#1VERTEX ENERGY Investor Presentation Producing Tomorrow's Energy APRIL 2016 VT NR NASDAQ LISTED#2Disclaimer This document may contain forward-looking statements including words such as "may," "can," "could,” “should,” “predict," "aim," "potential," "continue," "opportunity," "intend," "goal," "estimate," "expect," "expectations,” “project,” “projections," "plans," "anticipates," "believe," "think," "confident," "scheduled," or similar expressions, as well as information about management's view of Vertex Energy's future expectations, plans and prospects, within the safe harbor provisions under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Vertex Energy, its divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These risk factors and others are included from time to time in documents Vertex Energy files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Vertex Energy's future results. The forward-looking statements included in this presentation are made only as of the date hereof. Vertex Energy cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Vertex Energy undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this presentation, except as required by law, and also undertakes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Vertex Energy. Industry Information Information regarding market and industry statistics contained in this presentation is based on information available to us that we believe is accurate. It is generally based on publications that are not produced for investment or economic analysis. VERTEX. ENERGY 2#3Company Snapshot ■ An Environmental Services Company that recycles industrial waste streams and off-specifications commercial chemical products ■ One of the largest processors of used motor oil in the United States, processing over 115 million gallons annually ■ Operates in the entire value chain, including collections, aggregation, re-refinement, and sales of aggregated feedstock and re-refined products to end users Proprietary UMO re-refining process technologies that produce Group II base oil, VGO, and high value fuel ■ Flexible, scalable, and efficient platform Internal feedstock collection and refining capabilities Leverage third-party collectors and refineries Regional model that can be replicated across the USA to manage logistics and reduce costs VERTEX. 3 ENERGY#4Used Motor Oil Recycling Industry The U.S. used motor oil recycling industry is approximately $2.4 $2.8 billion - 1.3 Billion Gallons of Used Oil* Of the approximately 1.3 billion gallons of used oil generated annually, less than 50% is re-refined while the rest is burned or improperly disposed 100% 200 Cheap natural gas creating need for more re-refinement and processors like Vertex 75% Used oil collectors historically sold to local industrial burners 550 Industrial burners are switching to cheap 50% natural gas, and collectors without infrastructure are now selling to re-refineries Market price for burning linked to cheap natural gas while price for re-refined oil is more closely linked to higher priced diesel 25% Re-refined 325 - As more of the 600 million gallons of burned oil is re-refined, the market size will increase considerably assuming the spread between diesel and natural gas holds 0% 225 Recycled Improperly Disposed * Midpoint of estimated ranges; gallons in millions VERTEX. ENERGY Unrefined Recycled Fuel Re-refined into Lubricating Base Oils Re-refined into Intermediate Products#5Markets for Used Oil: BURNERS (Paper Mill, Asphalt KILN) RE-REFINERIES (Base Stock) VACUUM GAS OIL (VGO) EXPORT (Utility Blends) HIGH VALUE FUEL VERTEX. 5 ENERGY#6Integrated Recycling & Refining Company Aggregation Third-party aggregation network of ~50 collectors across the U.S. 2 terminals for aggregation located in Houston, TX, and Mobile, AL Collection Growing street-level collection expertise - 20 million+ gallons 43 trucks operating as collectors across 10 states Higher-margin internal collection strategy Re-refining Nationwide processing capacity of over 115 million gallons ■ Developed and patented unique UMO processing technology (TCEP) Sales Deep market knowledge of intermediate (base oil, VGO, low-sulfur cutter) and finished product (lube oil) Regional model fosters strong, localized sales relationships P Out Dr At&T VERTEX. ENERGY 6#7V VERTEX ENERGY Vertex Divisions Black Oil Refining & Marketing | Recovery#8Black Oil The Black Oil Division collects, aggregates, processes and sells used motor oil and finished products. ◉ ■ ◉ Collection - Own and operate a fleet of vehicles which collects used motor oil from a network of approximately 5,000 generators 21.0 million gallons collected during the last 12 months Aggregation - Purchase third-party barrels of used oil from a network of approximately 50 collectors across the U.S. - ~62.5 million gallons aggregated over the last 12 months Re-refining - Process used motor oil in-house using proprietary: TCEP technology - produced 12.1 million gallons VGO Re-refining - produced 36.0 million gallons Group II base oil - produced 11.5 million gallons Sales Sale of used motor oil and re-refined products. Black Oil* LTM Revenue: $103.9MM (71% of Total) LTM Gross Profit: $3.5MM (3% Margin) * Last 12 months, or LTM, refers to the 12 month period ended 12/31/15 VERTEX. ENERGY 80#9Refining & Marketing The Refining & Marketing Division aggregates and manages the refining of off-specification petroleum and chemical products and sells the re-refined products to end customers. ■ Obtain feedstock from commercial sources including pipeline operators, refineries, chemical processing facilities and third-party providers Refining & Marketing* ■ Processing completed with KMTEX, a third-party refinery " Produce Various End Products: Gasoline blendstock - raw gasoline sold to blenders - - Pygas – feedstock used by chemical companies Fuel oil cutter stock - used in residual blends * Last 12 months, or LTM, refers to the 12 month period ended 12/31/15 LTM Revenue: $31.1MM (21% of Total) LTM Gross Profit: $3.3MM (10.6% Margin) VERTEX. ENERGY 6#10Recovery The Recovery Division provides hydrocarbon stream recovery and management solutions as well as industrial dismantling, demolition and decommissioning services. ■ Through this division, Vertex owns 8 trucks and heavy equipment used for processing, shipping and handling of reusable equipment ■ These services are currently provided in 13 states, primarily in the Gulf Coast and Midwest In the previous 12 months, this division aggregated approximately 8.6 million gallons of used motor oil and other petroleum by-product feedstocks Recovery* LTM Revenue: $11.9MM (8% of Total) LTM Gross Profit: $3.9MM (32.2% Margin) * Last 12 months, or LTM, refers to the 12 month period ended 12/31/2015 VERTEX. ENERGY 10#11V VERTEX ENERGY Company Snapshot WHAT WE DO#12Vertically Integrated Model What we do ■ Vertex collects feedstocks and processes them into higher value products for end users Vertically integrated across the value chain collecting a variety of feedstocks from the same customer ■ Vertex also acts as a broker of used oil to strategically control more used oil supply Product Sales Processing & Handling Collection & Aggregation USED MOTOR OIL USED ANTIFREEZE USED OIL FILTERS CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM CO-PRODUCTS €9 Used Motor Oil Vertex Value-Added Processing: (Refining, TCEP, Materials Recovery, VGO Processing and Hydro Treating) Leverage Proprietary and off-the-shelf technologies Broker: Manage Logistics/Sales Marine Fuel Virgin Antifreeze Raw Metal Higher Value Feedstock Distillates, Base Oil Gasoline & BlendStock Sold as-is to burners and & Lubes refineries Product Value $$$$ 12#13Used motor oil recycling value chain Generators Collectors Aggregators Processors End Users ✔jiffy lube VERTEX ■ Jiffy LubeⓇ, car dealerships, etc. ■ Collect used oil from generators ■ Purchase used oil from collectors ■ Highly fragmented ■ Sell and deliver it as feedstock for processors Vertical integration enables Vertex to control more of the value chain and capture higher margins. ■ Technology upgrades feedstock into higher value end products ■ End product is used as an industrial fuel, ship fuel, base oil or refinery feedstock VERTEX. ENERGY 13#14National footprint - Regional focus National Footprint Vertex maintains a national footprint with the capabilities to collect/aggregate feedstock across the country and from major transportation hubs. Swap Agreement Regional Swap Agreement with CLH TCEP Facility Location: Baytown, TX Capacity: 35 million gallons Vertex operates as a national player (~23% of total UMO refining capacity in North America) while maintaining effective logistical expertise and cost-effectiveness of a regional refiner. Port Arthur Location: Port Arthur, TX Operates under tolling agreement Regional Model Vertex now operates regional hubs in highly strategic locations, which will optimize transportation costs. Heartland Facility Location: Columbus, OH Capacity: 18 million gallons Myrtle Grove Location: Belle Chaise, LA Currently unutilized refining asset Marrero Facility Location: Marrero, LA Capacity: 60 million gallons Operating & Manufacturing Refineries Facility to be developed VERTEX. ENERGY 14#15V VERTEX ENERGY Vertex® FACILITIES#16Refining facilities TCEP facility (Baytown) Marrero (Louisiana) Heartland (Ohio) Location: Baytown, Texas Capacity: 35 million gallons Finished Product: Low sulfur cutterstock Strategic Benefit: " Highly strategic location to export market for Gulf refiners ■ Proprietary TCEP technology requires low capital expenditures relative to other refining processes ■ Strong demand for regional product blending Location: Marrero, Louisiana Capacity: 60 million gallons Finished Product: Vacuum Gas Oil (VGO) Strategic Benefit: ■ Diversification of product mix ■ New eco-fuel/marine market capabilities ■ Strategic logistical supply location near Mississippi River market Location: Columbus, Ohio Capacity: 18 million gallons Finished Product: Base oil Strategic Benefit: ■ Diversifies range of refined products Only refinery in U.S. to serve the Northeast Expands collected gallon capacity rather than purchasing from third party VERTEX. ENERGY 16#17Other facilities KMTEX (Port Arthur) Myrtle Grove Location: Port Arthur, Texas Finished Product: Gasoline blendstock, pygas, cutterstock Strategic Benefit: Tolling agreement for strategically located re-refining capacity Location: Myrtle Grove, Louisiana Strategic Benefit: " Capability for low-capex conversion to produce base oil, white oil or other specialty materials and a hydrocarbons reclamation facility Barge and rail access, subject to permit approval and infrastructure development VERTEX. ENERGY 17#18V VERTEX ENERGY Vertex® FINANCIALS#19Financials Revenue ($MM) Total Volume (MMBbls) $300 3.00 2.855 2.784 $258.9 $250 2.50 $146.9 $200 2.00 $162.0 1.728 $134.6 1.434 $150 1.50 $109.7 1.176 $100 1.00 $50 0.50 $0 0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Gross Profit ($MM) EBITDA ($MM) $20 $10 $8.9 $16.3 $15 $11.9 $5 $4.1 $3.1 $1.3 $9.8 $10.7 $10 $8.1 $0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 $5 -$5 $0 $6.9 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 -$10 VERTEX. ENERGY 19#20Financials Period ($ in millions except per share data) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Volume (Barrels) 1,175,829 1,434,280 1,728,071 2,854,757 2,784,363 YoY Change 27.6% 22.0% 20.4% 65% (2)% Revenue $109.7MM $134.6MM $162MM $258.9MM $146.9MM YoY Change 88.7% 22.6% 20.4% 60% (43)% Gross Profit $8.1MM $9.8MM $16.3MM $11.9MM $10.7MM Gross Margin % 7.4% 7.3% 10.0% 4.6% 7.2% EBITDA $4.1MM $3.1MM $8.9MM $1.3MM $(6.9)MM Adjusted EPS $0.27 $0.21 $0.44 $0.05 $(.25) NOLS of $68MM VERTEX. ENERGY 20 20#21Balance Sheet & Other Information Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2015 Depreciation & CAPEX LTM December 31, 2015 Cash & Cash Equivalents $.8M Depreciation & Amortization $6.6MM Current Assets $23.2M Capital Expenditures $2.0MM Fixed Assets $53M Total Assets $95.3M Shares Outstanding As of December 31, 2015 Basic Shares Total Debt $27.0M (Includes recent raise & Pfd Shares not yet converted 1:1) 28,181,096 Total Liabilities $42.4M Warrants (Weighted Avg Strike Price - $3.35) 1,986,742 Convertible Preferred $12M Options (Weighted Avg Strike Price - - $17.44) 2,633,583 Redeemable Preferred $.6M Fully Diluted Shares 33,431,969 Stockholders' Equity $40.9M *Term debt with Goldman Sachs is ~$6 million, and total debt is ~$13 million VERTEX. ENERGY 21#22Investment highlights Second-largest processor of used motor oil ("UMO") in North America, with processing capacity of over 115 million gallons (-23% of the North American UMO market) Overall volumes of product sold - which measures reach into the market - decreased 2% for the 12 mos. ended Q4 2015 versus Q4 2014 Street Collections increased 50% for the 12 mos. ended Q4 2015 versus Q4 2014 ■ Top-tier base of nationwide assets - creates an organization with deep vertical integration expertise across the UMO value chain Regional model with strategic hubs located in key geographic areas ◉ ◉ - Opportunity to optimize logistics, increase direct collections to capture additional margin Allows for "local expertise" in each market, which leads to understanding and realizing increased leverage across the country Market leverage around pricing – industry leaders in managing spread New paradigm in the market for collected/aggregated UMO – shift toward an environmental services model - - Oil collection recently moved from pay-for-oil ("PFO") to zero-pay ("ZP") with the current trend toward charge-for-oil ("CFO") - generators will pay Vertex to collect UMO Current market price for UMO at the generator level is approximately $0.27/gallon versus $.12 at December 31, 2015 CFO versus $1.00/gallon PFO 12 months ago Paradigm shift provides for opportunities to increase market share on the street Firm steps taken to protect against future extreme volatility New partnership limits marketing/trading risk Proven and experienced management with comprehensive industry knowledge VERTEX. ENERGY 22 22#23Management team Benjamin P. Cowart | Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Founder 29 years petroleum recovery industry, pioneering the reclamation industry by developing recycling options for many hydrocarbon residual materials once managed as hazardous wastes John Strickland | Chief Operating Officer 30 years management and marketing of fuels and petroleum blending operations Chris Carlson | Chief Financial Officer 15 years financial management, energy, commodity, treasury and risk management Matthew Dupay | Manager of Refining & Marketing 12 years processing, trading and marketing of petroleum and chemicals Mike Stieneker | General Manager of H&H Oil Collections 20 years management and operations of Used Oil Collections Alvaro Ruiz | Vice President of Business Development and M&A 20 years in manufacturing and services industries Dave Peel | Corporate Advisor Extensive leadership in operations, engineering, and expansive experience in industry and technical knowledge VERTEX. ENERGY 23#24Thank You VERTEX ENERGY