Green Plains Inc

(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

References to the Company

References to “Green Plains” or the “company” in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated financial statements refer to Green Plains Inc., an Iowa corporation, and its subsidiaries.

Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements include the company’s accounts, and all significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity basis.

On January 9, 2024, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were completed and the company acquired all of the publicly held common units of the partnership not already owned by the company and its affiliates. Refer to Note 3 – Merger and Dispositions included herein for more information.

The company also owns a majority interest in FQT, with their results being consolidated in our consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Because they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, the unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2024.

The unaudited financial information reflects adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The adjustments are normal and recurring in nature, unless otherwise noted. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not affect total revenues, costs and expenses or net income, but increased cost of goods sold and decreased gross margin, within the ethanol production segment. Costs historically reported as operations and maintenance expenses in the consolidated statements of operations are now being reported within cost of goods sold.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances and regularly evaluates the appropriateness of its estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to derivative financial instruments and accounting for income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business

The company operates withintwo operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil and (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities.

As a result of the Merger, the partnership's operations are included in the ethanol production operating segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include bank deposits as well as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Restricted Cash

The company has restricted cash, which can only be used for funding letters of credit and for payment towards a credit agreement. Restricted cash also includes cash margins and securities pledged to commodity exchange clearinghouses. To the degree these segregated balances are cash and cash equivalents, they are considered restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Sales, value add, and other taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Sales of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities by the company’s marketing business are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenues related to marketing for third parties are presented on a gross basis as the company controls the product prior to the sale to the end customer, takes title of the product and has inventory risk. Unearned revenue is recorded for goods in transit when the company has received payment, but control has not yet been transferred to the customer. Revenues for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer.

The company routinely enters into physical-delivery energy commodity purchase and sale agreements. At times, the company settles these transactions by transferring its obligations to other counterparties rather than delivering the physical commodity. Revenues include net gains or losses from derivatives related to products sold while cost of goods sold includes net gains or losses from derivatives related to commodities purchased. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

Sales of products are recognized when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which depends on the agreed upon shipment or delivery terms.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The company accounts for shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers as costs to fulfill its promise to transfer the associated products. Accordingly, the company records customer payments associated with shipping and handling costs as a component of revenue and classifies such costs as a component of cost of goods sold.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes materials, direct labor, shipping, plant overhead and transportation costs. Materials include the cost of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs, as well as reclassifications of gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in production. Shipping costs incurred by the company, including railcar costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold. Plant overhead consists primarily of plant utilities, repairs and maintenance and outbound freight charges. Transportation costs include railcar leases, freight and shipping of the company's products, as well as storage costs incurred at destination terminals.

The company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts and forward purchase and sale contracts to attempt to minimize the effect of price changes on ethanol, renewable corn oil, grain and natural gas. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices and settled predominantly in cash. The company is exposed to loss when counterparties default on forward purchase and sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale and forward purchase and sale contracts are valued at market prices when available or other market quotes adjusted for basis differences, primarily in transportation, between the exchange-traded market and local market where the terms of the contract are based. Changes in forward purchase contracts and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized as a component of cost of goods sold.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts, to attempt to minimize risk and the effect of commodity price changes including but not limited to, corn, ethanol, natural gas and other agricultural and energy products. The company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy to reduce the adverse effect market volatility may have on its operating results. The company may hedge these commodities as one way to mitigate risk; however, there may be situations when these hedging activities themselves result in losses.

By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the company is exposed to credit and market risk. The company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring their financial condition. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The company manages market risk by incorporating parameters to monitor exposure within its risk management strategy, which limits the types of derivative instruments and strategies the company can use and the degree of market risk it can take using derivative instruments.

Forward contracts are recorded at fair value unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, normal purchase or sale exceptions. Changes in fair value are recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, cash flow hedge accounting treatment.

Certain qualifying derivatives related to ethanol production and agribusiness and energy services are designated as cash flow hedges. The company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness prior to entering into cash flow hedges. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until the gain or loss from the underlying hedged transaction is realized and the physical transaction is completed. When it becomes probable a forecasted transaction will not occur, the cash flow hedge treatment is discontinued, which affects earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or current liabilities at fair value.

At times, the company hedges its exposure to changes in inventory values and designates qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted in the current period for changes in fair value. Estimated fair values carried at market are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted as appropriate for regional location basis values which represent differences in local markets including transportation as well as quality or grade differences. Basis values are generally determined using inputs from broker quotations or other market transactions. However, a portion of the value may be derived using unobservable inputs. Ineffectiveness of the hedges is recognized in the current period to the extent the change in fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in fair value of the derivative.

Investments in Equity Method Investees

The company's equity method investments, which consist primarily of the company's 50% investment in GP Turnkey Tharaldson, including additional contributions during 2024, totaled $53.3 million and $41.7 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and are reflected in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Interest capitalized related to our equity method investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 totaled $0.8 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves reportable segment disclosure requirements through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for public entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU.

2. REVENUE

Revenue by Source

The following tables disaggregate revenue by major source (in thousands):

(1)Revenues from contracts accounted for as derivatives represent physically settled derivative sales that are outside the scope of ASC 606.

Major Customers

Revenues from Customer A represented 13% of total revenues for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 recorded within the ethanol production segment. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Customer A represented 14% of total revenues recorded within the ethanol production segment.

3. MERGER AND DISPOSITIONS

Green Plains Partners Merger

On January 9, 2024, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were completed and the company issued approximately 4.7 million shares of common stock to acquire all of the publicly held common units of the partnership not already owned by the company prior to the Merger at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.405 shares of the company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share, along with $2.50 of cash consideration for each partnership common unit. The total consideration as a result of the Merger was $143.1 million, which was comprised of $29.2 million in cash and $113.9 million of common stock exchanged. As a result of the Merger, the partnership's common units are no longer publicly traded.

The interests in the partnership owned by the company and its subsidiaries remain outstanding as limited partner interests in the surviving entity. The General Partner of the partnership will continue to own the non-economic general partner interest in the surviving entity.

Since the company controlled the partnership prior to the Merger and continues to control the partnership after the Merger, the company accounted for the change in its ownership interest in the partnership as an equity transaction during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which is reflected as a reduction of non-controlling interest with a corresponding increase to common stock and additional paid-in capital. No gain or loss was recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as a result of the Merger.

Prior to the effective time of the Merger on January 9, 2024, public unitholders owned a 49.2% limited partner interest, the company owned a 48.8% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in the partnership. The earnings of the partnership that were attributed to its common units held by the public for the year ended December 31, 2023 are reflected in net income attributable to non-controlling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the non-controlling interest attributed to the partnership common units held by the public of $133.8 million were recorded as a reduction of non-controlling interest with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital.

The company incurred transaction costs of $5.5 million related to the Merger during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. These costs were directly related to the Merger consisting primarily of financial advisory services, legal services and other professional fees, and were recorded as an offset to the issuance of common stock within additional paid-in capital.

Disposition of Birmingham Terminal

On September 30, 2024, the company completed the sale of the terminal located in Birmingham, Alabama and certain related assets and transfer of liabilities (the "Birmingham Transaction") for a sale price of $47.5 million, plus working capital of $1.4 million. The company recorded a pretax gain on the sale of $30.7 million. The proceeds from the sale were used to repay the outstanding balance of the Green Plains Partners term loan due July 20, 2026.

The assets sold and liabilities transferred of the Birmingham Transaction at closing on September 30, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):

The amounts reflected above represent amounts subject to post-closing working capital adjustments, which had not yet occurred as of September 30, 2024.

Disposition of the Atkinson Ethanol Plant

On September 7, 2023, the company completed the sale of the plant located in Atkinson, Nebraska and certain related assets and transfer of liabilities (the "Atkinson Transaction") for a sale price of $22.9 million, plus working capital of $1.1 million. Correspondingly, the company entered into a separate asset purchase agreement with the partnership for $2.1 million to acquire the storage assets and the associated railcar operating leases. The divested assets were reported within the company’s ethanol production and agribusiness and energy services segments. The company recorded a pretax gain on the sale of the Atkinson plant of $4.1 million recorded within corporate activities.

The assets sold and liabilities transferred of the Atkinson Transaction at closing on September 7, 2023 were as follows (in thousands):

4. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used in estimating the fair value of the company’s financial instruments:

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the company can access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets other than quoted prices included within Level 1, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be substantially corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means. Grain inventories held for sale in the agribusiness and energy services segment as well as forward commodity purchase and sale contracts are valued at nearby futures values, plus or minus nearby basis values, which represent differences in local markets, including transportation or commodity quality or grade differences.

Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and comprise a significant component of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The company currently does not have any recurring Level 3 financial instruments.

Derivative contracts include exchange-traded commodity futures and options contracts and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified in Level 1. The majority of the company’s exchange-traded futures and options contracts are cash-settled on a daily basis.

There have been no changes in valuation techniques and inputs used in measuring fair value. The company’s assets and liabilities by level are as follows (in thousands):

(1)Accounts payable is generally stated at historical amounts with the exception of $20.8 million and $54.7 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, related to certain delivered inventory for which the payable fluctuates based on changes in commodity prices. These payables are hybrid financial instruments for which the company has elected the fair value option.

(2)As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, accrued and other liabilities includes $2.1 million and $9.9 million and other liabilities includes $1.0 million and $0.7 million of consideration related to potential earn-out payments recorded at fair value.

As of September 30, 2024, the fair value of the company’s debt was approximately $509.8 million compared with a book value of $556.2 million. At December 31, 2023, the fair value of the company’s debt was approximately $585.0 million compared with a book value of $599.7 million. The company estimated the fair value of its outstanding debt using Level 2 inputs. The company believes the fair value of its accounts receivable approximated book value, which was $74.7 million and $94.4 million at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

Although the company currently does not have any recurring Level 3 financial measurements, the fair values of tangible assets and goodwill acquired represent Level 3 measurements which were derived using a combination of the income approach, market approach and cost approach for the specific assets or liabilities being valued.

5. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The company reports the financial and operating performance for the followingtwo operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil and (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities.

As a result of the Merger, the partnership's operations are included in the ethanol production operating segment. The following changes were made to the company's operating segments:

•The revenue and operating results from fuel storage and transportation services previously disclosed within the partnership segment are now included within the ethanol production segment.

•Intersegment activities between the partnership and Green Plains Trade associated with ethanol storage and transportation services previously treated like third-party transactions and eliminated on a consolidated level are now eliminated within the ethanol production segment.

Intersegment activities between the partnership and Green Plains Trade associated with terminal services transacted with the agribusiness and energy services segment will continue to be eliminated on a consolidated level.

Corporate activities include selling, general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of compensation, professional fees and overhead costs not directly related to a specific operating segment, as well as gain on sale of assets.

During the normal course of business, the operating segments conduct business with each other. For example, the agribusiness and energy services segment procures grain and natural gas and sells products, including ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein and renewable corn oil for the ethanol production segment. These intersegment activities are treated like third-party transactions with origination, marketing and storage fees charged at estimated market values. Consequently, these transactions affect segment performance; however, they do not impact the company’s consolidated results since the revenues and corresponding costs are eliminated.

The following tables set forth certain financial data for the company’s operating segments (in thousands):

Refer to Note 2 – Revenue, for further disaggregation of revenue by operating segment.

(1)Costs historically reported as operations and maintenance expenses in the consolidated statements of operations are now being reported within cost of goods sold, resulting in increased cost of goods sold and decreased gross margin within the ethanol production segment.

(2)Depreciation and amortization for corporate activities includes impairment of a research and development technology intangible asset of $3.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

(3)Ethanol production includes an inventory lower of average cost or net realizable value adjustment of $10.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and of $1.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

(4)Corporate activities include a pretax gain on sale of assets of $30.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and of $5.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The following table sets forth total assets by operating segment (in thousands):

(1)Asset balances by segment exclude intercompany balances.

6. INVENTORIES

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value, except fair-value hedged inventories. Raw materials and finished goods inventories are valued under the first in, first out (FIFO) or weighted average cost method at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. The company recorded a $10.1 million and $2.6 million lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment associated with finished goods in cost of goods sold within the ethanol production segment as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):

7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

At September 30, 2024, the company’s consolidated balance sheet reflected unrealized gains of $3.6 million, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. The company expects these items will be reclassified as operating income over the next 12 months as a result of hedged transactions that are forecasted to occur. The amount realized in operating income will differ as commodity prices change.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

The fair values of the company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the consolidated balance sheets where they are reported are as follows (in thousands):

(1)At September 30, 2024, derivative financial instruments, as reflected on the balance sheet, includes net unrealized gains on exchange-traded futures and options contractsof $17.4 million, which included$6.5 million of net unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments,$1.3 millionof unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedging instruments, and the balance representing economic hedges.

(2)At December 31, 2023, derivative financial instruments, as reflected on the balance sheet, includes net unrealized gains on exchange-traded futures and options contracts of $6.5 million, which include $0.7 million of net unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments, $0.7 million of unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments designated as fair value hedging instruments, and the balance representing economic hedges.

Refer to Note 4 – Fair Value Disclosures, which contains fair value information related to derivative financial instruments.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

The gains or losses recognized in income and other comprehensive income related to the company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the consolidated financial statements where they are reported are as follows (in thousands):

A portion of the company’s derivative instruments are considered economic hedges and as such are not designated as hedging instruments. The company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts to manage its net position of product inventories and forward cash purchase and sales contracts to reduce price risk caused by market fluctuations. Derivatives, including exchange traded contracts and forward commodity purchase or sale contracts, and inventories of certain agricultural products, which include amounts acquired under deferred pricing contracts, are stated at fair value. Fair value estimates are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted as appropriate for regional location basis value, which represent differences in local markets including transportation as well as quality or grade differences.

The following amounts were recorded on the consolidated balance sheets related to cumulative basis adjustments for the fair value hedged items (in thousands):

Effect of Cash Flow and Fair Value Hedge Accounting on the Statements of Operations

The notional volume of open commodity derivative positions as of September 30, 2024, are as follows (in thousands):

(1)Notional volume of exchange-traded futures and options are presented on a net long and (short) position basis. Options are presented on a delta-adjusted basis.

(2)Notional volume of non-exchange-traded forward physical contracts are presented on a gross long and (short) position basis, including both fixed-price and basis contracts, for which only the basis portion of the contract price is fixed.

(3)Notional volume of exchange-traded futures used for cash flow hedges.

(4)Notional volume of exchange-traded futures used for fair value hedges.

Energy trading contracts that do not involve physical delivery are presented net in revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Included in revenues are net gains of $1.0 million and $3.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and net losses of $0.1 million and net gains of $4.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, on energy trading contracts.

8. DEBT

The components of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):

(1)The 2.25% notes had $3.0 million and $4.0 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

(2)The junior notes had $0.3 million and $0.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

(3)The loan had $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

(4)Proceeds from the Birmingham Transaction were used to repay the outstanding balance of the term loan on September 30, 2024. The term loan had $0.3 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2023.

The components of short-term notes payable and other borrowings are as follows (in thousands):

In March 2021, the company issued an aggregate $230.0 million of 2.25% convertible senior notes due on March 15, 2027, or the 2.25% notes. The 2.25% notes bear interest at a rate of 2.25% per year, payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The 2.25% notes are senior, unsecured obligations of the company. The 2.25% notes are convertible, at the option of the holders, into consideration consisting of, at the company’s election, cash, shares of the company’s common stock, or a combination of cash and stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares). However, before September 15, 2026, the 2.25% notes will not be convertible unless certain conditions are satisfied. The initial conversion rate is 31.6206 shares of the company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2.25% notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $31.62 per share of the company’s common stock), representing an approximately 37.5% premium over the offering price of the company’s common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including but not limited to; the event of a stock dividend or stock split; the issuance of additional rights, options and warrants; spinoffs; or a tender or exchange offering. In addition, the company may be obligated to increase the conversion rate for any conversion that occurs in connection with certain corporate events, including the company’s calling the 2.25% notes for redemption.

On and after March 15, 2024, and prior to the maturity date, the company may redeem, for cash, all, but not less than all, of the 2.25% notes if the last reported sale price of the company’s common stock equals or exceeds 140% of the applicable conversion price on (i) at least 20 trading days during a 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date the company delivers notice of the redemption; and (ii) the trading day immediately before the date of the redemption notice. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 2.25% notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. In addition, upon the occurrence of a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture for the 2.25% notes), holders of the 2.25% notes will have the right, at their option, to require the company to repurchase their 2.25% notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2.25% notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

On February 9, 2021, Green Plains SPE LLC, a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary and parent of Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Mount Vernon, issued $125.0 million of junior secured mezzanine notes due 2026 (the “Junior Notes”) with BlackRock, a holder of a portion of the company’s common stock.

The Junior Notes will mature on February 9, 2026 and are secured by a pledge of the membership interests in and the real property owned by Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Mount Vernon. The proceeds of the Junior Notes were used to construct high protein processing systems at the Green Plains Obion and Green Plains Mount Vernon facilities. The Junior Notes accrue interest at an annual rate of 11.75%. However, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, Green Plains SPE LLC may elect to pay an amount in cash equal to interest accruing at a rate of 6.00% per annum plus an amount equal to interest accruing at a rate of 6.75% per annum to be paid in kind. The entire outstanding principal balance, plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due upon maturity. Green Plains SPE LLC is required to comply with certain financial covenants regarding minimum liquidity at Green Plains and a maximum aggregate loan to value. The Junior Notes can be retired or refinanced after 42 months with no prepayment premium. The Junior Notes have an unsecured parent guarantee from the company and have certain limitations on distributions, dividends or loans to the company unless there will not exist any event of default.

On September 3, 2020, Green Plains Wood River and Green Plains Shenandoah, wholly-owned subsidiaries of the company, entered into a $75.0 million loan agreement with MetLife Real Estate Lending LLC. The loan matures on September 1, 2035 and is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Shenandoah facility. During the second quarter of 2024, the agreement was modified to remove the Wood River facility from the assets considered to be secured under the loan agreement and Green Plains Wood River was removed as a counterparty to the loan agreement. The proceeds from the loan were used to add MSC™ technology at the Wood River and Shenandoah facilities as well as other capital expenditures.

The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 5.02% plus an interest rate premium, subject to quarterly adjustments, of 0.00% to 1.50% based on the leverage ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA of Shenandoah. Principal payments of $1.5 million per year began in October 2022. Prepayments were prohibited until September 2024. Financial covenants of the loan agreement include a minimum loan to value ratio of 50%, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 x, a total debt service reserve ofsix months of future principal and interest payments and a minimum working capital requirement at Green Plains of not less than $0.10 per gallon of nameplate capacity or $90.3 million. The loan is guaranteed by the company and has certain limitations on distributions, dividends or loans to Green Plains by Shenandoah unless immediately after giving effect to such action, there will not exist any event of default. At September 30, 2024, the interest rate on the loan was 5.52%.

Green Plains Partners had a term loan to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general partnership purposes. Interest on the term loan was based on 3-month SOFR plus 8.26%. At September 30, 2024, the interest rate on the term loan was 13.21%. On September 30, 2024, the proceeds from the Birmingham Transaction were used to repay the outstanding principal and interest of the loan in full. Prepayments totaling $53.0 million and $56.0 million were made during thethree and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $1.5 million and $3.0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

The company also has small equipment financing loans, finance leases on equipment or facilities, and other forms of debt financing.

On March 25, 2022, Green Plains Finance Company, Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade (collectively, the “Borrowers”), all wholly owned subsidiaries ofthe company, together with the company, as guarantor, entered into afive-year, $350.0 million senior secured sustainability-linked revolving Loan and Security Agreement (the “Facility”) with a group of financial institutions. This transaction refinanced the separate credit facilities previously held by Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade. The Facility matures on March 25, 2027.

The Facility includes revolving commitments totaling $350.0 million and an accordion feature whereby amounts available under the Facility may be increased by up to $100.0 million of new lender commitments subject to certain conditions. Each SOFR rate loan shall bear interest for each day at a rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR rate for the outstanding period plus a Term SOFR adjustment and an applicable margin of 2.25% to 2.50%, which is dependent on undrawn availability under the Facility. Each base rate loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the base rate plus the applicable margin of 1.25% to 1.50%, which is dependent on undrawn availability under the Facility. The unused portion of the Facility is also subject to a commitment fee of 0.275% to 0.375%, dependent on undrawn availability. Additionally, the applicable margin and commitment fee are subject to certain increases or decreases of up to 0.10% and 0.025%, respectively, tied to the company’s achievement of certain sustainability criteria, including the reduction of GHG emissions, recordable incident rate reduction, increased renewable corn oil production and the implementation of technology to produce sustainable ingredients.

The Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as the following financial covenants to be calculated as of the last day of any month: the current ratio of the Borrowers shall not be less than 1.00 to 1.00; the collateral coverage ratio of the Borrowers shall not be less than 1.20 to 1.00; and the debt to capitalization ratio of the company shall not be greater than 0.60 to 1.00.

The Facility also includes customary events of default, including without limitation, failure to make required payments of principal or interest, material incorrect representations and warranties, breach of covenants, events of bankruptcy and other certain matters. The Facility is secured by the working capital assets of the Borrowers and is guaranteed by the company. At September 30, 2024, the interest rate on the Facility was 8.11%.

Green Plains Commodity Management has an uncommitted $40.0 million revolving credit facility to finance margins related to its hedging programs, which is secured by cash and securities held in its brokerage accounts. During the first quarter of 2023, this revolving credit facility was extended five years to mature on April 30, 2028. Advances are subject to variable interest rates equal to SOFR plus 1.75%. At September 30, 2024, the interest rate on the facility was 6.59%.

Green Plains Grain has a short-term inventory financing agreement with a financial institution. The company has accounted for the agreement as short-term notes, rather than revenues, and has elected the fair value option to offset fluctuations in market prices of the inventory. This agreement is subject to negotiated variable interest rates. The company hadno outstanding short-term notes payable related to the inventory financing agreement as of September 30, 2024.

Covenant Compliance

The company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of September 30, 2024.

Restricted Net Assets

At September 30, 2024, there were approximately $92.0 million of net assets at the company’s subsidiaries that could not be transferred to the parent company in the form of dividends, loans or advances due to restrictions contained in the credit facilities of these subsidiaries.

9. GOODWILL

On September 30, 2024, goodwill of $10.6 million was disposed of in the Birmingham Transaction, which previously was recorded within the ethanol production segment. The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to the ethanol production segment as of September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was $18.5 million and $29.1 million, respectively. The company records goodwill within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The company has an equity incentive plan which reserved a total of 6.9 million shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to the plan, of which 2.2 million shares remain available for issuance. The plan provides for shares, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, performance share awards, and restricted and deferred stock unit awards, to be granted to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The company measures stock-based compensation at fair value on the grant date, with no adjustments for estimated forfeitures. The company records noncash compensation expense related to equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite period on a straight-line basis.

Restricted Stock Awards and Deferred Stock Units

The restricted non-vested stock awards and deferred stock units activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 is as follows:

Performance Share Awards

On March 13, 2024, March 9, 2023, and March 14, 2022, the board of directors granted performance shares to be awarded in the form of common stock to certain participants of the plan. These performance shares vest based on the level of achievement of certain performance goals, including the incremental value achieved from the company's high-protein and clean sugar initiatives, annual production levels and return on investment (ROI). Performance shares granted in 2024 include certain market-based factors requiring a Monte Carlo valuation model to estimate the fair value of the performance shares on the date of the grant. The weighted average assumptions used by the company in applying the Monte Carlo valuation model for performance share grants and related valuation include a risk-free interest rate of 4.44%, dividend yields of 0%, expected volatility of 54.6% and a closing stock price on the date of grant of $20.21, resulting in an estimated fair value of $25.23 per share. Performance shares granted in 2023 and 2022 do not contain market-based factors requiring a Monte Carlo valuation model. The performance shares were granted at a target of 100%, but each performance share can be reduced or increased depending on results for the performance period. If the company achieves the maximum performance goals, the maximum amount of shares available to be issued pursuant to the 2024, 2023 and 2022 awards are 1,077,144 performance shares which represents 200% of the 538,572 performance shares which remain outstanding. The actual number of performance shares that will ultimately vest is based on the actual performance targets achieved at the end of the performance period.

On February 18, 2021, the board of directors granted performance shares to be awarded in the form of common stock to certain participants of the plan. The performance shares were granted at a target of 100%, but each performance share was reduced or increased depending on results for the performance period. On February 16, 2024, based on the criteria discussed above, the 118,673 2021 performance shares vested at 115%, which resulted in the issuance of 136,475 shares of common stock.

The non-vested performance share award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is as follows:

Green Plains Partners

Green Plains Partners had a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) intended to promote the interests of the partnership, its general partner and affiliates by providing unit-based incentive compensation awards to employees, consultants and directors to encourage superior performance. As a result of the Merger, the LTIP units available for issuance were converted to 1.2 million shares available for issuance under the company's equity incentive plan.

The non-vested unit-based awards activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is as follows:

(1)Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each of these awards became fully vested at the effective time of the Merger on January 9, 2024.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Compensation costs for the stock-based payment plan were $3.6 million and $10.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2.7 million and $9.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. At September 30, 2024, there was $20.4 million of unrecognized compensation costs from stock-based compensation related to non-vested awards. This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years. The potential tax benefit related to stock-based payment is approximately 23.9% of these expenses.

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share, or EPS, is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

The company computes diluted EPS by dividing net income on an if-converted basis, adjusted to add back net interest expense related to the convertible debt instruments, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted to include the shares that would be issued if the convertible debt instruments were converted to common shares and the effect of any outstanding dilutive securities.

The basic and diluted EPS are calculated as follows (in thousands):

(1)For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and 2023, respectively, the effects related to the company's 2.25% convertible notes due in 2027, warrants and certain stock-based compensation awards were excluded from diluted EPS as the inclusion of these shares would have been anti-dilutive.

12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

As a result of the Merger, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company issued approximately 4.7 million shares of common stock and recorded par value $0.001 per share, paid cash consideration of $29.2 million, extinguished the non-controlling interest attributed to the partnership common units held by the public of $133.8 million, and capitalized transaction costs of $7.5 million, within additional paid-in capital. Refer to Note 3 – Merger and Dispositions included herein for more information.

Components of stockholders’ equity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands):

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows (in thousands):

(1)Revenues

(2)Costs of goods sold

(3)Income (loss) before income taxes and income (loss) from equity method investees

(4)Income tax benefit

13. INCOME TAXES

The company records actual income tax expense or benefit during interim periods rather than on an annual effective tax rate method. Certain items are given discrete period treatment, and the tax effect of those items are reported in full in the relevant interim period. Green Plains Partners is a limited partnership, which is treated as a flow-through entity for federal income tax purposes and is not subject to federal income taxes.

The IRA was signed into law on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes significant law changes relating to tax, climate change, energy and health care. The IRA significantly expands clean energy incentives by providing an estimated $370 billion of new energy related tax credits over the next ten years. It also permits more flexibility for taxpayers to use the credits with direct-pay and transferable credit options. In addition, the IRA includes key revenue-raising provisions which include a 15% book-income alternative minimum tax on corporations with adjusted financial statement income over $1 billion, a 1% excise tax on the value of certain net stock repurchases by publicly traded companies, and the reinstatement of Superfund excise taxes.

On January 9, 2024, the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement were completed as described in more detail in Note 3 – Merger and Dispositions included herein. For income tax purposes, the total consideration given by the company in exchange for the remaining interest in the partnership, creates a tax basis in the acquired interest. Because the GAAP basis in the acquired interest is less than the total consideration, a new deferred tax asset was created. The company's valuation allowance on deferred tax assets increased by a corresponding amount, which did not have a material impact on the company's consolidated financial statements.

The company recorded income tax benefit, including income tax benefit from equity method investments, of $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared with income tax benefit of $7.8 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in the amount of tax benefit recorded was primarily due to a decrease in the valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

The effective tax rate can be affected by variances in the estimates and amounts of taxable income among the various states, entities and activity types, realization of tax credits, adjustments from resolution of tax matters under review, valuation allowances and the company’s assessment of its liability for uncertain tax positions.

Unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $51.4 million have been recorded as a reduction of the deferred tax assets associated with the federal tax credit carryforwards, which are currently under audit. The research and development ("R&D") tax credits are currently under review by the IRS Office of Independent Appeals. The results of the current audit may cause the company to significantly increase or decrease the unrecognized tax benefits associated with R&D tax credits for periods under audit and for periods not under audit, which could impact the company's effective tax rate. At this time, the company does not have enough information to be able to estimate the potential financial statement impact.

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The company leases certain facilities, parcels of land, and equipment, with remaining terms ranging from less thanone year to approximately 13.1 years. The land and facility leases include renewal options. The renewal options are included in the lease term only for those sites or locations in which they are reasonably certain to be renewed. Equipment renewals are not considered reasonably certain to be exercised as they typically renew with significantly different underlying terms.

The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands):

(1)Represents amounts incurred in excess of the minimum payments required for a certain building lease and for the handling and unloading of railcars for a certain land lease, offset by railcar lease abatements provided by the lessor when railcars are out of service during periods of maintenance or upgrade.

Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows (in thousands):

(1)Amounts presented in 2024 are related to the Birmingham Transaction, while amounts in 2023 relate to the Atkinson Transaction. Derecognition of right-of-use assets and lease obligations for both dispositions is related to railcar operating leases.

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

Aggregate minimum lease payments under the operating lease agreements for the remainder of 2024 and in future years are as follows (in thousands):

Other Commitments

As of September 30, 2024, the company had contracted future purchases of grain, ethanol, distillers grains and natural gas valued at approximately $187.8 million and future commitments for storage and transportation, valued at approximately $26.3 million.

The company has entered into contracts with Tallgrass High Plains Carbon Storage, LLC and its affiliates, related to the construction, development and operation of carbon capture and sequestration projects at ourthree Nebraska plants, which are expected to be completed in 2025. Payments associated with these contracts are due monthly over a period oftwelve years, commencing after the capture facilities are considered in-service. Amounts due under the contracts are based on the achievement of certain project milestones and are subject to termination of all or portions of the contracts. Certain of the future obligations to Tallgrass High Plains Carbon Storage LLC are secured by a leasehold deed of trust, security agreement and assignment of rents and leases. As of September 30, 2024, the company had incurred $7.2 million of accumulated construction costs in relation to the projects, presented as property, plant and equipment on the consolidated balance sheet, with an equal and offsetting liability presented as other liabilities.

Legal

The company is currently involved in litigation that has arisen in the ordinary course of business, but does not believe any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.