CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Jan 30, 2026.
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The yearly report of a company based outside the US. It covers much of what a 10-K does, and may follow accounting rules other than US ones.
FY2025 · Filed Jan 30, 2026
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from to
Commission file number:001-39978
CN ENERGY GROUP. INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
British Virgin Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Building 2‑B, Room 206, No. 268 Shiniu Road
Liandu District, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province
The People’s Republic of China(Address of principal executive offices)
Jinwu Huang, Chief Financial Officer
Telephone: + 86‑571‑87555823
Email: jinwuhuang@cneny.com
At the address of the Company set forth above
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
|---|---|---|
| Class A ordinary shares, no par value per share | CNEY | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
An aggregate of 4,988,337 Class A ordinary shares and 635,419 Class B ordinary shares, no par value, as of September 30, 2025.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ☐No ☒
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ☐No ☒
Note - Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.☐
| * | The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012. |
|---|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive- based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
| U.S. GAAP ☒ | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by theInternational Accounting Standards Board ☐ | Other ☐ |
|---|
| * | If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐ |
|---|
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes☐ No ☒
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| INTRODUCTION | 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PART I | 6 | ||
| ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS | 6 | |
| ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 6 | |
| ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION | 6 | |
| ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 42 | |
| ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | 66 | |
| ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS | 67 | |
| ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | 83 | |
| ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 90 | |
| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 92 | |
| ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING | 92 | |
| ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 93 | |
| ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 99 | |
| ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES | 100 | |
| PART II | 101 | ||
| ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES | 101 | |
| ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 101 | |
| ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 101 | |
| ITEM 16. | [RESERVED] | 102 | |
| ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | 102 | |
| ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS | 102 | |
| ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 103 | |
| ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES | 103 | |
| ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS | 103 | |
| ITEM 16F. | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT | 103 | |
| ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 103 | |
| ITEM 16H. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE | 104 | |
| ITEM 16I. | DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS | 104 | |
| ITEM 16J. | INSIDER TRADING POLICIES | 104 | |
| ITEM 16K. | CYBERSECURITY | 104 | |
| PART III | 105 | ||
| ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 105 | |
| ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 105 | |
| ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS | 105 |
INTRODUCTION
In this annual report on Form 20‑F, unless the context otherwise requires, references to:
| · | “China” or the “PRC” means the People’s Republic of China; |
| · | “Class A ordinary shares” mean the Class A ordinary shares, no par value, of CN Energy (as defined below); |
| · | “Class B ordinary shares” mean the Class B ordinary shares, no par value, of CN Energy. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares have the same rights except for voting and conversion rights. In respect of matters requiring a vote of all shareholders, each holder of Class A ordinary shares will be entitled to one vote per one Class A ordinary share and each holder of Class B ordinary shares will be entitled to 50 votes per one Class B ordinary share. The Class A ordinary shares are not convertible into shares of any other class. The Class B ordinary shares are convertible into Class A ordinary shares at any time after issuance at the option of the holder on a one-to-one basis; |
| · | “CN Energy,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “our Company,” and the “Company” means CN ENERGY GROUP. INC. (also referred to as 中北能源集团有限公司 in Chinese), a business company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of British Virgin Islands; |
| · | “CN Energy Development” means CN Energy Industrial Development Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 中北能源产业发展有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which was previously jointly owned by Zhejiang CN Energy and Manzhouli CN Technology (as defined below). On September 25, 2024, all of the equity interests in CN Energy Development were transferred to Shanghai Xinbaocheng Industrial Group Co., Ltd.; |
| · | “CN Energy USA” means CN Energy USA Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is wholly owned by CN Energy; |
| · | “Energy Holdings” means CLEAN ENERGY HOLDINGS LIMITED (also referred to as 全球清洁能源控股有限公司 in Chinese), a Hong Kong corporation, which was previously wholly owned by CN Energy. On January 20, 2025, all of the equity interests in Energy Holdings were transferred to Asia Rubber Resources Limited; |
| · | “Ewforest” means Ewforest Group Limited, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, which is wholly owned by CN Energy; |
| · | “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; |
| · | “Hangzhou Forasen” means Hangzhou Forasen Technology Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 杭州富来森科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which was previously wholly owned by CN Energy Development. On September 12, 2024, all of the equity interests in Hangzhou Forasen were transferred to Zhejiang Sentuo Industrial Holding Group., Ltd; |
| · | “Khingan Forasen” means Greater Khingan Range Forasen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 大兴安岭富来森能源科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by CN Energy Development; |
| · | “Manzhouli CN Energy” means Manzhouli CN Energy Industrial Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 满洲里市中北能实业有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by Energy Holdings; |
| · | “Manzhouli CN Technology” means Manzhouli CN Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 满洲里市中北能科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is jointly owned by Zhejiang CN Energy (as defined below) and Manzhouli CN Energy and indirectly wholly owned by Energy Holdings; |
| · | “MZ HK” means MZ Mining International Co., Ltd, a Hong Kong company acquired by the Company on November 11, 2022; |
| · | “MZ Pintai” means MZ Pintai Mining (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd (also referred to as 美中品泰矿业(浙江)有限公司 in Chinese), a company incorporated under the laws of the PRC which is wholly owned by MZ HK; |
| · | “Ningbo Nadoutong” means Ningbo Nadoutong Trading Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 宁波哪都通贸易有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which was previously wholly owned by Zhejiang New Material and has been deregistered; |
| · | “operating entities” means Zhejiang New Material and its subsidiaries; |
| · | “Pathenbot” means Pathenbot Group Inc, a California corporation, which is wholly owned by CN Energy USA; |
| · | “PGIF” means PT Grand Indonesia Forestmates, an Indonesian entity, of which 90% of the equity interest is owned by Ynong; |
| · | “PWAN” means PT Wana Arga Nusantara, an Indonesian entity, of which 90% of the equity interest is owned by PGIF; |
| · | “RMB” or “Renminbi” means the legal currency of China; |
| · | “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; |
| · | “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
| · | “Tanmulai” means Hangzhou Tanmulai Xin Activated Carbon Co., Ltd, a company incorporated in the PRC with limited liability, which is wholly owned by Zhejiang New Material; |
| · | “Ynong” means Ynong International Group Limited, a Hong Kong company, in which Ewforest acquired a 45% equity interest on March 31, 2025; |
| · | “Yunnan Honghao” means Yunnan Honghao Forestry Development Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 云南宏灏林业发展有限公司 in Chinese), a company incorporated in the PRC with limited liability, which was previously wholly owned by Yunnan Yuemu (as defined below); |
| · | “Yunnan Yuemu” means Yunnan Yuemu Agriculture and Forestry Technology Co., Ltd (also referred to as 云南岳沐农林科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company incorporated in the PRC and wholly owned by MZ Pintai; |
| · | “Zhejiang CN Energy” means Zhejiang CN Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 浙江中北能源科技开发有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by Energy Holdings; |
| · | “Zhejiang New Material” means Zhejiang CN Energy New Material Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 浙江中北能新材料有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by Meizhong Pintai Mining (Zhejiang) Co. Ltd; |
| · | “Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material” means Zhejiang Yongfeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd. (also refers to as 浙江咏丰新材料科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the PRC, which was previously wholly owned by Hangzhou Forasen; |
| · | “Zhongxing Energy” means Manzhouli Zhongxing Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 满洲里市众兴能源科技有限公司 in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by CN Energy Development; and |
| · | “Zhoushan Xinyue” means Zhoushan Xinyue Trading Co., Ltd. (also referred to as 舟山信跃贸易有限公司in Chinese), a company with limited liability organized under the laws of the PRC, which is wholly owned by Zhejiang New Material. |
This annual report on Form 20‑F includes our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025, 2024, and 2023. In this annual report, we refer to assets, obligations, commitments, and liabilities in our consolidated financial statements in United States dollars. These dollar references are based on the exchange rate of RMB to United States dollars, determined as of a specific date or for a specific period. Changes in the exchange rate will affect the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets in terms of United States dollars which may result in an increase or decrease in the amount of our obligations and the value of our assets.
This annual report contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. Unless otherwise stated, the following exchange rates are used in this annual report:
| September 30, | |||
| US$ Exchange Rate | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| At the end of the year – RMB | RMB7.1190 to $1 | RMB7.0176 to $1 | RMB7.2960 to $1 |
| Average rate for the year - RMB | RMB7.2125 to $1 | RMB7.2043 to $1 | RMB7.0533 to $1 |
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT
This annual report contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. These forward-looking statements are made under the “safe harbor” provision under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this annual report constitute forward-looking statements. We have used words or phrases such as “may,” “would,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “seek,” “estimate,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions in this annual report to identify some of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, including, among others, those relating to our future business prospects, product development, revenues, profits, costs, capital expenditures, cash flows and working capital, are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of directors and management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. As a consequence, these forward-looking statements should be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this annual report.
These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this annual report, we caution you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known by us and our projections of the future, about which we cannot be certain. Forward-looking statements in this annual report include, but are not limited to, statements about:
| ● | our future business development, financial condition and results of operations; |
| ● | the expected growth of the sectors that we operate in; |
| ● | our expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of our products and services; |
| ● | competition in our industries; |
| ● | our mission, goals and strategies; |
| ● | our proposed use of proceeds; and |
| ● | relevant government policies and regulations relating to our industries. |
You should read this annual report, including the risk factors disclosed in “Item 3. Key Information-D. Risk Factors” and the documents that we refer to in this annual report thoroughly and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from and worse than what we expect. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for our management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
Market data and certain industry forecasts used in this annual report were obtained from internal surveys, market research, publicly available information and industry publications. Industry publications generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Similarly, internal surveys, industry forecasts and market research, while believed to be reliable, have not been independently verified, and we make no representation as to the accuracy of such information.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The forward-looking statements made in this annual report relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this annual report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this annual report and the documents that we refer to in this annual report and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this annual report is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.