| Cereplast Announces Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results 
 EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov 14, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Cereplast, Inc.
 (CERP), a leading manufacturer of proprietary biobased, sustainable bioplastics,
 today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30,
 2012.
 
 Mr. Frederic Scheer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cereplast, stated,
 "Thus far in 2012 we have focused on several areas which have resulted in the
 achievement of key milestones, new product launches and important strategic
 relationships. Since the opening of our offices with a dedicated team in India,
 we have begun selling our Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R) product line in this
 emerging marketplace, which is the world's third largest consumer of polymers.
 The Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R) products are being tested with a large polymer
 converter for other applications and are part of the unsold inventory we recouped
 from our European clients. We continue to move our relationship with A.R.M.Y.
 forward, which has resulted in the introduction of key strategic relationships
 including the engineering and marketing team of Tirumala Thirupathi Devastanam,
 an independent trust to the largest shrine in the world. Our Cereplast
 Compostables(R) resins are being tested on 25,000 bags for their expected use by
 millions of annual visitors to their shrine. Lastly, the Italian government has
 moved toward reinstating legislation to ban non-compostable resins. Several large
 supermarket chains have expressed an interest in testing our products, while
 multiple product lines are currently in progress. As we work diligently towards
 transforming these opportunities into revenue, we will continue managing our cash
 flow accordingly."
 
 Mr. Scheer continued, "Heading into 2013 we are refining our strategy to ensure
 we give ourselves the greatest opportunity for revenue growth. The experience we
 have gained through our recent history of operating within the bioplastics
 industry has allowed us to understand what the market demands; we therefore find
 it more important to target specific applications rather than the broader
 approach we have taken in the past. We believe that by tailoring our offerings
 specifically for the customer's product application, the adoption of our product
 will become greater. With the plan I just described I want to reassure our
 shareholders that Cereplast's management team is focused and working very hard
 every day to ensure that we will prevail over our challenging environment."
 
 Operational Highlights:
 
 --Cereplast has begun to sell its first Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R)
 application in India. This milestone follows the Company's opening of a
 corporate office in India to service its partners in South Asia and the
 appointment of a Technical Services Engineer to provide on-site
 services. Management visited India several times to assist with the
 marketing launch of our resin.
 --The same Cereplast Hybrid Resins(R) grade utilized for the safety helmet
 application was qualified by a large converter of S-B Polymers to make
 bioplastic buckets. This potential customer is one of three dedicated
 converters who manufacture buckets for a large consumer products company
 in India. This relationship has a projected demand of several thousand
 tons per month.
 --Each of these opportunities in India would allow us to monetize the
 inventory recouped from our European customers.
 --A.R.M.Y. made a formal presentation of Cereplast's Compostable 3002
 resin to the engineering and marketing departments of "Tirumala
 Thirupathi Devastanam," an independent trust which manages the Tirumala
 Venkateswara Temple, the largest shrine in the world. The presentation
 resulted in the commercial test of 25,000 bags over a 60 day period to
 test strength and reception of the product.
 --The Italian government has reinstated legislation calling for the ban of
 non-compostable resins. Management believes this legislation will be
 implemented by the end of 2012.
 --Several large supermarket chains have expressed an interest in Cereplast
 Compostables(R) resins for bags and orders have been made to test the
 product.
 --Cereplast successfully tested their Hybrid 101 product for fruit and
 vegetable shipping baskets. The addressable market for this application
 is several thousand tons per month.
 --Cereplast Hybrid 651D wins MATERIALICA Design + Technology 2012 silver
 award for outstanding innovation in the "Material" category.
 
 2012 Third Quarter and First Nine Months Financial Results:
 
 Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were approximately
 $477,000, compared to $5.4 million for the same period in 2011. Net sales for the
 first nine months of 2012 were approximately $0.8 million, compared to $20.2
 million in the same period in 2011. The decrease in sales was due to
 transitioning significant resources and efforts toward recovery of past due
 accounts receivables from customers and minimizing any additional exposure to our
 accounts receivable credit risk. Our current period sales were primarily prepaid
 shipments of sample materials and nominal shipments to established existing
 customers with low risk credit limits.
 
 Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were approximately
 $910,000, compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2011. Costs of sales
 for the first nine months of 2012 were approximately $2.1 million, compared to
 $17.7 million for the same period in 2011. The decline in cost of sales is due to
 our lower variable manufacturing costs from our reduced sales volumes and
 reduction in manufacturing overhead through reduced supplies and headcount.
 
 Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012
 were approximately $115,000, compared to $280,000 for the same period in 2011.
 Research and development expenses for the first nine months of 2012 were $0.4
 million, compared to approximately $0.8 million for the same period in 2011. Our
 decrease in research and development expenses was primarily attributable to lower
 outside services costs related to our current projects.
 
 Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September
 30, 2012 were approximately $6.4 million, compared to $3.7 million for the same
 period in 2011. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first nine
 months of 2012 were $9.3 million, compared to $8.5 million for the same period in
 2011. Our increase in sales, general and administrative expenses was primarily
 due to an increase in our allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.8 million during
 the third quarter of 2012, offset by reduced headcount and variable sales and
 marketing expenses due to lower sales volume in the current year.
 
 Other income and expense, net for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was
 approximately 3.0 million, compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2011.
 Other income and expense, net for the first nine months of 2012 was $5.2 million,
 as compared to $1.0 million in the same period in 2011. The increase was
 primarily related to additional interest expense related to the issuance of our
 convertible debentures in May 2011, the impact from our Forbearance and Exchange
 Agreement with certain holders of our convertible debentures and the change in
 our derivative liability related to our warrants.
 
 On the balance sheet, the Company had approximately $237,000 in cash and $7.3
 million in accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Current
 assets and total assets were $14.1 million and $25.5 million respectively.
 Current liabilities and total liabilities were $9.0 million and $22.1 million
 respectively. Total shareholders' equity was $3.3 million as of September 30,
 2012, with approximately 29 million shares of common stock issued and
 outstanding.
 
 Conference Call
 Details:
 Date:Wednesday, November 14, 2012
 Time:4:30 p.m. EST
 Dial-In:(877) 312-5508
 International
 Dial-In:(253) 237-1135
 investor.cereplast.com
 Live Webcast:nts.cfm
 
 A live webcast and archive of the call will also be available on the Investor
 Relations section of Cereplast's website at cereplast.com. If you are
 unable to participate on the call at this time, a telephonic replay will be
 available for three days starting two hours after the conclusion of the call. To
 access the telephonic replay, dial 855-859-2056, international callers dial
 404-537-3406, and enter the Conference ID 64671679.
 
 About Cereplast, Inc.
 
 Cereplast, Inc. (CERP) designs and manufactures proprietary biobased, sustainable
 bioplastics which are used as substitutes for traditional plastics in all major
 converting processes-such as injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding
 and extrusions-at a pricing structure that is competitive with traditional
 plastics. On the cutting-edge of biobased plastic material development, Cereplast
 now offers resins to meet a variety of customer demands. Cereplast
 Compostables(R) resins are ideally suited for single-use applications where high
 biobased content and compostability are advantageous, especially in the food
 service industry. Cereplast Sustainables(R) resins combine high biobased content
 with the durability and endurance of traditional plastic, making them ideal for
 applications in industries such as automotive, consumer electronics and
 packaging. Learn more at cereplast.com. You may also visit the
 Cereplast social networking pages at Facebook.com/Cereplast,
 Twitter.com/Cereplast and Youtube.com/Cereplastinc.
 
 The Cereplast, Inc. logo is available at
 globenewswire.com
 
 Safe Harbor Statement
 
 Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within
 the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in
 this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may,"
 "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking
 statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially
 from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements
 contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the
 expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and
 uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties
 associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting
 the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance,
 the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions,
 and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the
 Company.
 
 CEREPLAST, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 (unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 --------------------------------------------
 
 SeptemberSeptemberSeptemberSeptember
 30, 201230, 201130, 201230, 2011
 ----------------------------------------
 Gross Product Sales$ 481$ 5,414$ 786$ 20,849
 Sales Discounts, Returns and
 Allowances(4)(45)(16)(628)
 ----------------------------------------
 Net Sales4775,36977020,221
 
 Cost of Goods Sold9104,4752,09317,701
 ----------------------------------------
 Gross Profit (Loss)(433)894(1,323)2,520
 
 Operating Expenses:
 Research and Development115280371789
 Selling, General and
 Administrative6,4103,6899,2868,457
 ----------------------------------------
 
 Total Operating Expenses6,5253,9699,6579,246
 ----------------------------------------
 Operating Loss(6,958)(3,075)(10,980)(6,726)
 
 Debt Extinguishment Costs----(427)--
 Loss on Derivative Liability47--(52)--
 Interest and Other Income----18--
 
 Interest Expense(3,057)(513)(4,834)(999)
 ----------------------------------------
 Loss Before Provision for
 Income Taxes(9,968)(3,588)(16,275)(7,725)
 
 Provision for Income Taxes--------
 ----------------------------------------
 
 Net Loss$ (9,968)$ (3,588)$ (16,275)$ (7,725)
 ========================================
 Net Loss Per Share--Basic and
 Diluted$ (0.40)$ (0.23)$ (0.77)$ (0.50)
 ========================================
 Weighted Average Common
 Shares Outstanding--Basic
 and Diluted24,739,44915,777,79321,242,11515,470,324
 ========================================
 
 CEREPLAST, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 (in thousands, except shares data)
 
 SeptemberDecember
 30, 201231, 2011
 -------------------
 (Unaudited)
 ASSETS
 Current Assets
 Cash$237$3,940
 Accounts Receivable, Net7,29314,744
 Inventory, Net5,4244,406
 Prepaid Expenses and Other
 Current Assets1,136966
 -------------------
 
 Total Current Assets14,09024,056
 -------------------
 Property and Equipment
 Property and Equipment13,83613,752
 Accumulated Depreciation
 and Amortization(3,668)(3,151)
 -------------------
 Property and Equipment,
 Net10,16810,601
 -------------------
 Other Assets
 Restricted Cash4343
 Deferred Loan Costs8671,321
 Intangible Assets, Net248183
 
 Deposits4747
 -------------------
 
 Total Other Assets1,2051,594
 -------------------
 
 Total Assets$25,463$36,251
 ===================
 LIABILITIES AND
 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Current Liabilities
 Accounts Payable$1,134$1,813
 Accrued Expenses3,0492,760
 Capital Leases, Current
 Portion7773
 Loan Payable, Current
 Portion4,0231,855
 Convertible Subordinated
 Notes, Current Portion357--
 
 Derivative Liability344--
 -------------------
 
 Total Current Liabilities8,9846,501
 -------------------
 Long-Term Liabilities
 Loan Payable4,4237,307
 Convertible Subordinated
 Notes8,53212,500
 
 Capital Leases, Long-Term191245
 -------------------
 Total Long-Term
 Liabilities13,14620,052
 -------------------
 
 Total Liabilities22,13026,553
 -------------------
 Shareholders' Equity
 Preferred Stock, $0.001 par
 value; 5,000,000 shares
 authorized; 73 and 0
 shares issued and
 outstanding at September
 30, 2012 and December 31,
 2011, respectively----
 Common Stock, $0.001 par
 value; 495,000,000 shares
 authorized; 28,989,829 and
 18,933,139 shares issued
 and outstanding at
 September 30, 2012 and
 December 31, 2011,
 respectively2919
 Additional Paid in Capital76,39866,524
 Accumulated Deficit(73,210)(56,935)
 Accumulated Other
 Comprehensive Income11286
 -------------------
 3,3299,694
 
 Noncontrolling Interests44
 -------------------
 
 Total Equity3,3339,698
 -------------------
 Total Liabilities and
 Shareholders' Equity$25,463$36,251
 ===================
 
 CEREPLAST, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (unaudited, in thousands, except shares data)
 
 Nine Months Ended
 ---------------------
 
 SeptemberSeptember
 30, 201230, 2011
 -------------------
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net Loss$ (16,275)$ (7,725)
 Adjustment to Reconcile Net Loss to
 Net Cash Used in Operating
 Activities
 Depreciation and Amortization536694
 Allowance for Doubtful Accounts5,0821,780
 Common Stock Issued for Services,
 Salaries and Wages160874
 Amortization of Loan Discount3,22357
 Impairment of Intangible Assets--64
 Extinguishment of Convertible Debt368--
 Loss on Derivative Liability52--
 Changes in Operating Assets and
 Liabilities
 Accounts Receivable537(15,609)
 Deferred Loan Costs458223
 Inventory814(2,095)
 Deposits--(35)
 Prepaid Expenses(171)(1,514)
 Accounts Payable659269
 
 Accrued Expenses288864
 -------------------
 NET CASH USED IN OPERATING
 ACTIVITIES(4,269)(22,153)
 -------------------
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Purchase of Property and Equipment,
 and Intangibles(180)(1,290)
 
 Proceeds from Sale of Equipment15--
 -------------------
 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING
 ACTIVITIES(165)(1,290)
 -------------------
 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Payments on Capital Leases(50)(13)
 Proceeds from Capital Leases--96
 Noncontrolling Interest Activities--4
 Payments made on Notes Payable(603)--
 Proceeds from Loan Payable, Net of
 Loan Costs--2,500
 Proceeds from Convertible Notes, Net
 of Issuance Costs60011,225
 Proceeds from Issuance of Common
 Stock and Subscriptions, Net of
 Issuance Costs40011,363
 Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred
 Stock, Net of Issuance Costs400--
 -------------------
 NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES74725,175
 -------------------
 
 FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION(15)(93)
 -------------------
 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH(3,702)1,639
 
 CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD3,9402,391
 -------------------
 
 CASH, END OF PERIOD$ 237$ 4,030
 ===================
 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
 INFORMATION
 Cash Paid During the Year For:
 Interest$ 460$ 417
 Income Taxes$ --$ --
 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH
 TRANSACTIONS
 
 This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, globenewswire.com
 
 SOURCE: Cereplast, Inc.
 CONTACT: Cereplast, Inc.
 Public Relations
 Nicole Robertson
 (310) 615-1900 x154
 nrobertson@cereplast.com
 Investor Relations:
 Alliance Advisors, LLC
 Alan Sheinwald
 914-669-0222
 asheinwald@allianceadvisors.net
 allianceadvisors.net
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