S-3 1 amtx_s3.htm FORM S-3 amtx_s3
 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 28, 2020
 
Registration No. 333-
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM S-3
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
Aemetis, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(formerly known as AE Biofuels, Inc.)
 
Nevada
 
2860
 
26-1407544
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
20400 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Suite 700
Cupertino, CA 95014
+1 (408) 213-0940
 
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
Eric McAfee
Chief Executive Officer
Aemetis, Inc.
20400 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Suite 700
Cupertino, CA 95014
+1 (408) 213-0940
 
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
Copies to:
 
Christopher M. Forrester
Shearman & Sterling LLP
1460 El Camino Real, 2nd Floor
Menlo Park, California 94025
+1 (650) 838-3600
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after this registration statement is declared effective.
 
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ☐
 
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  ☒
 
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐
 
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐
 
If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐
 
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, 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 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☐

 
 
 
Calculation of Registration Fee:
 
Title of each class of securities to be registered
Amount to be
registered(1)(2)(3)
Proposed maximum offering price per unit(3)
Aggregate maximum offering price(3)(4)(5)
Amount of registration fee(3)(6)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share
 
 
 
 
Debt Securities 
 
 
 
 
Warrants 
 
 
 
 
Rights 
 
 
 
 
Units(7) 
 
 
 
 
Total 
 
 
$100,000,000
$         12,980
 
(1) 
Also includes an indeterminate number of shares of common stock or preferred stock as may be issued by the Registrant upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities that provide for such issuance. Except as provided in Rule 426(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, in no event will the aggregate offering price of all types of securities issued by the Registrant pursuant to this registration statement exceed $100,000,000.
(2) 
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction.
(3) 
Pursuant to General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3, the table lists each of the classes of securities being registered and the aggregate proceeds to be raised, but does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit, and proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
(4) 
The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely to calculate the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(5) 
Includes consideration to be received by us, if applicable, for registered securities that are issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of other registered securities.
(6) 
Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, the registrant is offsetting the registration fee of $12,980 against the $12,450 paid in respect of the $100,000,000 aggregate offering price of securities registered on the registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-224952) filed by the registrant on May 15, 2018, all of which are unsold.
(7) 
Consisting of some or all of the securities listed above, in any combination, including common stock, preferred stock and warrants.
 
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 
 
 
 
The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not a solicitation of offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted.
 
Subject to completion, Dated August 28, 2020
 
$100,000,000
 
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
 
We may offer and sell from time to time common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights and units that include any of these securities. The preferred stock or warrants may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common or preferred stock or other of our securities registered hereunder. The debt securities may be convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, common stock. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and trades under the symbol “AMTX.”
 
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.
 
The aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates was $53,266,170, based on 20,972,974 shares of outstanding common stock as of August 26, 2020, of which approximately 15,947,955 shares were held by non-affiliates, and based on the last reported sale price of our common stock of $3.34 on August 12, 2020. Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to this prospectus with a value of more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $75,000,000. In the event that subsequent to the date of this prospectus, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $75,000,000, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this prospectus. During the prior 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this prospectus, we have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3.
 
This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which they may be offered. The specific terms of any securities to be offered, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
 
See the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus on page 3, our filings with the SEC and the applicable prospectus supplement for certain risks that you should consider before investing in our securities.
 
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities nor passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this prospectus is             , 2020.
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
1
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
2
RISK FACTORS
2
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
3
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
4
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
4
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
7
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
8
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
17
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
19
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
20
USE OF PROCEEDS
21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
21
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
22
EXPERTS
22
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This document is called a prospectus and is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts that we will determine from time to time, up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000.
 
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities described in this prospectus we will provide a prospectus supplement, incorporate information by reference into this prospectus, or use other offering material, as applicable, containing more specific information about the terms of the securities that are being offered. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings and securities. This prospectus, together with applicable prospectus supplements, any information incorporated by reference, and any related free writing prospectuses we file with the SEC, includes all material information relating to these offerings and securities. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including without limitation, a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to these offerings or securities or the specific plan of distribution. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and a prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference having a later date, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement or incorporated information having a later date. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.
 
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus.
 
Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made under it implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security.
 
The registration statement containing this prospectus, including exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have filed and plan to continue to file other documents with the SEC that contain information about us and our business. Also, we will file legal documents that control the terms of the securities offered by this prospectus as exhibits to the reports that we file with the SEC. The registration statement and other reports can be read at the SEC Internet site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Available Information.”
 
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under “Available Information.”
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), with respect to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to us and the securities covered by this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. A copy of the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the website is http://www.sec.gov.
 
We are subject to the information and periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and, in accordance therewith, we file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Such periodic reports, proxy statements and other information are available for inspection and copying at the Public Reference Room and website of the SEC referred to above. We maintain a website at http://www.aemetis.com. You may access our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act with the SEC free of charge at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our website and the information contained on that site, or connected to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus.
 
 
1
 
 
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
 
The SEC’s rules allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
 
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the following documents or information filed with the SEC (other than, in each case, documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules):
 
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2020 (File No. 001-36475) (including the information in Part III incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 28, 2020);
 
Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2020, and June 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on August 13, 2020;
 
Our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on April 28, 2020, June 9, 2020 and August 18, 2020 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of such Current Report on Form 8-K); and
 
The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014.
 
Additionally, all documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after (i) the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, and (ii) the date of this prospectus and before the termination or completion of this offering, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of such documents, except that we do not incorporate any document or portion of a document that is “furnished” to the SEC, but not deemed “filed.” Any information that we subsequently file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference as described above will automatically update and supersede any previous information that is part of this prospectus.
 
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus excluding exhibits to those documents unless they are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Written or telephone requests should be directed to Aemetis, Inc., 20400 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 700, Cupertino, CA 95014, Attention: Investor Relations; telephone: +1 (408) 213-0940.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference into it, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”) or in releases made by the SEC. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, hopes or intentions regarding the future. Statements that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements can often be identified by their use of words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “could,” “target,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “should,” “will,” “may” and “assume,” as well as variations of such words and similar expressions referring to the future. These cautionary statements are being made pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the intention of obtaining the benefits of the “safe harbor” provisions of such laws.
 
The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. If any of those risks and uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from those discussed in any such forward-looking statement. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements are those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” below, those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and in other sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as well as in our other reports filed from time to time with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information about how to obtain copies of those documents.
 
All readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or that the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into it are made only as of the date of the document in which they are contained, based on information available to us as of the date of that document, and we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in light of the risks and uncertainties associated with them. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in, or incorporated into, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein. Each of the referenced risks and uncertainties could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
 
 
2
 
 
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data for the periods ended or as of the dates indicated. Such historical consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the information set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 12, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
The statement of operations data presented below for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are derived from the audited “Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future periods.
 
(in thousands, except for loss per share)
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Statement of Operations Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 $201,998 
 $171,526 
Cost of goods sold                                                                                                  
  189,300 
  166,121 
Gross profit                                                                                                  
  12,698 
  5,405 
Research and development expenses                                                                                                  
  205 
  246 
Selling, general and administrative expenses                                                                                                  
  17,424 
  16,085 
Operating loss                                                                                                  
  (4,931)
  (10,926)
Interest rate expense, debt related fees and amortization expense
  25,755 
  25,690 
Accretion of Series A preferred units                                                                                                  
  2,257 
  44 
Loss on impairment of intangibles                                                                                                  
  - 
  865 
Loss contingency on litigation                                                                                                  
  6,200 
  - 
Other income                                                                                                  
  (797)
  (1,245)
Income tax expense                                                                                                  
  (1,131)
  (7)
Net loss                                                                                                  
  (39,477)
  36,287 
Loss per common share – basic and diluted                                                                                                  
  (1.75)
  (1.63)
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted                                                                                                  
  20,467 
  20,252 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
Balance Sheet Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets                                                                                                 
 $99,896  
 $91,821  
Current Liabilities                                                                                                 
  57,819 
  42,579 
Long-term Liabilities                                                                                                 
  196,449  
  164,824  
Total Stockholder’s Deficit                                                                                                 
 $(154,372)
 $(115,582)
 
 
3
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
 
We may issue from time to time, in one or more offerings the following securities:
 
shares of common stock;
 
shares of preferred stock;
 
debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated and may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock;
 
warrants exercisable for debt securities, common stock or preferred stock;
 
rights to purchase any of such securities; and
 
units of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or warrants, in any combination.
 
This prospectus contains a summary of the material general terms of the various securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the securities will be described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, which may be in addition to or different from the general terms summarized in this prospectus. Where applicable, the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus will also describe any material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities offered and indicate whether the securities offered are or will be listed on any securities exchange. The summaries contained in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplements, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may not contain all of the information that you would find useful. Accordingly, you should read the actual documents relating to any securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information about how to obtain copies of those documents.
 
The terms of any particular offering, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or free writing prospectus, relating to such offering.
 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
 
The following summary of the material features of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation (“Articles of Incorporation”), the Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock, our bylaws (“Bylaws”) and other applicable law. See “Available Information.”
 
Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock
 
Our authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 65,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, of which 7,235,000 shares are designated as Series B Preferred Stock. As of August 26, 2020, there were 20,972,974 shares of common stock and 1,323,394 shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The following description of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and should be reviewed in conjunction with our Articles of Incorporation, including our Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred, and our Bylaws.
 
Common Stock
 
Dividends
 
Subject to provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes, or the NRS, the rights of holders of our Series B Preferred Stock and to any future rights which may be granted to the holders of any series of our preferred stock, dividends are paid on our common stock when and as declared by our board of directors.
 
 
4
 
 
Voting rights
 
Each holder of shares of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our common stockholders. Holders of our common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.
 
Liquidation
 
If we are liquidated, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive all remaining assets available for distribution to stockholders after satisfaction of our liabilities and the preferential rights of any of our preferred stock that may be outstanding at that time.
 
Preemptive rights
 
The holders of our common stock do not have any preemptive, conversion or redemption rights by virtue of their ownership of the common stock.
 
Listing
 
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market and trades under the symbol “AMTX.”
 
Transfer Agent And Registrar
 
The Transfer Agent and Registrar for our common stock is Equiniti.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board of Directors (“Board”) to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series within a class upon authority of the Board without further stockholder approval. Any preferred stock issued in the future may rank senior to the Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In addition, any such shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the issuance of preferred stock or the existence of the un-issued preferred stock might tend to discourage or render more difficult a merger or other change in control. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, us or a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
 
Series B Preferred Stock
 
Voting
 
Holders of our Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder could be converted as of the record date. Currently, each share of Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to one-tenth (1/10) of a vote per share of Series B Preferred Stock. In addition, without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, the Registrant cannot:
 
increase or decrease (other than by redemption or conversion) the total number of authorized shares of Series B Preferred Stock;
 
effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or a part of the Series B Preferred Stock, including a reverse stock split, but excluding a stock split;
 
effect an exchange, or create a right of exchange, of all or part of the shares of another class of shares into shares of Series B Preferred Stock; or
 
alter or change the rights, preferences or privileges of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so as to affect adversely the shares of such series.
 
 
5
 
 
Dividends
 
Holders of all of our shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive noncumulative dividends payable in preference and prior to any declaration or payment of any dividend on the Common Stock as may from time to time be declared by the Board out of funds legally available for that purpose at the rate of 5% of the original issue price of $3.00 per share.
 
Liquidation Preference
 
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Registrant, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any payment to the holders of the Common Stock, the original issue price of $3.00 per share plus all declared but unpaid dividends (if any) on the Series B Preferred Stock.
 
Conversion
 
Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder thereof at any time, into shares of Common Stock at the then effective conversion rate. In addition, at such time as a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock is declared effective, then all outstanding Series B Preferred Stock shall be automatically converted into Common Stock at the then effective conversion rate. The conversion rate of the Series B Preferred Stock is adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, reclassifications, exchanges and the like.  Assuming all of the issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock are converted to Common Stock, the 1,323,394 issued and outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock as of August 26, 2020 will be converted to an aggregate of 132,340 shares of Common Stock.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions
 
Certain provisions of Nevada law, our Articles of Incorporation and our Bylaws may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of the Company.
 
Nevada Law
 
Nevada’s “combinations with interested stockholders” statutes (NRS 78.411 through 78.444, inclusive) prohibit specified types of business “combinations” between certain Nevada corporations and any person deemed to be an “interested stockholder” for two years after such person first becomes an “interested stockholder” unless the corporation’s board of directors approves the combination (or the transaction by which such person becomes an “interested stockholder”) in advance, or unless the combination is approved by the board of directors and sixty percent of the corporation’s voting power not beneficially owned by the interested stockholder, its affiliates and associates. Furthermore, in the absence of prior approval certain restrictions may apply even after such two-year period. For purposes of these statutes, an “interested stockholder” is any person who is (1) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, or (2) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the two previous years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the corporation. The definition of the term “combination” is sufficiently broad to cover most significant transactions between a corporation and an “interested stockholder.”
 
Nevada’s “acquisition of controlling interest” statutes (NRS 78.378 through 78.3793, inclusive) contain provisions governing the acquisition of a controlling interest in certain Nevada corporations. These “control share” laws provide generally that any person that acquires a “controlling interest” in certain Nevada corporations may be denied voting rights, unless a majority of the disinterested stockholders of the corporation elects to restore such voting rights. These laws would apply to us if we were to have 200 or more stockholders as of the record date (at least 100 of whom have had addresses in Nevada appearing on our stock ledger at all times during the 90 days immediately preceding such date) and do business in the State of Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation, unless the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws in effect on the tenth day after the acquisition of a controlling interest provide otherwise. These laws provide that a person acquires a “controlling interest” whenever a person acquires shares of a subject corporation that, but for the application of these provisions of the NRS, would enable that person to exercise (1) one-fifth or more, but less than one-third, (2) one-third or more, but less than a majority or (3) a majority or more, of all of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors. Once an acquirer crosses one of these thresholds, shares which it acquired in the transaction taking it over the threshold and within the 90 days immediately preceding the date when the acquiring person acquired or offered to acquire a controlling interest become “control shares” to which the voting restrictions described above apply.
 
In addition, NRS 78.139 also provides that directors may resist a change or potential change in control if the board of directors determines that the change is opposed to, or not in, the best interests of the corporation.
 
Board of Directors Vacancies
 
Generally, under NRS 78.335, one or more of the incumbent directors may be removed from office by the vote of stockholders representing two-thirds or more of the voting power of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote. In addition, if a court of competent jurisdiction, or other governmental entity or regulatory agency with authority over the corporation requires, without providing any other reasonable and practicable alternative, that any specified director cease to be a director in order for the corporation to obtain, or avoid the suspension, conditioning or revocation of, any permit, license, registration, franchise, finding of suitability or similar authorization or approval required for the conduct of all or any material portion of the business of the corporation or any of its affiliates taken as a whole and such requirement is not appealable or has otherwise become final after declination or exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, then that specified director may be removed as a director by not less than a majority of the voting power of the other directors, even if less than a quorum, acting at a meeting and not by written consent and without a vote of the stockholders. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws authorize only the Board to fill vacant directorships. In addition, the number of directors constituting the Board is set only by resolution adopted by a majority vote of the entire Board. These provisions prevent a stockholder from increasing the size of the Board and gaining control of the Board by filling the resulting vacancies with its own nominees.
 
 
6
 
 
No Cumulative Voting
 
The NRS does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes other than in the election of directors, and then only if expressly authorized by the Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation as currently in effect do not provide for cumulative voting in election of directors.
 
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
Shares of our preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, and our Board is authorized to determine the designation and to fix the number of shares of each series. Our Board is further authorized to fix and determine the dividend rate, premium or redemption rates, conversion rights, voting rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and other variations granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of our preferred stock.
 
Prior to the issuance of shares of a series of preferred stock, our Board will adopt resolutions and file a certificate of designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The certificate of designation will fix for each series the designation and number of shares and the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the shares including, but not limited to, the following:
 
voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;
 
any rights and terms of redemption;
 
the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation applicable to the preferred stock;
 
whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative, and if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate;
 
the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;
 
the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock, another series of preferred stock, or any other class of securities being registered hereby, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period;
 
the provision for redemption, if applicable, of the preferred stock;
 
the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;
 
liquidation preferences;
 
any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and
 
any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.
 
In addition to the terms listed above, we will set forth in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or related free writing prospectus the following terms relating to the class or series of preferred stock being offered:
 
the number of shares of the preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock;
 
the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;
 
any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange; and
 
a discussion of any material and/or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock.
 
 
7
 
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
We may issue debt securities in one or more distinct series. This section summarizes the material terms of the debt securities that are common to all series. Most of the financial terms and other specific material terms of any series of debt securities that we offer will be described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet to be attached to the front of this prospectus. Since the terms of specific debt securities may differ from the general information provided below, you should rely on information in the prospectus supplement or term sheet that contradicts different information below.
 
As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and a financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “Events of Default.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us.
 
Senior and subordinated debt securities will be issued by us under an indenture (the “indenture”), between us, as issuer, and a trustee to be named therein, as trustee (the “trustee”).
 
The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”). The terms “we,” “our” and “us,” when used to refer to an issuer of securities, means Aemetis, Inc.
 
Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. For example, in this section, we use capitalized words to signify terms that are specifically defined in the indenture. Some of the definitions are repeated in this prospectus, but for the rest you will need to read the indenture. See “Where to Find More Information” for information on how to locate the indenture and any supplemental indentures that may be filed.
 
General Provisions of the Indenture
 
Each series of debt securities will be unsecured obligations of Aemetis, Inc. Any senior securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Aemetis, Inc. Any subordinated securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the senior indebtedness of Aemetis, Inc. as more fully described in a prospectus supplement or term sheet.
 
The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the attached prospectus supplement or term sheet (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of debt warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”), as well as other unsecured debt securities, may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.
 
You should read the prospectus supplement or term sheet for the material terms of the offered debt securities and any underlying debt securities, including the following:
 
The title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior securities or subordinated securities of Aemetis, Inc.
 
The total principal amount of the debt securities of the series and any limit on such total principal amount.
 
If not the principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities or how this portion will be determined.
 
The date or dates, or how the date or dates will be determined or extended, when the principal of the debt securities will be payable.
 
The interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, that the debt securities will bear, if any, or how the rate or rates will be determined, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or how the date or dates will be determined, the interest payment dates, any record dates for these payments and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
Any optional redemption provisions.
 
Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities.
 
 
8
 
 
The form in which we will issue the debt securities and whether we will have the option of issuing debt securities in “certificated” form.
 
If other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the debt securities are denominated and/or payable.
 
Whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and how these amounts will be determined.
 
The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to The City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities.
 
If other than minimum denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 above the minimum denomination in the case of registered securities issued in certificated form, the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued.
 
If the provisions of Article Fourteen of the indenture described under “defeasance” are not applicable and any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any of these provisions.
 
Whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts, as contemplated by Section 1010 of the indenture, in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option).
 
Whether the securities are subordinated and the terms of such subordination.
 
Any provisions granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events.
 
Any changes or additions to the Events of Default or covenants contained in the applicable indenture.
 
Whether the debt securities will be convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities and the applicable terms and conditions.
 
Any other material terms of the debt securities.
 
For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of or premium or interest, if any, on the debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.
 
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “—Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.
 
The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt, we repurchase a significant amount of equity or effect a recapitalization, or we are acquired by another entity.
 
We refer you to the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
 
We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.
 
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, the debt securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars and all payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars.
 
Payment of the purchase price of the debt securities must be made in immediately available funds.
 
The authorized denominations of debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars will be a minimum denomination of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 above the minimum denomination. The authorized denominations of foreign currency Notes will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet.
 
 
9
 
 
Interest and Interest Rates
 
Each debt security will begin to accrue interest from the date it is originally issued. The related prospectus supplement or term sheet will describe the method of determining the interest rate.
 
Interest on the debt securities other than in global form denominated in U.S. dollars will be paid by check mailed on an Interest Payment Date to the persons entitled thereto to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register or, at our option, by wire transfer to a bank account maintained by the holder. The principal of, and premium, if any, and, if other than an Interest Payment Date, interest on debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, together with interest accrued and unpaid thereon, due on the Maturity Date will be paid in immediately available funds upon surrender of such debt securities at the corporate trust office of the trustee in The City of New York, or, at our option, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date by the applicable registered holder, provided the particular bank has appropriate facilities to receive these payments and the particular Note is presented and surrendered at the office or agency maintained by us for this purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in time for the trustee to make these payments in accordance with its normal procedures.
 
Global Securities
 
General
 
We usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
 
Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with, or on behalf of, and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.
 
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “Special Situations when a Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect owner of a beneficial interest in the global security.
 
Special Considerations for Global Securities
 
As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.
 
If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
 
An investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below.
 
An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities.
 
An investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form.
 
An investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.
 
The depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way.
 
If we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series.
 
 
10
 
 
An investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the trustee.
 
DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book−entry system use immediately available funds. Your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security.
 
Financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book−entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
 
Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
 
In a few special situations described below, a global security will be terminated and interests in it will be exchanged for debt securities of the same series in non−book−entry form (certificated debt securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders.
 
The special situations for termination of a global security are as follows:
 
if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security, and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days,
 
if we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security, or
 
if an event of default has occurred with regard to the debt securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived; we discuss defaults later under “Events of Default.”
 
The prospectus supplement or term sheet may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement or term sheet. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the trustee, will be responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.
 
Payment and Paying Agents
 
We will pay interest to the person listed in the trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each regularly scheduled date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, typically set at a date approximately two weeks prior to the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”
 
Payments on Global Securities
 
We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “General” above.
 
Payments on Certificated Debt Securities
 
We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make payments of principal and premium, if any, duly and punctually to the office of the trustee.
 
Alternatively, if the holder asks us to do so, we may pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request payment by wire, the holder must give the trustee or other paying agent appropriate transfer instructions at least 15 calendar days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above. In addition, see the description under “Interest and Interest Rates.”
 
 
11
 
 
Material Covenants
 
Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance
 
The indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any entity, unless:
 
the successor or transferee entity, if other than us, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on, all of our outstanding debt securities and the performance of every covenant and obligation in the indenture to be performed or observed by us;
 
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, as defined in the indenture, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has happened and is continuing; and
 
we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each in the form required by the indenture and stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with the foregoing provisions relating to such transaction.
 
In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, the successor entity will succeed to and be substituted for us as obligor on the debt securities with the same effect as if it had been named in the indenture as issuer.
 
Restrictions on Liens
 
We will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed secured by a Mortgage (“Secured Debt”) upon any Operating Property or any shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the indenture or thereafter acquired, without effectively providing concurrently that the debt securities of each series then outstanding under the indenture are secured equally and ratably with or, at our option, prior to such Secured Debt so long as such Secured Debt shall be so secured.
 
The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from Secured Debt in any computation under such restriction, Secured Debt secured by:
 
(1) 
Mortgages on any property, shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(2) 
Mortgages on property or shares of stock existing at the time of acquisition of such property or stock by us or a Restricted Subsidiary or existing as of the original date of the applicable indenture;
 
(3) 
Mortgages to secure the payment of all or any part of the price of acquisition, construction or improvement of such property or stock by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, or to secure any Secured Debt incurred by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, prior to, at the time of, or within 360 days after, the later of the acquisition or completion of construction (including any improvements on an existing property), which Secured Debt is incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof or construction of improvements thereon; provided, however, that, in the case of any such acquisition, construction or improvement, the Mortgage shall not apply to any property theretofore owned by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, other than, in the case of any such construction or improvement, any theretofore substantially unimproved real property on which the property or improvement so constructed is located;
 
(4) 
Mortgages securing Secured Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to us or to another Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(5) 
Mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with us or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to us or a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(6) 
Mortgages on property of us or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States or any state thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any state thereof, or in favor of any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality of such country or political subdivision, to secure partial progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such Mortgages;
 
(7) 
Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Mortgage referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above and (9) below; provided, however, that the principal amount of Secured Debt so secured shall not exceed the principal amount of Secured Debt so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property which secured the Mortgage so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and construction on such property);
 
(8) 
Mortgages upon any Operating Property, or any transfer or disposition of any Operating Property, that is created or implemented as a necessary component of a bond for title transaction, payment in lieu of tax agreement or other tax incentive vehicle designed to provide us or any Subsidiary with certain ad valorem property tax savings or other incentive savings; or
 
(9) 
Mortgages to secure Hedging Obligations entered into the ordinary course of business to purchase any raw material or other commodity or to hedge risks or reduce costs with respect to the interest rate, currency or commodity exposure of  us or any Restricted Subsidiary of ours and not for speculative purposes.
 
 
12
 
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and any one or more of our Restricted Subsidiaries may, however, without securing any debt securities, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee Secured Debt secured by a Mortgage if, after giving effect to the transaction, the aggregate of the Secured Debt then outstanding (not including Secured Debt permitted under the above exceptions) does not exceed 15% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as shown on our financial statements as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination.
 
“Commodity Agreement” means any forward contract, commodity swap, commodity option or other financial agreement or arrangement relating to, or the value of which is dependent upon, fluctuations in commodity prices.
 
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total assets of Aemetis, Inc. and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any net investment in Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Subsidiaries) after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities (excluding any thereof constituting indebtedness for borrowed money) and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, franchises, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense, organization and developmental expenses and other like segregated intangibles, all as computed by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination; provided, that any items constituting deferred income taxes, deferred investment tax credit or other similar items shall not be taken into account as a liability or as a deduction from or adjustment to total assets.
 
“Currency Agreement” means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement with respect to currency values.
 
“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other successor entities as have been sanctioned and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, that are applicable at the date of any relevant calculation or determination.
 
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement, Commodity Agreement or derivative contract entered into to hedge interest rate risk, currency exchange risk, and commodity price risk.
 
“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement with respect to exposure to interest rates.
 
“Mortgage” or “Mortgages” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrances upon any Operating Property or any shares of stock or on indebtedness for borrowed money of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Operating Property, shares of stock or indebtedness for borrowed money are now owned or hereafter acquired).
 
“Operating Property” means each plant or facility of Aemetis, Inc. or a Restricted Subsidiary located within the United States except any such plant or facility which the Board of Directors of Aemetis, Inc. by resolution reasonably determines not to be of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of us (i) substantially all of the property of which is located, or substantially all of the business of which is carried on, within the United States, and (ii) which owns or is the lessee of any Operating Property.
 
“Subsidiary” means (1) any corporation of which at least a majority of the outstanding stock having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by us or by one or more other Subsidiaries and (2) any other Person in which we or one or more other Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, (x) own at least a majority of the outstanding ownership interests or (y) have the power to elect or direct the election of, or to appoint or approve the appointment of, at least the majority of the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.
 
Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
 
We will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:
 
(1) 
we or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by a Mortgage upon such property at least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement without equally and ratably securing the debt securities; provided, however, that from and after the date on which such arrangement becomes effective, the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement shall be deemed, for all purposes described under “—Restrictions on Liens” above, to be Secured Debt subject to the provisions of the covenants described therein;
 
(2) 
since the original date of the indenture and within a period commencing twelve months prior to the consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and ending twelve months after the consummation of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, we or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, has expended or will expend for the Operating Property an amount equal to (A) the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, and we elect to designate such amount as a credit against such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, or (B) a part of the net proceeds of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and we elect to designate such amount as a credit against such Sale and Leaseback Transaction and apply an amount equal to the remainder of the net proceeds as provided in the following paragraph; or
 
(3) 
such Sale and Leaseback Transaction does not come within the exceptions provided by the first paragraph above under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” and we do not make the election permitted by the second paragraph under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” or make such election only as to a part of such net proceeds, in either of which events we shall apply an amount in cash equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such arrangement (less any amount elected under the second paragraph under “—Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions”) to the retirement, within 360 days of the effective date of any such arrangement, of indebtedness for borrowed money of we or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than indebtedness for borrowed money of Aemetis, Inc. which is subordinated to the debt securities) which by its terms matures at or is extendible or renewable at the sole option of the obligor without requiring the consent of the obligees to a date more than twelve months after the date of the creation of such indebtedness for borrowed money (it being understood that such retirement may be made by prepayment of such indebtedness for borrowed money, if permitted by the terms thereof, as well as by payment at maturity, and that at our option and pursuant to the terms of the indenture, such indebtedness may include the debt securities).
 
 
13
 
 
“Attributable Debt” under the indenture means the present value (discounted at the interest rate inherent in the lease, compounded annually) of the obligation of a lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of any lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended).
 
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Operating Property, whether such Operating Property is now owned or hereafter acquired (except for temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years and except for leases between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries), which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person with the intention of taking back a lease of such property.
 
Events of Default
 
An event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series is defined in the indenture as:
 
(a) 
default for 30 days in payment of any interest on the debt securities of such series when it becomes due and payable;
 
(b) 
default in payment of principal of or any premium on the debt securities of such series at maturity or upon redemption or repayment when the same becomes due and payable;
 
(c) 
default by us in the performance of any other covenant contained in the applicable indenture for the benefit of the debt securities of such series that has not been remedied by the end of a period of 90 days after notice is given as specified in the indenture;
 
(d) 
default in the payment of principal or an acceleration of other indebtedness for borrowed money of Aemetis, Inc. where the aggregate principal amount with respect to which the default or acceleration has occurred exceeds $25 million and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled or such indebtedness repaid within a period of 30 days after written notice to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities under the indenture, provided that if any such default is cured, waived, rescinded or annulled, then the event of default by reason thereof would be deemed not to have occurred; and
 
(e) 
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of Aemetis, Inc.
 
The indenture provides that:
 
if an event of default described in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above has occurred and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series may declare the principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding, and any accrued and unpaid interest through the date of such declaration, to be due and payable immediately;
 
upon certain conditions such declarations may be annulled and past defaults (except for defaults in the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on the debt securities and in compliance with certain covenants) may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series; and
 
if an event of default described in clause (e) occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all debt securities issued under the indenture, together with any accrued interest through the occurrence of such event, shall become and be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act by the trustee or any other holder.
 
Under the indenture, the trustee must give to the holders of debt securities of any series notice of all uncured defaults known to it with respect to the debt securities of such series within 90 days after such a default occurs (the term default to include the events specified above without notice or grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payments of principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of the holders of such debt securities.
 
 
14
 
 
No holder of any debt securities may institute any action under the indenture unless:
 
such holder has given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities;
 
the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series have requested the trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such event of default;
 
such holder or holders have offered the trustee such reasonable indemnity as the trustee may require;
 
the trustee has failed to institute an action for 60 days thereafter; and
 
no inconsistent direction has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such debt securities.
 
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. The indenture provides that, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, in exercising its rights and powers under the indenture, will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. The indenture further provides that the trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties under the indenture unless it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is reasonably assured to it.
 
We must furnish to the trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year a statement signed by an officer thereof to the effect that a review of our activities during such year and our performance under the indenture and the terms of the debt securities has been made, and, to the knowledge of the signatories based on such review, we have complied with all conditions and covenants of the indenture or, if we are in default, specifying such default.
 
Modification of the Indenture
 
We and the trustee may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities issued under such indenture, enter into supplemental indentures for, among others, one or more of the following purposes:
 
to evidence the succession of another corporation to us and the assumption by such successor of its obligations under the indenture and the debt securities;
 
to add covenants of Aemetis, Inc. or surrender of any of its rights, or add any rights for the benefit of the holders of debt securities;
 
to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency in such indenture;
 
to establish the form or terms of any other series of debt securities, including any subordinated securities;
 
to evidence and provide the acceptance of any successor trustee with respect to the debt securities or one or more other series of debt securities under the indenture or to facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by one or more trustees in accordance with the indenture; and
 
to provide any additional events of default.
 
With certain exceptions, the indenture or the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected thereby, but no such modification may be made without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby that would:
 
change the maturity of the principal of, or any premium on, or any installment of principal of or interest on any debt securities, or reduce the principal amount or any premium or the rate or manner of calculating interest or any premium payable upon redemption or repayment of any debt securities, or change the dates or periods for any redemption or repayment or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any principal, premium or interest is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment, on or after the redemption or repayment date);
 
reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required for any such modification, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the indenture; or
 
modify any of the provisions of certain sections of the indenture, including the provisions summarized in this paragraph, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each of the outstanding debt securities affected thereby.
 
 
15
 
 
Defeasance
 
The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.
 
Covenant Defeasance
 
Under current United States federal tax law, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:
 
Deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of such debt securities a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates.
 
Deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current United States federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity.
 
If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. In fact, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be a shortfall. Depending on the event causing the default, you may not be able to obtain payment of the shortfall.
 
Full Defeasance
 
If there is a change in United States federal tax law, as described below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:
 
We must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of the debt securities of such series a combination of money and government or government agency debt securities or bonds in the relevant currency that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities of such series in the relevant currency on their various due dates.
 
We must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current United States federal tax law or an Internal Revenue Service ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities of such series any differently than if we did not make the deposit and just repaid such debt securities ourselves at maturity. Under current United States federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities of such series would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and debt securities or bonds at the time the cash and debt securities or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on your debt securities at the time of the deposit.
 
If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities of such series. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent.
 
Legal defeasance and full defeasance are both subject to certain conditions, such as no default or event of default occurring and continuing, and no breach of any material agreement.
 
Discharge of the Indenture
 
We may satisfy and discharge our obligations under the indenture by delivering to the trustee for cancellation all outstanding debt securities or by depositing with the trustee or the paying agent after the debt securities have become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, or any redemption or repayment date, or otherwise, cash sufficient to pay all of the outstanding debt securities and paying all other sums payable under the indenture.
 
Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Debt Securities
 
If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:
 
only in fully registered certificated form,
 
without interest coupons, and
 
unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement or term sheet, in a minimum denomination of $2,000 and amounts above the minimum denomination that are integral multiples of $1,000.
 
 
16
 
 
Holders may exchange their certificated debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed.
 
Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated debt securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.
 
Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.
 
If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or term sheet. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.
 
If any certificated debt securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated debt securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.
 
If a registered debt security is issued in book−entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.
 
Resignation of Trustee
 
The trustee may resign or be removed at any time with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.
 
The Trustee Under the Indenture
 
The trustee may be one of a number of banks with which we maintain ordinary banking relationships and from which we may obtain credit facilities and lines of credit in the future. The trustee may also serve as trustee under other indentures under which we are the obligor in the future.
 
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
General
 
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or any combination of these securities. We may issue the warrants independently or together with any underlying securities, and the warrants may be attached or separate from the underlying securities. We may also issue a series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of such series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
 
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to the warrants that we may issue. The summary is not complete. When warrants are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the warrants as described in a prospectus supplement information, incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
 
This summary and any description of warrants in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of any specific warrant document or agreement, which we will file with the SEC for incorporation by reference into this prospectus. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information on how to obtain a copy of a warrant document when it is filed.
 
When we refer to a series of warrants, we mean all warrants issued as part of the same series under the applicable warrant agreement.
 
 
17
 
 
Terms
 
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, may describe the terms of any warrants that we may offer, including but not limited to the following:
 
the title of the warrants;
 
the total number of warrants;
 
the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued;
 
the currency or currencies that investors may use to pay for the warrants;
 
the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the right will expire;
 
whether the warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;
 
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
 
if applicable, the designation and terms of the underlying securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each underlying security;
 
if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related underlying securities will be separately transferable;
 
if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;
 
if applicable, the terms of redemption of the warrants;
 
the identity of the warrant agent, if any;
 
the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; and
 
any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants.
 
Warrant Agreements
 
We may issue the warrants in one or more series under one or more warrant agreements, each to be entered into between us and a bank, trust company, or other financial institution as warrant agent. We may add, replace, or terminate warrant agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent or may choose one of our subsidiaries to do so.
 
The warrant agent under a warrant agreement will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants issued under that agreement. The warrant agent will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of those warrants. Any holder of warrants may, without the consent of any other person, enforce by appropriate legal action, on its own behalf, its right to exercise those warrants in accordance with their terms. Until the warrant is properly exercised, no holder of any warrant will be entitled to any rights of a holder of the warrant property purchasable upon exercise of the warrant.
 
 
18
 
 
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
 
We may issue the warrants in registered form or bearer form. Warrants issued in registered form, i.e., book-entry form, will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository, which will be the holder of all the warrants represented by the global security. Those investors who own beneficial interests in a global warrant will do so through participants in the depository’s system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depository and its participants. In addition, we may issue warrants in non-global form, i.e., bearer form. If any warrants are issued in non-global form, warrant certificates may be exchanged for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and holders may exchange, transfer, or exercise their warrants at the warrant agent’s office or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus.
 
Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for debt securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants exercisable for shares of preferred stock or common stock will not have any rights of holders of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to dividend payments, if any, or voting rights of the preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon such exercise.
 
Exercise of Warrants
 
A warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash an amount of securities at an exercise price that will be stated in, or that will be determinable as described in, the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be redeemed as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus.
 
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants.
 
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
 
We may issue rights to purchase our debt securities, common stock or preferred stock. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
 
Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all which will be set forth in the relevant offering material. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.
 
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to rights that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When rights are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the rights as described in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference, or related free writing prospectus will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
 
This summary and any description of rights in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the rights agreement and the rights certificates. We will file each of these documents, as applicable, with the SEC and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of rights. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” above for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may describe:
 
in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
 
in the case of a distribution of rights to our stockholders, the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
 
the exercise price payable for the underlying debt securities, common stock or  preferred stock upon the exercise of the rights;
 
the number and terms of the underlying debt securities, common stock or  preferred stock which may be purchased per each right;
 
the extent to which the rights are transferable;
 
 
19
 
 
the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;
 
the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
 
if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights; and
 
any other terms of the rights, including, but not limited to, the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.
 
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “—Description of Debt Securities” and “—Description of Capital Stock” above, will apply, as applicable, to any rights we offer.
 
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
 
General
 
We may issue units composed of any combination of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and warrants. We will issue each unit so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. As a result, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
 
The following description is a summary of selected provisions relating to units that we may offer. The summary is not complete. When units are offered in the future, a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will explain the particular terms of those securities and the extent to which these general provisions may apply. The specific terms of the units as described in a prospectus supplement or information incorporated by reference will supplement and, if applicable, may modify or replace the general terms described in this section.
 
This summary and any description of units in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus is subject to and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the unit agreement, collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable. We will file these documents with the SEC for incorporation by reference into this prospectus, as applicable. See “Available Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” for information on how to obtain a copy of a document when it is filed.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus may describe:
 
the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
 
any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities composing the units;
 
whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form; and
 
any other terms of the units.
 
The applicable provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Capital Stock” and “Description of Warrants,” will apply to each unit and to each security included in each unit, respectively.
 
 
20
 
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell the securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to one or more purchasers, through a rights offering, or otherwise. We will describe the terms of the offering of the securities in a prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, including:
 
the name or names of any underwriters, if any;
 
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
 
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
 
any initial public offering price;
 
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
 
any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed.
 
Only underwriters we name in the prospectus supplement, information incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus are underwriters of the securities offered thereby.
 
The distribution of securities may be effected, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including:
 
block transactions (which may involve crosses) and transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded;
 
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement;
 
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers;
 
sales “at the market” to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; and
 
sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers.
 
The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
 
 
21
 
 
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
 
Agents may, from time to time, solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.
 
If underwriters are used in an offering, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus, and the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.
 
If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.
 
We may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.
 
Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement, document incorporated by reference or related free writing prospectus, as applicable, will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, our subsidiaries or affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
 
Any person participating in the distribution of common stock registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act, and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our common stock by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock.
 
Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution.
 
All securities we offer other than common stock will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
 
VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES
 
McDonald Carano LLP will pass upon the validity of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for us. With respect to matters of New York law, the validity of the securities to be issued by the Registrant will be passed upon by Shearman & Sterling LLP.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports incorporated by reference herein, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon such reports and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
22
 
 
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
The following table sets forth all expenses to be paid by the Registrant in connection with this offering.
 
Fee
 
Total
 
SEC registration fee
 $12,980 
FINRA filing fee
 $15,500 
Nasdaq listing fee
  * 
Printing
  * 
Legal fees and expenses
  * 
Accounting fees and expenses
  * 
Transfer agent and registrar fees
  * 
Miscellaneous
  *  
Total 
 $*  
 
* Fees and expenses (other than the SEC registration fee to be paid upon filing of this registration statement and the FINRA filing fee) will depend on the securities offered, the number of issuances and the nature of the offerings, and cannot be estimated at this time.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) 78.138(7) provides that, subject to limited statutory exceptions and unless the Articles of Incorporation or an amendment thereto (in each case filed on or after October 1, 2003) provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer is not individually liable to a corporation or its stockholders or creditors for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer unless determined that the presumption that directors and officers are presumed to act in good faith, on an informed basis and with a view to the interest of the corporation has been rebutted and it is proven that: (i) the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and (ii) the breach of those duties involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law.
 
NRS 78.7502(1) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if the person (i) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or (ii) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. NRS 78.7502(2) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses, including amounts paid in settlement and attorneys’ fees actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of the action or suit if the person (a) is not liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or (b) acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. Any discretionary indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502, unless ordered by a court or advanced pursuant to NRS 78.751(2), may be made by the corporation only as authorized in each specific case upon a determination that the indemnification of a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation is proper under the circumstances. Such determination must be made by the stockholders, the board of directors, by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding; or independent legal counsel, in a written opinion, if (y) a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders; or (z) a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, does not, of itself, create a presumption that the person is liable pursuant to NRS 78.138 or did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or that, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. Indemnification may not be made for any claim, issue or matter as to which such a person has been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable to the corporation or for amounts paid in settlement to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court deems proper.
 
 
II-1
 
 NRS 78.751, requiring mandatory indemnification of officers, directors, employees, and agents, provides that a corporation shall indemnify any person who is a director, officer, employee or agent to the extent that the person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of: (a) any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including, without limitation, an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; or (b) any claim, issue or matter therein, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with defending the action, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees. NRS 78.751(2) provides that unless otherwise restricted by the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, or an agreement made by the corporation, the corporation may pay expenses of officers and directors incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by the corporation may require the corporation to pay such expenses upon receipt of such an undertaking.
 
Under the NRS, the indemnification pursuant to NRS 78.7502 and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.751:
 
Does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in the person’s official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to NRS 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to NRS 78.751(2), may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer finally adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of any appeals taken therefrom, to be liable for intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law, and such misconduct, fraud or violation was material to the cause of action; and
 
Continues for a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
 
Unless the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or an agreement made by a corporation provide otherwise, if a person is entitled to indemnification or the advancement of expenses from the corporation and any other person, the corporation is the primary obligor with respect to such indemnification or advancement. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the articles of incorporation or any bylaw is not eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such act or omission has occurred.
 
The Articles of Incorporation provide that to the fullest extent permitted under the NRS (including, without limitation, to the fullest extent permitted under NRS 78.7502 and 78.751(3)) and other applicable law, the Registrant shall indemnify directors and officers of the Registrant in their respective capacities as such. The Articles of Incorporation further provide that the liability of its directors and officers shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the NRS.
 
Further, the Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers that are broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the NRS. Such agreements require the Registrant, among other things, to advance expenses and otherwise indemnify its executive officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as executive officers or directors, to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Registrant intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.
 
The Registrant has purchased and intends to maintain insurance on behalf of the Registrant and any person who is or was a director or officer against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in that capacity, subject to certain exclusions and limits of the amount of coverage.

 
II-2
 
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
Exhibits
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
1.1*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Debt Securities
1.2*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Common Stock
1.3*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Preferred Stock
1.4*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Warrants
1.5*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement with respect to Units
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Aemetis, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018)
3.3
 
Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Aemetis, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2007)
3.7
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 of Aemetis, Inc.’s Form S-3, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2018)
4.1
 
Form of Indenture with respect to Debt Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Aemetis, Inc.’s Form S-3, filed with the SEC on July 3, 2014)
4.2
 
Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Aemetis, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on December 13, 2007)
4.3*
 
Form of Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate
4.4*
 
Form of Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock
4.5*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Debt Securities
4.6*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Common Stock
4.7*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Preferred Stock
4.8*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement (including Warrant Certificate) with respect to Warrants to purchase Units
4.9*
 
Form of Unit Agreement (including Unit Certificate)
4.10*
 
Form of Rights Agreement (including Form of Rights Certificate)
 
Opinion of McDonald Carano LLP
 
Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP
23.1
 
Consent of McDonald Carano LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 
Consent of RSM US LLP
23.3
 
Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
24.1
 
Powers of Attorney (included on applicable signature page to this registration statement)
25.1**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Debt Trustee (to be filed prior to any issuance of Senior Debt Securities)
25.2**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Debt Trustee (to be filed prior to any issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities)
 
To be filed as an amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference into this registration statement.
** 
To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
 
 
II-3
 
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
(1) 
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
(i) 
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
(ii) 
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
 
(iii) 
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 
(2) 
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3) 
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4) 
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(i) 
Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
(ii) 
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
(5) 
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
(i) 
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 
(ii) 
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
 
(iii) 
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
 
(iv) 
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
 
 
II-4
 
 
(6) 
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(7) 
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, (i) the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(l) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be a part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(8) 
To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
 
(9) 
(i) To use its best efforts to distribute prior to the opening of bids, to prospective bidders, underwriters, and dealers, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus which at that time meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Act, and relating to the securities offered at competitive bidding, as contained in the registration statement, together with any supplements thereto, and (ii) to file an amendment to the registration statement reflecting the results of bidding, the terms of the reoffering and related matters to the extent required by the applicable form, not later than the first use, authorized by the issuer after the opening of bids, of a prospectus relating to the securities offered at competitive bidding, unless no further public offering of such securities by the issuer and no reoffering of such securities by the purchasers is proposed to be made.
 
(10) 
To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
 
(11) 
That, insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
II-5
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cupertino, State of California, on this 28th day of August, 2020.
 
 
 
AEMETIS, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Date: August 28, 2020
By:  
/s/ Eric A. McAfee
 
 
 
Eric A. McAfee
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Eric A. McAfee and Todd Waltz, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments or any abbreviated registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) increasing the number of securities for which registration is sought), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Eric A. McAfee
 
 
Eric A. McAfee
Chief Executive Officer
August 28, 2020
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
/a/ Todd Waltz
 
 
Todd Waltz
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
August 28, 2020
 
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
/s/ Francis P. Barton
 
 
Francis P. Barton
Director
August 28, 2020
   
 
 
/s/ Lydia I. Beebe
 
 
Lydia I. Beebe
Director
August 28, 2020
 
 
 
/s/ John R. Block
 
 
John R. Block
Director
August 28, 2020
 
 
 
/s/ Naomi L. Boness
 
 
Naomi L. Boness
Director
August 28, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
 

II-6