SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  March 31, 2015

 

PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 000-21467 41-2170618
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

400 Capitol Mall, Suite 2060

Sacramento, California

  95814
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
    
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (916) 403-2123

 

      
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
       

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

xWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01.          Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

On March 31, 2015, Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (the “Company”), AVR Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. (“Aventine”) entered into Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Amendment”) amending the terms of the previously disclosed Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 30, 2014 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Merger Sub and Aventine. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Aventine, with Aventine continuing as the surviving corporation of the merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). The Amendment (i) specifies that the Company’s stockholders’ meeting shall occur as promptly as practicable after the declaration of effectiveness of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, rather than within 45 days after the declaration of effectiveness of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, (ii) removes the requirement that the VWAP per share (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Company’s common stock, as reported on NASDAQ for the 20 trading days immediately preceding the closing, equals or exceeds $10.00, (iii) provides that the Company will identify individuals to be party to employment agreements and provide such individuals the principal terms of employment, in each case, as promptly as practicable but no later than on or prior to May 1, 2015, rather than 30 days after the execution of the Merger Agreement and (iv) specifies that the condition in Section 7.2(k) of the Merger Agreement shall be deemed to have been satisfied without any further action if the Company does not provided notice to Aventine within 20 days after receipt of the current and valid Phase I environmental site assessment for Aventine’s facility in Pekin, Illinois, that the cost of remediation of Aventine’s facility in Pekin, Illinois would in the reasonable determination of the Company be expected to exceed $3,300,000 in the aggregate.

 

Other than expressly modified pursuant to the Amendment, the Merger Agreement remains in full force and effect. The foregoing description of the Amendment is not a complete description of all of the parties’ rights and obligations under the Merger Agreement or the Amendment. The above description is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the Company on December 31, 2014, and the Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This communication and related documents may include “forward-looking statements” including, but not limited to, statements that refer to the Company’s estimated or anticipated future results, including estimated synergies, or other non-historical expressions of fact that reflect the Company’s current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the acquisition of Aventine, including future financial and operating results, the Company’s or Aventine’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and the expected timing of completion of the transaction. It is important to note that the Company’s goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from the Company’s current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting the Company’s business, Aventine’s business and risks associated with acquisition transactions. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; restructuring in connection with, and successful closing of, the Aventine acquisition; subsequent integration of the Aventine acquisition and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Aventine acquisition; the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals for the transaction, the timing of obtaining such approvals and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction; the ability to obtain the requisite Company and Aventine stockholder approvals; the risk that a condition to closing of the Aventine acquisition may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; risks relating to the value of the Company shares to be issued in the transaction; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for the Company’s and Aventine’s products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the ethanol production and marketing industries; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government investigations; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; costs and efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to the Company’s and Aventine’s facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations; changes in tax laws or interpretations that could increase the Company’s consolidated tax liabilities; the loss of key senior management or staff; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company’s periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s “Risk Factors” section contained in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2015 and from time to time in the Company’s other investor communications. Except as expressly required by law, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

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Important Information for Investors and Stockholders

 

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In connection with the proposed merger between the Company and Aventine, the Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of the Company and Aventine that also constitutes a prospectus of the Company. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be delivered to the Company’s and Aventine’s stockholders. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF PACIFIC ETHANOL AND AVENTINE ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company will be available free of charge on the Company’s internet website at www.pacificethanol.net or by contacting the Company’s investor relations agency, LHA, at (415) 433-3777.

 

 

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Participants in the Merger Solicitation

 

The Company, Aventine, their respective directors and certain of their executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the Company’s and Aventine’s stockholders in connection with the proposed merger will be set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus contained in the above-referenced registration statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended) filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus, which will be filed with the SEC. Information about the executive officers of Aventine is set forth at www.aventinerei.com. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the above-referenced registration statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended) and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

 

Item 9.01.          Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)          Exhibits.

 

Number Description
   
2.1 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 31, 2015 by and among Pacific Ethanol, Inc., Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. and AVR Merger Sub, Inc.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: April 2, 2015

Date: April 2, 2015 PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
   
  By: /S/ CHRISTOPHER W. WRIGHT
  Christopher W. Wright
  Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBITS FILED WITH THIS REPORT

 

Number Description
   
2.1 Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 31, 2015 by and among Pacific Ethanol, Inc., Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. and AVR Merger Sub, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 2.1

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Amendment”) is dated as of March 31, 2015, among PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), AVR MERGER SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and AVENTINE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

RECITALS:

 

A. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 30, 2014 (the “Agreement”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to them in the Agreement.

 

B. The Parties desire to amend the Agreement to (i) specify that the Company Stockholders’ Meeting would occur as promptly as practicable after the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement rather than within forty-five days after the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement as set forth in Section 6.7(a) of the Agreement; (ii) remove the requirement contained in Section 7.1(f) of the Agreement that the VWAP per share of Parent Voting Common Stock, as reported on NASDAQ for the twenty (20) Trading Days immediately preceding the Closing Date, equals or exceeds $10.00; (iii) provide that Parent will identify individuals to be party to employment agreements pursuant to Section 7.2(f) of the Agreement and provide such individuals the principal terms of employment, in each case, as promptly as practicable following the date hereof but no later than on or prior to May 1, 2015; and (iv) specify that the condition in Section 7.2(k) of the Agreement shall be deemed to have been satisfied without any further action if Parent has not provided notice to the Company within 20 days after receipt of the current and valid Phase I environmental site assessment for the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois, that the cost of remediation of the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois would in the reasonable determination of Parent be expected to exceed $3,300,000 in the aggregate.

 

AGREEMENT:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Amendment. The Parties hereby amend the Agreement as follows:

 

(a) The first sentence of Section 6.7(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such sentence in its entirety and inserting in its place the following

 

“The Company, acting through the Company Board, shall take all actions in accordance with the DGCL, the Company Certificate or Company Bylaws or similar governing documents of the Company and all applicable Laws to promptly and duly call, give notice of, convene and hold as promptly as practicable after the declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company Stockholders’ Meeting for the purpose of considering and voting upon the Company Voting Proposal.”

 

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(b) Section 7.1(f) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such section in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

 

“(f) [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED.]”

 

(c) Section 7.2(f) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such sentence in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

“(f) Employment Agreements. The execution and delivery by those individuals identified by Parent in writing as promptly as practicable following the date hereof but no later than on or prior to May 1, 2015 of employment agreements between such individuals and Parent, in each case in a form substantially similar to the form of employment agreements entered into between Parent and its employees holding similar positions. The delivery of the written notification to each such individuals shall contain the principal terms of employment including title, duties, compensation and term.”

 

(d) Section 7.2(k) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such section in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

 

“(k) Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. Parent shall have received a current and valid Phase I environmental site assessment, performed in accordance with the applicable technical standard, along with a reliance letter if applicable, for the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois, and such assessment shall not reveal any condition(s) (except any condition(s) that would be reasonably apparent to a reasonable Person under Parent’s circumstances from the information disclosed to Parent in the Company’s Disclosure Schedules or in the Dataroom on or prior to December 21, 2014, including from any previous Phase I environmental site assessments performed on the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois disclosed to Parent in the Dataroom on or prior to such date), that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a cost of remediation exceeding $3,300,000 in the aggregate (including the aforementioned reasonably apparent condition(s)) for the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois; provided, that the condition in this Section 7.2(k) shall be deemed to have been satisfied without any further action if Parent has not provided notice to the Company within 20 days after receipt of the current and valid Phase I environmental site assessment for the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois, that the cost of remediation of the Company’s production facility in Pekin, Illinois would in the reasonable determination of Parent be expected to exceed $3,300,000 in the aggregate (the “Remediation Notice”). If Parent timely provides the Remediation Notice, but without, however, affecting the satisfaction of the foregoing condition to Closing, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to develop a remediation plan that is mutually acceptable to the Parties.”

 

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2. No Other Amendments. Except as otherwise provided in this Amendment, no other amendments to the Agreement (including the Schedules or Exhibits thereto) are hereby made or intended, and the Agreement remains in full force and effect and legally binding on the Parties. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, including facsimile counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(Signature page follows.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have caused this Amendment to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized all as of the date first written above.

 

  PACIFIC ETHANOL, INC.
   
   
  By:  /s/ Neil M. Koehler
  Name:  Neil M. Koehler
  Title:  President & Chief Executive Officer
   
   
  AVR MERGER SUB, INC.
   
  By:  /s/ Neil M. Koehler
  Name:  Neil M.  Koehler
  Title:  President & Chief Executive Officer
   
   
  AVENTINE RENEWABLE ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
   
  By:  /s/ Mark Beemer
  Name:  Mark Beemer
  Title:  Chief Executive Officer

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]

 

 

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