory to support use of this technology.  The laboratory staff has concentrated on further developing and refining the Rentech GTL Technology.  The lab has also conducted contract work for Texaco Energy Systems LLC (Texaco), a licensee, and for other companies who are potential licensees and who want to evaluate the feasibility of their feedstock for use with the Rentech GTL Technology.

 

Subsidiaries.  In addition to our GTL alternative fuels segment, we own interests in three subsidiary businesses.  OKON, Inc. and Petroleum Mud Logging Inc. are wholly owned, while we own 56 percent of REN Corporation.

 

OKON, Inc. – Paint Segment.  OKON manufactures and markets water-based wood stains, concrete stains, concrete block pluggers and other water repellent sealers.  All of the coatings we produce are biodegradable and environmentally clean.

 

Petroleum Mud Logging, Inc. – Oil and Gas Field Services Segment.  PML provides well logging services to the oil and gas industry.  We own 35 special vehicles equipped as mobile laboratories that are moved in the field from well to well.  Through state-of-the-art instruments, the logging equipment measures traces of gases and water throughout the depth of a well bore by analyzing the drilling mud recovered from the well as drilling progresses.  The mineral owners use this information to detect the presence of oil and gas deposits in underground formations, and to direct the exploration and development drilling of their properties.

 

16



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

REN Corporation – Industrial Automation Systems Segment.  REN manufactures computer-controlled testing equipment systems and sells them on a custom-order basis to industrial manufacturers.  These manufacturers use REN’s industrial automation systems for controlling quality and increasing productivity in the manufacture of their products.  The customers’ products include automatic hydraulic pumps, valves and actuators; diesel fuel injection pumps; transmissions; automatic hydraulic presses; and hydraulic hose assembles. REN’s primary market has been automated test equipment for the fluid power industry.

 

OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

At June 30, 2004, we had negative working capital of $286,645.  Until the Rentech GTL Technology is accepted for commercial use and provides a net profit, we expect to have to augment the revenues provided by operations of our alternative fuels segment and our subsidiaries with additional private placements of our common stock or other equity securities convertible into common stock.

 

Historically, the Company has relied for working capital upon private placements of our equity represented by our common stock, supplemented by debt financing.  On March 19, 2004, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.  In achieving its objectives as planned for fiscal 2004, the Company will need to issue additional shares of its common stock and may issue shares of its convertible preferred stock or other securities convertible into common stock in private placements to fund working capital requirements.  In addition, the Company is seeking buyers to purchase all or some of its one-half interest in the assets of Sand Creek Energy, LLC.  The Company believes that its current available cash, revenues from operations, and the potential sale of assets will not be sufficient to meet its cash operating requirements through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 without additional debt and equity financing.  Obtaining equity financing through placements of additional securities or loans, depends upon obtaining investors who are willing to invest in our equity securities or debt instruments.

 

SELECTED BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

The revenue and operating income (loss) amounts in this report are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Segment information appearing in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements is presented in accordance with SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.

 

17



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

The following table provides revenues, operating income (loss) from operations and net loss applicable to common stockholders by each of our business segments for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.  More complete details about the results of operations of our business segments are set forth later in this report under the section heading “Results of Operations”.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

348,060

 

$

35,208

 

$

528,618

 

$

872,058

 

Paints

 

693,771

 

713,816

 

1,615,512

 

1,462,898

 

Oil and gas field services

 

1,280,959

 

898,932

 

3,503,565

 

2,389,962

 

Industrial automation systems

 

325,871

 

277,078

 

709,877

 

1,307,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,648,661

 

$

1,925,034

 

$

6,357,572

 

$

6,032,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

(1,289,273

)

$

(1,498,779

)

$

(4,153,802

)

$

(3,620,849

)

Paints

 

45,716

 

11,109

 

(124,861

)

(161,041

)

Oil and gas field services

 

250,177

 

21,476

 

495,904

 

111,314

 

Industrial automation systems

 

3,607

 

(142,368

)

(290,995

)

(332,562

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating loss

 

$

(989,773

)

$

(1,608,562

)

$

(4,073,754

)

$

(4,003,138

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative fuels

 

$

(1,468,958

)

$

(1,909,236

)

$

(4,946,482

)

$

(4,318,963

)

Paints

 

45,604

 

10,991

 

(125,133

)

(161,159

)

Oil and gas field services

 

249,267

 

21,139

 

494,288

 

110,363

 

Industrial automation systems

 

(10,000

)

(91,585

)

(199,782

)

(223,161

)

Total net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,184,087

)

$

(1,968,691

)

$

(4,777,109

)

$

(4,592,920

)

 

OVERVIEW OF STATUS OF THE RENTECH GTL TECHNOLOGY

 

During the fiscal periods discussed in this report, we realized revenues associated with the Rentech GTL Technology in our alternative fuels segment.  These revenues included royalties earned up to March of 2003 under our October 1998 license of the Rentech GTL Technology to Texaco Energy Systems, LLC, now a division of ChevronTexaco Corporation, and contract payments for technical engineering services provided to Texaco and certain other companies.

 

Effective March 24, 2003, our license agreement with Texaco was modified.  By the change, Texaco’s exclusive rights to use the Rentech GTL Technology for conversion of coal, petroleum coke and other solid and liquid hydrocarbons became non-exclusive.  Our license with Texaco remains in effect, as modified.  Texaco retained non-exclusive rights to use our technology with these hydrocarbon materials as well as non-exclusive rights to use our technology with gaseous hydrocarbons.  Beginning in March 2003, we are no longer receiving royalty payments of $20,000 per month under the license, and we will not be required to share any license fees and royalties we receive from others in the future with Texaco.  In March 2003, we completed work for Texaco under a 1999 contract by which we performed technical services to make the Rentech GTL Technology compatible for use with Texaco’s gasification technology.  In early 2003, we completed our subcontract with Texaco on its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy on developing plans for an Early Entrance Co-production Plant contract.  This contract was focused on developing a program for the Department of Energy for an energy plant that produces both transportation fuels and electricity.

 

With the change to the Texaco license, we are now able to offer licenses of our Rentech GTL Technology to other energy businesses for conversion of coal, petroleum coke and other solids and liquids. We are now working with several other companies to study the feasibility of developing GTL projects using the Rentech GTL Technology.  No commitments have been made to proceed with these projects, however, we have received revenues from several feasibility studies.

 

18



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

In the future, we expect to receive revenues associated with the Rentech GTL Technology from the following principal sources:

 

              Contract payments for design studies.  These are preliminary feasibility studies for potential licensees.

 

              License fees from licenses granted for use of the technology.

 

              Contract payments for basic construction engineering services.  We provide these services to licensees during construction or startup of the licensee’s plants.

 

              Contract payments for supply of the synthesis gas reactors required for use with the Rentech GTL Technology.  We plan to subcontract this work to fabricators.

 

              Contract payments for supply of Rentech’s catalyst required for use with the Rentech GTL Technology.  We plan to subcontract requirements for our catalyst to specialists engaged in catalyst manufacturing.

 

              Royalties for production of liquid hydrocarbons produced by licensees in their plants.

 

              Sales of liquid hydrocarbon products from process plants using the Rentech GTL Technology in which we may acquire an equity interest.

 

We anticipate that we may receive increased contract payments for design studies if interest by members of the energy industry in our technology grows.  We do not expect to realize significantly increased revenues from exploitation of the Rentech GTL Technology until we obtain a customer and grant a license for a commercial-scale plant using the technology and work on designing the plant is underway.  We are working with several energy companies and related businesses to prepare and evaluate their proposals to develop or retrofit plants that would use our technology.  There are no assurances that they will pursue these projects or that adequate financing will be available or that we will succeed in retrofitting and successfully operating any existing industrial plant at a profit.  Our future operating revenues will depend primarily upon obtaining licenses and engineering study and design contracts for use of the Rentech GTL Technology, followed by success by our licensees in financing, constructing and operating commercial-scale plants using the Rentech GTL Technology.  Other factors affecting our success include competition by other GTL technologies, availability of low-cost feedstock, and market prices for conventional fuels and hydrocarbon products with which synthetic liquid hydrocarbons produced by use of our technology will compete.

 

The revenues from our GTL license fees and royalties and the contract work performed at our GTL laboratory, including payments we previously received from contract work for Texaco, have not been adequate to fund our operations.  We do not expect revenues from our GTL technology to produce a net profit until we obtain additional contracts for feasibility studies and engineering designs for planning for a GTL plant using our technology, and fees for grants of licenses.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we incurred a net loss of $4,946,482 associated with the Rentech GTL Technology in our alternative fuels segment, compared with a net loss of $4,318,963 for the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Reducing our activities related to the Rentech GTL Technology would materially adversely impact our ability to commercialize the Rentech GTL technology.  Cutting back these operations would delay, and perhaps prevent, commercial use of the Rentech GTL Technology.

 

We believe that important events within the GTL industry during 2003 indicate increasing interest in the energy industry and the investment community in the commercial use of GTL technology.  Seven major banking institutions joined in agreements to finance construction of a 33,000 barrel per day GTL plant to be constructed by Sasol in Qatar at a cost of approximately $1 billion. We believe that this indicates that key members of the financial community are recognizing GTL projects as economically viable.  Royal Dutch Shell announced in October 2003 that it would invest approximately $5 billion in its GTL technology for construction of a 140,000-barrel per day GTL plant in Qatar.  Conoco Phillips Petroleum announced a proposal to construct a 130,000-barrel per day GTL plant, also in Qatar.  We believe that these announcements signal that the energy industry, with support from financial concerns, may be moving toward commercial use of GTL technologies like ours.

 

OVERVIEW OF STATUS OF OUR SUBSIDIARIES

 

Our business strategy includes operating our subsidiaries in the expectation of revenues and cash flow to offset some of the costs of bringing the Rentech GTL Technology to commercial use and profitable operations as soon as feasible.  We realized revenues

 

19



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

from the stains, sealers and coatings business conducted by our wholly-owned subsidiary, OKON, Inc.; from the oil and gas field services provided by Petroleum Mud Logging, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary; and from the manufacture of complex microprocessor controlled industrial automation systems by REN Corporation, a 56% owned subsidiary.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, OKON, Inc. and REN Corporation experienced net losses.  We are attempting to increase the revenues of OKON, Inc. and REN Corporation to achieve positive cash flows from them.

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, OKON expanded its net revenues over those in the same period in fiscal 2003 through increased sales to wholesalers who distribute OKON’s products to independent retail stores, as well as to national and retail paint manufacturers. The increase in paint revenue reflects the success of our continued marketing efforts in our primary distribution markets that we have been expanding over the past year. OKON’s net loss in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $125,133, compared to a net loss of $161,159 in the same period in 2003. This loss is a function of the seasonality of OKON’s markets and cost of entry for new market penetration.

 

Petroleum Mud Logging, Inc. continued to perform well during the first nine months of fiscal 2004, increasing its net revenues over those for the same period in fiscal 2003.  PML is benefiting from our investments made over the last several fiscal years in upgrading its technology, as well as from increased demand for drilling for natural gas, and increased marketing efforts.  PML’s net income in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $494,288, compared to $110,363 in the same period in 2003.

 

REN Corporation experienced a decline in contract orders for its automated test systems during the first nine months of fiscal 2004 compared to the same period in fiscal 2003.  We believe this reduction is due to a decrease in industry orders resulting from a general economic downturn and a series of corporate reorganizations that have affected REN’s historical customers, and deterred placements of new orders with REN.  REN’s net loss in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $199,782, compared to a net loss of $223,161 in the same period in 2003.  This decreased loss is due to certain cost reductions implemented during the period, however, it also reflects a lack of new contracts required to provide sufficient revenue to cover operating costs.  REN Corporation is looking at alternatives to increase its revenues.  These include an aggressive program to develop a more standardized test stand and to expand its contracts to service test stands it has previously sold to various customers as well as test stands manufactured by its competitors.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

More detailed information about our financial statements is provided in the following portions of this section.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003 and the notes to those statements and to the notes and consolidated financial statements of this report.

 

20



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

The following table sets forth, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and June 30, 2003, a comparison of changes between the periods in the components of our Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Gross Profit Percentage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

53.3

%

52.2

%

49.4

%

53.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

30.6

%

23.8

%

30.6

%

25.9

%

Industrial automation systems

 

47.5

%

24.0

%

29.7

%

27.8

%

Technical services

 

14.7

%

(339.1

)%

21.1

%

54.0

%

Rental income

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Total service gross profit %

 

31.9

%

24.0

%

30.9

%

32.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

37.5

%

34.5

%

35.6

%

38.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a Percentage of Consolidated Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

26.2

%

37.1

%

25.4

%

24.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

48.4

%

46.7

%

55.1

%

39.6

%

Industrial automation systems

 

12.3

%

14.4

%

11.2

%

21.7

%

Technical services

 

12.0

%

0.3

%

6.9

%

11.4

%

Rental income

 

1.1

%

1.5

%

1.4

%

1.4

%

Total service as a percentage of consolidated net sales

 

73.8

%

62.9

%

74.6

%

74.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

 

 

 

1.7

%

 

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative expense

 

62.6

%

94.7

%

84.0

%

86.5

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

4.8

%

10.6

%

6.5

%

10.2

%

Research and development

 

7.4

%

12.7

%

9.1

%

8.1

%

 

 

74.8

%

118.0

%

99.7

%

104.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

(37.4

)%

(83.6

)%

(64.1

)%

(66.4

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of investee

 

(1.5

)%

(2.5

)%

(2.2

)%

(2.6

)%

Interest income

 

0.1

%

0.3

%

0.2

%

0.3

%

Interest expense

 

(5.9

)%

(19.9

)%

(11.0

)%

(9.9

)%

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

0.1

%

(.01

)%

0.0

%

 

 

(7.3

)%

(22.0

)%

(13.1

)%

(12.2

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in subsidiary’s net (income) loss

 

(0.1

)%

3.3

%

2.0

%

2.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

(44.7

)%

(102.3

)%

(75.1

)%

(76.1

)%

 

21



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 COMPARED TO JUNE 30, 2003:

 

Revenues

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

693,771

 

$

713,816

 

$

1,615,512

 

$

1,462,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

1,280,959

 

898,932

 

3,503,565

 

2,389,962

 

Industrial automation systems

 

325,871

 

277,078

 

709,877

 

1,307,323

 

Technical services

 

318,376

 

5,628

 

441,071

 

687,734

 

Rental income

 

29,684

 

29,580

 

87,547

 

84,324

 

Total service revenues

 

1,954,890

 

1,211,218

 

4,742,060

 

4,469,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,648,661

 

$

1,925,034

 

$

6,357,572

 

$

6,032,241

 

 

Product Sales.  Our product sales were realized from sales of water-based stains, sealers and coatings by our subsidiary OKON, Inc., through which we conduct this paint business segment.  These sales produced revenues of $693,771 and $1,615,512 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004.  This compares to revenues from this segment of $713,816 and $1,462,898 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of 3% for the 3-month period and an increase of 10% for the nine-month period.  The decrease in paint revenues over the three months ended June 30, 2004 is due to a reduction in inventory levels by OKON’s largest customer.  The increase in paint revenue over the nine months ended reflects the success of our continued marketing efforts in our primary distribution markets that we have been expanding over the past year.

 

Service Revenues.  Service revenues are provided by three of our business segments.  The segments are the oil and gas field services segment, the Rentech GTL Technology technical services portion of the alternative fuels segment, and the industrial automation systems segment.  The Rentech GTL Technology technical services are provided through the scientists and technicians who staff our development and testing laboratory.  In addition, the alternative fuels segment includes rental income from leases to others of portions of the development and testing laboratory building.

 

Petroleum Mud Logging, Inc.  Service revenues in the amount of $1,280,959 and $3,503,565 were derived from contracts for our oil and gas field services for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004.  Our oil and gas field service revenues for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 increased by $382,027 and $1,113,603, or 42% and 47%, from the service revenues of $898,932 and $2,389,962 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase in oil and gas field services revenue was due to an increase in demand for our mud logging services as drilling for new natural gas wells has continued to increase in our service market.  Therefore, a higher percentage of our 35 mud logging vehicles were under contract in the field for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  We were also able to increase our billing rates for services as demand increased.

 

REN Corporation provided service revenues in the amount of $325,871 and $709,877 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and $277,078 and $1,307,323 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003 from contracts for the manufacture of complex microprocessor controlled industrial automation systems.  The increase of $48,793, or 17%, in industrial automation systems revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2004 occurred due to an increase in work completed under test stand servicing arrangements.  The decrease of $597,446 or 46% in industrial automation systems revenue during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 occurred because we did not obtain as many contracts as before for manufacture of systems.  Of the decrease, 98% is attributable to Caterpillar as the majority of the cost-intensive work on the Caterpillar contracts was completed during fiscal 2002.  The remaining 2% is related to a decrease in revenue from all other customers.  REN has reduced its operating costs during the last fiscal quarter in efforts to develop and maintain a positive cash flow.  REN has received numerous proposals for new work from several former and new customers for development of new test equipment.  Whether new contracts will be received, and the timing and amount of revenues they would generate, is uncertain.  If new revenues are not developed from pending proposals, REN will not be able to continue its operations at the present level.

 

22



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Our alternative fuels segment provided service revenues, including revenue earned for technical services provided to certain customers related to the Rentech GTL Technology.  These technical services were performed at our development and testing laboratory.  Our service revenues for these technical services were $318,376 and $441,071 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $5,628 and $687,734 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Compared to the prior year, our service revenues from technical services increased by $312,748 during the three months ended June 30, 2004, and decreased by $246,663 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.  During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized revenue of $307,461, or 97% and 70% of total technical services revenue, from our technical services agreement with Royster-Clark Nitrogen which began in fiscal 2004.  This increase in technical services revenue was partially offset by a decrease in the work for Texaco during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as our services to it under our 1999 technical services contract with Texaco ceased upon the modification in March 2003 of our license agreement with it.

 

Rental income is also included in our service revenues.  We leased part of our development and testing laboratory building in Denver to a tenant.  Rental income from this tenant contributed $29,684 and $87,547 in revenue during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $29,580 and $84,324 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Rental income is included in our alternative fuels segment because the rental income is generated from the laboratory building that houses our development and testing laboratory, which is part of the alternative fuels segment.

 

Royalty income, which is generated through licensing the Rentech GTL Technology, is included in our alternative fuels segment. Royalty income consisted of royalties that we received as a result of our October 1998 license of the Rentech GTL Technology to Texaco.  Under the license agreement, we earned $0 in royalties during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 and $0 and $100,000 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003. No royalties were received subsequent to February 2003, and no royalties will be received in the future under the October 1998 license agreement as a result of modification to the license agreement in March 2003.

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

$

323,965

 

$

341,021

 

$

817,336

 

$

687,046

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

889,386

 

684,803

 

2,431,106

 

1,770,112

 

Industrial automation systems

 

171,069

 

210,657

 

499,373

 

943,351

 

Technical services

 

271,708

 

24,714

 

347,980

 

316,683

 

Total service cost of sales

 

1,332,163

 

920,174

 

3,278,459

 

3,030,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of sales

 

$

1,656,128

 

$

1,261,195

 

$

4,095,795

 

$

3,717,192

 

 

 

Our cost of sales include costs for our OKON products, our oil and gas field services, technical services including research and development contract costs, and industrial automation system services.  During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, the combined cost of sales was $1,656,128 and $4,095,795 compared to $1,261,195 and $3,717,192 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 resulted from an increase in cost of sales for the product sales, oil and gas field services segment and for the alternative fuels segment, offset by a decrease in cost for the industrial automation systems segment.

 

Cost of sales for product sales is the cost of sales of our paint business segment for sales of stains, sealers and coatings.  During the three months ended June 30, 2004, our costs of sales for the paint segment decreased by $17,056, or 5%, to $323,965 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2003.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, our costs of sales for the paint segment increased by $130,290, or 19%, to $817,336 as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The decrease in costs during the three months ending June 30, 2004 was directly related to a decrease in revenues.  The decrease in paint revenues is due to a reduction in inventory levels by OKON’s largest customer.  The increase in costs during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was due to an increase in raw materials used in the manufacturing process resulting from increased product sales.  The increase in paint revenue reflects the success of our continued marketing efforts in our primary distribution markets that we have been expanding over the past year.

 

23



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Cost of sales for oil and gas field services increased to $889,386 and $2,431,106 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, up from $684,803 and $1,770,112 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Of the increases of $204,583 and $660,994, 82% and 81%, respectively, were related to field labor and benefits and field living expenses, while the remainder was made up of supplies and other such miscellaneous costs.  The increase in cost of sales resulted from an increase in demand for our mud logging services as drilling for new natural gas wells has continued to increase in our service markets.

 

Cost of sales for the industrial automation systems segment were $171,069 and $499,373 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $210,657 and $943,351 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The decrease of $39,588 during the three months ended June 30, 2004 was due to a higher percentage of revenue completed under test stand servicing arrangements, which produce higher gross margins.  The decrease of $443,978 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was directly related to the 46% decrease in revenues from this segment as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Cost of sales for technical services were $271,708 and $347,980 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, up from $24,714 and $316,683 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Of the increases of $246,994 and $31,297, $258,753 resulted from costs incurred under the technical services agreement with Royster-Clark Nitrogen for the three and nine month periods.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in work for Texaco and other customers during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Gross Profit

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

369,806

 

$

372,795

 

$

798,176

 

$

775,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas field services

 

391,573

 

214,129

 

1,072,459

 

619,850

 

Industrial automation systems

 

154,802

 

66,421

 

210,504

 

363,972

 

Technical services

 

46,668

 

(19,086

)

93,091

 

371,051

 

Rental income

 

29,684

 

29,580

 

87,547

 

84,324

 

Total service gross profit

 

622,727

 

291,044

 

1,463,601

 

1,439,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Royalty income

 

 

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

 

$

992,533

 

$

663,839

 

$

2,261,777

 

$

2,315,049

 

 

Our gross profit for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $992,533 and $2,261,777, as compared to $663,839 and $2,315,049 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase of $328,694, or 50%, during the three months ended June 30, 2004, and the decrease of $53,272, or 2%, during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 resulted from a combination of the contributions from each of our operating segments.  The gross profit contribution of our paint segment decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2004 by $2,989 and increased during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 by $22,324 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, while the contribution of our oil and gas field services segment increased by $177,444 and $452,609.  Our industrial automation system segment had an increase of $88,381, or 133%, during the three months ended June 30, 2004, and a decrease of $153,468, or 42%, for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Our technical services segment had an increase of $65,754, or 345%, during the three months ended June 30, 2004, and a decrease of $277,960, or 75%, for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  Gross profit was further decreased by a reduction in contribution from royalty income of $0 and $100,000 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

24



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

$

1,659,290

 

$

1,823,357

 

$

5,341,428

 

$

5,214,879

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

128,331

 

204,189

 

414,008

 

615,845

 

Research and development

 

194,685

 

244,855

 

580,095

 

487,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

1,982,306

 

$

2,272,401

 

$

6,335,531

 

$

6,318,187

 

 

Operating expenses consist of general and administrative expense, depreciation and amortization and research and development. Our operating expenses have historically been grouped into several categories of major expenses. These include research and development related to the Rentech GTL Technology through operation of pilot plants and the Synhytech commercial-scale plant in Pueblo, Colorado; management time and other costs related to acquiring and funding the subsidiaries that constitute our other business segments to bring them to profitable operations; marketing our technology; other general and administrative expenses; and the costs of financing our operations.

 

We incur substantial research and development expenses in our testing laboratory where we actively conduct work to further improve our technology and to perform services for our customers.  We have had significant growth in our general and administrative expenses as our salary expenses and operating costs have grown.  We are incurring holding costs associated with our one-half ownership interest in Sand Creek Energy LLC, which owns the mothballed Sand Creek plant.  These include the maintenance and expenses for our one-half interest in the plant.

 

If we invest with others in developing a plant that uses our Rentech GTL Technology, we expect to incur large costs for any plants in which we may acquire an equity interest.  When production is achieved from any plant that we co-own, we anticipate incurring new expenses to market and sell the products.  If we make substantial capital investments in plants in which we may acquire an equity interest, we would incur significant depreciation and amortization expenses in the future.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses were $1,659,290 and $5,341,428 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, down $164,067 from the three months ended June 30, 2003 when these expenses were $1,823,357, and up $126,549 from the nine months ended June 30, 2003 when these expenses were $5,214,879.  Salaries and benefits allocated to general and administrative expenses rather than to cost of sales decreased by $65,328, or 7%, during the three months ended June 30, 2004.  This was due to service work performed in the three months ended June 30, 2004 under the technical services agreement with Royster-Clark Nitrogen.  Salaries and benefits allocated to general and administrative expenses rather than to cost of sales increased by $192,812, or 8%, during the nine months ended June 30, 2004. This was due to a reduction in technical services work provided to third parties at our research and development laboratory.  Legal expenses increased $6,036 and $43,635, or 6% and 15%, during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 due to increased legal costs incurred related to potential projects within our alternative fuels segment.  Public relations and promotions expenses increased by $42,257 and $68,530, or 88% and 20% during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 due to an increase in related fees.  Commissions expenses decreased by $5,601 and $48,270, or 9% and 29% during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 primarily related to the decrease in the number of systems manufactured by our industrial automation systems subsidiary.  Contract salaries & consulting expenses decreased by $80,988 and $131,916, or 55% and 28% during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as a result of reductions in contract labor in our technical services and product sales segments.  Many other general and administrative expenses experienced increases and decreases during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, none of which were individually significant.

 

Depreciation and Amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expenses during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $128,331 and $414,008, a decrease of $75,858 and $201,837 compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003. Of these amounts, $54,332 and $150,096 were included in costs of sales.  Amortization of capitalized software costs decreased by $70,983 and $212,948 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003 due to a write-off of capital and software costs in September 2003.  This decrease was offset by an increase in depreciation expense attributable to new vehicles and computer equipment acquired during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

Research and Development.  Research and development expenses were $194,685 and $580,095 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, including $189,998 and $569,158 for our alternative fuels segment, $4,687 and $10,937 for our paint segment and $0 for our industrial automation systems segment.  This expense decreased by $50,170 from the three months ended June 30, 2003, when these expenses were $244,855, and increased by $92,632 from the nine months ended June 30, 2003, when these expenses were $487,463.  The expense for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003 included $238,901 and $461,245 for our alternative fuels segment, $5,750 and $18,750 for our paint segment and $204 and $7,468 for our industrial automation systems segment.  The decrease for the three months ended June 30, 2004 was due to a decrease in research and development in our alternative fuels segment, where time was spent working on feasibility studies.  The increase for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was due to a decrease in billable technical services work performed at the development and testing laboratory for customers, which enabled us to conduct additional research and development work on the Rentech GTL Technology for our own purposes.  Extensive work was completed in the areas of product upgrading and wax catalyst filtration as well as the completion of further catalyst development.

 

Total Operating Expenses.  Total operating expenses during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 were $1,982,306 and $6,335,531, as compared to $2,272,401 and $6,318,187 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of $290,095 and an increase of $17,344.  The decrease in total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the prior period is a result of an decrease in general and administrative expenses of $164,067, a decrease in depreciation and amortization charges included in operating expenses of $75,857, and a decrease in research and development expenses of $50,170.  The increase in total operating expenses for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the prior period is a result of an increase in general and administrative expenses of $126,549, a decrease in depreciation and amortization charges included in operating expenses of $201,837, and an increase in research and development expenses of $92,632.

 

Loss From Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

$

(989,773

)

$

(1,608,562

)

$

(4,073,754

)

$

(4,003,138

)

 

Loss from operations during the three months ended June 30, 2004 decreased by $618,789 and loss from operations during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 increased by $70,616.  The decreased loss compared to the prior year resulted from a decrease in total operating expenses of $290,094 during the three months ended June 30, 2004 in addition to an increase in gross profit of $328,695. The increased loss compared to the prior year resulted from an increase in total operating expenses of $17,344 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 in addition to a decrease in gross profit of $53,272.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in loss of investee

 

$

(40,970

)

$

(47,448

)

$

(141,643

)

$

(156,674

)

Interest income

 

3,832

 

4,960

 

11,215

 

16,861

 

Interest expense

 

(155,711

)

(382,764

)

(698,292

)

(599,829

)

Gain/(Loss) on disposal of fixed assets

 

 

2,486

 

(3,640

)

2,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

 

$

(192,849

)

$

(422,766

)

$

(832,360

)

$

(737,156

)

 

Equity in Loss of Investee.  During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized $40,970 and $141,643 in equity in loss of investee, as compared to $47,448 and $156,674 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  This represents our 50% share of the loss incurred by our joint venture in Sand Creek Energy LLC.  The LLC is holding and maintaining the mothballed Sand Creek methanol plant.  The decrease during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 is due to a decrease in insurance and other maintenance costs of the facility.

 

Interest Expense.  Interest expense during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $155,711 and $698,292, decreased from $382,764 and increased from $599,829 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The decrease during the three months ended June 30, 2004 of $227,053 resulted from the conversion of a convertible note resulting in the write-off of

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

debt issuance costs to interest expense and amortization of offering costs during the three months ended June 30, 2003.  Of the increase during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 of $98,463, 53% resulted from the recognition of non-cash interest expenses related to convertible promissory notes issued in order to obtain working capital, with the remainder of the increase related to financing of annual insurance premiums and vehicles acquired.

 

Total Other Expenses.  Total other expenses decreased to $192,849 and increased to $832,360 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004 from total other expenses of $422,766 and $737,156 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003. The increase in total other expenses of $95,204 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 resulted from a decrease in equity in loss of investee of $15,031; a decrease in interest income of $5,646; and an increase in interest expense of $98,463, and an increase in loss on disposal of fixed assets of $6,126.

 

Minority Interest in Subsidiary’s Net Loss

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in subsidiary’s net (income)/loss

 

$

(1,465

)

$

62,637

 

$

129,005

 

$

147,374

 

 

The minority interest in subsidiary’s net (income)/loss of ($1,465) and $129,005 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $62,637 and $147,374 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003, resulted from operating income of REN Corporation for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and continued operating loss of REN Corporation for the nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Net Loss Applicable to Common Stockholders

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss applicable to common stockholders

 

$

(1,184,087

)

$

(1,968,691

)

$

(4,777,109

)

$

(4,592,920

)

 

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, we experienced a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $1,184,087 and $4,777,109 or $0.01 and $0.06 per share compared to a net loss applicable to common stockholders of $1,968,691 and $4,592,920 or $0.03 and $0.06 per share during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase of $184,189 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 resulted from an increase in loss from operations of $70,616, an increase in total other expenses of $95,204, and a decrease in minority interest in subsidiary’s net loss of $18,369.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

At June 30, 2004, we had negative working capital of $286,645, as compared to negative working capital of $1,571,738 at September 30, 2003.  Our current assets totaled $4,140,310 including accounts receivable of $1,271,622, and our current liabilities were $4,426,955.  We had long-term liabilities of $2,835,547, of which most related to our long-term convertible debt as well as the mortgage on our development and testing laboratory.

 

To obtain capital for working funds, we have previously sold shares of our common stock at a discount from the market price in private placements.  We have also previously sold through private placements our stock purchase warrants and our convertible promissory notes bearing interest.  The warrants and notes have been convertible into shares of our common stock at a discount. Some of them remain outstanding.  Historically, the Company has relied for working capital upon private placements of our equity represented by our common stock, supplemented by debt financing.  On March 19, 2004, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.  In achieving its objectives as planned for fiscal 2004, the Company will need to issue additional shares of its common stock and may issue shares of its convertible preferred stock or other securities in private placements or borrow money to fund working capital requirements.  In addition, the Company is seeking buyers to purchase all or some of its one-half interest in the assets of Sand Creek Energy, LLC.  The Company believes that its current available cash, revenues from operations, and the potential sale of assets will not be sufficient to meet its cash operating requirements through

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 without additional debt and equity financing.  Obtaining equity financing through placements of additional securities or obtaining debt financing, however, depends upon obtaining investors who are willing to invest in our equity securities or debt instruments.

 

The primary source of our liquidity has been equity capital contributions and debt financing.  We added an additional source of liquidity in March 1997 through the purchase of OKON, Inc., which conducts our paint business segment.  Between 1999 and 2003, we received royalties from granting Texaco Energy Systems LLC (Texaco), now a division of ChevronTexaco Corporation, a license for use of the Rentech GTL Technology in October 1998.  We also received service revenues from Texaco for technical services relating to the Rentech GTL Technology, from April 1999 to March 2003.  This work was undertaken to integrate the Texaco gasification technology with our Rentech GTL Technology.  We added another source of liquidity with the purchase in June 1999 of the mud logging assets that we operate through Petroleum Mud Logging, Inc. as our oil and gas field services segment.  Finally, we added another source of liquidity with the purchase in August 2001 of 56% of REN Corporation, which manufactures complex microprocessor controlled industrial automation systems.  Our 50% interest in the assets of the mothballed Sand Creek methanol plant is available for sale.

 

Our principal needs for liquidity in the past have been to fund working capital, pay for research and development of the Rentech GTL Technology, pay the costs of acquiring and initially funding the paint, oil and gas field services and industrial automation segments, acquiring state of the art technology for PML, and to invest in advanced technology companies.

 

We anticipate needs for substantial amounts of new capital for our investment in potential gas-to-liquids projects, operating expenses, efforts to commercialize the Rentech GTL Technology, to purchase property and equipment, and to continue significant research and development programs for the GTL projects we are considering.  We expect to undertake these types of expenditures in efforts to achieve commercial use of the technology in one or more plants in which we may acquire part ownership.  Even if we succeed in obtaining construction loans secured by such projects, we expect to need significant amounts of capital as our required share of the total investment in these projects.  We may attempt to fund some of these project costs through sales of some part of our ownership, if we have any, in any industrial gas plant that we may attempt to retrofit.  At this time, we own a one-half interest in one plant, which is the mothballed Sand Creek methanol plant.  We do not expect to use the Sand Creek plant for commercial production of liquid hydrocarbons, but have offered our interest for sale.

 

From our inception on December 18, 1981 through June 30, 2004, we have incurred losses in the amount of $45,216,155.  For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized a $1,184,087 and $4,777,109 net loss.  If we do not operate at a profit in the future, we may be unable to continue operations at the present level.  As of June 30, 2004, we had an unrestricted cash balance of $771,153.  We have been successful in the past in obtaining debt and equity financing.  For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, we received net cash proceeds from the issuance of common stock of $1,577,100 and $1,456,724. For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, we received cash proceeds from long-term debt and long-term convertible debt to stockholders of $2,505,000 and $2,250,000.  For the years ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, we received cash proceeds from the issuance of convertible preferred stock of $0 and $500,000.

 

We may issue common stock or other securities in future private placements to fund working capital requirements.  In addition, we are attempting to sell all or some of the assets of Sand Creek Energy, LLC, a company in which we have a 50% interest.  We are currently funding 50% of the expense of maintaining this facility at a cost of approximately $16,000 per month.  The Company believes that its current available cash, revenues from operations, and the potential sale of assets will not be sufficient to meet its cash operating requirements through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 without additional debt and equity financing.  Obtaining equity financing through placements of additional securities or loans depends upon obtaining investors who are willing to invest in our equity securities or debt instruments.

 

Royalty payments and contract payments from Texaco ended in fiscal 2003.  If we do not obtain a significant amount of work from others for our laboratory in the near future, we may be compelled to greatly reduce or close our testing and development laboratory and sharply reduce our scientific and technical staff, among other reductions in operating expenditures.

 

28



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

ANALYSIS OF CASH FLOW

 

The following table summarizes our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by:

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

(3,428,470

)

$

(2,067,012

)

Investing activities

 

83,814

 

(87,268

)

Financing activities

 

3,800,046

 

1,453,246

 

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

 

Net Loss.  Operating activities produced net losses of $4,777,109 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $4,592,920 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The cash flows used in operations during these periods resulted from the following operating activities.

 

Depreciation.  Depreciation is a non-cash expense.  This expense increased during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 by $10,019, as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase was attributable to new vehicles and computer equipment acquired during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Amortization.  Amortization is also a non-cash expense.  This expense decreased during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 by $212,948, as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The decrease is attributable to certain capitalized software, which was written off as of September 30, 2003.

 

Salaries Expense Paid Through Debt.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we issued unsecured convertible promissory notes totaling $357,877 in lieu of cash to certain officers of the Company in payment of their salaries.

 

Minority Interest in Net Loss of Subsidiary.  The minority interest in net loss of subsidiary of $129,005 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 results from our 56% ownership of REN Corporation.

 

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities.  The changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of business combination, result from the following factors.

 

Accounts Receivable.  Accounts receivable increased by $127,809 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.  The increase in accounts receivable was due to increases in sales by the paint segment of 10% and from the oil and gas field services segment of 47%.

 

Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings.  Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings decreased $147,078 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as a result of the timing of contract billings and other contract activity within the industrial automation systems and technical services segments.  These contracts are accounted for under the percentage of completion method of accounting.

 

Accounts Payable.  Accounts payable decreased by $9,256 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004. This decrease resulted from the timing of receiving and paying trade payables.

 

Billings in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings.  Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings increased $284,615 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as a result of contracts within the industrial automation systems and technical services segments which are accounted for under the percentage of completion method of accounting.

 

Accrued Liabilities, Accrued Payroll and Other.  Accrued liabilities, accrued payroll and other decreased $128,878 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as a result of the timing of payment of certain payroll related accruals.

 

29



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities.  The total net cash used in operations increased to $3,428,470 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $2,067,012 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase reflects increased cash costs for operating expenses.

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

 

Purchase of Property and Equipment.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we purchased $201,024 of property and equipment, which included $123,677 paid in cash and $77,347 purchased with a note payable.  Of the property and equipment purchases, 60% was attributable to vehicles and logging equipment purchased for our oil and gas field services segment, while the remaining 40% was attributable to office furniture and equipment and computer equipment.

 

Cash Used in Purchase of Investments.  We used $139,835 to fund our 50% share of expenses of Sand Creek Energy, LLC during the nine months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities.  The total net cash provided in investing activities increased to $83,814 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to cash used of $87,268 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  The increase was primarily a result of an increase in deposits and other assets.

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we received $3,975,831 in net cash proceeds from the issuance of common stock compared to $182,819 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Proceeds from Stock Subscription Receivable.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we received no proceeds from a stock subscription receivable, as compared to proceeds of $76,186 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Payment of Offering Costs.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we paid $220,475 in offering costs as compared to $18,825 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Proceeds from Line of Credit, Net.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we received net proceeds on our lines of credit of $6,719 as compared receiving net proceeds from our lines of credit of $104,533 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Proceeds from Long-Term Debt and Notes Payable.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we received proceeds from long-term convertible debt in the amount of $568,476, compared to $1,955,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Payments on Long-Term Convertible Debt and Notes Payable.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we repaid $517,067 on our debt obligations as compared to $637,401 during fiscal 2003.  Payments in the nine months ended June 30, 2004 reflect payments on related party notes and long-term convertible debt.

 

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities.  The net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 was $3,800,046, compared to $1,453,246 in cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Cash increased during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 by $455,390 compared to a decrease of $701,034 during the nine months ended June 30, 2003.  These changes increased the ending cash balance at June 30, 2004 to $1,271,153 and decreased the ending cash balance at June 30, 2003 to $331,886.

 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to the valuation of long-lived assets, intangible assets, goodwill and investment in advanced technology companies, accounting for fixed price contracts, accounting for stock options and warrants and the realization of deferred income taxes.  Actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

30



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets and Goodwill.  We must assess the realizable value of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill for potential impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  In assessing the recoverability of our goodwill and other intangibles, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets.  In addition, we must make assumptions regarding the useful lives of these assets.  If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.  Effective October 1, 2001, we elected early adoption of SFAS No. 142, and were required to analyze goodwill for impairment.  As of September 30, 2003, we updated our impairment test and determined that the goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition of REN was impaired.  REN’s customer backlog as of September was not sufficient to support the realization of goodwill and as a result, we wrote-off the balance related to REN.  We also updated our impairment test as of June 30, 2004 for the goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisitions of OKON and PML.  We concluded that there was no impact on our financial position and results of operations, as goodwill was not impaired.

 

Investment In Advanced Technology Companies.  The Company has an investment in certain advanced technology companies.  The investment is stated at the estimated net realizable value and is evaluated periodically for impairment and is carried at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. The evaluation that we perform is based upon estimates.  The actual value that we realize from this investment may be more or less than its carrying value.  We will recognize gains or losses on these investments, if any, when realized.

 

Accounting for Fixed Price Contracts.  Our 56% owned subsidiary, REN Corporation, recognizes revenues from fixed price contracts on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  Under this method of accounting, the amount of revenue recognized is the percentage of the contract price that the costs expended to date bear to the total estimated costs of the contract, based upon current estimates of the costs to complete the contract.  Project managers make significant assumptions concerning cost estimates for materials and labor.  Due to the uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, as well as the potential changes in customer needs as these contracts progress, it is at least reasonably possible that completion costs for uncompleted contracts may be revised in the future, and that such revisions could be material.

 

Accounting for Stock Option and Warrants.  We issue stock options and warrants to stockholders, employees, consultants and others in connection with our various business activities.  These are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of APB 25 and FASBs 123 and 148, as well as other authoritative accounting pronouncements.  We are required to make estimates of the fair value of the related instruments and the period benefited.  These estimates may affect such financial statement categories as stockholders’ equity, general and administrative expense, and interest and financing costs.  In addition, there is discussion regarding new requirements to account for stock options at fair value, which may have a material impact on our statement of operations in the future.

 

Deferred Income Taxes.  We have provided a full valuation reserve related to our substantial deferred tax assets. In the future, if sufficient evidence of our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions becomes apparent, we may be required to reduce this valuation allowance, resulting in income tax benefits in our consolidated statement of operations.  We evaluate the realizability of the deferred tax assets annually and assess the need for the valuation allowance.

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS AND MARKET PRICE OF STOCK

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk.  You should carefully consider the following factors and other information included or incorporated by reference in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making an investment decision.  These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face.  Others that we do not know about now, or that we do not think are important, may impair our business or the trading price of our shares of common stock.

 

Lack of Profitable Operations and History of Losses.  We have a history of operating losses and have never operated at a profit.  From our inception on December 18, 1981 through June 30, 2004, we have incurred losses in the amount of $45,216,155. For the nine months ended June 30, 2004, we recognized a net loss of $4,777,109 applicable to common shareholders.  If we do not operate at a profit in the future, we may be unable to continue our operations at the present level.  Ultimately, our ability to maintain our present level of business will depend upon earning a profit from commercialization of the Rentech GTL Technology through license fees, royalties and design engineering contracts.  Our ability to do this has not been demonstrated.

 

31



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Working Capital.  Our working capital is primarily used for operations, investing activities and payments on long-term debt. At June 30, 2004, we had negative working capital of $286,645.  This compared to negative working capital of $1,571,738 at September 30, 2003.  If we are not able to maintain or further improve our working capital position, we may not be able to implement our plan to commercialize the Rentech GTL Technology or to maintain our operations at the current level.  If we are unable to obtain additional debt or equity financing, our current available cash, revenues from operations and the potential sale of assets will not enable us to meet our expected cash operating requirements through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2004.

 

Need for Additional Financing.  To raise capital, we have previously issued shares of our common stock and convertible preferred stock, options and warrants to purchase shares of common stock, and promissory notes convertible into shares of common stock.  We may also seek additional funds through equity and debt project financing and collaborative or other arrangements with joint venture partners and others. We intend to seek additional debt and equity financing in the capital markets.  Additional financing, when required, may not be available or available on terms acceptable to us.  If we cannot obtain sufficient funds, we may be required to delay or to eliminate expenditures for some of our business activities or to sell some of our assets.  If additional funds are raised by issuing equity securities, further dilution to investors may occur.  Our board of directors is currently empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue and has issued preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power, equity ownership and other rights of the holders of Rentech’s common stock.

 

Successful Operation of Plants Using Rentech GTL Technology Not Assured.  The successful use of Rentech GTL Technology largely depends upon our ability and that of our licensees to design, construct and operate plants using the technology on a commercial scale.  Successful commercial use of plants using our technology depends upon a number of factors. These include, among others, constructing plants that are properly designed by the user for the chemical composition of the feedstock obtained for the plant; the amount and quantity of the feedstock; the availability and cost of construction financing; mechanical adequacy of the plant equipment and machinery, whether related or unrelated to the Rentech GTL Technology; availability and adequacy of roads, utilities, worker housing and other infrastructure that may be required, at the plant site; the plant operator’s management and skills; operating circumstances; and other conditions that we may not anticipate or control.

 

Economic Use of Rentech GTL Technology Not Assured.  Our ability to benefit from the Rentech GTL Technology depends upon economic operation of plants that use the technology on a commercial scale. Whether our technology can be profitably operated depends upon several factors.  These include adequate quantities of low-cost feedstock, the availability and cost of construction financing, the economic efficiency of the technology, and market demand for the end products at profitable prices.  Those qualities, especially the economic performance of the technology, have not been established in a commercial-scale plant.  Poor economic results at plants using Rentech GTL Technology would adversely impact our operating results and financial condition by depressing or eliminating our potential income from the technology.

 

Lack of Adequate Capital to Exploit Rentech GTL Technology.  The capital cost of gas process plants and natural gas fields, coal mines and other sources of feedstock for use with the Rentech GTL Technology requires more capital than is available to us or to many of our potential licensees.  These limitations have slowed and will continue to delay use of the technology and resulting revenues to us.  Significant delays may occur before we realize substantial revenues, if any, from operating plants.

 

Success of the Rentech GTL Technology Depends Upon Licensees.  We do not have adequate capital to finance, construct and operate our own commercial plants. Successful use of the Rentech GTL Technology depends upon obtaining financing through joint ventures, or use of the technology by licensees with adequate financing. Under the license agreements that we offer, our licensees are responsible for obtaining sources of feedstock, conducting feasibility studies, recruiting personnel who are skilled in gas process plants, obtaining governmental approvals and permits, obtaining sufficient financing on favorable terms for the large capital expenditures required; possibly constructing infrastructure if not otherwise available at the plant site; designing, constructing and operating the plant; and marketing the products.  The ability of any licensee to accomplish these requirements, and the efforts, resources and timing schedules to be applied by a licensee, will be controlled by it.  If licensees do not proceed with plants using the Rentech GTL Technology or do not successfully operate plants, we would not benefit from the technology.

 

Competitiveness of the Rentech GTL Technology Not Assured.  The development of gas-to-liquids technology is highly competitive.  The Rentech GTL Technology is based on Fischer-Tropsch processes that have been used by several others in synthetic fuel projects during the past 60 years. Historic experience has indicated that most of these applications of the established processes were not an economic means to create synthetic fuels. Because of increasing worldwide demand for fuels and other products of the gas-to-liquids technology, as well as the large quantities of carbon bearing gas, liquid and solid

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

materials available as feedstock, there are economic incentives to develop and achieve significant market penetration for successful Fischer-Tropsch technology. Several major integrated oil companies, as well as several smaller companies, have developed or are developing competing technologies.  Each of these companies, especially the major oil companies, have significantly more financial and other resources than we do to spend on developing, promoting and using their GTL technology.  The U.S. Department of Energy has also sponsored a number of research programs in Fischer-Tropsch technology, some of which might potentially lower the cost of processes that compete with the Rentech GTL Technology.  These companies, the Department of Energy, or others, may develop technologies that are more commercially successful or better accepted in the industry than our technology, which could render it obsolete and unmarketable.

 

No Assurance of Industry Acceptance of Technologies.  As is typical in the case of new and rapidly evolving technologies, including the Rentech GTL Technology and the advanced technologies in which we have an interest, demand and industry acceptance are subject to high levels of uncertainty. If the applicable industries fail to accept any of these technologies, especially the Rentech GTL Technology, whether due to unsuccessful use or their novelty, or for other reasons, or acceptance develops more slowly than expected, our business, operating results and financial condition will be materially adversely affected.

 

Operating Hazards of Plants Using the Rentech GTL Technology.  Plants that use the Rentech GTL Technology process carbon-bearing materials, including natural gas, into synthesis gas.  Some plants will require the use of oxygen producing systems to convert the feedstock into synthesis gas. These gases, especially oxygen, are highly flammable and explosive.  Severe personal injuries and material property damage may result. If such accidents did occur, our licensees and we could have substantial liabilities and costs.  We are not insured for these risks.  Furthermore, accidents of this type would likely adversely affect operation of existing as well as proposed plants by increasing costs for safety features.

 

Dependence Upon Key Personnel.  Our success in implementing our business plan is substantially dependent upon the contributions of our executive officers and key employees.  The individuals include Dr. Charles B. Benham, Dr. Mark S. Bohn, and Dennis L. Yakobson, each of whom has jointly or individually invented various aspects of the Rentech GTL Technology.  At this stage of our development, economic success of the Rentech GTL Technology depends upon several factors, including design of gas process plants and their startup to achieve optimal plant operations. That effort requires knowledge, skills, and relationships unique to our key personnel.  Moreover, to successfully compete, we will be required to engage in continuous research and development regarding processes, products, markets and costs.  Loss of the services of the executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.  We do not have key man life insurance.

 

Risk of Technological and Regulatory Change.  The markets for our services and products are characterized by rapidly changing competition, new legislation and regulations, and evolving industry standards.  If our competitors introduce new technology, if new legislation or regulations are adopted, or if new industry standards emerge, our technologies and products could become obsolete and unmarketable.  If we do not anticipate these changes and successfully develop and introduce improvements on a timely basis, we could lose some or all of our customers.  That would eliminate or reduce our revenues from the technology that is affected.

 

Limitations on Protection of Intellectual Property.  We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark law, nondisclosure agreements and technical security measures to protect our intellectual property rights in our various lines of business.  Our patents provide us exclusive rights to exploit key aspects of our gas-to-liquids process, but the technology could be infringed by others.  Our trade secrets for the formulas for our OKON sealers and for our computer software programs used for our GTL process, our oil and gas well field services, and our automated industrial test equipment, could become public.  If a trade secret is acquired by a competitor, our competitive position in that line of business would be harmed and our revenues could be substantially reduced.

 

Foreign Operations.  We expect that a substantial part of the use of our Rentech GTL Technology will occur in foreign countries.  The additional risks of foreign operations include rapid changes in political and economic climates; changes in foreign and domestic taxation; lack of stable systems of law in some countries; susceptibility to loss of protection of patent rights and other intellectual property rights; expatriation laws adversely affecting removal of funds; fluctuations of currency exchange rates; nationalization of property; civil disturbances; war and other disruptions affecting operations.  International operations and investments may also be negatively affected by laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade, investment and taxation.  If any one or more of these events occurs, our revenues from overseas customers could be severely reduced or ended.

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

Fluctuations in Quarterly and Annual Results.  We have in the past, and expect in the future, to experience significant fluctuations in quarterly and annual operating results.  These variations include differences in actual results of operations from results expected by financial analysts and investors, the demand for licenses of the Rentech GTL Technology, timing of construction and completion of plants using our technology, success in operating plants, receipt of license fees and engineering fees and royalties, improvements or enhancements of gas-to-liquids technology by us and our competitors, economic use of our technology in commercial plants, changes in oil and gas market prices, the impact of competition by other technologies and energy sources, and general economic conditions.  We believe that period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations may not necessarily be meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.  Some or all of these factors may cause our operating results in future fiscal quarters and years to be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors.  In this event, the price of our common stock is likely to be materially adversely affected.  If so, investors in our common stock who purchased at higher prices would be unable to sell their stock except at a loss.

 

Deterrence of Tender Offers by Fair Price Provisions.  Our Articles of Incorporation include provisions that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of our Company.  These provisions include grouping of the board of directors into three classes with staggered terms; a requirement that directors may be removed without cause only with the approval of the holders of 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting power of our capital stock; and a requirement that the holders of not less than 66-2/3% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock approve certain business combinations of the Company with any holder of more than 10% of the voting power or an affiliate of any such holder unless the transaction is either approved by at least a majority of the uninterested and unaffiliated members of the board of directors or unless certain minimum price and procedural requirements are met.  We also have a shareholder rights plan that authorizes issuance to existing shareholders of substantial numbers of preferred share rights or shares of common stock in the event a third party seeks to acquire control of a substantial block of our common stock.  These provisions could deter a third party from tendering for the purchase of some or all of our stock and could have the effect of entrenching management and reducing the market price of our common stock.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

In addition to the lines of credit and long-term convertible debt previously described, we have entered into various other contractual obligations.  The following table lists our significant contractual obligations at June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

Payments Due By Period

 

 

 

Less than

 

 

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

1 year

 

2-3 years

 

4-5 years

 

5 years

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to related parties

 

$

181,651

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

181,651

 

Lines of credit

 

1,421,353

 

 

 

 

1,421,353

 

Long-term debt

 

75,923

 

85,917

 

55,850

 

934,262

 

1,151,952

 

Long-term convertible debt

 

54,565

 

1,735,155

 

 

 

1,789,720

 

Operating leases

 

205,420

 

208,028

 

236,920

 

42,448

 

692,816

 

 

 

$

1,938,912

 

$

2,029,100

 

$

292,770

 

$

976,710

 

$

5,237,492

 

 

We are a guarantor on the $1,000,000 line of credit with Premier Bank until it matures on May 1, 2005.  This guaranty includes any amount of the line of credit for which the 44% shareholders of REN are responsible to us.

 

In the agreement to acquire an ownership interest in INICA, we agreed to repurchase our 1,200,000 shares, if still owned by INICA, that we issued as part of the purchase price if the market value falls below $0.40.  Our repurchase price would be $0.40 per share. The repurchase payment would be due in two equal installments payable annually for two years. As of June 30, 2004, we have not re-acquired any shares under this provision and do not believe that there will be an obligation to re-acquire these shares in the future.

 

We have entered into various long-term promissory notes, with monthly principal and interest payments of $43,307, at interest rates of 0% to 9.6%, which are collateralized by certain fixed assets of the Company.

 

We have leased office space under a non-cancelable operating lease, which expires October 31, 2009, with a renewal option for an additional five years. We have also leased office and warehouse space under a lease that expires during March 2005.  In addition we have entered into various other operating leases, which expire through February 2005.

 

34



 

In addition to the contractual obligations previously described, we have entered into various other commercial commitments.  The following table lists these commitments at June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

Other

 

Less than

 

 

 

 

 

After

 

 

 

Commercial Commitments

 

1 year

 

2-3 years

 

4-5 years

 

5 years

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employment agreements

 

$

814,969

 

$

398,706

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,213,675

 

 

 

$

814,969

 

$

398,706

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,213,675

 

 

We have entered into various employment agreements with our executive officers that extend to December 31, 2006.  These agreements describe annual compensation as well as the compensation that we must pay upon termination of employment.

 

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to market risk through interest rates related to our investment of current cash and cash equivalents.  These funds are generally highly liquid with short-term maturities, and we do not consider the related market risk to be material.  Our long-term debt is at fixed rates of interest.  We believe that fluctuations in interest rates in the near term will not materially affect our consolidated operating results, financial position or cash flow.

 

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2004 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.  There were no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to litigation from time to time.  The Company maintains insurance to cover certain actions and believes that resolution of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company offered shares of its common stock for sale in a private placement offering of up to $500,000. The Company granted non-exclusive rights to several placement agents to sell the shares under the offering memorandum.  The Company offered its shares for sale at $0.45 per share. In addition, the Company agreed to issue warrants to its brokers, who served as selected dealers in the private placement, to purchase one share of the Company’s common stock for every $4.00 of the Company’s common stock sold, at a purchase price of $1.00.  The warrants are exercisable for a period of three years ending November 21, 2006.  The Company issued 124,445 shares of its common stock for cash of $56,000 during September 2003, and an additional 986,665 shares of its common stock for cash of $444,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004 under the private placement.  The Company incurred $95,600 in offering costs related to the private placement.  The Company has also issued warrants to purchase 93,500 shares of the Company’s common stock to brokers related to the private placement.  The warrants are exercisable at $1.00 up to November 21, 2006.  The issuance of common shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(2) promulgated under that act.  We registered with the SEC the shares of common stock issued as well as the common stock into which the warrants may be converted.

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

ITEM 6.

 

 

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 

(a)                 Exhibits:

 

Exhibit Index

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation dated January 4, 1991 (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 33-378150-D on Form S-18 filed on January 18, 1991).

 

 

 

3.2

 

Articles of Amendment dated April 5, 1991 to the Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 10, 1993).

 

 

 

3.3

 

Articles of Amendment dated January 26, 1998 to Articles of Incorporation-Preferences, Limitations and Relative Rights of Convertible Stock, Series 1998-B of Rentech, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.(I).2 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1998 filed on January 13, 1999).

 

 

 

3.4

 

Articles of Amendment dated December 4, 1998 to Articles of Incorporation-Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series 1998-C Participating Cumulative Preference Stock of Rentech, Inc. pertaining to Rentech’s Shareholder Rights Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.(I).4 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1998, filed on January 13, 1999).

 

 

 

3.5

 

Articles of Amendment dated March 22, 2004 to the Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 22, 2004).

 

 

 

3.6

 

Bylaws dated December 11, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 22, 2004)

 

 

 

4.1

 

Shareholder Rights Plan dated November 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 10, 2002).

 

 

 

4.2

 

Form of Stock Purchase Warrant issued in the 1999 private placement of securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.2 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1999 filed on January 12, 2000).

 

 

 

4.3

 

Form of Convertible Promissory Note issued under the 2002 private placement of convertible promissory notes (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Form S-3/A Amendment Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

4.4

 

Form of Stock Purchase Warrant issued in the 2002 private placement of securities (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Form S-3/A Amendment Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

4.5

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Form S-3/A Amendment Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

4.6

 

Form of Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Form S-3/A Amendment Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

4.7

 

Form of Convertible Promissory Note issued under the 2003 private placement of convertible promissory notes (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated February 13, 2004).

 

 

 

4.8

 

Form of Stock Purchase Warrant issued under the 2003 private placement of convertible promissory notes  (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated February 13, 2004).

 

 

 

10.1

 

1990 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Registration Statement No. 33-37150-D on Form S-18).

 

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RENTECH, INC.

 

10.2

 

1994 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement No. 33-37150-D on Form S-18).

 

 

 

10.3

 

1996 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 18, 1996).

 

 

 

10.4

 

1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Registration Statement No. 333-95537 on Form S-8).

 

 

 

10.5

 

2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.6

 

2003 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002).

 

 

 

10.7

 

License Agreement with Texaco Natural Gas, Inc. dated October 8, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 1998).

 

 

 

10.8

 

Letter of Intent with ITN Energy Systems, Inc. dated October 17, 1996 (incorporated by reference to the exhibits to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated November 7, 1996).

 

 

 

10.9

 

Letter Agreement with BC Projectos dated March 4, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.11 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.10

 

Letter of Intent with Pertamina dated October 2, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.12 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.11

 

Letter of Intent with Oroboros AB dated September 29, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.13 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.12

 

Memorandum of Understanding with GTL Bolivia, S.A. dated June 22, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.14 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.13

 

Memorandum of Understanding with Jacobs Engineering U.K. Limited dated July 15, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.15 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.14

 

Memorandum of Understanding with Jacobs Engineering U.K. Limited dated January 20, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated January 28, 2004).

 

 

 

10.15

 

Employment Contract with executive officer of subsidiary REN Corporation (incorporated by reference from the exhibits to Rentech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2001, filed on December 28, 2001).

 

37



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

10.18

 

Employment Agreement with Charles B. Benham (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.18 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.19

 

Employment Agreement with Mark S. Bohn (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.19 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.20

 

Employment Agreement with Ronald C. Butz (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.20 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

10.21

 

Employment Agreement with Dennis L. Yakobson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.22 to Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement No. 333-85682 on Form S-3/A filed on October 28, 2002).

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 15d – 14(a).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of President and 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.

 

(b)                 Reports on Form 8-K:

 

We filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the quarter for which this report is filed:

 

Form 8-K dated June 4, 2004 reporting under Items 5, 7 and 9.

Form 8-K dated June 16, 2004 reporting under Items 5, 7 and 9.

Form 8-K dated June 30, 2004 reporting under Items 5, 7 and 9.

 

38



 

RENTECH, INC.

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

 

RENTECH, INC.

 

 

 

 

Dated:  August 3, 2004

/s/ Dennis L. Yakobson

 

 

Dennis L. Yakobson, President and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Dated:  August 3, 2004

/s/ Geoffrey S. Flagg

 

 

Geoffrey S. Flagg

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

39