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ASPEN AEROGELS INC (ASPN) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from ASPEN AEROGELS INC's 10-K for fiscal year 2024. Filing date: 2025-02-27. Report date: 2024-12-31. Accession: 0000950170-25-029252.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high.

Company profile: ASPN · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2023 · Next year: FY 2025

Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, some of the information contained in the following discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking information that involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You should read the Risk Factors set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward looking statements.

Investors and others should note that we routinely use the Investors section of our website to announce material information to investors and the marketplace. While not all of the information that we post on the Investors section of our website is of a material nature, some information could be deemed to be material. Accordingly, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in us to review the information that we share on the Investors section of our website, https://www.aerogel.com/.

Products

Our core businesses are organized into two reportable segments: Thermal Barrier and Energy Industrial. The following describes our key product offerings and new product innovations by reportable segment.

Thermal Barrier

We are actively developing a number of promising aerogel products and technologies for the electric vehicle (EV) market. We have developed and are commercializing our proprietary line of PyroThin® aerogel thermal barriers for use in battery packs in EVs. Our PyroThin product is an ultra-thin, lightweight and flexible thermal barrier designed with other functional layers to impede the propagation of thermal runaway across multiple lithium-ion battery system architectures. Our thermal barrier technology is designed to offer a unique combination of thermal management, mechanical performance and fire protection properties. These properties enable EV manufacturers to achieve critical battery performance and safety goals. In addition, the Company's carbon aerogel initiative seeks to increase the performance of lithium-ion battery cells to enable EV manufacturers to reduce charging time and the cost of EVs.

The commercial potential for our PyroThin thermal barriers and our carbon aerogel initiative in the EV market is significant.

We have entered into multi-year production contracts with a number of automotive EV original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers to supply fabricated, multi-part thermal barriers for use in the battery systems of their EV models. These customers include General Motors LLC (GM), Toyota, Scania, Automotive Cells Company, which is a battery cell joint venture between Stellantis N.V, Saft-TotalEnergies and Mercedes-Benz (ACC), Audi, a luxury brand of the Volkswagen Group, Volvo Truck, and a large EU battery manufacturer to supply a next generation vehicle platform of a major EU luxury sports car brand. We are currently supplying thermal barrier production parts to both General Motors and Toyota, and thermal barrier prototype parts to a number of global manufacturers of EVs, grid storage and home battery systems. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, we sold $306.8 million, $110.1 million and $55.6 million, respectively, of our PyroThin thermal barriers.

Energy Industrial

We also design, develop and manufacture innovative, high-performance aerogel insulation used primarily in the energy industrial market. We believe our aerogel blankets deliver the best thermal performance of any widely used insulation product available on the market today and provide a combination of performance attributes unmatched by traditional insulation materials. Our end-user customers select our products where thermal performance is critical and to save money, improve resource efficiency, enhance sustainability, preserve operating assets and protect workers. Our insulation is used by oil producers and the owners and operators of refineries, petrochemical plants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, power generating assets and other energy industrial sites. Our Pyrogel® and Cryogel® product lines have undergone rigorous technical validation by industry leading end-users and achieved significant market adoption.

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We also derive revenue from a number of other end markets. Customers in these markets use our products for applications as diverse as military and commercial aircraft, trains, buses, appliances, apparel, footwear and outdoor gear. As we continue to enhance our Aerogel Technology Platform, we believe we will have additional opportunities to address high-value applications in the global insulation market, and in a number of new, high-value markets, including hydrogen energy, filtration, water purification, and gas sorption.

We market and sell our products primarily through a sales force based in North America, Europe and Asia. The efforts of our sales force are supported by a small number of sales consultants with extensive knowledge of a particular market or region. Our sales force is responsible for establishing and maintaining customer and partner relationships, delivering highly technical information and ensuring high-quality customer service.

Our salespeople work directly with end-user customers and engineering firms to promote the qualification, specification and acceptance of our aerogel and thermal barrier products. We also rely on an existing and well-established channel of qualified insulation distributors and contractors in more than 50 countries around the world to ensure rapid delivery of our aerogel products and strong end-user support.

Manufacturing Operations

We manufacture our products using our proprietary technology at our facility in East Providence, Rhode Island. We have operated the East Providence facility since 2008 and have increased our capacity in phases. During 2024, we converted our East Providence facility to support the growth of the thermal barrier program. To meet expected demand for our aerogel products, we plan to make additional productivity improvements in our existing East Providence facility and utilize a flexible supply strategy, including but not limited to use of our external manufacturing capabilities in China, which currently support Aspen’s Energy Industrial segment and are capable of delivering increased aerogel production capacity. We expect that the productivity improvements in our existing East Providence facility as well as the supply from our external manufacturing facility will permit us to achieve our target revenue capacity in 2025. Pursuant to our supply contract with this contract manufacturer, they are obligated to deliver products to us as we issue purchase orders on an as-needed basis through the term of the contract. The contract automatically renews year-to-year unless either party notifies the other of its intention not to renew the contract. While we have agreed to purchase our requirement for certain Energy Industrial products from the contract manufacturer, we have no obligation to purchase any minimum quantity under the contract and we may terminate the contract at any time and for any or no reason. Additionally, we have entered into a contract with Prodensa Servicios de Consultora (Prodensa) to establish OPE Manufacturer Mexico S de RL de CV, a maquiladora located in Mexico (OPE), which assembles thermal barrier PyroThin products and operates an automated fabrication facility for PyroThin. Pursuant to such contract, we pay Prodensa a management fee and have an option to purchase OPE from Prodensa after a period of 18 months. As of December 31, 2024, we have notified Prodensa of our intent to purchase OPE. We expect to meet our long-term Thermal Barrier program demand by maximizing capacity at our East Providence facility and utilizing a flexible supply strategy, including but not limited to using our external manufacturing capabilities, which currently support Aspen’s Energy Industrial segment and are capable of delivering increased aerogel production capacity. Accordingly, we have ceased construction at our previously planned second manufacturing plant in Statesboro, Georgia. We will be demobilizing the plant and are in the process of assessing options to derive value from the assets, including potentially relocating certain equipment to improve and expand our existing manufacturing facility in East Providence.

Underwritten Offering

In October 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement (the Underwriting Agreement) with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (collectively, the Underwriters), pursuant to which we issued and sold an aggregate of 4,887,500 shares of our common stock, which included 637,500 shares pursuant to the Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, to the Underwriters in a registered underwritten offering (the Offering). The price to the public in the Offering was $20.00 per share. The net proceeds to us from the Offering were approximately $93.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

MidCap Loan Facility

On August 19, 2024, we and Aspen Aerogels Rhode Island, LLC, a Rhode Island limited liability company (Aspen RI and, together with the Company, each, a Borrower and collectively, the Borrowers) entered into a Credit, Security and Guaranty Agreement (the Credit Agreement and the facilities provided thereunder, collectively, the MidCap Loan Facility), by and among the Borrowers, MidCap Funding IV Trust, as agent (the Agent), MidCap Financial Trust, as term loan servicer, the financial institutions or other entities from time to time party thereto as lenders (the Lenders), and the other parties party thereto as additional guarantors and/or borrowers from time to time. The proceeds of the MidCap Loan Facility have been used in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Note Repurchase Agreement (as defined below), the payment of related fees and expenses and for working capital of the Company and its subsidiaries. Loans borrowed under the MidCap Loan Facility mature on August 19, 2029.

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The MidCap Loan Facility is comprised of (i) a term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the Term Loan Facility) and (ii) an asset-based revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of (A) $100.0 million and (B) the value of the borrowing base (defined as the sum of (x) 85% of certain eligible accounts of the Borrowers and (y) the lesser of 85% of the NOLV (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or 85% of the cost of certain eligible inventory of the Borrowers) (the Revolving Facility). Loans borrowed under the Term Loan Facility will bear an interest rate equal to Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for a one-month interest period plus 4.50% per year, subject to a Term SOFR floor of 4.50% and a Term SOFR cap of 7.50%. Loans borrowed under the Revolving Facility will bear an interest rate equal to Term SOFR plus 4.60% per year, subject to a Term SOFR floor of 2.50%. The Term Loan Facility is subject to amortization of principal, payable quarterly on the last day of each quarter, commencing September 30, 2024, in an amount as set forth in the Credit Agreement with the remaining aggregate principal amount payable on the maturity date. The Revolving Facility has a required minimum balance set at 30% of the average borrowing base during the immediate preceding month. The Borrowers are required to pay the Lenders under the Revolving Facility an unused line fee of 0.30% of the average unused availability under the Revolving Facility, subject to the aforementioned minimum balance.

The MidCap Loan Facility is guaranteed by Aspen Aerogels Mexico Holdings and is secured by a lien on substantially all existing and after-acquired assets of the Loan Parties, including the equity interest in Aspen RI, Aspen Aerogels Mexico Holdings and Aspen Aerogels Georgia owned by us, in each case, subject to customary exceptions. Aspen Aerogels Georgia is not a guarantor (thus not a Loan Party) and its assets are excluded from the collateral under the MidCap Loan Facility, subject to its entrance into the DOE Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) within one year from the closing date of the MidCap Loan Facility. To the extent the DOE Loan Documents will not be entered into within such one-year period, Aspen Aerogels Georgia will be obligated to become a Loan Party under the MidCap Loan Facility and pledge substantially all of its assets as security for the obligations thereunder.

Repurchase of Convertible Note

On August 19, 2024, we entered into a note purchase and sale agreement (the Note Repurchase Agreement) with Wood River Capital, LLC (Wood River), an entity affiliated with Koch Disruptive Technologies, LLC, pursuant to which we repurchased from Wood River $123.9 million in aggregate capitalized principal amount (inclusive of PIK interest paid through June 30, 2024) of Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2027, dated February 18, 2022, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2027, dated November 28, 2022 (the Convertible Note), such aggregate amount being the entire outstanding amount of the Convertible Note, for a total purchase price of $150.0 million in cash, which amount equals to the Redemption Price (as defined in the Convertible Note). Pursuant to the Note Repurchase Agreement, all rights and obligations, covenants and agreements under the Convertible Note and the underlying note purchase agreement were satisfied and discharged.

Financial Summary

On March 16, 2022, we entered into a sales agreement for an at-the-market offering program with Cowen and Company, LLC and Piper Sandler & Co., as our sales agents (the 2022 ATM offering program). During the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 5,241,400 shares of our common stock through the 2022 ATM offering program and received net proceeds of $72.7 million. The 2022 ATM offering program was terminated on June 20, 2023.

On March 28, 2022, we sold to an affiliate of Koch, 1,791,986 shares of our common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $50.0 million, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement, dated as of February 15, 2022, by and between us and the affiliate of Koch.

On November 29, 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of 29,052,631 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $9.50 per share. We received net proceeds of $267.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $8.1 million and offering expenses of approximately $0.5 million.

In December 2023, we sold 6,060,607 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $12.38 per share in a registered direct offering for net proceeds of $74.4 million, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $0.6 million.

In October 2024, we sold 4,887,500 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $20.00 per share in a registered direct offering for net proceeds of $93.2 million, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $0.7 million.

Key Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We regularly review a number of metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions.

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Adjusted EBITDA

We use Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as a means to assess our operating performance. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense and other items, from time to time, which we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our definition and presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

We use Adjusted EBITDA:


as a measure of operating performance because it does not include the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance;


for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget;


to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business; and


as a performance measure used under our bonus plan.

We also believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors with respect to our results of operations and in assessing the performance and value of our business. Various measures of EBITDA are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financing and accounting methods, book values of assets, capital structures and the methods by which assets were acquired.

Although measures similar to Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used by investors and securities analysts in their evaluation of companies, we understand that Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, net cash provided by (used in) operating activities or an analysis of our results of operations as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our historical cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or other contractual commitments;


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect stock-based compensation expense;


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our income tax expense or cash requirements to pay our income taxes;


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;


although depreciation, amortization and impairment charges are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, amortized or impaired will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for these replacements; and


other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, our Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business or as a measure of cash available for us to meet our obligations.

To properly and prudently evaluate our business, we encourage you to review the U.S. GAAP financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate our business.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for the years presented:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
($ in thousands)
Net income (loss)$13,375$(45,811)$(82,738)
Depreciation and amortization22,52615,3189,222
Stock-based compensation (1)12,85510,9549,385
Other (income) expense11,959(3,392)3,493
Loss on extinguishment of debt27,487
Income tax expense1,714
Adjusted EBITDA$89,916$(22,931)$(60,638)

(1)
Represents non-cash stock-based compensation related to vesting and modifications of stock option grants, vesting of restricted stock units and vesting and modification of restricted common stock.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for the quarters presented:

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
20242023
March 31June 30Sept. 30Dec. 31March 31June 30Sept. 30Dec. 31
($ in thousands)
Net income (loss)$(1,835)$16,818$(12,970)$11,362$(16,796)$(15,423)$(13,073)$(519)
Depreciation and amortization5,7865,9865,3215,4332,7043,5034,5504,561
Stock-based compensation (1)4,7062,9712,6302,5482,2672,7102,7893,188
Other (income) expense3,5152,3022,6163,526(2,112)(1,621)(1,561)1,902
Loss on extinguishment of debt27,487
Income tax expense756866267(175)
Adjusted EBITDA$12,928$28,943$25,351$22,694$(13,937)$(10,831)$(7,295)$9,132

(1)
Represents non-cash stock-based compensation related to vesting and modifications of stock option grants, vesting of restricted stock units and vesting and modification of restricted common stock.

Our financial performance, including such measures as net income (loss), earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA, are affected by a number of factors including volume and mix of aerogel products sold, average selling prices, our material costs and manufacturing expenses, the costs associated with capacity expansions and start-up of additional production capacity, and the amount and timing of operating expenses. Accordingly, we expect that our net income (loss), earnings per share and Adjusted EBITDA will vary from period to period.

During 2024, we experienced strong volume growth in our thermal barrier products. As a result, we experienced total revenue growth of 90% during the year. Our expectation for 2025 revenue is based, in part, on our OEM customers’ production volume forecasts and targets. Our OEM customers operate in a cyclical industry that is sensitive to shifting consumer trends, political and regulatory uncertainty and economic conditions in the markets they operate. EV adoption rates in some of our customers’ markets are expected to be at a slower rate than originally expected and EV investment continues to be re-timed as demand expectations in North America and Europe are reset. However, some of our OEM customers have been gaining market share from a low base volume and expect to continue to gain market share in 2025. Furthermore, changes are being considered to government and economic policies, incentives, and tariffs that may impact our customers and our production, sales, cost structure and the competitive landscape. Additionally, our OEM customers continue to innovate which could result in engineering changes to the parts we supply primarily to reduce costs for our OEMs. Cost-cutting initiatives adopted by our customers may result in increased downward pressure on pricing. Accordingly, we expect thermal barrier revenues could range from a decline to moderately higher in 2025. However, we are expecting an increase in energy industrial revenues. We are projecting growth in energy industrial revenue due to expected volume growth in our core petrochemical and refinery markets, an anticipated increase in project-based demand and continued penetration of new markets. We will continue to adjust to these developments, and we believe our ongoing cost reduction, including improved production innovation and efficiency, will continue to benefit us. As a result, we expect to experience a decline to no or minimal growth in net income and Adjusted EBITDA during 2025. We also expect to incur reduced capital expenditures during 2025.

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Revenue

We recognize revenue from the sale of our energy industrial aerogel products and thermal barriers. Revenue is recognized upon the satisfaction of contractual performance obligations.

We record deferred revenue for product sales when (i) we have delivered products but other revenue recognition criteria have not been satisfied or (ii) payments have been received in advance of the completion of required performance obligations.

The following table sets forth the total revenue for the periods presented:

Year Ended
December 31,
202420232021
($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Energy industrial$145,867$128,639$124,807
Thermal barrier306,832110,07955,557
Total$452,699$238,718$180,364

Energy industrial revenue accounted for 32%, 54%, and 69% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We experienced a 90% increase in total revenue during 2024 driven by the increase in our energy industrial business, particularly in North America, and continued growth in the EV market.

A substantial majority of our revenue is generated from a limited number of direct customers, including distributors, contractors, fabricators, OEMs, partners and end-user customers. Our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 84% of our total revenue during the year ended December 31, 2024, and we expect that most of our revenue will continue to come from a relatively small number of customers for the foreseeable future.

In 2024, sales to GM and Distribution International, Inc. (Distribution) represented 64% and 6% of our total revenue, respectively. In 2023, sales to GM and Distribution represented 41% and 14% of our total revenue, respectively. In 2022, sales to GM and Distribution represented 25% and 22% of our total revenue, respectively. For each of the noted periods, there were no other customers that represented 10% or more of our total revenues.

We conduct business across the globe and a substantial portion of our revenue is generated outside of the United States. Total revenue from outside of the United States, based on shipment destination, amounted to $194.2 million, or 43% of our total revenue, $87.7 million, or 37% of our total revenue, and $66.4 million, or 37% of our total revenue, in the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of product revenue consists primarily of materials and manufacturing expense. Cost of product revenue is recorded when the related product revenue is recognized.

Material is a significant component of cost of product revenue and includes fibrous batting, silica materials and additives. Material costs as a percentage of product revenue were 38%, 36% and 51% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Material costs as a percentage of product revenue vary from product to product due to differences in average selling prices, material requirements, product thicknesses, and manufacturing yields. In addition, we provide warranties for our products and record the estimated cost within cost of revenue in the period that the related revenue is recorded or when we become aware that a potential warranty claim is probable and can be reasonably estimated. As a result of these factors, material costs as a percentage of product revenue will vary from period to period due to changes in the mix of aerogel products sold, the costs of our raw materials or the estimated cost of warranties. In addition, global supply chain disturbances, increased reliance on foreign materials procurement, industrial gas supply constraints, increases in the cost of our raw materials, engineering changes, higher prototype sales and other factors may significantly impact our material costs and have a material impact on our operations. We expect that material costs will increase in absolute dollars during 2025 due to projected growth in product shipments and contracts but remain stable as a percentage of revenue due to improved manufacturing, and fabrication yields and a favorable mix of products sold.

Manufacturing expense is also a significant component of cost of revenue. Manufacturing expense includes labor, utilities, maintenance expense, and depreciation on manufacturing assets. Manufacturing expense also includes stock-based compensation of

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manufacturing employees and shipping costs. Manufacturing expense as a percentage of product revenue was 22%, 46% and 44% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect that manufacturing expense will remain relatively flat in absolute dollars, due to ongoing cost reduction efforts, and increase as a percentage of revenue during 2025 due to lower expected revenues from the thermal barrier business, including the operation of an automated fabrication facility in Monterrey, Mexico.

We are also continuing to monitor the impact on our material costs, manufacturing expense, and cost of product revenue from engaging one or more external manufacturing facilities in China to supply our aerogel products.

Gross Profit

Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue is affected by a number of factors, including the volume of products produced and sold, the mix of products sold, average selling prices, our material and manufacturing costs, realized capacity utilization and the costs associated with expansions and start-up of production capacity. Accordingly, we expect our gross profit to vary significantly in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue from period to period. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue was 40%, 24%, and 3% for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

In the longer term, we expect gross profit to improve in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue due to expected increases in total revenue, production volumes and manufacturing productivity. In addition, we expect the gross profit improvement derived from the increases in revenue, volume and productivity will be supported by the continued implementation of lower cost product formulations and realization of material purchasing efficiencies.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses consist of research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses include personnel costs, legal fees, professional fees, service fees, insurance premiums, travel expense, facilities related costs and other costs, expenses and fees. The largest component of our operating expenses is personnel costs, consisting of salaries, benefits, incentive compensation and stock-based compensation. In any particular period, the timing and extent of personnel additions or reductions, legal activities, including patent enforcement actions, marketing programs, research efforts and a range of similar activities or actions could materially affect our operating expenses, both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses consist primarily of expenses for personnel engaged in the development of next generation aerogel compositions, form factors and manufacturing technologies. These expenses also include testing services, prototype expenses, consulting services, trial formulations for new products, equipment depreciation, facilities costs and related overhead. We expense research and development costs as incurred. We expect to continue to devote substantial resources to the development of new aerogel technologies, including our carbon aerogel battery materials. We believe that these investments are necessary to maintain and improve our competitive position. We also expect to continue to invest in research and engineering personnel and the infrastructure required in support of their efforts.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, incentive compensation, marketing programs, travel and related costs, consulting expenses and facilities related costs.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel costs, legal expenses, consulting and professional services, audit fees, compliance with securities, corporate governance and related laws and regulations, investor relations and insurance premiums, including director and officer insurance. We expect our general and administrative expenses to increase as we add general and administrative personnel to support the anticipated growth of our business. We also expect that the patent enforcement actions, described in more detail under “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, if protracted, could result in significant legal expense over the medium to long-term.

Interest Expense, Convertible Note - Related Party

Interest expense, convertible note - related party is net of the capitalized interest related to the $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes.

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Interest Income (Expense)

Interest expense consists of interest expense and amortization or write-off of deferred financing costs related to our other financing arrangements including a failed sale and leaseback arrangement accounted as a financing transaction and interest earned on the cash balances invested in deposit accounts, money market accounts, and high-quality debt securities issued by the U.S. government.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

On August 19, 2024, we entered into the Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which we repurchased from Wood River $123.9 million in aggregate capitalized principal amount (inclusive of PIK interest paid through June 30, 2024) of the 2022 Convertible Note, such aggregate amount being the entire outstanding amount of the 2022 Convertible Note, for a total purchase price of $150.0 million in cash, which amount equals to the Redemption Price (as defined in the 2022 Convertible Note). Pursuant to the Note Repurchase Agreement, all rights and obligations, covenants and agreements under the 2022 Convertible Note and the Note Purchase Agreement were satisfied and discharged. The Redemption Price less capitalized principal amount and accrued interest to redemption date, of $24.6 million along with unamortized deferred issuance costs was classified in the income statement as Loss on Extinguishment of Debt.

Income from Employee Retention Credit

Employee retention credit consists of other income related to our submitted filings for CARES Employee Retention Credits.

Provision for Income Taxes

We have incurred net losses since inception with the exception of the year ended December 31, 2024, and have not recorded benefit provisions for U.S. federal income taxes or state income taxes since the tax benefits of our net losses have been offset by valuation allowances due to the uncertainty associated with the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. We record tax expenses in connection with our Mexican maquiladora operations.

At December 31, 2024, we had $315.3 million of net operating losses available to offset future federal income tax, if any, of which $156.3 million expire on various dates through December 31, 2037. Net operating losses of $159.0 million generated from 2018 through 2023 have an unlimited carryforward.

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Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
($ in thousands)
Revenue$452,699$238,718$180,364
Cost of revenue269,802181,797175,388
Gross profit182,89756,9214,976
Operating expenses
Research and development18,05016,35616,930
Sales and marketing35,67733,00828,792
General and administrative71,12556,76038,499
Impairment of equipment under development3,510
Total operating expenses128,362106,12484,221
Income (loss) from operations54,535(49,203)(79,245)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, convertible note - related party(7,550)(5,328)(5,110)
Interest income (expense), net(4,409)6,5341,617
Loss on extinguishment of debt(27,487)
Income from Employee Retention Credits2,186
Total other income (expense)(39,446)3,392(3,493)
Income tax expense(1,714)
Net income (loss)$13,375$(45,811)$(82,738)

Year ended December 31, 2024 compared to year ended December 31, 2023

The following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
20242023$ Change% Change20242023
($ in thousands)(Percentage of total revenue)
Revenue$452,699$238,718$213,98190%100%100%
Cost of revenue269,802181,79788,00548%60%76%
Gross profit182,89756,921125,976221%40%24%
Operating expenses
Research and development18,05016,3561,69410%4%7%
Sales and marketing35,67733,0082,6698%8%14%
General and administrative71,12556,76014,36525%16%24%
Impairment of equipment under development3,5103,510NM1%0%
Total operating expenses128,362106,12422,23821%28%44%
Income (loss) from operations54,535(49,203)103,738(211)%12%(21)%
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, convertible note - related party(7,550)(5,328)(2,222)42%(2)%(2)%
Interest income, net(4,409)6,534(10,943)(167)%(1)%3%
Loss on extinguishment of debt(27,487)(27,487)NM(6)%0%
Income from Employee Retention Credits2,186(2,186)(100)%%1%
Total other income (expense)(39,446)3,392(42,838)(1,263)%(9)%1%
Income tax expense(1,714)(1,714)NM(0)%(—)%
Net income (loss)$13,375$(45,811)$59,186129%3%(19)%

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Revenue

Year Ended December 31,
20242023Change
Percentage ofPercentage of
AmountRevenueAmountRevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Energy industrial$145,86732%$128,63954%$17,22813%
Thermal barrier306,83268%110,07946%196,753179%
Total revenue$452,699100%$238,718100%$213,98190%

Total revenue increased $214.0 million, or 90%, to $452.7 million in 2024 from $238.7 million in 2023. The increase in total revenue was the result of increases in both energy industrial and thermal barrier revenue.

Energy industrial revenue increased by $17.3 million, or 13%, to $145.9 million in 2024 from $128.6 million in 2023. This increase was driven by a more favorable mix of product shipments in the global petrochemical and refinery markets, particularly in North America, Latin America, and Europe, offset, in part, by a decrease in maintenance-based demand in the global petrochemical and refinery markets in Asia and project-based demand in the subsea market.

Energy industrial revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, included $28.8 million and $33.6 million in sales to Distribution, respectively. The average selling price per square foot of our products increased by $0.58, or 13%, to $5.11 per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2024, from $4.53 per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in average selling price reflected the impact of price increases enacted in 2024 and a change in the mix of products sold, as we strive to maximize capacity in our aerogel manufacturing facility. This increase in average selling price had the effect of increasing product revenue by approximately $16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

In volume terms, product shipments increased by 0.1 million square feet, or 1%, to 28.5 million square feet of aerogel products for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to 28.4 million square feet in the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in product volume had the effect of increasing product revenue by approximately $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Thermal barrier revenue was $306.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $110.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Thermal barrier revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 included $291.2 million to a major U.S. automotive OEM and $5.9 million to a major Asian automotive OEM. Thermal barrier revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $97.5 million to a major U.S. automotive OEM and $5.5 million to a major Asian automotive OEM.

Energy industrial revenue as a percentage of total revenue was 32% and 54% of total revenue in 2024 and in 2023, respectively. Thermal barrier revenue was 68% and 46% of total revenue in 2024 and in 2023, respectively.

Cost of Revenue

Year Ended December 31,
20242023Change
% of Related% of Related
AmountRevenueAmountRevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Cost of revenue:
Energy industrial$87,42560%$94,47773%$(7,052)(7)%
Thermal barrier182,37759%87,32079%95,057109%
Total cost of revenue$269,80260%$181,79776%$88,00548%

Total cost of revenue increased $88.0 million, or 48%, to $269.8 million in 2024 from $181.8 million in 2023. The increase in total cost of revenue was the result of an increase in thermal barrier, offset, in part, by a decrease in energy industrial cost of revenue.

Energy industrial cost of revenue decreased $7.1 million, or 7%, to $87.4 million from $94.5 million in the comparable period in 2023. The $7.1 million decrease was the result of a $20.1 million decrease in manufacturing and other operating costs and a $13.0 million increase in material costs from the comparable period in 2023. The decrease in manufacturing and other operating costs and

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increase in material costs was the result of lower volume of energy industrial products manufactured at our plant as we move manufacturing to the external manufacturing facility.

Thermal barrier cost of revenue increased $95.1 million to $182.4 million as compared to $87.3 million in the comparable period in 2023. The $95.1 million increase was the result of a $23.6 million increase in manufacturing costs and a $71.5 million increase in material costs resulting from the increase in volume from the comparable period in 2023.

Gross Profit

Year Ended December 31,
20242023Change
PercentagePercentage
Amountof RevenueAmountof RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Gross profit:
Energy industrial$58,44240%$34,16227%$24,28071%
Thermal barrier124,45541%22,75921%101,696447%
Total gross profit$182,89740%$56,92124%$125,976221%

Gross profit increased $126.0 million, or 221%, to $182.9 million in 2024 from $56.9 million in 2023. The increase in gross profit was the result of the $214.0 million increase in total revenue, partially offset by the $88.0 million increase in total cost of revenue. The increase in total cost of revenue was principally driven by the increase in material costs due to higher volume and overhead costs and additional resources to support our expected higher run-rate revenue in future periods for both our energy industrial and thermal barrier products.

Research and Development Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20242023
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Research and development expenses$18,0504%$16,3567%$1,69410%

Research and development expenses increased by $1.7 million, or 10%, to $18.1 million in 2024 from $16.4 million in 2023. The $1.7 million increase was the result of increases in compensation and related costs of $1.0 million, depreciation and facility related expenses of $0.3 million, utilities expenses of $0.2 million, and other expenses of $0.2 million.

Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 4% during the year ended December 31, 2024 from 7% in the comparable period in 2023 primarily due to the 90% increase in revenue from the comparable period in 2023.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20242023
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Sales and marketing expenses$35,6778%$33,00814%$2,6698%

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2.7 million, or 8%, to $35.7 million in 2024 from $33.0 million in 2023. The increase was the result of increases in depreciation and facility related expenses of $0.7 million, travel related expenses of $0.7 million, compensation and related costs of $0.6 million, utilities expenses of $0.4 million, and other expenses of $0.3 million.

Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 8% in 2024 from 14% in 2023 primarily due to the 90% increase in revenue from the comparable period in 2023.

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General and Administrative Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20242023
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
General and administrative expenses$71,12516%$56,76024%$14,36525%

General and administrative expenses increased by $14.3 million, or 25%, to $71.1 million in 2024 from $56.8 million in 2023. The $14.3 million increase was the result of additional staffing costs combined with increases in compensation and related costs of $5.6 million, foreign currency transaction losses of $3.4 million, insurance costs of $2.7 million, utilities expenditures of $2.3 million, and other costs of $0.3 million. Compensation and related costs include $2.0 million of charge from the cancellation of the unearned performance-based restricted shares.

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 16% in 2024 from 24% in 2023 primarily due to the 90% increase in revenue from the comparable period in 2023.

Impairment of Equipment Under Development

The $3.5 million impairment of equipment under development was the result of a charge for impairment of assets due to obsolescence following development of new and more efficient equipment.

Other Income (Expense), net

Year Ended December 31,Change
20242023
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, related party$(7,550)(2)%$(5,328)(2)%$(2,222)42%
Interest income (expense), net(4,409)(1)%6,5343%(10,943)(167)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt(27,487)(6)%0%(27,487)NM
Income from Employee Retention Credits0%2,1861%(2,186)NM
Total other income (expense), net$(39,446)(9)%$3,3921%$(42,838)(1,263)%

Other income (expense), net decreased by $42.8 million to $39.4 million in 2024 from $3.4 million in 2023. The $42.8 million increase was the result of a $27.5 million loss on extinguishment of debt, $6.1 million net impact of capitalized interest relating to our Convertible Note in the comparable period in 2023, $1.8 million of deferred financing costs related to the GM Loan Agreement (which was terminated on August 16, 2024), a $2.2 million income from Employee Retention Credits in the comparable period in 2023 not repeated in 2024, a $0.9 million decrease of interest income, and a $4.3 million increase of interest expense.

Income Tax Expense

The $1.7 million of income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 is related to our maquiladora operations in Mexico. We did not incur income tax expense for the comparable period in 2023.

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Year ended December 31, 2023 compared to year ended December 31, 2022

The following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented:

Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
20232022$ Change% Change20232022
($ in thousands)(Percentage of total revenue)
Revenue$238,718$180,364$58,35432%100%100%
Cost of revenue181,797175,3886,4094%76%97%
Gross profit56,9214,97651,9451,044%24%3%
Operating expenses
Research and development16,35616,930(574)(3)%7%9%
Sales and marketing33,00828,7924,21615%14%16%
General and administrative56,76038,49918,26147%24%21%
Total operating expenses106,12484,22121,90326%44%47%
Loss from operations(49,203)(79,245)30,042(38)%(21)%(44)%
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, convertible note - related party(5,328)(5,110)(218)100%(2)%-3%
Interest income (expense), net6,5341,6174,917304%3%1%
Gain on extinguishment of debt2,1862,186100%1%—%
Total other income (expense)3,392(3,493)6,885(197)%1%(2)%
Net loss$(45,811)$(82,738)$36,92745%(19)%(46)%

Revenue

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Revenue:
Energy industrial$128,63954%$124,80769%$3,8323%
Thermal barrier110,07946%55,55731%54,52298%
Total revenue$238,718100%$180,364100%$58,35432%

Total revenue increased $58.3 million, or 32%, to $238.7 million in 2023 from $180.4 million in 2022. The increase in total revenue was the result of increases in both energy industrial and thermal barrier revenue.

Energy industrial revenue increased by $3.8 million, or 3%, to $128.6 million in 2023 from $124.8 million in 2022. This increase was driven by a more favorable mix of product shipments in the global petrochemical and refinery markets, particularly in Latin America, project-based demand in the subsea market, offset, in part, by a decrease in maintenance-based demand in the global petrochemical and refinery markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Energy industrial revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, included $33.6 million and $39.3 million in sales to Distribution International, Inc., respectively. The average selling price per square foot of our products increased by $0.70, or 18%, to $4.53 per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $3.83 per square foot for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in average selling price reflected the impact of price increases enacted in 2023 and a change in the mix of products sold, as we strive to maximize capacity in our aerogel manufacturing facility. This increase in average selling price had the effect of increasing product revenue by approximately $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In volume terms, product shipments decreased by 4.2 million square feet, or 13%, to 28.4 million square feet of aerogel products for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to 32.6 million square feet in the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in product volume had the effect of decreasing product revenue by approximately $16.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Thermal barrier revenue was $110.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to $55.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Thermal barrier revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 included $97.5 million to a major U.S.

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automotive OEM and $5.5 million to a major Asian automotive OEM. Thermal barrier revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 included $45.8 million to a major U.S. automotive OEM and $5.1 million to a major Asian automotive OEM.

Energy industrial revenue as a percentage of total revenue was 54% and 69% of total revenue in 2023 and in 2022, respectively. Thermal barrier revenue was 46% and 31% of total revenue in 2023 and in 2022, respectively.

Cost of Revenue

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of Related RevenueAmountPercentage of Related RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Cost of revenue:
Energy industrial$94,47773%$105,96385%$(11,486)(11)%
Thermal barrier87,32079%69,425125%17,89526%
Total cost of revenue$181,79776%$175,38897%$6,4094%

Total cost of revenue increased $6.4 million, or 4%, to $181.8 million in 2023 from $175.4 million in 2022. The increase in total cost of revenue was the result of an increase in thermal barrier, offset, in part, by a decrease in energy industrial cost of revenue.

Energy industrial cost of revenue decreased $11.5 million, or 11%, to $94.5 million from $106.0 million in the comparable period in 2022. The $11.5 million decrease was the result of a $11.4 million decrease in material costs and a $0.1 million decrease in manufacturing and other operating costs from the comparable period in 2022. The decrease in material costs was the result of the lower revenue volume from the comparable period in 2022, and lower raw material costs in 2023 compared to 2022.

Thermal barrier cost of revenue increased $17.9 million to $87.3 million as compared to $69.4 million in the comparable period in 2022. The $17.9 million increase was the result of a $5.8 million increase in material costs and a $12.1 million increase in manufacturing costs. The increase in material costs was the result of the increase in revenue volume from the comparable period in 2022, offset by lower raw material prices in 2023 compared to 2022. The increase in manufacturing costs was driven by increases in depreciation and facility costs of $7.1 million and utilities expenses of $3.3 million and other manufacturing and operating costs of $1.7 million.

Gross Profit

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
Gross profit:
Energy industrial$34,16227%$18,84415%$15,31881%
Thermal barrier22,75921%(13,868)(25)%36,627(264)%
Total gross profit$56,92124%$4,9763%$51,9451044%

Gross profit increased $51.9 million, or 1,044%, to $56.9 million in 2023 from $5.0 million in 2022. The increase in gross profit was the result of the $58.3 million increase in total revenue, partially offset by the $6.4 million increase in total cost of revenue. The increase in total cost of revenue was principally driven by the increase in overhead costs and additional resources to support our expected higher run-rate revenue in future periods for both our energy industrial and thermal barrier products.

Research and Development Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Research and development expenses$16,3567%$16,9309%$(574)(3)%

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Research and development expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 3%, to $16.4 million in 2023 from $16.9 million in 2022. The $0.5 million decrease was the result of decreases in professional fees of $1.5 million, operating material and supplies costs of $0.7 million, compensation and related costs of $0.6 million, partially offset by an increase in depreciation and facility related expenses of $2.1 million and other research and development expenses of $0.2 million.

Research and development expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 7% during the year ended December 31, 2023 from 9% in the comparable period in 2022, primarily due to the decrease in professional fees.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Sales and marketing expenses$33,00814%$28,79216%$4,21615%

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $4.2 million, or 15%, to $33.0 million in 2023 from $28.8 million in 2022. The increase was the result of increases in depreciation and facility related expenses of $2.9 million and compensation and related costs of $2.1 million, partially offset by a decrease in operating material and supplies costs of $0.8 million.

Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 14% in 2023 from 16% in 2022 primarily due to the 32% increase in revenue from the comparable period in 2022.

General and Administrative Expenses

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
General and administrative expenses$56,76024%$38,49921%$18,26147%

General and administrative expenses increased by $18.3 million, or 47%, to $56.8 million in 2023 from $38.5 million in 2022. The $18.3 million increase was the result of increases in compensation and related costs of $15.3 million and professional fees of $3.6 million, offset by a decrease in other costs of $0.6 million.

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue increased to 24% in 2023 from 21% in 2022 primarily due to increased expenditures associated with the growth in our human resource, finance, information technology and general management organizations in preparation for the anticipated growth in our business.

Other Income (Expense), net

Year Ended December 31,Change
20232022
AmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage of RevenueAmountPercentage
($ in thousands)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, related party$(5,328)(2)%$(5,110)(3)%$(218)4%
Interest income, net6,5343%1,6171%4,917NM
Income from Employee Retention Credits2,1861%0%2,186NM
Total other income (expense), net$3,3921%$(3,493)(2)%$6,885NM

Other income (expense), net increased by $6.9 million to $3.4 million in 2023 from $(3.5) million in 2022. The $6.9 million increase was the result of $4.9 million of interest income, $2.2 million of Employee Retention Credits and a $(0.2) million net impact of capitalized interest relating to our Convertible Note in the comparable period in 2022.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We have experienced significant losses and invested substantial resources since our inception to develop, commercialize and protect our aerogel technology and to build a manufacturing infrastructure capable of supplying aerogel products at the volumes and costs required by our customers. These investments have included research and development and other operating expenses, capital expenditures, and investment in working capital balances.

Our long-term financial projections anticipate revenue growth, increasing levels of gross profit, and improved cash flows from operations. To meet expected demand for our aerogel products, we plan to make additional productivity improvements in our existing East Providence facility and utilize a flexible supply strategy, including but not limited to use of our external manufacturing capabilities in China, which currently support Aspen’s Energy Industrial segment and are capable of delivering increased aerogel production capacity. We expect that the productivity improvements in our existing East Providence facility as well as the supply from our external manufacturing facility will permit us to achieve our target revenue capacity in 2025 and in the long-term. Accordingly, we have ceased construction at our previously planned second manufacturing plant in Statesboro, Georgia. We will be demobilizing the plant and are in the process of assessing options to derive value from the assets, including potentially relocating certain equipment to improve and expand our existing manufacturing facility in East Providence.

On October 16, 2024, we announced that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office provided us a conditional commitment for a proposed loan of up to $670.6 million (the Loan) under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing loan program within DOE’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) for financing the construction of our previously planned second aerogel manufacturing facility (the Statesboro Plant) in Statesboro, Georgia. On February 12, 2025, we announced that we had stopped construction on the Statesboro Plant and are demobilizing the project. In connection with the demobilization, we are no longer pursuing our application for the Loan from the DOE’s LPO and have withdrawn from the Loan application process.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold 5,241,400 shares of our common stock through the 2022 ATM offering program and received net proceeds of $72.7 million. On November 29, 2022, we completed an underwritten public offering of 29,052,631 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $9.50 per share. We received net proceeds of $267.5 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $8.1 million and offering expenses of approximately $0.5 million.

In February 2022, we sold and issued to an affiliate of Koch $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our Convertible Senior PIK Toggle Notes. In addition, in March 2022, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement dated February 15, 2022, we sold to an affiliate of Koch 1,791,986 shares of our common stock, at a price of $27.902 per share, for net proceeds of $49.9 million after deducting fees and offering expenses of $0.1 million.

On December 19, 2023, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain institutional investors named therein, pursuant to which we issued and sold, in a registered direct offering directly to the Investors an aggregate of 6,060,607 shares of our common stock at an offering price of $12.38 per share. We received net proceeds of $74.4 million, after deducting offering expenses of approximately $0.6 million.

In November 2022, we entered into a loan agreement (the GM Loan Agreement) with General Motors Holdings LLC (GM), an entity affiliated with General Motors LLC, which provides for a multi-draw senior secured term loan (the GM Loan) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million, available to the Company on a delayed draw basis beginning January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, subject to certain conditions precedent to funding. In September 2023, we amended the GM Loan Agreement to (i) extend the draw period for the delayed GM Loan to a period beginning on the date that is twelve months prior to the date agreed upon by the Company and GM for the start of production at the Statesboro Plant and ending on March 31, 2024 (or any later date approved in writing by GM at its sole discretion); (ii) extend the maturity date of the GM Loan from March 31, 2025 to September 30, 2025; and (iii) add financial covenants measured starting from the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2024 and at the end of each fiscal quarter thereafter. We did not draw on the GM Loan. On August 16, 2024, we and GM entered into a termination letter (the GM Termination Letter) to terminate and payoff in full all obligations outstanding under the GM Loan Agreement.

On August 19, 2024, we entered into the Credit Agreement with the Agent and the Lenders. The MidCap Loan Facility under the Credit Agreement is comprised of (i) the Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million and (ii) the Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of $100.0 million and the value of the Borrowing Base (as defined in the Credit Agreement). At closing of the Credit Agreement, the Company drew $125.0 million from the Term Loan Facility and $43.0 million from the Revolving Facility. The proceeds of the borrowings at closing, net of fees and costs, were used for repurchasing the 2022 Convertible Notes for $150.0 million and for general corporate purposes.

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In October 2024, we entered into the Underwriting Agreement with the Underwriters, pursuant to which we issued and sold an aggregate of 4,887,500 shares of our common stock, which included 637,500 shares pursuant to the Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of our common stock, to the Underwriters in the Offering. The price to the public in the Offering was $20.00 per share. The net proceeds to us from the Offering were approximately $93.2 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

In January 2024 and September 2024, we entered into sale and leaseback arrangements, pursuant to which we sold certain equipment to an equipment leasing company for one-time cash payments of $5.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively, and leased back such equipment from the leasing company. The associated monthly lease rents will be paid over the lease term of three years.

We believe that our December 31, 2024 cash and cash equivalents balance of $220.9 million will be sufficient to support current operating requirements, current research and development activities and the initial capital expenditures required to support the evolving commercial opportunities in the EV market and other strategic business opportunities for at least the next twelve months.

However, we may supplement our cash balance and available credit with equity financings, debt financings, equipment leasing, sale-leaseback transactions, customer prepayments or government grant and loan programs to provide the additional capital necessary to purchase the capital equipment, construct the new facilities and complete the aerogel capacity expansions required to support our evolving commercial opportunities and strategic business initiatives. We believe that consummation of equity financings could potentially result in an ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Such an ownership change would lead to the use of our net operating loss carryforwards being restricted. Our inability to use a substantial portion of our net operating loss carryforwards would result in a higher effective tax rate and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Primary Sources of Liquidity

Our principal sources of liquidity are currently our cash and cash equivalents, availability under the Revolving Facility, and cash generated by ongoing operations. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash, money market accounts, and sweep accounts on deposit with banks. As of December 31, 2024, we had $220.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $16.7 million of availability under the Revolving Facility.

See “Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business and Strategy – We will require additional capital to pursue our growth strategy, but we may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Analysis of Cash Flow

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
($ in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities$45,549$(42,612)$(94,399)
Investing activities(86,262)(175,455)(177,974)
Financing activities122,01875,477478,370
Net increase (decrease) in cash81,305(142,590)205,997
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period139,971282,56176,564
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$221,276$139,971$282,561

Operating Activities

During 2024, we provided $45.5 million in net cash from operating activities, as compared to the use of $42.6 million in net cash during 2023, a decrease in the use of cash of $88.2 million. This decrease in the use of cash was the result of net income adjusted for non-cash items of $108.0 million, and a decrease in cash used by changes in working capital of $19.8 million.

During 2023, we used $42.6 million in net cash in operating activities, as compared to the use of $94.4 million in net cash during 2022, a decrease in the use of cash of $51.8 million. This decrease in the use of cash was the result of the decrease in net loss adjusted for non-cash items of $44.8 million, and a decrease in cash used by changes in working capital of $7.0 million.

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Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities is for capital expenditures for machinery and equipment principally to improve the throughput, efficiency and capacity of our East Providence facility, our automated fabrication facility in Mexico and engineering designs for the planned aerogel manufacturing facility in Statesboro, Georgia. Net cash used in investing activities for 2024 and 2023 totaled $86.3 million and $175.5 million, respectively.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2024 totaled $122.0 million and consisted of $14.9 million in proceeds from a sales leaseback, $10.4 million in proceeds from employee stock option exercises, $120.1 million in proceeds from the term loan, net of issues costs, and $42.1 in proceeds from the revolver, net of issuance costs, $93.2 million in proceeds from the registered direct offering of common stock. net of issuance costs, offset by $150.0 million in cash used for the repayment of the convertible note, $6.5 million in cash used for repayments from the term loan, $1.3 million in cash used for payments made for employee tax withholdings associated with the vesting of restricted stock units, and $0.9 million in repayments of a sales leaseback.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2023 totaled $75.5 million and consisted of net proceeds from the registered direct offering of common stock of $74.2 million and $1.7 million in proceeds from employee stock option exercises, offset, in part, by $0.4 million in cash used for payments made for employee tax withholdings associated with the vesting of restricted stock units.

Capital Spending and Future Capital Requirements

We have made capital expenditures primarily to develop and expand our manufacturing capacity. Our capital expenditures totaled $86.3 million in 2024, $175.5 million in 2023 and $178.0 million in 2022. As of December 31, 2024, we had capital commitments of approximately $172.4 million, which included commitments for which we have entered into contracts as well as commitments authorized by our Board of Directors. These commitments relate to the enhancement of our existing production lines in our East Providence facility and our fabrication operation in Mexico, and the previously planned aerogel manufacturing facility in Statesboro, Georgia and consist primarily of costs for equipment and construction.

As indicated in the overview of the liquidity and capital resources section, to meet expected demand for our aerogel products, we plan to make additional productivity improvements in our existing East Providence facility and utilize a flexible supply strategy, including but not limited to use of our external manufacturing capabilities in China, which currently support Aspen’s Energy Industrial segment and are capable of delivering increased aerogel production capacity. Accordingly, we have ceased construction at our previously planned second manufacturing plant in Statesboro, Georgia. We will be demobilizing the plant and are in the process of assessing options to derive value from the assets, including potentially relocating certain equipment to improve and expand our existing manufacturing facility in East Providence. In the meantime, we expect to be able to substantially reduce our planned capital expenditures for 2025.

We intend to fund capital expenditures related to the expansion of capacity of our existing manufacturing facility with our existing cash balance and anticipated cash flows from operations. We plan to fund the capital expenditures required to build a carbon aerogel battery materials facility, with additional equity financings, debt financings, equipment leasing, sale-leaseback transactions, customer prepayments, government grant and loan programs or credit facilities.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Operating Leases

We lease office space for our corporate offices in Northborough, Massachusetts, which expires in 2031. We also lease additional facilities in East Providence, Rhode Island; Marlborough, Massachusetts; Monterrey, Mexico; and Pawtucket, Rhode Island for research, administrative, fabrication, and warehousing purposes under leases expiring between March 31, 2025 and April 30, 2034. See “Item 2 — Properties.” We also lease vehicles and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates.

Thermal Barrier Contract

We are party to production contracts with GM, to supply fabricated, multi-part thermal barriers, or Barriers, for use in the battery system of its next-generation EVs, or Contracts. Pursuant to the Contracts, we are obligated to supply Barriers at fixed annual prices and at volumes to be specified by the OEM up to a daily maximum quantity through the respective terms of the agreements, which expire at various times from 2026 through 2034. While the OEM has agreed to purchase its requirement for Barriers for locations to be designated from time to time by the OEM, it has no obligation to purchase any minimum quantity of Barriers under the

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Contracts. In addition, the OEM may terminate the Contracts any time and for any or no reason. All other terms of the Contracts are generally consistent with the OEM’s standard purchase terms, including quality and warranty provisions customary in the automotive industry.

MidCap Loan Facility

On August 19, 2024, we and Aspen RI entered into the Credit Agreement, by and among the Borrowers, the Agent, MidCap Financial Trust, as term loan servicer, the Lenders, and the other parties party thereto as additional guarantors and/or borrowers from time to time. The proceeds of the MidCap Loan Facility have been used in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Note Repurchase Agreement, the payment of related fees and expenses and for working capital of the Company and its subsidiaries. Loans borrowed under the MidCap Loan Facility mature on August 19, 2029.

The MidCap Loan Facility is comprised of (i) the Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million and (ii) the Revolving Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of (A) $100.0 million and (B) the value of the borrowing base (defined as the sum of (x) 85% of certain eligible accounts of the Borrowers and (y) the lesser of 85% of the NOLV or 85% of the cost of certain eligible inventory of the Borrowers). Loans borrowed under the Term Loan Facility will bear an interest rate equal to Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for a one-month interest period plus 4.50% per year, subject to a Term SOFR floor of 4.50% and a Term SOFR cap of 7.50%. Loans borrowed under the Revolving Facility will bear an interest rate equal to Term SOFR plus 4.60% per year, subject to a Term SOFR floor of 2.50%. The Term Loan Facility is subject to amortization of principal, payable quarterly on the last day of each quarter, commencing September 30, 2024, in an amount as set forth in the Credit Agreement with the remaining aggregate principal amount payable on the maturity date. The Revolving Facility has a required minimum balance set at 30% of the average borrowing base during the immediate preceding month. The Borrowers are required to pay the Lenders under the Revolving Facility an unused line fee of 0.30% of the average unused availability under the Revolving Facility, subject to the aforementioned minimum balance. The Borrowers will have the right to prepay the loans outstanding under the MidCap Loan Facility (or, with respect to the Revolving Facility, terminate the commitments thereunder), subject to a premium equal to 3.0% of the amount prepaid or terminated, as applicable, during the first year after the closing date, which premium will be decreased to 2.0% during the second year after the closing date and to 1.0% thereafter.

Convertible Note - Related Party

On August 19, 2024, we entered into the Note Repurchase Agreement with Wood River, pursuant to which we repurchased from Wood River the Convertible Note), such aggregate amount being the entire outstanding amount of the Convertible Note, for a total purchase price of $150.0 million in cash, which amount equals to the Redemption Price (as defined in the Convertible Note). Pursuant to the Note Repurchase Agreement, all rights and obligations, covenants and agreements under the Convertible Note and the underlying note purchase agreement were satisfied and discharged.

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2024, we had purchase commitments of approximately $243.3 million, which included capital commitments of $172.4 million. Purchase commitments related to capital expenditures are anticipated to be spent over the next three years, while our remaining purchase commitments are anticipated to be spent throughout 2025.

Purchase obligations relate primarily to open purchase orders for capital expenditures, inventories, and goods and services. Purchase obligations are entered into with various vendors in the normal course of business and are consistent with our expected requirements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, or other standard setting bodies. Recently issued standards typically do not require adoption until a future effective date. Prior to their effective date, the Company evaluates the pronouncements to determine the potential effects of adoption to its consolidated financial statements.

Standards Implemented Since December 31, 2024

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2023-07 Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures to enhance disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for our fiscal year 2024 and interim periods in fiscal year 2025.

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Standards to be Implemented

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures that requires disclosure of disaggregated income taxes paid, prescribes standard categories for the components of the effective tax rate reconciliation, and modifies other income tax-related disclosures. This ASU is effective for our fiscal year 2025. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating income tax disclosures related to our annual report for fiscal year 2025. Although there are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB, we do not believe any of these accounting pronouncements had or will have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs and expenses and related disclosures. We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments involved in these accounting policies have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements; and therefore, we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. Accordingly, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. See note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information about these critical accounting policies, as well as a description of our other significant accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from the sale of our energy industrial aerogel products and thermal barriers. Revenue is recognized upon the satisfaction of contractual performance obligations. Products are typically delivered without significant post-sale obligations to customers other than standard warranty obligations for product defects. We provide warranties for our products and record the estimated cost within cost of sales in the period that the revenue is recorded. Our standard warranty period extends one to two years from the date of shipment, depending on the type of product purchased. Our warranties provide that our products will be free from defects in material and workmanship, and will, under normal use, conform to the specifications for the product.

We recorded warranty expense of $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2024. We recorded warranty expense of $0.5 million and $0.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, we had satisfied all outstanding warranty claims.

Stock-based Compensation

We maintain an equity incentive plan pursuant to which our Board of Directors may grant qualified and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to board members, officers, key employees and others who provide or have provided service to us.

We measure the costs associated with stock-based awards based on their estimated fair value at date of grant. We recognize the cost of stock-based awards as service, performance or market conditions are met. Future expense amounts for any particular quarterly or annual period could be affected by changes in our assumptions or changes in market conditions.

Stock Options

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. The determination of the estimated fair value of stock option awards is based on a number of complex and subjective assumptions. These assumptions include the determination of the estimated fair value of the underlying security, the expected volatility of the underlying security, a risk-free interest rate, the expected term of the option, and the forfeiture rate for the award class. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the option awards:

Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Weighted-average assumptions:
Expected term (in years)5.996.125.97
Expected volatility75.04%70.04%61.85%
Risk free rate4.11%4.08%2.13%
Expected dividend yield%%%

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The expected term represents the period that our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and is determined using the simplified method described in ASC Topic 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, for all grants. We believe this is a better representation of the estimated life than our actual limited historical exercise behavior.


For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, we used our historical volatility as a basis to estimate expected volatility in the valuation of stock options.


The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant.


We use an expected dividend yield of zero, since we do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, nor have we paid dividends on our common stock in the past.

For stock options that contain a market condition, we use a Monte-Carlo Simulation model to estimate the grant date fair value of awards expected to vest. We based the simulation model on the Black Scholes option-pricing model and a number of other complex assumptions including (i) whether the vesting condition would be satisfied within the time-vesting periods, and (ii) the date the common stock price target would be achieved per the terms of the agreement.

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