UNITED STATES
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): October 9, 2024

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada		001-11476		94-3439569
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1331 Gemini Street

Suite 250

Houston,TX

77058

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (866) 660-8156

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:

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on
which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share

VTNR

The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC

(Nasdaq Capital Market)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On October 9, 2024, Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release disclosing the successful startup of the hydrocracker unit, in conventional service, at its Mobile, Alabama refinery.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01            Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit		Description
99.1**		Press Release, dated as of October 9, 2024
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report, including the exhibits attached hereto, contains “forward-looking statements” related to future events. Forward-looking statements contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “may,” “will,” “would,” or “target.” Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, and estimates. These statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties regarding the Company’s ability to complete the previously disclosed restructuring and its ability to continue operating in the ordinary course while certain chapter 11 of title 11 (“Chapter 11”) of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) cases are pending, the Company’s ability to successfully complete a restructuring under Chapter 11, including: consummation of the restructuring; potential adverse effects of the Chapter 11 cases on the Company’s liquidity and results of operations; the Company’s ability to obtain timely approval by the bankruptcy court with respect to the motions filed in the Chapter 11 cases; objections to the Company’s recapitalization process or other pleadings filed that could protract the Chapter 11 cases; employee attrition and the Company’s ability to retain senior management and other key personnel due to distractions and uncertainties; the Company’s ability to comply with financing arrangements; the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties and regulatory authorities as a result of the Chapter 11 cases; the effects of the Chapter 11 cases on the Company and on the interests of various constituents, including holders of the Company’s common stock, including pursuant to the current restructuring agreement, which contemplates the cancellation of all existing equity interests of the Company, including all shares of common stock, the loss of the value of Company securities in the event of the cancellation thereof in connection with the Chapter 11 cases, the bankruptcy court’s rulings in the Chapter 11 cases, including the approvals of the terms and conditions of the restructuring and the outcome of the Chapter 11 cases generally; the length of time that the Company will operate under Chapter 11 protection and the continued availability of operating capital during the pendency of the Chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third party motions in the Chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with the Company’s ability to consummate the restructuring or an alternative restructuring; increased administrative and legal costs related to the Chapter 11 process; and other litigation and inherent risks involved in a bankruptcy process. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include comments as to the Company’s beliefs and expectations as to future financial performance, events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s most recently filed periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov and in the “Investor Relations” – “SEC Filings” section of the Company’s website at www.vertexenergy.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as otherwise provided by law.

SIGNATURES

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.

	VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

Date: October 9, 2024	By:	/s/ Chris Carlson
		Chris Carlson
		Chief Financial Officer

Vertex Energy Inc. 8-K