Going Concern / Liquidity	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Going Concern Liquidity [Abstract]
Going Concern / Liquidity	(2) Going Concern / Liquidity We believe that cash from operations and cash on hand, in addition to unused borrowing capacity, may not be adequate to fund our operating plans through September 30, 2021. We are working to reduce these risks, but some of this is dependent on several things, some of which we have limited control. Our largest customer made up 63% of our 2019 revenue and has seen a significant reduction in orders placed to us in 2020. We have also seen a rapid increase in sales of our Solésence® products, adding working capital pressure in terms of additional inventory and accounts receivable. Both of these issues have limited our flexibility and required us to make cash management a top priority. After April 17, 2020, some of this pressure was mitigated due to our receipt of a $952 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), as discussed more fully below. We also have a $500 term loan, and revolving credit facility with a maximum credit limit of $2,750, both described more fully below, with principal due on March 31, 2021. In the event that we are unable to either extend the maturity, or potentially refinance this loan, we may have difficulty funding ongoing operations. Notwithstanding the fact that visibility into the ongoing impact of the various reactions and policies relating to, the Covid-19 pandemic is limited, it is currently management’s belief that we will continue to achieve strong growth in Solésence® sales through 2020. Given these issues, and other commercial realities, we are monitoring the additional working capital demands that this could create as we continue to execute on our Solésence® growth strategy. It is also management’s belief that the Covid-19 pandemic, related governmental reaction, and resulting economic slow-down has, and is expected to continue, to affect certain consumer behaviors and markets has had a negative impact on its Personal Care Ingredients customers during 2020, with a current lack of visibility as to how far this impact may extend in to 2021. Management believes the outlook after the fourth quarter is uncertain, but a continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic and related reactions and policies going forward would be expected to maintain a degree of negative impact on the Company and its businesses. While customer demand over the next several months is currently known, Management believes the negative impacts late in the fourth quarter and, if applicable, thereafter, are not currently quantifiable. The timing of cash flows is critical. If cash generated from operations is not materially consistent with our plans, we believe that we may need to seek additional funding to address working capital demands. The trading volume of our stock has been low enough that we expect it would be difficult to sell enough shares, assuming our shareholders would approve the authorization of additional shares, to generate additional capital via the OTC market. These uncertainties have caused us to be unable to assert that, for the next twelve months, we have enough current cash, guaranteed access to financing to fund operations, or access to cash in the equity markets to continue with our current growth strategy in terms of investment in capital equipment and in operating expenses related to Solésence®. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to be a global pandemic (COVID-19), which continues to spread throughout the United States and around the world. On April 23, 2020, the Governor of the State of Illinois extended his order that all non-essential businesses cease all activities within the State of Illinois except for certain minimum basic operations through May 30, 2020, and such executive order has been temporarily lifted. Given the uncertain progress toward combatting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we expect there to be further disruptions in the local, national, and global economies. During these disruptions, we are doing everything we can to allow as many of our employees as possible to shelter-in-place. Relative to any further executive orders in Illinois, management believes that Nanophase Technologies and its Solésence® subsidiary qualify as essential businesses as defined, due to our product offerings supporting healthcare, and critical manufacturing and chemical products within sectors that have been designated as critical infrastructure, the continued operation of which is vital for national public health, economic security, and safety. The Company believes that its customers and suppliers may have similar disruptions, which may lead to greater reductions in their normal operations as a result of responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois and in other jurisdictions in the United States and worldwide. Currently, the Company is consequently aware of changes in its business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but uncertain of the impacts of those changes on its consolidated statements of position, operations or cash flows. As of the date of this filing, we are reasonably confident in customer demand through 2020 and in to the first quarter of 2021. Demand for the second quarter of 2021, and the subsequent quarter, is not yet clear to management. We believe the resulting cessations, reductions, and disruptions in its customers’ and suppliers’ operations could be temporary; however, the Company’s management also believes the duration and, hence, the potential impact of such cessations, reductions, and disruptions is currently unknowable. As a result, although we believe we have acceptable visibility through the first quarter of 2021, conditions are fluid and our estimates regarding the first quarter and beyond could prove inaccurate. Moreover, we are unable to clearly estimate the potential impact on our business for the balance of the year as of the date of this filing. These circumstances raise significant doubt as to the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern under U.S. GAAP. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As such, no adjustments have been made to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue operating as a going concern. On April 17, 2020, the Company received funding in the form of a loan under the “PPP,” under Division A, Title I of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), in the amount of $952 which helped us to continue to pay our people, rent and utilities during the second quarter. Under the PPP, the Company may apply for forgiveness of the amount due on the loan in an amount equal to the sum of the following costs incurred during the 24-week period beginning on the date of the first disbursement of the Loan: (a) payroll costs, (b) any payment of interest on a covered obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation), (c) any payment on a covered rent obligation, and (d) any covered utility payment, calculated in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. No assurance can be provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part. The principal amount of the PPP note accrues interest at the rate of 1.00% per year. The Company will be required to pay any unforgiven principle and interest under the PPP note in eighteen equal monthly installments, with the first payment being due on a date yet to be determined. The Company is in the process of applying for loan forgiveness and does not expect resolution until the first quarter of 2021.

Going Concern / Liquidity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

(2) Going Concern / Liquidity

We believe that cash from operations and cash on hand, in addition to unused borrowing capacity, may not be adequate to fund our operating plans through September 30, 2021. We are working to reduce these risks, but some of this is dependent on several things, some of which we have limited control. Our largest customer made up 63% of our 2019 revenue and has seen a significant reduction in orders placed to us in 2020. We have also seen a rapid increase in sales of our Solésence® products, adding working capital pressure in terms of additional inventory and accounts receivable. Both of these issues have limited our flexibility and required us to make cash management a top priority. After April 17, 2020, some of this pressure was mitigated due to our receipt of a $952 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”), as discussed more fully below. We also have a $500 term loan, and revolving credit facility with a maximum credit limit of $2,750, both described more fully below, with principal due on March 31, 2021. In the event that we are unable to either extend the maturity, or potentially refinance this loan, we may have difficulty funding ongoing operations. Notwithstanding the fact that visibility into the ongoing impact of the various reactions and policies relating to, the Covid-19 pandemic is limited, it is currently management’s belief that we will continue to achieve strong growth in Solésence® sales through 2020. Given these issues, and other commercial realities, we are monitoring the additional working capital demands that this could create as we continue to execute on our Solésence® growth strategy. It is also management’s belief that the Covid-19 pandemic, related governmental reaction, and resulting economic slow-down has, and is expected to continue, to affect certain consumer behaviors and markets has had a negative impact on its Personal Care Ingredients customers during 2020, with a current lack of visibility as to how far this impact may extend in to 2021. Management believes the outlook after the fourth quarter is uncertain, but a continuation of the Covid-19 pandemic and related reactions and policies going forward would be expected to maintain a degree of negative impact on the Company and its businesses. While customer demand over the next several months is currently known, Management believes the negative impacts late in the fourth quarter and, if applicable, thereafter, are not currently quantifiable. The timing of cash flows is critical. If cash generated from operations is not materially consistent with our plans, we believe that we may need to seek additional funding to address working capital demands. The trading volume of our stock has been low enough that we expect it would be difficult to sell enough shares, assuming our shareholders would approve the authorization of additional shares, to generate additional capital via the OTC market. These uncertainties have caused us to be unable to assert that, for the next twelve months, we have enough current cash, guaranteed access to financing to fund operations, or access to cash in the equity markets to continue with our current growth strategy in terms of investment in capital equipment and in operating expenses related to Solésence®.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to be a global pandemic (COVID-19), which continues to spread throughout the United States and around the world. On April 23, 2020, the Governor of the State of Illinois extended his order that all non-essential businesses cease all activities within the State of Illinois except for certain minimum basic operations through May 30, 2020, and such executive order has been temporarily lifted. Given the uncertain progress toward combatting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we expect there to be further disruptions in the local, national, and global economies. During these disruptions, we are doing everything we can to allow as many of our employees as possible to shelter-in-place. Relative to any further executive orders in Illinois, management believes that Nanophase Technologies and its Solésence® subsidiary qualify as essential businesses as defined, due to our product offerings supporting healthcare, and critical manufacturing and chemical products within sectors that have been designated as critical infrastructure, the continued operation of which is vital for national public health, economic security, and safety.

The Company believes that its customers and suppliers may have similar disruptions, which may lead to greater reductions in their normal operations as a result of responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois and in other jurisdictions in the United States and worldwide. Currently, the Company is consequently aware of changes in its business as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but uncertain of the impacts of those changes on its consolidated statements of position, operations or cash flows. As of the date of this filing, we are reasonably confident in customer demand through 2020 and in to the first quarter of 2021. Demand for the second quarter of 2021, and the subsequent quarter, is not yet clear to management. We believe the resulting cessations, reductions, and disruptions in its customers’ and suppliers’ operations could be temporary; however, the Company’s management also believes the duration and, hence, the potential impact of such cessations, reductions, and disruptions is currently unknowable. As a result, although we believe we have acceptable visibility through the first quarter of 2021, conditions are fluid and our estimates regarding the first quarter and beyond could prove inaccurate. Moreover, we are unable to clearly estimate the potential impact on our business for the balance of the year as of the date of this filing.

These circumstances raise significant doubt as to the Company’s ability to operate as a going concern under U.S. GAAP. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As such, no adjustments have been made to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue operating as a going concern.

On April 17, 2020, the Company received funding in the form of a loan under the “PPP,” under Division A, Title I of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), in the amount of $952 which helped us to continue to pay our people, rent and utilities during the second quarter. Under the PPP, the Company may apply for forgiveness of the amount due on the loan in an amount equal to the sum of the following costs incurred during the 24-week period beginning on the date of the first disbursement of the Loan: (a) payroll costs, (b) any payment of interest on a covered obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation), (c) any payment on a covered rent obligation, and (d) any covered utility payment, calculated in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act. No assurance can be provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part. The principal amount of the PPP note accrues interest at the rate of 1.00% per year. The Company will be required to pay any unforgiven principle and interest under the PPP note in eighteen equal monthly installments, with the first payment being due on a date yet to be determined. The Company is in the process of applying for loan forgiveness and does not expect resolution until the first quarter of 2021.