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AMCI ACQUISITION(AMCI) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report

Environmental Impact and Sustainability - The company has produced over 75 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol, mitigating over 500,000 tons of CO₂ emissions since May 2018[29]. - The first commercial facility in China has sold over 65.9 million gallons of ethanol, displacing fossil gasoline and avoiding over 240,000 tons of CO₂ emissions[37]. - The integration of bio-based industrial CO₂ and DAC technologies with the gas fermentation platform can lead to a 94% emissions reduction compared to fossil fuels[52]. - The company aims to support the transition to a low-carbon future by recycling carbon into everyday products, removing approximately two tons of CO₂ per ton of CarbonSmart product produced[34]. - Ethanol produced can demonstrate up to 85% GHG reduction compared to fossil alternatives, positioning it as a commercially attractive pathway for renewable jet fuel production[62]. - Six commercial plants have collectively produced over 75 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol, contributing to a reduction of 380,000 tons of CO emissions since May 2018[57]. Technology and Innovation - The company has a strong intellectual property position with 1,193 granted patents and 515 pending applications across 130 patent families as of December 31, 2024[38]. - The gas fermentation process can utilize diverse waste feedstocks, potentially yielding up to 6.5 billion metric tons of products annually, primarily ethanol[46]. - The company has established partnerships with industry leaders, validating its technology through over 100,000 hours of pilot and demonstration-scale operations[37]. - The company’s technology platform is critical for developing and commercializing new products, and any issues with this platform could lead to wasted research and development efforts[180]. - The company has entered into an exclusive license agreement with LanzaJet for certain intellectual property related to the conversion of ethanol to fuel, limiting its ability to pursue new production opportunities without consent[164]. Financial Performance and Position - For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the largest contracting entity accounted for 25% of the company's revenue, down from 38% in the previous year, indicating a shift in customer concentration[71]. - The company reported cash outflows from operations of $(89.1) million and a net loss of $(137.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2024[125]. - As of December 31, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $43.5 million, short-term held-to-maturity debt investments of $12.4 million, and an accumulated deficit of $(969.6) million[125]. - The company has not achieved operating profitability in any quarter since its formation and anticipates continuing to incur losses until it can sufficiently scale operations[135]. - The company is currently evaluating options to enhance its liquidity position, indicating substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern[128]. Partnerships and Joint Ventures - The LanzaJet Investment Agreement facilitates the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and includes commitments from major partners like Mitsui, Shell, British Airways, and Suncor[72]. - The company holds approximately 36.33% of the outstanding shares of LanzaJet, with potential to increase ownership to approximately 46% and 53% upon achieving certain milestones[74]. - The Shougang Joint Venture has a royalty agreement with a graduated scale from 8% to 20% on sublicensing revenues, with $1.2 million recognized as one-time revenue in 2023[95]. - The company holds approximately 9.3% of the Shougang Joint Venture, which has an indefinite duration and allows for profit distribution based on shareholding[91]. - The Mitsui Alliance Agreement mandates Mitsui to promote the company's gasification and waste-to-ethanol technology in Japan, while the company must recommend Mitsui as the preferred provider of investment services[87]. Regulatory and Compliance Risks - The company faces risks related to regulatory changes that could impact its operations and financial condition, particularly concerning GHG emissions and ethanol regulations[108]. - The company is subject to extensive regulations, and any changes in laws or failure to comply could materially affect its ability to manufacture and commercialize products[195]. - The company may face additional regulations and audits related to government grants, which could result in adjustments to revenues and operational results[160]. - Compliance with environmental, health, and safety laws is costly and time-consuming, with potential liabilities exceeding total assets if violations occur[205]. - Regulatory scrutiny of genetically engineered microbes may require additional costly measures to maintain necessary permits and approvals, adversely affecting operations[209]. Market and Competitive Landscape - The market values for MEG and PET packaging are estimated at $24.8 billion and $41 billion, respectively, indicating significant revenue potential[34]. - The company competes in a rapidly advancing industry, facing indirect competition from companies with greater resources and established market presence[171]. - Technological innovation by competitors could render the company's technology and products obsolete, impacting its competitive position[175]. - The company relies on a limited number of industry partners for significant near-term revenue, with one partner accounting for 25% of revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, down from 38% in 2023[192][194]. Operational Challenges - The company continues to face significant risks associated with its international expansion strategy, including compliance with diverse legal environments and potential economic instability in foreign countries[148][149]. - Delays in the construction of commercial-scale plants could severely impact the company's financial condition and operational results[150][151]. - The company anticipates that failure to continuously reduce operating and capital costs for its facilities may hinder the adoption of its process technologies[153]. - The company faces supply chain challenges that may lead to delays or increased costs due to various disruptions, including worker absenteeism and shipping infrastructure issues[219]. - The success of the company's partners' plant operations is critical, as it relies heavily on these partnerships to execute its growth strategy[142]. Future Outlook and Strategic Direction - The company is focused on shifting its core operations from research and development to globally deploying its proven technology[118]. - The company is in advanced stages of commissioning a commercial scale facility with IndianOil, expected to finalize in the coming months[193]. - The company’s success is contingent on identifying new market opportunities and developing technologies to meet those needs, which is critical for future growth[182]. - The company may incur significant expenses related to product liability claims due to undetected defects in products produced using its process technologies[206]. - The company faces potential increased costs due to evolving international, national, and subnational regulations on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which could impact the application of its fermentation technology[200].