EXHIBIT 99.1

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

 

 

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022

 

F-2

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-3

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-4

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

F-5

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-6

 

 

 
F-1

Table of Contents

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$676,349

 

 

$18,046,872

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

21,032,423

 

 

 

18,764,549

 

Inventory

 

 

3,343,904

 

 

 

784,251

 

Advances to suppliers, net

 

 

52,405,801

 

 

 

18,262,520

 

Prepayment for an acquisition of a subsidiary

 

 

-

 

 

 

17,746,979

 

Due from a related party

 

 

-

 

 

 

116,250

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,839,251

 

 

 

495,344

 

Total current assets

 

 

79,297,728

 

 

 

74,216,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

 

14,817,766

 

 

 

14,538,686

 

Prepayment for property and equipment

 

 

3,831,694

 

 

 

4,224,229

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

3,489

 

 

 

11,913

 

Land use right, net

 

 

7,179,399

 

 

 

511,177

 

Right of use lease assets, net

 

 

268,589

 

 

 

314,339

 

Long-term deposits

 

 

1,165,036

 

 

 

1,124,763

 

Biological assets

 

 

30,613,665

 

 

 

-

 

Total Assets

 

$137,177,366

 

 

$94,941,872

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term bank loans

 

$4,280,972

 

 

$3,711,253

 

Long-term bank loans, current

 

 

-

 

 

 

20,009

 

Accounts payable

 

 

18,438,289

 

 

 

7,487,319

 

Deferred revenue, current

 

 

99,999

 

 

 

96,542

 

Proceeds from private placement

 

 

-

 

 

 

18,000,000

 

Due to related parties

 

 

109,200

 

 

 

-

 

Taxes payable

 

 

470,995

 

 

 

589,315

 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

 

51,096

 

 

 

32,899

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

1,029,879

 

 

 

524,197

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

24,480,430

 

 

 

30,461,534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term bank loans, non-current

 

 

679,519

 

 

 

421,733

 

Convertible bonds

 

 

3,124,167

 

 

 

-

 

Deferred revenue, non-current

 

 

164,777

 

 

 

207,352

 

Operating lease liabilities, non-current

 

 

-

 

 

 

15,484

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

55,356

 

 

 

53,443

 

Total liabilities

 

 

28,504,249

 

 

 

31,159,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A ordinary share, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized; 56,465,870 and 20,062,658 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively

 

 

99,572,676

 

 

 

54,278,472

 

Class B ordinary share, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized; 3,020,969 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

 

 

4,231,055

 

 

 

4,231,055

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

8,865,199

 

 

 

8,865,199

 

Statutory reserves

 

 

533,260

 

 

 

524,723

 

(Accumulated deficits) retained earnings

 

 

(1,764,366)

 

 

2,415,349

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,764,707)

 

 

(6,532,472)

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

108,673,117

 

 

 

63,782,326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

$137,177,366

 

 

$94,941,872

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-2

Table of Contents

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

For the six months

ended, March 31

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$22,675,117

 

 

$13,650,703

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

(21,876,277)

 

 

(12,437,327)

Gross profit

 

 

798,840

 

 

 

1,213,376

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful debts

 

 

(2,005,902)

 

 

-

 

Selling expenses

 

 

(44,082)

 

 

(27,698)

General and administrative expenses

 

 

(2,521,813)

 

 

(1,226,826)

Research and development expenses

 

 

(589,090)

 

 

(347,464)

Total operating expenses

 

 

(5,160,887)

 

 

(1,601,988)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from operations

 

 

(4,362,047)

 

 

(388,612)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expenses):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expenses

 

 

(274,696)

 

 

(70,036)

Government subsidy income

 

 

426,629

 

 

 

1,165,091

 

Interest income

 

 

282

 

 

 

500,207

 

Other income (expenses)1

 

 

42,795

 

 

 

(12,757)

Total other income, net

 

 

195,010

 

 

 

1,582,505

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(4,167,037)

 

 

1,193,893

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,141)

 

 

(193,107)

Net (loss) income

 

$(4,171,178)

 

$1,000,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(4,171,178)

 

 

1,000,786

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain

 

 

3,767,765

 

 

 

1,208,367

 

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

$(403,413)

 

$2,209,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$(0.09)

 

$0.05

 

Diluted

 

$(0.09)

 

$0.05

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

44,691,972

 

 

 

20,319,276

 

Diluted

 

 

51,752,349

 

 

 

20,319,276

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-3

Table of Contents

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 Ordinary Shares

 

 

 Additional

 

 

 

 

 Retained Earnings

 

 

 Accumulated Other Comprehensive

 

 

  Total 

 

 

 

Class A

 

 

Class B

 

 

 Paid-in

 

 

 Statutory

 

 

 (Accumulated

 

 

 Income 

 

 

 Shareholders'

 

 

 

 Shares

 

 

 Amount

 

 

 Shares

 

 

 Amount

 

 

 Capital

 

 

Reserves

 

 

Deficit)

 

 

 (Loss)

 

 

 Equity

 

Balance at September 30, 2021

 

 

17,298,307

 

 

$47,965,683

 

 

 

3,020,969

 

 

$5,015,142

 

 

$8,865,199

 

 

$315,808

 

 

$394,556

 

 

$122,564

 

 

$62,678,952

 

Net income for the period

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,000,786

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,000,786

 

Appropriation to statutory reserve

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

142,101

 

 

 

(142,101)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,208,367

 

 

 

1,208,367

 

Balance at March 31, 2022

 

 

17,298,307

 

 

$47,965,683

 

 

 

3,020,969

 

 

$5,015,142

 

 

$8,865,199

 

 

$457,909

 

 

$1,253,241

 

 

$1,330,931

 

 

$64,888,105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2022

 

 

20,062,658

 

 

$54,278,472

 

 

 

3,020,969

 

 

$4,231,055

 

 

$8,865,199

 

 

$524,723

 

 

$2,415,349

 

 

$

(6,532,472

)

 

$63,782,326

 

Issuance of ordinary shares for private placement, net

 

 

10,514,018

 

 

 

18,000,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

18,000,000

 

Issuance of ordinary shares for acquisition

 

 

8,819,520

 

 

 

18,373,771

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

18,373,771

 

Issuance of ordinary shares and warrants, net

 

 

15,069,674

 

 

 

7,820,433

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

7,820,433

 

Issuance of ordinary share for services

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Net loss for the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,171,178)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(4,171,178)

Appropriation to statutory reserve

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8,537

 

 

 

(8,537)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Foreign currency translation gain

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,767,765

 

 

 

3,767,765

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

56,465,870

 

 

$99,572,676

 

 

 

3,020,969

 

 

$4,231,055

 

 

$8,865,199

 

 

$533,260

 

 

$

(1,764,366

)

 

$

(2,764,707

)

 

$108,673,117

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-4

Table of Contents

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 For the six months

ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$(4,171,178)

 

$1,000,786

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for accounts receivable

 

 

1,890,745

 

 

 

(1,763)

Allowance for advances to suppliers

 

 

92,198

 

 

 

-

 

Allowance for prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(3,659)

 

 

-

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

782,906

 

 

 

398,649

 

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

 

 

497

 

 

 

-

 

Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

56,153

 

 

 

45,751

 

Amortization of intangible assets and land use right

 

 

100,514

 

 

 

62,162

 

Amortization of biological assets

 

 

401,621

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

-

 

 

 

(28,399)

Amortization of deferred revenue

 

 

(49,252)

 

 

(56,442)

Amortization of debts issuance costs

 

 

124,167

 

 

 

-

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(3,462,885)

 

 

1,468,113

 

Inventory

 

 

(2,493,735)

 

 

280,890

 

Advances to suppliers

 

 

(33,081,045)

 

 

2,597,230

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(317,769)

 

 

(19,838)

Accounts payable

 

 

10,523,215

 

 

 

677,448

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

966

 

 

 

(317,726)

Taxes payable

 

 

(137,337)

 

 

198,624

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

457,757

 

 

 

(99,560)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

 

(29,286,121)

 

 

6,205,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

(999,865)

 

 

(42,795)

Prepayment for purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

-

 

 

 

(3,676,736)

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(9,862)

 

 

(58,663)

Proceeds from term deposits

 

 

-

 

 

 

3,140,013

 

Acquisition of a subsidiary, net of cash

 

 

620

 

 

 

-

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(1,009,107)

 

 

(638,181)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from convertible notes

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from issuance of shares and warrants

 

 

7,820,433

 

 

 

-

 

Repayment of related parties loans

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1,384,388)

Proceeds from related parties loans

 

 

235,477

 

 

 

-

 

Repayment of bank loans

 

 

(1,502,577)

 

 

(134,076)

Proceeds from bank loans

 

 

2,151,525

 

 

 

785,003

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

11,704,858

 

 

 

(733,461)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

1,219,847

 

 

 

9,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

 

 

(17,370,523)

 

 

4,843,809

 

Cash, beginning of year

 

 

18,046,872

 

 

 

190,758

 

Cash, end of year

 

$676,349

 

 

$5,034,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income tax

 

$6,319

 

 

$74,144

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$126,503

 

 

$46,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental non-cash activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of shares for acquisition

 

$18,373,771

 

 

 

-

 

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations

 

 

-

 

 

$400,196

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
F-5

Table of Contents

 

Note 1 – Organization and nature of business

 

CN ENERGY GROUP. INC. (“CN Energy”) is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on November 23, 2018. CN Energy, through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), manufactures and supplies wood-based activated carbon that is primarily used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, water purification, environmental protection, and food and beverage production (“Activated Carbon Production”), and produces of biomass electricity generated in the process of producing activated carbon (“Biomass Electricity Production”).

 

Reorganization

 

In connection with its initial public offering, the Company undertook a reorganization of its legal structure (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization involved: (1) the incorporation of CN Energy, a British Virgin Islands holding company; (2) the incorporation of Clean Energy Holdings Limited (“Energy Holdings”), a Hong Kong holding company; (3) the incorporation of Zhejiang CN Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Zhejiang CN Energy”) and Manzhouli CN Energy Industrial Co., Ltd. (“Manzhouli CN Energy”), two new wholly foreign-owned enterprises (the “WFOEs,” and each a “WFOE”) formed by Energy Holdings under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”); (4) the incorporation of Manzhouli CN Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Manzhouli CN Technology”), a PRC company, of which 90% of the equity interests are owned by Manzhouli CN Energy, and the remaining 10% by Zhejiang CN Energy; (5) the incorporation of CN Energy Industrial Development Co., Ltd. (“CN Energy Development”), a PRC company, of which 70% of the equity interests are owned by Manzhouli CN Technology and the remaining 30% by Zhejiang CN Energy; (6) the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of Greater Khingan Range Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Khingan Forasen”) by CN Energy Development; and (7) the issuance of 10,000,000 ordinary shares of CN Energy to the original shareholders of Khingan Forasen. In relation to the Reorganization, a series of agreements were signed among CN Energy, the original shareholders of Khingan Forasen, CN Energy Development, and offshore holding companies controlled by the original shareholders of Khingan Forasen on August 12, 2019 and August 28, 2019.

 

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805-50-25, the Reorganization has been accounted for as a recapitalization among entities under common control since the same shareholders controlled all these entities prior to the Reorganization. The consolidation of CN Energy and its subsidiaries has been accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned transactions had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Results of operations for the period presented comprise those of the previously separate entities combined from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. By eliminating the effects of intra-entity transactions in determining the results of operations for the period before the Reorganization, those results will be on substantially the same basis as the results of operations for the period after the date of Reorganization.

 

The effects of intra-entity transactions on current assets, current liabilities, revenue, and cost of sales for periods presented and on retained earnings at the beginning of the periods presented are eliminated to the extent possible. Furthermore, ASC 805-50-45-5 indicates that the financial statements and financial information presented for prior years also shall be retrospectively adjusted to furnish comparative information.

 

In May and June 2021, the Company conducted another reorganization in order to simplify its corporate structure and make use of supportive government policies. The reorganization consisted of (i) the transfer of 60% of the equity interests in CN Energy Development from Manzhouli CN Technology to Zhejiang CN Energy, (ii) the transfer of 100% of the equity interests in Manzhouli Zhongxing Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhongxing Energy”) from Khingan Forasen to CN Energy Development, (iii) the transfer of 100% of the equity interests in Hangzhou Forasen Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hangzhou Forasen”) from Khingan Forasen to CN Energy Development, and (iv) the formation of Zhejiang CN Energy New Material Co., Ltd. (“Zhejiang New Material”), a PRC company wholly owned by CN Energy Development.

 

 
F-6

Table of Contents

 

Note 1 – Organization and nature of business (Continued)

 

Reorganization (Continued)

 

CN Energy, the ultimate holding company, currently owns 100% of the equity interests of CN Energy Development, which in turn owns 100% of the equity interests of Khingan Forasen, Hangzhou Forasen, Zhongxing Energy, and Zhejiang New Material.

 

On March 31, 2022, CN Energy USA Inc (“CN Energy USA”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware, the United States of America. CN Energy owns 100% of the equity interests in CN Energy USA.

 

On April 8, 2022, Zhoushan Xinyue Trading Co., Ltd (“Zhoushan Trading”) was incorporated under the laws of the PRC. Hangzhou Forasen owns 100% of the equity interests in Zhoushan Trading.

 

On April 13, 2022, Ningbo Nadoutong Trading Co., Ltd (“Ningbo Trading”) was incorporated under the laws of the PRC. CN Energy Development owns 100% of the equity interests in Ningbo Trading.

 

On October 11, 2022, Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material”) was incorporated under the laws of the PRC. Hangzhou Forasen owns 100% of the equity interests in Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material.

 

On November 11, 2022, CN Energy completed an acquisition of MZ Mining International Co., Ltd (“MZ HK”), a Hong Kong company that wholly owns MZ Pintai Mining (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd (“MZ Pintai”), which is a Chinese company that wholly owns Yunnan Yuemu Agriculture and Forestry Technology Co., Ltd (“Yunnan Yuemu”), pursuant to an equity transfer agreement (the “Equity Transfer Agreement”) dated September 30, 2022 with Shenzhen Xiangfeng Trading Co., Ltd. (the “Seller”). The Seller is independent from all directors and officers of CN Energy, and the Company itself. Pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement, the Seller first transferred 100% of its equity interests in Yunnan Honghao Forestry Development Co., Ltd. (“Yunnan Honghao”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Seller, to Yunnan Yuemu, and the Seller then sold and transferred, and CN Energy purchased and acquired, 100% of its equity interests in MZ HK for a consideration of $17,706,575.88 and the issuance of 8,819,520 Class A ordinary shares of CN Energy, having a value of $18,373,771, delivered to the Seller and its designees.

 

Currently, CN Energy has subsidiaries in countries and jurisdictions including the PRC, Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands, and the State of Delaware. Details of the subsidiaries of CN Energy are set out below:

 

 

Date of

 

Place of

 

% of

 

Name of Entity

 

Incorporation

 

Incorporation

 

Ownership

 

Principal Activities

CN Energy

 

November 23, 2018

 

British Virgin Islands

 

Parent

 

Holding company

Energy Holdings

 

August 29, 2013

 

Hong Kong, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Zhejiang CN Energy

 

January 14, 2019

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Manzhouli CN Energy

 

January 24, 2019

 

Inner Mongolia, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Manzhouli CN Technology

 

June 10, 2019

 

Inner Mongolia, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

CN Energy Development

 

April 18, 2019

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Khingan Forasen

 

March 5, 2009

 

Heilongjiang, China

 

100%

 

Produces and distributes activated carbon and biomass electricity

Hangzhou Forasen

 

March 16, 2006

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Distributes activated carbon products

Zhongxing Energy

 

May 21, 2018

 

Inner Mongolia, China

 

100%

 

Produce activated carbon and steam for heating

Zhejiang New Material

 

May 24, 2021

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Produce and sell wading activated carbon in the future

CN Energy USA

 

March 31, 2022

 

Delaware, U.S.

 

100%

 

Investment, consultation and trading, inactive.

Zhoushan Trading

 

April 8, 2022

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Trading.

Ningbo Trading

 

April 13, 2022

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Trading.

Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material

 

October 11, 2022

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Trading.

MZ HK

 

December 6, 2018

 

Hong Kong, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

MZ Pintai

 

January 22, 2019

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Yunnan Yuemu

 

September 2, 2022

 

Yunnan, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

Yunnan Honghao

 

May 6, 2013

 

Yunnan, China

 

100%

 

Forestry project investment and development

Zhejiang Yongfeng

 

October 11, 2022

 

Zhejiang, China

 

100%

 

Holding company

 

 
F-7

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies

 

Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and have been consistently applied. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. Operating results for the six months ended March 31, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2023.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect the principal activities of CN Energy and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

Use of estimates

 

In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the valuation of inventory, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, notes receivable, other receivables, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, the recoverability of long-lived assets, provision necessary for contingent liabilities, revenue recognition, and realization of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and money market accounts to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains all of its bank accounts in the PRC. As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company had no cash equivalents.

 

 
F-8

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Accounts receivable

 

Accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. The Company reviews its accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, customer payment history, customer’s current credit-worthiness, and current economic trends. Accounts are written off against the allowance after efforts at collection prove unsuccessful.

 

Inventory

 

The Company values its inventory at the lower of cost, determined on a weighted average basis, or net realizable value. Costs include the cost of raw materials, freight, direct labor, and related production overhead. Net realizable value is estimated using selling price in the normal course of business less any costs to complete and sell products. The Company reviews its inventory periodically to determine if any reserves are necessary for potential obsolescence or if the carrying value exceeds net realizable value. No inventory reserves were recorded as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

 

The costs of forestry inventories are transferred from biological assets at their costs at the point of harvest. The cost of inventories also includes capitalized production costs, including labor, materials, post-harvest costs, and depreciation. Inventoried costs are transferred to cost of goods sold in the same period as when the products are sold.

 

Forestry inventories, capitalized production costs, and biological asset adjustments are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period when the write-down or loss occurs.

 

Advances to suppliers

 

Advances to suppliers consist of balances paid to suppliers for services and materials that have not been provided or received. The Company reviews its advances to suppliers on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the ability of a supplier to provide supplies to the Company or refund an advance.

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of an asset comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs of bringing the asset to its present working condition and location for its intended use.

 

 
F-9

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment are as follows:

 

 

 

Useful life

Property and buildings

 

20 years

Machinery and equipment

 

10 years

Vehicles

 

4 years

Office equipment

 

3 - 5 years

 

Expenditures for maintenance and repair, which do not materially extend the useful lives of the assets, are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments, which substantially extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets retired or sold are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is recognized in income from operations in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

Construction-in-progress represents property and buildings under construction and consists of construction expenditures, equipment procurement, and other direct costs attributable to the construction. Construction-in-progress is not depreciated. Upon completion and ready for intended use, construction-in-progress is reclassified to the appropriate category within property, plant, and equipment.

 

Prepayment for property and equipment represents payment made for production line equipment to be installed in the new production plant in Manzhouli City. Prepayment for property and equipment is not depreciated. Upon readiness for intended use, prepayment for property and equipment is reclassified to the appropriate category within property, plant, and equipment.

 

Land use right

 

Land use right is recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life which is 50 years and represents the shorter of the estimated usage period or the terms of the agreement.

 

Intangible assets

 

Intangible assets consist primarily of patents and software. Intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization, which are amortized using the straight-line method with the following estimated useful lives:

 

 

 

Useful life

Patents

 

10 years

Software

 

10 years

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including definitive-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are below the asset’s carrying value, then the asset is deemed to be impaired and written down to its fair value. There were no impairments of these assets as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

 

Leases

 

The Company accounts for leases following ASC 842, Leases (“Topic 842”).

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current portion of obligations under operating leases, and obligations under operating leases, non-current on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

 
F-10

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Biological assets

 

The Company’s biological assets consist of forests which are not yet harvested. Biological assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful lives. The Company capitalizes all related direct and indirect costs of production to the biological assets atcosts at each reporting date. At the point of harvest, the biological assets are transferred to inventory at their costs.

 

Goodwill

 

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, the Company assesses goodwill for impairment annually as of December 31, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.

 

Goodwill impairment testing is performed at the reporting unit level. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has been assigned to reporting units, it no longer retains its association with a particular acquisition, and all of the activities within a reporting unit, whether acquired or internally generated, are available to support the value of the goodwill.

 

Traditionally, goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process. Step one involves comparing the fair value of the reporting units to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit is greater than zero and its fair value is greater than its carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount is greater than the fair value, the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. Step two involves calculating an implied fair value of goodwill.

 

The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using an income approach. Under the income approach, the Company determined fair value based on estimated discounted future cash flows of each reporting unit. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates and EBITDA margins, discount rates and future market conditions, among others.

 

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Company reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see below), or additional assets or liabilities are recognized, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognized as of that date.

 

The measurement period is the period from the date of acquisition to the date the Company obtains complete information about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and is subject to a maximum of one year from acquisition date.

 

 
F-11

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives and includes initial direct costs incurred. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expenses for minimum lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 18 for further discussion.

 

Fair value of financial instruments

 

The Company applies ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires disclosures to be provided on fair value measurement.

 

ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

 

 

·

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities available at the measurement date.

 

·

Level 2 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

·

Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable inputs which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about what assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best available information.

 

Any transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy will be recognized at the end of the reporting period in which the transfer occurs. There were no transfers between fair value levels in any of the periods presented herein.

 

Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, term deposit, notes receivable, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, other receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, short-term bank loans, long-term bank loans, current accounts payable, deferred revenue, current, due to related parties, taxes payable, and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their recorded values due to their short-term maturities. The fair value of long-term bank loan and operating lease liabilities approximate their recorded values as their stated interest rates approximate the rates currently available.

 

Revenue recognition

 

The Company accounts for revenue recognition under Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Revenue of the Company is mainly from the sale of two types of products, activated carbon and biomass electricity generated in the process of producing activated carbon. For the sale of activated carbon, the Company recognizes revenue when title and risk of loss passes and the customer accepts the products, which occurs at delivery. Product delivery is evidenced by warehouse shipping log as well as signed shipping bills from the shipping company, or by receipt document signed by the customer upon delivery, depending on the delivery term negotiated between the Company and customers on a customer-by-customer basis. For the sale of biomass electricity, revenue is recognized over time as the biomass electricity is delivered, which occurs when the biomass electricity is transmitted from the power plant of the Company to the provincial power grid company. The amount is based on the reading of meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout each reporting period and represents the market value of the biomass electricity delivered.

 

The Company also provides technical service to customers who purchase activated carbon from the Company. The revenue of technical service is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period as earned.

 

 
F-12

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

The transaction price of activated carbon and technical services is determined based on fixed consideration in the Company’s customer contracts. Pursuant to the power purchase agreements entered into between the Company and the respective provincial power grid company, the Company’s sales of biomass electricity were made to the power grid company at the tariff rates agreed upon with the provincial power grid company as approved by the relevant government authorities in the PRC. In determining the transaction price, no significant financing components exist since the timing from when the Company invoices its customers to when payment is received is less than one year.

 

Revenue is reported net of all value added taxes. The Company generally does not permit customers to return products and historically, customer returns have been immaterial. In the event the Company receives an advance from a customer, such advance is recorded as a liability to the Company. The Company reduces the liability and recognizes revenue after the delivery of goods occurs.

 

The core principle underlying ASC 606 is that the Company recognizes revenue to represent the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in such exchange. This requires the Company to identify contractual performance obligations and determine whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time, based on when control of goods and services transfers to a customer. The Company’s sales contracts of activated carbon have one single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and is, therefore, not distinct. Therefore, the sale of activated carbon is recognized at a point in time. The Company’s sales contracts of biomass electricity have a single performance obligation that represents a promise to transfer to the customer a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. The Company’s performance obligation is satisfied over time as biomass electricity is delivered.

 

There were no contract assets as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022. For the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, revenue recognized from performance obligations related to prior periods was insignificant. Revenue expected to be recognized in any future periods related to remaining performance obligations is insignificant.

 

Revenue recognition (Continued)

 

The Company has elected the following practical expedients in applying ASC 606:

 

 

·

Unsatisfied Performance Obligations – for all performance obligations related to contracts with a duration of less than one year, the Company has elected to apply the optional exemption provided in ASC 606, and therefore is not required to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period.

 

 

 

 

·

Contract Costs - all incremental customer contract acquisition costs are expensed as they are incurred as the amortization period of the asset that the Company otherwise would have recognized is one year or less in duration.

 

 

 

 

·

Significant Financing Component - the Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.

 

 

 

 

·

Sales Tax Exclusion from the Transaction Price - the Company excludes from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from the customer.

 

 

 

 

·

Shipping and Handling Activities - the Company elected to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost rather than as a separate performance obligation.

 

 
F-13

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Refer to Note 20—Segment reporting for details of revenue disaggregation.

 

Cost of revenue

 

Cost of revenue includes cost of raw materials purchased, inbound freight cost, cost of direct labor, depreciation expense, and other overhead. Write-down of inventory for lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments is also recorded in cost of revenue.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development projects, including the cost of salaries and other employee benefits. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

 

Shipping and handling

 

All shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling expenses. Total shipping and handling expenses were $15,725 and $17,391 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Government subsidy income

 

The Company receives various government grants from time to time. There is no guarantee that the Company will continue to receive such grants in the future. For the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had subsidy income of $426,629 and $1,165,091, including nil and $785,003 for becoming a public company, $121,142 and $79,992 for equipment of energy projects grants, and $300,096 and $669,545 of value-added tax refund, respectively.

 

In January 2014, April 2014, and December 2019, the Company received government subsidies of approximately $840,000, $140,000 and $140,000 for equipment of energy projects, respectively. These subsidies were one-time grants, and the Company recognizes the income over the useful lives of the equipment. As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the balance of unrecognized government grants was $264,776 and $303,894, respectively, which was recorded in deferred revenue.

 

Income taxes

 

CN Energy’s subsidiaries in the PRC and Hong Kong are subject to the income tax laws of the PRC and Hong Kong, respectively. No taxable income was generated outside the PRC for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2021. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and allows recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain.

 

ASC 740-10-25 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. It also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, years open for tax examination, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. There were no material uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the tax returns for the calendar years ended December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2022 for CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries remain open for statutory examination by PRC tax authorities.

 

 
F-14

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Value added tax (“VAT”)

 

Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of VAT. The VAT is based on gross sales price and VAT rates range up to 13%, depending on the type of products sold. The VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing or acquiring its finished products. The Company recorded a VAT payable or receivable net of payments in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. All of the VAT returns filed by CN Energy’s subsidiaries in the PRC, have been and remain subject to examination by the tax authorities for five years from the date of filing.

 

Each local tax authority at times may grant tax holidays to local enterprises as a way to encourage entrepreneurship and stimulate local economy. Khingan Forasen and its branch office, Greater Khingan Range Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Tahe Biopower Plant (“Biopower Plant”), are entitled to 70% VAT refund as they meet the requirement of national comprehensive utilization of resources program. For the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of $0.3 million VAT refund was recorded in government subsidy income. During the fourth quarter of 2021, the tax authority allows certain qualified enterprises to delay payment of VAT taxes by 50% for three quarters so as to ease cash flow of these enterprises. As the VAT refund is subject to the payment of VAT, the reduced payment in VAT reduced the corresponding VAT refund.

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, term deposit, notes receivable, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, and other receivables. All of the Company’s cash is maintained with banks within the PRC. Cash maintained in banks within the PRC of less than RMB0.5 million ($71,717) per bank are covered by "deposit insurance regulation" promulgated by the State Council of the PRC. While management believes that these financial institutions are of high credit quality, it also continually monitors their credit worthiness. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. A significant portion of the Company’s sales are credit sales which are primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent upon the industry economics prevailing in these areas. The Company also makes cash advances to certain suppliers to ensure the stable supply of key raw materials. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and key suppliers to help further reduce credit risk.

 

Comprehensive income

 

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenue, expenses, gains, and losses that under U.S. GAAP are recorded as elements of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustment from the Company not using U.S. dollar as its functional currency.

 

Foreign currency translation

 

The Company’s financial information is presented in U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company is the Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the PRC. Any transactions denominated in currencies other than RMB are translated into RMB at the exchange rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions, and exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of income as foreign currency transaction gain or loss. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The financial information is first prepared in RMB and then translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates for revenue and expenses. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

 

The exchange rate in effect as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was US$1 for RMB6.8676 and US$1 for RMB7.1135, respectively. The average exchange rate for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was US$1 for RMB6.9718 and US$1 for RMB6.3694, respectively.

 

 
F-15

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Earnings Per Share

 

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income attributable to all classes of ordinary shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares of all classes of ordinary shares outstanding during the applicable period, and is the same amount for the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential ordinary shares (e.g., convertible securities, options, and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential ordinary shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. There was no anti-dilutive effect for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

Statement of cash flows

 

In accordance with ASC 230, Statement of Cash Flows, cash flows from the Company’s operations are formulated based upon the local currencies, and then translated at average translation rates for the periods. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheets.

 

Risks and uncertainties

 

The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, in addition to the general state of the PRC economy. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.

 

The Company’s sales, purchases, and expense transactions are denominated in RMB, and all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In the PRC, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China, the central bank of the PRC. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

 

The Company does not carry any business interruption insurance, product liability insurance, or any other insurance policy except for a limited property insurance policy. As a result, the Company may incur uninsured losses, increasing the possibility that investors would lose their entire investment in the Company.

 

 
F-16

Table of Contents

 

Note 2 – Summary of significant accounting policies (Continued)

 

Recent accounting pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this Update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The amendments broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss, which will be more useful to users of the financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for issuers and December 15, 2020 for non-issuers. Early adoption is permitted for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein. In May 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief. This ASU adds optional transition relief for entities to elect the fair value option for certain financial assets previously measured at amortized cost basis to increase comparability of similar financial assets. The ASUs should be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified retrospective approach). On November 19, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 to amend the effective date for ASU 2016-13 to be fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 and interim periods therein. The Company will adopt this ASU within the annual reporting period of September 30, 2024 and expects that the adoption will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company does not believe other recently issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, statements of operations, cash flows, and disclosures.

 

 
F-17

Table of Contents

 

Note 3 – Accounts receivable, net

 

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable

 

$23,294,697

 

 

$19,095,539

 

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(2,262,274)

 

 

(330,990)

Accounts receivable, net

 

$21,032,423

 

 

$18,764,549

 

 

The Company’s accounts receivable primarily include balances due from customers when the Company’s activated carbon products and biomass electricity are sold and delivered to customers.

 

The movement of allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$330,990

 

 

 

-

 

Addition to allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

2,228,462

 

 

 

358,218

 

Translation adjustments

 

 

(297,178)

 

 

(27,228)

Balance at end of period

 

$2,262,274

 

 

$330,990

 

 

Note 4 – Inventory

 

Inventory consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Raw materials

 

$113,613

 

 

$536,368

 

Finished goods

 

 

3,230,291

 

 

 

247,883

 

Total

 

$3,343,904

 

 

$784,251

 

 

Note 5 – Advances to suppliers, net

 

Advances to suppliers represent prepayments made to ensure continuous high-quality supply and favorable purchase prices. Advances to suppliers consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Advances for raw materials purchase

 

$52,770,280

 

 

$18,524,038

 

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(364,479)

 

 

(261,518)

Advances to suppliers, net

 

$52,405,801

 

 

$18,262,520

 

 

The movement of allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$261,518

 

 

$148,617

 

Addition to allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

92,198

 

 

 

136,966

 

Translation adjustments

 

 

10,763

 

 

 

(24,065)

Balance at end of period

 

$364,479

 

 

$261,518

 

 

 
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Table of Contents

 

Note 6 – Property, plant, and equipment, net

 

Property, plant, and equipment, stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, consisted of the following:

 

March 31,

September 30,

2023

2022

(unaudited)

Machinery and equipment

$10,090,944$9,217,130

Property and buildings

7,405,0127,139,369

Vehicles

228,622227,030

Office equipment

101,969101,878

Subtotal

17,826,54716,685,407

Construction in progress

5,484,5615,294,970

Less: accumulated depreciation

(8,493,342)(7,441,691)

Property, plant, and equipment, net

$14,817,766$14,538,686

 

Depreciation expense was $782,906 and $398,649 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Note 7 – Prepayment for property and equipment

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had prepayment in the amount of $3.8 million for the production line equipment to be installed in the new production plant in Manzhouli City. Since the groundwork of the factory workshop was delayed by the local government’s shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the equipment was not delivered as of March 31, 2023. The construction is expected to be completed by December 2024 and the equipment is expected to be delivered by December 2024. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had contractual obligations of approximately $0.2 million, which are expected to be paid over the next 12 months upon the delivery and installation of the equipment. In addition, contractual obligations of groundwork of the factory workshop as of March 31, 2023 were approximately $0.2 million, which are expected to be paid in fiscal year 2024, upon the completion of the construction of the factory workshop.

 

 
F-19

Table of Contents

 

Note 8 – Land use right, net

 

Land use right, net consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Land use right

 

$7,317,070

 

 

$554,122

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

 

(137,671)

 

 

(42,945)

Land use right, net

 

$7,179,399

 

 

$511,177

 

 

Amortization expense was $21,995 and $6,189 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:

 

 

 

Amortization

 

 

 

expense

 

Reminder of fiscal 2023

 

$18,274

 

Fiscal 2024

 

 

36,548

 

Fiscal 2025

 

 

36,548

 

Fiscal 2026

 

 

36,548

 

Fiscal 2027

 

 

36,548

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,605,883

 

Total

 

$1,770,349

 

 

Note 9 – Intangible assets, net

 

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Software

 

$14,925

 

 

$14,409

 

Purchased patents

 

 

1,038,250

 

 

 

1,002,360

 

Subtotal

 

 

1,053,175

 

 

 

1,016,769

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

 

(1,049,686)

 

 

(1,004,856)

Intangible assets, net

 

$3,489

 

 

$11,913

 

 

Amortization expenses were $8,718 and $55,973 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Estimated future amortization expenses are as follows:

 

 

 

Amortization

 

 

 

expenses

 

Reminder of fiscal 2023

 

$238

 

Fiscal 2024

 

 

476

 

Fiscal 2025

 

 

476

 

Fiscal 2026

 

 

476

 

Fiscal 2027

 

 

476

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,347

 

Total

 

$3,489

 

 

 
F-20

Table of Contents

 

Note 10 – Long-term deposits

 

Long-term deposits consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 March 31,

 

 

 September 30,

 

 

 

 2023

 

 

 2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Construction deposit (a)

 

$873,813

 

 

$843,607

 

Deposit for acquisition of land use rights (b)

 

 

291,223

 

 

 

281,156

 

Long-term deposits

 

$1,165,036

 

 

$1,124,763

 

 

(a)

On June 25, 2020, the Company entered into a construction agreement with a third party, Manzhouli Lancheng Project Management Co., Ltd., for the first stage of construction of the Company’s new facility in Manzhouli City, China. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company made a payment of RMB6 million (equivalent to $873,813 as of March 31, 2023) as a security deposit. The deposit is interest-free and is refundable upon the completion of the project.

(b)

The Company paid a deposit of RMB2 million (equivalent to $291,223 as of March 31, 2023) to the Finance Bureau designated by the Tahe County Land and Resources Bureau, to bid for the acquisition of the land use rights for the land which the Company leases from Tahe County and where Biopower Plant is currently located. The deposit is interest-free and refundable if the Company decides not to purchase the land use rights when the lease expires in April 2029.

 

Note 11 – Biological assets

 

Biological assets mainly consist forest for future wood harvest and sales, of which the Company owned 29 forest right certificates with expiry dates ranging from August 2053 to December 2076 and with an aggregate area of 14.5 square miles. Biological assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful lives.

 

Amortization expenses were $401,621 for the six months ended March 31, 2023.

 

 
F-21

Table of Contents

 

Note 12 – Acquisition of subsidiaries

 

Through the acquisition of 100% shares of MZ HK, CN Energy indirectly acquired 100% of the equity interests in Yunnan Honghao. See Note 1 for details.

 

The allocation of the purchase price as of the date of acquisition is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 For the six

 

 

 

 months ended

 

 

 

 March 31,

 

 

 

 2023

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Cash

 

$602

 

Biological assets

 

 

29,655,127

 

Land use rights

 

 

6,446,124

 

Total assets

 

$36,101,853

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other payables

 

$(21,506)

Total liabilities

 

$(21,506)

 

 

 

 

 

Net tangible assets

 

$36,080,347

 

Goodwill

 

 

-

 

Total fair value of purchase price allocation

 

$36,080,347

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consideration in the form of shares

 

$18,373,771

 

Consideration in the form of cash

 

 

17,706,576

 

Total consideration

 

$36,080,347

 

 

 
F-22

Table of Contents

 

Note 13 – Short-term and long-term bank loans

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

$1,820,141

 

 

$1,757,223

 

China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd.

 

 

1,295,940

 

 

 

1,251,142

 

Bank of Beijing (Yangzhou Branch)

 

 

728,056

 

 

 

702,888

 

Pingan Bank Co., Ltd.

 

 

436,835

 

 

 

-

 

Total short-term bank loans

 

$4,280,972

 

 

$3,711,253

 

Long-term bank loans

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Long-term bank loan, current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WeBank Co., Ltd.

 

 

-

 

 

$20,009

 

Long-term bank loan, non-current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xiaoshan Rural Commercial Bank

 

$436,834

 

 

$421,733

 

Kincheng Bank Co., Ltd.

 

 

242,685

 

 

 

-

 

Total long-term loans

 

$679,519

 

 

$441,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term and long-term loans

 

$4,960,491

 

 

$4,152,995

 

  

 
F-23

Table of Contents

 

Note 13 – Short-term and long-term bank loans

 

The following table summarizing the loan commencement date, loan maturity date, loan amount in RMB and its equivalent to the United States dollar, and the effective interest rate of each secured and unsecured short-term and long-term bank loan:

 

 

 

Loan

 

Loan

 

Loan

 

 

Loan

 

 

Effective

 

 

 

 

 

commencement

 

maturity

 

amount

 

 

amount

 

 

interest

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2023

 

date

 

date

 

in RMB

 

 

in USD

 

 

rate

 

 

Note

 

Secured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

May 25, 2022

 

May 25, 2023

 

 

4,500,000

 

 

$655,251

 

 

 

3.80%

 

 

1

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

June 24, 2022

 

June 24, 2023

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

728,056

 

 

 

4.35%

 

 

2

 

Bank of Beijing (Yangzhou Branch)

 

December 9, 2022

 

December 8, 2023

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

728,056

 

 

 

4.75%

 

 

3

 

China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd.

 

May 25, 2022

 

May 23, 2023

 

 

4,000,000

 

 

 

582,445

 

 

 

5.5%

 

 

4

 

China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd.

 

June 1, 2022

 

May 31, 2023

 

 

4,900,000

 

 

 

713,495

 

 

 

5.5%

 

 

5

 

Pingan Bank Co., Ltd.

 

December 7, 2022

 

December 5, 2023

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

436,835

 

 

 

6.0%

 

 

6

 

Total secured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,400,000

 

 

$3,844,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

December 7, 2022

 

June 5, 2023

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

218,417

 

 

 

4.65%

 

 

10

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

December 8, 2022

 

June 6, 2023

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

218,417

 

 

 

4.65%

 

 

10

 

Total unsecured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,400,000

 

 

$436,834

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,800,000

 

 

$4,280,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term bank loan, non-current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kincheng Bank Co., Ltd.

 

November 30, 2022

 

December 2, 2024

 

 

1,666,667

 

 

 

242,685

 

 

 

18.00%

 

 

7

 

Xiaoshan Rural Commercial Bank

 

July 19, 2022

 

July 17, 2025

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

436,834

 

 

 

6.31%

 

 

8

 

Total long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,666,667

 

 

$679,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term and long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,466,667

 

 

$4,960,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
F-24

Table of Contents

 

Note 13 – Short-term and long-term bank loans

 

 

 

Loan

 

Loan

 

Loan

 

 

Loan

 

 

Effective

 

 

 

 

 

commencement

 

maturity

 

amount

 

 

amount

 

 

interest

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2022

 

date

 

date

 

in RMB

 

 

in USD

 

 

rate

 

 

Note

 

Secured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

May 25, 2022

 

May 25, 2023

 

 

4,500,000

 

 

$632,600

 

 

 

3.80%

 

 

1

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

June 24, 2022

 

June 24, 2023

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

702,889

 

 

 

4.35%

 

 

2

 

Bank of Beijing (Yangzhou Branch)

 

December 21, 2021

 

December 20, 2022

 

 

5,000,000

 

 

 

702,888

 

 

 

4.75%

 

 

3

 

China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd.

 

May 25, 2022

 

May 23, 2023

 

 

4,000,000

 

 

 

562,311

 

 

 

5.5%

 

 

4

 

China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd.

 

June 1, 2022

 

May 31, 2023

 

 

4,900,000

 

 

 

688,831

 

 

 

5.5%

 

 

5

 

Total secured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,400,000

 

 

$3,289,519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

December 14, 2021

 

December 9, 2022

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

$210,867

 

 

 

3.85%

 

 

 

 

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Tahe Branch)

 

December 15, 2021

 

December 10, 2022

 

 

1,500,000

 

 

 

210,867

 

 

 

3.85%

 

 

 

 

Total unsecured short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

$421,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,400,000

 

 

$3,711,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term bank loan, current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WeBank Co., Ltd.

 

October 9, 2020

 

October 9, 2022

 

 

142,331

 

 

$20,009

 

 

 

10.26%

 

 

9

 

Long-term bank loan, non-current portion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Xiaoshan Rural Commercial Bank

 

July 19, 2022

 

July 17, 2025

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

421,733

 

 

 

6.31%

 

 

8

 

Total long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,142,331

 

 

$441,742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total short-term and long-term bank loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

29,542,331

 

 

$4,152,995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The loan is guaranteed by a third party, Heilongjiang Xinzheng Financing Guarantee Group Co., Ltd., for up to 80% of the outstanding principal and normal interest balance. Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the maturity of this loan was renewed to April 19, 2024.

(2)

The loan is guaranteed by a third party, Heilongjiang Xinzheng Financing Guarantee Group Co., Ltd., for up to 80% of the outstanding principal and normal interest balance, personal guaranteed by Mr. Wenhua Liu, who is a legal representative of Khingan Forasen and a director of CN Energy, and is collateralized by the property, plant and equipment of Khingan Forasen, with a net book value of RMB2.1 million (equivalent to approximately $0.3 million as of March 31, 2023). Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the maturity of this loan was renewed to May 28, 2024.

(3)

The loan is guaranteed by a third party, Yangzhou High Tech Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd, Ms. Yefang Zhang, principal shareholder, and Mr. Zhengyu Wang, former CEO and spouse of principal shareholder, for up to 100% of the outstanding principal and normal interest balance.

(4)

The loan is collateralized by a property owned by a third party, Sigma Holdings (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd, which has a valuation of RMB5.35 million (equivalent to approximately $752,091), is guaranteed by, Ms. Yefang Zhang, a principal shareholder, and by a subsidiary of CN Energy, CN Energy Development. Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the loan was fully repaid.

(5)

This loan is guaranteed by, Ms. Yefang Zhang, a principal shareholder, and by a subsidiary of CN Energy, CN Energy Development. Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the loan was fully repaid.

(6)

The loan is guaranteed by a director of CN Energy for up to RMB6.5 million ($0.9 million) of the outstanding principal and normal interest balance.

(7)

The loan is guaranteed by a director of CN Energy for up to RMB6.5 million ($0.9 million) of the outstanding principal and normal interest balance.

(8)

The loan is guaranteed by a subsidiary of CN Energy, CN Energy Development.

(9)

This line of credit agreement with WeBank Co., Ltd is unconditionally guaranteed by the legal representative of Hangzhou Forasen for a maximum amount of RMB5 million (equivalent to approximately $703,000 as of September 30, 2022).

(10)

Subsequent to March 31, 2023, the maturity of this loan was renewed to November 22, 2023.

 

 
F-25

Table of Contents

 

Note 14 – Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Payroll payable

 

$456,533

 

 

$291,616

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

554,504

 

 

 

232,581

 

Interest payable

 

 

18,842

 

 

 

-

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

$1,029,879

 

 

$524,197

 

 

Note 15 – Related party transactions

 

The relationship and the nature of related party transactions are summarized as follows:

 

Name of related party

Relationship to the Company

Nature of transactions

Yefang Zhang

Principal shareholder

Provide a guarantee as an additional security for bank loan

Zhengyu Wang

Former CEO, spouse of Ms. Yefang Zhang

Provide a guarantee as an additional security for bank loan

Hangzhou Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

Controlled by Mr. Zhengyu Wang, spouse of Ms. Yefang Zhang

Lease of office space to the Company

Feng Zhou

Legal representative of Hangzhou Forasen

Provide a guarantee as an additional security for bank loan

Wenhua Liu

 A director of CN Energy

 Provide personal guarantee as an additional security for bank loan

 

Due from a related party

 

As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, amount due from Yefang Zhang was nil and $116,250, respectively. The amount was fully repaid by Yefang Zhang in January 2023.

 

Due to a related party

 

As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company owed Yefang Zhang $109,200 and nil, respectively. The balance is interest-free, unsecured, and due upon demand.

 

Operating lease from related parties

 

On October 8, 2021, Zhejiang New Material entered into a lease agreement with Zhejiang Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company controlled by Mr. Zhengyu Wang, to lease approximately 27,147 square feet of office space in Hangzhou. The lease term is for five years with annual rent of RMB454,043 (equivalent of $66,114).

 

Guarantees provided by related parties

 

The Company’s related parties provide guarantees for the Company’s short-term and long-term bank loans (see Note 13).

 

 
F-26

Table of Contents

 

Note 16 – Taxes

 

Corporation Income Tax (“CIT”)

 

The Company is subject to income taxes on an entity basis on income derived from the location in which each entity is domiciled.

 

CN Energy is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands as an offshore holding company and is not subject to tax on income or capital gain under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.

 

Energy Holdings is incorporated in Hong Kong as a holding company with no activities. Under the Hong Kong tax laws, an entity is not subject to income tax if no revenue is generated in Hong Kong.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) Law of the PRC, domestic enterprises and Foreign Investment Enterprises (the “FIE”) are usually subject to a unified 25% EIT rate, while preferential tax rates, tax holidays, and even tax exemption may be granted on case-by-case basis. The PRC tax authorities grant preferential tax treatment to High and New Technology Enterprises (“HNTEs”). Under this preferential tax treatment, HNTEs are entitled to an income tax rate of 15%, subject to a requirement that they re-apply for HNTE status every three years. Since Khingan Forasen was approved as an HNTE in November 2016, Khingan Forasen and its branch office, Biopower Plant, are entitled to a reduced income tax rate of 15% beginning November 2016. On December 3, 2019, Khingan Forasen successfully renewed its HNTE certificate and is able to enjoy the reduced income tax rate in the next three years. In addition, according to the national comprehensive utilization of resources program, 10% of the revenue generated from selling certain products is exempt from income tax, upon approval by the tax authority. In fiscal year 2021, the local tax authority notified the Company that its revenue generated from activated carbon did not qualify for the tax exemption from 2018 to 2020 because activated carbon was not included in the program, and the Company paid approximately $135,000 income tax as assessed by the tax authority. Starting January 1, 2021, activated carbon has been included in the program, and the Company expects to be able to enjoy the income tax exemption going forward.

 

The impact of the reduced tax rate noted above decreased the Company’s income taxes by nil and $98,118 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The benefits of the reduced tax rate and tax exemption on net income per share (basic and diluted) were $0.00 and $0.00 for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

The following table reconciles the statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate:

 

 

 

For the six months

ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

China Statutory income tax rate

 

 

25.0%

 

 

25.0%

Effect of PRC preferential tax rate and tax exemption

 

 

0.0%

 

(10.2

)%

Research and development (“R&D”) tax credit

 

 

2.0%

 

(3.5

)%

Effect of non-taxable government subsidy income

 

 

1.6%

 

(4.8

)%

Non-PRC entities not subject to PRC tax

 

(10.5

)%

 

 

9.8%

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

0.0%

 

(2.4

)%

Others

 

(18.0

)%

 

 

2.2%

Effective tax rate

 

 

0.0%

 

 

16.1%

 

The provision for income tax consisted of the following:

 

 

 

For the six months

ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Current income tax provision

 

$4,141

 

 

$221,506

 

Deferred income tax provision

 

 

-

 

 

 

(28,399)

Income tax provision

 

$4,141

 

 

$193,107

 

 

 
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Note 17 – Concentration of major customers and suppliers

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, two major customers accounted for approximately 32% and 14% of the Company’s total sales, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, two major customers accounted for approximately 74% and 24% of the Company’s total sales, respectively. Any decrease in sales to these major customers may negatively impact the Company’s operations and cash flows if the Company fails to increase its sales to other customers.

 

As of March 31, 2023, five major customers accounted for 17%, 17%, 16%, 12%, and 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, three major customers accounted for 42%, 20%, and 18%of the Company’s accounts receivable balance, respectively.

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, three major suppliers accounted for approximately 34%, 22%, and 12% of the total purchases, respectively.For the six months ended March 31, 2022, four major suppliers accounted for approximately 22%, 21%, 15%, and 14% of the total purchases, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2023, five suppliers accounted for approximately 22%, 19%, 14%, 12%, and 11% of the Company’s advance to suppliers balance, respectively. As of September 30, 2022, four suppliers accounted for 27%, 18%, 17%, and 10% of the Company’s advance to suppliers balance, respectively.

 

 
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Note 18 – Leases

 

On July 1, 2020, Biopower Plant entered into a lease agreement with Tahe Forestry Bureau (the “Landlord”) to lease the manufacturing facility. The lease period is from July 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025, and the annual rent is RMB126,440 (approximately $19,295). According to the lease agreement, Biopower Plant can only use the land and factory buildings for the operations of Biopower Plant and cannot transfer the lease to a third person without the prior consent of the Landlord; otherwise, the lease agreement shall be terminated. Biopower Plant is required to notify the Landlord at least two months in advance of the lease expiration date to renew the lease agreement.

 

On October 8, 2021, Zhejiang New Material entered into a lease agreement with Hangzhou Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a PRC company controlled by Mr. Zhengyu Wang, spouse of Ms. Yefang Zhang, to lease approximately 27,147 square feet of office space in Hangzhou. The lease term is for five years with annual rent of RMB454,043 (equivalent of $71,624). The Company prepaid total rent of RMB2,270,214 (equivalent of $358,120) upon the starting date of the lease period.

 

On February 15, 2022, Hangzhou Forasen entered into a lease agreement with a third party to lease approximately 1,012 square feet of office space in Hangzhou. The lease term is for one and a half years with annual rent of RMB283,258 (equivalent of $44,683).

 

As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the remaining average lease term was an average of 1.4 years and 1.9 years, respectively. The Company’s lease agreements do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate nor is it available to the Company from its lessors. Instead, the Company estimates its incremental borrowing rate based on actual incremental borrowing interest rates from financial institutions in order to discount lease payments to present value. The weighted average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases was 4.7% per annum and 4.7% per annum, as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows:

 

 

 

  As of 

 

 

  As of 

 

 

 

 March 31,

 

 

  September 30, 

 

 

 

 2023

 

 

 2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Right-of-use assets under operating leases

 

$268,589

 

 

$314,339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

 

51,096

 

 

 

32,899

 

Operating lease liabilities, non-current

 

 

-

 

 

 

15,484

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

$51,096

 

 

$48,383

 

 

 

 

  As of 

 

 

 

 March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Reminder of fiscal 2023

 

$35,418

 

Fiscal 2024

 

 

17,534

 

Total Future minimum lease payments

 

 

52,952

 

Less: Imputed interest

 

 

(1,856)

Total

 

$51,096

 

 

 
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Note 19 – Commitments and contingencies

 

The requirement of employee benefit plans has not been implemented consistently by the local governments in China given the different levels of economic development in different locations. Biopower Plant has not paid adequate social insurance for all its employees, and CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries have not made adequate housing provident fund payments for all their employees. The relevant PRC authorities may order the Company to make up the contributions to these plans. In addition, failure to make adequate social insurance payments on time may subject the Company to 0.05% late fees per day, starting from the date of underpayment, and fines equal to one to three times the underpaid amount. For failure to make adequate housing provident fund payments as required, the Company may be fined RMB10,000 to RMB50,000. If the Company is subject to late fees or fines in relation to underpaid employee benefits, the financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. However, the risk of regulatory penalty that the relevant authorities may impose on CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries in relation to its failure to make adequate contributions to the employee benefit plans for all the Company’s employees as required is remote, because the relevant local authorities confirmed in writing that no records of violation were found on CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries for social insurance plan and/or housing provident fund contributions.

 

Note 20 – Segment reporting

 

ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organizational structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments, and major customers in financial statements for details on the Company’s business segments. The Company uses the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source for determining the Company’s reportable segments. The Company’s chief operating decision maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance solely based on activated carbon sales orders received. In addition, the production of activated carbon and the biomass electricity are one integrated process and inseparable. Therefore, the Company has determined that it has only one operating segment and therefore one reportable segment as defined by ASC.

 

The following table presents revenue by major product categories for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively:

 

 

 

 For the six months

ended March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Activated carbon

 

$22,655,110

 

 

$13,515,814

 

Biomass electricity

 

 

20,007

 

 

 

68,242

 

Technical service

 

 

-

 

 

 

66,647

 

Total

 

$22,675,117

 

 

$13,650,703

 

 

All of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the PRC. All of the Company’s products are sold in the PRC.

 

 
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Note 21 – Shareholders’ equity

 

Ordinary shares

 

CN Energy is a holding company established under the laws of the British Virgin Islands on November 23, 2018. The original authorized and issued number of ordinary shares was 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 per share. In August 2019, CN Energy amended its Memorandum of Association to increase its authorized shares from 50,000 shares with a par value of $1.00 per share to an unlimited number of ordinary shares with no par value, and subdivide the already issued 50,000 shares to 139,627 shares with no par value. On April 15, 2020, the shareholders and board of directors of CN Energy approved (i) a forward split of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of CN Energy at an approximate or rounded ratio of 71.62-for-1 share (the “Forward Split”), and (ii) the creation of a new class of convertible preferred shares of no par value. On April 16, 2020, CN Energy filed its second amended and restated memorandum and articles of association with the Registrar of Corporate Affairs of the British Virgin Islands to effect such corporate actions, which filing became effective on April 20, 2020.  As a result of all events mentioned above, CN Energy had an unlimited number of no par value ordinary shares authorized, of which 10,000,000 were issued and outstanding after the Forward Split.

 

Share re-designation

 

In July 2022, the shareholders of CN Energy adopted a resolution to authorize the re-designation of CN Energy’s shares

 

(a)

from (i) an unlimited number of ordinary shares of no par value and an unlimited number of convertible preferred shares of no par value to (ii) an unlimited number of Class A ordinary shares of no par value and an unlimited number of Class B ordinary shares of no par value; and

 

 

(b)

the issued shares in CN Energy were re-designated and re-classified into Class A or Class B ordinary shares of no par value on a one for one basis, each with the rights and privileges as set forth in the Third Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of CN Energy.

 

Each holder of Class A ordinary shares is entitled to one vote per one Class A ordinary share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares is entitled to 50 votes per one Class B ordinary share. The Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into shares of any other class. The Class B ordinary shares are convertible into Class A ordinary shares at any time after issuance at the option of the holder on a one-to-one basis.

 

The Company believes the re-designation should be accounted for on a retroactive basis pursuant to ASC 260. The Company has retroactively restated all shares and per share data for all periods presented. As a result, there were 56,465,870 and 20,062,658 Class A ordinary shares issued and outstanding and 3,020,969 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

 
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Private placements

 

On September 27, 2022, CN Energy entered into a series of subscription agreements (collectively, the “2022 Subscription Agreements”) with 15 purchasers, each an unrelated third party to the Company (collectively, the “2022 Purchasers”). Pursuant to the 2022 Subscription Agreements, the 2022 Purchasers agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and CN Energy agreed to issue and sell to the 2022 Purchasers, an aggregate of 10,514,018 Class A ordinary shares of CN Energy, no par value (the “Shares”), at a purchase price of $1.712 per share, and for an aggregate purchase price of $18,000,000 (the “Offering”). The Shares were offered under CN Energy’s registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-264579), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2022 and declared effective on June 13, 2022 (the “Registration Statement”). A prospectus supplement to the Registration Statement in connection with this Offering was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2022. The Subscription Agreements, the transactions contemplated thereby, and the issuance of the Shares were approved by CN Energy’s board of directors. On October 13, 2022, CN Energy completed the $18 million private placement by issuing 10,514,018 Class A ordinary shares to 2022 Purchasers.

 

Issuance of ordinary shares for acquisition

 

On November 11, 2022, CN Energy completed an acquisition of MZ HK, a Hong Kong company that wholly owns MZ Pintai, which is a Chinese company that wholly owns Yunnan Yuemu, pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement dated September 30, 2022 with the Seller. The Seller is independent from all directors and officers of CN Energy, and the Company itself. Pursuant to the Equity Transfer Agreement, the Seller first transferred 100% of its equity interests in Yunnan Honghao, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Seller, to Yunnan Yuemu, and the Seller then sold and transferred, and CN Energy purchased and acquired, 100% of its equity interests in MZ HK for a consideration of $17,706,575.88 and the issuance of 8,819,520 Class A ordinary shares of CN Energy having a value of $18,373,771, delivered to the Seller and its designees.

 

Through the acquisition of 100% shares of MZ HK, CN Energy indirectly acquired 100% of the equity interests in Yunnan Honghao.

 

Public offering, warrants, and pre-funded warrants

 

On January 30, 2023, CN Energy entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp. (the “Underwriter”), pursuant to which CN Energy agreed to sell to the Underwriter in a firm commitment public offering (the “Offering”) (i) 10,396,974 units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, no par value (collectively, the “Class A ordinary shares”) and one warrant, each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $0.55 per share (collectively, the “warrants”), at an offering price of $0.55 per unit; and (ii) 7,786,300 units, each consisting of one pre-funded warrant, each exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at an exercise price of $0.0001 per share (collectively, the “Pre-funded Warrants”), and one warrant, at an offering price of $0.5499 per unit (together with the Class A ordinary shares and the warrants, the “Offered Securities”), to those purchasers whose purchase of Class A ordinary shares in the Offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of CN Energy’s outstanding ordinary shares immediately following the consummation of the Offering. The components of the units were issued separately and are immediately separable upon issuance. The Company received approximately $7.8 million in net proceeds from the Offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and other related offering expenses. In connection with the Offering, 10,396,974 Class A ordinary shares were issued and 4,672,700 Pre-funded Warrants were exercised upon issuance which resulted in a total issuance of 15,069,674 Class A ordinary shares. As of March 31, 2023, 18,183,274 warrants and 3,113,600 Pre-funded Warrants were outstanding.

 

The Pre-funded Warrants are exercisable immediately (subject to the beneficial ownership cap) and may be exercised at any time in perpetuity until all of the Pre-funded Warrants are exercised in full. The warrants are exercisable immediately and expire five years, i.e. January 29, 2028, after their issuance date on January 30, 2023.

 

Services agreement with AA Cornerstone Inc

 

On March 7, 2023, the board of directors of CN Energy approved the entry of a services agreement (the “Agreement”) with AA Cornerstone Inc (the “Consultant”), pursuant to which the Consultant agreed to provide to the Company certain consulting services in the areas of strategic advisory, sponsored editorial content, and digital marketing, from March 1, 2023 to May 30, 2023 (the “Services”). As consideration for such Services, on March 13, 2023, CN Energy issued 2,000,000 restricted Class A ordinary shares, no par value, of CN Energy to the Consultant. The Agreement contained customary confidentiality, non-solicitation, indemnification, and arbitration provisions.

 

 
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Note 21 – Shareholders’ equity (Continued)

 

Statutory reserves and restricted net assets

 

CN Energy’s ability to pay dividends primarily depends on CN Energy receiving distributions of funds from its subsidiaries. Relevant PRC statutory laws and regulations permit payments of dividends by CN Energy’s subsidiaries incorporated in the PRC only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. The results of operations reflected in the financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP differ from those reflected in the statutory financial statements of CN Energy’s subsidiaries.

 

CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries are required to set aside at least 10% of their respective accumulated profits each year, if any, to fund certain reserve funds until the total amount set aside reaches 50% of their respective registered capital. CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries may also allocate a portion of their after-tax profits based on PRC accounting standards to employee welfare and bonus funds at their discretion. These reserves, together with paid in capital of CN Energy’s PRC subsidiaries, are not distributable as cash dividends. As of March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the balance of the required statutory reserves was $533,260 and $524,723, respectively.

 

Note 22 – Subsequent events

 

Management has reviewed events occurring through the date the financial statements were issued and, except as disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements, no subsequent events occurred that require accrual or disclosure.

 

 
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