Share-Based Compensation
In 2023, the Company adopted the LanzaTech Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) in conjunction with the closing of the Business Combination. The LTIP provides for grants of a variety of awards to employees, directors, and other service providers to the Company, including, but not limited to stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance awards and other stock-based awards or cash incentives. As of December 31, 2025, the Company is authorized to issue 313,668 awards under the LTIP. Prior to the effective date of the closing of the Business Combination, the Company granted awards under the LanzaTech NZ Inc. 2013 Stock Plan, the LanzaTech NZ Inc. 2015 Stock Plan, and the LanzaTech NZ, Inc. 2019 Stock Plan, (collectively, the “Prior Stock Plans”).
Equity Classified Awards:
Restricted Stock Units
Under the LTIP, the Company has granted two types of RSUs: time-based RSUs, and market-based RSUs. Time-based RSUs granted to employees and other service providers (other than directors) are generally subject to a three-year annual pro-rata vesting schedule whereby the awards generally vest in three equal tranches on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, subject to grantee’s continued service through each vesting date. However, vesting will accelerate in certain circumstances (e.g., retirement, death, disability, or a qualified termination in connection with a change in control). Time-based RSUs granted to directors are subject to a one-year vesting schedule and the full award vests on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the director’s continued service through the vesting date. However, vesting will accelerate in certain circumstances (e.g., removal in connection with a change in control).
The market-based RSUs have both a time-based and a market-based vesting component. Both components must be met for the award to vest. The market-based RSUs are subject to a three-year annual pro-rata vesting schedule whereby the awards generally vest in three equal tranches on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, subject to grantee’s continued service through each vesting date. The market-based vesting component is satisfied if on any date during the period beginning on the 151st date following the vesting commencement date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the vesting commencement date, the average closing price of a share of the Company’s common stock, equals or exceeds $1,150, determined using the closing share price from the 20 trading days preceding such determination date.
A summary of the unvested time-based and market-based RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2025, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Time-based RSUs | | Market-based RSUs |
| Shares (in thousands) | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | | Shares (in thousands) | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
Non-vested Outstanding at January 1, 2025 | 40 | | | $ | 322.27 | | | 37 | | | $ | 170.11 | |
Granted | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Vested | (16) | | | 324.74 | | — | | | 0.00 |
Cancelled/forfeited | (11) | | | 323.01 | | (1) | | | 161.00 |
Non-vested Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | 13 | | | $ | 318.62 | | | 36 | | | $ | 170.29 | |
Compensation expense related to the time-based RSUs was $3,130 and $5,355 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, $1,811 of unrecognized compensation cost related to time-based RSUs will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.03 years.
Compensation expense related to the market-based RSUs was $639 and $1,958 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, $91 of unrecognized compensation costs related to market-based RSUs will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.31 years.
Stock Options
In accordance with the LTIP and Prior Stock Plans, grantees have also been granted stock options to purchase common shares. The exercise price of each stock option was no less than the fair market value price of the Company’s common shares determined as of the date of grant. The stock options generally vest over the course of two to five years, subject to the service provider’s continued service through each vesting date. Upon termination of service, unvested stock options are forfeited in accordance with their terms unless the award agreement provides for accelerated vesting (e.g., due to retirement). The below tables reflect the stock options granted prior to the Business Combination multiplied by the exchange ratio and the weighted average exercise price divided by the exchange ratio.
Stock option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2025, were as follows: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares subject to option (thousands) | | Weighted average exercise price | | Weighted average remaining contractual term (years) | | Aggregate intrinsic value (thousands) |
Outstanding at January 1, 2025 | 187 | | | $ | 210.93 | | | | | |
| Vested and expecting to vest at January 1, 2025 | 187 | | | 210.93 | | | | | |
Exercisable at January 1, 2025 | 128 | | | 167.46 | | | | | |
| Granted | — | | | | | | | |
| Exercised | — | | | | | | | |
| Cancelled/forfeited | (19) | | | 192.31 | | | | | |
| Expired | (30) | | | 265.01 | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | 138 | | | $ | 209.64 | | | 4.09 | | $ | — | |
| Vested and expecting to vest at December 31, 2025 | 138 | | | 209.64 | | | 4.09 | | — | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2025 | 117 | | | $ | 189.19 | | | 3.41 | | $ | — | |
Compensation expenses related to the stock options was $3,509 and $6,132 for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, $1,986 of unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.03 years.
Liability-Classified Awards
Phantom RSUs
Under a phantom equity sub-plan of the LTIP, certain non-US employees of the Company were provided with Phantom RSUs that can only be settled in cash and are therefore recorded as a liability. The Phantom RSUs have a graded vesting schedule and vest in three equal tranches on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, subject to the employee meeting the requisite service requirements. Grantees are entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share multiplied by the number of vested Phantom RSUs as of the applicable vesting date.
Phantom SARs
Under a phantom equity sub-plan of the LTIP, certain non-US employees of the Company were provided with Phantom SARs that can only be settled in cash and are therefore recorded as a liability. The Phantom SARs have a graded vesting schedule and vest in three equal tranches on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the vesting commencement date, subject to the employee meeting the requisite service requirements. Phantom SARs expire 10 years after the grant date and entitle the grantee to receive a cash payment upon exercise of the award equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share on the date of exercise over the exercise price multiplied by the number of SARs exercised.