UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
[x] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002
--------------------------
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number 0-23812
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ADVANCED RECYCLING SCIENCES, INC.
----------------------------------------------
(Name of small business issuer in its chapter)
Nevada 95-4255962
------------------------------- --------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer I.D. No.)
incorporation or organization)
University Tower, 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550, Irvine, California 92612
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Issuer's telephone number, including area code: (949) 509-6503
----------------------
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
$.001 par value, common voting shares
-------------------------------------
(Title of class)
Check whether the Issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such
report(s), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. (1) Yes [X] No [ ]
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-B is contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this form
10-KSB or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB. [ ]
The issuer's revenue for its most recent fiscal year was: $0.
The aggregate market value of the issuer's voting stock held as of April
15, 2002, by non-affiliates of the issuer was $1,935,587.
As of April 15, 2003 issuer had 24,544,366 shares of its $.001 par value
common stock outstanding.
Transitional Small Busines Disclosure Format. Yes [ ] No [X]
Documents incorporated by reference: None
___________________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
___________________________________________________________________________
PART I
ITEM 1 DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF
SECURITIES HOLDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 6 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 8 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III
ITEM 9 DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS, AND
CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a)
OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 10 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 11 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 12 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . .
PART IV
ITEM 13 EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SIGNATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
___________________________________________________________________________
PART I
___________________________________________________________________________
FORWARD
___________________________________________________________________________
This Form 10-KSB contains certain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For
this purpose any statements contained in this Form 10-KSB that are not
statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. Without limiting the foregoing, words such as "may," "hope,"
"will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or
comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainty,
and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of factors,
many of which are not within the Company's control. These factors include
but are not limited to economic conditions generally and in the industries
in which the Company and its customers participate; competition within the
Company's industry, including competition from much larger competitors;
technological advances which could render the Company's products less
competitive or obsolete; failure by the Company to successfully develop new
products or to anticipate current or prospective customers' product needs;
price increase or supply limitations for components purchased by the
Company for use in its products; and delays, reductions, or cancellations
of orders previously placed with the Company.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
___________________________________________________________________________
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc., ("ARS " or the "Company") is in the
business of developing innovative products and technologies in the
environmental and recycling industries, with specific emphasis on
rubberized asphalt paving, scrap tire and industrial rubber recycling. The
principal offices of the Company are located at University Tower, 4199
Campus Drive, Suite 550, Irvine California 92612. The Company was
organized as a corporation in 1968, under the laws of the State of
California. In 1988 the Company changed its domicile from California to
the State of Nevada and has operated as a Nevada corporation since that
time. In March 2001, the Company amended its articles of incorporation to
change its name from The Quantum Group, Inc., to Advanced Recycling
Sciences, Inc.
Since March 2001, the Company has been pursuing a business development
strategy incorporating technology acquisition, innovation and development,
including rubberized asphalt paving, the patented Tires2Oil process, a
patented de-icing system for road surfaces and international sales of tire
shredding, granulating and aftermarket product manufacturing equipment.
The Company is registered and qualified to do business in the State of
California. Its corporate organization is as follows:
3
Advanced Surfacing Technologies, Inc. ("AST")
----------------------------------------------
AST was incorporated in Nevada in May 1997 as Quantum Modified Asphalt
Xcetera, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The name was
changed to Advanced Surfacing Technologies, Inc., in March 2001.
The Company believes there are significant opportunities in the
rubberized asphalt paving industry. The Company, through AST intends to
focus most of its efforts in the upcoming year to exploiting the growing
rubberized asphalt paving, particularly in Europe. The Company has entered
into an exclusive agreement with a manufacturer to sell specialized mobile
equipment for blending rubber and asphalt at hot mix plants in Europe.
The Company will also oversee technology transfer programs to international
clients, on-site project management and seminars to educate both public and
private sector engineers about the Company's products and services. The
Company also intends to establish and operate its own rubberized asphalt
paving business in Germany. The AST website can be viewed at
http://www.ast-paving.com.
Tires2Oil, Inc.
---------------
Tires2Oil, Inc. is a 93% owned subsidiary of the Company. Tires2Oil
(TM) was formed as a Nevada corporation on January 17, 2001. The primary
responsibility of Tires2Oil(TM) is the continued research, development and
exploitation of certain super critical fluid ("SCF-Oil (TM)") tire recycling
technology. The SCF-Oil (TM) technology can be used to break down tires
into a form of oil and carbon. The oil can be easily upgraded in existing
oil refineries. This technology has been proven in the laboratory at
University of South Alabama.
Based on laboratory experiments, the Company believes the Tires2Oil
process can be applied to the surface of crumb rubber to de-vulcanize it.
This treated rubber will be suitable to incorporate into the production of
new tires and other molded rubber products, including new tires. When the
rubber is re-vulcanized it provides the same characteristics as original
rubber. The Tires2Oil website can be viewed at http://www.tires2oil.com.
Poseidon Products GmbH. ("Poseidon")
------------------------------------
Poseidon is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. For
some time, the Company has intended to finish construction of this state of
the art rubber recycling facility in Penkun, located in the state of
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. This facility was to produce crumb rubber
and manufacture a wide range of value-added aftermarket products using
technologies licensed or developed by the Company.
Due to difficulties in securing financing to construct this facility,
and the Company's belief that its best opportunities lie in the rubberized
asphalt paving industry, the Company has temporarily suspended its plans to
finish construction of its Poseidon facility until such time as the Company
believes funding and demand for crumb rubber and related products so
justifies.
Poseidon's website may be viewed at http://www.poseidon-products.com.
Technology Development, Inc. ("TDI")
-------------------------------------
TDI was acquired by the Company in February 2001. The primary purpose
of TDI is to research, develop and market its worldwide exclusive licence
to certain ground surface applications of a novel ice adhesion modification
or "de-icing" technology the Company received when it acquired Technology
Development, Inc., from UTEK Corporation. TDI is a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company. The TDI website can be found at http://www.no-ice.com.
4
The Company also has a portal website at http://www.tirerecycling.com.
Company Products
----------------
Rubberized Asphalt Paving
-------------------------
The Company believes its best and fastest route to revenues and
earnings in the current economic environment lies in the rubberized asphalt
paving industry. Asphalt rubber can be used as a binder in various types
of asphalt paving construction including surface treatments and hot mixes.
It can also be used in crack sealants. Asphalt rubber products can be used
wherever conventional asphalt concrete or asphalt surface treatments are
used.
As compared to conventional paving grade asphalt, rubberized asphalt
provides significantly improved engineering properties. The benefits of
rubberized asphalt include:
- increased elasticity and resilience at high temperatures;
- reduced traffic noise;
- improved durability;
- improved resistance to surface initiated and fatigue/reflective
cracking;
- reduced temperature susceptibility;
- improved aging and oxidation resistance;
- reduced pavement maintenance costs; and
- improved resistance to rutting.
The use of rubberized asphalt can also result in reduced construction
times and savings in energy and natural resources by recycling waste
rubber.
The primary disadvantage to rubberized asphalt is the increased unit
costs. Typically, rubberized asphalt costs approximately $12 to $16 more
per ton than conventional mixes. As mobilization and set up of asphalt
rubber blending equipment costs as much for small jobs as big ones, larger
projects will result in lower per unit costs because the costs can be
spread over the greater tonnage.
The rubberized asphalt paving industry is still in the early stages of
development. Currently, the Company knows of seven states which have done
sufficient testing of CRM asphalt to no longer consider it experimental.
The testing performed by Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico,
Nebraska, Tennessee and Texas has shown that the application of asphalt
rubber systems significantly increases the life of the roadway surface
while reducing the maintenance costs and life-cycle costs. These states
are all increasing their overall use of various CRM asphalt systems. The
Rubber Pavement Association believes that within the next three years, the
number U.S. of states specifying and using CRM asphalt paving could
potentially increase to as many as thirty.
5
The rubberized asphalt paving industry is also in the beginning stages
of development in Europe. Following more than two years of lobbying, the
Company convinced the German state government of Meklenberg-Vorpommern, based
on sucess with ruberized asphalt in the United States, to lay 11 kilometers
of pilot rubberized road projects in Schwerin. The rubberized asphalt road
pilot project has been successful. The German state government of Schwerin
has independently identified numerous advantages to rubberized asphalt
including two to three times extended life expectancy, reduced noise levels,
improved traction and shorter braking distances. The Company believes the
success of the pilot project will prompt local governments throughout
Germany and other European countries to commit to the installation of
additional rubberized asphalt roadways.
The Company has acquired an exclusive license from CEI Enterprises,
Inc., of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to market specialized mobile rubberized
asphalt hot mix blending equipment throughout Europe. In accordance with
the terms of this license, the Company will receive a commission on each
piece of CEI equipment sold to a Company client. The Company has spent
significant time and effort researching and seeking to establish itself in
the rubberized asphalt paving industry. In addition to receiving
commissions, the Company will provide consulting and other services to
clients for a fee. Finally, the Company intends to generate revenue by
acquiring equipment from CEI and entering into the industry, initially in
Germany, as a primary and/or subcontractor and then expanding to other
markets as demand justifies.
Tires2Oil(TM) Super Critical Fluid Process
------------------------------------------
In June 2000, the Company acquired the exclusive worldwide licensing
rights to certain Super Critical Fluid ("SCF-Oil(TM)") tire recycling
technology developed and patented by the University of South Alabama.
Through a simple one-step process, this technology can be used to produce
synthetic crude oil which can easily be upgraded in existing oil
refineries. In addition to synthetic crude oil, the process also produces
carbon black, which has a number of manufacturing uses or with further
processing can be converted to activated carbon used in water and air
purification system technologies. The Company believes this technology
will provide another environmentally conscious means of recycling scrap
tires.
Based on preliminary laboratory results achieved at the University of
South Alabama, this SCF-Oil(TM) process appears to be capable of producing
significantly more oil per ton of processed tires than currently existing
processes such as pyrolsis. The Company believes this technology, unlike
currently existing technologies, represents the first commercially feasible
tires to oil recycling process. To date, this technology has been
demonstrated only in the laboratory.
The Tires2Oil(TM) process can also be applied to the surface of crumb
rubber to de-vulcanize and liquify it. The Company believes this treated,
liquified rubber can be used to produce new tires and other rubber
products.
The Company had hoped to construct a pilot plant to assist in the
further development of this technology. Due to a lack of funding, the
Company has not yet begun construction of a pilot plant. When the Company
is able to raise adequate funding, it anticipates that construction of a
pilot plant will take approximately three months. The pilot plant will be
used to develop firm criteria and product data for enabling the
construction of full scale production plants. The Company estimates that
the cost of establishing a pilot plant will be approximately $1,120,000.
6
If sufficient funds can be raised, development of the plant will occur in
two phases. The first phase will include construction and set up of the
pilot plant, as well as process development. The cost to complete the
first phase is approximately $700,000. The cost of the second phase, which
will focus on a liquid rubber testing and commercialization program, is
estimated at $420,000. The Company is currently in preliminary
negotiations with several parties regarding the possible acquisition of
Tires2Oil(TM) from the Company.
Once the Company has a firm understanding of the criteria, data, and
production specifications, Tires2Oil(TM) will market and license this
technology worldwide.
In connection with the research and development efforts undertaken by
Tires2Oil(TM), it believes it has discovered a process to de-vulcanize
crumb rubber. When this rubber is re-vulcanized, it provides the product
with the same characteristics as original rubber. The Company believes
this de-vulcanized rubber can be used to produce a number of molded rubber
products, including new tires. The Company is in the initial stages of
research and development of this process to de-vulcanize crumb rubber and
does not know if this process can be proved up on a commercial scale.
Moreover, the Company does not at this time know whether the process can be
developed into economically viable uses.
Crumbing and Aftermarket Product Equipment
------------------------------------------
For a number of years, the Company's primary business pursuit was the
development and sale of equipment and facilities capable of recycling tires
and other rubber scrap to crumb rubber that could in turn be used to create
value-added aftermarket products. For several years, the Company has
envisioned that its Poseidon Products facility would be the cornerstone of
this operation both in terms of operations and as a state of the art
facility for use in educating, marketing and demonstrating its full range
of tire recycling technologies. While the Company believes a market for
tire and waste rubber recycling exists, due to ongoing difficulties in
securing financing to construct this facility, the Company has determined
to suspend its tire crumbing and aftermarket product operations until such
time as market conditions, funding and demand justify the significant
expense associated with operating in this industry.
Roadway Surface De-Icing Technology
-----------------------------------
In February 2001, the Company acquired Technology Deevlopment, Inc.
("TDI") TDI had two primary assets: a worldwide exclusive license for the
ground surface applications of a patented novel ice adhesion modification
technology developed at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering;
and a $200,000 pre-paid credit for additional research and development of
the technology by the Dartmouth College engineering professor who developed
the technology. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement the Company entered
into at the time it acquired TDI, Dartmouth College was to provide certain
information, data, samples, etc., by February 2002, that would allow the
Company to create a pilot and allow for real world simulation and testing.
To date, the required deliveries have not been made to the Company. The
Company is currently in discussion with Dartmouth College regarding this
matter. It is unclear at this time when delivery of the required
information will occur, if at all. Until such time as satisfactory delivery
of this information is made to the Company, the Company cannot proceed with
development and commercialization of this technology.
7
Research and Development
------------------------
During the past year the Company's primary research and development
efforts were employed in the development of the Tires2Oil technology. The
Company spent approximately $81,000 in research and development costs in
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002. If the Company has funding, it
anticipates incurring significantly greater expenses for research and
development during fiscal year 2003.
Employees
---------
The Company has a total for four employees, three of whom are part-
time. The Company relies heavily on the efforts of its President and Chief
Operating Officer, Keith J. Fryer. It also relies upon the services of
John F. Pope, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President and
Treasurer, and Ehrenfried Liebich, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board.
Advisory Board and Scientific Advisory Board
--------------------------------------------
Consistent with the Company's goal to become a leader in the
development and commercialization of technologies for the scrap rubber
recycling and crumb rubber modified asphalt paving, the Company has
established an Advisory Board and a Scientific Advisory Board to assist it
in the evaluation and development of new business opportunities and
technologies. The following individuals currently serve on the Company's
Advisory Board: Wilhelm J. Burke; Bjorn Goosen; Cees Nader and Wolfgang W.
Seiler. The Company's Scientific Advisory Board is composed of the
following individuals: Pawan Agarwal, Ph.D.; Jagdish Dhawan, Ph.D.;
Victor F. Petrenko, Dr.Sci., Ph.D.and Nicholas D. Sylvester, Ph.D. The
members of the Advisory Board and the Scientific Advisory Board are not
employees of the Company, and each maintains full-time employment with
other organizations.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
___________________________________________________________________________
The Company's principal executive offices are located at University
Tower, 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550, Irvine, California 92612. The Company
leases approximately 650 square feet of office space at this location for
$2,500 per month. The space is leased on a month to month basis.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
___________________________________________________________________________
Veplas Manufacturing, Ltd.
--------------------------
There have been no significant changes in the Company's litigation
with Veplas Manufacturing, Ltd., during the quarter ended December 31,
2002.
8
FDC Engineering Switzerland
---------------------------
FDC Engineering Switzerland performed certain services relating to the
original design, engineering and permitting of the Company's proposed
Poseidon project facility. The Company's subsidiary Poseidon Products,
GmbH disputed these fees. FDC sued Poseidon regarding this matter. FDC
recently obtained a judgment against Poseidon Products in the amount of
$46,000. The Company is currently negotiating with FDC to extinguish this
liability.
Pauli & Partners
----------------
Pauli & Partners performed certain business consulting services for
the Company's subsidiary, Poseidon. Poseidon disputed certain charges and
was unable to reach an amicable solution with Pauli & Partners. Pauli &
Partners recently received a judgment against Pauli & Partners in the
amount of $7,500. Poseidon is currently assessing the cost of appealing
this judgment to determine the expediency of an appeal versus settlement of
the judgment.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE
OF SECURITIES HOLDERS
___________________________________________________________________________
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders
during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002.
___________________________________________________________________________
PART II
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
___________________________________________________________________________
The Company's common stock is listed on the NASD OTC Bulletin Board
under the symbol "ARYC." The Company's common stock is also listed on the
Third Segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under German Securities Code
Number 882879. As of April 15, 2003, the Company had 771 shareholders
holding 24,554,366 common shares. Of the issued and outstanding common
stock, 6,164,305 are free trading, the balance are "restricted securities"
shares as that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission . The Company has never declared a dividend on its
common shares.
The published bid and ask quotations for the previous two fiscal years
are included in the chart below. These quotations represent prices between
dealers and do not include retail markup, markdown or commissions. In
addition, these quotations do not represent actual transactions.
9
BID PRICES ASK PRICES
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
2001
First Quarter ended March 31 1.625 .5625 1.71875 .71875
Second Quarter ended June 30 1.30 .70 1.55 1.00
Third Quarter ended Sept. 30 1.50 .70 1.70 .87
Fourth Quarter ended Dec. 31 .75 .37 .95 .51
2002
First Quarter ended March 31 .70 .40 .85 .60
Second Quarter ended June 30 .51 .15 .60 .21
Third Quarter ended Sept. 30 .45 .13 .62 .175
Fourth Quarter ended Dec. 31 .43 .14 .51 .16
The foregoing figures were furnished to the Company by Pink Sheets,
LLC., 304 Hudson Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10013.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
---------------------------------------
No instruments defining the rights of the holders of any class of
registered securities have been materially modified, limited or qualified.
The following securities, which are not registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, were issued since the Company's last quarterly
report for the quarter ended December 31, 2002.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2002, the Company sold 1,022,736
shares of its common stock to non United States citizens in Europe and
Asia. The Company received $157,243. These shares were sold pursuant to
Regulation S promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933. The Company did not offer the securities to
any person in the United States, any identifiable groups of U.S. citizens
abroad, or to any U.S. Person as that term is defined in Regulation S. At
the time the buy orders were originated, the Company reasonably believed
the Buyers were outside of the United States and were not U.S. Persons.
The Company reasonably believed that the transaction had not been
pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States. The Company has not nor
will engage in any "Directed Selling Efforts" and reasonably believes the
Buyers have not nor will engage in any "Directed Selling Efforts." The
Company reasonably believed the Buyers purchased the securities for their
own accounts and for investment purposes and not with the view towards
distribution or for the account of a U.S. Person.
During the quarter, Keith J. Fryer exercised certain stock options
granted to him in 1997 to purchase 266,667 common shares. The shares were
purchased a $.06 per share for a total purchase price of $16,000. The
shares were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in
reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act, and from similar applicable state securities laws, rules
and regulations exempting the offer and sale of these securities by
available state exemptions.
10
During the quarter the Company issued 150,000, 73,333 and 102,670
restricted common shares to three members of its Advisory Board, Wilhelm J.
Burke, Bjorn Goosen and Cees Nader, respectively for services rendered to
the Company. The shares were valued at $.05 per share. The shares were
issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on
an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act, and from similar applicable state securities laws, rules and
regulations exempting the offer and sale of these securities by available
state exemptions. No general solicitation was made in connection with the
offer or sale of these securities. No funds were received by the Company
for these shares.
During the quarter the Company issued 75,000 restricted common shares
to three other consultants for services rendered to the Company. The
shares were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in
reliance on an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act, and from similar applicable state securities laws, rules
and regulations exempting the offer and sale of these securities by
available state exemptions. No general solicitation was made in connection
with the offer or sale of these securities. No funds were received by the
Company for these shares.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
___________________________________________________________________________
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------
As of December 31, 2002, the Company had cash on hand of $24,468. The
Company raised a total of $915,473 during 2002 in a Regulation S offering.
The Company has received an additional $56,224 during the first quarter of
2003, as continuing receipts from the Regulation S offering.
A depressed stock market in general and a declining market price for
the Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc. shares in particular led to
disappointing results in the 2002 Regulation S offering. The results
achieved in the beginning of 2003 have caused management to believe that
the 2003 Regulation S offering will generate significantly less than the
2002 offering. Banking conditions in Germany have also added to the
Company's inability to secure the financing required to begin construction
of the Poseidon plant. The Company's Advanced Surfacing Technology, Inc.,
("AST") subsidiary sponsored Crumb rubber modified asphalt tests conducted
in August 2002 in Germany were very successful. Management believes that
the use of crumb rubber in asphalt will generate substantial demand for
crumb rubber and ultimately assist in the ability to finance the Poseidon
plant. This will, however, take time.
The Company believes there are significant opportunities in the
rubberized asphalt paving industry. The Company, through AST intends to
focus most of its efforts in the upcoming year to exploiting the growing
demand for rubberized asphalt paving, particularly in Europe. The Company
has entered into an exclusive European distribution agreement with a
manufacturer to sell specialized mobile equipment for blending rubber and
asphalt at hot mix plants. The Company will also oversee technology
transfer programs to international clients, on-site project management and
seminars to educate both public and private sector engineers about the
Company's products and services. The Company also intends to establish and
operate its own rubberized asphalt paving business in Germany and later in
other parts of Europe. The Company has begun private placement discussions
with firms associated with the industry in Germany to raise the funds to
support this effort.
11
At this point in time, the Company has no ongoing revenue and its
ability to raise sufficient capital to meet its cash flow needs is in
question. If capital in not raised, it is unlikely the Company will be
able to remain in business for the next twelve months.
The Company's financial statements are prepared using generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, applicable
to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and
liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. Currently, the
Company does not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets, nor does it
have an established source of revenues to cover its operating costs and to
allow it to continue in business as a going concern, therefore, the
Company is taking the following approach to meet its liquidity
requirements. The Company has an inventory of tire recycling processing and
product manufacturing equipment in storage following the closure of the San
Diego facility. This equipment was going to be used in the Poseidon project
in Germany. The Company is now in the process of selling portions of that
inventory to generate cash. The Company does not believe that the cash so
generated will be sufficient to meet its overall ongoing needs. The Company
is endeavoring to dispose of these assets for the highest valuation it can
negotiate. Should the Company be unable to continue in operation, the
forced liquidation values for these assets will be less than might be
obtained over time. In some cases, the Company has received advances in
anticipation of the asset sales. These short-term borrowings will be repaid
from the proceeds of the asset sale or the possible sale of a subsidiary.
The Company has received an offer (subject to due deligence) to sell its
Tires2Oil, Inc., subsidiary. The Company believes that the offered price
is sufficient to allow the Company to meet its existing obligations and
remain in operation while it develops the AST European business to a point
of self-sufficiency the company is also negotiating with a second group where
an offer is anticipated. Although the Company is negotiating these
transactions in good faith, no assurance can be given that the transaction will
be successfully concluded and the anticipated cash will be received.
Results of Operations
---------------------
Comparison of the year ended December 31, 2002, and the year ended December
31, 2001
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company generated a loss of $1,692,034 in the year ended December
31, 2002, compared to a loss of $2,042,416 for the year ended December 31,
2001. This $350,382 (17.15%) decrease is a result of decreases in
Depreciation, Travel, Professional Fees, Office Expense and Consulting
Fees, partially offset by R&D expenditures and Interest expenses.
The Company had no significant sales in 2001 and no sales in 2002. The
Company had equipment sales of $38,897 in the year ended December 31, 2001.
There were no equipment sales in 2002. Crumb rubber sales in 2001 were
$48,662. This sale was the final disposition of crumb rubber inventory and
was not repeated in 2002.
Net cash used in operations was $881,061 during the year ended
December 31, 2002 compared to $1,212,089 in the year ended December 31,
2001. Substantially all of the change is due to the reduction of net loss
of $350,382. Additionally, during 2002, Notes and Interest Receivable
decreased $11,430, and Employee Receivables increased $21,520 Deposits
increased $2,950. Interest on Notes Payable increased $5,935 and Prepaid
Expenses decreased $3,791. During the twelve months ended December 31,
2001, Accounts Payable increased $66,495, Accrued Expenses increased
$52,329, Accounts Receivable decreased by $59,949, Notes Receivable
decreased $22,570, and Inventory decreased $37,528. Prepaid Expenses
decreased $129,868.
12
Accrued Expenses increased in the year ended December 31, 2002 by
$124,093 compared to an increase of $52,329 in the year ended December 31,
2001. Accounts Payable increased $308,948 in the year ended December 31,
2002 compared to an increase of $66,495 in the twelve mouths ended December
31, 2001. Officers and Directors of the Company continued to defer salary
payments during 2002. The Company recorded the unpaid liability as Accounts
Payable. The officers and directors were owed $233,990 for salaries at
December 31, 2002 compared to $71, 720 at December 31, 2001.
Depreciation Expense of $298,510 for the year ended December 31, 2002,
is a reduction of the 2001 expense of $324,826 by $26,316. This is due to
the disposition of a delivery vehicle and the sale of a portion of the
Company's equipment inventory
Travel expenses of $61,406 for the year ended December 31, 2002,
decreased by $26,406 compared to $87,812 for the year ended December 31,
2001. This is due to an overall restriction in travel as part of an overall
cost reduction program as well as staff downsizing.
Professional fees decreased to $86,269 in the twelve months ended
December 31, 2002 from $175,032 for the twelve months ended December 31,
2001. This reduction is from a greater reliance on in house services with
conservative use of outside professionals.
Office expense of $30,884 for the twelve months ended December 31,
2002, is a decrease of $51,337 from the 2001 expenses of $82,221. This
decrease is also a result of a general expense reduction program.
Rent and Utilities expense of $116,413 in the twelve months ended
December 31, 2002 is $3,422 less that the $119,835 incurred in 2001. This
reduction is due to relocating to a smaller office location in September
2002.
Administrative expenses of $303,623 for the year ended December 31,
2002 is a $178,735 decrease from the $482,358 for the comparable 2001
period. Salaries expense decreased $68,400 due staff reductions. Payroll
Tax, Insurance and Vacation expenses reduced accordingly. Other elements of
Administrative expense include Promotion and Trade Show expenses which were
reduced from $17,869 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2001 to
$1,342 in the 2002 year and Freight expenses which were reduced from
$15,183 in 2001 to $630 in the twelve moths ended December 31, 2002.
Consulting expenses of $555,580 for the year ended December 31, 2002
decreased from the year ended December 31, 2001 expense of $674,731 by
$119,151. This expense was reduced with the completion of the Business plan
for the Poseidon project in Germany in late 2001.
Interest expense of $82,700 in the twelve months ended December 31,
2002, is an increase of $73,642 over 2001. This increase is due to a number
of short term borrowings during the course of 2002 to cover gaps in the
receipts of the Regulation S proceeds and the shortfall of the Regulation S
offering.
Research and Development Expenses of $88,810 were incurred during the
twelve months ending December 31, 2002 on the Company's Tires2Oil project.
$65,000 of comparable expenses were included in 2001
13
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
___________________________________________________________________________
/Letterhead/
Independent Auditors' Report
----------------------------
To the Board of Directors of
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Advanced Recycling
Sciences, Inc., (a Nevada corporation), as of December 31, 2002 and 2001,
and the related statements of operations, retained earnings, and cash flows
for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, in the United States of America. Those standards require that
we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether
the financial statements are free of material misstatements. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and the significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statements
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Advanced Recycling
Sciences, Inc., as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles, in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As disclosed
in Note 19, the Company has incurred significant operating losses over the
last four years, and has an accumulated deficit. These conditions raise
substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continued as a going
concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are described in
Note 19. These consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/S/ Bierwolf, Nilson & Associates
Bierwolf, Nilson & Associates
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 31, 2003
14
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Balance Sheet
December 31
2002 2001
------------ ------------
Assets
Current Assets
--------------
Cash $ 24,468 $ 3,785
Employee Receivable 21,520 -
Deposits 2,950 14,281
Note Receivable - 11,430
Prepaid Expenses 2,785 6,576
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets 51,723 36,072
Property & Equipment (Note 5)
--------------------
Land (Note 14) 655,845 617,840
Furniture & Fixtures 38,711 38,550
Equipment 1,468,973 1,504,870
Vehicles - 39,402
Websites 27,123 25,728
------------ ------------
Total Property & Equipment 2,190,652 2,226,390
Less Accumulated Depreciation (1,024,762) (768,861)
------------ ------------
Net Property & Equipment 1,165,890 1,457,529
Other Assets
------------
Construction in Progress (Note 12) 507,536 535,553
License Rights, net (Note 17) 248,348 313,104
Patent Rights (Note 13) 4,146,261 4,065,000
------------ ------------
Total Other Assets 4,902,145 4,913,657
------------ ------------
Total Assets $6,119,758 $ 6,407,258
============ ============
Continued
15
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Balance Sheet
December 31
2002 2001
------------ ------------
Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
-------------------
Accounts Payable $ 834,204 $ 526,123
Accrued Expenses 185,654 61,561
Notes Payable (Current Portion) (Note 3) 48,173 41,282
Notes Payable - Related Party (Note 6) 196,694 185,130
Capital Lease (Current Portion) (Note 10) - 17,178
Interest on Note Payable (Note 3) 13,844 7,909
------------ ------------
Total Current Liabilities 1,278,569 839,183
Long Term Liabilities
---------------------
Capital Lease (Note 10) - 12,477
Note Payable (Note 3) - 6,891
------------ ------------
Total Long Term Liabilities - 19,368
Minority Interest 38,057 44,738
Stockholders' Equity
--------------------
Preferred Stock, 5,000,000 Shares Authorized;
Par Value of $.001 per Share;
Zero Shares Issued and Outstanding - -
Common Stock 50,000,000 Shares Authorized;
Par Value of $.001 Per Share;
23,798,579 & 17,176,913 Shares Issued
& Outstanding Respectively 23,799 17,177
Additional Paid In Capital 15,231,076 14,230,009
Paid-in Capital Stock Options 25,543 25,543
Accumulated Deficit (10,373,723) (8,681,689)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Note 9) (103,563) (87,071)
------------ ------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 4,803,132 5,503,969
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity $ 6,119,758 $ 6,407,258
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
16
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Statement of Operations
For the Years Ended December 31
2002 2001
------------ ------------
Revenues
--------
Equipment Sales $ - $ 38,897
Other Sales - 48,662
------------ ------------
Total Revenues - 87,559
Cost of Sales - 37,287
------------ ------------
Gross Profit - 50,272
Expenses
--------
Depreciation 298,510 324,826
Amortization 64,756 64,756
Travel 61,406 87,812
Professional Fees 86,269 175,032
Office 30,884 82,221
Rent & Utilities 116,413 119,835
Administrative Expenses 303,623 482,358
Consultant Fees 555,580 674,731
Research & Development 88,810 65,000
------------ ------------
Total Expenses 1,606,251 2,076,571
------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) from Operations (1,606,251) (2,026,299)
Other Income (Expenses)
-----------------------
Interest Income 52 1,215
Interest Expense (82,700) (9,058)
Other Income 250 -
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets 3,296 988
------------ ------------
Total Other Income (Expense) (79,102) (6,855)
Minority Interest 6,681 9,262
------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) $(1,692,034) $(2,042,416)
============ ============
Net (Loss) per Share $ (.08) $ (0.13)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding 20,353,544 15,873,294
Comprehensive Income
--------------------
Net Loss $(1,692,034) $(2,042,416)
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign Currency Translation (16,492) (6,710)
------------ ------------
Comprehensive Income (Loss) $(1,708,526) $(2,049,126)
============ ============
See accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
17
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
From January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002
Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated
Stock Amount Capital Income Deficit
----------------------------------------------------------------
Balance,
January 1, 2001 12,752,128 $12,751 $11,487,815 $ (80,361) $ (6,639,273)
Shares Issued for
Patent Rights at
$1.625 per Share 1,446,153 1,446 2,348,554
Shares Issued for
Services at $.80
per Share 85,000 85 67,915
Shares Issued for
Cash (Asian Reg-S)
at $.54 per Share 1,457,464 1,458 782,373
Share Issued for
Cash (Euro Reg-S)
at $.48 per Share 1,311,250 1,311 623,689
Shares Issued for
Debt at $.40 per
Share 765,385 766 305,388
Shares Canceled
for Asset Return (640,467) (640) (1,360,365)
Foreign Currency
Translation (6,710)
Net Loss for
Year Ended
December 31, 2001 (2,042,416)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Balance,
December 31, 2001 17,176,913 17,177 14,255,369 (87,071) (8,681,689)
Shares Issued for
Cash at prices from
$.478 to $.310 per
Share 457,833 458 165,791
Shares Issued for
Cash at prices from
$.285 to $.200 per
Share 1,481,300 1,481 344,595
Continued
18
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
For the Years Ended December 31
Common Stock Paid-in Comprehensive Accumulated
Stock Amount Capital Income Deficit
----------------------------------------------------------------
Shares Issued for
Cash at prices from
$.190 to $.100 per
Share 2,408,040 $ 2,408 $ 311,260
Shares Issued for
Cash at prices from
$.099 to $.075 per
Share 927,300 927 80,676
Shares Issued for
Exercise of 1987
Stock Option at
$.060 per Share 266,670 267 15,733
Shares Issued for
Debt at $.094 per
Share 650,000 650 60,600
Shares Issued for
Services at $.05
per Share 430,523 431 22,595
Foreign Currency
Translation (16,492)
Net Loss for the
Year Ended
December 31, 2002 (1,692,034)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Balance,
December 31, 2002 23,798,579 $23,799 $ 15,256,619 $ (103,563) $(10,373,723)
================================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
19
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31
2002 2001
------------- -------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
------------------------------------
Net Profit or (Loss) $ (1,692,034) $ (2,042,416)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Profit
or (Loss) to Net Cash:
Amortization & Depreciation 363,266 389,582
Gain on Sale of Fixed Assets (3,296) (988)
Non Cash Transactions 61,250 -
Stock Issued for Services 23,026 68,000
Changes in Operating Assets & Liabilities:
(Increase) Decrease in Accounts Receivable - 59,949
(Increase) Decrease in Employee Receivable (21,520) -
(Increase) Decrease in Interest Receivable - 722
(Increase) Decrease in Inventory - 37,528
(Increase) Decrease in Notes & Interest
Receivable 11,430 22,570
(Increase) Decrease in Prepaid Expense 3,791 129,868
(Increase) Decrease in Deposits (2,950) -
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Expenses 124,093 52,329
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable 308,948 66,495
Increase (Decrease) in Interest on Notes
Payable 5,935 4,272
------------- -------------
Net Cash (Used) by Operating Activities (818,061) (1,212,089)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
------------------------------------
Land Preparation and Costs (38,005) (218,803)
Purchase of Equipment - (70,087)
Purchase of Furniture & Fixtures (161) (772)
Purchase of Website (1,395) (16,078)
Proceeds from Sale of Equipment 47,393 31,054
Increase Costs from Patent Rights (81,274) -
------------- -------------
Net Cash (Used) by Investing Activities (73,442) (274,686)
Continued
20
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31
2002 2001
------------- -------------
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
------------------------------------
Proceeds from the Sale of Common Stock (Net) $ 915,473 $ 1,432,321
Payment on Long Term Debt - (1,820)
Proceeds from Notes Payable 11,564 -
Increase (Decrease) in Capital Lease (29,655) -
Proceeds from Stock Option Exercise 8,123 -
Increase (Decrease) in Minority Interest 6,681 44,738
------------- -------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities 912,186 1,475,239
------------- -------------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash 20,683 (11,536)
Cash at Beginning of Period 3,785 15,321
------------- -------------
Cash at End of Period $ 24,468 $ 3,785
============= =============
Disclosures from Operating Activities
-------------------------------------
Interest $ 82,700 $ 9,058
Taxes - -
Significant Non Cash Transactions
---------------------------------
During 2002, the Company issued 430,523 shares of common stock in exchange for
consulting services rendered. The cost of the services has been charged to
operations, and additional paid-in-capital has been increased by $22,595,
representing the excess of the cost of the services over the par value of the
common stock issued.
During 2001, the Company issued 85,000 shares of common stock in exchange for
consulting services rendered. The cost of the services has been charged to
operations, and additional paid-in capital has been increased by $67,915,
representing the excess of the cost of the services over the par value of the
common stock issued.
During 2001, the company issued 1,446,153 shares of common stock to purchase
patent rights for "de-icing" technology. Additional paid-in capital has been
increased by $2,348,554, representing the excess of the cost of the assets over
the par value of the common stock.
A stockholder of the company converted a note due to him of $306,153, for
765,385 shares of common stock. Accordingly, $305,388, has been charged to
additional paid-in capital.
During November 2001, the Company rescinded a transaction where stock was issued
for fixed assets. The fixed assets did not meet Company specifications, and the
related shares were returned to the Company and canceled. The number of shares
returned was 640,467 which resulted in a reduction of additional paid-in capital
of $1,360,365.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
21
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 1 - Corporate History
--------------------------
The Company was organized on December 2, 1968, under the laws of the state
of California as Acquatic Systems, Inc. On June 27, 1989, the Company
merged with Country Maid, Inc., a Nevada Corporation, the Corporate
domicile was changed to the state of Nevada. On September 18, 1992, the
name of the Company was changed to The Quantum Group, Inc. On March 26,
2001, the Company filed an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
changing it's name to Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc. The Company is
registered and qualified to do business in the state of California.
NOTE 2 - Significant Accounting Policies
----------------------------------------
A. The Company uses the accrual method of accounting.
B. Revenues and directly related expenses are recognized in the period
when the goods are shipped to the customer.
C. The Company considers all short term, highly liquid investments that
are readily convertible, within three months, to known amounts as cash
equivalents. The Company currently has no cash equivalents.
D. Primary Earnings Per Share amounts are based on the weighted average
number of shares outstanding at the dates of the financial statements.
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Shares shall be shown on stock options and
other convertible issues that may be exercised within ten years of the
financial statement dates.
E. The inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. The inventory
is a single recycling system that the Company intends to sell as a
system. The Company is currently pursuing several prospects to sell
the system.
F. Consolidation Policies: The accompanying consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of the company and its majority -
owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been
eliminated in consolidation.
G. Foreign Currency Translation / Remeasurement Policy: Assets and
liabilities that occur in foreign countries are recorded at historical
cost and translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of the
year. Income Statement accounts are translated at the average
exchange rates for the year. Translation gains and losses shall be
recorded as a separate line item in the equity section of the
financial statements.
H. Depreciation: The cost of property and equipment is depreciated over
the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The cost of
leasehold improvements is depreciated (amortized) over the lesser of
the length of the related assets or the estimated lives of the assets.
Depreciation is computed on the straight line method for reporting
purposes and for tax purposes.
I. Issuance of Subsidiary's Stock: The Company has elected to account for
shares issued by its subsidiary as an equity transaction.
J. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets
and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Continued
22
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - continued
----------------------------------------
K. As permitted by SFAS #123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,"
the Company has elected to account for the stock option plans as a
compensation cost when options were issued at equal to or more than
fair market value.
L. Research and Development: Research and development costs are charged
to expense as incurred.
NOTE 3 - Notes Payable
----------------------
The Company has the following notes payable obligations 2002 2001
----------- -----------
Note payable to bank due April 29, 2003, plus interest
payable annually at 12.32%, secured by the equipment. $ 35,649 $ 35,649
Note payable to bank due April 29, 2002, plus interest
payable annually at 12.32%, secured by the equipment. 12,524 12,524
Various unsecured short term, related party notes payable,
non interest bearing due on demand. 133,326 133,402
Short term, unsecured note payable to shareholder, non
interest bearing, due on demand. 63,368 51,728
----------- -----------
Total 244,867 233,303
Less Current Maturities 244,867 226,412
----------- -----------
Total Notes Payables $ - $ 6,891
=========== ===========
Following are maturities of long-term debt for each of the next two years;
2003 $ 244,867
----------
Total $ 244,867
==========
NOTE 4 - Operating Leases
-------------------------
On March 1, 2000, the Company renewed its lease agreement to lease an
industrial condominium in a multi-tenant building for use as its principal
executive office. The Company pays $3,936 per month for a 4,495 square
foot facility. The lease expired on February 28, 2002. The Company then
leased the space on a month-to-month basis.
On September 9, 2002, the Company signed a lease agreement for an executive
office suite in a multi-tenant building for its principal office. The
Company pays a minimum of $2,566 per month for the office space. The lease
expires March 31, 2003, thereafter the lease term shall automatically
convert to month-to-month with the base rent increasing to the then
published rate for offices similarly situated to that of the premises. The
building is located at 4199 Campus Drive, Suite 520, Irvine, California
92780.
Continued
23
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 4 - Operating Leases - continued
-------------------------
The following is a schedule of future minimum payments under operating
leases as of December 31, 2002:
Periods Amounts
------- ----------
2003 $ 7,698
----------
Total $ 7,698
==========
Rent expense entering into the determination of net loss follows:
Year Ended December 31
2002 2001
----------- -----------
Minimum rent on operating leases $ 41,751 $ 45,852
----------- -----------
Total Rent Expense $ 41,751 $ 45,852
=========== ===========
NOTE 5 - Depreciation
---------------------
The Company capitalizes the purchase of equipment and fixtures for major
purchases in excess of $1,000 per item. Capitalized amounts are
depreciated over the useful life of the assets using the straight-line
method of depreciation.
Scheduled below are the assets, costs and accumulated depreciations at
December 31, 2002 and 2001.
December 31, Depreciation Accumulated
2002 2001 Expense Depreciation
Assets Cost Cost 2002 2001 2002 2001
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 655,845 $ 617,840 $ - $ - $ - $ -
Furniture &
Fixtures 38,711 38,550 8,044 11,066 33,945 25,820
Equipment 1,468,973 1,504,870 283,389 290,447 971,899 713,469
Vehicle - 39,402 - 16,297 - 17,731
Website 27,123 25,728 7,077 7,016 18,918 11,841
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance $ 2,190,652 $2,226,390 $ 298,510 $ 324,826 $ 1,024,762 $ 768,861
========================================================================
Continued
24
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 6 - Related Party Transactions
-----------------------------------
In May 2002, the Company entered into five-year employment agreements with
its three officers and directors. Pursuant to the terms of the agreements,
Ehrenfried Liebich and Keith Fryer are to receive base salaries of $168,000
per year. John Pope is to receive a base salary of $135,000 per year.
Because of limited funds, the Company was unable to fully pay these
salaries. All unpaid salaries to these individuals have been recorded as
accounts payable and will be paid as funds become available. The
agreements call for an annual review by the board of directors, with the
possibility of increasing the base salary each year. The agreements also
provide that each individual is entitled to participate in all Company
employee benefit, profit sharing, 401(k), insurance and other perquisite
plans and programs. The agreements may be terminated by the Company upon
the expiration of the term of the agreement, upon death or disability, for
cause and without cause. If an agreement is terminated without cause, the
individual is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 24 times the
individual's monthly salary plus an amount equal to the individual's
monthly salary times the number of years the individual has been an
employee of the Company. This lump sum payment is due within 30 days of
termination.
The employment agreements also provide that the salaries can be paid to
corporations or other entities in the form of consulting fees rather than
directly to the officer if he, in his sole discretion, so elects. Salary
paid to Mr. Liebich was paid to ERI Associates, Mr. Liebich's private
consulting business. Salary paid to Mr. Fryer was paid to Keith Fryer
Associates California, Inc., his private consulting business. Salary paid
to John Pope was paid to his private consulting business, John F. Pope,
Inc.
In May 2003, Mr. Liebich, Mr. Fryer and Mr. Pope voluntarily agreed to
temporarily suspend the Company's obligations under the employment
agreements until such time as the operations and cash flow of the Company
justify reinstating those agreements.
In 2001 and 2000, officers and shareholders of the Company loaned the
Company a total of $133,402. The notes are unsecured, non interest
bearing, and due on demand.
NOTE 7 - Research and Development
---------------------------------
Research and development expenses were $88,810 and $65,000 in 2002 and
2001, respectively.
Continued
25
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 8 - Net Operating Loss Carryforward for Income Tax Purposes
----------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has incurred losses that can be carried forward to offset
future earnings if conditions of the Internal Revenue Codes are met. These
losses are as follows:
Year of Expiration
Loss Amount Date
------- ---------- -----------
1992 $ 440,338 2007
1993 - 2008
1994 198,818 2009
1995 782,181 2010
1996 241,809 2011
1997 - 2017
1998 80,058 2018
1999 2,642,390 2019
2000 2,125,832 2020
2001 2,042,416 2021
2002 1,697,563 2022
The Company has adopted FASB 109 to account for income taxes. The Company
currently has no issues that create timing differences that would mandate
deferred tax expense. Net operating losses would create possible tax
assets in future years. Due to the uncertainty as to the utilization of
net operating loss carryforwards an evaluation allowance has been made to
the extent of any tax benefit that net operating losses may generate.
2002 2001
----------- -----------
Current Tax Asset Value of Net Operating
Loss Carryforwards at Current Prevailing
Federal Tax Rate $3,075,422 $ 2,566,153
Evaluation Allowance (3,075,422) (2,566,153)
----------- -----------
Net Tax Asset $ - $ -
=========== ===========
Current Income Tax Expense $ - $ -
Deferred Income Tax Benefit - -
NOTE 9 - Options/Warrants for Purchase of Common Stock
------------------------------------------------------
During 2001, the Company canceled the 2000 and 1999 stock option incentive
plans. The Company adopted a plan which provides for the grant of options
to officers, consultants and employees to acquire shares of the Company's
common stock at a purchase price equal to or greater than fair market value
as of the date of the grant. Options are exercisable six months after the
grant date and expire five years from the grant date. The plan calls for a
total of 1,000,000 shares to be held for grant, with no more than 200,000
shares being granted in each year of the plan. A summary of activity
follows;
Continued
26
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 9 - Options/Warrants for Purchase of Common Stock -continued
------------------------------------------------------
Stock Option Plan 2002
-----------------------
Weighted
Average
Number Exercise
of Shares Price
Outstanding at beginning of year 442,969 $ .79
Granted 327,223 .21
Exercised - -
Canceled - -
---------- ----------
Outstanding at end of year 770,192 $ .54
========== ==========
Exercisable at end of year 770,192 $ .54
========== ==========
Additional paid-in-capital and the related expense was adjusted for the
stock options granted during 2002. In accordance with SFAS 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", no option expense was recognized
for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 since the extension price of
the options exceeded the market value of the Company's common stock.
The fair value of the option grant was established at the date of grant
using the Black-Sholes option pricing model with the following weighted
average assumptions;
2002 2001
---------- ----------
Risk-free interest rate 3.0% 3.5%
Dividend yield 0% 0%
Volatility 100% 50%
Average expected term (years to exercise date) 1/2 1/2
---------- ----------
Employee stock options outstanding and exercisable under this plan as of
December 31, 2002 is:
Stock Option Plan
Weighted
Weighted Average Weighted
Range Average Remaining Average
of of Contractual of
Exercise Exercise Life Exercise
Price Options Price (Years) Options Price
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ .79 442,969 $ .79 4 442,969 $ .79
.21 327,223 .21 3.5 327,723 .21
Continued
27
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 10 - Capital Leases
------------------------
The Company was the lessee of a 1999 Isuzu Truck under a capital lease
expiring September 30, 2004. The assets and liabilities under this lease
were recorded at the fair market value of the asset. The asset is
depreciated over the related lease term.
During January 2002, the truck was repossessed by the lessor and was
subsequently sold. The balance due to the lessor, by the Company, due to
the foreclosure sale is $10,371. This amount is included in the accounts
payable balance of the Company at December 31, 2002.
NOTE 11 - Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share
---------------------------------------
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (BEPS) is based on the weighted-
average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted
earnings (loss) per common share is based on shares outstanding (computed
as under BEPS) and dilutive potential common shares. Shares from the
exercise of the outstanding options were not included in the computation of
diluted loss per share, because their inclusion would have been
antidilutive for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.
The following data shows the shares used in the computing loss per common
share including dilutive potential common stock;
2002 2001
------------ ------------
Common shares outstanding during the entire period 20,353,544 15,873,294
Weighted-average shares paid for, but not issued during
the period. - -
Weighted-average number of common shares used in basic
EPS 20,353,544 15,873,294
dilutive effect of options - -
------------ ------------
Weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive
potential common shares used in diluted EPS 20,353,544 15,873,294
============ ============
Shares from the exercise of the outstanding options were not included in
the computation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would
have been antidilutive for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 2001.
NOTE 12 - Construction in Progress
----------------------------------
Construction in progress of $507,536 shown on the balance sheet as a non-
current asset. The equipment is currently being held in a warehouse in
Moberly, Missouri. This equipment was going to be used in the Poseidon
project in Germant. The Company is now in the process of selling portions
of that inventory to generate cash.
Continued
28
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 13 - Patent Rights
-----------------------
On February 19, 2001, the Company purchased the patent rights to an asphalt
"de-icing" technology. This technology was acquired from UTEK Corporation
by issuing 1,446,153 shares of Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc's common
stock. Patent rights of $2,350,000 shown on the balance sheet as a "non-
current" asset represents the rights, acquired to the technology that will
be used in the future.
During 2002, the Company incurred additional costs related to protectin the
patent rights associated with the "de-icing" technology, which amounted to
$81,264. This amount has been capitalized and combined with the original
cost of the patent rights.
On May 24, 2000, the Company purchased the patent rights to the Tires2Oil
technology. This technology was acquired from UTEK Corporation by issuing
980,000 shares of The Quantum Group, Inc.'s common stock. Patent rights of
$1,715,000 shown on the balance sheet as a non current asset represents the
rights acquired to the technology that will be used in the future.
NOTE 14 - Land and Land Preparation
-----------------------------------
During the current year, the Company's subsidiary located in Penkun, in the
state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, incurred costs associated with
the surveying and preparation of the land where the Poseidon Products
recycling facility will be constructed. The Company has incurred and
capitalized costs in the amount of $38,005 (USD).
NOTE 15 - Stockholders' Equity
------------------------------
During 2002, the Company issued 266,667 shares of common stock to a
director of the Company in satisfaction of 1987 stock options.
Accordingly, $15,733 has been charged to additional paid-in-capital.
During the year, the Company issued 650,000 shares of common stock in
satisfaction of a debt owed by the Company. Additional paid-in-capital has
been increased by $60,600, representing the excess of the value of the note
over the par value of the common stock.
NOTE 16 - SuperCollider Impact 500 Technology
----------------------------------------------
During 1997, the Company worked on the in-house development of a compact
SuperCollider machine designed to take large mesh size crumb rubber
produced by the EGS System and buffings from tire retreading and pulverize
it into fine powder in order to open up several new markets. These markets
include extrusion products, press products and products combining super-
fine crumb and plastic. The Company finalized the engineering for the
SuperCollider and concluded the development, prototype work and initial
performance testing during 1998 and early 1999. After testing the initial
prototype, the Company decided not to sell the SuperCollider into the
market until a number of improvements could be made. During 1999, the
Company made those improvements and began additional testing. The first
SuperCollider was installed and operational at the Donovan Correctional
Facility. It has since been removed and is awaiting shipment to Germany
where it will be installed at the Poseidon Facility.
Continued
29
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 17 - License Rights
------------------------
The Company is currently renegotiating its exclusive worldwide license
agreement with Faru GmbH., Dresden, Germany ("Faru"). Faru is the patent
holder of the REVULCON(R) technology. This technology enables the
production of high density, smooth finish rubber moldings and extrusions,
including new tires, by adding REVULCON(R) compound. This is done by a
process of devulcanizing the rubber, returning it to a state where it can
be utilized in new products and re-vulcanized. The reactivated rubber
waste can be processed without further additives to rubber products like
mats, plates, solid rubber tires, components for fall protection, elements
for sound and vibration deadening, blocking and insulating layers against
heat and moisture. Profiles and other goods can be made by extrusion or
injection molding when the revulcanized rubber is mixed with fresh rubber
or plastics. While there are other companies developing and marketing
competing technology, the REVULCON(R) technology is the only one that does
not introduce or use chemicals in its process.
Capitalized amounts are amortized over 10 years using the straight-line
method of amortization. Scheduled below are the assets, costs and
accumulated amortization at December 31, 2002 and 2001.
Amortization Accumulated
License Costs Expense Amortization
--------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
Licensor 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001
----------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Rothbury $ 497,547 $ 497,547 $ 49,756 $ 49,756 $ 331,699 $ 281,943
Faru GmbH 150,000 150,000 15,000 15,000 67,500 52,500
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 647,547 $ 647,547 $ 64,756 $ 64,756 $ 399,199 $ 334,443
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
NOTE 18 - Principles of Consolidation
-------------------------------------
Advanced Surfacing Technologies, Inc. ("AST")
----------------------------------------------
AST was incorporated in Nevada in May 1997 as Quantum Modified Asphalt
Xcetera, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The name was
changed to Advanced Surfacing Technologies, Inc., in March 2001.
The Company believes there are significant opportunities in the rubberized
asphalt paving industry. The Company, through AST intends to focus most of
its efforts in the upcoming year to exploiting the growing rubberized
asphalt paving, particularly in Europe. The Company has entered into an
agreement with a manufacturer to sell specialized mobile equipment for
blending rubber and asphalt at hot mix plants. The Company will also
oversee technology transfer programs to international clients, on-site
project management and seminars to educate both public and private sector
engineers about the Company's products and services. The Company also
intends to establish and operate its own rubberized asphalt paving business
in Germany.
Continued
30
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 18 - Principles of Consolidation -continued
-------------------------------------
Tires2Oil, Inc.
---------------
Tires2Oil, Inc. is a 93% owned subsidiary of the Company. Tires2Oil(TM)
was formed as a Nevada corporation on January 17, 2001. The primary
responsibility of Tires2Oil(TM) is the continued research, development and
exploitation of certain super critical fluid ("SCF-Oil(TM)") tire recycling
technology. The SCF-Oil(TM) technology can be used to break down tires into
a form of oil and carbon. The oil can be easily upgraded in existing oil
refineries. This technology has been proven in the laboratory at
University of South Alabama.
Based on laboratory experiments, the Company believes the Tires2Oil
process can be applied to the surface of crumb rubber to de-vulcanize it.
This treated rubber will be suitable to incorporate into the production of
new tires and other molded rubber products, including new tires. When the
rubber is re-vulcanized it provides the same characteristics as original
rubber.
Poseidon Products GmbH ("Poseidon") Poseidon is currently a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company. For some time, the Company has intended to
finish construction of this state of the art rubber recycling facility in
Penkun, located in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. This
facility was to produce crumb rubber and manufacture a wide range of
value-added aftermarket products using technologies licensed or developed
by the Company.
Due to difficulties in securing financing to construct this facility, and
the Company's belief that its best opportunities lie in the rubberized
asphalt paving industry, the Company has temporarily suspended its plans to
finish construction of its Poseidon facility until such time as the Company
believes funding and demand for crumb rubber and related products so
justifies.
NOTE 19 - Going Concern
-----------------------
The Company's financial statements are prepared using generally accepted
accounting principles, in the United States of America, applicable to a
going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation
of liabilities in the normal course of business. Currently, the Company
does not have significant cash or other material assets, nor does it have
an established source of revenues sufficient to cover its operating costs
and to allow it to continue as a going concern. The Company does not
currently posses a financial institution source of financing and the
Company cannot be certain that it's existing sources of cash will be
adequate to meet its liquidity requirements.
Continued
31
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2002
NOTE 19 - Going Concern - continued
-----------------------
The Company has an inventory of tire recycling processing and product
manufacturing equipment in storage following the closure of the San Diego
facility. This equipment was going to be used in the Poseidon project in
Germany. The Company is now in the process of selling portions of that
inventory to generate cash. The Company does not believe that the cash so
generated will be sufficient to meet its overall ongoing needs. The Company
is endeavoring to dispose of these assets for the highest valuation it can
negotiate. Should the Company be unable to continue in operation, the
forced liquidation values for these assets will be less than might be
obtained over time. In some cases, the Company has received advances in
anticipation of the asset sales. These short-term borrowings will be repaid
from the proceeds of the asset sale or the possible sale of a subsidiary.
The Company has received an offer (subject to due deligence) to sell its
Tires2Oil, Inc., subsidiary. The Company believes that the offered price
is sufficient to allow the Company to meet its existing obligations and
remain in operation while it develops the AST European business to a point
of self-sufficiency the company is also negotiating with a second group
where an offer is anticipated. Although the Company is negotiating these
transactions in good faith, no assurance can be given that the transaction
will be successfully concluded and the anticipated cash will be received.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
___________________________________________________________________________
None.
___________________________________________________________________________
PART III
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS,
AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH
SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
___________________________________________________________________________
The following table sets forth as of December 31, 2002 the name, age, and
position of each executive officer and director and the term of office of
each director of the Corporation.
Name Age Position Director or Officer Since
------------------ ----- ------------- -------------------------
Ehrenfried Liebich 60 Chief Executive Officer March 1989
Director March 1989
Keith J. Fryer 53 President October 2000
Chief Operating Officer October 2000
Secretary July 1997
Director March 1995
John F. Pope 61 Vice President March 1989
Chief Financial Officer March 1989
Treasurer January 1991
Director March 1989
___________________________________________________________________________
32
All officers hold their positions at the will of the Board of
Directors. All directors hold their positions for one year or until their
successors are elected and qualified.
Set forth below is certain biographical information regarding each of
the Company's executive officers and directors:
Ehrenfried Liebich
------------------
Mr. Liebich is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
of Directors of the Company. Mr. Liebich first became involved with the
Company in March 1989. Mr. Liebich was born and educated in Germany.
After his formal secondary education in Germany he joined the Merchant
Marine, which he left as a Ship's Officer with the Court Line, London, U.K.
Mr. Liebich immigrated to Canada in 1965 where he started various
businesses in the areas of real estate, investment, chemical distribution
and electronics. In March of 1989 he became the President, a Director and
controlling shareholder of the Company. Following a management
reorganization in October 2000, Mr. Liebich became the Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Keith J. Fryer.
---------------
Mr. Fryer is the President, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and a
Director of the Company. Mr. Fryer first became involved with the Company
in August 1992. Mr. Fryer was educated in England and graduated from the
Cheshire College of Further Education with a City and Guilds of London
Institute Diploma in Construction and Site Surveying. He also studied at
Cranfield and Dunchurch UK Management Colleges and became a Member of the
Institute of Marketing London in 1974. Mr. Fryer became a Chartered Member
of the Institute in 1989. He is a life member of the Wig & Pen Club, The
Strand, London. Mr. Fryer successfully operated Keith Fryer Associates
England, a business he formed in 1986, that provided marketing consulting
services in various business areas. In 1992, Mr. Fryer established Keith
Fryer Associates California, Inc., a marketing consulting firm. Following
a management reorganization in October 2000, Mr. Fryer became the President
and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He became the Secretary in
July 1997, and a Director of the Company in March 1995.
John F. Pope
------------
Mr. Pope is the Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President, Treasurer
and a Director of the Company. Mr. Pope began his professional career in
1963 as an auditor in public accounting and subsequently on the corporate
staff of Olivetti Underwood in New York. He joined Burger King Corporation
in Miami, Florida, in 1968 and progressed to the position of Controller,
Company Stores Division. He joined Orange Julius International, Inc.,
Santa Monica, California, in 1974 as Vice President, Finance and a Director
for the parent company and its national and international subsidiaries.
In 1980, Mr. Pope became President of Inflation Management, Inc., Los
Angeles, California. From February 1982 until February 1984 he was Vice
President, Finance of Aerobic Dancing, Inc. In 1984 he became Senior Vice
President of Animated Playhouses Incorporated and Subsidiaries, before
moving to become Executive Vice President Finac International, Inc., an
investment and venture capital firm in Torrance, California.
33
From 1986 through November 1987, Mr. Pope acted as Vice President
Finance and Administration for ASI Sign Systems of Marina Del Rey, Inc.
After leaving ASI Sign Systems in late 1987, Mr. Pope became an independent
financial consultant assisting a number of domestic and international
public and private companies in franchising, financial structure, and
internal and SEC reporting. He continues to serve on the Board of
Directors of several companies he helped to become public companies,
including currently serving as the interim President and a Director of the
New Anaconda Company.
In 1989, Mr. Pope became a founding member of the Board of Directors
of the Quantum Group, Inc. Mr. Pope is a Certified Management Accountant
(CMA) and has previously served on the National Board of Directors and
currently serves on the National Strategic Planning Committee of The
Institute of Management Accountants. He has also been Certified in
Financial Management (CFM) by the same institute. He is a Certified Public
Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants (AICPA). He has been a member of a number of other
professional and civic organizations, including the Curriculum Steering
Committee, School of Accountancy, University of Southern California.
Key Employees
-------------
Sudheer Helekar
---------------
Mr. Helekar received a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from
Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, in 1968. Mr. Helekar has
38 years experience in developing new technologies to commercial hardware.
He developed the Solar Stirling Engine from concept to commercial hardware
within eighteen months. He has also helped develop various solar and
ethanol plant concepts, as well as, several turbines and energy systems.
He also has experience with cryogenic systems, conventional pyrolysis,
carbon activation and power generation. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Helekar spent eight years as an environmental consultant for Alton
Geoscience, where he was primarily responsible for environmental audits,
environmental energy and conversion of bio-waste to energy and chemicals.
There are no family relationships between any of the Company's
officers and directors. In addition, none of the officers and directors
have been involved in legal proceeding which require disclosure in this
annual report of the Company.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
-------------------------------------------------
Directors and executive officers are required to comply with Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which requires generally that
such persons file reports regarding ownership of and transactions in
securities of the Company on Forms 3, 4, and 5. A Form 3 is an initial
statement of ownership of securities, which is to be filed by the officers
and directors owning shares in the Company within 10 days after the
effective date of the Company's filing on Form 10-SB. Form 4 reports
changes in beneficial ownership and is due on or before the tenth day of
the month following any month in which they engage in any transaction in
the Company's common stock. Form 5 covers annual statements of changes in
beneficial ownership which is due 90 days after the fiscal year end of the
Company.
Based solely on a review of Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto
furnished to the Company during its most recent fiscal year, and Forms 5
and amendments thereto furnished to the Company with respect to the most
recent fiscal year, it appears that Mr. Fryer inadvertently failed to
timely file Form 4s disclosing the sell of securities in September 2002.
Disclosure of these sales was made on the Form 5 for the year ended
December 31, 2002 filed by Mr. Fryer.
34
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
___________________________________________________________________________
The following table sets forth certain summary information concerning
the compensation paid or accrued over each of the Registrant's last three
completed fiscal years to the Company's, or its principal subsidiaries,
chief executive officers during such period (as determined at December 31,
2002 the end of the Registrant's last completed fiscal year).
Summary Compensation Table
---------------------------
Long Term Compensation
------------------------
Awards Payouts
------ -------
Restr
Name and Annual icted
Principal Compen Stock Options LTIP Compen
Position Year Salary Bonus sation Awards /SARs# Payout sation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ehrenfried Liebich 2002 $77,740 $ -0- $ -0- $ -0- 103,971 $ -0- $ -0-
CEO/Director 2001 132,325 -0- -0- -0- 29,227 -0- -0-
2000 129,956 -0- -0- -0- 52,666 -0- -0-
Keith Fryer 2002 140,540 -0- 16,000 -0- 103,971 -0- -0-
President/COO/ 2001 171,071 -0- -0- -0- 29,227 -0- -0-
Secretary/Director 2000 132,750 -0- -0- -0- 36,259 -0- -0-
John F. Pope 2002 96,367 -0- -0- -0- 94,751 -0- -0-
Vice President 2001 110,750 -0- -0- -0- 24,007 -0- -0-
Treasurer/Director 2000 50,000 -0- -0- -0- 15,108 -0- -0-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bonuses and Deferred Compensation
---------------------------------
The Company does not have any bonus, deferred compensation or
retirement plan. Such plans may be adopted by the Company at such time as
deemed reasonable by the board of directors. The Company does not have a
compensation committee, all decisions regarding compensation are determined
by the board of directors.
35
Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plans
------------------------------------------------
Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
--------------------------------------
Number of % of Total
Securities Options/SARS Exercise
Underlying Granted to or Base
Options/SARS Employees in Price Expiration
Name Granted Fiscal Year ($/sh) on Date
___________________________________________________________________________
Ehrenfried Liebich 103,971 32% $.21 06/03/07
Keith Fryer 103,971 32% $.21 06/03/07
John Pope 94,751 29% $.21 06/03/07
___________________________________________________________________________
Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement
-----------------------------------------------------------
In May 2002, the Company entered into five-year employment agreements
with its three officers and directors. Pursuant to the terms of the
agreements, Ehrenfried Liebich and Keith Fryer are to receive base salaries
of $168,000 per year. John Pope is to receive a base salary of $135,000
per year. Because of limited funds, the Company was unable to fully pay
these salaries. All unpaid salaries to these individuals have been
recorded as accounts payable and will be paid as funds become available.
The agreements call for an annual review by the board of directors, with
the possibility of increasing the base salary each year. The agreements
also provide that each individual is entitled to participate in all Company
employee benefit, profit sharing, 401(k), insurance and other perquisite
plans and programs. The agreements may be terminated by the Company upon
the expiration of the term of the agreement, upon death or disability, for
cause and without cause. If an agreement is terminated without cause, the
individual is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to 24 times the
individual's monthly salary plus an amount equal to the individual's
monthly salary times the number of years the individual has been an
employee of the Company. This lump sum payment is due within 30 days of
termination.
The employment agreements also provide that the salaries can be paid
to corporations or other entities in the form of consulting fees rather
than directly to the officer if he, in his sole discretion, so elects.
Salary paid to Mr. Liebich was paid to ERI Associates, Mr. Liebich's
private consulting business. Salary paid to Mr. Fryer was paid to Keith
Fryer Associates California, Inc., his private consulting business.
Salary paid to John Pope was paid to his private consulting business, John
F. Pope, Inc.
In May 2003, Mr. Liebich, Mr. Fryer and Mr. Pope voluntarily agreed to
temporarily suspend the Company's obligations under the employment
agreements until such time as the operations and cash flow of the Company
justify reinstating those agreements.
36
To the Company's knowledge, there are no compensatory plans or
arrangements, including payments to be received from the Company, with
respect to any person named in cash compensation set out above which would
in any way result in payments to any such person because of his
resignation, retirement, or other termination of such person's employment
with the company or its subsidiaries, or any change in control of the
Company, or a change in the person's responsibilities following a changing
in control of the Company.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
___________________________________________________________________________
The following table sets forth as of March 27, 2002 the name and the
number of shares of the Registrant's Common Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, held of record or beneficially by each person who held of record, or
was known by the Registrant to own beneficially, more than 5% of the
17,176,913 issued and outstanding shares of the Registrant's Common Stock,
and the name and shareholdings of each director and of all officers and
directors as a group.
Title of Amount and Nature of
Class Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percentage of Class
-------- ----------------------------- -------------------- -------------------
Common Ehrenfried Liebich 1,415,248(1) 5.8%
University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92612
Common Keith J. Fryer 797,758(2) 3.3%
University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92612
Common John F. Pope (2) 174,747(3) 0.7%
University Tower
4199 Campus Drive, Suite 550
Irvine, California 92612
Common UTEK Corporation 2,309,453 9.4%
202 South Wheeler Street
Plant City, Florida 33566
_________________________________________________________________________________
Common All Officers and Directors as a Group:
(3 persons) 2,387,753 9.7%
_________________________________________________________________________________
37
(1) This includes 1,168,919 shares held in the name of Ehrenfried Liebich
and options to purchase up to an additional 246,329 common shares within 60
days of the date of this Form 10-KSB.
(2) This includes 577,846 shares held in the name of Keith Fryer, 5,000
shares held of record in the name of his daughter and 1,488 held of record
by Keith Fryer Associates, California, Inc., Mr. Fryer may be deemed the
beneficial owner of all such shares. This figure also includes options to
purchase up to an additional 213,424 common shares within 60 days of the
date of this Form 10-KSB.
(3) This includes 19,500 shares which are held of record by John F. Pope,
Inc. Mr. Pope may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares because
he has shared investment power of the shares. This figure also includes
options to purchase up to an additional 155,247 common shares within 60
days of the date of this Form 10-KSB.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS
___________________________________________________________________________
None.
___________________________________________________________________________
PART IV
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
___________________________________________________________________________
(a) Reports on Form 8-K.
None.
(b) Exhibits. The following exhibits are included as part of this report:
None.
___________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 14. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
___________________________________________________________________________
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
-------------------------------------------------
The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has
conducted an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures
as of a date (the "Evaluation Date") within 90 days before the filing of
this annual report. Based on his evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required
to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and
reported within the time periods specified in the applicable Securities and
Exchange Commission rules and forms.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls and Procedures.
--------------------------------------------
Subsequent to the Evaluation Date, there were no significant changes
in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could
significantly affect these controls, nor were any corrective actions
required with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
38
___________________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURES
___________________________________________________________________________
In accordance with Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant caused this registration statement to be signed on its
behalf, thereunto duly authorized.
Advanced Recycling Sciences, Inc.
Date: April 14, 2003 /S/ Ehrenfried Liebich
______________________________________
Ehrenfried Liebich,
Chief Executive Officer
Date: April 14, 2003 /S/ John F. Pope
_____________________________________
John F. Pope,
Chief Financial Officer
39
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Ehrenfried Liebich, hereby, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Advanced
Recycling Sciences, Inc. (the "Company");
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual
report;
(4) The Company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Company and have:
(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the Company is made known
to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this annual report is being prepared;
(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the
filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
(c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on
our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
(5) The Company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the
audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons fulfilling
the equivalent function):
(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the Company's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's
internal controls; and
(6) The Company's other certifying officer and I have indicated in
this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 14, 2003 /S/ Ehrenfried Liebich
_______________________________________
Ehrenfried Liebich,
Chief Executive Officer
40
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, John F. Pope, hereby, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-KSB of Advanced
Recycling Sciences, Inc. (the "Company");
(2) Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this annual report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this annual report, fairly present in all
material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this annual
report;
(4) The Company's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the Company and have:
(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the Company is made known
to us by others within those entities, particularly during the
period in which this annual report is being prepared;
(b) evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the
filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and
(c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on
our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;
(5) The Company's other certifying officer and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the Company's auditors and the
audit committee of the Company's board of directors (or persons fulfilling
the equivalent function):
(a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the Company's
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data
and have identified for the Company's auditors any material
weaknesses in internal controls; and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's
internal controls; and
(6) The Company's other certifying officer and I have indicated in
this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in
internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation,
including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 14, 2003 /S/ John F. Pope
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John F. Pope, Chief Financial Officer
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