Exhibit 10.1


 





WAIVER


 


October 9, 2015


 


 


Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc.


914 N. Jefferson


Springdale, Arkansas 72764


Attention: Chief Executive Officer 


 


 


Ladies and Gentlemen:


 


Reference hereby is made to that certain Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2011, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2011,
and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2011 (as further amended,
restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Advanced
Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the lenders from time to time
parties hereto (the “Lenders”), H.I.G. AERT, LLC, as the administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity,
together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”; and together with the Lenders, collectively,
the “Lender Group”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined or limited herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement.


 


As you are aware, Borrower has failed to perform
obligations owed to the Lender Group under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as a result of Borrower’s failure
to comply with Sections 6.10 and 6.11 of the Credit Agreement, which require Borrower to have (i) a Leverage Ratio of below
3.10 to 1.00, (ii) a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio greater than 1.50, (iii) a Minimum EBITDA of $10 million, and (iv) Capital Expenditures
of less than $2.5 million for the current fiscal year, respectively (collectively, the “Specified Events of Default”)
for four Fiscal Quarters (as defined in the Credit Agreement) ending September 30, 2015. The Specified Events of Default represent
Events of Default under the Notes (as defined in the Company’s Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the
Series E Convertible Preferred Stock of Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies, Inc. dated March 17, 2011 (the “Certificate
of Designation”)) resulting in the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) under
Section 5(a)(ii) of the Certificate of Designation.


 


As a result of the Specified Events of Default,
Events of Default have occurred and are currently continuing under the Credit Agreement. You have requested that the Lender Group
waive the Specified Events of Default. This letter (this “Waiver”) is to advise you that the Lender Group hereby
waives the Specified Events of Default and their rights and remedies under the Credit Agreement arising as a result of the Specified
Events of Default.


 



     

    




    




Notwithstanding the foregoing, such waiver shall
not waive any other requirement or hinder, restrict or otherwise modify the rights and remedies of the Lender Group following the
occurrence of any other Event of Default under the Credit Agreement. Except as otherwise expressed herein, the text of the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall remain in full force and effect, and the Lender Group hereby reserves its rights
to require strict compliance in the future with all terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
Borrower hereby reaffirms its obligations under each Credit Document to which it is a party. Borrower hereby further ratifies and
reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens heretofore granted, pursuant to and in connection with the Security
Agreement or any other Credit Document, to Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of each member of the Lender Group, as collateral
security for the Obligations under the Credit Documents in accordance with their respective terms, and acknowledges that all of
the Liens, and all Collateral heretofore pledged as security for the Obligations, continues to be and remain Collateral for the
Obligations from and after the date hereof. Borrower hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each and every term and condition
set forth in the Credit Agreement and the Credit Documents effective as of the date hereof.


 


This Waiver may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which (including any counterpart delivered by facsimile or other electronic method of transmission) shall be deemed to
be an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement, and this Waiver shall be deemed to
be made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. This Waiver shall
be effective as of the date set forth above when and only when, Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Waiver duly executed
by Borrower and the Lenders.


 


This Waiver shall constitute a Credit Document
for all purposes.


 


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto
have caused this Waiver to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.


 


 





	 	H.I.G. AERT, LLC,
	 	as Administrative Agent and Lender
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Bobby Sheth	 
	 	 	Name:  	Bobby Sheth
	 	 	Title:	Authorized Signatory




 


 


 


Acknowledged and agreed to


as of the date first written above:


 


 


ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL 


RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,


a Delaware corporation


 


 


	By:	/s/ J. R. Brian Hanna	 
	Name:	J. R. Brian Hanna	 
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer & Principal Accounting Officer







 





 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 





Waiver (H.I.G. LOAN Agreement)