 HOUSTON, TX ACCESSWIRE May 13, 2021 Vertex Energy, Inc. NASDAQ:VTNR Vertex Energy or the Company, a leading specialty refiner and marketer of high-quality refined products, today announced its financial results for the first quarter 2021 ended March 31, 2021. FIRST QUARTER 2021 RESULTS As compared to the first quarter 2020 Generated net income attributable to Vertex Energy, Inc. of 1.0 million Adjusted EBITDA of 6.5 million, an increase of 4.9 million from first quarter 2020 Total collections 17 yy to 10.4 million gallons Marrero and Heartland refineries both operated a peak utilization, given strong refined product margins Group II base oil prices increased 20 on a yy basis, supporting improved margin capture at Heartland Total cash and available liquidity of 16.4 million as of March 31, 2021 SECOND QUARTER 2021 OUTLOOK Anticipate Adjusted EBITDA in the range of 2.5 million to 3.0 million in the second quarter 2021, including the impact of a 10-day turnaround at the Marrero refinery and 3-day turnaround at the Heartland refinery For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company reported net income attributable to Vertex Energy of 1.0 million versus net income of 2.7 million in the first quarter 2020. 