Gevo has successfully demonstrated its two key technologies—its yeast biocatalyst and its GIFT system (Gevo Integrated Fermentation Technology)—at commercial scale using full corn mash to produce isobutanol, although the process is still being optimized. The enhanced plant configuration permits the Company to scale-up the isobutanol production process while taking advantage of high ethanol margins. Gevo expects benefits of this integrated production configuration to include:

• Producing ethanol improves Luverne’s operating environment for the optimization of isobutanol production by creating a continuous, stable mash flow and consistent recycle of water back to the fermenters.

• Increases available cash flow, as Gevo optimizes its isobutanol production technology.

• Broadens the potential market to license, as partners increasingly see the benefit of co-producing isobutanol and ethanol at a single site—i.e., the “side-by-side” model.

This has been a very focused quarter for the Company. Fundamentally, our technology works at scale with corn mash as a feedstock. As we have advanced on our isobutanol learning curve, we have demonstrated that the isobutanol technology not only works, but can work concurrently with ethanol production, giving our plant more earning power and flexibility. We are learning how to optimize our procedures, processes, and equipment, effectively writing the “owners manual” making it possible for us to confidently produce isobutanol on a continuous basis.

Our original vision was to focus our efforts on one product; however we now are confident that we can leverage the flexibility of our technology and more fully utilize all the operating units in the plant to produce ethanol simultaneously with isobutanol. Needless to say, the expected additional cash flow is a benefit as we work to maximize the learning per dollar as we scale up our technology. Therefore, we plan to run three of our fermenters to produce ethanol, while the fourth fermenter will remain dedicated to isobutanol production. We are calling this configuration “side by side”, meaning both ethanol and isobutanol could be produced concurrently.

—Dr. Patrick Gruber, CEO

The company has made progress on learning how to run isobutanol at scale, Gruber noted:

• Commissioning a proprietary system to sterilize corn mash.

• Proving that the isobutanol-producing yeast and the GIFT system work at commercial scale utilizing full corn mash to produce isobutanol.

• Achieving up to 71% of the targeted gallons per batch goal.

• Producing isobutanol that met quality targets.

• Demonstrating that it can manage infections during fermentation, achieving more than 100% of its goal, although not with the consistency or reliability ultimately needed.

• Operating all of the fermenters and GIFT systems with performance as expected.

• Beginning the integration of the water recycle streams, and achieving greater that 90% water recycle in fermentation.

Learning to run a new-to-the-world process at the scale of our Luverne plant with 1-million-liter fermenters requires a lot of work. Working through the issues that arise creates the crucial know-how needed for steady full scale production, expansion, and licensing.

—Dr. Gruber

Financial results. Revenues for the fourth quarter of 2013 were $1.7 million compared to $1.9 million in the same period in 2012. Revenues in the fourth quarter included proceeds from sales of production from Gevo’s hydrocarbons demonstration facility of $0.9 million, including sales of biobased jet fuel to the US Air Force and the US Army and initial sales of iso-octane for specialty fuel applications; revenue under Gevo's agreement with The Coca-Cola Company; and revenue from ongoing research agreements. In 2012, fourth quarter revenues benefited from the sale of excess corn inventory of $1.0 million.

Research and development expense was $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to $4.4 million in the comparable period in 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2013, Gevo’s development efforts were focused on startup operations for the production of isobutanol at its Luverne facility; optimization of specific parts of its isobutanol production technology to further enhance isobutanol production rates; production of bio-jet fuel to the USAF; and production of bio-para-xylene at the Silsbee demonstration plant.

Research and development expense decreased $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, primarily resulting from lower compensation-related expenses and consulting and license fee expenses. These decreases partially were offset by production costs of bio-jet fuel and bio-para-xylene.

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased to $5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 from $7.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This reflected lower compensation and operating expenses, including cost saving benefits resulting from actions taken during 2012 to focus Gevo’s operations, as well as lower litigation-related costs.

Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $2.0 million compared to $2.2 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease primarily resulted from a decline in the outstanding principal balance of our convertible notes as holders elected to convert their note holdings into shares of Gevo common stock and a decline in the outstanding principal balance of our debt with TriplePoint Capital LLC primarily due to scheduled payments on our principal balance.

The company reported a non-cash loss of $2.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2013 related to changes in the fair value of derivative warrant liability and embedded derivatives contained in the convertible notes. It reported a $2.0-million gain during the fourth quarter of 2012 associated with the changes in the fair value of the embedded derivatives contained in the convertible notes.

The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $17.3 million compared to $13.2 million during the same period in 2012.

In December 2013, Gevo raised gross proceeds of $28.8 million associated with the issuance of 21,303,750 common stock units. During the fourth quarter of 2013, it used $7.8 million of cash to repay principal on its secured debt with TriplePoint Capital, including $5.1 million associated with the restructuring of the TriplePoint facility that was done in conjunction with the December common stock unit issuance. As part of that restructuring, TriplePoint agreed to, among other things, waive Gevo’s obligation to make principal payments on the secured debt through 31 December 2014.

In trading during the day on Tuesday, Gevo dropped 2.36% to $1.24/share, with a further after hours drop of 7.26% to $1.15.

Other recent highlights. On 6 March 2014, Porta Hnos S.A. signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive licensee of GIFT in Argentina to produce renewable isobutanol. (Earlier post.) Porta produces liquor, vinegars and has a 120 m³/day corn ethanol plant (approximately 12 mgpy). In addition, Porta has designed and built two 250 m³/day ethanol plants for others and they are working on two more ethanol plants for 2014. Half of all current ethanol plants in Argentina were designed by Porta, and they have a joint venture with Alpha Laval to provide separation and evaporation expertise.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, Gevo began selling bio-isooctane for specialty fuel applications such as racing fuel. Gevo’s renewable isobutanol from Luverne, Minn. is being converted into bio-isooctane at its biorefinery at South Hampton Resources. Initial volumes are being used for testing purposes with the goal of approving its use in racing competitions, amongst other applications.

On 23 December 2013, Gevo announced that the US Army has successfully flown the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on a 50/50 blend of Gevo’s ATJ-8 (Alcohol-to-Jet). (Earlier post.) This testing is being performed as part of the previously announced contract with Gevo to supply more than 16,000 gallons to the US Army. Gevo’s patented ATJ fuel is designed to be the same as petroleum jet fuel, and to be fully compliant with aviation fuel specifications and provide equal performance, including fit-for-purpose properties.

Also on 23 December 2013, Gevo announced that Underwriter Laboratories (UL) has approved the use of up to 16% isobutanol in UL 87A pumps, providing all of the service stations across the country with the assurance that isobutanol blended gasoline will work in their current gasoline pumps without the need to purchase new equipment. Every gasoline pump across the country is required by law to meet the UL specifications.

Gevo has been working with UL for many years to approve the use of isobutanol in UL 87A pumps. Gevo sponsored a research study with UL to confirm the suitability of using isobutanol in UL pumps and based on the results of that study and other resources, UL has approved the use of up to 16% isobutanol in UL 87A pumps.