UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |||||
| For the transition period from ____ to ____ | |||||
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||||
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| of incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) | ||||||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | |||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ||||||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of the common units held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2021 was approximately $1,646,811,507 based upon a closing price of $52.41 per common unit as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.
As of February 28, 2022, 66,558,919 shares of common stock were outstanding.
| Documents Incorporated by Reference: | ||||||||||||||
ENVIVA INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10‑K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements and information in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K (this “Annual Report”) may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “foresee,” “should,” “would,” “could,” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward‑looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. Although management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All comments concerning our expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on our forecasts of our existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those summarized below:
•the volume and quality of products that we are able to produce or source and sell, which could be adversely affected by, among other things, operating or technical difficulties at our wood pellet production plants or deep-water marine terminals;
•the prices at which we are able to sell our products;
•failure of our customers, vendors, and shipping partners to pay or perform their contractual obligations to us;
•our inability to successfully execute our project development, capacity expansion, and new facility construction activities on time and within budget;
•the creditworthiness of our contract counterparties;
•the amount of low-cost wood fiber that we are able to procure and process, which could be adversely affected by, among other things, disruptions in supply or operating or financial difficulties suffered by our suppliers;
•our ability to successfully negotiate, complete, and integrate third-party acquisitions, or to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions;
•changes in the price and availability of natural gas, coal, or other sources of energy;
•changes in prevailing economic and market conditions;
•inclement or hazardous environmental conditions, including extreme precipitation, temperatures, and flooding;
•fires, explosions, or other accidents;
•changes in domestic and foreign laws and regulations (or the interpretation thereof) related to renewable or low-carbon energy, the forestry products industry, the international shipping industry, or power, heat, or combined heat and power generators;
•changes in domestic and foreign tax laws and regulations affecting the taxation of our business, and investors;
•changes in the regulatory treatment of biomass in core and emerging markets;
•our inability to acquire or maintain necessary permits or rights for our production, transportation, or terminaling operations;
•changes in the price and availability of transportation;
•changes in foreign currency exchange or interest rates and the failure of our hedging arrangements to effectively reduce our exposure to related risks;
•risks related to our indebtedness, including the levels, and maturity date of such indebtedness;
•our failure to maintain effective quality control systems at our wood pellet production plants and deep-water marine terminals, which could lead to the rejection of our products by our customers;
•changes in the quality specifications for our products required by our customers;
•labor disputes, unionization, or similar collective actions;
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•our inability to hire, train, or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our business and newly acquired assets;
•the possibility of cyber and malware attacks;
•our inability to borrow funds and access capital markets; and
•viral contagions or pandemic diseases, such as COVID-19.
All forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.
Please read Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any such statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS
biomass: any organic biological material derived from living organisms that stores energy from the sun.
co-fire: the combustion of two different types of materials at the same time. For example, biomass is sometimes fired in combination with coal in existing coal plants.
cost pass-through mechanism: a provision in commercial contracts that passes costs through to the purchaser.
dry-bulk: describes dry-bulk commodities that are shipped in large, unpackaged amounts.
metric ton: one metric ton, which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms and 1.1023 short tons.
nameplate: the intended full-load sustained maximum rated output of production.
net calorific value: the amount of usable heat energy released when a fuel is burned completely and the heat contained in the water vapor generated by the combustion process is not recovered. The European power industry typically uses net calorific value as the means of expressing fuel energy.
off-take contract: an agreement concerning the purchase and sale of a certain volume of future production of a given resource such as wood pellets.
stumpage: the price paid to the underlying timber resource owner for the raw material.
utility-grade wood pellets: wood pellets meeting minimum requirements generally specified by industrial consumers and produced and sold in sufficient quantities to satisfy industrial‑scale consumption.
wood fiber: cellulosic elements that are extracted from trees and used to make various materials, including paper. In North America, wood fiber is primarily extracted from hardwood (deciduous) trees and softwood (coniferous) trees.
wood pellets: energy-dense, low-moisture, and uniformly sized units of wood fuel produced from processing various wood resources or byproducts.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
On December 31, 2021, Enviva Partners, LP (the “Partnership”) converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”) named “Enviva Inc.” References to “Enviva,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to (i) Enviva Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods following the Conversion and (ii) Enviva Partners, LP and its subsidiaries for periods prior to the Conversion, except where the context otherwise requires. References to “our former sponsor” refer to Enviva Holdings, LP, and, where applicable, its wholly owned subsidiaries Enviva MLP Holdco, LLC and Enviva Development Holdings, LLC. References to “our former General Partner” refer to Enviva Partners GP, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enviva Holdings, LP. Please read Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements beginning on page 1 and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for information regarding certain risks inherent in our business.
Overview
We are a growth-oriented company originally formed in 2013 as a master limited partnership that converted to a corporation on December 31, 2021. We develop, construct, acquire, and own and operate, fully contracted wood pellet production plants where we aggregate a natural resource, wood fiber, and process it into dry, densified, uniform pellets that can be effectively stored and transported around the world. We primarily sell our wood pellets through long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with creditworthy customers in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), the European Union, and Japan, who use our pellets to displace coal and other fossil fuels to generate renewable power and heat as part of their efforts to accelerate the energy transition from conventional energy generation to renewable energy generation. Increasingly, our customers are also using our pellets as renewable raw material inputs to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, lime, chemicals, and aviation fuels. Collectively, the wood pellets we produce are viewed by our customers as a critical component of their efforts to reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in their core energy generation or industrial manufacturing processes, and mitigate the impact of climate change.
We own and operate ten plants (collectively, “our plants”) with a combined production capacity of approximately 6.2 million metric tons per year (“MTPY”) of wood pellets in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi, the production of which is fully contracted with many of our contracts extending well into the 2040s. We export our wood pellets to global markets through our deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Chesapeake, Virginia, terminal assets at the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and from third-party deep-water marine terminals in Savannah, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida. All of our facilities are located in geographic regions with low input costs and favorable transportation logistics. Owning these cost-advantaged assets in a rapidly expanding industry provides us with a platform to generate stable and growing cash flows. Our plants are sited in robust fiber baskets providing stable pricing for the low-grade fiber used to produce wood pellets. Our raw materials are byproducts of traditional timber harvesting, principally low-value wood materials, such as trees generally not suited for sawmilling or other manufactured forest products, tree tops and limbs, understory, brush, and slash that are generated in a harvest.
Our sales strategy is to fully contract the wood pellet production from our plants under long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with a diversified and creditworthy customer base. Our long-term off-take contracts typically provide for fixed-price deliveries that often include provisions that escalate the price over time and provide for other margin protection. During 2021, production capacity from our wood pellet production plants, together with wood pellets sourced from third parties was approximately equal to the contracted volumes under our existing long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts. Our long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts provide for a product sales backlog of $21.2 billion and have a total weighted-average remaining term of 14.5 years from February 1, 2022.
Due to the uninterruptible nature of our customers’ fuel and other raw material consumption, our customers require a reliable supply of wood pellets that meet stringent product specifications. We have built our operations and assets to deliver and certify the highest levels of product quality and our proven track record of reliable deliveries enables us to charge premium prices for this certainty.
Our Production Plants, Logistics and Storage Capabilities
We procure low-grade wood fiber and process it into utility-grade wood pellets and load the finished wood pellets into railcars, trucks, and barges for transportation to deep-water marine terminals, where we receive, store and ultimately load our products onto dry bulk cargo oceangoing vessels for delivery to our customers.
We own and operate ten industrial-scale wood pellet production plants strategically located in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, geographic areas in which wood fiber resources are plentiful and readily available. We employ a “build-and-copy” approach to the construction of new capacity, which allows for efficiencies in the engineering, design,
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construction, and operation of our facilities. Furthermore, our multi-plant profile and scale provide us with flexibility under our portfolio of off-take contracts that enhances the reliability of our deliveries and provides opportunities for optimization.
Our facilities are designed to operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, although we schedule up to 15 days of planned maintenance for our wood pellet production plants during each calendar year. There are no regularly required major turnarounds or overhauls.
The following table describes our wood pellet production plants, all of which we wholly own:
| Plant Location | Year of Acquisition or Operations Commenced | Nameplate Production (MTPY) | Receiving Terminal Location | |||||||||||||||||
| Ahoskie, North Carolina | 2011 | 410,000 | Chesapeake | |||||||||||||||||
| Amory, Mississippi | 2010 | 115,000 | Mobile | |||||||||||||||||
| Cottondale, Florida | 2015 | 780,000 | Panama City | |||||||||||||||||
| Greenwood, South Carolina | 2020 | 600,000 | Wilmington | |||||||||||||||||
| Hamlet, North Carolina | 2019 | 600,000 | Wilmington | |||||||||||||||||
Lucedale, Mississippi(a) | 2021 | 750,000 | Pascagoula | |||||||||||||||||
| Northampton, North Carolina | 2013 | 750,000 | Chesapeake | |||||||||||||||||
Sampson, North Carolina | 2016 | 600,000 | Wilmington | |||||||||||||||||
| Southampton, Virginia | 2013 | 760,000 | Chesapeake | |||||||||||||||||
| Waycross, Georgia | 2020 | 800,000 | Savannah | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 6,165,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Wood Fiber Procurement and Sustainability
We and our customers are subject to stringent requirements regarding the sustainability of the fuels they procure. In addition to our internal sustainability policies and initiatives like our Responsible Sourcing Policy, our wood fiber procurement is conducted in accordance with leading forest certification standards, and we maintain multiple forest certifications. Our fiber supply chains are routinely audited by independent third parties, and we maintain the traceability of, and make public, information concerning the primary wood that is delivered to us directly from forests via our proprietary Track & Trace® system.
Our wood fiber demand is complementary to, rather than in competition with, demand for high-grade wood from most other forest-related industries, such as lumber and furniture. Demand for the non-merchantable fiber, waste products, or byproducts that we use is generally low; accordingly, the tops, limbs, and other low-grade wood fiber we purchase would otherwise generally be left on the forest floor, impeding reforestation, or burned.
Our fleet of production plants is sited in robust fiber baskets in the Southeast United States that sustainably support our growing operations with low-grade fiber. As a result of the fragmented nature of tract ownership in our sourcing areas, we procure raw materials from hundreds of landowners, loggers and timber industry participants, with no individual landowner representing a material fraction of any of our plants’ needs. Our wood fiber is procured under a variety of arrangements, including (1) logging contracts for the thinnings, pulpwood, and other unmerchandised low-grade fiber, (2) in-woods chipping contracts, and (3) contracts with timber dealers.
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Port Operations
The following table describes our owned and leased ports:
| Port Location | Throughput Capacity (MTPY) | Storage Capacity (MT) | Own/Lease(a) | |||||||||||||||||
| Chesapeake, Virginia | 2,500,000 | 90,000 | Own | |||||||||||||||||
Mobile, Alabama(b) | 115,000 | * | Lease | |||||||||||||||||
| Panama City, Florida | 780,000 | 32,000 | Lease | |||||||||||||||||
Pascagoula, Mississippi(c) | 3,000,000 | 90,000 | Own | |||||||||||||||||
Wilmington, North Carolina(d) | 3,000,000 | 90,000 | Lease | |||||||||||||||||
| Savannah, Georgia | 1,500,000 | 50,000 | Lease | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 10,895,000 | 352,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
(b) The Mobile terminal is a privately owned and maintained deep-water, multi-berth terminal that operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
(c) We are currently constructing a deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi; throughput capacity and storage capacity represents projected capacity after construction.
(d) We lease certain real property at North Carolina State Port Authority’s Wilmington, North Carolina marine terminal.
Our Contracts
We refer to the structure of our long-term sales contracts as “take-or-pay” because they include a firm obligation of the customer to take a fixed quantity of product at a stated price and provisions for us to be compensated in the event of the customer’s failure to accept all or a part of the contracted volumes or for termination of a contract by the customer.
We also have entered into several other contracts that have smaller off-take quantities than the contracts described above. In total, as of February 1, 2022, our backlog of fully contracted volumes under our existing take-or-pay contracts is $21.2 billion with a weighted-average remaining contract term of 14.5 years. Included in the backlog are contracts with 16 customers in jurisdictions ranging from the U.K., Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Japan.
In some cases, we may purchase shipments of product from third-party suppliers and resell them in back-to-back transactions.
Industry Overview
Our product, utility-grade wood pellets, is used in an increasing variety of applications around the world to help reduce the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions generated by our customers in energy generation and industrial processes.
For many of our customers, our wood pellets are used as a substitute for coal in both dedicated and co-fired power generation and combined heat and power plants. It enables major power, heat or combined heat and power generators (“generators”) to profitably generate electricity and heat in a manner that reduces the overall cost of compliance with certain mandatory greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions limits and renewable energy targets while also allowing countries to diversify their sources of electricity supply.
Unlike intermittent sources of renewable generation like wind and solar power, wood pellet-fired plants are capable of meeting baseload electricity demand and are dispatchable (that is, power output can be switched on or off or adjusted based on demand). As a result, utilities and major generators in Europe, Asia and other areas have made and continue to make long-term, profitable investments in power plant conversions and new builds of generating assets that either co-fire wood pellets with coal or are fully dedicated wood pellet-fired plants. Such developments help generators maintain and increase baseload generating capacity and comply with binding climate change regulations and other emissions reduction targets.
The capital costs required to convert a coal plant to co-fire biomass, or to burn biomass exclusively, are a fraction of the capital costs associated with implementing offshore wind and most other renewable technologies. Furthermore, the relatively quick process of converting coal-fired plants to biomass-fired generation can be an attractive benefit for generators whose generation assets are no longer viable as coal plants due to the expiration of operating permits, regulatory phase-out of coal-fired power generation, the introduction of taxes, or other restrictions on fossil fuel usage or emissions of GHGs and other pollutants.
There also continues to be significant demand growth in Europe and Asia for wood pellets as a preferred fuel source and renewable alternative to fossil fuels for district heating loops, residential and commercial heating, and the production of process heat for industrial sites.
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Increasingly, wood pellets are also being sought by hard-to-abate sectors to be used as bio-based raw material inputs to displace inputs to industrial processes formerly provided by fossil fuels. In addition to the customer applications outlined above, we have long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts in place with customers who will utilize our wood pellets as a raw material input in the refinement of bio-liquids like biodiesel and sustainably produced aviation fuel as well as heavy industrial manufacturing like lime, steel, and cement. As these markets further develop, we believe we will continue to have opportunities to serve this growing material demand beyond our current product sales backlog.
Competition
We compete with other utility-grade wood pellet producers for long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with major power and heat generation customers, trading houses, and increasingly with customers in hard-to-abate sectors. Competition in our industry is based on the price, quality, and consistency of the wood pellets produced, the reliability of wood pellet deliveries and the producer’s ability to verify and document, through customer and third-party audits, that their wood pellets meet the regulatory sustainability, and use requirements of a particular customer.
Most of the world’s current wood pellet production plants are owned by small, private companies, with few companies owning or operating multiple plants. Few companies have the scale, production, technical expertise, access to sustainable fiber baskets, or commercial infrastructure necessary to supply utility-grade wood pellets under large, long-term off-take contracts to creditworthy counterparties. We are the largest producer by production capacity and consider other companies with comparable scale, technical expertise, or commercial infrastructure to be our competitors, including AS Graanul Invest, Drax Biomass Inc., Fram Renewable Fuels, LLC, and Highland Pellets LLC.
Development Projects
Demand for our product continues to exceed available supply, industry-wide. In order to meet growing demand, we identify potentially attractive new locations for wood pellet production, and deep-water terminal operations, and secure control or ownership of these sites. The process of developing these sites includes permitting, designing, engineering, and ultimately constructing, commissioning, and operating new wood pellet production or terminaling capacity consistent with our “build and copy” strategy, whereby we replicate production, and terminaling assets consistent with the design and equipment selection of our then-current operating assets. We are currently developing a fully contracted wood pellet production plant in Epes, Alabama, which is designed and permitted to produce more than one million MTPY of wood pellets, and a potential plant site in Bond, Mississippi, and maintain a portfolio of 12 additional sites under consideration.
Governmental Regulations
Our operations are subject to stringent and comprehensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing matters including protection of the environment and natural resources, occupational health and safety, and the release or discharge of materials into the environment, including air emissions. Such laws and regulations may require us to obtain permits, limit or avoid certain operational practices, and incur costs for compliance or remediation. Failure to comply with such laws may also result in substantial liabilities, including possible fines and penalties, for unpermitted emissions or discharges from our operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory and remedial obligations, and the issuance of orders enjoining some or all of our operations in affected areas.
Moreover, the global trend in environmental regulation is towards increasingly broad and stringent requirements for activities that may affect the environment. Any changes in environmental laws and regulations or re‑interpretation of enforcement policies that result in more stringent and costly requirements could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial position. Although we monitor environmental requirements closely and budget for the expected costs, actual future expenditures may be different from the amounts we currently anticipate spending. Moreover, certain environmental laws impose strict joint and several liability for costs to clean up and restore sites where pollutants have been disposed or otherwise spilled or released, potentially resulting in significant costs and liabilities for remediation of resulting damage to property, natural resources, or persons. Although we believe that our competitors face similar environmental requirements, market factors may prevent us from passing on any increased costs to our customers. Additionally, although we believe that continued compliance with existing requirements will not materially adversely affect us, there is no assurance that the current levels of regulation will continue in the future.
The following summarizes some of the more significant existing environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations applicable to our operations, the failure to comply with which could have a material adverse impact on our capital expenditures, results of operations and financial position.
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Air Emissions
The federal Clean Air Act, as amended (the “CAA”), and state and local laws and regulations that implement and add to CAA requirements, regulate the emission of air pollutants from our facilities. The CAA and state and local laws and regulations impose significant monitoring, testing, recordkeeping and reporting requirements for these emissions. These laws and regulations require us to obtain pre-approval for the construction or modification of certain projects or facilities expected to produce or significantly increase air emissions, obtain and strictly comply with stringent air permit emission limits, and in certain cases utilize specific equipment or technologies to control and measure emissions. Obtaining these permits can be both costly and time intensive and has the potential to delay opening of new plants or significant expansion of existing plants; moreover, complying with these permits, including satisfying testing requirements, can be costly and time-intensive. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and permit requirements may cause us to face fines, penalties or injunctive orders in connection with air pollutant emissions from our operations.
The CAA requires that we obtain various construction and operating permits, including, in some cases, Title V air permits. In certain cases, the CAA requires us to incur capital expenditures to install air pollution control devices at our facilities. We are also required to control fugitive emissions from our operations and may face fines, penalties or injunctive orders in connection with fugitive emissions. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, substantial administrative, operating and capital expenditures to maintain compliance with CAA requirements that have been promulgated or may be promulgated or revised in the future.
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases
Our operations are subject to limited direct regulation with respect to emissions of GHGs. For example, at this time, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) requires certain large facilities to undergo CAA pre-construction review and obtain operating permits for their GHG emissions. Our operations are also indirectly affected by regulations regarding the carbon treatment of biomass. Several jurisdictions to which we ship our product have imposed regulations on the characterization of biomass as a carbon-neutral fuel, and any change that imposes more stringent regulations on the characterization of biomass as carbon-neutral could negatively impact demand for our products or require us to incur additional costs to achieve such characterization of our products. For more information, see our risk factor titled “Changes in the treatment of biomass could adversely impact our business.” Additionally, the SEC has announced its intention to promulgate rules requiring climate disclosures. Although the form and substance of such requirements is not yet known, they could result in additional compliance costs. Finally, scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as sea-level rise, increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and other climatic events, including forest fires. If any such effects were to occur, they could have an adverse effect on our operations.
Safety and Maintenance
We are subject to a number of federal and state laws and regulations, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended (“OSHA”), and comparable state statutes, the purpose of which is to protect the health and safety of workers. OSHA regulations impose various requirements, including with respect to training, policies and procedures and maintenance. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standards in the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and comparable state statutes require that information be maintained concerning hazardous materials used or produced in our operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local governmental authorities and citizens. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for combustible dust require our facilities to incorporate pollution control equipment such as cyclones, baghouses and electrostatic precipitators to minimize regulated emissions. Our deep-water marine terminals must also adhere to Homeland Security/U.S. Coast Guard regulations regarding physical security and emergency response plans. We continually strive to maintain compliance with applicable air, solid waste and wastewater regulations; nevertheless, we cannot guarantee that serious accidents will not occur in the future.
Seasonality
Our business is affected by seasonal fluctuations. The cost of producing wood pellets tends to be higher in the winter months because of increases in the cost of delivered raw materials, primarily due to a reduction in accessibility during cold and wet weather conditions. Our raw materials typically have higher moisture content during this period, resulting in a lower product yield; moreover, the cost of drying wood fiber increases during periods of lower ambient temperatures given greater energy required in the process of heating.
Human Capital
We believe our employees are our greatest asset and their safety is our top priority. We have been unrelenting in our commitment to the health and safety of our employees. Moreover, we continue to work to build diversity and inclusion among our
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employees and other stakeholders and making a long-lasting, positive impact in the communities in which we operate. As a company, we value keeping promises, acting with integrity, the determination to make a difference and the qualities of openness, humility and respect.
Through our human resources practices, we focus on attracting, developing and retaining talent to help enable our growth consistent with our values. In addition, we apply a talent framework to support our human resources objectives of recruiting and nurturing top talent, strengthening our succession planning to develop a pipeline of future leaders for key roles and driving a culture of accountability through a robust performance management process.
We had 1,196 employees as of December 31, 2021. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We have not experienced any employment-related work stoppages, and we consider relations with our employees to be good.
People make Enviva, and safety of our People has been our top priority since the first days of our business and is part of the company’s DNA. Maintaining safety in our daily 24/7 operations amongst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic brought Enviva’s best minds, systems, processes, and team back-up culture, together. Enviva finished 2021 with a Total Recordable Incident Rate of .91 compared to an industry average of 3.0.
We focus on attracting, developing, and retaining a team of highly talented and motivated employees. We offer our employees competitive pay and benefits including paid time off, multiple healthcare and insurance coverage options including premium free offerings, paid company holidays, and a 401(k) retirement plan. Employee performance is measured in part based on goals that are aligned with our annual objectives, and we recognize that our success is based on the talents and dedication of those we employ. Additionally, we look to support our employees both on and off the job site by offering benefits such as paid parental leave, a wellness reimbursement program, FSA dependent care, paid disability (short term/long term), and educational assistance. All of our full-time employees are bonus eligible and 20% of our employees are currently eligible for equity-based awards under our LTIP. We evaluate these programs annually to ensure our employees are compensated fairly and competitively.
In 2021, our commitment to career growth and development led us to deploy various in-person and online courses and presentations to give employees the opportunity to learn new skills, hone existing ones and deepen their understanding of our business as well as expose them to new ideas that challenge their way of thinking. We offered 20 technical skill trainings for our operators in our plants. We hosted our annual program called Enviva Days which is a development initiative focused on driving career development and employee engagement. In 2021, this event included 15 learning sessions over the course of one week. More than 500 Enviva employees participated from across 3 continents, 4 countries, and 7 U.S. states.
To achieve operational discipline in our hiring efforts, we follow a consistent hiring process across the organization. We recognize the need to fill roles and strive for a time-to-fill rate that aligns with internal benchmarks. Our current hiring process includes a pre-screen interview and cross-functional panel interview. Following recruitment, our onboarding program provides our new hires with the tools and information needed to succeed. These processes helped us maintain a total voluntary turnover rate of 27%.
We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. We believe in a workplace that promotes equality, transparency and accountability. Our policies and procedures seek to foster these values through regular trainings and employee engagement, such as annual trainings for 100% of our employees on workplace conduct and non-discrimination. We strive to engage with the local communities where our operations are based so that we can locate and support a diverse talent pool.
Additional information regarding our human resources initiatives can be found under the “People” section of our 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report which can be found on our website.
Principal Executive Offices
Our principal executive offices are located at 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1800, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other documents with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
We also make available free of charge our Annual Reports on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, simultaneously with or as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such materials with, or furnishing such materials to, the SEC and on or through our website, www.envivabiomass.com. The information on our website, or information about us on any other website, is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are many factors that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for dividends. New risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect financial performance. Each of the risks described below could adversely impact the value of our common stock.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in this Item 1A “Risk Factors.” These risks include the following:
•The Company’s ability to declare and pay dividends, and repurchase shares is subject to certain conditions.
•We will derive substantially all our revenues from six customers in 2022, five of which are located in Europe. If we fail to continue to diversify our customer base, our results of operations, business and financial position, and ability to pay dividends to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
•Changes in laws or government policies, incentives and taxes related to low-carbon and renewable energy may affect customer demand for our products.
•Challenges to or delays in the issuance of air permits, or our failure to comply with our permits, could impair our operations and ability to expand our production.
•Federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to forestry products and the potential for related litigation could result in increased costs, and additional operating restrictions and delays, which could cause a decline in the demand for our products and negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
•Increasing attention to environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters, including our net-zero goals or our failure to successfully achieve such goals, could adversely affect our business.
•We may be unable to complete our construction projects on time, and our construction costs could increase to levels that make the return on our investment less than expected.
•The satisfactory delivery of substantially all of our production is dependent on continuous access to infrastructure at our owned, leased and third-party-operated terminals. Loss of access to our ports of shipment and destination, including through failure of terminal equipment and port closures, could adversely affect our financial results and cash flows.
•Failure to maintain effective quality control systems at our production plants and deep-water marine terminals could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
•Our business is subject to operating hazards and other operational risks, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We may also not be adequately insured against such events.
•Significant increases in the cost, or decreases in the availability, of raw materials or sourced wood pellets could result in lower revenue, operating profits, and cash flows, or impede our ability to meet commitments to our customers.
•We are exposed to the credit risk of our contract counterparties, including the customers for our products, and any material nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
•The international nature of our business subjects us to a number of risks, including foreign exchange risk and unfavorable political, regulatory, and tax conditions in foreign countries.
•Changes to applicable tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our business, cash flows, and future profitability.
•We may issue additional shares without stockholder approval, which would dilute existing stockholder ownership interests.
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Risks Related to Our Business
We will derive substantially all our revenues from six customers in 2022, five of which are located in Europe. If we fail to continue to diversify our customer base, our results of operations, business and financial position and ability to pay dividends to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Our contracts with Drax, Lynemouth Power, MGT, RWE, Ørsted, and Sumitomo, five of which are located in Europe, will represent substantially all of our product sales volumes in 2022; as a result, we face counterparty and geographic concentration risk. The ability of each of our customers to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include the overall financial condition of the counterparty, the counterparty’s access to capital, the condition of the regional and global power, heat and combined heat and power generation industry, continuing regulatory and economic support for wood pellets as a fuel source, spot market pricing trends and general economic conditions. In addition, in depressed market conditions, our customers may no longer need the amount of our products they have contracted for or may be able to obtain comparable products at a lower price. If economic, political, regulatory or financial market conditions in Europe deteriorate and/or our customers experience a significant downturn in their business or financial condition, they may attempt to renegotiate, reject or declare force majeure under our contracts. Should any counterparty fail to honor its obligations under a contract with us, we could sustain losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for dividends. We may also decide to renegotiate our existing contracts on less favorable terms and/or at reduced volumes in order to preserve our relationships with our customers.
Upon the expiration of our off-take contracts, our customers may decide not to recontract on terms as favorable to us as our current contracts, or at all. For example, our current customers may acquire wood pellets from other providers that offer more competitive pricing or logistics or develop their own sources of wood pellets. Some of our customers could also exit their current business or be acquired by other companies that purchase wood pellets from other providers. The demand for wood pellets or their prevailing prices at the times at which our current off‑take contracts expire may also render entry into new long-term-off-take contracts difficult or impossible.
Any reduction in the amount of wood pellets purchased by our customers or our inability to renegotiate or replace our existing contracts on economically acceptable terms, or our failure to successfully penetrate new markets within and outside of Europe in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial position, as well as our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Termination penalties within our off-take contracts may not fully compensate us for our total economic losses.
Certain of our off-take contracts provide the customer with a right of termination for various events of convenience or changes in law or policy. Although some of these contracts are subject to certain protective termination payments, the termination payments made by our customers may not fully compensate us for losses. We may be unable to re-contract our production at favorable prices or at all, and our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, may be materially adversely affected as a result. Currently, we derive substantially all of our revenues from customers in Europe. If we fail to continue to diversify our customer base geographically within and outside of Europe in the future, our results of operations, business and financial position and ability to pay dividends to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Our long-term off-take contracts with our customers may only partially offset certain increases in our costs or preclude us from taking advantage of relatively high wood pellet prices in the broader markets.
Our long-term off-take contracts typically set base prices subject to annual price escalation and other pricing adjustments for changes in certain of our underlying costs of operations, including, in some cases, for stumpage or diesel fuel. However, such cost pass-through mechanisms may only pass a portion of our total costs through to our customers. If our operating costs increase significantly during the terms of our long-term off-take contracts beyond the levels of pricing and cost protection afforded to us under the terms of such contracts, our results of operations, business and financial position, and ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, could be adversely affected.
Moreover, during periods when the prevailing market price of wood pellets exceeds the prices under our long-term off-take contracts, our revenues could be significantly lower than they otherwise would have been were we not party to such contracts for substantially all our production. In addition, our current and future competitors may be in a better position than we are to take advantage of relatively high prices during such periods.
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The growth of our business depends in part on locating, developing, and acquiring interests in additional wood pellet production plants and marine terminals at favorable prices.
Our business strategy includes growing our business through construction, and greenfield facilities, and third-party acquisitions that increase our cash generated from operations. Various factors could affect the availability of attractive projects to grow our business, including:
•our failure to complete development projects in a timely manner or at all, which could result from, among other things, permitting challenges, failure to procure requisite financing or equipment, construction difficulties or an inability to obtain off‑take contracts on acceptable terms; and
•fewer accretive third‑party acquisition opportunities than we expect, which could result from, among other things, available projects having less desirable economic returns, competition, anti‑trust concerns, or higher risk profiles than we believe suitable for our business plan and investment strategy.
Any of these factors could prevent us from executing our growth strategy or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
We may be unable to make attractive acquisitions, and any acquisitions we make will be subject to substantial risks that could adversely impact our business.
We may consummate acquisitions we believe will be attractive, but result in a decrease in our cash flow from operating activities per share. Any acquisition involves potential risks, some of which are beyond our control, including:
•mistaken assumptions about revenues and costs, including synergies;
•the inability to successfully integrate businesses we acquire;
•the inability to hire, train or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our business and newly acquired assets;
•the assumption of unknown liabilities;
•limitations on our access to indemnification from the seller;
•incorrect assumptions about the overall costs of equity or debt;
•the diversion of management’s attention to other business concerns;
•unforeseen difficulties in connection with operating newly acquired assets or in new geographic areas;
•customer or key employee losses at acquired businesses; and
•the inability to meet obligations in off‑take or other contracts associated with acquisitions.
If we consummate any future acquisitions, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly, and our stockholders will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial, and other relevant information that we will consider in determining the application of our funds, and other resources to acquisitions.
The Company's ability to declare and pay dividends, and repurchase shares is subject to certain considerations.
Dividends are authorized and determined by the Company's board of directors in its sole discretion. Decisions regarding the payment of dividends and the repurchase of shares are subject to a number of considerations, including:
•cash available for dividends or repurchases;
•the Company's results of operations and anticipated future results of operations;
•the Company's financial condition, especially in relation to the anticipated future capital needs;
•the level of cash reserves the Company may establish to fund future capital expenditures;
•the Company's stock price; and
•other factors the board of directors deems relevant.
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The Company can provide no assurance that it will continue to pay dividends or authorize share repurchases at the current rate or at all. Any elimination of or downward revision in the Company's dividend payout or stock repurchase program could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company's common stock.
Regulatory and Litigation Risks
Changes in laws or government policies, incentives and taxes related to low-carbon and renewable energy may affect customer demand for our products.
Consumers of utility-grade wood pellets currently use our products either as part of a binding obligation to generate a certain percentage of low-carbon energy or because they receive direct or indirect financial support or incentives to do so. Financial support is often necessary to cover the generally higher costs of wood pellets compared to conventional fossil fuels like coal. In most countries, once the government implements a tax (e.g., the U.K.’s carbon price floor tax) or a preferable tariff or specific renewable energy policy either supporting a renewable energy generator or the energy generating sector as a whole, such tax, tariff or policy is guaranteed for a specified period of time, sometimes for the investment lifetime of a generator’s project. However, governmental policies that currently support the use of biomass may adversely modify their tax, tariff or incentive regimes, and the future availability of such taxes, tariffs or incentive regimes, either in current jurisdictions beyond the prescribed timeframes or in new jurisdictions, is uncertain. Demand for wood pellets could be substantially lower than expected if government support is removed, reduced or delayed or, in the future, is insufficient to enable successful deployment of biomass power at the levels currently projected. In addition, regulatory changes such as new requirements to install additional pollution control technology could require us to curtail or amend operations to meet new greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emission limits. This may also affect demand for our products in addition to increasing our operational costs.
Biomass energy generation requires the use of biomass that is derived from acceptable sources and is demonstrably sustainable. This typically is implemented through biomass sustainability criteria, which either are a mandatory element of eligibility for financial subsidies to biomass energy generators or will become mandatory in the future. For more information, see our risk factor titled “Changes in the treatment of biomass could adversely impact our business.” As a biomass fuel supplier, the viability of our business is therefore dependent on our ability to comply with such requirements. This may restrict the types of biomass we can use and the geographic regions from which we source our raw materials, and may require us to reduce the GHG emissions associated with our supply and production processes.
Currently, some elements of the criteria with which we must comply, including rules relating to forest management practices and carbon accounting, are under revision. Certain requirements, such as the regulations in place in jurisdictions from which we source biomass, may be beyond our ability to control. If different sustainability requirements are adopted in the future, demand for our products could be materially reduced in certain markets, and our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, may be materially adversely affected.
Challenges to or delays in the issuance of air permits, or our failure to comply with our permits, could impair our operations and ability to expand our production.
Our plants are subject to the requirements of the Clean Air Act and must either receive minor source permits from the states in which they are located or a major source permit, which is subject to the approval of the EPA. In general, our facilities are eligible for minor source permits following the application of pollution control technologies. However, we could experience substantial delays with respect to obtaining such permits, including as a result of any challenges to the issuance of our permits or other factors, which could impair our ability to operate our wood pellet production plants or expand our production capacity. In addition, any new air permits we receive could require that we incur additional expenses to install emissions control technologies, limit our operations and impede our ability to satisfy emission limitations and/or stringent testing requirements to demonstrate compliance therewith. Failure to meet such requirements could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Federal, state, and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to forestry products and the potential for related litigation could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions and delays, which could cause a decline in the demand for our products and negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our raw materials are byproducts of traditional timber management and harvesting, principally low-value wood materials such as thinnings and the tops and limbs of trees that are generated in a harvest and industrial residuals (chips, sawdust and other wood industry byproducts). Commercial forestry is regulated by complex regulatory frameworks at the federal, state and local levels. Among other federal laws, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act have been applied to commercial forestry operations through agency regulations and court decisions, as well as through the delegation to states to implement and monitor compliance with such laws. State forestry laws, as well as land-use regulations and zoning ordinances at the local level,
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are also used to manage forests in the Southeastern United States, as well as other regions from which we may need to source raw materials in the future. Any new or modified laws or regulations at any of these levels could have the effect of reducing forestry operations in areas where we procure our raw materials and consequently may prevent us from purchasing raw materials in an economic manner, or at all. In addition, future regulation of, or litigation concerning, the use of timberlands, the protection of endangered species, the promotion of forest biodiversity and the response to and prevention of wildfires, as well as litigation, campaigns or other measures advanced by special interest groups, could also reduce the availability of the raw materials required for our operations.
Changes in the treatment of biomass could adversely impact our business.
Multiple regulatory agencies, including in jurisdictions where we sell our products, have noted that biomass can support a transition away from fossil fuels and towards a more sustainable energy sector. However, when poorly managed, use of biomass can be related to land conversion, biodiversity and GHG emissions. Therefore, various rules have been issued to regulate the sustainability claims associated with the use of biomass, which in turn may require us to adopt certain practices in our operations.
For example, the European Union has promulgated directives on renewable energy that, among other things, establish targets for renewable energy supply and establish certain sustainability requirements for biomass, including requirements related to carbon stocks and land use. If the wood pellets we produce do not conform to these or future requirements, our customers would not be able to count energy generated therefrom towards these renewable energy goals, which could decrease demand for our products. Biomass has been under additional regulatory scrutiny in recent years to develop standards to safeguard against adverse environmental effects from its use. Although regulators continue to consider biomass harvested with certain practices to be sustainable, certain special interest groups that focus on environmental issues have expressed their opposition to the use of biomass, both publicly and directly, to domestic and foreign regulators, policy makers, power, heat or combined heat and power generators (“generators”) and other industrial users of biomass. These groups are also actively lobbying, litigating and undertaking other actions domestically and abroad in an effort to increase the regulation of, reduce or eliminate the incentives and support for, or otherwise delay, interfere with or impede the production and use of biomass for or by generators. In response to such concerns, the Biden Administration withdrew from pre-publication review a pending rulemaking to characterize biomass as carbon-neutral for CAA purposes in the United States. While we do not currently sell a significant portion of our products in the United States, any changes in the treatment of biomass in jurisdictions where we sell or plan to sell our products could materially adversely affect our results of operations, business and financial condition, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Our operations are subject to stringent environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations that may expose us to significant costs and liabilities.
Our operations are subject to stringent federal, regional, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern environmental protection, occupational health and safety, the release or discharge of materials into the environment, air emissions, wastewater discharges, the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites and allocation of liability for cleanup of such sites. These laws and regulations may restrict or impact our business in many ways, including by requiring us to acquire permits or other approvals to conduct regulated activities, limiting our air emissions or wastewater discharges or requiring us to install costly equipment to control, reduce or treat such emissions or discharges and impacting our ability to modify or expand our operations. We may be required to make significant capital and operating expenditures to comply with these laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of investigatory or remedial obligations, suspension or revocation of permits and the issuance of orders limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. Adoption of new or modified environmental laws and regulations may impair the operation of our business, delay or prevent expansion of existing facilities or construction of new facilities and otherwise result in increased costs and liabilities, which may be material.
The actions of certain special interest groups could adversely impact our business.
Certain special interest groups that focus on environmental issues have expressed their opposition to the use of biomass, both publicly and directly to domestic and foreign regulators, policy makers, power, heat or combined heat and power generators (“generators”) and other industrial users of biomass. These groups are also actively lobbying, litigating and undertaking other actions domestically and abroad in an effort to increase the regulation of, reduce or eliminate the incentives and support for, or otherwise delay, interfere with or impede the production and use of biomass for or by generators. Such efforts, if successful, could materially adversely affect our results of operations, business and financial condition, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
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Increasing attention to ESG matters, including our net-zero goals or our failure to achieve such goals, could adversely affect our business.
Increasing social and political attention to climate change and other environmental and social impacts may result in increased costs, changes in demand for certain types of products or means of production, enhanced compliance obligations, or other negative impacts to our business or our financial condition. Although we may participate in various voluntary frameworks and certification programs to improve the ESG profile of our operations and product, we cannot guarantee that such participation or certification will have the intended results on our ESG profile.
We create and publish voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters from time to time, but many of the statements in those voluntary disclosures are based on our expectations and assumptions, which may require substantial discretion and forecasts about costs and future developments. Such expectations and assumptions are also complicated by the lack of an established framework for identifying, measuring, and reporting on many ESG matters. Moreover, in February 2021, we announced our intention to become carbon-neutral in our operations by 2030 and to publicly report our progress against this goal. For more information, see “Recent Developments—Commitment to Achieve Carbon Neutral Operations.” Our estimates concerning the timing and cost of implementing our goals are subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are outside of our control. We also may face greater scrutiny as a result of our announcement and publication of our progress, and our failure to successfully achieve our voluntary net-zero goals, or the manner in which we achieve some or any portion of our goals, could lead to adverse press coverage or other public attention. Moreover, despite these the voluntary nature of our net-zero goal, we may receive pressure from external sources, such as lenders, investors, or other groups, to adopt more aggressive climate or other ESG-related goals; however, we may not agree that such goals will be appropriate for our business, and we may not be able to implement such goals because of potential costs or technical or operational obstacles.
In addition, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed rating processes on evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters. Such ratings are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us, our customers, or our industry, which could negatively impact our share price as well as our access to and cost of capital. Finally, to the extent ESG matters negatively impact our reputation, we may not be able to compete as effectively to recruit or retain employees, which may adversely affect our operations.
Operational Risks
We may be unable to complete our construction projects on time, and our construction costs could increase to levels that make the return on our investment less than expected.
We may face delays or unexpected developments in completing our current or future construction projects, including as a result of our failure to timely obtain the equipment, services or access to infrastructure necessary for the operation of our projects at budgeted costs, maintain all necessary rights to land access and use and/or obtain and/or maintain environmental and other permits or approvals. These circumstances could prevent our construction projects from commencing operations or from meeting our original expectations concerning timing, operational performance, the capital expenditures necessary for their completion and the returns they will achieve. Our inability to complete and transition our construction projects into financially successful operating projects on time and within budget could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business, and financial position, and cash flows.
The satisfactory delivery of substantially all of our production is dependent on continuous access to infrastructure at our owned, leased and third-party-operated terminals. Loss of access to our ports of shipment and destination, including through failure of terminal equipment and port closures, could adversely affect our financial results and cash available for dividends.
Substantially all of our production is dependent on infrastructure at our owned, leased and third-party-operated ports. Should we suffer a catastrophic failure of the equipment at these ports or otherwise experience port closures, including for security or weather-related reasons, we could be unable to fulfill off‑take obligations or incur substantial additional transportation costs, which would reduce our cash flow. Moreover, we rely on various ports of destination, as well as third parties who provide stevedoring or other services at our ports of shipment and destination or from whom we charter oceangoing vessels and crews, to transport our product to our customers. Loss of access to these ports for any reason, or failure of such third-party service providers to uphold their contractual obligations, may impact our ability to fulfill our obligations under our off-take contracts, cause interruptions to our shipping schedule and cause us to incur substantial additional transportation or other costs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Failure to maintain effective quality control systems at our production plants and deep-water marine terminals could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations.
Our customers require a reliable supply of wood pellets that meet stringent product specifications. We have built our operations and assets to consistently deliver and certify the highest levels of product quality and performance, which is critical to the success of our business and depends significantly on the effectiveness of our quality control systems, including the design and efficacy of our quality control systems, the success of our quality training program and our ability to ensure that our employees and contract counterparties adhere to our quality control policies and guidelines. Moreover, any significant failure or deterioration of our quality control systems could impact our ability to deliver product that meets our customers’ specifications and, in turn, could lead to rejection of our product by our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business is subject to operating hazards and other operational risks, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We may also not be adequately insured against such events.
Our business could be materially adversely affected by operating hazards and other risks to our operations. We produce a combustible product that may under certain circumstances present a risk of fires and explosions or other hazards. Moreover, severe weather, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, climatic phenomena, such as drought, and other catastrophic events, such as plant or shipping disasters, could impact our operations by causing damage to our facilities and equipment, affecting our ability to deliver our product to our customers and impacting our customers’ ability to take delivery of our products. Such events may also adversely affect the ability of our suppliers or service providers to provide us with the raw materials or services we require or the ability to load, transport and unload our product.
In addition, the scientific community has concluded that severe weather will increase in frequency and intensity as result of increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere, and that climate change will have significant physical effects, including sea-level rise, increased frequency and severity of hurricanes and other storms, flooding, drought and forest fires. We and our suppliers operate in coastal and wooded areas in geographic regions that are susceptible to such climate impacts.
We maintain insurance policies to mitigate against certain risks related to our business, in types and amounts that we believe are reasonable depending on the circumstances surrounding each identified risk; however, we may not be fully insured against all operating hazards and other operational risks incident to our business. Furthermore, we may be unable to maintain or obtain insurance of the type and amount we desire at reasonable rates, if at all. As a result of market conditions and certain claims we may make under our insurance policies, premiums and deductibles for certain of our insurance policies could escalate. In some instances, insurance could become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage or at unreasonable rates. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we are not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash available for dividends to our stockholders.
We may be required to make substantial capital expenditures to maintain and improve our facilities.
Although we currently use a portion of our cash generated from our operations to maintain, develop and improve our assets and facilities, such investment may, over time, be insufficient to preserve the operating profile required for us to meet our planned profitability or meet the evolving quality and product specifications demanded by our customers. Moreover, our current and future construction and other capital projects may be capital-intensive or suffer cost-overruns. Accordingly, if we exceed our budgeted capital expenditures and/or additional capital expenditures become necessary in the future and we are unable to execute our construction, maintenance or improvement programs successfully, within budget, and in a timely manner, our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to generate cash flows, may be materially adversely affected.
Our business and operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations.
Our business is affected by seasonal fluctuations. The cost of producing wood pellets tends to be higher in the winter months because of increases in the cost of delivered raw materials, primarily due to a reduction in accessibility during cold and wet weather conditions. Our raw materials typically have higher moisture content during this period, resulting in a lower product yield; moreover, the cost of drying wood fiber increases during periods of lower ambient temperatures.
The increase in demand for power and heat during the winter months drives greater customer demand for wood pellets. As some of our wood pellet supply to our customers are sourced from third-party purchases, we may experience higher wood pellet costs and a reduction in our gross margin during the winter months. These seasonal fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cause comparisons of operating measures between consecutive quarters to not be as meaningful as comparisons between longer reporting periods.
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We are exposed to construction and development risks related to our projects.
Historically, we acquired wood pellet production plants and marine export terminals that had either already commenced commercial operations or received financial support from our former sponsor to mitigate the risk associated with the construction and ramp of such assets. Following the Simplification Transaction, we will receive certain fixed payments from certain owners of our former sponsor associated with its existing obligations related to prior drop-downs and other transactions; however, such payments may be insufficient to fully compensate us for cost overruns, production delays, or other adverse developments. Furthermore, we remain exposed to the risks associated with our organic growth initiatives and will be fully exposed to the risks associated with any new development or construction activities.
We expect to experience an increase in capital expenditures and general and administrative expenses related to our development and construction activities, which may be substantial. We may face delays or unexpected developments in completing our current or future construction projects, including as a result of our failure to timely obtain the equipment, services or access to infrastructure necessary for the operation of our projects at budgeted costs, maintain all necessary rights to land access and use and obtain and maintain environmental and other permits or approvals. These circumstances could prevent our construction projects from commencing operations or meeting our original expectations concerning timing, operational performance, the capital expenditures necessary for their completion and the returns they will achieve. Moreover, design, development and construction activities associated with a project may occur over an extended period of time, but may generate little or no revenue or cash flow until the project is placed into commercial service. This mis-match in timing could reduce our available liquidity. Our inability to complete and transition our construction projects into financially successful operating projects on time and within budget or the failure of our projects to generate expected returns could have a material adverse impact our liquidity, results of operations, business and financial position, as well as our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Market and Credit Risks
Significant increases in the cost, or decreases in the availability, of raw materials or sourced wood pellets could result in lower revenue, operating profits and cash flows, or impede our ability to meet commitments to our customers.
We purchase wood fiber from third-party landowners and other suppliers for use at our plants. Our reliance on third parties to secure wood fiber exposes us to potential price volatility and unavailability of such raw materials, and the associated costs may exceed our ability to pass through such price increases under our contracts with our customers. Further, delays or disruptions in obtaining wood fiber may result from a number of factors affecting our suppliers, including extreme weather, production or delivery disruptions, inadequate logging capacity, labor disputes, impaired financial condition of a particular supplier, the inability of suppliers to comply with regulatory or sustainability requirements or decreased availability of raw materials. In addition, other companies, whether or not in our industry, could procure wood fiber within our procurement areas and adversely change regional market dynamics, resulting in insufficient quantities of raw material or higher prices.
Any interruption or delay in the supply of wood fiber, or our inability to obtain wood fiber at acceptable prices in a timely manner, could impair our ability to meet the demands of our customers and expand our operations
In addition to our production, we purchase wood pellets produced by other suppliers to fulfill our obligations under our portfolio of long-term off-take contracts or take advantage of market dislocations on an opportunistic basis. Any reliance on other wood pellet producers exposes us to the risk that such suppliers will fail to satisfy their obligations to us pursuant to the associated off-take contracts, including by failing to timely meet quality specifications and volume requirements. Any such failure could increase our costs or prevent us from meeting our commitments to our customers.
The materialization of any of the foregoing risks could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, business, and financial position, and cash generated from our operations.
We are exposed to the credit risk of our contract counterparties, including the customers for our products, and any material nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers could adversely affect our financial results, and cash generated from our operations.
We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our contract counterparties, including our long-term off-take customers and suppliers. Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to fully eliminate counterparty credit risk. If we fail to adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers or suppliers, or if their creditworthiness deteriorates unexpectedly, any resulting nonpayment or nonperformance by them could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, business and financial position, and cash generated from our operations.
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Impacts to the cost or availability of transportation and other infrastructure could reduce our revenues.
Disruptions to or increases in the cost of local or regional transportation services and other forms of infrastructure, such as electricity, due to shortages of vessels, barges, railcars or trucks, weather-related problems, flooding, drought, accidents, mechanical difficulties, bankruptcy, strikes, lockouts, bottlenecks or other events could increase our costs, temporarily impair our ability to deliver products to our customers and might, in certain circumstances, constitute a force majeure event under our customer contracts, permitting our customers to suspend taking delivery of and paying for our products.
In addition, persistent disruptions in our access to infrastructure may force us to halt production as we reach storage capacity at our facilities. Accordingly, if the primary transportation services we use to transport our products are disrupted, and we are unable to find alternative transportation providers, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial position, and cash generated from our operations.
We compete with other wood pellet producers and, if growth in domestic and global demand for wood pellets meets or exceeds management’s expectations, the competition within our industry may grow significantly.
We compete with other wood pellet production companies for the customers to whom we sell our products. Other current producers of utility‑grade wood pellets include AS Graanul Invest, Drax Biomass Inc., Fram Renewable Fuels, LLC, and Highland Pellets LLC. Competition in our industry is based on price, consistency and quality of product, site location, distribution and logistics capabilities, customer service, creditworthiness and reliability of supply. Some of our competitors may have greater financial and other resources than we do, may develop technology superior to ours or may have production plants sited in more advantageous locations from a logistics, procurement or other cost perspective.
In addition, we expect global demand for solid biomass to increase significantly in the coming years. This demand growth may lead to a significant increase in the production levels of our existing competitors and may incentivize new, well‑capitalized competitors to enter the industry, both of which could reduce the demand and the prices we are able to obtain under future off‑take contracts. Significant price decreases or reduced demand could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial position, and cash generated from our operations.
Financial Risks
Our level of indebtedness may increase, thereby reducing our financial flexibility.
As of December 31, 2021, our total debt was $1.3 billion, which primarily consisted of $0.750 billion outstanding under our 6.5% senior unsecured notes due 2026. In January 2022, we issued common stock and used the net proceeds of $0.346 billion to reduce our total debt. In the future, we may incur additional indebtedness in order to make acquisitions or to develop our properties. Our level of indebtedness could affect our operations in several ways, including the following:
•a significant portion of our cash flows could be used to service our indebtedness;
•the covenants contained in the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness may limit our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets, pay dividends, and make certain investments;
•our debt covenants may also affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in our industry;
•a high level of debt would increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•a high level of debt may place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may be less leveraged and therefore may be able to take advantage of opportunities that our indebtedness would prevent us from pursuing; and
•a high level of debt may impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions, or general corporate or other purposes.
In addition, revolving borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility bear, and potentially other credit facilities we or our subsidiaries may enter into in the future will bear, interest at variable rates. If market interest rates increase, such variable‑rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flow.
In addition to our debt service obligations, our operations require substantial expenditures on a continuing basis. Our ability to make scheduled debt payments, to refinance our obligations with respect to our indebtedness and to fund capital and non‑capital expenditures necessary to maintain the condition of our operating assets and properties, as well as to provide
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capacity for the growth of our business, depends on our financial and operating performance. General economic conditions and financial, business and other factors affect our operations and our future performance. Many of these factors are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to pay the interest on our debt, and future working capital borrowings or debt or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt.
Our exposure to risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations, as well as the hedging arrangements we may enter into to mitigate those risks, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may experience foreign currency exchange and interest rate volatility in our business. We use hedging transactions with respect to certain of our off-take contracts which are, in part or in whole, denominated in foreign currencies, and are party to interest rate swaps with respect to a portion of our variable rate debt, in an effort to achieve more predictable cash flow and to reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations.
In addition, there may be instances in which costs and revenue will not be matched with respect to currency denomination. As a result, to the extent that existing and future off-take contracts are not denominated in U.S. Dollars, it is possible that increasing portions of our revenue, costs, assets and liabilities will be subject to fluctuations in foreign currency valuations.
Our hedging transactions involve cost and risk and may not be effective at mitigating our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates. Although the use of hedging transactions limits our downside risk, their use may also limit future revenues. Risks inherent in our hedging transactions include the risk that counterparties to hedging contracts may be unable to perform their obligations and the risk that the terms of such contracts will not be legally enforceable. Likewise, our hedging activities may be ineffective or may not fully offset the financial impact of foreign currency exchange or interest rates fluctuations, which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, business and financial position, and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
General Risk Factors
Our business may suffer if we lose, or are unable to attract and retain, key personnel.
We depend to a large extent on the services of our senior management team and other key personnel. Members of our senior management and other key employees collectively have extensive expertise in designing, building and operating wood pellet production plants or marine terminals, negotiating long‑term off-take contracts and managing businesses such as ours. Competition for management and key personnel is intense, and the pool of qualified candidates is limited. The loss of any of these individuals or the failure to attract additional personnel, as needed, could have a material adverse effect on our operations and could lead to higher labor costs or reliance on less qualified personnel. In addition, if any of our executives or other key employees were to join a competitor or form a competing company, we could lose customers, suppliers, know-how and key personnel. Our success is dependent on our ability to continue to attract, employ and retain highly skilled personnel.
The international nature of our business subjects us to a number of risks, including foreign exchange risk and unfavorable political, regulatory and tax conditions in foreign countries.
Substantially all of our current product sales are to customers that operate outside of the United States. As a result, we face certain risks inherent in maintaining international operations that include foreign exchange movements, restrictions on foreign trade and investment, including currency exchange controls imposed by or in other countries and trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make our products less competitive in some countries.
Changes to applicable tax laws and regulations or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our business, cash flows and future profitability.
We are subject to various complex and evolving U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. taxes. U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax laws, policies, statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances could be interpreted, changed, modified or applied adversely to us, in each case, possibly with retroactive effect, and may have an adverse effect on our business, cash flows and future profitability. For example, several tax proposals have been set forth that would, if enacted, make significant changes to U.S. tax laws. Such proposals include, but are not limited to, (i) an increase in the U.S. income tax rate applicable to corporations (such as us) from 21% to 28%, (ii) the imposition of a minimum tax on book income for certain corporations and (iii) the imposition of an excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases that would be borne by the corporation repurchasing such stock. The U.S. Congress may consider, and could include, some or all of these proposals in connection with tax reform that may be undertaken. In addition, state and local and non-U.S. tax authorities may impose changes to their tax laws, regulations, policies, or ordinances that impact us. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted and, if enacted,
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how soon any such changes could take effect. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals and other similar changes in tax laws could adversely affect our business, cash flows and future profitability.
Labor strikes or work stoppages by our employees could harm our business.
Unionization activities could occur among non-union employees. If union employees strike, participate in a work stoppage or slowdown or engage in other forms of labor strike, it could lead to disruptions in our business, increases in our operating costs and constraints on our operating flexibility. Strikes, work stoppages or an inability to negotiate future collective bargaining agreements on commercially reasonable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Uncertainty relating to the London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) calculation process and potential phasing out of LIBOR in 2023 may adversely affect our current or future debt obligations, including our senior secured revolving credit facility.
On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021, which was extended through June 2023 for U.S. dollar LIBOR values. At this time, it is not possible to predict what such phase out, alternative reference rates or other reforms, if they occur, will have on the amount of interest paid on, or the market value of, our current or future debt obligations, including our senior secured revolving credit facility.
Our business is subject to cybersecurity risks.
As is typical of modern businesses, we are reliant on the continuous and uninterrupted operation of our information technology (“IT”) systems. User access and security of our sites and IT systems can be critical elements of our operations, as are cloud security and protection against cybersecurity incidents. Any IT failure pertaining to availability, access or system security could potentially result in disruption of our activities and personnel, and could adversely affect our reputation, operations or financial performance. Potential risks to our IT systems could include unauthorized attempts to extract business-sensitive, confidential or personal information, denial of access, extortion, corruption of information, or disruption of business processes. A cybersecurity incident resulting in a security breach or failure to identify a security threat could disrupt our business and could result in the loss of sensitive, confidential information or other assets, as well as litigation, regulatory enforcement, violation of privacy or securities laws and regulations, and remediation costs, all of which could materially impact our reputation, operations or financial performance.
A terrorist attack or armed conflict could harm our business.
Terrorist activities and armed conflicts could adversely affect the U.S. and global economies and could prevent us from meeting financial and other obligations or prevent our customers from meeting their obligations to us. We could experience loss of business, delays or defaults in payments from customers or disruptions of fuel supplies and markets, including if domestic and global generators are direct targets or indirect casualties of an act of terror or war. Terrorist activities and the threat of potential terrorist activities and any resulting economic downturn could adversely affect our results of operations, impair our ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely impact our ability to realize certain business strategies.
If the price of our common stock fluctuates significantly, your investment could lose value.
Although our common stock is listed on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or “float” for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, investors may be unable to liquidate their investment in us. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including; our quarterly or annual operating results; changes in our earnings estimates; investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business or our industry; additions or departures of key personnel; changes in the business, earnings estimates or market perceptions of our competitors; our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts’ projections; changes in industry, general market or economic conditions; and announcements of legislative or regulatory changes.
The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur
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without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as Delaware law, contain provisions that could discourage acquisition bids or merger proposals, which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval. If our board of directors elects to issue preferred stock, it could be more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders, including:
•advance notice provisions for stockholder proposals and nominations for elections to the board of directors to be acted upon at meetings of stockholders; and
•limitations on the ability of our stockholders to call special meetings.
Delaware law prohibits us from engaging in any business combination with any “interested stockholder,” meaning generally that a stockholder who beneficially owns more than 15% of our stock cannot acquire us for a period of three years from the date this person became an interested stockholder, unless various conditions are met, such as approval of the transaction by our board of directors.
The corporate opportunity provisions in our certificate of incorporation could enable affiliates of ours to benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us.
Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things; permits us to enter into transactions with entities in which one or more of our officers or directors are financially or otherwise interested; permits any of our stockholders, officers or directors to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and provides that if any director or officer of one of our affiliates who is also one of our officers or directors becomes aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter (other than one expressly offered to that director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer), that director or officer will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us, and will be permitted to communicate or offer that opportunity to such affiliates and that director or officer will not be deemed to have (i) acted in a manner inconsistent with his or her fiduciary or other duties to us regarding the opportunity or (ii) acted in bad faith or in a manner inconsistent with our best interests.
These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity that would otherwise be available to us may be used for the benefit of one of our affiliates.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Information regarding our properties is contained in Part I, Item 1. “Business” and Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that we are a party to any litigation that will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
On December 31, 2021, the Company completed its conversion from a Delaware limited partnership named Enviva Partners, LP to a Delaware corporation named Enviva Inc. As a result of and at the effective date of the Conversion, each common unit representing a limited partner interest in Enviva Partners, LP issued and outstanding immediately prior to the conversion was automatically converted into one share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Enviva Inc.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “EVA.”
Holders of Record
As of February 28, 2022, there were 66.6 million shares of common stock outstanding held by 47 stockholders of record. Because many shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of our stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these stockholders of record.
Dividend Policy
Subsequent to the Conversion, we intend to continue to pay a quarterly dividend to our stockholders in line with the levels of cash distributions per unit that we paid to unitholders of Enviva Partners, LP prior to the Conversion. However, the decision to pay future dividends is solely within the discretion of, and subject to approval by, our board of directors. Our board of directors’ determination with respect to any such dividends, including the record date, the payment date and the actual amount of the dividend, will depend upon our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors that the board deems relevant at the time of such determination.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
Please read Part III, Item 12. “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters—Equity Compensation Plan Information” for information regarding our equity compensation plans.
Unregistered Sales of Securities.
We did not have any sales of unregistered equity securities during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 that we have not previously reported on a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or a Current Report on Form 8-K.
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ITEM 6. RESERVED
Not applicable.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of our historical performance, financial condition and future prospects should be read in conjunction with Part I, Item 1. “Business” and the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
On December 31, 2021, Enviva Partners, LP (the “Partnership”) converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”) named “Enviva Inc.” References to “Enviva,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to (i) Enviva Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods following the Conversion and (ii) Enviva Partners, LP and its subsidiaries for periods prior to the Conversion, except where the context otherwise requires. References to common units for periods prior to the Conversion refer to common units of Enviva Partners, LP, and references to common stock for periods following the Conversion refer to shares of common stock of Enviva Inc. As a result of the Conversion, the primary financial impact to the consolidated financial statements contained herein consisted of (i) reclassification of partnership capital accounts to equity accounts reflective of a corporation and (ii) income tax effects.
References to “our former sponsor” refer to Enviva Holdings, LP, and, where applicable, its wholly owned subsidiaries Enviva MLP Holdco, LLC and Enviva Development Holdings, LLC. References to “our former General Partner” refer to Enviva Partners GP, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Enviva Holdings, LP. Please read Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward‑Looking Statements on page 1 and Part 1, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” for information regarding certain risks inherent in our business.
Business Overview
We are a growth-oriented company originally formed as a Delaware limited partnership in 2013 that converted to a Delaware corporation named “Enviva Inc.” We develop, construct, acquire, and own and operate, fully contracted wood pellet production plants where we aggregate a natural resource, wood fiber, and process it into dry, densified, uniform pellets that can be effectively stored and transported around the world. We primarily sell our wood pellets through long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with creditworthy customers in the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Japan, who use our pellets to displace coal and other fossil fuels to generate renewable power and heat as part of their efforts to accelerate the energy transition from conventional energy generation to renewable energy generation. Increasingly, our customers are also using our pellets as renewable raw material inputs to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, lime, chemicals, and aviation fuels. Collectively, the wood pellets we produce are viewed by our customers as a critical component of their efforts to reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions in their core energy generation or industrial manufacturing processes, and mitigate the impact of climate change.
We own and operate ten plants (collectively, “our plants”) with a combined production capacity of approximately 6.2 million metric tons (“MT”) of wood pellets per year (“MTPY”) in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi, the production of which is fully contracted, with many of our contracts extending well into the 2040s. We export our wood pellets to global markets through our deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Chesapeake, Virginia, terminal assets at the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and from third-party deep-water marine terminals in Savannah, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and Panama City, Florida. All of our facilities are located in geographic regions with low input costs and favorable transportation logistics. Owning these cost-advantaged assets in a rapidly expanding industry provides us with a platform to generate stable and growing cash flows. Our plants are sited in robust fiber baskets providing stable pricing for the low-grade fiber used to produce wood pellets. Our raw materials are byproducts of traditional timber harvesting, principally low-value wood materials, such as trees generally not suited for sawmilling or other manufactured forest products, and tree tops and limbs, understory, brush, and slash that are generated in a harvest.
Our sales strategy is to fully contract the wood pellet production from our plants under long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with a diversified and creditworthy customer base. Our long-term off-take contracts typically provide for fixed-price deliveries that often include provisions that escalate the price over time and provide for other margin protection. During 2021, production capacity from our wood pellet production plants, together with wood pellets sourced from third parties, was approximately equal to the contracted volumes under our existing long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts. Our long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts provide for a product sales backlog of $21.2 billion and have a total weighted-average remaining term of 14.5 years from February 1, 2022.
Our largest customers use our wood pellets as a substitute fuel for coal in dedicated biomass or co-fired coal power plants. Wood pellets serve as a suitable “drop-in” alternative to coal because of their comparable heat content, density, and form. Due to the uninterruptible nature of our customers’ fuel consumption, our customers require a reliable supply of wood pellets that meet stringent product specifications. We have built our operations and assets to deliver and certify the highest levels of product
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quality and our proven track record of reliable deliveries enables us to charge premium prices for this certainty. In addition to our customers’ focus on the reliability of supply, they are concerned about the combustion efficiency of the wood pellets and their safe handling. Because combustion efficiency is a function of energy density, particle size distribution, ash/inert content, and moisture, our customers require that we supply wood pellets meeting minimum criteria for a variety of specifications and, in some cases, provide incentives for exceeding our contract specifications.
Basis of Presentation
On October 14, 2021, the Partnership entered into and closed on an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Partnership, Enviva Holdings, LP (“Holdings”), Enviva Partners Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), and the limited partners of Holdings (the “Holdings Limited Partners”) set forth in the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (a) the Company acquired our former sponsor and our former General Partner and (b) the incentive distribution rights held by our former sponsor were cancelled and eliminated (collectively, the “Simplification Transaction”). In connection with the Simplification Transaction, the Company acquired certain assets under development, as well as off-take contracts in varying stages of negotiation. The consolidated financial statements have been retroactively recast to reflect the Simplification Transaction as if the Simplification Transaction occurred on March 18, 2010, the date on which Holdings was originally organized, instead of October 14, 2021, the closing date of the Simplification Transaction.
We own all of the Class B units of Enviva Wilmington Holdings, LLC (the “Hamlet JV”). The Hamlet JV owns a wood pellet production plant in Hamlet, North Carolina (the “Hamlet plant”). We are the managing member of the Hamlet JV, which is a consolidated subsidiary partially owned by a third party. For more information regarding our rights and obligations with respect to the Hamlet JV, see Note 17, Equity-Hamlet JV.
Recent Developments
Simplification Transaction
In October 2021, we closed the Simplification Transaction and acquired all of the ownership interests in our former sponsor and eliminated all outstanding incentive distribution rights in exchange for 16.0 million common units, which were distributed to the owners of our former sponsor.
The owners of our former sponsor agreed to reinvest in our common stock all dividends from 9.0 million of the 16.0 million common units issued in connection with the Simplification Transaction during the period beginning with the distribution for the third quarter of 2021 through the fourth quarter of 2024. On the date of the Simplification Transaction, the non-management owners of our former sponsor held 27.7 million common units.
As a result of the Simplification Transaction, we now perform the business activities previously performed by our former sponsor, including corporate, commercial, sales and marketing, communications, public affairs, sustainability, development, and construction activities. We plan to construct fully contracted wood pellet production plants and deep-water marine terminals using our “build and copy” model as a part of our organic growth initiatives. We expect the cost to construct such assets to be lower than our historical cost of acquiring them from our former sponsor in drop-down acquisitions.
In addition, we acquired four existing take-or-pay off-take contracts with investment grade-rated counterparties, a fully contracted plant in Epes, Alabama currently under development (the “Epes plant”), and a prospective production plant in Bond, Mississippi in the Simplification Transaction. The off-take contracts we acquired have an aggregate revenue backlog of $4.4 billion and a weighted-average term of 19 years, with an associated base volume of 21 million metric tons of wood pellets. The Epes plant is designed and permitted to produce 1.1 million MTPY of wood pellets. The Bond plant is being developed to produce 1.1 million MTPY of wood pellets.
In connection with the Simplification Transaction, our existing management services fee waivers (the “MSA Fee Waivers”) and other support agreements with our former sponsor were consolidated, fixed, and novated to certain owners of our former sponsor. Under the consolidated support agreement, we are entitled to receive quarterly payments (the “Support Payments”) in an aggregate amount of up to $55.5 million with respect to periods from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the first quarter of 2024.
C-Corporation Conversion
The Partnership converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation effective December 31, 2021; consequently, results for periods prior to December 31, 2021 reflect Enviva as a limited partnership, not a corporation. The primary financial impacts of the Conversion to the consolidated financial statements were (i) reclassification of partnership capital accounts to equity accounts reflective of a corporation and (ii) income tax effects. On the date of the Conversion, each
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common unit representing a limited partner interest in the Partnership issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion was exchanged for one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
Issuance of Common Units and Common Shares
In June 2021, we issued 4,925,000 common units at a price of $45.50 per common unit for total net proceeds of $214.5 million, after deducting $9.5 million of issuance costs. The net proceeds partially financed the drop-down of the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi and the terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi,from our former sponsor and partially financed our development activities to expand our wood pellet production plants in Sampson, North Carolina, Hamlet, North Carolina, and Cottondale, Florida (collectively the “Multi-Plant Expansions”).
In January 2022, we issued 4,945,000 common shares at a price of $70.00 per common share for total net proceeds of $334.0 million, after deducting $12.2 million of issuance costs. We intend to use the net proceeds of $334.0 million to fund a portion of our capital expenditures related to ongoing development projects. We initially used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility.
Financing Activities
In April 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $350.0 million to $525.0 million, extend the maturity from October 2023 to April 2026, increase the letter of credit commitment from $50.0 million to $80.0 million, and reduce the cost of borrowing by 25 basis points. In December 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $525.0 million to $570.0 million and to permit the issuance of commercial letters of credit.
Capacity Expansion and Development Activities
We completed our expansion project at our Northampton, North Carolina wood pellet production plant and are commissioning the recently expanded capacity at our Southampton, Virginia plant. We expect each plant to reach its expanded nameplate production capacity of approximately 750,000 and 760,000 MTPY, respectively, during 2022.
We are commissioning the expanded capacity of our Greenwood plant and expect production capacity to increase to 600,000 MTPY during 2022.
Commitment to Achieve Carbon-Neutral Operations
Consistent with our mission to displace coal, grow more trees, and fight climate change, we recently announced our commitment to become “net-zero” in greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions from our operations by 2030. The product we manufacture helps reduce the lifecycle GHG emissions of our customers, but we believe we must also do our part within our operations to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We expect to accomplish neutrality with respect to our Scope 1 emissions (i.e., direct emissions from our manufacturing) by improving energy efficiency and adopting lower-carbon processes, as well as through investment in carbon offsets. We also plan to neutralize our Scope 2 emissions (i.e., indirect emissions from energy we purchase) by using 100% renewable energy by 2030 through the purchase of renewable electricity and/or onsite generation where practicable. Moreover, we will seek to proactively engage with our suppliers, transportation partners, and other stakeholders to drive innovative improvements in our supply chain to reduce our Scope 3 emissions (i.e., indirect emissions in our value chain). We intend to report our Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions annually and fully meet the requirements of CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) by 2022. Although it is difficult to project the incremental cost to our operations in 2030, we do not expect any material impact to our financial performance as a result of our efforts to achieve “net-zero” in GHG emissions from our operations. For more information, refer to the risk factor titled “Increasing attention to ESG matters, including our net-zero goals and our failure to successfully achieve them, could adversely affect our business.”
Outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus
The outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has significantly adversely impacted global markets and continues to present global public health and economic challenges. In the third quarter of 2021, our contractors and supply chain partners experienced labor-related, and other challenges associated with COVID-19 that had a temporal, but more pronounced than anticipated, impact on our operations and project execution schedule. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the prevalence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and increased rates of infection across areas in which we operate affected the availability of healthy workers from time to time at our facilities, and we experienced increased rates of absence in our hourly workforce as our workers who contracted COVID-19 quarantined at home. These absences contributed to reduced facility availability and in some cases, reduced aggregate production levels. We believe that these challenges were short-term in nature, and based on the actions we have taken and the plans we have in place, we believe these issues are beginning to be behind us.
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We have taken prescriptive safety measures including social distancing, hygienic policies and procedures, and other steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”). We adopted the CDC’s risk management approach at the beginning of the outbreak and have established risk levels based on the degree to which the virus has spread in a given community and the nature of the work performed at that location. Within our field operations, we have continued operations largely as normal with additional precautionary measures; however, we continue to monitor local data on a daily basis and have prioritized putting the right plans, procedures, and measures in place to mitigate the risk of exposure and infection and the related impacts to our business. We have also facilitated access for our employees to receive vaccines at our locations and we provide ongoing financial incentives for our employees to remain up to date with their vaccinations, in accordance with CDC guidelines.
We specifically designed our operations and logistics systems with flexibility and redundancies so they are capable of effectively responding to unforeseen events. We operate a portfolio of ten wood pellet production plants geographically dispersed across the Southeast United States. Our wood pellet production capacity is committed under long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with fixed pricing and fixed volumes that are not impacted by the market prices of crude oil, natural gas, power or heat. We export our product from a portfolio of six bulk terminals and transport it to our customers under long-term, fixed-price shipping contracts with multiple shipping partners. Our shipping operations have not been affected by COVID-19.
Factors Impacting Comparability of Our Financial Results
Waycross
On July 31, 2020, we acquired all of the limited liability interests in Georgia Biomass Holding LLC, a Georgia limited liability company and the indirect owner of a wood pellet production plant located in Waycross, Georgia (the “Waycross plant,”) for total consideration of $164.0 million in cash, after accounting for certain adjustments (the “Georgia Biomass Acquisition”). The Georgia Biomass Acquisition was recorded as a business combination and accounted for using the acquisition method. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date of July 31, 2020, and the difference between the fair value of consideration transferred, which excludes acquisition-related costs, and the fair values of the identified net assets acquired, was recognized as goodwill. For more information regarding the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data, Note 1, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation-Georgia Biomass Holding LLC and Note 4, Acquisition.
2026 Notes
During December 2019, we issued $600.0 million in principal amount of 6.5% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). We received gross proceeds of approximately $601.8 million from the offerings and net proceeds of approximately $595.8 million after deducting commissions and expenses.
In July 2020, we issued an additional $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.5% the 2026 Notes at an offering price of 103.75% of the principal amount, which implied an effective yield to maturity of approximately 5.7%. We received net proceeds of approximately $153.6 million from the offering after deducting discounts and commissions and offering costs.
Senior Secured Green Term Loan Facility
In February 2021, our former sponsor entered into a senior secured green term loan facility (the “Green Term Loan”) providing for $325.0 million principal amount, maturing in February 2026. Interest was priced at LIBOR plus 5.50% with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%. Our former sponsor received gross proceeds of $325.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $317.2 million after deducting original issue discount, commissions, and expenses. Our former sponsor used the net proceeds (1) to purchase the noncontrolling interest in Enviva JV Development Company, LLC (the “ Development JV”), (2) to repay the Riverstone Loan (see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data, Note 15, Related-Party Transactions), (3) to fund capital expenditures and liquidity reserve cash accounts, and (4) for general purposes.
In October 2021, our former sponsor repaid in full the Green Term Loan and recognized a $9.4 million loss in early retirement of debt resulting from the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount.
How We Generate Revenue
Overview
We primarily earn revenue by supplying wood pellets to our customers under off‑take contracts, the majority of which are long-term in nature. Our off-take contracts are considered “take-or-pay” because they include a firm obligation of the customer to take a fixed quantity of product at a stated price and provisions that require that we be compensated in the case of a
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customer’s failure to accept all or a part of the contracted volumes or termination of a contract by a customer. Each of our long-term off-take contracts defines the annual volume of wood pellets that a customer is required to purchase and we are required to sell, the fixed price per MT for product satisfying a base net calorific value and other technical specifications. These prices are fixed for the entire term, and are subject to adjustments which may include annual inflation-based adjustments or price escalators, price adjustments for product specifications, as well as, in some instances, price adjustments due to changes in underlying indices. In addition to sales of our product under these long-term off-take contracts, we routinely sell wood pellets under shorter-term contracts, which range in volume and tenor and, in some cases, may include only one specific shipment. Because each of our off-take contracts is a bilaterally negotiated agreement, our revenue over the duration of such contracts does not generally follow observable current market pricing trends. Our performance obligations under these contracts include the delivery of wood pellets, which are aggregated into MT. We account for each MT as a single performance obligation. Our revenue from the sale of wood pellets we produce is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation when control transfers to the customer at the time of loading wood pellets onto a ship.
Depending on the specific off-take contract, shipping terms under our long-term contracts are either Cost, Insurance and Freight (“CIF”), Cost and Freight (“CFR”), or Free On Board (“FOB”). Under a CIF contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Under a CFR contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance (excluding marine cargo insurance) and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Shipping under CIF and CFR contracts after control has passed to the customer is considered a fulfillment activity rather than a performance obligation and associated expenses are accrued and included in the price to the customer. Under FOB contracts, the customer is directly responsible for shipping costs.
In some cases, we may purchase shipments of product from third-party suppliers and resell them in back-to-back transactions (“purchase and sale transactions”). We typically are the principal in such transactions because we control the wood pellets prior to transferring them to the customer and therefore recognize related revenue on a gross basis.
Other Revenue
Other revenue includes fees from customers related to cancellations, deferrals or accelerations of shipments and certain sales and marketing, scheduling, sustainability, consultation, shipping, and risk management services (collectively, “Commercial Services”).
We recognize third-party terminal services revenue ratably over the contract term. Terminal services are performance obligations that are satisfied over time, as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the terminal services we perform. The consideration is generally fixed for minimum quantities and services beyond minimum quantities are generally billed on a per-MT rate.
Contracted Backlog
As of February 1, 2022, we had approximately $21.2 billion of product sales backlog for firm and contingent contracted product sales to our long-term off-take customers and have a total weighted-average remaining term of 14.5 years compared to approximately $19.9 billion and a total weighted-average remaining term of 14.0 years as of February 1, 2021. Contracted backlog represents the revenue to be recognized under existing contracts assuming deliveries occur as specified in the contracts. Contracted future product sales denominated in foreign currencies, excluding revenue hedged with foreign currency forward contracts, are included in U.S. Dollars at February 1, 2022 forward rates. The contracted backlog includes forward prices, including inflation, as well as foreign currency and commodity prices. The contracted backlog also includes the effects of related foreign currency derivative contracts. Please read Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 10, Derivative Instruments, for more information regarding our foreign currency forward contracts.
Our expected future product sales revenue under our contracted backlog as of February 1, 2022 is as follows (in millions):
| Period from February 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022 | $ | 1,257 | |||
| Year ending December 31, 2023 | 1,437 | ||||
| Year ending December 31, 2024 and thereafter | 18,478 | ||||
| Total product sales contracted backlog | $ | 21,172 | |||
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Costs of Conducting Our Business
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold includes the costs to produce and deliver our wood pellets to customers, reimbursable shipping-related costs associated with specific off-take contracts with CIF or CFR shipping terms, and costs associated with purchase and sale transactions. The primary expenses incurred to produce and deliver our wood pellets consist of raw material, production, and distribution costs.
We have strategically located our plants in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions of the United States, geographic areas in which wood fiber sources are plentiful and readily available. We have short-term and long-term contracts to manage the supply of raw materials into our plants. Delivered wood fiber costs include stumpage as well as harvesting, transportation, and in some cases, size-reduction services provided by our suppliers. The majority of our product volumes are sold under off-take contracts that include cost pass-through mechanisms to mitigate increases in raw material and distribution costs.
Production costs at our production plants consist of labor, energy, tooling, repairs and maintenance, and plant overhead costs. Production costs also include depreciation expense associated with the use of our plants and equipment and any gain or loss on disposal of associated assets. Some of our off-take contracts include price escalators that mitigate inflationary pressure on certain components of our production costs. In addition to the wood pellets that we produce at our owned and operated production plants, we selectively purchase additional quantities of wood pellets from other wood pellet producers.
Distribution costs include all transportation costs from our plants to our port locations, any storage or handling costs while the product remains at port, and shipping costs related to the delivery of our product from our port locations to our customers. Both the strategic location of our plants and our ownership or control of our deep-water terminals have allowed for the efficient and cost-effective transportation of our wood pellets. We seek to mitigate shipping risk by entering into long-term, fixed-price shipping contracts with reputable shippers matching the terms and volumes of our off-take contracts pursuant to which we are responsible for arranging shipping. Certain of our off-take contracts include pricing adjustments for volatility in fuel prices, which allow us to pass the majority of the fuel price-risk associated with shipping through to our customers.
Costs associated with purchase and sale transactions are included in cost of goods sold.
Raw material, production, and distribution costs associated with delivering our wood pellets to our owned and leased marine terminals and third-party wood pellet purchase costs are capitalized as a component of inventory. Fixed production overhead, including the related depreciation expense, is allocated to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production plants. When the inventory is sold, the depreciation allocated to it is reflected as depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of operations, while the other fixed production overhead allocated to inventory is reflected in cost of goods sold, excluding depreciation and amortization. Distribution costs associated with shipping our wood pellets to our customers are expensed as incurred. Our inventory is recorded using the first-in, first-out method (“FIFO”). Given the nature of our inventory, the calculation of cost of goods sold is based on estimates used in the valuation of the FIFO inventory and in determining the specific composition of inventory that is sold to each customer.
Recoveries from customers for certain costs incurred at the discharge port under our off-take contracts are not considered a part of the transaction price, and therefore are excluded from product sales and included as an offset to cost of goods sold.
How We Evaluate Our Operations
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss) excluding acquisition and integration costs and other, early retirement of debt obligation, and Support Payments, adjusting for the effect of Commercial Services, and excluding interest expense associated with incremental borrowings related to a fire that occurred in February 2018 at the Chesapeake terminal (the “Chesapeake Incident”) and Hurricanes Florence and Michael (the “Hurricane Events”). We believe that adjusted net income (loss) enhances investors’ ability to compare the past financial performance of our underlying operations with our current performance separate from certain items of gain or loss that we characterize as unrepresentative of our ongoing operations.
Adjusted Gross Margin and Adjusted Gross Margin per Metric Ton
We define adjusted gross margin as gross margin excluding loss on disposal of assets, non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense, depreciation and amortization, changes in unrealized derivative instruments related to hedged items, acquisition and integration costs and other, and Support Payments, and adjusting for the effect of Commercial Services. We define adjusted gross margin per metric ton as adjusted gross margin per metric ton of wood pellets sold. We believe adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton are meaningful measures because they compare our revenue-generating
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activities to our cost of goods sold for a view of profitability and performance on a total-dollar and a per-metric ton basis. Adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton primarily will be affected by our ability to meet targeted production volumes and to control direct and indirect costs associated with procurement and delivery of wood fiber to our wood pellet production plants and our production and distribution of wood pellets.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), early retirement of debt obligation, non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense, loss on disposal of assets, changes in unrealized derivative instruments related to hedged items, acquisition and integration costs and other, and MSA Fee Waivers and Support Payments, and adjusting for the effect of Commercial Services. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure used by our management and other users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks, and research analysts, to assess the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods or capital structure.
Distributable Cash Flow
We define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less cash income tax expenses, interest expense net of amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium, original issue discounts, interest expense associated with the redemption of the $355.0 million of aggregate principal amount of 6.5% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), the impact from incremental borrowings related to the Chesapeake Incident and Hurricane Events, and maintenance capital expenditures. We use distributable cash flow as a performance metric to compare our cash-generating performance from period to period and to compare the cash-generating performance for specific periods to the cash distributions (if any) that are expected to be paid to our shareholders. We do not rely on distributable cash flow as a liquidity measure.
2021 Non-Recast Presentation
Our 2021 results were calculated on a recast basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) to reflect the consolidated performance of Enviva and our former sponsor as if Enviva had bought the former sponsor at inception instead of October 14, 2021, the closing date of the Simplification Transaction. In addition, we are also presenting results for 2021, calculated on a non-GAAP basis that combines (i) the actual performance of Enviva through October 14, 2021, the closing date of the Simplification Transaction, on a non-recast basis, and (ii) our consolidated performance, calculated on a recast basis in accordance with GAAP, inclusive of the assets and operations acquired as part of the Simplification Transaction, from the closing date through December 31, 2021 (the “Non-Recast Presentation”). We believe the non-recast presentation provides investors with relevant information to evaluate our financial and operating performance because it reflects Enviva’s actual and historically reported performance on a stand-alone basis through the closing date of the Simplification Transaction and performance on a consolidated basis from the closing date until year-end.
The Non-Recast Presentation does not reflect the recast of our historical results required under GAAP due to the Simplification Transaction and accordingly contains non-GAAP measures.
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Unless expressly stated otherwise, all results are presented on a recast basis.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2021, on a recast basis and non-recast basis (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Recast Presentation | Adjustments | Non-Recast Presentation | |||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (145.3) | $ | 112.1 | $ | (33.2) | |||||||||||
| Add: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 92.0 | (2.8) | 89.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 56.5 | (11.2) | 45.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (17.0) | 17.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | 9.4 | (9.4) | — | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 55.9 | (32.4) | 23.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 10.2 | (0.1) | 10.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | (2.7) | — | (2.7) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 32.6 | — | 32.6 | ||||||||||||||
| MSA Fee Waivers and Support Payments | 25.1 | 36.1 | 61.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 116.7 | $ | 109.4 | $ | 226.1 | |||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense net of amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium, and original issue discount | 52.6 | (8.3) | 44.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance capital expenditures | 14.0 | — | 14.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Distributable cash flow | $ | 50.1 | $ | 117.7 | $ | 167.8 | |||||||||||
Limitations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin per metric ton, adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow, as well as our Non-Recast Presentation, are not financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. Our non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as alternatives to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Each of these non-GAAP financial measures has important limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude some, but not all, items that affect the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. You should not consider adjusted net income (loss), adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin per metric ton, adjusted EBITDA, or distributable cash flow, or our Non-Recast Presentation, in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported in accordance with GAAP.
Our definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility. Please see above for a reconciliation of the Non-Recast Presentation to the Recast Presentation and below for a reconciliation of each of adjusted net income (loss), adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton, adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
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Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
(1)See Part II, Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 15, Related-Party Transactions
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 999,190 | $ | 830,528 | $ | 168,662 | |||||||||||
| Other revenue | 42,488 | 44,434 | (1,946) | ||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | 1,041,678 | 874,962 | 166,716 | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold, excluding items below | 861,703 | 711,248 | 150,455 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 10,153 | 8,715 | 1,438 | ||||||||||||||
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses(1) | 175,108 | 129,537 | 45,571 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 91,966 | 85,892 | 6,074 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 1,138,930 | 935,392 | 203,538 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (97,252) | (60,430) | (36,822) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (56,497) | (45,996) | (10,501) | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | (9,377) | — | (9,377) | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 880 | 271 | 609 | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss before income tax (benefit) expense | (162,246) | (106,155) | (56,091) | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (16,975) | 169 | (17,144) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (145,271) | $ | (106,324) | $ | (38,947) | |||||||||||
Net revenue
Revenue related to product sales for wood pellets produced or procured by us increased to $999.2 million in 2021 from $830.5 million in 2020. The $168.7 million, or 20%, increase was primarily attributable to a 16% increase in product sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.
Other revenue for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 included $37.3 million and $32.5 million, respectively, in payments to us for adjusting deliveries under our take-or-pay off-take contracts, which otherwise would have been included in product sales. Other revenue also included $4.1 million from Commercial Services during the year ended December 31, 2020. The $37.3 million and $36.6 million in other revenue was recognized under a breakage model based on when the pellets would have been loaded.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold increased to $861.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $711.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $150.5 million, or 21%. The increase was primarily attributable to a 16% increase in sales volumes.
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Adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton
(1)Gross margin is defined as net revenue less cost of goods sold (including related depreciation and amortization and loss on disposal of assets).
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per metric ton) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of gross margin to adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton: | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin(1) | $ | 83,362 | $ | 72,538 | $ | 10,824 | |||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 10,143 | 8,653 | 1,490 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 2,271 | 2,714 | (443) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 86,471 | 82,523 | 3,948 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | (2,673) | 4,328 | (7,001) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 397 | 1,517 | (1,120) | ||||||||||||||
| Support Payments | 25,100 | — | 25,100 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | — | (4,139) | 4,139 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted gross margin | $ | 205,071 | $ | 168,134 | $ | 36,937 | |||||||||||
| Metric tons sold | 5,033 | 4,332 | 701 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted gross margin per metric ton | $ | 40.75 | $ | 38.81 | $ | 1.94 | |||||||||||
We earned adjusted gross margin of $205.1 million, or $40.75 per MT, for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $168.1 million, or $38.81 per MT, for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in adjusted gross margin was primarily due to a 16% increase in product sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 and the Support Payments.
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses were $175.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and $129.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $45.6 million increase in total selling, general, administrative, and development expenses is primarily associated with the increases in acquisition and integration costs of $24.9 million primarily associated with the Simplification Transaction and Conversion and the drop-down of the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi and terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi from our former sponsor as well as non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense of $16.8 million associated with the Simplification Transaction.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $92.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $85.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $6.1 million or 7%, mainly due to the acquisition of the production plant located in Waycross, Georgia in July 2020.
Interest expense
We incurred $56.5 million of interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2021 and $46.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in interest expense from the prior year was primarily attributable to interest expense associated with the Green Term Loan.
Early retirement of debt obligation
In October 2021, our former sponsor repaid in full the Green Term Loan, which had a principal balance of $318.4 million at the time, and recognized a $9.4 million loss in early retirement of debt resulting from the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discount.
Income tax
We recorded $17.0 million of income tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2021 and $0.2 million of income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in income tax benefit of $17.2 million was primarily due to the Conversion.
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Adjusted net loss
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted net loss: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (145,271) | $ | (106,324) | $ | (38,947) | |||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 32,608 | 7,678 | 24,930 | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | 9,377 | — | 9,377 | ||||||||||||||
| Support Payments | 25,100 | — | 25,100 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | — | (4,139) | 4,139 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense from incremental borrowings related to Chesapeake Incident and Hurricane Events | — | 2,211 | (2,211) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net loss | $ | (78,186) | $ | (100,574) | $ | 22,388 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (145,271) | $ | (106,324) | $ | (38,947) | |||||||||||
| Add: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 91,966 | 85,892 | 6,074 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 56,497 | 45,996 | 10,501 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (16,975) | 169 | (17,144) | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | 9,377 | — | 9,377 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 55,924 | 39,528 | 16,396 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 10,153 | 8,715 | 1,438 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | (2,673) | 4,328 | (7,001) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 32,608 | 7,678 | 24,930 | ||||||||||||||
| Support Payments | 25,100 | — | 25,100 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | — | (4,139) | 4,139 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 116,706 | $ | 81,843 | $ | 34,863 | |||||||||||
We generated adjusted EBITDA of $116.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $81.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The $34.9 million increase was primarily attributable to the factors described above under the heading “Adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton.”
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Distributable cash flow
The following is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to distributable cash flow:
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 116,706 | $ | 81,843 | $ | 34,863 | |||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net of amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium, original issue discount, and impact from incremental borrowings related to Chesapeake Incident and Hurricane Events | 52,574 | 41,206 | 11,368 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance capital expenditures | 13,981 | 7,952 | 6,029 | ||||||||||||||
| Distributable cash flow attributable to Enviva | 50,151 | 32,685 | 17,466 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: Distributable cash flow attributable to incentive distribution rights | 19,030 | 26,917 | (7,887) | ||||||||||||||
| Distributable cash flow attributable to Enviva | $ | 31,121 | $ | 5,768 | $ | 25,353 | |||||||||||
The following is a reconciliation of non-recast net (loss) income to non-recast adjusted EBITDA and non-recast adjusted EBITDA to non-recast distributable cash flow:
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-Recast Presentation | Non-Recast As Previously Reported | ||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (33.2) | $ | 17.1 | $ | (50.3) | |||||||||||
| Add: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 89.2 | 77.5 | 11.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 45.3 | 44.9 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 0.1 | 0.1 | — | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 23.5 | 12.8 | 10.7 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 10.1 | 7.0 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | (2.7) | 4.3 | (7.0) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 32.6 | 7.4 | 25.2 | ||||||||||||||
| MSA Fee Waivers and Support Payments | 61.2 | 23.4 | 37.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | — | (4.1) | 4.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 226.1 | 190.3 | 35.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense net of amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium, and original issue discount | 44.3 | 40.8 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance capital expenditures | 14.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 | ||||||||||||||
| Distributable cash flow | $ | 167.8 | $ | 141.6 | $ | 26.2 | |||||||||||
Non-recast Adjusted EBITDA increased to $226.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $190.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $35.8 million, or 19%. Non-recast distributable cash flow increased to $167.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $141.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $26.2 million, or 19%.
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Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2019
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | 830,528 | $ | 674,251 | $ | 156,277 | |||||||||||
| Other revenue | 44,434 | 9,317 | 35,117 | ||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | 874,962 | 683,568 | 191,394 | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold, excluding items below | 711,248 | 601,869 | 109,379 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 8,715 | 3,558 | 5,157 | ||||||||||||||
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses(1) | 129,537 | 98,818 | 30,719 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 85,892 | 65,565 | 20,327 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | 935,392 | 769,810 | 165,582 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (60,430) | (86,242) | 25,812 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (45,996) | (42,042) | (3,954) | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | — | (9,042) | 9,042 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 271 | 410 | (139) | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations before income tax expense (benefit) | (106,155) | (136,916) | 30,761 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 169 | (1,932) | 2,101 | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (106,324) | $ | (134,984) | $ | 28,660 | |||||||||||
Net revenue
Revenue related to product sales for wood pellets produced or procured by us increased to $830.5 million in 2020 from $674.3 million in 2019. The $156.3 million, or 23%, increase was primarily attributable to a 22% increase in product sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
Other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 included $32.5 million in payments to us, which otherwise would have been included in product sales, for adjusting deliveries under our take-or-pay off-take contracts. Other revenue also included $4.1 million from the Commercial Services during the year ended December 31, 2020. The $32.5 million and $4.1 million in other revenue was recognized under a breakage model based on when the pellets otherwise would have been loaded.
Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold increased to $711.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $601.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $109.4 million, or 18%. The increase was primarily attributable to a 22% increase in sales volumes during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
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Adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands, except per metric ton) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of gross margin to adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton: | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin(1) | $ | 72,538 | $ | 16,134 | 56,404 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 8,653 | 3,577 | 5,076 | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 2,714 | — | 2,714 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 82,523 | 61,988 | 20,535 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | 4,328 | 4,588 | (260) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 1,517 | 4,299 | (2,782) | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | (4,139) | 4,139 | (8,278) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted gross margin | $ | 168,134 | $ | 94,725 | $ | 73,409 | |||||||||||
| Metric tons sold | 4,332 | 3,564 | 768 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted gross margin per metric ton | $ | 38.81 | $ | 26.58 | $ | 12.23 | |||||||||||
We earned adjusted gross margin of $168.1 million, or $38.81 per MT, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $94.7 million, or $26.58 per MT, for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in adjusted gross margin was primarily due to a 22% increase in product sales volumes for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
Adjusted gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 excludes $4.3 million of incremental costs, which are unrepresentative of our ongoing operations, in connection with our evaluation of a third-party wood pellet production plant we considered purchasing (the “Potential Target”). When we commenced our review, the Potential Target had recently returned to operations following an extended shutdown during a bankruptcy proceeding with the intent of demonstrating favorable operations prior to proceeding to an auction sale process; however, the Potential Target had not yet established a logistics chain through a viable export terminal, given that the terminal through which the plant historically had exported was not operational at the time and was not reasonably certain to become operational in the future. Accordingly, as part of our diligence of the Potential Target, we developed an alternative logistics chain to bring the Potential Target’s wood pellets to market and began purchasing the production of the Potential Target for a trial period. The incremental costs associated with the establishment and evaluation of this new logistics chain primarily consist of barge, freight, trucking, storage, and shiploading services. We have completed our evaluation of the alternative logistics chain and, therefore, do not expect to incur additional costs of this nature in the future.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, we received a non-refundable payment of $5.6 million from a customer in consideration for our performance during the quarter of Commercial Services outside of the scope of our existing take-or-pay off-take contract. The customer had requested the Commercial Services, among other things, in order to avoid its exposure to market price volatility associated with its anticipated failure to take required deliveries of certain wood pellet volumes during the fourth quarter of 2019 and first half of 2020 pursuant to the off-take contract. The Commercial Services had a value to the customer of $5.6 million. We included the entire non-refundable payment of $5.6 million in our publicly stated guidance for 2019 in our press release issued October 30, 2019.
Under GAAP, we recognized $1.5 million of the $5.6 million payment as revenue during the fourth quarter of 2019, under the breakage model of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and recorded the remaining $4.1 million as deferred revenue as of December 31, 2019, which was recognized as revenue during the first six months of 2020 in accordance with the original product sales schedule under the off-take contract. For presentation of our non-GAAP measures, including the Non-Recast Presentation, we included the $4.1 million in adjusted net income, adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin per MT, and adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2019 as such amount relates to our performance of certain Commercial Services, which we completed and for which we were compensated in 2019. The $4.1 million increased adjusted net income, adjusted gross margin per MT, and adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2019 and decreased such measures by an equal amount during the first six months of 2020.
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Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses were $129.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $98.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $30.7 million increase in total selling, general, administrative, and development expenses is primarily associated with an increase in non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense of $28.9 million.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $85.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from $65.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $20.3 million or 31%, mainly due to the drop-down of the Hamlet plant from our former sponsor and the acquisition of the production plant located in Waycross, Georgia.
Interest expense
We incurred $46.0 million of interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 and $42.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in interest expense from the prior year was primarily attributable to an increase in borrowings as a result of our acquisition of the production plant located in Waycross, Georgia in July 2020.
Early retirement of debt obligation
In 2019, we redeemed all $355.0 million of aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes and recognized a $9.0 million loss in early retirement of debt obligation consisting of a $7.5 million debt redemption premium and $1.5 million for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, original issue discount and premium. The amounts were amortized over the term of the 2021 Notes and were expensed in December 2019 when we repaid $355.0 million of aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes.
Income tax
We incurred $0.2 million of income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 and incurred and income tax benefit of $1.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in the income tax benefit of $2.1 million was primarily related to income taxes of a corporate subsidiary.
Adjusted net loss
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | Change | |||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted net loss: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (106,324) | $ | (134,984) | $ | 28,660 | |||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 7,678 | 6,866 | 812 | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | — | 9,042 | (9,042) | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | (4,139) | 4,139 | (8,278) | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense from incremental borrowings related to Chesapeake Incident and Hurricane Events | 2,211 | 1,705 | 506 | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net loss | $ | (100,574) | $ | (113,232) | $ | 12,658 | |||||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (106,324) | $ | (134,984) | $ | 28,660 | |||||||||||
| Add: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 85,892 | 65,565 | 20,327 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 45,996 | 42,042 | 3,954 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 169 | (1,954) | 2,123 | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | — | 9,042 | (9,042) | ||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | 39,528 | 10,631 | 28,897 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | 8,715 | 3,558 | 5,157 | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in unrealized derivative instruments | 4,328 | 4,588 | (260) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration costs and other | 7,678 | 6,866 | 812 | ||||||||||||||
| Commercial Services | (4,139) | 4,139 | (8,278) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 81,843 | $ | 9,493 | $ | 72,350 | |||||||||||
We generated adjusted EBITDA of $81.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The $72.4 million increase was primarily attributable to the factors described above under the heading “Adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross margin per metric ton.”
Distributable cash flow
The following is a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to distributable cash flow:
| Year Ended December 31, | Change | ||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to distributable cash flow attributable to Enviva | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 81,843 | $ | 9,493 | $ | 72,350 | |||||||||||
| Less: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net of amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium, original issue discount, and impact from incremental borrowings related to Chesapeake Incident and Hurricane Events | 41,206 | 37,193 | 4,013 | ||||||||||||||
| Maintenance capital expenditures | 7,952 | 6,922 | 1,030 | ||||||||||||||
| Distributable cash flow attributable to Enviva | $ | 32,685 | $ | (34,622) | $ | 67,307 | |||||||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalent balances, cash generated from operations, availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility and, from time to time, debt and equity offerings. Our primary liquidity needs are to fund working capital, service our debt, finance greenfield construction projects, growth initiatives, and maintenance capital expenditures, and pay dividends. We believe cash on hand, cash generated from our operations and the availability of our senior secured revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet our primary liquidity requirements. However, future capital expenditures, such as expenditures made in relation to acquisitions of plants or terminals, plant development and/or plant expansion projects, and other cash requirements could be higher than we currently expect as a result of various factors. Additionally, our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operating activities depends on our future performance, which is subject to general economic, political, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control.
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Our liquidity as of December 31, 2021, which included cash on hand and availability under our $570.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, was $116.6 million.
Cash Dividends
We intend to pay cash dividends to holders of our common stock of $3.62 per common stock for 2022.
The former owners of our former sponsor have agreed to reinvest in our common stock all dividends from 9.0 million of the 16.0 million common units issued in connection with the Simplification Transaction for the dividends paid for the period beginning with the third quarter of 2021 through the fourth quarter of 2024.
Capital Requirements
We operate in a capital-intensive industry, which requires significant investments to develop and construct new production and terminal facilities, and maintain and upgrade our existing facilities. Our capital requirements primarily have consisted, and we anticipate will continue to consist, of the following:
•Maintenance capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures incurred to maintain our long-term operating income or operating capacity. These expenditures typically include certain system integrity, compliance, and safety improvements; and
•Growth capital expenditures, which are cash expenditures we expect will increase our operating income or operating capacity over the long term. Growth capital expenditures include acquisitions or construction of new capital assets or capital improvements such as additions to or improvements on our existing capital assets as well as projects intended to extend the useful life of assets.
The classification of capital expenditures as either maintenance or growth is made at the individual asset level during our budgeting process and as we approve, execute, and monitor our capital spending.
We plan to invest $255.0 million to $275.0 million in capital expenditures in 2022. Of that amount, we expect to invest (i) $210.0 million to $220.0 million primarily on the completion of the production plant under construction in Lucedale Mississippi and the terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and the construction of the Epes plant, (ii) $30.0 million to $35.0 million primarily on the Multi-Plant Expansions, and (iii) $15.0 million to $20.0 million on maintenance capital expenditures.
Long-Term Debt
2026 Notes
In 2019, we issued $600.0 million of the 2026 Notes. We received gross proceeds of approximately $601.8 million from the offerings and net proceeds of approximately $595.8 million after deducting commissions and expenses.
In July 2020, we issued an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes at an offering price of 103.75% of the principal amount (the “Additional Notes”). We received net proceeds of approximately $153.6 million from the Additional Notes offering after deducting discounts and commissions.
We may redeem all or a portion of the 2026 Notes at any time at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), and, in some cases, plus a make-whole premium.
For additional information on the 2026 Notes, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data, Note 14, Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
In April 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $350.0 million to $525.0 million, to extend the maturity from October 2023 to April 2026, to increase the letter of credit commitment from $50.0 million to $80.0 million, and to reduce the cost of borrowing by 25 basis points. In December 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $525.0 million to $570.0 million and to permit the issuance of commercial letters of credit.
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either a Eurodollar rate or at a base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.50% per annum and 2.75% per annum, in
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the case of Eurodollar rate borrowings, or between 0.50% per annum and 1.75% per annum, in the case of base rate loans, in each case, based on our Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) at such time, with 25 basis point increases or decreases for each 0.50 increase or decrease in our Total Leverage Ratio from 2.75:1:00 to 4.75:1:00.
We are required to pay a commitment fee on the daily unused amount under the revolving credit commitments at a rate between 0.25% and 0.50% per annum.
The credit agreement contains certain covenants, restrictions, and events of default. We are required to maintain (1) a maximum Total Leverage Ratio at or below 5.00 to 1.00 (or 5.25 to 1.00 during a Material Transaction Period) and (2) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) of not less than 2.25 to 1.00.
As of December 31, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants and restrictions associated with, and no events of default existed under, the credit agreement governing our senior secured revolving credit facility. Our obligations under the senior secured revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by liens on substantially all of our assets; however, the senior secured revolving credit facility is not guaranteed by the Hamlet JV or secured by liens on its assets. For additional information on our senior secured revolving credit facility, see Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data, Note 14, Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations.
Seller Note
We are a party to, and a guarantor of, a promissory note (the “Seller Note”) with a remaining principal balance of $37.5 million. The Seller Note matures in February 2023 and has an interest rate of 2.5% per annum. Principal and related interest payments are due annually through February 2022 and quarterly thereafter.
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth a summary of our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
| (in thousands) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 33,390 | $ | 14,399 | |||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (332,322) | (383,969) | |||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 249,775 | 406,521 | |||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (49,157) | $ | 36,951 | |||||||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $33.4 million and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $19.0 million increase in cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to an increase in cash from changes in working capital of $47.4 million partially offset by a decrease in cash from net income (loss) adjusted for non-cash items of $28.4 million.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $332.3 million and $384.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $51.6 million decrease in cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the investment of $163.3 million in the acquisition of the production plant located in Waycross, Georgia, last year offset by the increase in capital expenditures of $111.3 million.
Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $249.8 million and $406.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The $156.7 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities in 2021, as compared to 2020, was primarily attributable to an increase in cash used to acquire a non-controlling interest of $59.7 million, a reduction in cash from contributed capital to common control entities acquired of $105.0 million, and an increase in cash distribution of $44.8 million, partially offset by an increase in proceeds from the issuance of common shares of $24.0 million and proceeds from debt issuance net of repayment of debt of $19.3 million.
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Off‑Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2021, we did not have any off‑balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S‑K, such as the use of unconsolidated subsidiaries, structured finance, special purpose entities or a variable interest in unconsolidated entities.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies—Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Recently Issued Accounting Standards not yet Adopted,” in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Our actual results may materially differ from these estimates.
For accounting policies and estimates that we believe are critical to our consolidated financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved, please see the following disclosures within the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, specifically about “Business Combinations”, “Inventories”, “Revenue Recognition”, “Cost of Goods Sold”, and “Property, Plant and Equipment”, and Note 4, “Acquisition”.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. Historically, our risks have been predominantly related to potential changes in the fair value of our long-term debt due to fluctuations in applicable market interest rates. Our market risk exposure is expected to be limited to risks that arise in the normal course of business, as we do not engage in speculative, non‑operating transactions, nor do we use financial instruments or derivative instruments for trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
At December 31, 2021, our total debt had a carrying and fair value of $1.3 billion.
Although we seek to mitigate a portion of our interest rate risk through interest rate swaps, we are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at either a base rate plus an applicable margin or at a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin.
We enter into derivative instruments to manage cash flow. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes. As of December 31, 2021, we had no interest rate swaps outstanding. Previously, we entered into pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps that expired in September 2021 and October 2021 to hedge interest rate risk associated with variable rate borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility. The interest rate swaps are not designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. The counterparty to our interest rate swap agreements are major financial institutions.
There can be no assurance that our interest rate risk-management practices, if any, will eliminate or substantially reduce risks associated with fluctuating interest rates. For more information, please read Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Our exposure to risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations, as well as the hedging arrangements we may enter into to mitigate those risks, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.”
Credit Risk
Substantially all of our revenue was from long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with five customers for the years ended December 31, 2021, and 2020 and four customers for the year ended December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2021, most of our customers were major power generators in Europe. This concentration of counterparties operating in a single industry and geographic area results in an exposure to credit risk, in that the counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in economic, political, regulatory or other conditions. If a customer defaults or if any of our contracts expire in accordance with their terms, and we are unable to renew or replace these contracts, our gross margin and cash flows, as well as our ability to make cash dividends to our stockholders, may be adversely affected. Although we have entered into hedging arrangements in order to minimize our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates, our derivatives also expose us to credit risk to the extent that counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of our hedging agreements. For more information, please read Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Our exposure to risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations, as well as the hedging arrangements we may enter into to mitigate those risks, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and — We will derive substantially all of our revenues from six customers in 2022, five of which are located in Europe. If we fail to continue to diversify our customer base, our results of operations, business and financial position and ability to pay dividends to our stockholders could be materially adversely affected.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We primarily are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates related to contracts pursuant to which deliveries of wood pellets will be settled in foreign currency. We have entered into forward contracts and purchased options to hedge a portion of our forecasted revenue for these customer contracts.
As of December 31, 2021, we had notional amounts of 57.5 million GBP and 11.0 million Euro (“EUR”) under foreign currency forward contracts and 7.3 million GBP under foreign currency option contracts that expire between 2022 and 2024. As of December 31, 2021, we had no EUR option contracts outstanding.
Historically, we designated and accounted for forward contracts and purchased options as cash flow hedges of anticipated foreign currency denominated revenue and, therefore, the effective portion of the changes in fair value on these instruments was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity and was reclassified to revenue in the consolidated statements of operations in the same period in which the underlying revenue transactions occurred. During the third quarter of 2018, we elected to discontinue hedge accounting for all designated foreign currency cash flow hedges and, as a
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result, we had no unrealized loss (gain) associated with foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency purchased options in accumulated other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, no unrealized amounts associated with foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency purchased options were included in other comprehensive income.
We do not utilize foreign exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. The counterparties to our foreign exchange contracts are major financial institutions. There can be no assurance that our hedging arrangements or other foreign exchange rate risk-management practices, if any, will eliminate or substantially reduce risks associated with our exposure to fluctuating foreign exchange rates. For more information, please read Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors—Our exposure to risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations, as well as the hedging arrangements we may enter into to mitigate those risks, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.”
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: | |||||
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Enviva Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Enviva Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated March 4, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Description of the Matter | Completeness of Revenue from Off-Take Contracts As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company primarily earns revenue through long-term take-or-pay contracts that include a defined volume of wood pellets that the customer is required to purchase on an annual basis. Revenue on these contracts is recognized when control transfers to the customer at the time of loading wood pellets onto a ship. Auditing the measurement of revenue at year-end required especially challenging auditor judgment and more extensive audit procedures, including the use of specialists, due to the complexity of determining the quantity of wood pellets transferred to the customer at the end of the year. | |||||||
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| How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over revenue cut-off for off-take contracts. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of third-party survey results at year-end, and managements rollforward of pellets. Our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the work of management’s third-party specialist to survey all partially loaded ships at year end to assist in determining the amount of pellets transferred to customers at the end of year. We also performed observations of finished goods held by the Company at or near year-end, and tested management’s rollforward of pellets. We also performed analytical procedures over year-end revenue cut off, made inquiries of employees outside of the accounting department to corroborate the completeness of the vessels being loaded at year-end and inspected a sample of shipping and receiving documentation to test that pellets shipped near year-end were recognized in the appropriate period based on the date of shipment. | |||||||
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
March 4, 2022
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2021 and 2020
(In thousands, except number of units or shares)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Other accounts receivable | |||||||||||
| Inventories | |||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Liabilities and Equity | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Current portion of interest payable | |||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||
| Related-party note payable | |||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | |||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||
Series A ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
Series B ( | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $ | |||||||||||
Common stock, $ | |||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||||||||
| Total Enviva Inc.'s equity | ( | ||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | ( | ||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | |||||||||
49
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands, except per units or share amounts)
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Product sales | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Other revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold, excluding items below | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | |||||||||||||||||
Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses(1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Total other expense, net | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss before income tax (benefit) expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Enviva Inc. | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
Net loss per Enviva Inc. unit:(2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Weighted-average number of units outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | |||||||||||||||||
(2) Effective December 31, 2021, units were converted into shares due to the conversion from a partnership to a corporation.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
50
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $0: | |||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of net gains on cash flow hedges realized into net loss | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | |||||||||||||||||
| Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive loss | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Less comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss attributable to Enviva Inc. | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
51
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Year ended December 31, 2021
(In thousands, except Series B Units)
| Series A | Series B | Common Units | Common Shares | Additional Paid-In Capital | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Equity Attributable to Enviva Inc. | Non-controlling Interests | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity, December 31, 2020 | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Enviva Partners, LP common units prior to the Simplification Transaction, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash distributions prior to the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense prior to the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contribution of assets | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income prior to the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss prior to the Simplification Transaction | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplification Transaction | ( | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions after the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common units issued in lieu of distributions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense after the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Support Payments | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income after the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss after the Simplification Transaction | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C-Corporation Conversion | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity, December 31, 2021 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | — | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
52
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands, except Series B Units)
Previous Units Existing until the Recapitalization of Enviva Inc.(1) | Current Units Created by the Recapitalization(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Series A | Series B | Series C | Series D | Series E | Series A | Series B | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Units | Amount | Equity Attributable to Enviva Inc. | Noncontrolling Interests | Total Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity, December 31, 2018 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | — | — | — | — | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Enviva Partners, LP common units through Enviva Partners, LP Long Term Incentive Plan | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Enviva Partners, LP common units, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash distributions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enviva Partners, LP unit-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enviva Partners, LP common units distributed to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributed capital | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity, December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | — | — | — | — | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in Greenwood | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income prior to recapitalization | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss prior to recapitalization | — | ( | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recapitalization of Enviva Inc. | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | ( | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Enviva Partners, LP common units, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash distributions | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enviva Partners, LP unit-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enviva Inc. unit-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributed capital | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity, December 31, 2020 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
53
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premium and original issue discounts | |||||||||||||||||
| Early retirement of debt obligation | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on disposal of assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense | |||||||||||||||||
| Fair value changes in derivatives | |||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on foreign currency transactions, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts and other receivables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Inventories | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Related-party payables | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued interest | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payments in relation to the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, net of cash acquired | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from senior secured revolving credit facility | |||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments on senior secured revolving credit facility | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Principal payments on Green Term Loan | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from debt issuance | |||||||||||||||||
| Support payments | |||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments on other long-term debt and finance lease obligations | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid related to debt issuance costs and deferred offering costs | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of Enviva Inc. common shares | |||||||||||||||||
| Payments for acquisition of noncontrolling interest in Development JV | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Payment for acquisition of noncontrolling interest in Greenwood and other projects | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments on related-party note payable | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from related-party note payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Contributed capital to common control entities acquired | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash distributions | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Payment for withholding tax associated with Long-Term Incentive Plan vesting | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for redemption premium from early retirement of debt | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
54
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
Years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant, and equipment acquired included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Enviva Partners, LP common units distributed to noncontrolling interest | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental information: | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid, net of capitalized interest | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
55
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Enviva Partners, LP (the “Partnership”) converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”) named “Enviva Inc.” effective December 31, 2021. The Partnership was formed on November 12, 2013 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Enviva Holdings, LP (our “ former sponsor” or “Holdings”). Enviva Partners GP, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of our former sponsor, was our former general partner (the “ former GP”). References to “Enviva,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to (i) Enviva Inc. and its subsidiaries for the periods following the Conversion and (ii) Enviva Partners, LP and its subsidiaries for periods prior to the Conversion, except where the context otherwise requires.
We procure wood fiber and process it into utility-grade wood pellets and load the finished wood pellets into railcars, trucks and barges for transportation to deep-water marine terminals, where they are received, stored and ultimately loaded onto oceangoing vessels for delivery under long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts to our customers principally in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), the European Union, and Japan.
We own and operate ten industrial-scale wood pellet production plants located in the Southeastern United States. In addition to the volumes from our plants, we also procure wood pellets from third parties. Wood pellets are exported from our wholly owned deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Chesapeake, Virginia, terminal assets at the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, and from third-party deep-water marine terminals in Mobile, Alabama, Panama City, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia under a short-term contract, a long-term contract, and a lease and associated terminal services agreement, respectively. We are constructing a deep-water marine terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Basis of Presentation
As a result of the Conversion, periods prior to December 31, 2021 reflect Enviva as a limited partnership, not a corporation. References to common units for periods prior to the Conversion refer to common units of Enviva Partners, LP, and references to common stock for periods following the Conversion refer to shares of common stock of Enviva Inc. The primary financial impacts of the Conversion to the consolidated financial statements were (i) reclassification of partnership capital accounts to equity accounts reflective of a corporation and (ii) income tax effects.
On the date of the Conversion, each common unit representing a limited partner interest in the Partnership issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion was exchanged for one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
On October 14, 2021, the Partnership entered into and closed on an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Partnership, our former sponsor, Enviva Partners Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”), and the limited partners of our former sponsor (the “Holdings Limited Partners”) set forth in the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (a) the Company acquired (i) all of the limited partner interests in our former sponsor and (ii) all of the limited liability company interests in the former GP, and (b) the incentive distribution rights directly held by our former sponsor were cancelled and eliminated (collectively, the “Simplification Transaction”). As a result of the Simplification Transaction, the Company acquired certain assets under development, as well as off-take contracts in varying stages of negotiation. The Simplification Transaction also included the acquisition of a workforce that was historically employed by our former sponsor. On October 14, 2021, the Partnership issued 16.0 million common units to the owners of the former sponsor as consideration for the Simplification Transaction.
56
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Enviva and its wholly owned subsidiaries and controlled subsidiaries, including a variable interest entity in which we are the primary beneficiary. As managing member, we have the sole power to direct the activities that most impact the economics of the variable interest entity. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. We operate and manage our business as one operating segment.
Georgia Biomass Holding LLC
On July 31, 2020, Enviva Pellets Waycross Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired all of the limited liability company interests in Georgia Biomass Holding LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“Georgia Biomass”), and the indirect owner of a wood pellet production plant located in Waycross, Georgia (the “Waycross plant”), for a purchase price of $175.0 million, subject to certain adjustments (the “Georgia Biomass Acquisition”). In August 2020, Georgia Biomass converted to a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware under the name Enviva Pellets Waycross Holdings Sub, LLC.
The Georgia Biomass Acquisition was recorded as a business combination and accounted for using the acquisition method. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date of July 31, 2020, and the difference between the consideration transferred, excluding acquisition-related costs and the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recognized as goodwill. See Note 4, Acquisition.
(2) Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests include third-party equity ownership in Enviva Wilmington Holdings, LLC (the “Hamlet JV”) and Enviva JV Development Company, LLC (the “Development JV”), each of which are limited liability companies. Prior to the Simplification Transaction, noncontrolling interests also included the third-party, public equity ownership in the Partnership. Noncontrolling interests are presented as a component of equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The allocation for the Hamlet JV was based on the percentage of units held by third-parties and the Partnership until April 1, 2019, after which there was no allocation to third parties primarily as their capital contributions had all been repaid and substantially all of their preferred return on those capital contributions had been paid. For the Development JV, the allocation of income (loss) is based on the percentage of capital contributions from third-parties and the Partnership. In February 2021, the Partnership purchased the third-party member’s interest in the Development JV. See Note 17, Equity.
Business Combinations
Determining whether an entity has acquired a business or an asset (or a group of assets) is critical because the accounting for a business combination differs significantly from that of an asset acquisition. For an acquisition of a business, the general principle is that, when an entity (the acquirer) takes control of another entity (the target), the fair value of the underlying exchange transaction is used to establish a new accounting basis for the acquired entity where the acquirer recognizes and measures the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their full fair values as of the date control is obtained. For an acquisition of an asset, a cost accumulation and allocation model is used under which the cost of the acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
We must first evaluate whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets. Gross assets acquired should exclude cash and cash equivalents, deferred tax assets and goodwill resulting from the effects of deferred tax liabilities. However, the gross assets acquired should include any consideration transferred (plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest and previously held interest, if any) in excess of
57
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired. A tangible asset that is attached to and cannot be physically removed and used separately from another tangible asset (or an intangible asset representing the right to use a tangible asset) without incurring significant cost or significant diminution in utility or fair value to either asset (for example, land and building) should be considered a single asset. In that context, we consider a wood pellet production facility to be a single identifiable asset.
We need to apply judgment to determine what is considered “substantially all” because ASC 805 does not provide a bright line for making this assessment. If the “substantially all” threshold is met, the acquired set of assets and activities is not a business. If that threshold is not met, we must evaluate whether the set meets the definition of a business, which consists of inputs and at least one substantive process applied to those inputs that have the ability to contribute to the creation of outputs. If that threshold is not met but the set does not meet the definition of a business, the acquisition would be an asset acquisition.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash
Accounts Receivable
Inventories
Inventories consist of raw materials, work-in-progress, consumable tooling and finished goods. Fixed production overhead, including related depreciation expense, is allocated to inventory based on the normal production capacity of the facilities. To the extent we do not achieve normal production levels, we charge such under-absorption of fixed overhead to cost of goods sold in the period incurred.
Consumable tooling consists of spare parts and tooling to be consumed in the production process. Spare parts are expected to be used within a year and are expensed as used. Tooling items are amortized to expense over an estimated service life generally less than one year.
58
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Intangibles
Revenue Recognition
We primarily earn revenue by supplying wood pellets to customers under off-take contracts, the majority of the commitments under which are long-term in nature. Our off-take contracts are considered “take-or-pay” because they include a firm obligation of the customer to take a fixed quantity of product at a stated price and provisions that require that we be compensated in the case of a customer’s failure to accept all or a part of the contracted volumes or termination of a contract by a customer. Each of our long-term off-take contracts defines the annual volume of wood pellets that a customer is required to purchase, and we are required to sell, the fixed price per MT for product satisfying a base net calorific value and other technical specifications. These prices are generally fixed for the entire term, however, some may be subject to adjustments which may include annual inflation-based adjustments or price escalators, price adjustments for product specifications, as well as, in some instances, price adjustments due to changes in underlying indices. In addition to sales of our product under these long-term off-take contracts, we routinely sell wood pellets under shorter-term contracts, which range in volume and tenor and, in some cases, may include only one specific shipment. Because each of our off-take contracts is a bilaterally negotiated agreement, our revenue over the duration of such contracts does not generally follow observable current market pricing trends. Our performance obligations under these contracts are the delivery of wood pellets, which we aggregate into MT. We account for each MT as a single performance obligation. Our revenue from the sales of wood pellets we produce is recognized as product sales upon satisfaction of our performance obligation when control transfers to the customer at the time of loading wood pellets onto a ship. The amount of wood pellets loaded onto a ship is determined by management with the assistance of a third-party specialist.
Depending on the specific off‑take contract, shipping terms are either Cost, Insurance and Freight (“CIF”), Cost and Freight (“CFR”) or Free on Board (“FOB”). Under a CIF contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Under a CFR contract, we procure and pay for shipping costs, which include insurance (excluding marine cargo insurance) and all other charges, up to the port of destination for the customer. Shipping under CIF and CFR contracts after control has passed to the customer is considered a fulfillment activity rather than a performance obligation and associated expenses are included in the price to the customer. Under FOB contracts, the customer is directly responsible for shipping costs.
In some cases, we may purchase shipments of product from third-party suppliers and resell them to other parties in back-to-back transactions (“purchase and sale transactions”). We recognize revenue on a gross basis in product sales when we determine that we act as a principal by having control of the wood pellets before they are transferred to the customer. Indicators of control have included being primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the wood pellets (such as by contracting to sell wood pellets before contracting to buy them), having inventory risk, or having discretion in establishing the sales price for the wood pellets. The decision as to whether to recognize revenue on a gross or net basis requires significant judgment.
We recognize terminal services revenue ratably over the related contract term, which is included in other revenue. Terminal services are performance obligations that are satisfied over time, as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the terminal services we perform. The consideration is generally fixed for minimum quantities and any services above the minimum are generally billed based on a per-MT rate as variable consideration and recognized as services are performed. Any deficiency payments receivable and probable of being collected from a customer not meeting quarterly minimum throughput requirements are recognized during the related quarter in satisfaction of the related performance obligation.
Variable consideration from off-take contracts arises from several pricing features outlined in our off-take contracts, pursuant to which such contract pricing may be adjusted in respect of particular shipments to reflect differences between certain
59
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
contractual quality specifications of the wood pellets as measured both when the wood pellets are loaded onto ships and unloaded at the discharge port as well as certain other contractual adjustments.
Variable consideration from terminal services contracts arises from price increases based on agreed inflation indices and from above-minimum throughput quantities or services.
We allocate variable consideration under our off-take and terminal services contracts entirely to each performance obligation to which variable consideration relates. The estimate of variable consideration represents the amount that is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved.
Under our off-take contracts, customers are obligated to pay the majority of the purchase price prior to the arrival of the ship at the customers’ discharge port. The remaining portion is paid after the wood pellets are unloaded at the discharge port. We generally recognize revenue prior to the issuance of an invoice to the customer.
In instances where we have contracts to exchange wood pellets held for sale in the ordinary course of business for similar wood pellets to be sold in the same line of business to facilitate sales to customers other than the parties to the exchange, we account for these exchanges as nonmonetary transactions at the carrying amount of the wood pellets transferred, with no impact to revenue and with no net impact to cost of goods sold once an equal amount of wood pellets have been exchanged. For the sale of the wood pellets received to customers not parties to the exchange, we recognize product sales revenue as described above for off-take contracts. To the extent that these exchanges also include compensation to us for shipping wood pellets, we recognize it as product sales revenue as those wood pellets are loaded and we recognize the shipping costs in cost of goods sold.
Cost of Goods Sold
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
Derivative Instruments
Derivative instruments are classified as either assets or liabilities on a gross basis and carried at fair value and included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, other long-term assets, accrued and other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. During the three years ended December 31, 2021 and since and March 2020, we have no longer applied hedge accounting treatment to any foreign currency and interest rate derivatives, respectively. Derivative instruments that did not or ceased to qualify, or are no longer designated, as accounting hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.
To the extent hedge accounting had previously been applied, it was applied to qualifying cash flow hedges with unrealized changes in their fair value recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income in equity to the extent they could be considered effective in accordance with the accounting standards on derivatives and hedging applicable during those periods.
The effective portion of qualifying foreign currency hedges was reclassified into revenue in the same period or periods during which the hedged revenue affected earnings. The effective portion of qualifying interest rate swaps was reclassified into interest expense in the same period or periods during which the hedged interest expense affects earnings.
Property, Plant and Equipment
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
planned use, technological advances, or other factors show that a different life would be more appropriate. Changes in useful lives are recognized prospectively.
Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Plant and equipment held under finance leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.
Construction in progress primarily represents expenditures for the development and expansion of facilities. Capitalized interest cost and all direct costs, which include equipment and engineering costs related to the development and expansion of facilities, are capitalized as construction in progress. Depreciation is not recognized for amounts in construction in progress.
Normal repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Amounts incurred that extend an asset’s useful life, increase its productivity or add production capacity are capitalized. Direct costs, such as outside labor, materials, internal payroll and benefit costs, incurred during the construction of a new plant are capitalized; indirect costs are not capitalized.
The principal useful lives are as follows:
| Asset | Estimated useful life | |||||||
| Land improvements | ||||||||
| Buildings | ||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | ||||||||
| Vehicles | ||||||||
| Furniture and office equipment | ||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term, generally | |||||||
Costs and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired or sold are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations.
Leases
We have operating and finance leases related to real estate, machinery, equipment and other assets where we are the lessee. Operating leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet but are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease terms. Operating and finance leases with an initial term longer than 12 months are recorded on the balance sheet and classified as either operating or finance.
Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Our leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. In addition to fixed lease payments, we have contracts that incur variable lease expense related to usage (e.g. throughput fees, maintenance and repair and machine hours), which are expensed as incurred. Our leases have remaining terms of to 40 years, some of which include options to extend the leases by up to multiple -year extensions. Our leases are generally noncancelable. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.
An incremental borrowing rate is applied to our leases for balance sheet measurement. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for a collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments as of the commencement date.
For contracts that contain lease and nonlease components, nonlease components are separated and accounted for under other relevant accounting standards. We made an accounting policy election to not separate nonlease components from lease
61
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
components for heavy machinery and equipment and buildings.
Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, accrued and other current liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, the current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations and long-term debt and finance lease obligations on our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are included net in change in operating lease liabilities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issue Discounts and Premiums
Debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums incurred with debt financing are capitalized and amortized over the life of the debt. Amortization expense is included in interest expense. If a debt instrument is retired before its scheduled maturity date, any related unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums are written-off as gain or loss on debt extinguishment in the same period.
Unamortized debt issuance costs and original issue discounts and premiums related to a recognized debt liability are recognized as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related long-term debt and are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to our revolving credit commitments are recognized as an asset and are amortized using the straight-line method.
Goodwill
For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we performed a quantitative assessment using the market approach and determined the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount. There have been no
Non-Cash Equity-Based Compensation and Other Expense
Commitments and Contingencies
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Fair Value Measurements
We apply authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. We determine fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:
•Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.
•Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1, inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
•Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.
Income taxes
Effective December 31, 2021, Enviva Partners, LP converted from a Delaware limited partnership to a Delaware corporation named Enviva Inc. (the “Conversion”). Following the Conversion, we became subject to U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local corporate income tax. In addition, certain of Enviva’s subsidiaries are subject to federal, state, and local income, franchise, or capital taxes at the entity level and the related tax provision is reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Prior to the Conversion, substantially all of Enviva’s operating subsidiaries were organized as limited partnerships and entities that were disregarded entities for U.S. federal and applicable state income tax purposes. As a result, for taxable periods ending on or prior to the conversion, Enviva’s unitholders are liable for income taxes on their share of Enviva’s taxable income.
As a result of the Conversion, Enviva recognized a step-up in the tax basis of certain assets that will be recovered as the assets are sold or the basis is amortized. The calculation and allocation of the step-up in tax basis to the various assets of the company was determined by management with the assistance of a third-party specialist. The basis information used was based on an estimate of the basis in Enviva Inc. as of December 31, 2021. The final amount of the step-up in tax basis may differ as basis information, including the Partnership’s tax basis in underlying assets and liabilities based on 2021 tax return information, becomes available and is finalized.
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the applicable enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets, all evidence, both positive and negative, is considered. Items considered when evaluating the need for a valuation allowance include historical book losses, future reversals of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies and expectations of future earnings.
For a particular tax‑paying component of an entity and within a particular tax jurisdiction, deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset and presented as a single amount, as applicable, in the accompanying statements of financial condition.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards not yet Adopted
Currently, there are no recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted by us that we expect to be reasonably likely to materially impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
(3) Transactions Between Entities Under Common Control
Recast of Historical Financial Statements
The Simplification Transaction was a business combination of entities under common control and net assets acquired were combined at their historical costs with a change in reporting entity. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively recast to reflect the Simplification Transaction as if the Simplification Transaction had occurred on March 18, 2010, the date Holdings was originally organized. While the Partnership was the surviving entity for legal purposes, Holdings is the surviving entity for accounting purposes. As a result, the historical financial results prior to the Simplification are those of Holdings. Prior to the Simplification Transaction, Holdings controlled the Partnership so the financial statements of the Partnership were consolidated into the financial statements of Holdings and the common units of the Partnership held by the public are reflected as a noncontrolling interest.
64
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
The following table presents changes as a result of the Simplification Transaction for the common control entities acquired to previously reported amounts in the audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 included in Enviva’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020:
| As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | Common Control Entities Acquired | Total (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||||||||
| Other accounts receivable | |||||||||||||||||
| Related-party receivables, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of interest payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||||||||
| Related-party note payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||||||||
| Total equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
65
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
The following tables present the changes as a result of the Simplification Transaction to previously reported amounts in the audited consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 included in Enviva’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020:
| Year Ended December 31. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | Common Control Entities Acquired | Total (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Enviva Inc. | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | Common Control Entities Acquired | Total (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Net revenue | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Enviva Inc. | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
The following tables present the changes as a result of the Simplification Transaction to previously reported amounts in the audited consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 included in Enviva’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020:
| Year Ended December 31. 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | Common Control Entities Acquired | Total (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||
| As Reported | Common Control Entities Acquired | Total (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | |||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||
66
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
(4) Acquisition
Purchase Price Allocation
The Georgia Biomass Acquisition closed on July 31, 2020 and was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The following table summarizes the purchase price and the fair values of the amounts recorded for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date of July 31, 2020.
| Purchase price: | |||||
| Cash paid by the Partnership at closing | $ | ||||
| Reimbursement to the Partnership of certain acquisition-related costs, net | |||||
| Settlement of payable from the Partnership to Georgia Biomass | ( | ||||
| Payment in relation to the Georgia Biomass Acquisition | |||||
| Receivable from purchase price adjustment | ( | ||||
| $ | |||||
| Identified net assets acquired: | |||||
| Cash | $ | ||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||
| Inventories | |||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | |||||
| Intangible assets | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | |||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | ( | ||||
| Current portion of long-term finance lease obligations | ( | ||||
| Long-term finance lease obligations | ( | ||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | ( | ||||
| Deferred tax liability, net | ( | ||||
| Intangible liabilities | ( | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ||||
| Identifiable net assets acquired | |||||
| Goodwill | |||||
| Total purchase price | $ | ||||
The opening balance sheet from July 31, 2020 has changed since what had been preliminarily included in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. As a result, goodwill decreased by $1.6 million, mainly driven by the change in certain intangible liabilities of $2.5 million resulting from updated information received offset by the impact on deferred taxes. The measurement period has now ended as the purchase price and the purchase price allocation have been finalized.
The net assets of Georgia Biomass were recorded at their estimated fair values. Significant inputs used to estimate the fair values of certain net assets acquired included estimates of the: (1) replacement cost for property, plant and equipment as if each asset was new as of the acquisition date, which was then adjusted for the depreciation and any obsolescence since the date Georgia Biomass originally acquired that asset; (2) market prices for finished goods inventory and for customer and shipping contracts; (3) incremental borrowing rates as of the acquisition date for leases acquired; and (4) appropriate discount rates.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other net assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. We believe that the primary items that generated goodwill include both (1) the value of the synergies created between the acquired assets and our pre-existing assets and long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts and (2) our expected ability to grow the combined business by leveraging the combined business experience and the expanded footprint. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
In connection with the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, acquisition-related costs through December 31, 2020 were approximately $3.9 million and are included within selling, general, administrative, and development expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. These acquisition-related costs do not include integration costs.
(5) Revenue
We disaggregate our revenue into two categories: product sales and other revenue. Product sales includes sales of wood pellets. Other revenue includes fees associated with customer requests to cancel, defer, or accelerate shipments in satisfaction of the related performance obligation and third- and related-party terminal services fees. Other revenue also includes fees received for other services, including for sales and marketing, scheduling, sustainability, consultation, shipping and risk management services, where the revenue is recognized when we have satisfied the performance obligation and have a right to the corresponding fee. These categories best reflect the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows.
Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of consideration from contracts with customers allocated to the performance obligations that were unsatisfied or partially satisfied was approximately $18.2 billion. This amount excludes forward prices related to variable consideration including inflation, foreign currency and commodity prices. Also, this amount excludes the effects of the related foreign currency derivative contracts as they do not represent contracts with customers. We expect to recognize approximately 7.0
Variable Consideration
Variable consideration from off-take contracts arises from several pricing features in our off-take contracts, pursuant to which such contract pricing may be adjusted in respect of particular shipments to reflect differences between certain contractual quality specifications of the wood pellets as measured both when the wood pellets are loaded onto ships and unloaded at the discharge port as well as certain other contractual adjustments.
Variable consideration from our terminal services contract arises from price increases based on agreed inflation indices and from above-minimum throughput quantities or services. There was no variable consideration from our terminal services contract for the year ended December 31, 2021. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, variable consideration from our terminal service contract was insignificant.
For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of product sales revenue related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods. For the year ended December 31, 2019, product sales revenue was reduced by $0.1 million related to performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.
Contract Balances
Accounts receivable related to product sales as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $91.3 million and $108.5 million, respectively. Of these amounts, $61.3 million and $95.0 million, as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 respectively, related to amounts that were not yet billable under our contracts with customers pending finalization of prerequisite billing documentation. The amounts that had not been billed are billed upon receipt of prerequisite billing documentation, where substantially all is typically billed one to two weeks after full loading of the vessel, and where the remaining balance is typically billed one to two weeks after discharge of the vessel.
68
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
(6) Significant Risks and Uncertainties, Including Business and Credit Concentrations
Our business is significantly impacted by greenhouse gas emission and renewable energy legislation and regulations in the U.K., European Union (“EU”) as well as its member states and Japan. If the U.K., the EU or its member states or Japan significantly modify such legislation or regulations, then our ability to enter into new contracts as our existing contracts expire may be materially affected.
Our product sales are primarily to industrial customers located in the U.K., Denmark, Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Product sales to third-party customers that accounted for 10 % or a greater share of consolidated product sales for each of the years ended December 31 are as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Customer A | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Customer B | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Customer C | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Customer D | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
| Customer E | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||
(7) Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31:
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Raw materials and work-in-process | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Consumable tooling | |||||||||||
| Finished goods | |||||||||||
| Total inventories | $ | $ | |||||||||
(8) Property, Plant, and Equipment, net
Property, plant, and equipment, net consisted of the following as of December 31:
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Land | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Land improvements | |||||||||||
| Buildings | |||||||||||
| Machinery and equipment | |||||||||||
| Vehicles | |||||||||||
| Furniture and office equipment | |||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | |||||||||||
| Construction in progress | |||||||||||
| Total property, plant and equipment, net | $ | $ | |||||||||
69
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Total depreciation expense and capitalized interest related to construction-in-progress were as follows for the years ended December 31:
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest related to construction in progress | ||||||||||||||||||||
(9) Leases
Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities and finance leases as of December 31:
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases: | ||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Long-term operating lease liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Finance leases: | ||||||||||||||
| Property plant and equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term finance lease obligations | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Long-term finance lease obligations | ||||||||||||||
| Total finance lease liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Pascagoula leases certain real estate on which it is constructing a marine export terminal facility (the “Enviva System”). In addition, Pascagoula is party to an exclusive lease for terminal assets, on which the Enviva system will depend, to be constructed by Jackson County Port Authority (the “JCPA system”). The leases each have a 20 four 40 -year life of the Enviva System lease are estimated to be $27.6 million. For the JCPA System, there are two payment options for the exclusive right to use it for what is expected to be approximately $24.0 million plus interest. The JCPA system lease is accounted for as a “build-to-suit” lease and is recorded as construction-in-progress with a related long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheet at $18.0 million as of December 31, 2021.
70
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Operating and finance lease costs were as follows for the years ended December 31:
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease Cost | Classification | 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease cost: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed lease cost | Cost of goods sold | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Variable lease cost | Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term lease cost | Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating lease costs | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease cost: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of leased assets | Depreciation and amortization | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Variable lease cost | Cost of goods sold | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, administrative, and development expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total finance lease costs | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease costs | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Operating and finance lease cash flow information was as follows for the years ended December 31:
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, 2021, the future minimum lease payments and the aggregate maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities are as follows:
| Years Ending December 31, | Operating Leases | Finance Leases | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Thereafter | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total lease payments | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: imputed interest | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Total present value of lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
71
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
As of December 31, 2021, the weighted-average remaining lease terms and discount rates for our operating and finance leases were weighted using the undiscounted future minimum lease payments and are as follows:
| Weighted average remaining lease term (years): | ||||||||
| Operating leases | ||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate: | ||||||||
| Operating leases | ||||||||
| Finance leases | ||||||||
(10) Derivative Instruments
We use derivative instruments to partially offset our business exposure to foreign currency exchange risk from expected future cash flows and interest rate risk resulting from certain borrowings. Although the preponderance of our off-take contracts are U.S. Dollar-denominated, we are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates related to a minority of our off-take contracts that require future deliveries of wood pellets to be settled in British Pound Sterling (“GBP”) and Euro (“EUR”).
We seek to mitigate the credit risk associated with derivative instruments by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions. Although we monitor the potential risk of loss due to credit risk, we do not expect material losses as a result of defaults by counterparties. We use derivative instruments to manage cash flow and do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
We have entered and may continue to enter into foreign currency forward contracts, purchased option contracts or other instruments to partially manage this risk. Prior to 2018, we designated certain derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. In 2018, we discontinued hedge accounting for all designated foreign currency cash flow hedges. In connection with the discontinuation of cash flow hedge accounting, we recorded the on-going changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives as product sales or cost of goods sold depending on the nature of the item being hedged.
In 2020, we entered into pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk associated with our variable rate borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility that are not designated and accounted for as cash flow hedges. The interest rate swaps expired in 2021.
Derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 assets or liabilities based on inputs such as spot and forward benchmark interest rates (such as LIBOR) and foreign exchange rates. The fair value of derivative instruments as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:
| Asset (Liability) | ||||||||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet Classification | 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||||
| Not designated as hedging instruments: | ||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | Accrued and other current liabilities | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange contracts: | ||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||
Net unrealized and net realized gains and (losses) recorded to earnings were as follows:
72
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
| 2020 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Classification | Derivative Instrument | 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | Foreign currency derivatives | Unrealized | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Product sales | Foreign currency derivatives | Realized | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | Interest rate swap (1) | Unrealized | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The effects of instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the related changes in accumulated other comprehensive income and the gains and losses recognized in earnings for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:
Amount of Gain (Loss) in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion) | Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Effective Portion) | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion) | |||||||||||||||
| (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate swap | $ | ( | Interest expense | $ | |||||||||||||
We enter into master netting arrangements designed to permit net settlement of derivative transactions among the respective counterparties. If we had settled all transactions with our respective counterparties at December 31, 2021, we would have received a net settlement termination payment of $1.6 million, which differs by $0.2 million from the recorded fair value of the derivatives. We present our derivative assets and liabilities at their gross fair values.
The notional amounts of outstanding derivative instruments associated with outstanding or unsettled derivative instruments were as of follows as of December 31:
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts in GBP | £ | £ | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange purchased option contracts in GBP | £ | £ | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange forward contracts in EUR | € | € | |||||||||
| Interest rate swaps | $ | $ | |||||||||
(11) Fair Value Measurements
The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, and accrued and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
Derivative instruments and long-term debt including the current portion are classified as Level 2 instruments. Derivatives are classified as Level 2 as they are fair valued using inputs that are observable in active markets such as benchmark interest rates and foreign exchange rates (see Note 10, Derivative Instruments). The fair value of our 2026 Notes (see Note 14, Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations) was determined based on observable market prices in an active market and was categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Seller Note is classified as Level 2 and is estimated on discounted cash flow analyses based on observable inputs in active markets for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The carrying amount of other long-term debt, which is primarily comprised of the senior secured revolving credit facility that resets based on a market rate, approximates fair value.
73
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of long-term debt were as follows as of December 31:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value | (Recast) | (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 Notes | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Seller Note | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
(12) Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Goodwill
Goodwill was $103.9 million and $99.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Goodwill includes $4.3 million recorded from an acquisition in 2021, $14.0 million recorded associated with the Georgia Biomass Acquisition in 2020, see Note 4, Acquisition, $80.7 million associated with the acquisition of Cottondale in 2015, and $4.9 million from acquisitions in 2010. We did not record any impairment losses during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, or 2019.
Intangibles
Intangible assets (liabilities) consisted of the following as of December 31:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Gross Carrying Amount (Recast) | Accumulated Amortization (Recast) | Net Carrying Amount (Recast) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorable customer contracts | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assembled workforce | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unfavorable customer contract | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unfavorable shipping contract | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible liabilities, net | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
As a result of the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, we recorded intangible assets and liabilities related to favorable off-take contracts that expired in 2020 or expire in December 2024, an unfavorable customer contract that expires in December 2024, and an unfavorable shipping contract that expires in December 2025. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 $(0.7 ) million, $5.5 million, and $0.7 million respectively, of net amortization was included in depreciation and amortization on the consolidated statements of operations.
The estimated aggregate net reduction of amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||
| 2022 | $ | ||||
| 2023 | |||||
| 2024 | |||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
(13) Accrued and Other Current Liabilities
74
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Accrued expenses - compensation and benefits | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued expenses - wood pellet purchases and distribution costs | |||||||||||
| Accrued expenses - operating costs and expenses | |||||||||||
| Accrued capital expenditures | |||||||||||
| Other accrued expenses and other current liabilities | |||||||||||
| Accrued and other current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||
(14) Long-Term Debt and Finance Lease Obligations
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
2026 Notes, net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance of $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Senior secured revolving credit facility | |||||||||||
Seller Note, net of unamortized discount of $ | |||||||||||
| Related-party note payable | |||||||||||
| Other loans | |||||||||||
| Finance leases | |||||||||||
| Total long-term debt and finance lease obligations | |||||||||||
| Less current portion of long-term debt, finance lease obligations, and related-party note payable | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, excluding current installments | $ | $ | |||||||||
2026 Notes
In December 2019, we issued $600.0 million in principal amount of 6.5 % senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). We received gross proceeds of approximately $601.8 million from the 2026 Notes and net proceeds of approximately $595.8 million after deducting commissions and expenses. We used the net proceeds from the 2026 Notes to (1) redeem our existing $355.0 million principal amount of 8.5 % senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “2021 Notes”), including payment of the related redemption premium, (2) repay borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility, including payment of the related accrued interest, and (3) for general purposes.
In July 2020, we issued an additional $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes at an offering price of 103.75 % of the principal amount (the “Additional Notes”). We received net proceeds of approximately $153.6 million from the Additional Notes offering after deducting discounts and commissions. We used the net proceeds from the Additional Notes offering to fund a portion of the cash consideration for the third-party member of the Development JV’s indirect interest in Enviva Pellets Greenwood Holdings II, LLC (“Greenwood”), and the Georgia Biomass Acquisition, to repay borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility and for general purposes.
Interest payments are due semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2020. During 2020, we recorded $2.7 million of premium offset by debt issuance costs associated with the Additional Notes.
We may redeem all or a portion of the 2026 Notes at any time at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date) and, in some cases, plus a make-whole premium.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we were in compliance with the covenants and restrictions associated with, and no events of default existed under, the indenture dated as of December 9, 2019 governing the 2026 Notes. The 2026 Notes are
75
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
guaranteed jointly and severally on a senior unsecured basis by most of our existing subsidiaries and may be guaranteed by certain future restricted subsidiaries.
2021 Notes
In December 2019, we redeemed all $355.0 million of aggregate principal amount of 2021 Notes and recognized a $9.0 million loss on the early retirement of debt obligation consisting of a $7.5 million debt redemption premium and $1.5 million for the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, original issue discount and premium. The amounts were amortized over the term of the 2021 Notes and were expensed in December 2019 when we repaid $355.0 million of aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes. The 2021 Notes early redemption was funded from the issuance of the 2026 Notes.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
In December 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $525.0 million to $570.0 million and to permit the issuance of commercial letters of credit. In April 2021, we amended our senior secured revolving credit facility to increase the revolving credit commitments from $350.0 million to $525.0 million, to extend the maturity from October 2023 to April 2026, to increase the letter of credit commitment from $50.0 million to $80.0 million, and to reduce the cost of borrowing by 25 basis points.
Borrowings under the revolving credit commitments thereunder bear interest, at our option, at either a Eurodollar rate or at a base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin will fluctuate between 1.50 % per annum and 2.75 % per annum, in the case of Eurodollar rate borrowings, or between 0.50 % per annum and 1.75 % per annum, in the case of base rate loans, in each case, based on our Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) at such time, with 25 basis point increases or decreases for each 0.50 increase or decrease in our Total Leverage Ratio from 2.75 :1:00 to 4.75 :1:00.
We are required to pay a commitment fee on the daily unused amount under the revolving credit commitments at a rate between 0.25 % and 0.50 % per annum. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, commitment fees were $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $466.0 million and $120.0 million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility.
At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $4.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under our senior secured revolving credit facility.
The credit agreement contains certain covenants, restrictions and events of default. We are required to maintain (1) a maximum Total Leverage Ratio at or below 5.00 to 1.00 (or 5.25 to 1.00 during a Material Transaction Period) and (2) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in our credit agreement) of not less than 2.25 to 1.00.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants and restrictions associated with, and no events of default existed under, our senior secured revolving credit facility. Our obligations under the senior secured revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by liens on substantially all of our assets; however, the senior secured revolving credit facility is not guaranteed by the Hamlet JV or Enviva Pellets Epes, LLC, or secured by liens on their assets.
Seller Note
We are a party to, and a guarantor of, a promissory note (the “Seller Note”) with a remaining principal balance of $37.5 million. The Seller Note matures in February 2023 and has an interest rate of 2.5 % per annum. Principal and related interest payments are due annually through February 2022 and quarterly thereafter.
Senior Secured Green Term Loan Facility
In February 2021, our former sponsor entered into a senior secured green term loan facility (the “Green Term Loan”) providing for $325.0 million principal amount, maturing in February 2026. Interest was priced LIBOR plus 5.50 % with a LIBOR floor of 1.00 %. Interest was payable in arrears at the end of each interest period and on the maturity date. Subject to our former sponsor’s election, interest periods of one, two, three, or six months. Our former sponsor received gross proceeds of $325.0
76
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
million and net proceeds of approximately $317.2 million after deducting original issue discount, commissions, and expenses. Our former sponsor used the net proceeds (1) to purchase the Development JV third-party member’s interest in the Development JV, (2) to repay the Riverstone Loan (see Note 15, Related-Party Transactions), (3) to fund capital expenditure and liquidity reserve cash accounts, and (4) for general purposes. During 2021, our former sponsor repaid $338.7 million of principal amount plus accrued interest. The Green Term Loan was repaid in full during 2021 and no further borrowings are available under the facility.
Debt Issuance Costs and Premium
Unamortized debt issuance costs and premium included in long-term debt at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $3.7 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the senior secured revolving credit facility included in long-term assets was $2.8 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization expense included in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $3.9 million, $2.6 million, and $2.6 million, respectively.
Debt Maturities
Our long-term debt matures through 2026 and our finance lease obligations have maturity dates of between 2021 and 2031. The aggregate maturities of long-term debt and finance lease obligations as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
| Year Ending December 31: | ||||||||
| 2022 | $ | |||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 and thereafter | ||||||||
| Long-term debt and finance lease obligations | ||||||||
| Unamortized premium and debt issuance costs | ( | |||||||
| Total long-term debt and finance lease obligations | $ | |||||||
(15) Related-Party Transactions
Riverstone/Carlyle Renewable and Alternative Energy Fund II, L.P. and certain affiliated entities (the “Riverstone Funds”), were the sole members of our former general partner. On July 22, 2020, Holdings was recapitalized (the “Recapitalization”) and Riverstone Echo Continuation Holdings, L.P. (the “Continuation Fund”) and Riverstone Echo Rollover Holdings, L.P. (the “Rollover Fund”) became the sole members of the general partner of our former sponsor.
Our former sponsor incurred an annual monitoring fee, which was paid quarterly to the Riverstone Funds, equal to 0.4% of the average value of the Riverstone Funds’ capital contributions to our former sponsor during each fiscal quarter. We incurred $1.1 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million of monitoring fee expense during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in selling, general, administrative, and development expenses. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had an insignificant amount and $0.5 million payable related to related-party monitoring fee expense included in accrued and other current liabilities. The monitoring fee was terminated on the date of the Simplification Transaction.
In November 2020, our former sponsor entered into a promissory note with the Continuation Fund and the Rollover Fund for principal amount of $20.0 million (the “Riverstone Loan”). The proceeds of the Riverstone Loan were used (1) to fund a capital call of $15.0 million to the Development JV, (2) to purchase a project site in the amount of $2.6 million to develop a wood pellet production plant in Epes, Alabama, and (3) for general purposes. In February 2021, our former sponsor repaid $20.1 million of principal amount plus accrued interest.
On October 14, 2021, our former sponsor distributed 13.6 million common units of the Partnership to the Riverstone Funds. As part of the 16.0 million common units issued in exchange for the Simplification Transaction, 14.1 million were issued to the Riverstone Funds. The Riverstone Funds have agreed to reinvest in our common stock all dividends from 8.7 million of the 14.1
77
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
million common units issued in connection with the Simplification Transaction for the dividends paid for the period beginning with the third quarter of 2021 through the fourth quarter of 2024. On the date of the Simplification Transaction, the Riverstone Funds held 27.7 million common units.
In connection with the Simplification Transaction, our existing management fee waivers and other former sponsor support agreements associated with our earlier common control acquisitions were consolidated, fixed, and novated to certain of the former owners of our former sponsor. As a result, under the consolidated support agreement, we will receive quarterly payments in an aggregate amount of $55.5 million with respect to periods through the fourth quarter of 2023.
(16) Income Taxes
As a result of the Conversion, Enviva became subject to U.S. federal, foreign, and state, and local corporate income tax.
In the Conversion, Enviva recognized a step-up in the tax basis of certain assets that will be recovered as the assets are sold or the basis is amortized. The calculation and allocation of the step-up in tax basis to the various assets of the Company was determined by management with the assistance of a third-party specialist. The basis information used was based on an estimate of the basis in Enviva Inc. as of December 31, 2021. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the applicable enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when such differences are expected to reverse. The final amount of the step-up in tax basis may differ as basis information, including the partnerships’ tax basis in underlying assets and liabilities based on 2021 tax return information, becomes available and is finalized. Enviva assessed the realizability of the deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) and concluded that a full valuation allowance for the net DTAs is deemed appropriate as the DTAs were not more likely than not to be realized under relevant accounting standards. On the date of the Conversion, we recorded an estimated net deferred tax asset of $142.8 million relating to the Conversion with a full valuation allowance, resulting in a net zero deferred tax benefit for the deferred taxes relating to the Conversion.
Enviva included income tax benefit of $17.0 million in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 as it related to the activities of corporate subsidiaries and Conversion to corporation. For tax years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recorded income tax expense of $0.2 million and income tax benefit of $2.0 million.
Loss before income taxes consists of the following:
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| U.S. | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Foreign | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss not subject to federal income tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
78
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Components of the income tax provision applicable to our federal, state and foreign taxes are as follows:
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Current income tax expense : | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| State | |||||||||||||||||
| Foreign | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current income tax expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax (benefit) expense: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||
| State | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total deferred income tax (benefit) expense | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||
| Total income tax (benefit) expense | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||
The effective income tax rate from continuing operations varies from the U.S. Federal statutory rate principally due to the following:
| 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | (Recast) | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense at statutory federal income tax rate | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: | |||||||||||||||||
| Partnership earnings not subject to tax | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognition/derecognition of deferred tax | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Valuation allowance | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total income tax (benefit) expense | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||
79
ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:
| 2020 | |||||||||||
| 2021 | (Recast) | ||||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | |||||||||||
| Federal net operating loss carryforward | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Accrued bonus and other accrued liabilities | |||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||
| Mark to market derivatives | |||||||||||
| Equity based compensation | |||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | |||||||||||
| Interest expense limitation | |||||||||||
| Intangibles | |||||||||||
| Total deferred tax assets | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Prepaids | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ( | ||||||||||
| Investment in affiliates | ( | ||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Total deferred tax liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Valuation allowance | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net deferred tax liability net valuation allowance | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||
As of December 31, 2021, we have federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $4.8 million, out of which $3.6 million will expire in years 2034 to 2036.
For calendar year 2021, the only periods subject to examination for U.S. federal and state income tax returns are 2018 through 2020. We believe our income tax filing positions, including our previous status as a pass-through entity, would be sustained on audit and do not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to our consolidated balance sheet. Therefore, no
Assessing whether deferred tax assets are realizable requires significant judgement. Enviva considers all available positive and negative evidence, including historical operating performance and expectations of future operating performance. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is often dependent upon future taxable income and therefore can be uncertain. To the extent that Enviva believes it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset will not be realized, valuation allowances are established against any deferred tax assets, which increases income tax expense in the period when such a determination is made. Enviva assessed the realizability of the DTAs and concluded that a full valuation allowance for the net DTAs is deemed appropriate as the DTAs were not more likely than not to be realized under relevant accounting standards.
The Company conducts its foreign operations through foreign taxable entities and is therefore subject to foreign income taxes. The Company generally has minimal foreign current and deferred income tax expense.
(17) Equity
Conversion
As a result of the Conversion, periods prior to December 31, 2021 reflect Enviva as a limited partnership, not a corporation. References to common units for periods prior to the Conversion refer to common units of Enviva Partners, LP, and references to common stock for periods following the Conversion refer to shares of common stock of Enviva Inc.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
On the date of the Conversion, each common unit representing a limited partner interest in the Partnership issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Conversion was exchanged for one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
Simplification Transaction
On October 14, 2021, the Partnership closed on the Simplification Transaction where (a) the Company acquired (i) all of the limited partner interests in our former sponsor and (ii) all of the limited liability company interests in the former GP, and (b) the incentive distribution rights directly held by our former sponsor were cancelled and eliminated. In exchange, the Partnership issued 16.0 million common units, which were distributed to the owners of our former sponsor. The owners of our former sponsor agreed to reinvest in our common stock all dividends from 9.0 million of the 16.0 million common units issued in connection with the Simplification Transaction during the period beginning with dividends paid for the third quarter of 2021 through the fourth quarter of 2024. Under a consolidated support agreement, we are entitled to receive quarterly payments (the “Support Payments”) in an aggregate amount of up to $55.5 million with respect to periods from the fourth quarter of 2021 through the first quarter of 2024. See “Noncontrolling Interests – Enviva Partners” below about the capital of the Partnership.
Recapitalization
On the date of the Recapitalization and as of December 31, 2020, the capital of Holdings consisted of a general partner interest and limited partner interests. The general partner interest was a non-economic, management interest. The general partner was granted full and complete power and authority to manage and conduct the business and affairs of Holdings and to take all such actions as it deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purpose of Holdings. The limited partner interests were divided into two series of units, Series A units and Series B units. The limited partner interests of Series A, B and D units issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Recapitalization were bought out by holders who received new Series A units, which were issued and outstanding as of the Recapitalization and December 31, 2020. The limited partner interests represented by the preceding Series C and E units were canceled as part of the Recapitalization.
Series A Units
As of the Recapitalization, Series A units were issued to certain continuing investors and to new investors who purchased the interests of preceding investors. Holdings did not receive any contributions or make any distributions as part of the Recapitalization. The general partner had the ability to call on a total of up to approximately $300.0 million incremental equity commitments to finance future growth projects in exchange for additional units. No amounts were called upon or drawn pursuant to the equity commitment.
Distribution Rights
All distributable property of Holdings legally available for distribution upon a liquidation event would be distributed as follows:
(a) First: 100 % to the Series A Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Unreturned Series A Capital Contributions until the Unreturned Series A Capital Contributions of each Series A Limited Partner have been reduced to $0 .
(b) Second: 100 % to the Series A Limited Partners in proportion to their Unpaid Series A Preference Amounts until the Unpaid Series A Preference Amount of each Series A Limited Partner has been reduced to $0 ; and
(c) Thereafter: (i) 85 % to the Series A Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Series A Unit Sharing Percentages and (ii) 15 % to the Series B Limited Partners in proportion to their respective Series B Unit Sharing Percentages.
Previous Capitalization
Prior to the Recapitalization, the partners’ capital attributable to Enviva Holdings, LP was divided into five classifications: (1) Series A units, (2) Series B units, (3) Series C units, (4) Series D units and (5) Series E units.
Series A Units
Holdings had previously issued 250.0 million Series A units to the previous Series A limited partners. On the date of the Recapitalization, the previously issued Series A units were bought out by holders who received new Series A units.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Series B Units
Holdings had previously issued 14.1 million Series B units to the previous Series B limited partners in exchange for certain assets. On the date of the Recapitalization, the previously issued Series B units were bought out by holders who received new Series A units.
Series C Units
Holdings had issued 6.0 million Series C units pursuant to restricted unit agreements (“Restricted Unit Agreements”). The Series C units were intended to constitute “profits interests” as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. On the date of the Recapitalization, the previously issued Series C units were cancelled and extinguished for no consideration.
Series D Units
Holdings had issued an aggregate of 113.2 million Series D units. On the date of the Recapitalization, the issued Series D units were bought out by holders who received new Series A units.
Series E Units
Holdings had issued 1.1 million Series E units pursuant to Restricted Unit Agreements. The Series E units were intended to constitute “profits interests” as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. On the date of the Recapitalization, the previously issued Series E units were cancelled and extinguished for no consideration.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests of partners’ capital consist of: (1) third-party equity ownership in the Partnership (2) the Hamlet JV and (3) the Development JV.
The Partnership
Prior to the Simplification Transaction, Holdings owned common units of the Partnership representing an approximate 30% limited partner interest. Holdings was an indirect owner of the Partnership’s general partner, which held the intercompany incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) of the Partnership until December 31, 2020 and was an indirect owner of MLP Holdco, LLC, which held the IDRs between January 1, 2021 and the Simplification Transaction.
Between January 1, 2021 and the Simplification Transaction, the Partnership issued 4,925,000 of its common units at a price of $45.50 per common unit for total net proceeds of $214.5 million, after deducting $9.5 million of issuance costs. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Partnership issued 6.2 million common units in a private placement at a price of $32.50 per common unit for gross proceeds of $200.0 million. The Partnership received proceeds of $190.5 million, net of $9.5 million of issuance costs. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Partnership issued 3.5 million common units in a registered direct offering for net proceeds of approximately $97.0 million, net of $3.0 million of issuance costs.
The partnership agreement of the Partnership contained provisions for the allocation of its net income and loss to its limited partners and its general partner. For purposes of maintaining partners’ capital accounts, items of income and loss were allocated among the limited partners in accordance with their respective percentage ownership interests. Normal allocations according to percentage interests were made after giving effect, if any, to priority income allocations in an amount equal to intercompany IDRs allocated 100% to the Partnership’s general partner through December 31, 2020 and MLP Holdco between January 1, 2020 and the Simplification Transaction.
The Partnership had distributed a quarterly cash distribution to its unitholders pursuant to a cash distribution policy. The partnership agreement had set forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount of cash distributions that our unitholders and our former sponsor would receive.
Aside from the distributions made by the Partnership set forth below, no distributions have been made to the pursuant to the Class A – E holders or Class A and B holders subsequent to the recapitalization. The following table details the cash distribution paid or declared by the Partnership (in millions, except per unit amounts):
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
| Quarter Ended | Declaration Date | Record Date | Payment Date | Distribution Per Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2020 | August 5, 2020 | August 14, 2020 | August 28, 2020 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2020 | October 30, 2020 | November 13, 2020 | November 27, 2020 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | February 15, 2021 | February 26, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | April 28, 2021 | May 14, 2021 | May 28, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2021 | July 27, 2021 | August 13, 2021 | August 27, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2021 | November 3, 2021 | November 15, 2021 | November 26, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | February 2, 2022 | February 14, 2022 | February 25, 2022 | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hamlet JV
The capital of the Hamlet JV is divided into two classifications: (1) Class A Units and (2) Class B Units, issued at a price of $1.00 per unit for each class.
Class A Units were issued to the third-party member in exchange for capital contributions at a price of $1.00 for each Class A Unit.
The third-party member had a total capital commitment of $235.2 million and, as of December 31, 2021, the third-party member held 227.0 million Class A Units with a remaining capital commitment amount of $8.2 million.
Class B Units were issued to Enviva in exchange for capital contributions at a price of $1.00 for each Class B Unit.
Enviva had a total capital commitment of $232.2 million and, as of December 31, 2021, held 224.0 million Class B Units with a remaining commitment amount of $8.2 million.
Pursuant to the limited liability company agreement of the Hamlet JV (the “Hamlet JV LLCA”), we are the managing member of the Hamlet JV and have the authority to manage the business and affairs of the Hamlet JV and take actions on its behalf, including adopting annual budgets, entering into agreements, effecting asset sales or biomass purchase agreements, making capital calls, incurring debt, and taking other actions, subject to consent of the third-party member in certain circumstances. The Hamlet JV LLCA also sets forth the capital commitments and limitations thereon from each of the members and provides for the allocation of sale proceeds and distributions among the holders of outstanding Class A Units and Class B Units.
Distributions to the third-party member and to Enviva are made in our reasonable discretion as managing member and are governed by the waterfall provisions of the Hamlet JV LLCA, which provides that distributions, after repayment of revolving borrowings under the Hamlet JV Revolver, are to be made as follows:
•First: To the members in proportion to their relative unreturned capital contributions, then to the members in proportion to their relative unpaid preference amount.
•Thereafter: 25 % to the third-party member and 75 % to Enviva.
Development JV
Our former sponsor held a controlling interest, and a third-party member held a noncontrolling interest, in the Development JV. In February 2021, we purchased all of the third-party member’s limited liability company interests in Development JV. We paid a first installment of approximately $130.1 million in February 2021 and a final installment of $23.7 million was paid in July 2021.
(18) Equity-Based Awards
Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)
We maintain the LTIP, which provides for the grant, from time to time, at the discretion of our board of directors or a committee thereof, of options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), DERs, and other awards. The LTIP limits the number of common units that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the plan to 3,450,000 common shares in accordance with the Plan, which became effective on December 31, 2021. If equity awards granted under the LTIP are forfeited, canceled, exercised, paid in cash, or otherwise terminate or expire without the actual delivery of the
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
underlying common shares, the corresponding number of such common shares will remain available for delivery pursuant to other awards under the LTIP. The common shares issuable pursuant to the LTIP will consist, in whole or in part, of common shares acquired in the open market or from any affiliate or any other person, newly issued common shares, or any combination of the foregoing as determined by our board of directors or a committee thereof.
During 2021, 2020, and 2019, our board of directors granted RSUs in tandem with corresponding DERs to our employees (the “Affiliate Grants”) and RSUs in tandem with corresponding DERs to independent members of our board of directors (the “Director Grants”). The RSUs and corresponding DERs are subject to certain vesting and forfeiture provisions. Award recipients do not have all of the rights of a common shareholder with respect to the RSUs until the RSUs have vested and been settled. Awards of the RSUs settled in common share are settled within 60 days after the applicable vesting date. If a RSU award recipient experiences a termination of service under certain circumstances set forth in the applicable award agreement, the unvested RSUs and corresponding DERs (in the case of performance-based Affiliate Grants) are forfeited. Forfeitures are recognized when the actual forfeiture occurs.
Restricted Shares
Certain employees had received Series B units of our former sponsor that were intended to constitute “profits interests” as defined by the Internal Revenue Service that, due to the Simplification Transaction, converted into common units of the Partnership. In August 2020, our former sponsor had issued equity-classified awards where it may issue up to 10,000 Series B units. Our former sponsor had issued 25% initially, or 2,500 Series B units, and expected to issue an additional 25% on each anniversary over the following three years. These Series B units were measured at the grant date fair value, which was estimated using a probability weighted discounted cash flow approach to be approximately $38.5 million where we recognized $23.8 million and $13.9 million as non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Of the $23.8 million recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021, $16.6 million was due to the accelerated vesting of all otherwise unvested Series B units as a result of the Simplification Transaction. After the Simplification Transaction, an additional $3.2 million was recognized as non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense during the year ended December 31, 2021 related to common shares of Enviva Inc. subject to restriction into which the Series B units were converted. The common shares subject to restriction will have their restrictions released as follows: one-third on each of December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The unrecognized estimated non-cash equity-based compensation and other expense relating to outstanding common shares subject to restriction at December 31, 2021 was $47.3 million, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Affiliate Grants
A summary of the Affiliate Grants for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 is as follows:
| Time-Based Restricted Stock Units | Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units | Total Affiliate Grant Restricted Stock Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (per unit)(1) | Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (per unit)(1) | Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (per unit)(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2018 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeitures | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeitures | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeitures | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate grant date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.
We recognize non-cash equity-based compensation expense for the shares awarded in cost of goods sold and selling, general, administrative, and development expenses. We recognized $28.0 million, $25.1 million and $10.2 million of selling, general, administrative, and development expenses associated with the Affiliate Grants during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
We paid $11.0 million to satisfy the withholding tax requirements associated with 312,528 time-based Affiliate Grants and 156,801 performance-based Affiliate Grants that vested under the LTIP during the year ended December 31, 2021. We paid $5.0 million satisfy the withholding tax requirements associated with 232,116 time-based Affiliate Grants that vested under the LTIP during the year ended December 31, 2020. No performance-based Affiliate Grants vested under the LTIP during the year ended December 31, 2019. The unrecognized estimated non-cash equity-based compensation expense relating to outstanding Affiliate Grants at December 31, 2021 was $41.3 million, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting period.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Director Grants
A summary of the Director Grant unit awards subject to vesting for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, is as follows:
| Time-Based Phantom Units | |||||||||||
| Units | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (per unit)(1) | ||||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2018 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | |||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2019 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | |||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2020 | $ | ||||||||||
| Granted | $ | ||||||||||
| Vested | ( | $ | |||||||||
| Nonvested December 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate grant date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.
In January 2021 and April 2021, Director Grants valued at $0.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and which vest on the first anniversary of the grant date in January and April 2022, respectively, were granted. In January and August 2020, Director Grants valued at $0.5 million and $0.1 million were granted, which vested on the first anniversary of the grant dates, in January and August 2021, respectively. In January 2021, the Director Grants that were unvested at December 31, 2020 vested and common shares were issued in respect thereof. In January 2019, Director Grants valued at $0.4 million were granted, which vested on the first anniversary of the grant date in January 2020.
For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 we recorded $0.8 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million of non-equity-based compensation expense with respect to the Director Grants. The unrecognized estimated non-cash equity-based compensation cost relating to outstanding Director Grants at December 31, 2021 is $0.1 million and will be recognized over the remaining vesting period.
Dividend Equivalent Rights
DERs associated with the Affiliate Grants and the Director Grants subject to time-based vesting entitle the recipients to receive payments in respect thereof in a per-share amount that is equal to any distributions made by us to the holders of common shares within 60 days following the record date for such distributions. The DERs associated with the Affiliate Grants subject to performance-based vesting will remain outstanding and unpaid from the grant date until the earlier of the settlement or forfeiture of the related performance-based phantom units.
DER distributions paid related to time-based Affiliate Grants were $3.5 million, $3.9 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. At December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, there were no DER distributions unpaid related to time-based Affiliate Grants.
DER distributions unpaid related to the performance-based Affiliate Grants were as follows as of December 31:
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Accrued liabilities | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||||||||
| Total unpaid DERs related to performance-based Affiliate Grants | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
(19) Net Loss per Unit
Net loss per unit was computed by dividing the net loss attributable to Enviva Inc. by the weighted-average number of outstanding units.
As Holdings is the surviving entity for accounting purposes, the historical financial results prior to the Simplification Transaction are those of Holdings. Given that and the recapitalization, the number of outstanding units for 2019, 2020, and the portion of 2021 prior to the Simplification Transaction constitutes the 16.0 million units issued to the owners of the former sponsor. For the portion of 2021 that is after the Simplification Transaction, the number of outstanding units are based on the actual number of common units of the Company during that period.
(20) Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
We have entered into throughput agreements expiring between 2023 and 2028 to receive terminal and stevedoring services at certain of our terminals, some of which include options to extend for up to 5 years. The agreements specify a minimum cargo throughput requirement at a fixed price per ton or a fixed fee, subject to an adjustment based on the consumer price index or the producer price index, for a defined period of time, ranging from monthly to annually. At December 31, 2021, we had approximately $20.0 million related to firm commitments under such terminal and stevedoring services agreements. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, terminal and stevedoring services expenses were $12.3 million, $9.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively.
We have entered into long-term arrangements to secure transportation from our plants to our export terminals. Under certain of these agreements, which expire between 2023 through 2026, we are committed to various annual minimum volumes under multi-year fixed-cost contracts with third-party logistics providers for trucking and rail transportation, subject to increases in the consumer price index and certain fuel price adjustments. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, ground transportation expenses were $43.8 million, $36.6 million and $34.7 million, respectively.
We have entered into long-term supply arrangements, expiring between 2023 through 2026, to secure the supply of wood pellets from third-party vendors and related parties. The minimum annual purchase volumes are at a fixed price per MT adjusted for volume, pellet quality and certain shipping-related charges. The supply agreements for the purchase of 450,000 MT of wood pellets from British Columbia are fully offset by an agreement to sell 450,000 MT of wood pellets to the same counterparty from our terminal locations, where $69.4 million remains to be sold as of December 31, 2021. Under long-term supply arrangements, we purchased approximately $109.6 million, $25.1 million and $51.6 million of wood pellets for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Fixed and determinable portions of the minimum aggregate future payments under these firm terminal and stevedoring services, ground transportation and wood pellet supply agreements for the next five years are as follows:
| 2022 | $ | ||||
| 2023 | |||||
| 2024 | |||||
| 2025 | |||||
| 2026 | |||||
| Total | $ | ||||
In order to mitigate volatility in our shipping costs, we have entered into fixed-price shipping contracts with reputable shippers matching the terms and volumes of certain of our off-take contracts for which we are responsible for arranging shipping. Contracts with shippers, expiring between 2022 through 2039, include provisions as to the minimum amount of MTPY to be shipped and may also stipulate the number of shipments. Pursuant to these contracts, the terms of which extend up to 17 years, charges are based on a fixed-price per MT and, in some cases, there are adjustment provisions for increases in the price of fuel or for other distribution-related costs. The charge per MT varies depending on the loading and discharge port. Shipping expenses included in cost of goods sold for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $94.7 million, $75.0 million and $64.1 million, respectively.
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ENVIVA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(In thousands, except number of units, per unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)
(21) Subsequent Event
Issuance of Common Stock
In January 2022, we issued 4,950,000 shares of common shares at a price of $70.00 per share common share for total net proceeds of $334.0 million, after deducting $12.2 million of issuance costs. We intend to use the net proceeds of $334.0 million to fund a portion of our capital expenditures relating to ongoing development projects. We initially used the net proceeds to repay borrowings under our senior secured revolving credit facility.
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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act) was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2021, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for us as defined in Rules 13a‑15(f) and 15d‑15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision of, and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework in 2013, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this report.”
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Control systems, no matter how well conceived and operated, are designed to provide a reasonable, but not an absolute, level of assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Because of the inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a‑15(e) and 15d‑15(e) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
90
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Enviva Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Enviva Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Enviva Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Enviva Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”) and our report dated March 4, 2022 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, Virginia
March 4, 2022
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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
On December 31, 2021, we completed our conversion from a master limited partnership named Enviva Partners, LP to a corporation named Enviva Inc. Subsequent to the Conversion, we operate under a customary corporate governance model and are subject to the Delaware General Corporation Law. We are governed by our board of directors (our “Board”) and executive officers who owe fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders.
Executive Officers and Directors of the Company
The following table shows information for our Board and executive officers. Directors hold office until their successors have been appointed or qualified or until the earlier of their death, resignation, removal, or disqualification.
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Age | Position | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 51 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 53 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 49 | Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel | ||||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | 49 | Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer | ||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | 49 | Executive Vice President, Operations | ||||||||||||
| Roxanne B. Klein | 45 | Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer | ||||||||||||
| Yanina A. Kravtsova | 45 | Executive Vice President, Communications, Public and Environmental Affairs | ||||||||||||
| Michael A. Johnson | 56 | Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | ||||||||||||
| Ralph Alexander | 66 | Director | ||||||||||||
| John C. Bumgarner, Jr. | 79 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Martin N. Davidson | 60 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Jim H. Derryberry | 77 | Director | ||||||||||||
Fauzul Lakhani | 34 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Gerrit “Gerrity” L. Lansing, Jr. | 49 | Director | ||||||||||||
Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. | 59 | Director | ||||||||||||
| David M. Leuschen | 70 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey W. Ubben | 60 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Gary L. Whitlock | 72 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Janet S. Wong | 63 | Director | ||||||||||||
| Eva T. Zlotnicka | 39 | Director | ||||||||||||
John K. Keppler. Mr. Keppler joined the board of directors as Chairman and began serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in November 2013. He has continued to serve as Chairman of the board of directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Enviva Inc. Mr. Keppler co-founded Intrinergy, the predecessor to our former sponsor, in 2004. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Keppler was the Director of Corporate Strategy in the Office of the Vice Chairman with America Online and, prior to that, he was Senior Manager, Business Affairs and Development with America Online from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Keppler holds a B.A. in political economy from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as an MBA from The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at The University of Virginia. Over the course of Mr. Keppler’s career, he has gained extensive experience growing innovative ideas into successful businesses across a broad range of industries and has developed a wealth of experience in business strategy and operations and a keen knowledge of the renewable energy sector. For the past sixteen years, Mr. Keppler has been responsible for setting our strategic direction and leading our growth from a start-up company to the world’s leading producer of wood biomass fuels. In light of this experience, we believe that he has the requisite set of skills to serve as a director, as well as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Shai S. Even. Mr. Even began serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in June 2018 and has continued to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Enviva Inc. In this role, Mr. Even leads Enviva’s finance, accounting, and information technology organizations and provides strategic leadership on finance matters. He has over 25 years of experience with operational and strategic finance, including in senior
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financial and management roles at master limited partnerships. Most recently, Mr. Even served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alon USA Energy, Inc. and served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Alon USA Partners, LP. While at Alon, Mr. Even led Alon’s parent company’s successful IPO on the NYSE in 2005 and the successful IPO of Alon’s master limited partnership in 2012. During his tenure at Alon, he led the company’s two major acquisitions and scaled its finance organization to complement the growth of the company. Prior to joining Alon, Mr. Even served as the Chief Financial Officer of DCL Group in Tel Aviv, Israel, and as an auditor with KPMG. Mr. Even holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting from Bar-Ilan University and is a certified public accountant.
William H. Schmidt, Jr. Mr. Schmidt began serving as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in February 2018 and, prior to that, as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in November 2013, and continues to serve as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of Enviva Inc. He also has served as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of our former sponsor’s general partner since February 2018 and, prior to that, as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since March 2013. Mr. Schmidt also served as President and General Counsel of Enviva Development Holdings, LLC, our former sponsor’s development company. In these capacities, Mr. Schmidt is responsible for our corporate development activities and legal affairs. Prior to joining Enviva, Mr. Schmidt was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Buckeye GP LLC, the general partner of Buckeye Partners, L.P., a diversified master limited partnership. Mr. Schmidt also was President of Lodi Gas Storage, L.L.C., a subsidiary of Buckeye Partners, L.P., from August 2009 to January 2012. Prior to joining Buckeye in September 2004, Mr. Schmidt practiced law at Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm that subsequently merged with Norton Rose Fulbright.
Thomas Meth. Mr. Meth began serving as Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in November 2013 and has continued to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Enviva Inc. He was also a co-founder of Intrinergy. Mr. Meth is responsible for our commercial customer relations as well as our market development, customer fulfillment and shipping initiatives. Prior to Intrinergy, Mr. Meth was Head of Sales and Marketing in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for the Colfax Corporation from 2002 to 2004. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Meth was Director of Sales for Europay Austria, a consumer financial services company that offered MasterCard, Maestro, and Electronic Purse services. Mr. Meth holds a bachelor of commerce from Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration in Austria as well as an MBA from The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at The University of Virginia.
E. Royal Smith. Mr. Smith began serving as Executive Vice President, Operations of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in August 2016 and prior to that as Vice President, Operations in April 2014, and continues to serve as Executive Vice President, Operations of Enviva Inc. Previously, he served as Director of Operations, NAA Division of Guilford Performance Textiles, a global textile manufacturing company, from March 2012 to July 2014. From August 2010 to March 2012, Mr. Smith also served as Director of Quality, NAA Division. Prior to joining Guilford, Mr. Smith worked as a Plant Manager at Pactiv, a food packaging manufacturer, from May 2009 to August 2010. Mr. Smith served as General Manager of a facility operated by United Plastics Group International from December 2005 to May 2009, after serving in other roles at the company from April 2002. From January 1999 to September 1999, he served as Production Supervisor of The General Motors Corporation, before serving as Mechanical Device/Tool and Die Supervisor from September 1999 to August 2000. Mr. Smith holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from GMI Engineering and Management Institute.
Roxanne B. Klein. Ms. Klein began serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in December 2021 and continues to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Enviva Inc. With years of Human Resources leadership experience in the manufacturing industry, Roxanne has an extensive and proven background building successful talent acquisition and development teams and driving best practices in people management and social impact. Prior to joining Enviva, Ms. Klein spent six years as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Knoll, Inc., one of the world’s leading global manufacturers of office and other furniture. Prior to that, she held progressively increasing leadership roles at Knoll from 2007 to 2015 as well as additional Human Resources leadership roles at Praxair, Inc. and Danaher Corporation. Ms. Klein holds a B.B.A. from Temple University and an M.B.A. from DeSales University.
Yanina A. Kravtsova. Ms. Kravtsova began serving as Executive Vice President, Communications, Public & Environmental Affairs of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP, in December 2019 and, prior to that, as Vice President, Environmental Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer in October 2018, and continues to serve as Executive Vice President, Communications, Public & Environmental Affairs of Enviva Inc. In her current role, Ms. Kravtsova leads the teams responsible for media, governmental and community relations, as well as environmental permitting of our facilities. Ms. Kravtsova brings to Enviva over 20 years of leadership and senior management experience in the renewable energy and power sector. Prior to joining Enviva, Ms. Kravtsova served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Terraform Global, Inc. from
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February 2015. Ms. Kravtsova was also Legal Head of Renewable Energy Investments at Google Inc. from August 2011 to January 2015. Ms. Kravtsova practiced law at Clifford Chance U.S. LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, and The World Bank Group, handling international project finance, regulatory, and corporate matters for energy projects.
Michael A. Johnson. Mr. Johnson began serving as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in July 2021 and continues to serve as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Enviva Inc. In this role, he is responsible for managing Enviva’s accounting systems and financial controls with a focus on ensuring timely and accurate internal and external financial reporting and maintaining regulatory compliance. Mr. Johnson is an accomplished finance professional with years of experience as an accounting and controllership leader for public companies within the energy industry. Prior to joining Enviva, he spent three years at SandRidge Energy, an oil and gas company, most recently serving as their Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he built a successful 24-year career at Chesapeake Energy Corporation, beginning as Assistant Controller before spending 17 years in the role of Senior Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer. He gained additional audit and financial reporting experience at Phibro Energy Production and Arthur Andersen. Mr. Johnson holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Texas and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Ralph Alexander. Mr. Alexander joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in November 2013 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. He has served as Executive Chairman of Talen Energy since November 2021, where he previously served as Chairman and CEO from December 2016. Mr. Alexander was affiliated with Riverstone Holdings LLC from September 2007 to December 2016. For nearly 25 years, he served in various positions with subsidiaries and affiliates of BP plc, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies. From June 2004 until December 2006, Mr. Alexander served as Chief Executive Officer of Innovene, BP’s $20 billion olefins and derivatives subsidiary. From 2001 until June 2004, he served as Chief Executive Officer of BP’s Gas, Power and Renewables and Solar segment and was a member of the BP group executive committee. Prior to that, Mr. Alexander served as a Group Vice President in BP’s Exploration and Production segment and BP’s Refinery and Marketing segment. He held responsibilities for various regions of the world, including North America, Russia, the Caspian, Africa, and Latin America. Prior to these positions, Mr. Alexander held various positions in the upstream, downstream, and finance groups of BP. Mr. Alexander has served on the board of Talen Energy Corporation since June 2015. From December 2014 through December 2016, Mr. Alexander served on the board of EP Energy Corporation. He has previously served on the boards of Foster Wheeler, Stein Mart, Inc., Amyris, and Anglo‑American plc. Mr. Alexander holds an M.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Brooklyn Polytech (now NYU School of Engineering) and an M.S. in Management Science from Stanford University. We believe that Mr. Alexander’s energy and power expertise, experience in international markets, and prior public company directorships enable him to provide critical insight and guidance to our management team and board of directors.
John C. Bumgarner, Jr. Mr. Bumgarner joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in April 2015 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Bumgarner has been engaged in private investment since November 2002, and currently assists in operating a family owned, multi-faceted real estate company. Mr. Bumgarner previously served as Co-Chief Operating Officer and President of Strategic Investments for Williams Communications Group, Inc., a high technology company, from May 2001 to November 2002. Mr. Bumgarner joined The Williams Companies, Inc., in 1977 and, prior to working at Williams Communications Group, Inc., served as Senior Vice President of Williams Companies Corporate Development and Planning, President of Williams International Company and President of Williams Real Estate Company. He most recently served as a director of Energy Partners, Ltd., an oil and natural gas exploration and production company, from January 2000 to February 2009, and at Market Planning Solutions Inc. from February 1982 until April 2011. Mr. Bumgarner holds a B.S. from the University of Kansas and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Mr. Bumgarner’s substantial experience as an executive at a conglomerate and as a director on boards of public and private companies engaged in a variety of industries provide him with unique insight that is particularly helpful and valuable to the board of directors of our Company.
Martin N. Davidson, Ph.D. Dr. Davidson joined the board of directors of Enviva Inc. in December 2021. He is the Johnson & Higgins Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Dr. Davidson currently serves as senior associate dean and global chief diversity officer for the school. He teaches, conducts research, and consults with global leaders to help them use diversity strategically to drive high performance. His thought leadership has changed how many executives approach inclusion and diversity in their organizations. His book, The End of Diversity as We Know It: Why Diversity Efforts Fail and How Leveraging Difference Can Succeed, co-authored with Heather Wishik, introduces a research-driven roadmap to help leaders more effectively create and capitalize on diversity in organizations. Dr. Davidson has consulted with leaders of a host of global firms, government agencies, and social profit organizations, including Bank of America, The World Health Organization, The Walt Disney Company, Credit Suisse Group, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Navy SEALs. Dr. Davidson has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and CNN. He has been a member of the Darden faculty since 1998. Previously, he was a member of the Amos Tuck School of Business faculty at
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Dartmouth College. He earned his A.B. from Harvard University and his Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Davidson’s academic research, writing, and consulting on a variety of topics, with a specific emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, will provide immense value to the board of directors.
Jim H. Derryberry. Mr. Derryberry joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in July 2018 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Derryberry served as a director of USA Compression GP, LLC from January 2013 to April 2018. He is currently a special advisor for Riverstone Holdings LLC where he held the office of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer until 2006. Prior to joining Riverstone, Mr. Derryberry was a managing director of J.P. Morgan where he was head of the Natural Resources and Power Group. He had previously served in the Goldman Sachs Global Energy and Power Group where he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, capital markets financing, and the management of relationships with major energy companies. He also served on the Board of Directors of Magellan GP, LLC, the general partner of Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P, from 2005-2006. Mr. Derryberry has been a member of the Board of Overseers for the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and is a member of the Engineering Advisory Board at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and earned an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Mr. Derryberry’s substantial experience in the energy and power industries and his operations expertise make him uniquely suited to provide the board of directors with invaluable insight and guidance.
Fauzul Lakhani. Mr. Lakhani joined the board of directors of Enviva Inc. in December 2021. He is a Principal of Riverstone Holdings L.L.C. Prior to joining Riverstone in 2012, Mr. Lakhani was with Credit Suisse in the Global Investment Banking Group. While at Credit Suisse, Mr. Lakhani worked on M&A transactions and capital markets financings, with a focus on the energy sector. Mr. Lakhani graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.B.A. in Finance. He currently serves on the B.B.A. Advisory Board of the McCombs School of Business. Mr. Lakhani’s investment banking and finance background will make him a key asset on our board of directors.
Gerrit (“Gerrity”) L. Lansing, Jr. Mr. Lansing joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in October 2020 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Lansing is a Managing Director and Partner of BTG Pactual and Head of BTG Pactual Tangible Assets Group, which includes BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (“TIG”). TIG is one of the world’s largest timberland investment managers with more than $3.5 billion under management and investments including more than 2.6 million acres across four continents. Mr. Lansing leads a management team at TIG with more than 800 years of combined experience and which operates in accordance with the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and with first-class sustainable forestry practices including those set forth by the Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, as validated by extensive independent audits. Prior to his current role, he was a Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equator, LLC and its Brazilian subsidiary, TTG Brasil Investimentos Florestais Ltda, which was acquired by BTG Pactual in 2012. Prior to this, as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lansing spent nearly a decade building Madison Trading, LLC and Chatham Energy Partners, LLC (acquired by The Intercontinental Exchange). He is on the board of directors of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the Buckley School in New York City, the National Alliance of Forest Owners, and La Fundación de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Mr. Lansing received his B.A. from Duke University. Mr. Lansing brings proven leadership and significant knowledge and expertise to the board of directors from his years of experience with socially responsible investing in the timberland industry, where he gained insight into sustainable forestry practices and maintained productive, respectful relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. Mr. Lapeyre joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in March 2021 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Lapeyre is a co-founder and senior managing director of Riverstone Holdings LLC. Prior to co-founding Riverstone in 2000, Mr. Lapeyre was a managing director of Goldman Sachs in its Global Energy & Power Group. Mr. Lapeyre joined Goldman Sachs in 1986 and spent his 14-year investment banking career focused on energy and power and leading client coverage and execution of a wide variety of M&A, IPO, strategic advisory, and capital markets financings for clients across all sectors of the industry. Mr. Lapeyre received his B.S. in Finance/Economics from the University of Kentucky and his M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Lapeyre serves on the boards of directors or equivalent bodies of a number of public and private Riverstone portfolio companies and their affiliates, including Centennial Resource Development, Inc., Hyzon Motors, Inc. (f/k/a Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation), Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation IV, and Riverstone Energy Limited, and has previously served on the boards of directors of Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation II (predecessor to Tritium DCFC Limited) and Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation III (predecessor to Solid Power, Inc.). In addition to his duties at Riverstone, Mr. Lapeyre serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors of the MD Anderson Cancer Center and is a Trustee and Treasurer of The Convent of the Sacred Heart. We believe that Mr. Lapeyre’s considerable energy, private equity, and investment banking experience bring important and valuable skills to our board of directors.
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David M. Leuschen. Mr. Leuschen joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in April 2021 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Leuschen is the Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director of Riverstone. He sits on the Investment Committees of all the various Riverstone investment vehicles. Prior to co-founding Riverstone in 2000, Mr. Leuschen was a Partner and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and founder and head of the Goldman Sachs Global Energy and Power Group. Mr. Leuschen was responsible for building the Goldman Sachs energy and power investment banking practice into one of the leading franchises in the global energy and power industry. Mr. Leuschen additionally served as Chairman of the Goldman Sachs Energy Investment Committee, where he was responsible for screening potential direct investments by Goldman Sachs in the energy and power industry. Mr. Leuschen has served as a director of Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Cross Timbers Oil Company (predecessor to XTO Energy), Canadian Non-Operated Resources, L.P. (predecessor to Pipestone Energy Corp.), Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation II (predecessor to Tritium DCFC Limited), Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation III (predecessor to Solid Power, Inc.), and J. Aron Resources. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Riverstone Energy Limited and, Centennial Energy Development. He is also president and sole owner of Switchback Ranch LLC and on the Advisory Board of Big Sky Investment Holdings LLC. Mr. Leuschen serves on a number of nonprofit boards of directors, including as a Trustee of United States Olympic Committee Foundation, a Director of Conservation International, a Director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Founding Member of the Peterson Institute’s Economic Leadership Council, a Director of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, and a Director of the Montana Land Reliance. Mr. Leuschen received his A.B. from Dartmouth and his M.B.A. from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business. We believe that Mr. Leuschen’s considerable energy, private equity, and investment banking experience bring important and valuable skills to our board of directors.
Jeffrey W. Ubben. Mr. Ubben joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in June 2020 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Ubben is a Founder, Managing Partner, and member of the Management Committee of Inclusive Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based investment firm which partners with companies that enable solutions to address environmental and social problems. Mr. Ubben is a retired Founder of ValueAct Capital, where he was Chief Executive Officer, member of the Management Committee, Chief Investment Officer, and Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ubben also founded and serves as Portfolio Manager of the ValueAct Spring Fund. Prior to founding ValueAct Capital in 2000, Mr. Ubben was a Managing Partner at Blum Capital Partners for more than five years. Mr. Ubben is a director of AppHarvest, Fertiglobe, ExxonMobil Corporation, and Nikola Corporation. Mr. Ubben is a former director of The AES Corporation, where he was a member of the Compensation and Financial Audit Committees. He is the former chairman and director of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., and a former director of Catalina Marketing Corp., Gartner Group, Inc., Mentor Corporation, Misys plc, Sara Lee Corp., Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Willis Towers Watson plc, and several other public and private companies. In addition, Mr. Ubben serves on the boards of Duke University, The World Wildlife Fund, The Redford Center, and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, and formerly served as Chair of the National Board of the Posse Foundation for nine years. He has a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Mr. Ubben’s experience in capital allocation across different industries and strategic thinking will be invaluable to Enviva as the Company seeks to increase stockholder value by enhancing its ESG credentials while playing a leadership role in the energy transition.
Gary L. Whitlock. Mr. Whitlock joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in April 2016 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. Mr. Whitlock served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (“CenterPoint”) from September 2002 until April 2015. From April 2015 until his retirement on October 1, 2015, he served as Special Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint. While at CenterPoint, Mr. Whitlock was responsible for accounting, treasury, risk management, tax, strategic planning, business development, emerging businesses, and investor relations. From July 2001 to September 2002, Mr. Whitlock served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Delivery Group of Reliant Energy, Incorporated (“Reliant”). Prior to joining Reliant, Mr. Whitlock served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Dow AgroSciences LLC, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”), from 1998 to 2001. He began his career with Dow in 1972, where he held a number of financial leadership positions, both in the United States and globally. While at Dow, Mr. Whitlock served on the boards of directors of various Dow entities. Mr. Whitlock is a Certified Public Accountant and received a BBA in accounting from Sam Houston State University in 1972. He has previously served on the board of directors of Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., the board of directors of the general partner of Enable Midstream Partners, LP from March 2013 to August 2015, the board of directors of KiOR, Inc. from December 2010 to June 2015, the board of directors of CHI St. Luke’s Health System, The Woodlands, and the Leadership Cabinet of Texas Children’s Hospital. Mr. Whitlock brings extensive experience in public company financial management and reporting to the board of directors of our Company.
Janet S. Wong. Ms. Wong joined the board of directors of the general partner of Enviva Partners, LP in April 2015 and has continued to serve as a member of the board of directors of Enviva Inc. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has more than 30 years of public accounting experience. She is a partner (retired) with KPMG, an international professional
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services firm, where she gained extensive industry experience in technology, manufacturing, energy, financial services, and consumer products. Currently, Ms. Wong serves on the board of Lucid Group, Inc., a technology manufacturer of electric vehicles and energy storage, where she is Chair of the Audit Committee, Lumentum Holdings Inc., a market-leading high technology manufacturer of innovative optical and photonics products, where she is a member of the Audit Committee, and Allegiance Bancshares, Inc., a financial services company, where she is a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. In addition, she is on the Board of Trustees for the Computer History Museum, the Board of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation, and the Board of the Tri-Cities Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors. She holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Taxation from Golden Gate University. She is a NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Certified® Director. We believe Ms. Wong’s audit and financial expertise as well as her leadership and governance experience enable her to provide essential guidance to the board of directors of our Company and our management team.
Eva T. Zlotnicka. Ms. Zlotnicka joined the board of directors of Enviva Inc. in December 2021. She is a Founder, Managing Partner, President, and member of the Management Committee of Inclusive Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based investment firm that partners with companies that enable solutions to address environmental and social problems. Before founding Inclusive Capital Partners, she was a Founder and Managing Director of the ValueAct Spring Fund and Head of Stewardship at ValueAct Capital. Prior to joining ValueAct Capital in 2018, Ms. Zlotnicka spent more than ten years on the sell side. Most recently, she was U.S. lead Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (E.S.G.) equity research analyst at Morgan Stanley. Ms. Zlotnicka is a director of Unifi, Inc., where she serves on the Audit Committee and serves as chairman for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Ms. Zlotnicka was previously a director of Hawaiian Electric Industries, where she was a member of the Compensation Committee. Ms. Zlotnicka also serves as a member of the Investor Advisory Group for the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for Corporate Governance and Finance at N.Y.U. Law. Ms. Zlotnicka also co-founded Women Investing for a Sustainable Economy (WISE), a global professional community. She has two B.S.c. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including one from the Wharton School, and an M.B.A and a Master of Environmental Science degree from Yale University. We believe that Ms. Zlotnicka’s experience in sustainable investing and deep background in environmental and social issues will serve as a valuable resource to the board of directors.
Director Independence
All members of our Board except Mr. Keppler are independent pursuant to the independence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has four standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee, a health, safety, sustainability, and environmental committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The Board met seven times in 2021.
Audit Committee
Responsibilities of the audit committee, which are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter posted on the Company’s website include, among other duties, assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities regarding:
•the integrity of our financial statements,
•compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and corporate policies and controls,
•qualifications, independence, and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and
•effectiveness and performance of the Company’s internal audit function.
The members of the audit committee are Mr. Bumgarner, Mr. Whitlock, and Ms. Wong, with Ms. Wong serving as the Chairperson. In addition, the Board believes Ms. Wong satisfies the definition of “audit committee financial expert.”
The audit committee met five times during 2021.
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Compensation Committee
Responsibilities of the compensation committee, which are set forth in the Compensation Committee Charter that is posted on the Company’s website include, among other duties, the responsibility to:
•review, evaluate, and approve the agreements, plans, policies, and programs of the Company to compensate the Company’s directors and executive officers,
•review and discuss with the Company’s management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by SEC regulations, and
•otherwise discharge the Board’s responsibilities relating to compensation of the Company’s directors and executive officers.
The compensation committee is delegated all authority of the Board as may be required or advisable to fulfill its purposes. The compensation committee may delegate to any one of its members or any subcommittee it may form, the responsibility and authority for any particular matter, as it deems appropriate from time to time under the circumstances.
The compensation committee may retain and determine funding for legal counsel, compensation consultants, as well as other experts and advisors (collectively, “Committee Advisors”), including the authority to retain, approve the fees payable to, amend the engagement with, and terminate any Committee Advisor, as it deems necessary or appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee assesses the independence of any Committee Advisor prior to retaining such Committee Advisor, and on an annual basis thereafter.
The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Bumgarner, Mr. Lapeyre, and Mr. Ubben, with Mr. Bumgarner serving as the Chairperson.
The compensation committee met five times during 2021.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Responsibilities of the nominating and corporate governance committee, which are set forth in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter that is posted on the Company’s website include, among other duties, the responsibility to:
•advise the Board, make recommendations regarding appropriate corporate governance practices, and assist the Board in implementing those practices,
•identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board, consistent with the criteria approved by the Board,
•select and recommend to the Board for approval director nominees for election at the annual meetings of stockholders or for appointment to fill vacancies, and
•oversee the evaluation of the Board and management.
The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Mr. Alexander, Mr. Lakhani, and Ms. Wong, with Mr. Alexander serving as the Chairperson.
The nominating and corporate governance committee was formed upon the Conversion on December 31, 2021; as such, it did not meet in 2021.
Health, Safety, Sustainability, and Environmental Committee
Responsibilities of the health, safety, sustainability, and environmental committee (the “HSSE committee”), which are set forth in the Health, Safety, Sustainability, and Environmental Committee Charter that is posted on the Company’s website, include, among other duties, assisting the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Board’s and our continuing commitment to:
•ensuring the safety of our employees and the public and assuring that our businesses and facilities are operated and maintained in a safe and environmentally sound manner,
•sustainability, including sustainable forestry practices,
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•delivering environmental benefits to our customers, the forests from which we source our wood fiber, and the communities in which we operate, and
•minimizing the impact of our operations on the environment.
The HSSE committee reviews and oversees our health, safety, sustainability, and environmental policies, programs, issues, and initiatives, reviews associated risks that affect or could affect us, our employees, and the public, and ensures proper management of those risks and reports to the board on health, safety, sustainability, and environmental matters affecting us, our employees, and the public.
The members of the HSSE committee are Mr. Davidson, Mr. Lansing, and Ms. Zlotnicka, with Ms. Zlotnicka serving as the Chairperson.
The HSSE committee met three times during 2021.
Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors
The Board holds regular executive sessions in which the non-management directors meet without any members of management present. The purpose of these executive sessions is to promote open and candid discussion among the non-management directors. In the event that the non-management directors include directors who are not independent under the listing requirements of the NYSE, then at least once a year, there will be an executive session including only independent directors. The director who presides at these meetings is John C. Bumgarner, Jr. Stockholders and any other interested parties may communicate directly with the presiding director or with the non-management directors as a group, by mail addressed to:
Presiding Director c/o General Counsel
Enviva Inc.
7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1800
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Communication with the Board of Directors
A stockholder or other interested party who wishes to communicate with any director may do so by sending communications to the Board, any committee of the Board, the Chairman of the Board, or any other director to:
General Counsel
Enviva Inc.
7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1800
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
and marking the envelope containing each communication as “Stockholder Communication with Directors” and clearly identifying the intended recipient(s) of the communication. Comments or complaints relating to the Company’s accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters will also be referred to members of the Audit Committee.
Corporate Governance
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, officers, and employees, as well as to employees of our subsidiaries or affiliates that perform work for us. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics also serves as the financial code of ethics for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, controller, and other senior financial officers. We have also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that outline the important policies and practices regarding our governance.
We make available free of charge, within the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.envivabiomass.com and in print to any interested party who so requests, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, HSSE Committee Charter, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter. Requests for print copies may be directed to Investor Relations, Enviva Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1800, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, or by telephone at (301) 657‑5560. We will post on our website all waivers to or amendments of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which are required to be disclosed by applicable law and the listing requirements of the NYSE. The information contained on, or connected to, our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.
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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion & Analysis
Background and Business Highlights for 2021
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) explains the 2021 executive compensation program for the Named Executive Officers (the “NEOs”) identified below. The CD&A will discuss the impact of the Simplification Transaction and Conversion upon our executive compensation program for the 2021 year, including by indicating where the entity responsible for making compensation decisions, changed during the year. Accordingly, the period from January 1, 2021 to the closing of the Simplification Transaction, which occurred on October 14, 2021, will be referred to as the “Pre-Simplification Period,” and the period following the Pre-Simplification Period through December 31, 2021, the date of the Conversion, will be referred to as the “Post-Simplification Period.” Our executive compensation program was administered largely by Enviva Management Company, LLC (“Enviva Management Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our former sponsor, during the Pre-Simplification Period. The CD&A concludes with a description of the elements of our compensation program that remained unchanged during the entirety of the 2021 calendar year as they were not materially impacted by either the Simplification Transaction or the Conversion. Throughout this CD&A, references to “Enviva,” “we,” and “our” will refer to our predecessor, Enviva Partners, LP (the “Partnership” or the “Predecessor”), or Enviva Inc., as appropriate for the context. Similarly, references to our “shareholders” or “shares” refer to our “shareholders” or “units,” as applicable, during the period prior to the Conversion. Please read this CD&A together with the tables and related narrative about executive compensation that follow.
The table below lists our NEOs in 2021 whose compensation is described in this CD&A:
| Executive | Title | |||||||
| John K. Keppler | Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||||
| Shai S. Even | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
| Thomas Meth | Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer | |||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel | |||||||
| E. Royal Smith | Executive Vice President, Operations | |||||||
Highlights
Our executive compensation philosophy seeks to tie compensation to our financial and operating performance. Specifically, the executive compensation program includes various performance metrics for NEOs that are closely aligned with financial returns to our securityholders and are designed to result in annual and long-term value creation. The performance goals established in the NEOs’ compensation plans are aggressive, and potential awards are intended to provide them an opportunity to earn above-median rewards in return for achieving such aggressive goals.
The 2021 year was a transformative year for us: we continued to operate our growing portfolio of fully contracted wood pellet facilities and deep-water marine terminals while managing the impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic on labor, safety, and supply chains and maintaining our role as a leader in sustainability in pursuit of our mission to displace coal, grow more trees, and fight climate change. During the year, we acquired a new wood pellet production plant and a new deep-water marine terminal and completed the Simplification Transaction under which we bought in the General Partner of Enviva Partners, LP, eliminating its incentive distribution rights, and converted from a master limited partnership to a corporation. In addition, as of February 1, 2022, our backlog of fully contracted volumes under our existing take-or-pay contracts is $21.2 billion with a weighted-average remaining term of 14.5 years, as well as a $40+ billion customer contract pipeline, providing for substantial potential future growth for the Company. We also returned $3.30 per share to holders of our common shares in distributions and dividends while maintaining robust liquidity and financial leverage well within the covenants of our debt agreements. The markets responded favorably to these accomplishments. Even after accounting for the approximately 21 million shares of primary equity issued during the course of 2021, which expanded our total shares outstanding by approximately 52%, we closed the year with a 64% total shareholder return (“TSR”), compared to a 29% TSR for the S&P 500 Index and 40% for the Alerian Index.
Track Record of Strong Performance
We believe that the combination of the three primary components of our executive compensation program (annual base salary, annual cash incentive under the AICP, and long-term equity incentive under the LTIP), coupled with aggressive goal-setting and a pay-for-performance culture, has enabled the Company to deliver strong historical results. We expect to continue this trend into the future.
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In 2021, we achieved a total recordable incident rate (“TRIR”) of less than 1.0, which is less than half of the national average for our industry, and substantially reduced certain process and safety risks while confronting a global health pandemic that required us to make adjustments to our daily operations to ensure we could continue to run our plants and terminals in a safe, stable, and reliable manner while maintaining a healthy workforce. As a result, we were able to increase Enviva’s annual adjusted EBITDA by 19% over the prior period and grew its cash distributed to shareholders by 36% over the previous year. In addition, Enviva added over $6 billion to its fully contracted revenue backlog, extending its weighted average remaining contract term by approximately 2 years to 14.5 years and entered agreements with new customers, in new geographies and with new product use cases. Enviva’s 2021 TSR of 64% outperformed the TSR of the Alerian Index of 40% and the TSR of the S&P 500 Index of 29%. For the 3-year period ended December 31, 2021, Enviva’s TSR of 215% outperformed the TSR of the Alerian Index of 6% and the TSR of the S&P 500 of 100%. For the 5-year period ended December 31, 2021, Enviva’s TSR of 285% outperformed the TSR of the Alerian Index of -13% and the TSR of the S&P 500 Index of 133%.
Enviva Financial Highlights
| (1) | TSR includes share price appreciation and distributions paid. | ||||
Administration of the Executive Compensation Program
As a publicly traded partnership, we did not have any employees. Instead, our employees, including our NEOs, were employed by Enviva Management Company.
The Partnership was party to management services agreements (the “MSAs”) with Enviva Management Company, pursuant to which Enviva Management Company provided us with employment and management services necessary for the operation of our business during the Pre-Simplification Period. Although our NEOs’ salaries and bonuses were paid, and benefits were provided, directly by Enviva Management Company, we partially reimbursed Enviva Management Company based on the cost allocated to us for each NEO pursuant to the MSAs. Other than with respect to equity-based awards that were granted pursuant to the Enviva Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), Enviva Management Company generally had all responsibility and authority for compensation‑related decisions for the NEOs, and such decisions were not subject to approval by the board of directors or the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of our former general partner (the “former GP”). For a more detailed description of the MSAs and our relationship with Enviva Management Company, see Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence-Other Transactions with Related Persons-Management Services Agreements” in this Annual Report.
The information provided below describes key features of our executive compensation program and summarizes the 2021 cash and LTIP compensation and other benefits received by our NEOs for full-year 2021 on an unallocated basis, even though we were only responsible for partially reimbursing Enviva Management Company pursuant to the MSAs for such compensation and benefits during the Pre-Simplification Period. We are disclosing full, unallocated NEO compensation for fiscal year 2021 because we believe that such disclosure will provide greater comparability to future periods.
Although Enviva Management Company established our NEOs’ base salaries and designed the annual cash incentive award program, we continue to believe that such compensation elements are appropriate and reflect the philosophy of Enviva; accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, we refer to such compensation elements as “ours.”
Executive Compensation Elements Support Our Philosophy and Strategy
Our executive compensation philosophy seeks to tie compensation to our financial and operating performance goals. Specifically, the 2021 executive compensation program included various performance metrics for our NEOs that were closely aligned with financial returns to our shareholders and were designed to result in annual and long-term value creation. The performance goals established in the NEOs’ compensation plans were aggressive, and potential awards were intended to provide them an opportunity to earn above-median rewards in return for achieving such aggressive goals.
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Our executive compensation program was designed to attract, retain, reward, and motivate high-performing executive leadership whose talent and expertise enable us to create long-term shareholder value, not only on an absolute basis but also relative to our peers. Furthermore, given that we sit at the forefront of a relatively new and rapidly evolving industry, our success depends in large part on retaining the unique skill sets that our NEOs have developed during their tenure with the Company. Against that backdrop, our executive compensation program consists of three primary components, described below, that contained a substantial portion of at-risk, performance-based compensation, incorporated our financial and operational results, and aligned our NEOs’ interests with those of our shareholders with the ultimate objective of increasing long-term shareholder value.
Competitive compensation opportunities
•Providing competitive compensation opportunities was a key factor in allowing us to attract and retain the caliber of executives we needed to deliver on the aggressive performance goals established under the incentive compensation arrangements in which our NEOs participated.
•Among other factors, each NEO’s 2021 target total direct compensation was determined with reference to market data reflecting executive pay levels among our peer companies and survey data taken from the broader market.
NEO compensation designed to drive and reward long-term growth in shareholder value
•All NEOs’ 2021 compensation included a significant equity compensation component under the LTIP.
•50% of each NEO’s equity compensation was designed to be earned based on achievement of aggressive total shareholder return targets relative to companies in the S&P500.
•Shareholder alignment was further supported by robust ownership guidelines that encouraged a long-term ownership culture among our NEOs.
•In 2020, our NEOs were transitioned to equity-based awards that had a 4-year cliff vesting schedule and an additional TSR modifier in addition to distributable cash flow goals.
Aggressive performance goals
•Aggressive performance goals for incentive-based compensation required exceptional organizational and individual performance, which is the kind of performance we expected from our NEOs.
•Performance at or above these goals should have produced aggregate NEO compensation in the top quartile when compared to the competitive market.
•As evidence of the difficulty of meeting our aggressive goals, our NEOs have received, on average, an 91.6% payout against target compensation under the AICP during the last three years, even as the Partnership’s TSR significantly outperformed that of the Alerian and S&P 500 Indices.
Commitment to best practices
•Significant At-Risk, Variable Compensation: A significant percentage of annual compensation was at-risk, variable and performance-based, such as AICP awards and certain LTIP awards.
•No Guaranteed Bonuses: We did not have in place any annual or multi-year bonus or incentive guarantees for the NEOs.
•No Gross-Ups: No tax gross-ups upon a change in control or with respect to Code Section 409A matters.
•No Individual Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans: There were no executive retirement plans that were different from the ones offered to the broader employee population.
•No Excessive Perquisites: We did not offer excessive perquisites to our NEOs.
•No Hedging: Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits, among other things, hedging transactions relating to our common stock.
•Independent Compensation Consultant: Enviva Management Company engaged an independent compensation consultant (the “Compensation Consultant”) to assist with Enviva Management Company’s and the Compensation Committee’s regular review of our executive compensation program.
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2021 NEO Compensation
Process for Determining Executive Compensation
As discussed above, Enviva Management Company was generally responsible for developing and administering the executive compensation program. Enviva Management Company also provided the Compensation Committee with access to the Compensation Consultant and relevant data in order for the Compensation Committee to have a fulsome picture of the NEOs’ compensation levels as compared to peers for decision-making purposes.
Role of Compensation Consultant
Enviva Management Company engaged an independent compensation consultant to advise on matters related to executive and non-employee director compensation. When determining compensation for the upcoming 2021 year, Enviva Management Company engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (“Meridian”) in August 2020.
For 2021, the scope of Meridian’s engagement included a review of our peer group and an executive compensation analysis based on an updated peer group. Meridian did not have authority to make decisions regarding compensation and served solely in an advisory role.
Peer Group and Market Data
Neither peer group data nor broader employment market survey data was a prescription for program design or individual pay levels for Enviva Management Company or the Compensation Committee. Peer data, in combination with broader market survey data, provided a reference point for competitive pay rates and program design for our NEOs. Each year, in cooperation with the Compensation Consultant, Enviva Management Company reviewed the peer group used for the prior year and determined what modifications, if any, would be appropriate for the upcoming year. Factors considered in selecting peers included operations in related industry sectors, comparable market capitalization and revenues, similarity of business strategy and availability and clarity of publicly filed compensation data. We also considered companies tracked as peers of ours by the investment community, although these companies may or may not ultimately have been included in our peer group for presentation herein. For instance, to supplement the executive compensation information derived from our peer group, Enviva Management Company has also considered, on a limited basis, available compensation data from NextEra Energy Partners, LP (“NextEra”). Although similar to us in business focus and structure, NextEra was not formally identified as a peer company for compensation benchmarking purposes due to the lack of available comprehensive pay data. In the peer group review process, we would also consider the impact of simplifications or other corporate-level transactions that had occurred during the past year.
In October 2020, Enviva Management Company determined that the peer group of fourteen companies, listed below, provided an appropriate reference point for considering the compensation arrangements for our NEOs in 2021. In November 2021, after discussions with Meridian, the peer list was re-approved for the general purposes of doing market comparison analysis for the upcoming year, although supplemental compensation data was also considered through general industry surveys provided by Meridian. The peer group is expected to be reviewed again in 2022 to determine if the list below should be modified to reflect the impact of the Simplification and the Conversion for 2023.
2021 Peer Group
| Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc | Ormat Technologies, Inc. | ||||
| CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. | PotlatchDeltic Corporation | ||||
| Cheniere Energy, Inc. | Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. | ||||
| Crestwood Equity Partners LP | Rayonier Inc. | ||||
| Delek US Holdings, Inc. | SunCoke Energy, Inc. | ||||
| Green Plains Inc. | TPI Composites, Inc. | ||||
| Hannon Armstrong | USA Compression Partners, LP | ||||
Key Elements of the Executive Compensation Program
The following discussion provides details regarding the three primary elements of the 2021 compensation program set for our NEOs: base salary, AICP awards, and LTIP awards. Our NEOs also received certain customary health, welfare, and retirement plan benefits from Enviva Management Company that are briefly described below.
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Base Salary
Each NEO’s base salary was a fixed component of annual compensation and was set out in such NEO’s employment agreement with Enviva Management Company. Enviva Management Company made all final decisions regarding the NEOs’ salaries based on a review of the specific job duties and functions, individual NEO expertise, and the relative competitiveness of the NEO’s compensation compared to our peers and to the market survey data. Enviva Management Company increased the base salaries for each NEO from 2020 to 2021 by the following percentages: Mr. Keppler, 10.3%; Mr. Even 3.1%; Mr. Meth, 10.4%; Mr. Schmidt, 4.7%; and Mr. Smith, 4.2%. While the base salaries reported in previous filings reported only the portion of the base salary that was allocated to us pursuant to the MSAs, below are the full amounts of the base salaries set for each NEO for the 2021 year pursuant to such NEOs’ then-current employment agreements:
| Name | 2021 Annual Base Salary | |||||||
| John K. Keppler | $ | 800,000 | ||||||
| Shai S. Even | 464,000 | |||||||
Thomas Meth | 425,000 | |||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 445,000 | |||||||
E. Royal Smith | 370,000 | |||||||
Base salaries for each of the NEOs for December 1, 2021 onward were set at the following levels in the most recent employment agreements (as discussed below):
| Name | 2022 Annual Base Salary | |||||||
John K. Keppler | $ | 1,000,000 | ||||||
Shai S. Even | 490,000 | |||||||
Thomas Meth | 500,000 | |||||||
William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 475,000 | |||||||
E. Royal Smith | 392,200 | |||||||
Short-Term Cash Incentive Compensation
Each NEO participated in the AICP with respect to the 2021 calendar year. The AICP amounts paid to each NEO with respect to 2021 are disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation” column.
Each year the Compensation Committee and Enviva Management Company had discussions regarding the design and the potential values of the AICP awards. However, Enviva Management Company was the sponsor of the AICP and made all final decisions regarding the performance metrics and target compensation levels associated with each participating employee.
Consistent with prior years, Enviva Management Company established an aggregate company bonus pool that was calculated based on performance relative to a single distributable cash flow-based financial target. Enviva Management Company generally set aggressive performance metrics at levels that were designed to be extremely challenging to achieve. A threshold level was set at which the bonus pool could become funded at 50%, and then a stretch target level was determined that could fund the pool at 100% for all target awards Following the determination of the overall AICP bonus pool, individual NEO awards historically were determined by Enviva Management Company based on individual performance goals linked to certain safety, operating, financial, growth, and other targets measured at both the Partnership and our sponsor. The AICP generally determines bonuses based on the following formula: target award amount (based on a percentage of salary), multiplied by company performance factor(s), and adjusted by individual performance factors.
As a consequence of the Simplification Transaction, Enviva Inc. assumed responsibility for decisions regarding actual payments to the NEOs pursuant to the AICP. We adopted an amendment and restatement of the original AICP, which reflected Conversion-related administrative changes similar to those made to the LTIP (discussed below). As of the Conversion date, the name of the AICP is now the “Enviva Inc. Annual Incentive Compensation Plan.”
Following the close of the 2021 calendar year, we made the following decisions regarding the payments due to the NEOs pursuant to the AICP for 2021:
We approved and certified the achievement of the company performance portion of the AICP, which were based on the distributable cash flow performance goals that Enviva Management Company initially set for the 2021 year. The original distributable cash flow goals were determinable for the 2021 year based on actual performance during the Pre-Simplification Period. With respect to the Post-Simplification Period, the original distributable cash flow metric was not determinable based
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on actual performance, therefore we determined distributable cash flow performance by forecasting expected performance for the remaining portion of the year. The bonus pool for all participants was funded based on the company’s performance relative to the distributable cash flow performance metric for the year.
We also reviewed the 2021 individual performance goals previously set for the NEO group by Enviva Management Company, as well as taking into consideration each NEO’s impact on our successful and transformative year as well as their respective abilities to manage the challenges and uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, their impact on our operations and construction activities, as well as their role in our entry into new geographic markets and new customer segments. The actual payments made to each applicable NEO pursuant to the AICP for the 2021 year are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table below within the “Non-Equity Incentive Compensation Awards” column.
Apart from the AICP awards, we have the ability to award, in exceptional circumstances, bonuses structured to address unforeseen events or transactions that were not part of the AICP performance goals at the beginning of the year. The original AICP award design for 2021 did not identify or include the goal of completing the Simplification Transaction and the Conversion. Therefore, due to the unique impact of the Simplification Transaction and the Conversion on our business in 2021, we determined to provide a one-time transaction bonus to Messrs. Keppler, Even and Schmidt in recognition for their efforts to successfully complete these two transactions and the additional responsibilities that each officer had placed upon them with respect to these transactions in the 2021 year. The Simplification Transaction and the Conversion required significant efforts from these three named executive officers during the 2021 year, and the Compensation Committee ultimately determined that the time commitment these transactions required merited special consideration outside of the goals that had originally been part of the AICP awards. This transaction award with respect to Messrs. Even and Schmidt were lieu of any award that they might otherwise have earned pursuant to the AICP for the 2021 year. The transaction bonus amounts are disclosed as “Bonuses” in the Summary Compensation Table.
Target bonus percentages (as compared to base salary amounts) were set in the most recent employment agreements at the following levels, although the agreements did set a specific value for 2021 target bonus amounts, also noted below:
| Name | Target Bonus (As a Percentage of Base Salary) | 2021 Target Bonus Amount ($) | 2021 Actual AICP Amount ($) | 2021 Transaction Bonus Amount ($) | ||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 150 | % | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | 780,000 | $ | 1,200,000 | ||||||
| Shai S. Even | 125 | % | 556,800 | N/A | 556,800 | |||||||||
Thomas Meth | 125 | % | 467,500 | 514,250 | N/A | |||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 125 | % | 534,000 | N/A | 534,000 | |||||||||
E. Royal Smith | 125 | % | 407,000 | 305,250 | N/A | |||||||||
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation
Unlike with base salary and AICP awards, we, rather than Enviva Management Company, have always maintained decision-making authority over the LTIP. Following the Simplification Transaction, we amended and restated the LTIP to make certain changes necessitated by the Conversion (described in more detail below), but we retained sponsorship and administrative authority over all LTIP awards. The Simplification Transaction and Conversion-related changes to outstanding LTIP awards made in the Post-Simplification Period are described in more detail below.
The LTIP is intended to promote our long-term success and increase long-term shareholder value by attracting, motivating, and aligning the interests of our independent directors, officers, and other employees with those of our shareholders. Our LTIP provides for the grant of a variety of awards, but the award that we historically determined would most appropriately incentivize and reward our LTIP participants, including the NEOs, was the phantom unit award. Each NEO received a long-term equity incentive award with respect to the 2021 calendar year under the LTIP in the form of phantom units. The terms of our NEOs’ LTIP awards were determined by our board of directors following a recommendation from the Compensation Committee. In 2020, in an effort to further enhance retention and more closely align the LTIP with longer-term shareholder interest, we transitioned the vesting schedule for new equity awards made to our NEOs under the LTIP from a 3-year cliff vesting schedule to a 4-year cliff vesting schedule (and certain outstanding awards in the tables below may reflect the historical 3-year schedules). Beginning in 2021, our NEOs received LTIP awards that were solely on the 4-year vesting schedule.
The 2021 phantom unit grants to our NEOs were divided into 50% time-based phantom units and 50% performance-based phantom units:
•Time-based phantom units vest at the end of a four-year period based on continued service following the grant date.
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•Performance-based phantom units vest upon the achievement of specified levels of distributable cash flow per common unit and a TUR percentile over a multi-year period. The performance-based phantom unit awards may vest between 0% and 200% of the target amount granted to each NEO. The Committee may also exercise its discretion with respect to other factors, such as our performance with respect to environmental, social, and governance matters, during the relevant performance period.
Each grant of phantom units included the right to receive distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”). DERs are paid to the holder in cash within 60 days following the vesting of the associated award (if any) and are forfeited if the underlying award was forfeited for any reason. The DERs associated with the time-based phantom units are paid to the holder of the award within the 60-day period immediately following any cash distribution made with respect to our common units. Phantom units could be settled in cash or in common units, at the discretion of our Compensation Committee.
The target value of LTIP awards that each NEO receives annually is set forth in his employment agreement as a percentage of base salary. Although each NEO’s employment agreement was with Enviva Management Company at the beginning of the Pre-Simplification Period, our Board (following recommendations from the Compensation Committee) had decision-making authority over the terms and conditions, such as vesting and forfeiture provisions, of any LTIP award granted in 2021. In determining the LTIP awards granted to the NEOs on January 27, 2021, our Compensation Committee and the full Board considered our performance as well as individual performance for 2020. The grant date fair value of the phantom units awarded in January 2021 is disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table under the Stock Awards column, based on the percentage of the award allocated to us at that time.
The number of phantom units granted to the NEOs in January 2021 is set forth below:
| Name | Number of Time-based Phantom Units Granted in 2021 | Target Number of Performance-based Phantom Units Granted in 2021 | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 35,168 | 35,168 | ||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 11,998 | 11,998 | ||||||||||||
Thomas Meth | 8,792 | 8,792 | ||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 11,507 | 11,507 | ||||||||||||
E. Royal Smith | 7,654 | 7,654 | ||||||||||||
For each performance-based phantom unit award granted on January 27, 2021, vesting was originally contingent upon the achievement of certain levels of per-unit distributable cash flow growth and our percentile ranking of TSR for our peer group over the four-year periods. The number of shares of common stock that will vest under each award would have been calculated by multiplying the target number of performance-based awards by the product of (i) the applicable distributable cash flow factor for the award and (ii) the applicable TSR factor for the award. However, the Simplification Transaction and the Conversion resulted in certain changes to the performance goals applicable to the performance awards granted in 2021, as described below.
We amended and restated the LTIP in connection with the Conversion in order to reflect our new corporate structure. For example, references to “common units” were amended to “common stock,” references to “distributions” were amended to “dividends,” phantom unit awards were replaced with restricted stock unit awards, and the administration of the LTIP was modified from our former GP to Enviva Inc. Given that we did not authorize any additional shares of common stock, as a result of the one-to-one conversion of common units to common stock that occurred in connection with the Conversion, 3,450,000 shares of our common stock remain available for delivery pursuant to the amended and restated LTIP. All outstanding awards under the LTIP as of the Conversion date were subject to the administrative changes made in the amended and restated LTIP. The name of the LTIP is now the Enviva Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan.
The Simplification Transaction and the Conversion did not result in substantive changes to the phantom unit awards made in the 2019 calendar year (including to our NEOs). With respect to the performance-based phantom units granted in the 2020 and 2021 calendar years (including to the NEOs), the performance criteria were modified to reflect the aggregate impact of the Simplification Transaction and Conversion, but with the intention of keeping the potential realizable value of the awards comparable before and after adjustment; consequently, all distributable cash flow-related performance metrics were eliminated, such that the sole performance criterion applicable to such performance-based phantom unit awards (now restricted
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stock unit awards) is Enviva’s percentile ranking relative to the companies in the S&P 500 index on the basis of total shareholder return for the applicable performance period (“TSR Factor”), as shown in the table below:
| Below Threshold | Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||
TSR Factor | < 30th percentile | 30th percentile | 60th percentile | ≥ 90th percentile | |||||||||||||||||||
Percentage of target earned (“Payout Multiplier”) | 0% | 50% | 100% | 200% | |||||||||||||||||||
* If the TSR Factor is between the Threshold and Maximum percentiles, then the Payout Multiplier will be determined by linear interpolation between the Threshold and Target Payout Multipliers or Target and Maximum Payout Multipliers, as applicable.
No changes were made to the performance period applicable to the 2020 and 2021 performance-based phantom units. In addition to the TSR Factor described above, the awards will continue to be subject to all time-based vesting conditions (and forfeiture upon the termination events set forth in the 2020 and 2021 award agreements) for the remainder of the original performance periods.
Beginning with the 2022 year, the most recent employment agreements also set forth a target LTIP award value, set as a percentage of the applicable executive’s base salary as in effect on the first day of the calendar year in which the grant occurs, as follows for each NEO (other than Mr. Keppler). With respect to Mr. Keppler, his employment agreement states that his LTIP target value will equal a multiple of his base salary in effect on the first day of the calendar year in which a grant occurs that equals $3,400,000, which would be 340% of his current base salary of $1,000,000, but will change in the event that his base salary is modified.
| Name | Target LTIP Value (As a Percentage of Base Salary) | |||||||
John K. Keppler | 340 | % | ||||||
Shai S. Even | 250 | % | ||||||
Thomas Meth | 250 | % | ||||||
William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 250 | % | ||||||
E. Royal Smith | 200 | % | ||||||
Other Elements of 2021 Compensation
Retirement and Health and Welfare Plans
We generally offered the same types of retirement, health, and welfare benefits to the NEOs as part of our total executive compensation package as we did to other eligible employees, although our NEOs also received the following: a supplemental individual term life insurance policy and a comprehensive annual physical with customized wellness coaching. The Simplification Transaction and the Conversion did not have a material impact on these plans, and our NEOs participated in these plans on the same terms in the Pre-Simplification Period and the Post-Simplification Period.
Our NEOs currently participate in a 401(k) plan maintained by Enviva Management Company. The 401(k) plan permits all eligible employees, including our NEOs, to make voluntary pre-tax contributions and/or Roth after-tax contributions to the plan. In addition, Enviva Management Company is permitted to make discretionary matching contributions under the plan. All matching contributions made during the first three years of an individual’s employment vest under the plan following the satisfaction of an initial three-year cliff vesting schedule; thereafter, all matching contributions vest immediately. All contributions under the plan are subject to certain annual dollar limitations, which are periodically adjusted as required by law. As with the health and welfare plans, the Simplification and the Conversion didn’t have a material impact on these plans, and NEO participation was not modified for those transactions in 2021.
Security Ownership Requirements
We maintain the “Common Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines (the “Retention Policy”). The Retention Policy provides that officers who are required to file ownership reports under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and certain other officers, as designated from time-to-time by our board of directors or the Compensation Committee, retain at least 50% (and where the individual has not met certain holding requirements by specific timelines, 100%) of common equity awarded under the LTIP (net of any equity withheld or sold to cover tax liabilities upon vesting) until certain ownership requirements are met. The requirements for our NEOs are set forth in the table below:
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| Name | Multiple of Annualized Base Salary | |||||||
| CEO | 5x | |||||||
| Other NEO’s | 3x | |||||||
Stock that counts towards the satisfaction of the retention requirements of the Retention Policy include stock held directly by each NEO, stock owned indirectly by such NEO (e.g., by a spouse or other immediate family member residing in the same household or a trust for the benefit of such NEO or his or her family), and time-based restricted stock granted under the LTIP.
We amended the Retention Policy following the Simplification Transaction and Conversion to address the resulting structural changes within our organization and renamed it “Common Stock Ownership and Retention Guidelines” but did not change the substantive ownership requirements. As of the date of this filing, each of our NEOs was in compliance with the policy.
Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy
The LTIP and the AICP provide that any award granted pursuant to the applicable plan will be subject to any claw-back or recoupment policies required by law, securities exchange rules, or otherwise, as determined to be appropriate by our board of directors.
Amendments to Employment Agreements
Each of the NEOs was party to an employment agreement with Enviva Management Company during the 2021 year. Consistent with the philosophy in the Pre-Simplification Period regarding employment agreements, our Board determined that we should continue to maintain employment agreements with our NEOs in order to ensure that they will perform their roles for an extended period of time. Certain provisions contained within these employment agreements, such as potential severance benefits (including change in control benefits for certain individuals) and restrictive covenants, are also essential to retaining our talented management team and protecting the interests of our stockholders.
At the time of the Simplification Transaction, the employment agreements for Messrs. Keppler and Even were amended and restated, modifying the definition of a “Change in Control” to align with the new organizational structure resulting from the Simplification Transaction (defined and described in more detail below within the section titled “Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control”). In December 2021, each of the remaining NEOs’ employment agreements were amended and restated, with the agreements for Messrs. Keppler and Even being amended and restated a second time, to reflect all Conversion-related items that were not reflected within their Simplification Transaction-related amendments. The December amendments clarified that, following the Conversion, references to the “Partnership” or the “General Partner” would be replaced with “Enviva Inc.,” and references to the “General Partner’s board of directors” would be replaced with references to our “Board.” The December amendments to the employment agreements also set the level of compensation that would be applicable to the NEOs for the relevant portion of the Post-Simplification Period (including a clarification of the target bonus amounts for 2021) as well as certain 2022 compensation levels.
The most recent employment agreements reset the terms of each employment agreement. The new agreements will generally have a one year term that will end on December 1, 2022. That term may be extended and renewed for additional one-year periods if neither party has delivered a written notice of non-renewal within the sixty (60) day period prior to the expiration of the term.
The most recent employment agreements also set new base salaries, target bonus percentages under the AICIP, and target LTIP award values for the NEOs, each as described above.
As noted above, the employment agreements contain potential severance and, with respect to certain NEOs, change in control benefits, as well as certain restrictive covenants. Those potential benefits are described in more detail and quantified within the section titled “Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control.”
Compensation Risk Assessment
In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(s) of Regulation S-K, to the extent that risks may arise from our compensation policies and practices for our employees that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us, we are required to discuss our policies and practices for compensating our employees (including our employees that are not NEOs) as they relate to our risk management practices and risk-taking incentives. We have determined that our compensation policies and practices for our employees, including our NEOs, do not encourage excessive risk-taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us. Our Compensation Committee routinely assesses our compensation policies and practices and takes this consideration into account as part of its review.
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Report of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on the reviews and discussions referred to in the foregoing sentence, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report.
John C. Bumgarner, Jr.
Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr.,
Jeffrey W. Ubben
NOTE REGARDING EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLES
As further described in the CD&A, all outstanding time-based and performance-based phantom units were converted to restricted stock units upon the Conversion, and all outstanding equity awards held by our NEOs and our directors as of the date of this filing are in the form of restricted stock units. However, at the time of the grant, and throughout the 2021 year, the awards described in the table below were in the form of phantom units, therefore the tables below will generally describe phantom unit awards.
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The table below sets forth the annual compensation for our NEOs for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, to the extent the individual was a “named executive officer” for that year. The compensation disclosed below with respect to the 2019 and 2020 calendar years is the compensation for which we were responsible for partially reimbursing Enviva Management Company pursuant to the MSAs, therefore it only reflects a portion of the compensation that the NEOs received for those years. The compensation disclosed below with respect to the 2021 calendar year is the compensation for the full amount paid to each NEO, irrespective of any allocation between Enviva Inc. and Enviva Management Company, as discussed above.
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus (1) | Unit Awards (2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1) | All Other Compensation (3) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 2021 | $ | 816,986 | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | 3,400,044 | $ | 780,000 | $ | 8,700 | $ | 6,205,730 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer) | 2020 | 182,838 | 600,000 | 1,631,253 | 343,297 | 2,138 | 2,759,526 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 170,885 | — | 642,712 | 271,875 | 2,100 | 1,087,572 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 2021 | 466,208 | 556,800 | 1,159,968 | — | 8,700 | 2,191,676 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer) | 2020 | 112,796 | 350,000 | 562,518 | 170,465 | 2,138 | 1,197,917 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 109,614 | — | 273,594 | 121,500 | 2,100 | 506,808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | 2021 | 431,370 | — | 850,012 | 514,250 | 8,700 | 1,804,332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer) | 2020 | 97,097 | 75,000 | 385,029 | 109,381 | 2,138 | 668,645 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 2021 | 447,548 | 534,000 | 1,112,498 | — | 8,700 | 2,102,746 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and General Counsel) | 2020 | 85,339 | 350,000 | 425,002 | 107,330 | 1,710 | 969,381 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | 2021 | 371,885 | — | 739,990 | 305,250 | 8,700 | 1,425,825 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Executive Vice President, Operations) | 2020 | 249,389 | — | 994,046 | 282,403 | 5,985 | 1,531,823 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | 238,606 | — | 522,318 | 167,738 | 5,880 | 934,542 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Amounts in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column with respect to 2019 represent the annual discretionary cash bonuses for each NEO under the AICP, which was operated in a manner to provide performance-based incentive awards in that year, although the amounts were inadvertently reported in prior years within the “Bonus” column and have now been corrected. The AICP awards for the 2020 and 2021 years were also deemed to operate as performance-based incentive awards and are reported within the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column. Amounts in the “Bonus” column with respect to the 2020 and 2021 years relate to the transaction-based bonuses received by certain NEOs for the 2020 year, and the bonuses provided to Messrs. Keppler, Even and Schmidt relating to the Simplification Transaction and the Conversion in 2021, as applicable. The division of awards between the AICP and transaction-related bonuses for the 2021 year are described in more detail above within the CD&A.
(2)The amounts reflected in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of time-based and performance-based phantom units (which include tandem DERs) granted to the NEOs pursuant to the LTIP, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification Topic 718, disregarding the estimate of forfeitures. The grant date fair value for time-based phantom unit awards issued in 2021 is based on the closing price of our common units on the date of grant, which was $48.34 per unit for awards granted on January 27, 2021. The grant date fair value of performance-based phantom unit awards is reported based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions on the date of grant. See Note 18, Equity-Based Awards, to our consolidated financial statements for additional detail regarding assumptions underlying the value of these awards. If the maximum amount, rather than the probable amount, were reported in the table with respect to the performance-based phantom units, the
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values associated with the 4-year performance-based grants would be as follows: Mr. Keppler, $3,400,043; Mr. Even, $1,159,967, Mr. Meth, $850,011, Mr. Schmidt, $1,112,497, and Mr. Smith, $739,989.
(3)Amounts reported in the “All Other Compensation” column reflect employer contributions to the NEOs’ accounts under the 401(k) plan in which the NEOs participate.
2021 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
| Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) | Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold (#) | Target (#) | Maximum (#) | All Other Equity Awards (#)(3) | Grant Date Fair Value ($)(4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | $ | 600,000 | $ | 1,200,000 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 17,584 | 35,168 | 70,336 | $ | 1,700,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 35,168 | 1,700,022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 278,400 | 556,800 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 5,999 | 11,998 | 23,996 | 579,984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 11,998 | 579,984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | 173,250 | 346,500 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 4,396 | 8,792 | 17,584 | 425,006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 8,792 | 425,006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 267,000 | 534,000 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 5,754 | 11,507 | 23,014 | 556,249 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 11,507 | 556,249 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | 203,500 | 407,000 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 3,827 | 7,654 | 15,308 | 369,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/27/2021 | 7,654 | 369,995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)The values within these columns reflect the threshold and target values of the AICP awards for the 2021 calendar year, as of the date of their grant. At the beginning of the year, Messrs. Even and Schmidt were included within the aggregate company bonus pool; however, as described further above within the CD&A, their bonus awards for the 2021 were deemed to be payable outside of the AICP.
(2)These columns reflect the performance-based phantom units granted to our NEOs during the 2021 calendar year.
(3)This column reflects the time-based phantom units granted to our NEOs during the 2021 calendar year.
(4)As further described in Footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table, the values in the “Grant Date Fair Value” column are determined by multiplying (a) the number of phantom units granted (with the probable grant date value for performance-based phantom units to be at target levels) by (b) $48,34, the closing price of our common units on the date of grant.
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NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO THE SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
Management Services Agreements
The amounts set forth in the table above for the 2019 and 2020 years reflect only the portion of compensation that was allocable to us pursuant to the MSAs. Following the Simplification Transaction, we were responsible for the full amount of compensation paid to our NEOs. In order to provide a fulsome picture of NEO compensation in 2021, we are presenting the full amount of compensation paid to our NEOs in 2021 notwithstanding the partial allocation of that amount during the Pre-Simplification Period to Enviva Management Company. For a more detailed description of the MSAs and our relationship with Enviva Management Company, see “Item 13. “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence—Other Transactions with Related Persons--Management Services Agreements” in this Annual Report.
Phantom Unit Awards and Restricted Stock Unit Awards
We granted time-based and performance-based phantom unit awards to our NEOs pursuant to the LTIP in 2021. In connection with the Conversion, all phantom unit awards were converted to restricted stock unit awards, subject to the same terms and conditions immediately prior to the Conversion except that for performance-based phantom unit awards granted in the 2020 and 2021 calendar years, the performance criteria were modified to reflect the aggregate impact of the Simplification Transaction and Conversion; consequently, all DCF-related performance metrics were eliminated, such that the sole performance criterion applicable to such performance-based phantom unit awards is the TSR Factor. The expected value of the performance-based phantom unit awards was similar immediately before and after the modification. The terms and conditions, including vesting, are further described above in the CD&A under “—2021 NEO Compensation.” The potential acceleration and forfeiture events relating to the phantom unit awards (as of December 31, 2021) are described in greater detail under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control” below.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2021 FISCAL YEAR‑END
The following table reflects information regarding outstanding equity‑based awards held by our NEOs as of December 31, 2021. As noted above, the awards are discussed as phantom unit awards, although as of the date of this filing they have been converted to restricted stock unit awards as a result of the Conversion.
| Unit Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Units That Have Not Vested (1) | Market Value of Units That Have Not Vested (2) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (3)(4) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market Value of Unearned Units That Have Not Vested (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 237,842 | $ | 16,748,842 | 121,046 | $ | 8,524,059 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 93,501 | $ | 6,584,339 | 41,612 | $ | 2,930,317 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70,084 | $ | 4,935,332 | 29,062 | $ | 2,046,546 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 89,487 | $ | 6,301,698 | 39,475 | $ | 2,779,830 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60,782 | $ | 4,280,243 | 26,344 | $ | 1,855,144 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1)The amounts in this column reflect outstanding time-based phantom unit awards, which vest as set forth in the table within footnote 4 below, so long as the applicable NEO remains continuously employed by us or one of our affiliates from the grant date through each vesting date. See the section below titled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for a description of potential acceleration and forfeiture provisions.
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(2)The amounts reflected in this column represent the market value of the common units underlying the phantom unit awards granted to the NEOs as set forth in the preceding column, computed based on the closing price of our common units on December 31, 2021, which was $70.42 per unit.
(3)The amounts in this column reflect the actual number of common units issued in the 2022 year upon settlement of outstanding performance-based phantom unit awards granted in 2019, even though such awards could have been earned up to 200% of target at maximum performance, and the target number of common units issuable upon settlement of outstanding performance-based phantom unit awards granted in 2020 and 2021, which vest based on achievement of performance metrics with respect to the three-year period ending on December 31, 2022, and the four-year period ending on December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, so long as the applicable NEO remains continuously employed by us or one of our affiliates from the grant date through the end of each performance period and until we have certified the applicable performance level for that award. With respect to the 2019 performance-based phantom units, if the number of awards and the value of awards had hit maximum performance payout at 200% of target rather than the actual 186% represented in the table,those numbers would be as follows: Mr. Kepler, 242,979 awards at a value of $17,110,581; Mr. Even, 96,041 awards at a value of $6,763,207; Mr. Meth, 71,825 awards at a value of $5,057,917; Mr. Schmidt, 96,639 awards at a value of $6,453,218; and Mr. Smith, 62,360 at a value of $4,391,391 . See the section below titled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” for a description of potential acceleration and forfeiture provisions.
(4)The following sub-table reflects the regularly scheduled vesting date for each award that is disclosed as outstanding within the main table above:
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| Name | Vesting Date or Last Date of Performance Period | Number of Time-based Phantom Units to Vest | Number of Performance-based Phantom Units to Vest | |||||||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | December 31, 2021 | 73,384 | ||||||||||||||||||
| January 30, 2022 | 48,549 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 42,939 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2023 | 42,939 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 42,939 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2024 | 42,939 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | 35,168 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 27, 2025 | 35,168 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | December 31, 2021 | 36,286 | ||||||||||||||||||
| January 30, 2022 | 18,143 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 14,807 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2023 | 14,807 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 14,807 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2024 | 14,807 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | 11,998 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 27, 2025 | 11,998 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | December 31, 2021 | 24,868 | ||||||||||||||||||
| January 30, 2022 | 17,895 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 10,135 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2023 | 10,135 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 10,135 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2024 | 10,135 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | 8,792 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 27, 2025 | 8,792 | |||||||||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | December 31, 2021 | 30,738 | ||||||||||||||||||
| January 30, 2022 | 21,426 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 13,984 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2023 | 13,984 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 13,984 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2024 | 13,984 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | 11,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 27, 2025 | 11,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | December 31, 2021 | 22,548 | ||||||||||||||||||
| January 30, 2022 | 13,468 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 9,345 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2023 | 9,345 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 9,345 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 29, 2024 | 9,345 | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | 7,654 | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 27, 2025 | 7,654 | |||||||||||||||||||
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UNITS VESTED IN 2021
The following table provides information on the vesting of phantom units held by the NEOs in 2021. None of the NEOs held stock options in 2021. The value realized from the vesting of phantom unit awards is equal to the closing price of our common units on the vesting date or the performance certification date for performance awards, as applicable, multiplied by the number of shares acquired. The value is calculated before payment of any applicable withholding or other income taxes.
| Name | Number of Units Acquired Upon Vesting (#) | Value Realized Upon Vesting ($) | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 100,011 | $ | 4,875,515 | |||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 38,574 | 1,861,301 | ||||||||||||
Thomas Meth | 44,640 | 2,169,081 | ||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 52,115 | 2,534,445 | ||||||||||||
E. Royal Smith | 42,457 | 2,062,380 | ||||||||||||
PENSION BENEFITS AND NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan or a nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for retirement benefits.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL
Each of our NEOs is party to an employment agreement with us that provides for severance compensation or accelerated vesting of equity awards in the event of certain terminations of employment, including in connection with a change in control. None of the employment agreements contain any tax reimbursement provisions in the event an NEO receives potential parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code. The outstanding equity awards held by each of the NEOs also contain certain severance and change in control benefits, but as of December 31, 2021, the treatment in the employment agreements and the outstanding equity awards are the same; as a result, there is not a separate description for equity award agreement provisions.
Employment Agreements
The employment agreements provide that, if the NEO terminates employment for good reason or if an NEO’s employment is terminated without cause, or for death or disability (each applicable term as defined below), subject to the NEO executing a satisfactory release within the time period specified in such NEO’s employment agreement, the NEO will be entitled to receive the following:
•an amount equal to a multiple (the “severance multiplier”) of (a) the NEO’s base salary in effect on the termination date, plus (b) the NEO’s target annual bonus as of the termination date. The severance multiplier is 1.5 for Mr. Keppler and 1.0 for Messrs. Even, Meth, Schmidt, and Smith. The severance multiplier is increased to 2.0 for Mr. Keppler and 1.5 for Messrs. Even and Schmidt if such termination occurs within 12 months following a change in control (as defined below) (a “Change in Control Termination”);
•full vesting of all outstanding awards under the LTIP (which vesting for awards that include a performance requirement (other than continued service) will be based on (a) actual performance if such termination occurs within the six-month period preceding the expiration of the performance period or (b) target performance if such termination occurs at any other time during the performance period); and
•reimbursement for continued medical coverage of applicable group health plans. The reimbursement coverage is 18 months for Mr. Keppler and 12 months for Messrs. Even, Meth, Schmidt, and Smith. The reimbursement coverage is increased to 18 months for Messrs. Even and Schmidt if such termination occurs within 12 months following a change in control.
Definitions. The following definitions are used in the employment agreements as follows:
“Cause” is defined as:
•a material breach of any applicable policy pertaining to health and safety;
•engaging in acts of disloyalty, including fraud, embezzlement, theft, commission of a felony or proven dishonestly; or
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•willful misconduct in the performance of, or willful failure to perform a material function of the NEO’s duties under the employment agreement.
“Good reason” is defined as, without the consent of the NEO:
•a material diminution in the NEO’s authority, duties, title, or responsibilities;
•a material diminution in the NEO’s base salary, target annual bonus, or target annual LTIP award;
•the relocation of the geographic location of the NEO’s principal place of employment by more than 100 miles; or
•delivery of a written notice of non-renewal of the NEO’s employment agreement.
A “disability” shall exist if the NEO is unable to perform the essential functions of his position, with reasonable accommodation (if applicable), due to an illness or physical or mental impairment or other incapacity that continues for a period in excess of 90 days, whether consecutive or not, in any period of 365 consecutive days.
Under the employment agreements for Messrs. Keppler, Even, and Schmidt, a “change in control” is defined as:
•the sale or disposal by us of all or substantially all of our assets to any person other than an affiliate;
•the simplification or consolidation of Enviva Inc. with or into another partnership, corporation, or other entity, other than a simplification or consolidation in which the equityholders of Enviva Inc. immediately prior to such transaction retain greater than 50% equity interest in the surviving entity; or
•the acquisition by any person or group of the beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the equity of Enviva Inc. entitled to vote in the election of our board of directors.
Release Obligations and Restrictive Covenants
Payments and benefits under the employment agreements are conditioned on the execution of a general release of claims by the NEO in favor of us. The employment agreements also contain certain restrictive covenants pursuant to which our NEOs have recognized an obligation to comply with, among other things, certain confidentiality covenants as well as covenants not to compete in a defined market area with us or solicit our employees during the term of the agreement and for a period of one year thereafter.
Quantification of Benefits
The following table summarizes the compensation and other benefits that would have become payable to each NEO assuming his employment terminated on December 31, 2021, given the NEO’s base salary as of that date, and, if applicable, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2021, which was $70.42. The target annual bonus for the 2021 was the amount set forth in each NEO’s employment agreement in effect on December 31, 2021. In addition, the following table summarizes the compensation that would become payable to Messrs. Keppler, Even, and Schmidt assuming a qualifying termination and a change in control occurred on December 31, 2021. Each of the values below reflects our best estimate of the amounts and benefits that could be payable upon a termination scenario, but amounts cannot be known with certainty until or unless such an event were to occur.
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| Benefits and Payments | Change in Control Termination | Termination Without Cause, for Good Reason or Death or Disability | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance | $ | 4,400,000 | $ | 3,300,000 | ||||||||||
| Accelerated Equity Awards | 25,634,641 | 25,634,641 | ||||||||||||
| Health Benefits | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 30,034,641 | $ | 28,934,641 | ||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance | $ | 1,570,200 | $ | 1,046,800 | ||||||||||
| Accelerated Equity Awards | 9,693,524 | 9,693,524 | ||||||||||||
| Health Benefits | 32,241 | 24,152 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 11,295,965 | $ | 10,764,476 | ||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance | $ | 967,500 | $ | 967,500 | ||||||||||
| Accelerated Equity Awards | 7,104,463 | 7,104,463 | ||||||||||||
| Health Benefits | 21,494 | 21,494 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 8,093,457 | $ | 8,093,457 | ||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance | $ | 1,513,500 | $ | 1,009,000 | ||||||||||
| Accelerated Equity Awards | 9,233,048 | 9,233,048 | ||||||||||||
| Health Benefits | 36,474 | 24,316 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 10,783,022 | $ | 10,266,364 | ||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Severance | $ | 799,200 | $ | 799,200 | ||||||||||
| Accelerated Equity Awards | 6,246,536 | 6,246,536 | ||||||||||||
| Health Benefits | 21,494 | 21,494 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 7,067,230 | $ | 7,067,230 | ||||||||||
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
For the year ended December 31, 2021, directors of our former GP, other than Mr. Keppler, received compensation for their services on our former GP’s board of directors and committees thereof consisting of the items below:
•an annual retainer of $85,000,
•an additional annual retainer of $20,000 for services as the chair of the audit committee,
•an additional annual retainer of $17,500 for service as the chair of the compensation committee,
•an additional annual retainer of $15,000 for service as the chair of the health, safety, sustainability and environmental committee (the “HSSE committee”),
•payment of $2,000 each time such director attended a board meeting,
•payment of $1,750 each time such director attended an audit committee meeting, and
•payment of $1,500 each time such director attended any meeting of the compensation committee or the HSSE committee.
Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2021, directors of our former GP, other than Mr. Keppler and directors who are also officers or employees of Riverstone Holdings LLC or its affiliates (excluding the former GP, the Partnership and
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its subsidiaries) (the “Sponsor Directors”), received an annual grant under the LTIP with a grant date fair value of approximately $115,000.
Until the earlier of (i) four years after a director other than Mr. Keppler and the Sponsor Directors (such director, an “independent director”) is appointed to the board of directors of our General Partner or (ii) the date on which such independent director first holds an amount of our common units with an aggregate value equal to at least $250,000, one-half of all annual retainers and payments for attending board or committee meetings are paid to such independent director in the form of common units pursuant to the LTIP and the remainder is paid in cash. Each of our independent directors has met the above conditions and 100% of their annual retainers and payments for attending board or committee meetings were paid in cash. Each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board and committee meetings and each director will be fully indemnified by us for actions associated with serving as a director to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
Prior to 2019, the Sponsor Directors did not receive compensation under our director compensation program. Compensation of the Sponsor Directors for their service as a director is paid directly to Riverstone/Carlyle Management LP. With respect to Mr. Ubben, his cash compensation is paid directly to Inclusive Capital Partners, L.P.
As a result of the Conversion, our business and affairs became overseen by our board of directors, rather than the board of directors of our former GP, which oversaw the business and affairs of the Partnership as its general partner prior to the Conversion.
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our directors, other than Mr. Keppler (whose compensation has been reported within the Summary Compensation Table), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, regardless of whether they were serving on our board as of December 31, 2021:
| Name | Fees Earned in Cash | Unit Awards (1) | Total | |||||||||||||||||
| Ralph Alexander (3) | $ | 101,000 | $ | 123,800 | $ | 224,800 | ||||||||||||||
| John C. Bumgarner, Jr. | 235,850 | 122,661 | 358,511 | |||||||||||||||||
| Martin N. Davidson | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Jim H. Derryberry (3) | 99,000 | — | 99,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Christopher B. Hunt (3)(4) | 25,250 | — | 25,250 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fauzul Lakhani (3) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Gerrit (“Gerrity”) L. Lansing, Jr. (3) | 65,125 | 56,342 | 121,467 | |||||||||||||||||
| Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. (3) | 71,750 | — | 71,750 | |||||||||||||||||
| David M. Leuschen (3) | 69,750 | — | 69,750 | |||||||||||||||||
| William K. Reilly (5) | 118,500 | 122,661 | 241,161 | |||||||||||||||||
| Jeffrey W. Ubben (2) | 130,950 | 124,918 | 255,868 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gary L. Whitlock | 130,850 | 122,661 | 253,511 | |||||||||||||||||
| Carl L. Williams (3)(6) | 24,750 | — | 24,750 | |||||||||||||||||
| Janet S. Wong | 150,850 | 122,661 | 273,511 | |||||||||||||||||
| Eva T. Zlotnicka | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
(1)Amounts included in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of phantom units (which include tandem DERs) granted to the independent directors, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the estimate of forfeitures, in each case pursuant to the LTIP. See Note 18, Equity-Based Awards, for additional detail regarding assumptions underlying the value of these equity awards. The grant date fair value for time-based phantom unit awards issued in 2021 is based on the closing price of our common units on the date of grant, which was $48.34 per unit for awards granted on January 27, 2021 and $49.49 for awards granted on April 29, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, Mr. Bumgarner, Mr. Reilly, Mr. Ubben, Mr. Whitlock, and Ms. Wong held 2,379 unvested phantom units in the aggregate and Mr. Lansing held 2,324 unvested phantom units in the aggregate. Our non-management directors that are not independent do not receive LTIP awards, therefore they do not hold outstanding awards as of December 31, 2021. Amounts in this column also reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of common units granted to the independent directors. The grant date fair value for common unit awards issued in 2021 is based on the closing price of our common units as of the end of the calendar quarter in respect of which the common units were granted, which was $52.41 per
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common unit for awards granted on July 28, 2021 and $54.09 per common unit for awards granted on November 3, 2021.
(2)Mr. Ubben’s cash compensation was paid to directly to Inclusive Capital Partners, L.P., although he received his LTIP grant directly.
(3)Compensation of the Sponsor Directors and Mr. Lansing, for a portion of the year, for their service on the Board is paid directly to Riverstone/Carlyle Management LP. Mr. Lansing became an independent director on April 27, 2021, and compensation provided following that date was paid to him directly.
(4)Mr. Hunt resigned from the Board on March 10, 2021.
(5)Prior to the Conversion, Mr. Reilly served as a director on the board of directors of the former GP. Mr. Reilly was not appointed as a director of the Company in connection with the Conversion.
(6)Mr. Williams resigned from the Board on February 5, 2021.
PAY RATIO
As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of Mr. Keppler, our Chief Executive Officer.
For 2021, our last completed fiscal year:
•The median of the annual total compensation of all employees of our company (other than Mr. Keppler) was $64,325; and
•The annual total compensation of Mr. Keppler, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table included above, was $6,205,730.
•Based on this information, for 2021 the ratio of the annual total compensation of Mr. Keppler to the median of the annual total compensation of all employees was reasonably estimated to be 96 to 1.
To identity the median of the annual total compensation of all our employees, as well as to determine the annual total compensation of our median employee and our CEO, we took the following steps:
•We determined that, as of December 31, 2021, our employee population consisted of approximately 1,176 individuals with all of these individuals located in the United States. This population consisted of our full-time, part-time, and temporary employees.
•We used a consistently applied compensation measure to identify our median employee by comparing the Total Gross Earnings as reflected in our payroll records for 2021, which included, amount of salary or wages, bonuses, compensation received from equity award vesting and distributions (DERs), value of life insurance premiums and gym memberships.
•We identified our median employee by consistently applying this compensation measure to all of our employees included in our analysis. Since all of our employees, including our CEO, are located in the United States, we did not make any cost of living adjustments in identifying the median employee.
•With respect to the annual total compensation of Mr. Keppler, we used the amount reported in the “Total” column of our 2021 Summary Compensation Table above.
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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of shares of common stock of Enviva Inc. as of February 15, 2021 held by:
•beneficial owners of 5% or more of our common stock;
•each director and NEO; and
•all of our directors and executive officers as a group.
Unless otherwise noted, the address for each beneficial owner listed below is 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1800, Bethesda, MD 20814.
| Name of Beneficial Owner | Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1) | Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | ||||||||||||
Investment Funds Affiliated with Riverstone Holdings, LLC(2) | 27,797,923 | 41.83 | % | |||||||||||
| Inclusive Capital Partners, L.P.(3) | 5,719,241 | 8.61 | % | |||||||||||
| Ralph Alexander | — | — | ||||||||||||
| John C. Bumgarner, Jr.(4) | 225,204 | * | ||||||||||||
| Martin N. Davidson | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Jim H. Derryberry | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | 352,604 | * | ||||||||||||
| Michael A. Johnson | — | — | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | 697,324 | 1.05 | % | |||||||||||
| Roxanne B. Klein | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Yanina A. Kravtsova | 92,419 | * | ||||||||||||
| Fauzul Lakhani | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Gerrit (“Gerrity”) L. Lansing, Jr. | 451 | * | ||||||||||||
| Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr.(2) | 27,797,923 | 41.83 | % | |||||||||||
| David M. Leuschen(2) | 27,797,923 | 41.83 | % | |||||||||||
| Thomas Meth | 415,207 | * | ||||||||||||
| William H. Schmidt, Jr. | 391,556 | * | ||||||||||||
| E. Royal Smith | 260,095 | * | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey W. Ubben(3) | 5,719,241 | 8.61 | % | |||||||||||
| Gary L. Whitlock | 35,917 | * | ||||||||||||
| Janet S. Wong | 32,941 | * | ||||||||||||
| Eva T. Zlotnicka | — | — | ||||||||||||
| All directors and executive officers as a group (20 persons) | 36,020,882 | 54.21 | % | |||||||||||
* Less than 1% of common units outstanding.
(1)This column does not include restricted stock unit awards granted to our directors and officers pursuant to the LTIP.
(2)David M. Leuschen and Pierre F. Lapeyre Jr. are the managing directors of Riverstone Management Group, L.L.C. (“Riverstone Management”), and have or share voting and investment discretion with respect to the securities beneficially owned by Riverstone Management, which is the general partner of Riverstone/Gower Mgmt Co Holdings, L.P., which is the sole member of Riverstone Holdings LLC, which is the sole member of Riverstone Echo GP, LLC, which is the general partner of Riverstone Echo Partners, L.P., which is the sole member of each of Riverstone ECF GP, LLC (“ECF GP”) and Riverstone Echo Rollover GP, LLC (“Echo Rollover GP”). ECF GP is the general partner of Riverstone Echo Continuation Holdings, L.P. (“Echo Continuation Holdings”). Echo Rollover GP is the general partner of Riverstone Echo Rollover Holdings, L.P. (“Echo Rollover Holdings”). Riverstone Enviva Holdings is managed by its members, Echo Continuation Holdings and Echo Rollover Holdings.
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(3)As reported in a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 4, 2022, Inclusive Capital Partners, L.P. (“In-Cap”) and Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Fund Manager, L.L.C. (“In-Cap Spring Fund Manager”) or Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Fund Manager II, L.L.C. (“In-Cap Spring Fund II Manager”), have been granted investment and voting discretion over the common stock held by certain funds (the “In-Cap Funds”). In-Cap acts as investment manager to the In-Cap Funds. The managing member of In-Cap Spring Fund Manager and In-Cap Spring Fund II Manager is Inclusive Capital Partners Holdco, L.P. (“In-Cap Holdco”). In-Cap is the general partner of In-Cap Holdco. Inclusive Capital Partners, L.L.C. (“In-Cap LLC”) is the general partner of In-Cap. Mr. Ubben is the controlling member of the management committee of In-Cap LLC. Mr. Ubben holds shares of common stock for the benefit of In-Cap and the In-Cap Funds.
(4)Of these 225,204 shares of common stock, 165,928 are held by the Bumgarner Family Trust. Mr. Bumgarner has investment control over these shares.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth information with respect to the securities that may be issued under the Enviva Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) as of December 31, 2021.
| Plan category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)(2) | Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights ($) (b)(3) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c)(4) | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 1,678,838 | n/a | 3,004,888 | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(2) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,678,838 | n/a | 3,004,888 | |||||||||||||||||
(1)The LTIP was approved by the board of directors of the former GP prior to the IPO of Enviva Partners, LP.
(2)We do not have any equity compensation plans that were not approved by our shareholders. The LTIP was amended in January 2020 and January 2021 to increase the number of shares of common stock that may be issued thereunder and was amended and restated as of December 31, 2021 in connection with the Conversion. The amendments to the LTIP did not require shareholder approval under the rules of the NYSE.
(3)The amount in column (a) of this table reflects (i) the aggregate number of shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of outstanding time-based restricted stock units and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of common stock issuable upon settlement of outstanding performance-based restricted stock units assuming a 100% performance factor pursuant to the LTIP as of December 31, 2021. The actual number of shares of common stock that may be issued in settlement of outstanding performance-based restricted stock unit awards is based on a factor of between 0% and 200%. Each outstanding restricted stock unit award reflected within this column (a) represented a time-based or performance-based phantom unit award which was converted to a time-based or performance-based restricted stock unit award, as applicable, on a one-for-one basis in connection with the Conversion.
(4)This column is not applicable because only phantom units (prior to the Conversion) and restricted stock units (following the Conversion) have been granted under the LTIP and phantom units and restricted stock units do not have an exercise price.
(5)The amount in this column reflects the total number of shares of common stock remaining available for future issuance under the LTIP as of December 31, 2021. For additional information about the LTIP and the awards granted thereunder, please read Part III, Item 11. “Executive Compensation.”
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The terms of the transactions and agreements disclosed in this section were determined by and among affiliated entities and, consequently, were not the result of arm’s-length negotiations, thus presenting the risk that their terms were not necessarily at least as favorable to the parties involved as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. The foregoing descriptions are not complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the agreements, which are included as exhibits hereto.
Agreements with Affiliates
Payments to Riverstone for Affiliated Director Services
Beginning in 2019, we paid Riverstone/Carlyle Management LP, an affiliate of our former sponsor, compensation for the services of the officers or employees of Riverstone Holdings LLC or its affiliates who served as directors on the board of directors of our former General Partner, as well as for services provided by Mr. Lansing. During the year ended December 31, 2021, total compensation related to such expense was $0.6 million.
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, its former sponsor, Enviva Partners Merger Sub, LLC, and the limited partners of its former sponsor set forth in the Merger Agreement (the “Holdings Limited Partners”). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (a) the Company acquired (i) all of the limited partner interests in its former sponsor and (ii) all of the limited liability company interests in Enviva Holdings GP, LLC, the general partner of the Company’s former sponsor, and (b) the incentive distribution rights directly held by Enviva MLP Holdco, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company’s former sponsor, were cancelled and eliminated (collectively, the “Simplification Transaction”). In consideration for the Simplification Transaction, the Company issued 16.0 million common units to the Holdings Limited Partners party to the Merger Agreement.
Acquisition I Merger Agreement
On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Acquisition I Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, Enviva Cottondale Acquisition I, LLC (“Acquisition I”), a subsidiary of affiliates of our former sponsor, Riverstone Echo Continuation Holdings, L.P. and Riverstone Echo Rollover Holdings, L.P. (the “Riverstone Echo Funds”), and Enviva, Inc. Merger Sub, LLC (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to the Acquisition I Merger Agreement, Acquisition I agreed to merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Acquisition I Merger”). In connection therewith, the Riverstone Echo Funds received 6.0 million common units, which was the number of common units held directly or indirectly by Acquisition I immediately prior to the Acquisition I Merger.
Registration Rights Agreement
The Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) on October 14, 2021 with the Holdings Limited Partners pursuant to which, among other things and subject to certain restrictions, the Company agreed to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 registering for resale certain securities received by such Holdings Limited Partners in connection with the Simplification Transaction. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides the Holdings Limited Partners with customary demand and piggyback registration rights.
Echo Blocker Merger Agreement
On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Echo Blocker Merger Agreement”) by and among Riverstone EC Corp, LLC (“Echo Blocker”), the Company, Merger Sub, and Riverstone Echo Continuation Fund Parallel, L.P. (“Riverstone Echo Fund Parallel”). Pursuant to the Echo Blocker Merger Agreement, Riverstone Echo Continuation Fund Parallel received a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the number of common units held by Echo Blocker immediately prior to the merger of Echo Blocker with and into Merger Sub.
Support Agreement
In connection with the Simplification Transaction on October 14, 2021, the Company entered into a support agreement (the “Support Agreement”) by and among the Company, the Holdings Limited Partners party thereto, and certain other persons thereto pursuant to which, among other things, (a) certain of our former sponsor’s (or its subsidiaries’) obligations to provide financial support to us were consolidated, fixed, and novated into fixed payment amounts to be paid solely out of dividends on certain shares of common stock held by certain Holdings Limited Partners, (b) each Holdings Limited Partner party thereto
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agreed to reinvest all regular quarterly dividends in respect of a portion of the common stock issued to such Holdings Limited Partner in the Simplification Transaction, for each calendar quarter from the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2021, through and including the calendar quarter ending December 31, 2024, and (c) each Holdings Limited Partner party thereto made certain voting commitments in connection with the Conversion and agreed not to transfer any common units held by such partner until the completion of the unitholder vote regarding the Conversion or the Company’s determination to abandon or terminate the Conversion.
Stockholders Agreement
In connection with the Simplification Transaction, the Company entered into a stockholders’ agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”) with Riverstone Echo Continuation Holdings, L.P. and Riverstone Echo Rollover Holdings, L.P. and each of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Riverstone Stockholders”). The Stockholders Agreement provided for the composition of the Company’s initial post-Conversion board of directors. In addition, for so long as the Riverstone Stockholders hold at least 30% of the Company’s common stock, the Company agreed that it would not, without the approval of the Riverstone Stockholders, undertake certain specified actions set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.
Management Services Agreements
EVA MSA
From 2015 through October 14, 2021, the closing date of the Simplification Transaction, all of our employees and members of management were employed by Enviva Management Company, LLC (“Enviva Management Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our former sponsor, and we and our former general partner were party to a management services agreement (the “EVA MSA”). Pursuant to the EVA MSA, we reimbursed Enviva Management Company for all direct or indirect costs and expenses incurred by, or chargeable to, Enviva Management Company in connection with the provision of the services, including salary and benefits of employees engaged in providing such services, as well as office rent, expenses, and other overhead costs of Enviva Management Company. Enviva Management Company determined the amount of costs and expenses that were allocable to us.
Hamlet JV MSA
Pursuant to a management services agreement between the Hamlet JV and Enviva Management Company (the “Hamlet JV MSA”), Enviva Management Company provided the Hamlet JV with operations, general administrative, management, and other services. As compensation for Enviva Management Company’s services under the Hamlet JV MSA, the Company paid an annual management fee to Enviva Management Company. The Hamlet JV reimbursed Enviva Management Company for all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses (other than general and administrative costs) incurred by, or chargeable to, Enviva Management Company
Enviva Tooling MSA
Pursuant to a management services agreement between Enviva Tooling Services Company, LLC (the “Tooling JV”) and Enviva Management Company (the “Tooling JV MSA”), Enviva Management Company provided the Tooling JV with operations, general administrative, management, and other services. As compensation for Enviva Management Company’s services under the Tooling JV MSA, the Company paid an annual management fee to Enviva Management Company as set forth in the Tooling JV’s budget. The Tooling JV reimbursed Enviva Management Company for all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by, or chargeable to, Enviva Management Company in connection with the services.
Railcar Subleases
During 2021, we agreed to sublease certain railcars from Enviva Pellets Lucedale, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of our sponsor.
Software License
Effective May 1, 2021, we took assignment of certain licenses with Microsoft from our former sponsor.
Lucedale and Pascagoula Contribution Agreement and Off-Take Contracts Assignment
On July 1, 2021, we acquired from our former sponsor all of the limited liability company interests in Enviva JV2 Holdings, LLC, the indirect owner of a wood pellet production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi and a deep-water marine terminal under construction in Pascagoula, Mississippi, for a purchase price of $259.5 million, after accounting for certain adjustments (the “Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down”). In connection therewith, our former sponsor also assigned to
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us three long-term, take-or-pay off-take contracts with aggregate annual deliveries of 630,000 MTPY (together with the Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down, the “Acquisitions”).
Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down Make-Whole Agreement
On the date of the Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down, we entered into a make-whole agreement with our former sponsor, pursuant to which our former sponsor agreed to (i) guarantee certain cash flows from the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi during the period from and including the quarter ended on September 30, 2021 through and including the five quarters (or, if the commercial operations date of the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi is on the first day of a quarter, four quarters) following the quarter in which the commercial operations date of the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi occurs (the “Make-Whole Term”) and (ii) reimburse us for construction costs in excess of budgeted capital expenditures for the terminal at the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi and production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi, subject to certain exceptions. We also agreed to pay to our former sponsor quarterly incentive payments for any wood pellets produced by the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi in excess of forecast production levels during the Make-Whole Term.
Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down Management Services Fee Waiver
On July 1, 2021, we entered into an agreement with Enviva Management Company, pursuant to which Enviva Management Company agreed to waive an aggregate of $52.5 million in fees that otherwise would have been owned by us under our management services agreement with Enviva Management Company with respect to the period from the closing of the Lucedale-Pascagoula Drop-Down through the fourth quarter of 2023. From January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024, and prior to the first month during which the production plant under construction in Lucedale, Mississippi produces 62,500 metric tons of wood pellets, Enviva Management Company will waive additional management service fees for any calendar quarter if certain production levels are not met for such quarter. The total amount of such conditional fee waiver is up to $4.0 million.
Shipping Subcharter Agreement and MSA Fee Waivers
During the third quarter of 2021, we entered into an agreement with our former sponsor pursuant to which we agreed to make shipments of wood pellets during 2022 and 2023. As consideration, we received a waiver on a portion of fees pursuant to our management services agreement with Enviva Management Company.
Wood Fiber Agreement
Prior to the Simplification Transaction, we purchased a portion of our raw materials from Enviva Fiberco, LLC (“FiberCo”), a wholly owned subsidiary of our former sponsor, including through a wood supply agreement effective July 1, 2021, whereby FiberCo committed to secure incremental stumpage inventory meeting acceptable specification requirements, above inventory levels held as of June 30, 2021, to supply certain of our plants. For all wood fiber delivered pursuant to the agreement, we agreed to pay a $5 per green short ton (”GST”) premium to market pricing. FiberCo agreed to pay deficiency fees of $10 per GST to us in the event that FiberCo did not satisfy certain volume commitments between July 31 through December 31, 2021.
Procedures for Review, Approval and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
In connection with the Conversion, our board of directors adopted our written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, pursuant to which certain conflicts or potential conflicts of interest that may arise between Enviva, on the one hand, and any director, officer, or employee of Enviva (each, a “Covered Person”), on the other, must be brought to the attention of the board of directors if the Covered Person has (i) a direct interest in any such conflict where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 or (ii) a material indirect interest in any such conflict. The resolution of any such conflict or potential conflict should, at the discretion of the board in light of the circumstances, be determined by a majority of the disinterested directors.
Under the provisions of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, any executive officer will be required to avoid conflicts of interest unless approved by our board of directors.
Director Independence
See Part III, Item 10. “Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance” for information regarding our directors and independence requirements applicable to our board of directors and its committees.
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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”), Tyson, Virginia, Auditor Firm ID: 42, served as our independent auditors during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The following table presents fees paid for professional audit services of our annual consolidated financial statements and for other services for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
Audit fees(1) | $ | 3,100 | $ | 2,218 | ||||||||||
Audit related fees(2) | 125 | 860 | ||||||||||||
All other fees(3) | 5 | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,230 | $ | 3,088 | ||||||||||
(1)Fees for financial statement audit and review services customary under generally accepted auditing standards or for the purpose of rendering an opinion or review on the financial statements related to the fiscal year then ended.
(2)Fees for assurance and related services traditionally performed by independent accountants, including internal control reviews, audits in which we engaged related to an acquisition and to a less-than-wholly subsidiary, and work performed in connection with a registration statement or issuance of a comfort letter.
(3)Fees for use of the EY global accounting and financial reporting research tool.
Policy for Approval of Audit and Permitted Non-Audit Services
Before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged by us or our subsidiaries to render audit or non‑audit services, the audit committee must pre-approve the engagement. Audit committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services is not required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the audit committee. The chairman of the audit committee has the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are within the pre-approval policy and presented to the audit committee at a subsequent meeting.
The audit committee approved the appointment of EY as our independent auditor to conduct the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 and all of the services described above.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Certain documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report and are incorporated by reference and found on the pages below.
1.Financial Statements—Please read Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Index to Financial Statements.”
2. All schedules have been omitted because they are either not applicable, not required or the information called for therein appears in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits—Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S‑K set forth below are incorporated herein by reference.
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit | |||||||
| 2.1 | ||||||||
| 2.2 | ||||||||
| 2.3 | ||||||||
| 2.4 | ||||||||
| 2.5 | ||||||||
| 2.6 | ||||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | Indenture, dated as of December 9, 2019, by and among Enviva Partners, LP, Enviva Partners Finance Corp., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 9, 2019, File No. 001-37363) | |||||||
| 4.2 | ||||||||
| 4.3* | ||||||||
| 4.4 | ||||||||
| 4.5 | ||||||||
| 10.1 | ||||||||
| 10.2† | ||||||||
| 10.3 | ||||||||
| 10.4 | ||||||||
| 10.5 | ||||||||
| 10.6 | ||||||||
| 10.7† | ||||||||
| 10.8† | ||||||||
| 10.9† | ||||||||
| 10.10† | ||||||||
| 10.11 | ||||||||
128
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit | |||||||
| 10.12 | ||||||||
| 10.13 | ||||||||
| 10.14 | ||||||||
| 10.15 | ||||||||
| 10.16 | ||||||||
| 10.17 | ||||||||
| 10.18 | ||||||||
| 10.19 | ||||||||
| 10.20† | ||||||||
| 10.21 | ||||||||
| 10.22 | ||||||||
| 10.23 | ||||||||
| 10.24 | ||||||||
| 10.25*† | ||||||||
| 10.26*† | ||||||||
| 10.27*† | ||||||||
| 10.28*† | ||||||||
| 10.29*† | ||||||||
| 10.30 | ||||||||
| 10.31† | ||||||||
| 10.32† | ||||||||
| 10.33*† | ||||||||
| 10.34*† | ||||||||
| 10.35*† | ||||||||
| 10.36*† | ||||||||
| 10.37 | ||||||||
| 21.1* | ||||||||
| 23.1* | ||||||||
| 24.1* | Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to the signature page of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K) | |||||||
| 31.1* | ||||||||
| 31.2* | ||||||||
| 32.1** | ||||||||
129
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit | |||||||
| 32.2** | ||||||||
| 101 | The following financial information from Enviva Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | |||||||
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
† Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement
130
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
| ENVIVA INC. | ||||||||
| Date: March 4, 2022 | By: | /s/ JOHN K. KEPPLER | ||||||
| John K. Keppler | ||||||||
Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of William H. Schmidt, Jr. and Jason E. Paral as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Annual Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
132
| Name | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ JOHN K. KEPPLER | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| John K. Keppler | (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ SHAI S. EVEN | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Shai S. Even | (Principal Financial Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ MICHAEL A. JOHNSON | Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Michael A. Johnson | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |||||||||||||
| /s/ RALPH ALEXANDER | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Ralph Alexander | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ JOHN C. BUMGARNER, JR. | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| John C. Bumgarner, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ MARTIN N. DAVIDSON | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Martin N. Davidson | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ JIM H. DERRYBERRY | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Jim H. Derryberry | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ FAUZUL LAKHANI | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Fauzul Lakhani | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ GERRIT L. LANSING, JR. | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Gerrit L. Lansing, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ PIERRE F. LAPEYRE, JR. | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Pierre F. Lapeyre, Jr. | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ DAVID M. LEUSCHEN | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| David M. Leuschen | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ JEFFREY W. UBBEN | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Jeffrey W. Ubben | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ GARY L. WHITLOCK | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Gary L. Whitlock | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ JANET S. WONG | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Janet S. Wong | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ EVA T. ZLOTNICKA | Director | March 4, 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Eva T. Zlotnicka | ||||||||||||||
133
