SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 4, 2012

 

 

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

The Netherlands   001-34726   98-0646235

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Stationsplein 45

3013 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone number, including area code: 31 10 275 5500

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement; Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders; Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Supplemental Indentures and Early Tender Results

Holders of more than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Lyondell Chemical Company’s (“Lyondell Chemical”) 8% Senior Secured Dollar Notes due 2017 (the “Dollar notes”) and 8% Senior Secured Euro Notes due 2017 (the “Euro notes” and, together with the Dollar notes, the “8% notes”) and holders of more than a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Lyondell Chemical’s 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “11% notes” and, together with the 8% notes, the “existing notes”) have provided consents to amend the indentures governing the existing notes. As a result, on April 4, 2012, Lyondell Chemical and the trustees under the indentures executed supplemental indentures (the “Supplemental Indentures”) to amend the indentures governing the existing notes to eliminate substantially all of the covenants in the indentures governing such existing notes, which become effective upon consummation of the previously announced cash tender offers for the existing notes.

The foregoing description of the Supplemental Indentures does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2 and incorporated by reference.

As of the previously announced consent payment expiration deadline of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 6, 2012, $606,177,000 in aggregate principal amount, or approximately 97.95%, of the Dollar notes outstanding has been validly tendered and not withdrawn, €101,323,710 in aggregate principal amount, or approximately 97.50%, of the Euro notes outstanding has been validly tendered and not withdrawn and $1,863,374,256 in aggregate principal amount, or approximately 96.97%, of the 11% notes outstanding has been validly tendered and not withdrawn.

Senior Note Offering

As previously disclosed, on March 26, 2012, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (the “Company”), entered into a purchase agreement under which the Company agreed to sell $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due 2019 (the “5% notes”) and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.750% senior notes due 2024 (the “5.75% notes,” and together with the 5% notes, the “new notes”) to certain initial purchasers (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”). The new notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by, subject to certain exceptions, each existing and future wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of the Company that is an issuer or co-issuer in respect of, or guarantees, any debt securities issued in the capital markets by the Company or any subsidiary. The closing of the sale of the new notes occurred on April 9, 2012.

The Company received net proceeds of approximately $2.96 billion from the offering and intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the new notes, together with cash on hand, to finance the repurchase of any and all of the existing notes, including through tender offers, and consent solicitations, and to pay fees and expenses related to the repurchase. All remaining proceeds from this offering not used to repurchase the existing notes will be used for general corporate purposes.

The new notes were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and were sold by the Initial Purchasers to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons in offshore transactions in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The new notes are governed by an indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012, among the Company, as issuer, each of the Guarantors named therein, as guarantors, Wells Fargo National Association, as trustee, registrar and paying agent. A copy of the indenture is included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.3 and incorporated herein by reference. The summary description of the indenture in this report is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 4.3.

The 5% notes will bear interest at a rate of 5.000% per year payable semiannually in arrears in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2012. The 5% notes will mature on April 15, 2019. The 5.75% notes will bear interest at a rate of 5.750% per year payable semiannually in arrears in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2012. The 5.75% notes will mature on April 15, 2024.


The indenture includes covenants customary for transactions of this type that, subject to significant exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur indebtedness, including secured indebtedness and indebtedness of our subsidiaries that are not Guarantors of the notes, enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions or enter into consolidations, mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. Upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event (as defined in the indenture), the holders of the new notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their new notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the new notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The new notes are redeemable in whole or in part at any time at the option of the Company at a redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest, as specified in the indenture.

The new notes will be the Company’s general unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of its existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any of its future subordinated indebtedness. The new notes will rank effectively junior in right of payment to any of its secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under our asset based revolving credit agreement, which is secured principally by a lien on collateral consisting primarily of inventory and receivables, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. In addition, the new notes will be structurally subordinated to all liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes.

In connection with the issuance of the new notes, on April 9, 2012, the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) requiring the Company to file and cause to become effective a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register an offer to exchange the new notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms (other than restrictions on transfer and provisions for additional interest) within one year of April 9, 2012. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement is included in this Form 8-K as Exhibit 4.4 and incorporated herein by reference. The summary description of the Registration Rights Agreement in this report is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 4.4.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

  4.1 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

 

  4.2 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

 

  4.3 Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012, among LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as issuer, each of the Guarantors named therein, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, registrar and paying agent (including form of 5.000% Senior Note due 2019 and form of 5.750% Senior Note due 2024).

 

  4.4 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2012, among LyondellBasell Industries N.V., the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

 

      LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.
Date: April 10, 2012     By:   /s/ Karyn F. Ovelmen
      Karyn F. Ovelmen
      Executive Vice President


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

  

Description

4.1

   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

4.2

   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

4.3

   Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012, among LyondellBasell Industries N.V., as issuer, each of the Guarantors named therein, as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, registrar and paying agent (including form of 5.000% Senior Note due 2019 and form of 5.750% Senior Note due 2024).

4.4

   Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2012, among LyondellBasell Industries N.V., the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

Exhibit 4.1

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Second Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, a Delaware Corporation (the “ Issuer ”), LyondellBasell Industries N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of the Netherlands (the “ Company ”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as successor by merger to Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Company and the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2010 (the “ Base Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of 8% Senior Secured Dollar Notes due 2017 and 8% Senior Secured Euro Notes due 2017 (collectively, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Company and the Trustee have executed the First Supplemental Indenture to the Base Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2011 (together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), amending certain terms and conditions of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has distributed an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of March 26, 2012 (the “ Statement ”), with an accompanying Letter of Transmittal and Consent (the “ Letter of Transmittal ”), to holders (as such term is defined in the Base Indenture) in connection with the offer to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding Notes and the concurrent solicitation of such holders’ consents to certain proposed amendments to the Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.02 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Second Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Statement, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (excluding, in each case, any Notes owned by the Issuer, the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or the Company) have consented to all of the amendments effected by this Second Supplemental Indenture in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, evidence of such consents has been provided by the Issuer to the Trustee and all other conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the execution of this Second Supplemental Indenture have been complied with as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, all acts and requirements necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Company have been done.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02. DEFINITION. When used herein, “ Trigger Event ” shall mean the occurrence of each of the following events: the Issuer’s payment to holders of (a) the applicable Total

 

1


Consideration (as such term is defined in the Statement) payable as of each applicable Early Settlement Date (as such term is defined in the Statement) and (b) if any Notes are tendered after the applicable Consent Payment Expiration (as such term is defined in the Statement) and before the applicable Expiration Time (as such term is defined in the Statement), the applicable Tender Offer Consideration (as such term is defined in the Statement) payable as of the applicable Final Settlement Date, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Statement and the Letter of Transmittal.

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE

SECTION 2.01. CONSENT AND AMENDMENT. Effective upon the Trigger Event, and without any further action by any party hereto, the Indenture is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Section 4.03 (Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.03 are hereby deleted.

(b) Section 4.04 (Limitation on Restricted Payments) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.04 are hereby deleted.

(c) Section 4.05 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.05 are hereby deleted.

(d) Section 4.06 (Asset Sales) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.06 are hereby deleted.

(e) Section 4.07 (Transactions with Affiliates) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.07 are hereby deleted.

(f) Section 4.08 (Change of Control) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.08 are hereby deleted.

(g) Section 4.11 (Future Subsidiary Guarantors) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.11 are hereby deleted.

(h) Section 4.12 (Liens) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.12 are hereby deleted.

(i) Section 5.01 (When Issuer May Merge or Transfer Assets) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 5.01 are hereby deleted.

 

2


(j) The text of Section 4.02 (Reports and Other Information) shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

SECTION 4.02. Reports and Other Information .

The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a), to the extent applicable.

The Issuer shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.01. RATIFICATION OF INDENTURE; SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE PART OF INDENTURE. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Second Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

SECTION 3.02. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

SECTION 3.03. TRUSTEE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 3.04. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Second Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

SECTION 3.05. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 3.06. SEPARABILITY. In case any provision in this Second Supplemental Indenture is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY,

as the Issuer

By:    
Name:   Francesco Svelto
Title:   Treasurer

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.,

as the Company

By:    
Name:   Francesco Svelto
Title:   Attorney

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture – 8% Notes]


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture – 8% Notes]

Exhibit 4.2

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Second Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of April 4, 2012, by and among Lyondell Chemical Company, a Delaware Corporation (the “ Issuer ”), LyondellBasell Industries N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of the Netherlands (the “ Company ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Company and the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of April 30, 2010 (the “ Base Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 (the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS, the Issuer, the Company and the Trustee have executed the First Supplemental Indenture to the Base Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2011 (together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), amending certain terms and conditions of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Issuer has distributed an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated as of March 26, 2012 (the “ Statement ”), with an accompanying Letter of Transmittal and Consent (the “ Letter of Transmittal ”), to holders (as such term is defined in the Base Indenture) in connection with the offer to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding Notes and the concurrent solicitation of such holders’ consents to certain proposed amendments to the Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.02 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Second Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Statement, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding (excluding, in each case, any Notes owned by the Issuer, the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or the Company) have consented to all of the amendments effected by this Second Supplemental Indenture in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, evidence of such consents has been provided by the Issuer to the Trustee and all other conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the execution of this Second Supplemental Indenture have been complied with as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, all acts and requirements necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Company have been done.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02. DEFINITION. When used herein, “ Trigger Event ” shall mean the occurrence of each of the following events: the Issuer’s payment to holders of (a) the applicable Total

 

1


Consideration (as such term is defined in the Statement) payable as of the applicable Early Settlement Date (as such term is defined in the Statement) and (b) if any Notes are tendered after the applicable Consent Payment Expiration (as such term is defined in the Statement) and before the applicable Expiration Time (as such term is defined in the Statement), the Tender Offer Consideration (as such term is defined in the Statement) payable as of the Final Settlement Date, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Statement and the Letter of Transmittal.

ARTICLE II

AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE

SECTION 2.01. CONSENT AND AMENDMENT. Effective upon the Trigger Event, and without any further action by any party hereto, the Indenture is hereby amended as follows:

(a) Section 4.03 (Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.03 are hereby deleted.

(b) Section 4.04 (Limitation on Restricted Payments) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.04 are hereby deleted.

(c) Section 4.05 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.05 are hereby deleted.

(d) Section 4.06 (Asset Sales) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.06 are hereby deleted.

(e) Section 4.07 (Transactions with Affiliates) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.07 are hereby deleted.

(f) Section 4.08 (Change of Control) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.08 are hereby deleted.

(g) Section 4.11 (Future Subsidiary Guarantors) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.11 are hereby deleted.

(h) Section 4.12 (Liens) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 4.12 are hereby deleted.

(i) Section 5.01 (When Issuer May Merge or Transfer Assets) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the text “[Intentionally Omitted.]” All textual references in the Indenture and the Notes exclusively relating to Section 5.01 are hereby deleted.

 

2


(j) The text of Section 4.02 (Reports and Other Information) shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

SECTION 4.02. Reports and Other Information .

The Issuer shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a), to the extent applicable.

The Issuer shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 3.01. RATIFICATION OF INDENTURE; SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE PART OF INDENTURE. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Second Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

SECTION 3.02. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

SECTION 3.03. TRUSTEE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 3.04. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Second Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

SECTION 3.05. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 3.06. SEPARABILITY. In case any provision in this Second Supplemental Indenture is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY,

as the Issuer

By:    
Name:   Francesco Svelto
Title:   Treasurer

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.,

as the Company

By:    
Name:   Francesco Svelto
Title:   Attorney

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture – 11% Notes]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
Name:  
Title:  

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture – 11% Notes]

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.

as Company

5.000% Senior Notes due 2019

5.750% Senior Notes due 2024

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 9, 2012

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE 1   
D EFINITIONS AND I NCORPORATION BY R EFERENCE   

Section 1.01. Definitions

     1   

Section 1.02. Other Definitions

     15   

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     16   

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction

     16   
ARTICLE 2   
T HE N OTES   

Section 2.01. Amount of Notes; Terms

     17   

Section 2.02. Form and Dating

     18   

Section 2.03. Execution and Authentication

     19   

Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent

     19   

Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     20   

Section 2.06. Holder Lists

     20   

Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange

     21   

Section 2.08. Replacement Notes

     37   

Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes

     38   

Section 2.10. Cancellation

     38   

Section 2.11. Defaulted Interest

     38   

Section 2.12. CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc

     38   

Section 2.13. Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes

     39   
ARTICLE 3   
R EDEMPTION   

Section 3.01. Optional Redemption

     39   

Section 3.02. Applicability of Article

     39   

Section 3.03. Notices to Trustee

     39   

Section 3.04. Selection of Notes to be Redeemed

     40   

Section 3.05. Notice of Optional Redemption

     40   

Section 3.06. Effect of Notice of Redemption

     41   

Section 3.07. Deposit of Redemption Price

     42   

Section 3.08. Notes Redeemed in Part

     42   

Section 3.09. Redemption for Taxation Reasons

     42   

Section 3.10. Mandatory Redemption; Sinking Fund

     44   

 

ii


ARTICLE 4   
C OVENANTS   

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes

     44   

Section 4.02. Reports and Other Information

     44   

Section 4.03. Restrictions on Secured Debt

     46   

Section 4.04. Restrictions on Subsidiary Debt

     48   

Section 4.05. Restrictions on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions

     49   

Section 4.06. Change of Control

     50   

Section 4.07. Compliance Certificate

     52   

Section 4.08. Future Subsidiary Guarantors

     52   

Section 4.09. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     53   

Section 4.10. Maintenance of Insurance

     53   

Section 4.11. Additional Amounts

     54   
ARTICLE 5   
S UCCESSOR C OMPANY   

Section 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets

     57   
ARTICLE 6   
D EFAULTS AND R EMEDIES   

Section 6.01. Events of Default

     59   

Section 6.02. Acceleration; Recission

     61   

Section 6.03. Other Remedies

     62   

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults

     63   

Section 6.05. Control by Majority

     63   

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits

     63   

Section 6.07. Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment

     64   

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee

     64   

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     64   

Section 6.10. Priorities

     65   

Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs

     65   

Section 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws

     66   
ARTICLE 7   
T RUSTEE AND A GENTS   

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee and Agents

     66   

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee and Agents

     67   

Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee

     69   

Section 7.04. Trustee’s and Agents’ Disclaimer

     70   

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults

     70   

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to the Holders

     70   

 

iii


Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity

     71   

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee and Agents

     72   

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee or Agent by Merger

     73   

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification

     73   

Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company

     74   

Section 7.12. Paying Agent

     74   
ARTICLE 8   
D ISCHARGE OF I NDENTURE ; D EFEASANCE   

Section 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance

     74   

Section 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance

     76   

Section 8.03. Application of Trust Money

     77   

Section 8.04. Repayment to Company

     77   

Section 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations

     78   

Section 8.06. Reinstatement

     78   
ARTICLE 9   
A MENDMENTS AND W AIVERS   

Section 9.01. Without Consent of the Holders

     78   

Section 9.02. With Consent of the Holders

     80   

Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

     81   

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers

     81   

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     82   

Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments

     82   

Section 9.07. Additional Voting Terms

     82   

Section 9.08. Payments for Consents

     82   
ARTICLE 10   
G UARANTEE   

Section 10.01. Guarantee

     83   

Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability

     85   

Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns

     86   

Section 10.04. No Waiver

     87   

Section 10.05. Modification

     87   

Section 10.06. Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors

     87   

Section 10.07. Non-Impairment

     87   
ARTICLE 11   
M ISCELLANEOUS   

Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls

     88   

Section 11.02. Notices

     88   

Section 11.03. Communication by the Holders with Other Holders

     89   

 

iv


Section 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     89   

Section 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     89   

Section 11.06. When Notes Disregarded

     90   

Section 11.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

     90   

Section 11.08. Legal Holidays

     90   

Section 11.09. Governing Law

     90   

Section 11.10. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service

     90   

Section 11.11. Waiver of Immunity

     91   

Section 11.12. Judgment Currency

     91   

Section 11.13. No Recourse Against Others

     92   

Section 11.14. Successors

     92   

Section 11.15. Multiple Originals

     92   

Section 11.16. Table of Contents; Headings

     92   

Section 11.17. Indenture Controls

     92   

Section 11.18. Severability

     92   

Section 11.19. PATRIOT Act

     92   

Section 11.20. Force Majeure

     92   

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A-1

   Form of 2019 Note

Exhibit A-2

   Form of 2024 Note

Exhibit B

   Form of Certificate of Transfer

Exhibit C

   Form of Certificate of Exchange

Exhibit D

   Form of Supplemental Indenture Related to Subsidiary Guarantors

 

v


INDENTURE dated as of April 9, 2012 among LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands (the “Company”), each of the Guarantors named herein, as guarantors, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee, registrar and paying agent (the “Trustee”).

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of (i) a series of senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000 of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2019 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial 2019 Notes ”) and (ii) a series of senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 of the Company’s 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024 issued on the date hereof (the “ Initial 2024 Notes ” and together with the Initial 2019 Notes, the “ Initial Notes ”).

ARTICLE 1

D EFINITIONS AND I NCORPORATION BY R EFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions.

144A Global Note ” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto, as the case may be, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of the applicable series sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

2019 Notes ” means the Initial 2019 Notes, any Additional 2019 Notes and any Exchange 2019 Notes issued in exchange for such Initial 2019 Notes and Additional 2019 Notes.

2024 Notes ” means the Initial 2024 Notes, any Additional 2024 Notes and any Exchange 2024 Notes issued in exchange for such Initial 2019 Notes and Additional 2024 Notes.

Additional Interest ” means all additional interest then owing in respect of a Note pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional 2019 Notes ” means additional 2019 Notes (other than the Initial 2019 Notes and other than Exchange 2019 Notes issued for such Initial 2019 Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.

Additional 2024 Notes ” means additional 2024 Notes (other than the Initial 2024 Notes and other than Exchange 2024 Notes issued for such Initial 2024 Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.


Additional Notes ” means Additional 2019 Notes and Additional 2024 Notes.

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “ control ” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “ controlling ,” “ controlled by ” and “ under common control with ”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

Agent ” means any Registrar or Paying Agent, including any permitted successors or assigns thereto.

Applicable Premium ” means, in connection with the optional redemption of any Note, the greater of:

(x) 1.00% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and

(y) the excess of: (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the principal amount of the Note at maturity plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through maturity (excluding accrued but unpaid interest but including Additional Interest, if any), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the outstanding principal amount of the Note.

Applicable Procedures ” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary that apply to such transfer or exchange.

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means, as of any particular time, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in the terms of the lease involved in such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, as determined in good faith by the Company) of the obligation of the lessee thereunder for rental payments (excluding, however, any amounts required to be paid by such lessee, whether or not designated as rent or additional rent, on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges or any amounts required to be paid by such lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of sales, maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges) during the remaining term of such lease (including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended).

 

2


Board of Directors ” means, as to any Person, the board of directors, the supervisory board and/or the management board (as the context requires with respect to the Company), or the equivalent governing body (or, if such Person is a partnership or limited liability company, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person or manager) or any duly authorized committee thereof.

Broker-Dealer ” means any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New York City or The Netherlands are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

Capital Markets Debt ” means any debt securities (other than a Qualified Receivables Financing) issued in the capital markets by the Company or any Subsidiary, whether issued in a public offering or private placement, including pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 144A, Regulation S or Regulation D under the Securities Act.

Capital Stock ” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person; or

(2) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of acquisition,

 

3


merger, amalgamation, consolidation, transfer, conveyance or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than by virtue of the imposition of a holding company, or the reincorporation of the Company in another jurisdiction, so long as the beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction hold a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such holding company or reincorporation entity immediately thereafter.

Change of Control Repurchase Event ” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.

Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

Company Order ” means a written request or order signed on behalf of the Company by an Officer of the Company, who must fulfill the function of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, in respect of any Person for any period, the consolidated operating income plus consolidated depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges and losses and minus consolidated non-cash credits, gains and income, in each case of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period; it being understood that such amounts may be determined on a combined basis for a disposed group.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, with respect to any Person, the Total Assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries less goodwill and intangibles (other than intangibles arising from, or relating to, intellectual property, licenses or permits (including, but not limited to, emissions rights) of such Person), in each case calculated in accordance with GAAP, provided, that in the event that such Person or any of its Subsidiaries assumes or acquires any assets in connection with the acquisition by such Person and its Subsidiaries of another Person subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets is made, then the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such assumption or acquisition of assets, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period.

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

4


Definitive Note ” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.07(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto, as the case may be, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary ” means DTC as depositary for the Notes of each series, and its successors in such capacity.

Domestic Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and successors.

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Euroclear ” means Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Exchange 2019 Notes ” means the Notes issued in an Exchange Offer in exchange for Initial 2019 Notes pursuant to Section 2.07(f) hereof.

Exchange 2024 Notes ” means the Notes issued in an Exchange Offer in exchange for Initial 2024 Notes pursuant to Section 2.07(f) hereof.

Exchange Notes ” means the Exchange 2019 Notes and Exchange 2024 Notes.

Exchange Offer ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Excluded Subsidiary ” means (i) any Receivables Subsidiary, (ii) any Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary, (iii) any Special Purpose Subsidiary, (iv) any Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary that is a subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary and (v) any Domestic Subsidiary of the Company as of the Issue Date or at any time thereafter meeting the following conditions that has been designated by the Company as an Excluded Subsidiary in writing to the Trustee (which designation may be rescinded by granting a Guarantee in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture): (a) the Total Assets of such Domestic Subsidiary determined as of

 

5


the end of the fiscal year of the Company most recently ended for which financial statements are required to be delivered under this Indenture does not exceed $25.0 million or (b) the Consolidated EBITDA of such Domestic Subsidiary does not exceed $25.0 million for the period of four consecutive quarters of the Company most recently ended for which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture; provided that, at any time or from time to time after the Issue Date, Domestic Subsidiaries (other than a Special Purpose Subsidiary) shall not be designated as Excluded Subsidiaries to the extent that such Domestic Subsidiaries under this clause (v) would represent, in the aggregate, (a) 5% or more of Total Assets of the Company at the end of the most recently ended fiscal year of the Company or (b) 5% or more of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the most recently ended fiscal year, in each case, based upon the most recent financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture; provided , further , that, if the most recent financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture for any fiscal quarter occurring after the Issue Date indicate that, by reason of subsequent changes following the designation of any one or more Subsidiaries as an Excluded Subsidiary or Excluded Subsidiaries, the foregoing requirements of this definition would not be complied with (other than as a result of an impairment charge), individually or in the aggregate, then the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly (but in any event within 180 days after the date the financial statements are required), rescind such designations as are necessary, and provide such guarantees as are necessary, so as to comply with the requirements of this Indenture. Any uncured Default shall not occur until the expiration of such 180 days provided such efforts are used.

Existing 6% Notes ” means the Company’s 6.000% Senior Notes due 2021 outstanding on the Issue Date.

Existing 8% Notes ” means Lyondell Chemical Company’s U.S. Dollar-denominated 8% Senior Notes due 2017 outstanding on the Issue Date and its Euro-denominated 8% Senior Notes due 2017 outstanding on the Issue Date.

Existing 11% Notes ” means Lyondell Chemical Company’s 11% Senior Notes due 2018 outstanding on the Issue Date.

Foreign Subsidiary ” means a Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect from time to time. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may irrevocably elect to apply

 

6


International Financial Reporting Standards (“ IFRS ”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references in this Indenture to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS as in effect from time to time. The Company shall give notice of any such election to the Trustee.

Global Note Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes ” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto, as the case may be, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.07(b), 2.07(d) or 2.07(f) hereof.

Government Obligations ” means securities that are:

(1) direct Obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or

(2) Obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit Obligation by the United States of America, which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided , however , that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt.

guarantee ” means any Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any indebtedness or other Obligation of any other Person. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

holder ” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Incur ” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided , however , that any indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.

 

7


Indenture ” means this Indenture as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed or restated in whole or in part from time to time.

Indirect Participant ” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Purchasers ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., ING Bank N.V., London Branch, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited and UniCredit Bank AG,

Interest Payment Date ” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto.

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Issue Date ” means April 9, 2012.

Joint Venture ” means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, association, partnership or any other entity which, in each case, is not a Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries but in which the Company or a Subsidiary has a direct or indirect equity or similar interest.

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Notes ” means the Initial 2019 Notes and the Initial 2024 Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “ Notes ” shall also include (i) any Exchange Notes and (ii) any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture. Each of the 2019 Notes and the 2024 Notes (including, in each case, any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor) constitute a separate series of Notes. For purposes of this Indenture, all references to Notes to be issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange shall be deemed to refer to the Notes of the applicable series.

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages

 

8


and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any indebtedness; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes of a series shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of the Trustee and other third parties other than the holders of the Notes of such series.

Offering Memorandum ” means the confidential offering memorandum dated March 26, 2012 relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes under this Indenture.

Officer ” means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, any Financial Director or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of any Person (or, with respect to a Person that is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person), or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors serving in a similar capacity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Company, “ Officer ” means any member of the Management Board of the Company and any person who has been appointed an attorney-in-fact or attorney by a resolution of the Management Board of the Company so long as the power of attorney granted by such resolution remains in effect.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of any Person by an Officer of such Person, who must fulfill the function of the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person, which meets the requirements set forth in this indenture.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or to the Trustee. Counsel giving any Opinion of Counsel shall be entitled to rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to any factual matters relevant to such opinion.

Participants ” means with respect to the Notes, institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee.

Paying Agent ” means initially Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and any additional paying agent appointed hereunder.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Private Placement Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.07(g)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

9


Qualified Institutional Buyer ” or “ QIB ” has the meaning specified in Rule 144A.

Qualified Non-Recourse Debt ” means indebtedness that (1) is (a) Incurred by a Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of property or the Equity Interests of any person owning such property and whether in a single acquisition or a series of related acquisitions) or (b) assumed by a Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary, (2) is non-recourse to the Company and any Guarantor and (3) is non-recourse to any Subsidiary that is not a Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary.

Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary ” means (1) a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and that is formed or created after the Issue Date in order to finance an acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any property or equipment (directly or through one of its Subsidiaries) that secures Qualified Non-Recourse Debt and (2) any Subsidiary of a Qualified Non-Recourse Subsidiary.

Qualified Receivables Financing ” means the securitization of accounts receivables and related assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on customary market terms (including, without limitation, Standard Securitization Undertakings and a Receivables Repurchase Obligation) as determined in good faith by the Company to be in the aggregate commercially fair and reasonable to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Rating Agency ” means (1) S&P, (2) Moody’s or (3) if either of S&P or Moody’s shall not then exist, a nationally recognized securities rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be.

Ratings Event ” means with respect to the Notes of a series at any time from or after the occurrence of a Change of Control and until the earlier to occur of (x) 60 days after the later of (i) the occurrence of a Change of Control or (ii) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes of such series is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies) and (y) both Rating Agencies publicly reaffirming an Investment Grade Rating on the Notes of such series following such Change of Control, the Notes of such series have a below Investment Grade Rating by either Rating Agency.

Receivables Repurchase Obligation ” means any obligation of a seller of receivables in a Qualified Receivables Financing to repurchase receivables arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, offset or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

10


Receivables Subsidiary ” means a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Receivables Financing with the Company in which the Company or any Subsidiary makes an investment and to which the Company or any Subsidiary transfers accounts receivable and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (as provided below) as a Receivables Subsidiary and:

(a) no portion of the indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Company or any other Subsidiary (excluding guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any other Subsidiary in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any other Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;

(b) with which neither the Company nor any other Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Company reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company; and

(c) to which neither the Company nor any other Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

Record Date ” for the interest or Additional Interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means April 1 and October 1 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Registrar ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.04.

 

11


Registration Rights Agreement ” means the Registration Rights Agreement relating to the Notes dated as of April 9, 2012 among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and the Initial Purchasers.

Regulation S ” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 hereto, as the case may be, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes of the applicable series initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

Responsible Officer ” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note ” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note ” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Period ” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule).

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule).

Rule 903 ” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule).

Rule 904 ” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule).

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ” means the leasing by the Company or any Subsidiary of any asset, whether owned at the date of this Indenture or

 

12


acquired after the date of this Indenture (except for temporary leases for a term, including any renewal term, of up to three years and except for leases between the Company and any Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries), which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary to any party with the intention of taking back a lease of such property.

SEC ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency or commission.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means a Shelf Registration Statement of a series of Notes as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision).

Special Purpose Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary whose material assets are comprised solely of the Capital Stock of a Joint Venture, where the pledge of such Capital Stock would be prohibited by any contractual requirement pertaining to such Joint Venture.

Standard Securitization Undertakings ” means representations, warranties, undertakings, covenants, indemnities and guarantees of performance entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Qualified Receivables Financing.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity; or (3) with respect to the Company, for so long as the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, has at least a 50% ownership interest in Lyondell Bayer Manufacturing Maasvlakle VOF, Lyondell Bayer Manufacturing Maasvlakle VOF. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “ Subsidiary ” or to “ Subsidiaries ” in this Indenture shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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TIA ” or “ Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

Total Assets ” means, with respect to any Person, the total consolidated assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Issue Date, (x) as shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Person, or (y) in regards to the Company only, as shown on the most recent balance sheet required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.02.

Treasury Rate ” means, in connection with the calculation of any Applicable Premium with respect to any Note, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity, as compiled by and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data), equal to the then remaining maturity of the Note being prepaid. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the published maturities occurring prior to and after such maturity most closely corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month.

Trustee ” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

Unrestricted Definitive Note ” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note ” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or A-2 attached hereto, as the case may be, that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

U.S. Legal Tender ” means such coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

 

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Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required to be held by others in Foreign Subsidiaries) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

References herein to Lyondell Chemical Company’s U.S. Dollar-denominated 8% Senior Notes due 2017, Euro-denominated 8% Senior Notes due 2017 and 11% Senior Notes due 2018 are to Lyondell Chemical Company’s U.S. Dollar-denominated 8% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, Euro-denominated 8% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 and 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2018, respectively, the word “Secured” being omitted from the titles as used herein to reflect the previous release of the collateral securing the 8% Senior Notes due 2017 and the 11% Senior Notes due 2018.

Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in
Section

“Additional Amounts”

   4.11(a)

“Additional Guarantee”

   4.08(a)

“Authorized Agent”

   11.10

“Authentication Order”

   2.03

“Bankruptcy Law”

   6.01(g)

“Change in Tax Law”

   3.09

“Change of Control Offer”

   4.06(b)

“Company”

   Preamble

“covenant defeasance option”

   8.01(b)

“disposed group”

   5.01(d)

“Custodian”

   6.01(g)

“EU Savings Tax Directive”

   4.11(b)(vii)

“EU-Swiss Savings Tax Agreement”

   4.11(b)(vii)

“Event of Default”

   6.01

“Guarantee”

   10.01

“Guaranteed Obligations”

   10.01

“Guarantor”

   10.01

“incorporated provision”

   11.01

“indebtedness”

   4.03(a)

“Initial 2019 Notes”

   Preamble

“Initial 2024 Notes”

   Preamble

 

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Term

  

Defined in
Section

“Initial Notes”

   Preamble

“legal defeasance option”

   8.01(b)

“mortgage”

   4.03(a)

“Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt”

   4.04(a)

“Notice of Default”

   6.01(c)

“Paying Agent”

   2.04

“Payor”

   4.11(a)

“property”

   4.03(a)

“protected purchaser”

   2.08

“Registrar”

   2.04

“Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction”

   4.11(a)

“Specified Courts”

   11.10

“Successor Guarantor”

   5.01(c)(i)

“Tax Redemption Date”

   3.09

“Taxes”

   4.11(a)

“Trustee”

   Preamble

Section 1.03 . Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture incorporates by reference certain provisions of the TIA. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:

indenture securities ” means the Notes and any Guarantee.

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company and each Guarantor and any other obligor on the Notes.

All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

Section 1.04 . Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “ or ” is not exclusive;

(d) “ including ” means including without limitation;

(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

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(f) unsecured indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

(g) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(h) unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(i) “ $ ” and “ U.S. dollars ” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; and

(j) whenever in this Indenture or the Notes there is mentioned, in any context, principal, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Notes, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Interest and Additional Amounts, to the extent that, in such context, Additional Interest is, or Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

ARTICLE 2

T HE N OTES

Section 2.01 . Amount of Notes; Terms. The aggregate principal amount of 2019 Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $2,000,000,000. The aggregate principal amount of 2024 Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $1,000,000,000.

The Notes of each series shall be subject to repurchase by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.06 hereof. The Notes of each series shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes of each series shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and Agents, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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Additional Notes of a series ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes of such series may be created and issued under this Indenture from time to time by the Company without notice to or consent of the holders of Notes of such series and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes of such series and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes of such series other than the initial payment date; provided that the Company’s ability to issue Additional Notes of a series shall be subject to the Company’s compliance with this Indenture. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes of a series subsequently issued under this Indenture shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Any Additional Notes of a series subsequently issued under this Indenture shall be issued with the same CUSIP number as the Initial Notes of such series only if, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes are part of the same “issue” as the Initial Notes of such series or such Additional Notes are not issued with more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture, references to the Notes include any Additional Notes actually issued.

Section 2.02. Form and Dating.

(a) The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A -1 (in the case of the 2019 Notes) and Exhibit A-2 (in the case of the 2024 Notes) hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) Global Notes . Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A -1 (in the case of the 2019 Notes) and Exhibit A-2 (in the case of the 2024 Notes) attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A -1 (in the case of the 2019 Notes) and Exhibit A-2 (in the case of the 2024 Notes) attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Registrar or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the holder thereof as required by Section 2.07 hereof.

 

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(c) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.03 . Execution and Authentication. One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Notes in accordance with this Section 2.03. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order (an “ Authentication Order ”) and an Officer’s Certificate, authenticate and deliver (i) the Initial 2019 Notes and (ii) the Initial 2024 Notes. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall upon receipt of an Authentication Order, Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel conforming with Section 314(c) of the TIA and the terms hereof, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes of a series for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes or Exchange Notes issued hereunder.

The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Responsible Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with holders or an Affiliate of the Company. The Trustee hereby appoints Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as authenticating agent for the Notes and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association accepts such appointment.

Section 2.04 . Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency, where (a) Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”), (b) Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment and (c) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served, which will initially be the Paying Agent’s corporate office The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company, upon notice to the

 

19


Trustee, may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The term “ Paying Agent ” includes Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Paying Agent, and any additional paying agent and the term “ Registrar ” includes Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Registrar, and any co-registrar. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any holder and the Company may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which agreement shall incorporate the provisions of the TIA and implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee, in advance, of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such.

The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided , however , that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign upon 30 days prior written notice to the Company and the Trustee; provided , however , that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

Section 2.05 . Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. With respect to any Notes, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time, on each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Company shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

Section 2.06 . Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names

 

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and addresses of holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.

Section 2.07. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.07, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note of the same series unless (A) the Depositary (x) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days, or (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default with respect to the Notes of such series and the Indirect Participant or Participant requests such exchange in writing delivered through the Depositary. Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (A) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note of the same series or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note of the same series or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.07 or Section 2.08 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the preceding events in (A) above and pursuant to Section 2.07(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.07(a); provided , however , beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.07(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes representing Notes of the same series shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes and any Regulation S Global Note (during the Restricted Period) shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to

 

21


Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however , that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.07(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes . In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.07(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note of the same series in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (B)(1) above. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.07(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.07(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act and as set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, the Registrar shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof.

(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note of the same series

 

22


if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note of the same series, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof; or

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note of the same series, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(a) thereof; or

 

23


(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subpargraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subpargraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subpargraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) or (B) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 2(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof;

 

24


(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(c) thereof,

the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note of such series to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and the Registrar shall mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note of the same series in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(ii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series only upon the occurrence

 

25


of any of the events in subsection (A) or (B) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subpargraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for

 

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a Definitive Note of the same series or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note of the same series, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events in subsection (A) or (B) of Section 2.07(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.07(b)(ii) hereof, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note of such series to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.07(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note of the same series in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Registrar shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.07(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests .

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes . If any holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 2(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1(1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof;

 

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(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 3(c) thereof,

the Trustee and/or Registrar shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note of the same series, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note of the same series, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note of the same series.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

 

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(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(c) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.07(d)(ii), the Trustee and/or Registrar shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note of the same series.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes . A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee and/or Registrar shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes of the same series.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 above hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes . Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.07(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. In the event of a partial transfer of a holding of Definitive Notes represented by one Definitive Note, a Definitive Note shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the part transferred, and a new Definitive Note in respect of the balance of the holding not transferred or redeemed shall be issued to the transferor or holder, as applicable; provided that no Definitive Note in a denomination less than $200,000 shall be issued. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.07(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 1 thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 2 thereof; or

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item 3 thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable

 

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Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a Broker-Dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (B) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item 1(d) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item 4 thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subpargraph (D), an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes . A holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer . Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer with respect to a series of Notes in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order and

 

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Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel conforming with Section 314(c) of the TIA in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes of the same series tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not Broker-Dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company, and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes of such series to be reduced accordingly, and the Company shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and the Registrar shall mail to the Persons designated by the holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes of the same series in the applicable principal amount. Any Notes of a series that remain outstanding after the consummation of an Exchange Offer, and Exchange Notes of the same series issued in connection with an Exchange Offer, shall be treated as a single class of securities under this Indenture.

(g) Legends . The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend .

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ SECURITIES ACT ”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM OR PRIOR TO ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE NOTES AND THREE MONTHS AFTER THE HOLDER HEREOF CEASES TO BE AN “AFFILIATE” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144

 

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UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT). EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT:

(A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY:

(i)(a) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL AND/OR OTHER CERTIFICATIONS AND DOCUMENTS IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS),

(ii) TO THE ISSUER, OR

(iii) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT,

AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION AND IN EACH CASE SUBJECT TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF THIS SECURITY BY THE HOLDER OR BY ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL; AND

(B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.

EACH HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES, BY VIRTUE OF ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THAT WITH RESPECT TO ANY OFFER OR TRANSFER OF SUCH SECURITY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF THE DATE OF ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THIS SECURITY OR,

 

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IF THE HOLDER HEREOF WAS AN “AFFILIATE” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OF THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME DURING THE THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE OFFER OR TRANSFER (OR SUCH LATER DATE REFERRED TO ABOVE), IT WILL FURNISH TO THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTRAR SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH RESALE OR TRANSFER IS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.07 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend and the Private Placement Legend may be removed from the Regulation S Global Notes upon completion of the Restricted Period.

(ii) Global Note Legend . Each Global Note representing Notes shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.10 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“ DTC ”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR

 

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REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes . At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes of the same series or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee and/or Registrar in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series or for Definitive Notes of the same series, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note of the same series, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Registrar or by the Depositary at the direction of the Registrar to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.08, 3.08, 3.09, 4.06, and 9.05 hereof).

(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

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(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes of the same series shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes of such series surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes of a series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes of such series for redemption under Section 3.04 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection or (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest (including Additional Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof, the Company shall execute, and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate and the Registrar shall mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of the same series of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of the same series of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and the Registrar shall mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes of the same series which the holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03 hereof.

(ix) All certifications, certificates, Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar and/or Trustee pursuant to this Section 2.07 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

 

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(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Notes) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

(xi) Any request to the Trustee shall be in writing and may be transmitted electronically.

Section 2.08 . Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of the same series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Company and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “ protected purchaser ”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, a Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Company and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, or is about to be redeemed or repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note of the same series in replacement thereof.

Every replacement Note is an additional Obligation of the Company.

The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

 

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Section 2.09 . Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by the Trustee and/or Registrar, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Subject to Section 11.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.

If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

Section 2.10 . Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee and/or Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee and/or Registrar and each Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. The Trustee and/or Registrar and each Paying Agent shall give written notice to the Trustee of any Notes delivered to them and cancelled. Subject to Section 2.08, the Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee and/or Registrar for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. However, if the Company shall acquire any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.10.

Section 2.11 . Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes of a series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes of such series ( plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

Section 2.12 . CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs and “Common Code” numbers (if then

 

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generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers and ISINs.

Section 2.13 . Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes of a series, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes of such series at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes of a series or of both series, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes of such series or of both series in total, the holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes of such series or of both series in total then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, Section 2.09 and Section 11.06 of this Indenture. Any such calculation made pursuant to this Section 2.13 shall be made by the Company and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate.

ARTICLE 3

R EDEMPTION

Section 3.01 . Optional Redemption. The Notes of a series may be redeemed, in whole, or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Section 5 of the applicable form of Note set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

Section 3.02 . Applicability of Article. Redemption of Notes of a series at the election of the Company or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article.

Section 3.03 . Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes of a series pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 5 of the Note of such series, it shall notify the Trustee, Registrar and each Paying Agent in writing of (a) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (b) the redemption date, (c) the principal amount of Notes of such series to be redeemed and (d) the redemption price. The Company shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 45 days but not more than 60 days

 

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before a redemption date if the redemption is pursuant to Section 5 of the Note of such series, unless a shorter period is acceptable to the Trustee. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, as well as such notice required to be delivered under Section 3.05 below. If fewer than all the Notes of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Company and given to the Trustee, which record date shall be not fewer than 15 days after the date of notice to the Trustee. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect.

Section 3.04 . Selection of Notes to be Redeemed. Selection of Notes of a series for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption or otherwise in accordance with the procedures of the Depository to the extent practicable; provided that no Notes of $200,000 principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.

If less than all the Notes of a series are to be redeemed at any time in connection with an optional redemption, the Trustee will select Notes of such series for redemption as follows:

(i) if the Notes of such series to be redeemed are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Notes are listed; or

(ii) if the Notes of such series to be redeemed are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption.

Section 3.05 . Notice of Optional Redemption.

(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Section 5 of the Note of a series, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed. The Company may provide in any such notice that payment of the redemption price or performance of its obligations with respect to the redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person.

Any such notice shall identify the Notes of a series to be redeemed and shall state:

(i) the redemption date, and any conditions precedent to such date;

 

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(ii) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the redemption date;

(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(iv) that Notes of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued interest;

(v) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes of a series are to be redeemed, the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series to be outstanding after such partial redemption;

(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes of such series (or a portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(vii) the CUSIP number, ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, printed on the Notes of such series being redeemed; and

(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN and/or “Common Code” number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Registrar and each Paying Agent shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense. In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee, Registrar and each Paying Agent with the information required by this Section at least one Business Day prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders in the final form such notice is to be delivered to holders and such notice may not be canceled.

Section 3.06. Effect of Notice of Redemption.

(a) Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes of a series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest, to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.

 

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(b) Any notice of redemption may be given prior to the completion of any event or transaction related to such redemption, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed.

Section 3.07 . Deposit of Redemption Price. With respect to any Notes of a series, prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on each due date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent U.S. Legal Tender funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest (if any) on, the Notes of such series to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any U.S. Legal Tender so deposited that is not required for that purpose, except with respect to monies owed as Obligations to the Trustee pursuant to Article 7.

Unless the Company fails to comply with the preceding paragraph and defaults in the payment of such redemption price, interest on the Notes of such series to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable redemption date, whether or not such Notes are presented for payment.

Section 3.08 . Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder at the expense of the Company a new Note of the same series in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the date fixed for redemption. On and after such date, unless the Company defaults in payment of the redemption price on such date, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes of a series or portions thereof called for such redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent, on or before the date fixed for redemption, funds sufficient to pay the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Notes to be redeemed.

Section 3.09 . Redemption for Taxation Reasons. The Company may redeem the Notes of a series in whole, but not in part, at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the holders of the Notes of such series (which notice will be irrevocable) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (a “ Tax Redemption Date ”) (subject to the right of holders of record of such Notes of such series on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date) and all Additional Amounts, if any, then due and which will become due on the Tax Redemption

 

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Date as a result of the redemption or otherwise, if any, if the Company or any Guarantor determines in good faith that, as a result of:

(a) any change in, or amendment to, the laws or treaties (or any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation; or

(b) any change in, or amendment to, an official position or the introduction of an official position regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction or a change in published practice) of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction,

(each of the foregoing in clauses (a) and (b), a “ Change in Tax Law ”), the Company or any Guarantor is, or on the next Interest Payment Date in respect of the Notes of such series would be, required to pay any Additional Amounts or indemnification payments as described in Section 4.11 on Notes of such series, and such obligation cannot be avoided by taking reasonable measures available to the Company or Guarantor (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the appointment of a new paying agent where this would be reasonable but not including assignment of the obligation to make payment with respect to the Notes of such series). In the case of redemption due to withholding as a result of a Change in Tax Law in a jurisdiction that is a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction at the date of the Offering Memorandum, such Change in Tax Law must become effective on or after the date of the Offering Memorandum.

In the case of redemption due to withholding as a result of a Change in Tax Law in a jurisdiction that becomes a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction after the date of the Offering Memorandum, such Change in Tax Law must become effective on or after the date the jurisdiction becomes a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, unless the Change in Tax Law would have applied to the predecessor of the successor company under Article 5.

No such notice of redemption will be given (a) earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Company or any Guarantor would be obliged to make such payment of Additional Amounts and (b) unless at the time such notice is given, such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts remains in effect. Prior to the publication or mailing of any notice of redemption of the Notes pursuant to the foregoing, the Company will deliver to the Trustee:

(i) an Officer’s Certificate stating that it is entitled to effect such redemption of Notes of such series and setting forth a statement of facts showing that the conditions precedent to its right so to redeem have been satisfied and that it would not be able to avoid the obligation to pay Additional Amounts or indemnification payments on such series by taking reasonable measures available to it; and

 

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(ii) a written opinion of an independent tax counsel of recognized standing to the effect that the Company or any Guarantor has or have been or will become obligated to pay Additional Amounts or indemnification payments in respect of Notes of such series as a result of a Change in Tax Law.

The Trustee will accept such Officer’s Certificate and opinion as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent described above, without further inquiry, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the holders of such series of Notes.

Section 3.10 . Mandatory Redemption; Sinking Fund. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

C OVENANTS

Section 4.01 . Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of or interest with respect to Notes of a series shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern time money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due on the Notes of such series and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes of the applicable series, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes of the applicable series to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02. Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Company shall file with the SEC (and provide the Trustee and holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC),

(i) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form),

 

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(ii) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form),

(iii) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), and

(iv) any other information, documents and other reports which the Company would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

provided , however , that the Company shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event, the Company will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case within 15 days after the time the Company would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

(b) The Company will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Company has agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, it will furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports referred to above to the Trustee and holders if the Company has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system or if the Company is not subject to reporting under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and are not permitted to file such reports with the SEC, if the Company posts such reports on its publicly-available website and (ii) at any time when the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations under this section until 30 days after the date any report hereunder is due.

(d) Reports by the Company or Guarantors delivered to the Trustee should be considered for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

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Section 4.03. Restrictions on Secured Debt.

(a) The Company will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, create, Incur, issue, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money (hereinafter called “ indebtedness ”) secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien (hereinafter called “ mortgage ”) of or upon any of their property or assets (hereinafter called “ property ”), whether such property is owned at the date of this Indenture or hereafter acquired, without in any such case making or causing to be made effective provision (and the Company covenants that in any such case it shall make or cause to be made effective provision) whereby the Notes (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other indebtedness created, Incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created) shall be secured by such mortgage equally and ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, prior to) such indebtedness, so long as such indebtedness shall be so secured.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.03(a) shall not, however, apply to any indebtedness secured by any one or more of the following:

(i) mortgages of or upon any property acquired, leased, constructed or improved by, or of or upon any shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness acquired by, the Company or any Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture (A) to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property, shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness upon the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (B) to secure any indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary prior to, at the time of, or within one year after (1) in the case of property, the later of the acquisition, lease, completion of construction (including any improvements on existing property) or commencement of commercial operation of such property or (2) in the case of shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness, the acquisition of such shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness, which indebtedness is issued, assumed or guaranteed for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the purchase price of such property, shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness and, in the case of property, the cost of construction thereof or improvements thereon;

(ii) mortgages of or upon any property, shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary;

(iii) mortgages of or upon any property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or existing at the time of a sale or transfer of the properties of a corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

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(iv) mortgages of or upon (A) any property of, or shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness of, a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (B) any shares of capital stock or indebtedness of a Joint Venture;

(v) mortgages to secure indebtedness of any Subsidiary to the Company or to another Subsidiary;

(vi) mortgages in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof, or in favor of any other country or political subdivision, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness Incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the purchase price of the property, shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness subject to such mortgages, or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such mortgages (including, without limitation, mortgages Incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar financings);

(vii) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any mortgage existing at the date of this Indenture or any mortgage referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi), inclusive; provided , however , that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property (plus improvements and construction on such property), shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness which was subject to the mortgage so extended, renewed or replaced; and

(viii) mortgages on accounts receivables and related assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Qualified Receivables Financing entered into in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.03(a), the Company or any Subsidiary may, without equally and ratably securing the Notes, issue, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by a mortgage not excepted by clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03(b), if at the time of such issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such indebtedness secured by mortgages which would otherwise be subject to such restriction (other than any indebtedness secured by mortgages permitted as described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03(b)) plus the aggregate

 

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amount (without duplication) of (x) all Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (other than Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 4.04(b)) and (y) all Attributable Debt of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (with the exception of such transactions which are permitted under clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.05(a)) does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.

Section 4.04. Restrictions on Subsidiary Debt.

(a) The Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to create, assume, Incur, issue, or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money (any indebtedness of a non-Guarantor Subsidiary, “ Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt ”), without guaranteeing the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on an unsecured unsubordinated basis.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded from indebtedness in any computation under such restriction, Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt constituting:

(i) indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with any Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties and assets of such Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Subsidiary and is assumed by such Subsidiary; provided that any indebtedness was not Incurred in contemplation thereof and is not guaranteed by any other Subsidiary;

(ii) indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that any indebtedness was not Incurred in contemplation thereof;

(iii) indebtedness owed to the Company or any other Subsidiary;

(iv) indebtedness of such Subsidiary secured by liens on assets of such Subsidiary permitted under any of clauses (i) and (vi) of Section 4.03(b);

(v) indebtedness outstanding on the date of this Indenture or any extension, renewal, replacement or refunding of any indebtedness existing on the date of this Indenture or referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 4.04(b) (other than any indebtedness under the Existing 6% Notes, the Existing 11% Notes or the Existing 8% Notes, the refinancing of which may not be Incurred or guaranteed by any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor pursuant to this clause); provided that the principal amount of the indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount of

 

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indebtedness plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding, so secured at the time of such extension, renewal, replacement or refunding;

(vi) indebtedness in respect of a Qualified Receivables Financing; and

(vii) indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness Incurred under this clause (vii), when aggregated with the principal amount of all other indebtedness then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (vii), does not exceed $200 million at any one time outstanding.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries may create, Incur, issue, assume or guarantee Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt, without guaranteeing the Notes, if at the time of such creation, Incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee, after giving effect thereto and to the retirement of any indebtedness which is concurrently being retired, the aggregate amount of all such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt which would otherwise be subject to such restrictions (other than Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt which is described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 4.04(b)) plus the aggregate amount (without duplication) of (x) all indebtedness secured by mortgages (not including any such indebtedness secured by mortgages described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03(b)) and (y) all Attributable Debt of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions (with the exception of such transactions which are permitted under clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 4.05(a)) does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.

Section 4.05. Restrictions on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any of their assets unless,

(i) the Company or such Subsidiary would (at the time of entering into such arrangement) be entitled pursuant to clause (i) or (vi) of Section 4.03(b), without equally and ratably securing the Notes, to create, issue, assume or guarantee indebtedness secured by a mortgage on such property; or

(ii) the Company or such Subsidiary shall apply, within 180 days of the effective date of any such arrangement, an amount not less than the greater of (x) the net proceeds of the sale of such property or (y) the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) of such property to either the prepayment or retirement (other than any mandatory prepayment or retirement) of indebtedness Incurred or

 

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assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary (other than indebtedness owned by the Company or any Subsidiary) which by its terms matures at or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than twelve months after the date of the creation of such indebtedness, or to the acquisition, construction or improvement of a manufacturing plant or manufacturing facility; or

(iii) the Attributable Debt of the Company and its Subsidiary in respect of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction and all other Sale and Lease-Back Transactions entered into after the Issue Date (other than any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction as would be permitted as described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.05(a)), plus the aggregate principal amount (without duplication) of (x) indebtedness secured by mortgages then outstanding (not including any such indebtedness secured by mortgages described in clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 4.03(b)) which do not equally and ratably secure the Notes (or secure Notes on a basis that is prior to other indebtedness secured thereby) and (y) Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt (with the exception of Non-Guarantor Subsidiary Debt which is described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 4.04(b)), would not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.

Section 4.06. Change of Control .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Notes of a series, each holder of Notes of such series will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes of such series at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), except to the extent the Company has previously or concurrently elected to redeem Notes of such series pursuant to Article 3.

(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes of such series by delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3, the Company shall mail a notice (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each holder of Notes of such series with a copy to the Trustee stating:

(i) that a Change of Control Repurchase Event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such holder’s Notes of such series at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);

 

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(ii) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control Repurchase Event;

(iii) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

(iv) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.06, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

(c) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes of such series surrendered.

(d) On the repurchase date, all Notes of such series purchased by the Company under this Section shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the holders entitled thereto.

(e) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes of a series upon the consummation of a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.06 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes of such series properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(g) Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

 

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(h) At the time the Company delivers Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.06. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.

(i) Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Company to make such offer have been complied with.

(j) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes of a series pursuant to this Section 4.06. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.06, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.

Section 4.07 . Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012, an Officer’s Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signer of his or her duties as an Officer of the Company he or she would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signer knows of any Default that occurred during such period. If he or she does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the TIA. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officer’s Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.07, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Company’s compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

Section 4.08. Future Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a) The Company will cause each Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that has not become a Guarantor on the Issue Date, other than, at the election of the Company, an Excluded Subsidiary, that is an issuer or co-issuer in respect of, or guarantees any, Capital Markets Debt to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture joining each such Subsidiary of the Company to this Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, pursuant to which such Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the Notes on the same terms and subject to the same conditions and limitations as those described under Article 10 in this Indenture (each such guarantee of the Notes, an “ Additional Guarantee ”). In addition, the Company may cause other Subsidiaries to guarantee the Notes at its option.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing and the other provisions of this Indenture, any Additional Guarantee of the Notes by a Subsidiary shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged in the circumstances described under Section 10.02 hereof. Any Additional Guarantee shall be considered a “Guarantee” as described in Section 10.01 and any such Subsidiary providing such Additional Guarantee shall be considered a “Guarantor” as described in Section 10.01.

Section 4.09. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 11.02.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) The Company hereby designates the corporate trust office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.

Section 4.10 . Maintenance of Insurance. The Company shall maintain with reputable insurance companies, insurance with respect to its assets, properties and business against loss or damage to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons of similar size engaged in the same or similar industry, of such types and in such amounts (after giving effect to any self-insurance (including captive industry insurance) reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons of similar size engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company and its Subsidiaries) as are customarily carried under similar circumstances (including flood insurance) by such other Persons to the extent available to the Company and the Subsidiaries on commercially reasonable terms.

 

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Section 4.11. Additional Amounts.

(a) All payments made under or with respect to the Notes by (i) the Company or (ii) any Guarantor or any entity that becomes a successor of the Company that is organized in a jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia as a result of a merger or other transaction permitted by Section 5.01 (each such person, a “ Payor ”) will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and other similar liabilities related thereto) of whatever nature (collectively, “ Taxes ”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which any Payor is organized, resident or doing business for tax purposes or from or through which any Payor makes any payment on the Notes or any department or political subdivision thereof (each, a “ Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction ”), unless such Payor is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law. If a Payor is required by law to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Taxes of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from any payment made under or with respect to a series of Notes, the Payor, subject to the exceptions listed below, will pay additional amounts (the “ Additional Amounts ”) as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount received by each holder of the Notes of such series after such withholding or deduction (including withholding or deduction attributable to Additional Amounts payable hereunder) will not be less than the amount the holder would have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted.

(b) A Payor will not, however, pay Additional Amounts to a holder or beneficial owner of Notes of a series:

(i) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the holder’s or beneficial owner’s present or former connection with the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or but for any such connection on the part of a partner, beneficiary, settlor or shareholder of such a holder or beneficial owner (other than any connection resulting from the acquisition, ownership, holding or disposition of Notes, the receipt of payments thereunder and/or the exercise or enforcement of rights under any Notes of such series);

(ii) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the failure of the holder or beneficial owner of Notes of such series, following the Payor’s written request addressed to the holder at least 30 days prior to the date upon which such compliance would be required, to the extent such holder or beneficial owner is legally eligible to do so, to comply with any certification, identification, information or other reporting requirements,

 

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whether required by statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction, as a precondition to exemption from, or reduction in the rate of deduction or withholding of, Taxes imposed by the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (including, without limitation, a certification that the holder or beneficial owner is not resident in the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction);

(iii) with respect to any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, personal property or any similar Taxes;

(iv) with respect to any Taxes, which are payable otherwise than by withholding from payments of principal of or interest on the Notes of such series;

(v) if such holder is a fiduciary or partnership or person other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment and the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed on such payment had the holder been the beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner, as the case may be, of such Note (but only if there is no material cost or expense associated with transferring such Note to such beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner and no restriction on such transfer that is outside the control of such beneficiary, partner or sole beneficial owner);

(vi) to the extent the Taxes giving rise to such Additional Amounts would not have been imposed but for the presentation by the holder of any Note of such series, where presentation is required, for payment on a date more than 30 days after the date on which payment became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever occurs later;

(vii) with respect to any withholding or deduction that is imposed on a payment to a beneficial owner within the meaning of and that is required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income which was adopted by the ECOFIN Council on June 3, 2003 or any law or other government regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to such directive (the “ EU Savings Tax Directive ”) or is required to be made pursuant to the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation dated October 26, 2004 providing for measures equivalent to those laid down in the EU Savings Tax Directive (the “ EU-Swiss Savings Tax Agreement ”) or any law or other governmental regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such agreement;

(viii) to the extent of any Taxes imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or tax authority therein; or

(ix) any combination of items (i) through (viii).

 

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(c) The Payor will (i) make any such withholding or deduction required by applicable law and (ii) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. The Payor will make reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld from each Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction imposing such Taxes. The Payor will provide to the Trustee, within a reasonable time after the date the payment of any Taxes so deducted or withheld are due pursuant to applicable law, either a certified copy of tax receipts evidencing such payment, or, if such tax receipts are not reasonably available to the Payor, such other documentation that provides reasonable evidence of such payment by the Payor.

(d) At least 30 calendar days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Notes of a series are due and payable if the Payor will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payments (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises after the 35th day prior to the date on which payment under or with respect to the Notes of such series is due and payable, in which case it will be promptly due thereafter), the Payor will deliver to the Trustee, the Registrar and each Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable and will set forth such other information necessary to enable each Paying Agent to pay such Additional Amounts to the holders of the Notes of such series on the payment date. The Payor will promptly publish a notice stating that such Additional Amounts will be payable and describing the obligation to pay such Additional Amounts. The Company will pay to the Trustee or the Paying Agent such Additional Amounts and, if paid to a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, shall promptly provide the Trustee with documentation evidencing the payment of such Additional Amounts. Copies of such documentation shall be made available to the holders upon request. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee and the Paying Agent for, and hold them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished to them pursuant to this Section 4.11.

The Payor will indemnify and hold harmless the holders of Notes, and, upon written request of any holder of Notes of such series, reimburse such holder for the amount of (i) any Taxes levied or imposed by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction and payable by such holder in connection with payments made under or with respect to the Notes of such series held by such holder; and (ii) any Taxes levied or imposed with respect to any reimbursement under the foregoing clause (i) or this clause (ii), so that the net amount received by such holder after such reimbursement will not be less than the net amount such holder would have received if the Taxes giving rise to the reimbursement described in clauses (i) and/or (ii) had not been imposed; provided , however , that the indemnification

 

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obligation provided for in this paragraph shall not extend to Taxes imposed for which the holder of the Notes of such series would not have been entitled to receive payment of Additional Amounts hereunder by virtue of clauses (i) through (a) (ix) of subsection (b) above or to the extent such holder received Additional Amounts with respect to such payments. Whenever this Indenture refers to, in any context, the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount payable under or with respect to any Note or any Guarantee, such reference includes the payment of Additional Amounts or indemnification payments as described hereunder, if applicable.

The foregoing obligations of this Section 4.11 will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and the removal or resignation of the Trustee and the Agents and will apply mutatis mutandis to any successor Person, to any Payor and to any jurisdiction in which such successor is organized or is otherwise resident or doing business for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by such successor or its respective agents.

ARTICLE 5

S UCCESSOR C OMPANY

Section 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets.

(a) The Company may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, or lease, sell or transfer all or substantially all of its property and assets if:

(i) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the party which acquires by lease, sale or transfer all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state in the United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, any province of Canada or any state which was a member of the European Union on December 31, 2003 (other than Greece);

(ii) the corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the party which acquires by lease, sale or transfer all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets, agrees to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Notes, perform and observe all covenants and conditions of this Indenture by executing and delivering to the Trustee a supplemental indenture and assumes all of the Company’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement; and

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating indebtedness for borrowed money which becomes the Company’s obligation or an obligation of a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction

 

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as having been Incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Default or Event of Default has happened and is continuing.

(b) If, upon any such consolidation or merger, or upon any such lease, sale or transfer of any of the Company’s assets or any shares of Capital Stock or indebtedness of any Subsidiary, owned immediately prior to the transaction, would thereupon become subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien securing any indebtedness for borrowed money of, or guaranteed by, such other corporation or party (other than any mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien permitted by this Indenture), the Company, prior to such consolidation, merger, lease, sale or transfer, will, by executing and delivering to the Trustee a supplemental indenture, secure the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Notes (together with, if the Company decides, any other indebtedness of, or guaranteed by, the Company or any Subsidiary then existing or thereafter created) equally and proportionately with (or, at the Company’s option, prior to) the indebtedness secured by such mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien.

(c) No Guarantor will, and the Company will not permit any Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:

(i) either (A) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “ Successor Guarantor ”) and the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to documents or instruments in form required by this Indenture, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is a disposition of such Guarantor such that it will no longer be a Subsidiary and is not in violation of this Indenture; and

(ii) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.

 

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Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of the Notes, and such Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its Obligations under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Obligations in respect of the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing such Guarantor in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia or any territory of the United States so long as the amount of indebtedness of the Guarantor is not increased thereby and (2) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with another Guarantor or the Company or may convert its legal form under the laws of reorganization in its jurisdiction.

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Company or any Guarantor.

(d) Notwithstanding and without compliance with Section 5.01(a) and Section 5.01(c), the Company shall be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose, in one or more related transactions, of assets constituting the Capital Stock or all or part of the assets of any Subsidiary, division or line of business or group of such Subsidiaries, divisions or lines of business (“ disposed group ”) if such disposed group (i) generated Consolidated EBITDA that was less than 40% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company in (A) the most recently completed four quarters for which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture and (B) each of the last three completed fiscal years of the Company for which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture and (ii) has total assets with a value that is less than 40% of the total value of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP as of the last date of the latest period for which financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to this Indenture; provided that such disposition otherwise complies with this Indenture. Any such disposition shall also not be deemed a Change of Control pursuant to clause (1) of the definition thereof.

ARTICLE 6

D EFAULTS AND R EMEDIES

Section 6.01 . Events of Default. An “ Event of Default ” occurs with respect to Notes of each series if:

(a) there is a failure to pay interest upon the Notes of such series that continues for a period of 30 days after payment is due;

 

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(b) there is a failure to pay the principal or premium, if any, on the Notes of such series when due upon maturity, redemption, acceleration or otherwise;

(c) there is a failure to comply with any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s other agreements contained in this Indenture applicable to the Notes of such series or the Guarantees (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), for a period of 90 days after written notice to the Company of such failure from the Trustee (or to the Company and the Trustee from the holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of each series to which such agreements relate, voting as a single class) specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “ Notice of Default ” hereunder;

(d) there is a failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay any indebtedness (other than indebtedness owing to the Company or a Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent;

(e) the Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to the Notes of such series (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or the Company denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series and such Default continues for 10 days;

(f) either the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences a voluntary insolvency proceeding;

(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary insolvency proceeding or consents to its dissolution or winding-up;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or

 

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(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against either the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company in an involuntary case;

(ii) appoints a Custodian of either the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or for any substantial part of its property; or

(iii) orders the winding up or liquidation of either the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

(iv) orders the presentation of any plan or arrangement, compromise or reorganization of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within five (5) Business Days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officer’s Certificate of any event which is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 6.02 . Acceleration; Recission. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class by notice to the Company may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest of the Notes of such series shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of

 

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the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of the series affected thereby, voting as a single class, may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the registered holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of the series affected thereby, voting as a single class, may rescind and annul such acceleration (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default of such affected series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration, (iii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid, (iv) if the Company has paid the Trustee its reasonable compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 7.07, (v) in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in either Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g), the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such Event of Default has been cured or waived and (vi) in the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(d) the Trustee shall have received an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that (x) the indebtedness or Guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes of each series affected thereby as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Subject to Section 7.01, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to the Notes of a series, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of Notes of such series, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.

Section 6.03 . Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes of a series, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes of each series affected thereby or does not produce any of them in the

 

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proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.

Section 6.04 . Waiver of Past Defaults. Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class, by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default with respect to such series of Notes and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note, (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or (c) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Company, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

Section 6.05 . Control by Majority. The holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or expense for which it is not adequately indemnified, or subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification and security reasonably satisfactory to it against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.

(a) No holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy hereunder, unless:

(i) the holder gives the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series,

 

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(ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class, make a written request to the Trustee to institute such proceeding or pursue such remedy as trustee,

(iii) such holder or holders offer the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any costs, liability or expense,

(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity, and

(v) during such 60-day period the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of each such series affected thereby, voting as a single class, do not give the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with the request.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of any Note for enforcement of payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Note on or after the respective due date expressed in such Note.

(b) A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder.

Section 6.07 . Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

Section 6.08 . Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes of each series affected thereby for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the applicable Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

Section 6.09 . Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. With respect to each series of Notes, the Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders of Notes of such series allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, any Guarantor, their creditors or

 

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their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the holders of Notes of such series in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each holder of Notes of such series to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

Section 6.10 . Priorities. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 6 and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee, its agents, professionals and counsel and the Agents for amounts due under this Indenture;

SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of each series affected thereby for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of each series affected thereby for principal and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Guarantor, to the such Guarantor.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders of each series of Notes affected thereby pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each holder affected thereby and the Company a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.11 . Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class.

 

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Section 6.12 . Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE 7

T RUSTEE A ND A GENTS

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee and Agents.

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in them by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the Trustee and Agents undertake to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee and Agents (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee and Agents to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee and Agents may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and Agents and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee and Agents shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee and Agents shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) The Trustee or Agents may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

(ii) the Trustee or Agents shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Agent unless it is proved that the Trustee or Agent was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05; and

(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee or Agents to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur financial or personal liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01 and paragraphs (b) and (c) with respect to the Agents.

(e) The Trustee and Agents shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee and Agents may agree in writing with the Company.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee and Agents shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA.

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee and Agents.

(a) The Trustee and Agents may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee and Agents need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee or Agents acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee and Agents shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

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(c) The Trustee and Agents may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee and Agents shall not be responsible or liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided , however , that the Trustee’s and Agents’ conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

(e) The Trustee and Agents may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f) The Trustee and Agents shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class, at the time outstanding, but the Trustee and Agents, in their discretion, may (but shall not be obligated to) make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee or Agents shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, they shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Company and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation. Any and all notices, instructions, demands, requests, consents, appraisals, correspondence or other communications shall be in writing and delivered in accordance with Section 11.02.

(g) The Trustee or Agents shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee or Agents security and indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee or Agents against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee and Agents, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee and Agents in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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(i) The Trustee and Agents shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes of each series affected thereby, voting as a single class, as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee and Agents or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

(j) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee and Agents in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or authority or consent of any person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding upon future holders of such Notes and upon such Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.

(k) The Trustee and Agents shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee or Agents at the Corporate Office of the Trustee or Agents, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(l) The Trustee and Agents may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(m) The Trustee and Agents shall not be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee and Agents have been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.

(n) The Trustee and Agents shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.

(o) The Trustee and Agents shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

Section 7.03 . Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may

 

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otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

Section 7.04 . Trustee’s and Agents’ Disclaimer. The Trustee and Agents shall not be responsible for and make no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s or Agents’ certificate of authentication. The Trustee and Agents shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under Sections 6.01(c)-6.01(g) or of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee or Agents shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 11.02 hereof from the Company or any Guarantor or any holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee and Agents act solely as Trustee and Agents for the holders of the Notes and not in their respective individual capacities and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee and Agents arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee and Agents hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 7.05 . Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each holder of Notes of each series affected thereby notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is actually known to a Responsible Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the holders. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, an Officer’s certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

Section 7.06 . Reports by Trustee to the Holders. As promptly as practicable after each June 30 beginning with the June 30 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 30 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to each holder a brief report dated as of such July 30 that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the TIA.

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

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Section 7.07 . Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time such compensation, as the Company and the Trustee and Agents shall from time to time agree in writing, for the Trustee’s and Agent’s acceptance of this Indenture and its applicable services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee or Agents upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s or Agents’ applicable agents and counsel. The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee and Agents and their respective directors, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses except for such actions to the extent caused by any negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on their part) Incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Guarantee against the Company or any Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantor, any holder or any other Person). The obligation to pay such amounts shall survive the payment in full or defeasance of the Notes or the removal or resignation of the Trustee or Agents or the termination of this Indenture. The Trustee and Agents shall notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided , however , that any failure so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or any Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Company and such Guarantor, as applicable shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the Guarantor, as applicable, and such indemnified parties in connection with such defense; provided , further , that, unless the Company otherwise agrees in writing, the Company shall not be liable to pay fees and expenses of more than one counsel at any given time located within one particular jurisdiction. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee and Agents shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee and Agents other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

 

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The Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment and indemnity obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee or Agents. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee and Agents under applicable law, when the Trustee and Agents Incur expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee or Agents to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise Incur any financial or personal liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity and security against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee and Agents.

(a) The Trustee or Agents may resign by so notifying the Company in writing at least 30 days in advance. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of both series, voting as a single class, may remove the Trustee or Agents by so notifying the Company and the applicable Trustee or Agent and may appoint a successor Trustee or Agent with the Company’s consent. A resignation or removal of a Trustee or Agent and appointment of a successor Trustee or Agent shall become effective only with the successor Trustee’s or Agent’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section. The Company shall remove the Trustee or Agent if:

(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(ii) the Trustee or Agent is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(iv) the Trustee or Agent otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

(b) If the Trustee or any Agent resigns, is removed by the Company or by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of both series, voting as a single class, and such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Agent, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee or an Agent for any reason (the Trustee or Agent in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee or retiring Agent), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Agent.

 

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(c) The successor Trustee or Agent shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee or Agent and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee or Agent shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee or Agent under this Indenture. The successor Trustee or Agent shall mail a notice of its succession to the holders. The retiring Trustee or Agent shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee or Agent to the successor Trustee or Agent, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

(d) If a successor Trustee or Agent does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee or Agent resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or Agent or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the Notes of both series, voting as a single class, may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee or Agent.

(e) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, any holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Agent.

Section 7.09 . Successor Trustee or Agent by Merger. If the Trustee or Agent consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or Agent; provided , however , that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article 7.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee or Agent shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee or Agent may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee or agent, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or Agent may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee or agent; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificates of the Trustee or Agent shall have.

Section 7.10 . Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent

 

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published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided , however , that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.

Section 7.11 . Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.

Section 7.12 . Paying Agent. If the Company maintains a Paying Agent with respect to the Notes in a member state of the European Union, such Paying Agent will be located in a member state of the European Union that is not obligated to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to the EU Savings Tax Directive or pursuant to the EU-Swiss Savings Tax Agreement or any law or other governmental regulation implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such agreement.

ARTICLE 8

D ISCHARGE O F I NDENTURE ; D EFEASANCE

Section 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.

(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes of a series when:

(i) either (A) all the Notes of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series which have been replaced or paid and Notes of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes of such series (1) have become due and payable, (2) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of,

 

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premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of such series to the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(ii) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit;

(iii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series; and

(iv) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes of such series at maturity or the redemption date.

In addition, the Company shall deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied and at the cost and expense of the Company.

(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company may at any time elect to terminate some or all of its obligations under the outstanding Notes of a series and this Indenture in respect of such series of Notes (hereinafter, “ legal defeasance option ”) except for obligations under Sections 2.04, 2.07 and 2.08 and obligations in respect thereof under the TIA. The Company may terminate its obligations with respect to a series of Notes (i) under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.08, 4.10 and Section 5.01 and (ii) under Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), and Sections 6.01(f) and 6.01(g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), on a date the conditions set forth in Section 8.02 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ covenant defeasance option ”) and thereafter, any omission to comply with any covenant referred to in clause (i) above will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the Notes of such series. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

(c) If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes of such series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), or Sections 6.01(f) or 6.01(g) (with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 5.01 with respect thereto.

(d) Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.11, 7.07, 7.08, 9.05 and 9.06 and this Article 8 shall survive until such time as the Notes of such series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.05 and 8.06 shall survive.

Section 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance.

(a) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes of a series only if:

(i) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. Dollars or Government Obligations in such amounts or a combination thereof as will be sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes of such series when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date;

(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Notes of such series to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(iii) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Company;

(iv) in the case of its legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their maturity within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company;

 

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(v) the Company does not impair the right of any holder of the Notes of such series to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes of such series on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes of such series;

(vi) in the case of its covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and

(vii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes of such series to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.

(b) Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article 3.

Section 8.03 . Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations, through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.

Section 8.04 . Repayment to Company. Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any money or Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.

 

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Section 8.05 . Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such Government Obligations.

Section 8.06 . Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of a series so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided , however , that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or interest on, any such Notes of a series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

A MENDMENTS AND W AIVERS

Section 9.01. Without Consent of the Holders.

(a) The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may modify or amend this Indenture or the Notes of a series without notice to or consent of any holder:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or to make any other provisions as may be necessary or desirable, including the making of any modifications in the applicable form of the Note, provided that such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Notes of such series in any material respect;

(ii) to provide for the assumption by a successor of the Obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes;

 

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(iii) to add a Guarantor with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 4.08;

(iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided , however , that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

(v) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Registration Rights Agreement to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that such provision in the “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Registration Rights Agreement;

(vi) to evidence and provide acceptance of the appointment of a successor Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent under this Indenture;

(vii) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository;

(viii) to add collateral or security to secure the Notes;

(ix) to add to the covenants of the Company or the Subsidiaries for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Subsidiaries;

(x) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;

(xi) to make any change that would provide any additional benefit or rights to the holders or that does not adversely affect in any material respect the legal rights of any holder;

(xii) to provide for the issuance of the Exchange Notes, which shall have terms substantially identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes of the same series, and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Initial Notes of such series, as a single issue of securities;

(xiii) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depository; or

(xiv) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes under this Indenture in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture.

 

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(b) The Trustee may require an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel that such amendment under this Section 9.01 is permitted under this Indenture and that all conditions have been complied with. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D hereto, and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate.

(c) After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment, provided that in the case of an amendment pursuant to Section 9.01(a)(xiv), no such notice shall be required. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.

Section 9.02. With Consent of the Holders.

(a) The Company and the Trustee may modify, waive or amend this Indenture with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of each series affected by the modification, waiver or amendment, voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes of such series).

(b) However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note of a series, no amendment, waiver or modification may,

(i) change the due date of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on any Note of such series or the redemption terms with respect to such Notes of such series;

(ii) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest rate on, the Notes of such series;

(iii) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the Notes of such series;

(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the Notes of such series after the due date thereof; or

(v) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of such series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of this Indenture, for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults.

 

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(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders of a series of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, waiver or modification, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

(d) After an amendment, waiver or modification under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the holders of Notes of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment, waiver or modification. The failure to give such notice to all holders of Notes of such series, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment, waiver or modification under this Section 9.02.

Section 9.03 . Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, every amendment, waiver or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.

(a) A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate from the Company certifying that the requisite principal amount of Notes have consented. After an amendment or waiver with respect to a series of Notes becomes effective, it shall bind every holder of Notes of such series. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Company and the Trustee.

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were holders of Notes of such affected series at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders of Notes of such affected series after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

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Section 9.05 . Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Company may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 . Trustee to Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity and security reasonably satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03, Section 11.04 and Section 11.05).

Section 9.07 . Additional Voting Terms. All Notes of a series issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class; provided that Notes of both series shall vote together as a single class to the extent provided in this Indenture. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article 9 and Section 2.13.

Section 9.08 . Payments for Consents. The Company will not, and the Company will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, including any related tender offer consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of a series of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless

(i) with respect to all other holders of such series, the same consideration and

(ii) with respect to all holders of any other series affected by such consent waiver or amendment, in the Company’s reasonable judgment, reasonably equivalent consideration,

 

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is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all holders of the Notes of each series affected thereby that consent, waive or agree to amend such term or provision within the time period set forth in the solicitation documents relating to the consent, waiver or amendment. When determining “reasonably equivalent consideration” the Company may without limitation consider the relative trading values, remaining life and/or yield to maturity of each series of the Notes.

ARTICLE 10

G UARANTEE

Section 10.01. Guarantee.

(a) Each existing Wholly Owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Company that is an issuer or co-issuer in respect of, or guarantees, any Capital Markets Debt on the Issue Date, by execution of this Indenture (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) (each such entity, a “ Guarantor ”) will, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on a senior basis, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns (i) the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of all Obligations of the Company under this Indenture (including obligations to the Trustee and the Agents) and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on in respect of the Notes (the “ Guarantee ”) and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes and (ii) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company whether for fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise under this Indenture and the Notes (all the foregoing, including the Guarantee, being hereinafter collectively called the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from any Guarantor, and that each Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 10 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

(b) To the extent applicable, each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (iv) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or

 

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(v) any change in the ownership of each Guarantor, except as provided in Section 10.02(b) or Section 10.02(c). Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its Obligations hereunder divided among the Guarantors, such that such Guarantor’s obligations would be less than the full amount claimed.

(c) Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Guarantor.

(d) Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

(e) The Guarantee of each Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article 10, the senior unsecured Obligations of the Guarantors, equal in right of payment to all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness of the relevant Guarantor.

(f) Except as expressly set forth in Section 8.01(b), Section 10.02 and Section 10.06, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(g) Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

 

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(h) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the holders, the Trustee and Agents.

(i) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of the Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Company for the purposes of this Section 10.01.

(j) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee, the Agents or any holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

(k) Upon request of the Trustee, each Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 10.02. Limitation on Liability.

(a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

(b) The Obligations of any Guarantor, under its Guaranteed Obligations with respect to a series of Notes will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all Obligations under this Article 10 when any of the following occurs:

 

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(i) upon the full and final payment by or on behalf of the Company of all of its Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes of such series;

(ii) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor; provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would be caused thereby;

(iii) the occurrence of legal defeasance or covenant defeasance in respect of the Notes of such series accordance with this Indenture;

(iv) except for those limitations described in Section 10.02(c), in the event that the continued obligation of such Guarantor under its Guarantee of the Notes of such series or the continued existence of such Guarantee will result in a violation of applicable law that cannot be avoided or otherwise prevented through measures reasonably available to the Company or such Guarantor; provided that all guarantees, if any, of all other indebtedness are also released;

(v) if such Guarantor (a) no longer is an issuer or co-issuer in respect of, or guarantees, any Capital Markets Debt or (b) would be released automatically from any other guarantee of any Capital Markets Debt concurrently upon the release of the Guarantee of the Notes of such series;

(vi) any issuance, sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition (including, without limitation, by way of acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, transfer, conveyance or otherwise), directly or indirectly, of Capital Stock of such Guarantor (or any parent of such Guarantor) to any Person that is not a Subsidiary that results in such Guarantor ceasing to be a Subsidiary; or

(vii) upon such Guarantor being designated as an Excluded Subsidiary in compliance with this Indenture and the Company gives written notice of such release to the Trustee.

(c) In addition to the initial Guarantors, other Subsidiaries may become Guarantors after the Issue Date, as provided in this Indenture. The Guaranteed Obligations of the Guarantors will be limited as necessary to recognize certain defenses generally available to guarantors (including those that relate to fraudulent conveyance or transfer, voidable preference, financial assistance, corporate purpose, capital maintenance or similar laws, regulations or defenses affecting the rights of creditors generally) or other considerations under applicable law.

Section 10.03. Successors and Assigns . This Article 10 shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit

 

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of the successors and assigns of the Trustee, the Agents and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder, the Agents or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

Section 10.04 . No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee, the Agents or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee, the Agents and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 10.05 . Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

Section 10.06 . Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Note Guarantors. Each Subsidiary and other Person which is required to become a Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.08 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary or other Person shall become a Guarantor under this Article 10 and shall guarantee the Notes. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Subsidiary or other Person and that, subject to the application of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws relating to creditors’ rights generally and to the principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity, the Guarantee of such Guarantor is a valid and binding obligation of such guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

Section 10.07 . Non-Impairment. The failure to endorse a Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

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ARTICLE 11

M ISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls . If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by, or with another provision (an “ incorporated provision ”) included in this Indenture by operation of, Sections 310 to 318 of the TIA, inclusive, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.

Section 11.02. Notices .

(a) Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile, overnight mail/courier or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

if to the Company or a Guarantor:

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Stationsplein 45

3013 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

and

Lyondell Chemical Company

1221 McKinney Street

Suite 700

Houston, TX 77010

Facsimile: (713) 309-4631

Attention: General Counsel

if to the Trustee Paying Agent or Registrar:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

45 Broadway, 14 th Floor

New York, New York 10006

Facsimile: 212-515-1589

Attention: Corporate Trust Services – Administrator for LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(b) Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

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(c) Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee are effective only if received.

Section 11.03 . Communication by the Holders with Other Holders. The holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.

Section 11.04 . Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:

(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 11.05 . Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.07) shall include:

(a) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided , however , that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

 

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Section 11.06 . When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

Section 11.07 . Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 11.08 . Legal Holidays. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.

Section 11.09 . Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

Section 11.10 . Consent to Jurisdiction and Service. The Company irrevocably (i) agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Company arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes or any Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any U.S. Federal or state court in the City and County of New York (collectively, the “ Specified Courts ”) and (ii) waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, any objection which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding. The Company has irrevocably appointed C T Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, 10011, as their authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon whom process may be served in any such action arising out of or based on this Indenture, the Notes or the transactions contemplated hereby which may be instituted in any Specified Court, expressly consent to the jurisdiction of any such Specified Court in respect of any such action, and waive any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. The Company represents and warrants that the Authorized Agent has agreed to act as such agent for service of process and agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent in any manner permitted by applicable law and written notice of such service to the Company shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company.

 

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Section 11.11 . Waiver of Immunity. The Company and each Guarantor irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled in any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Notes or any Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in any Specified Court, and with respect to any suits, actions, or proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court in any such legal suit, action or proceeding, the Company and each Guarantor waives any such immunity in such courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such legal suits, actions or proceedings, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended.

Section 11.12. J udgment Currency.

(a) U.S. dollars is the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by the Company under or in connection with the Notes, including damages. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than U.S. dollars, whether as a result of, or the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, in the winding-up or dissolution of the Company or otherwise by any holder of a Note, as the case may be, or by the Trustee, in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Company will only constitute a discharge to the Company to the extent of the U.S. dollar amount which the recipient is able to purchase with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so).

(b) If that U.S. dollar amount is less than the U.S. dollar amount expressed to be due to the recipient or the Trustee under any Note, the Company will indemnify them against any loss sustained by such recipient as a result. In any event, the Company will indemnify the recipient against the cost of making any such purchase. For the purposes of this currency indemnity provision, it will be prima facie evidence of the matter stated therein for the holder of a Note or the Trustee to certify in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Company (indicating the sources of information used) the loss it incurred in making any such purchase. These indemnities constitute a separate and independent obligation from the Company’s other obligations, will give rise to a separate and independent cause of action, will apply irrespective of any waiver granted by any holder of a Note or the Trustee (other than a waiver of the indemnities set out herein) and will continue in full force and effect despite any other judgment, order, claim or proof for a liquidated amount in respect of any sum due under any Note or to the Trustee.

 

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Section 11.13 . No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, manager, incorporator or holder of any Equity Interests in the Company, Company or any Guarantor or any direct or indirect parent corporation, as such, shall have any liability for any Obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such Obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 11.14 . Successors. All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 11.15 . Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

Section 11.16 . Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 11.17 . Indenture Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.

Section 11.18 . Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

Section 11.19 . PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee and the Agents, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they will provide to the Trustee and the Agents with such information as it may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Section 11.20 . Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or any Agent be liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder

 

92


because of circumstances beyond the Trustee’s or the Agents’ control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, flood, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, fire, riot or embargo, which delay, restrict or prohibit the providing of the services contemplated by this Indenture.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]

 

93


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.
By:    
  Name:
  Title: Attorney


   LYONDELLBASELL FINANCE COMPANY   
   LYONDELLBASELL ACETYLS, LLC   
   HOUSTON REFINING LP   
  

LYONDELLBASELL F&F HOLDCO, LLC

LYONDELLBASELL ACETYLS HOLDCO, LLC

  
   LYONDELL REFINING I LLC   
   LYONDELL REFINING COMPANY LLC   
   LYONDELL EUROPE HOLDINGS INC.   
   LYONDELL CHIMIE FRANCE LLC   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, L.P.   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC.   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 1 INC.   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, L.P.   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL OVERSEAS SERVICES, INC.   
   LYONDELL CHEMICAL INTERNATIONAL COMPANY   
   EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, LP   
   BASELL NORTH AMERICA INC.   
   EQUISTAR GP, LLC   
   EQUISTAR LP, LLC   
  

All By:                                                          

  
  

          Name:

          Title:Treasurer

  

 

 

95


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

      ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, Registrar

      and Paying Agent

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

 

96


EXHIBIT A-1

FORM OF NOTE

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1-1


CUSIP: 144A: 552081AE1/REG. S: N53745AC4

ISIN: 144A: US552081AE14/REG. S: USN53745AC45

[RULE 144A] [REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

$2,000,000,000

5.000% Senior Notes due 2019

 

No.         

   [$                          ]

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES, N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on April 15, 2019.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

A-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated: April __, 2012

 

A-1-3


This is one of the 2019 Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:

   
 

Authorized Signatory

Dated: April __, 2012

 

A-1-4


[Back of 2019 Note]

5.000% Senior Notes due 2019

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. LyondellBasell Industries, N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands, (the “ Company ”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this 2019 Note at 5.000% per annum from April 9, 2012 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below and Additional Amounts in respect thereof as set forth in the Indenture. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). Interest on the 2019 Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2012. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2019 Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2019 Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. Method of Payment . The Company will pay interest on the 2019 Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered holders of 2019 Notes at the close of business on April 1 and October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such 2019 Notes are canceled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other 2019 Notes the holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. Trustee; Paying Agent and Registrar . Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, will be the Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar (the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture with regard to the Notes.

 

A-1-5


4. Indenture . The Company issued the 2019 Notes under an Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This 2019 Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company designated as its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ 2019 Notes ” or “ Notes ”). The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. The 2019 Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor) shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture, unless otherwise specified in the Indenture. The terms of the 2019 Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). The 2019 Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Company may, in whole at any time or in part from time to time prior to the date that is 90 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Notes, redeem the Notes (including any additional Notes) at the Company’s option upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

(b) At any time on or after the date which is 90 days prior to the final maturity date of the Notes, the Company may, in whole at any time or in part, redeem the Notes (including any additional Notes) at the Company’s option upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

6. Redemption for Taxation Reasons . In accordance with Section 3.09 of the Indenture, the Company may redeem the Notes in whole, but not in part, at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the holders of the Notes (which notice will be irrevocable) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (a “ Tax Redemption Date ”) (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive

 

A-1-6


interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date) and all Additional Amounts (as defined in Section 4.11 of the Indenture), if any and further described in Section 3.09 of the Indenture.

7. Mandatory Redemption; Sinking Fund . The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

8. Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at his, her or its registered address. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable; provided that no Notes of $200,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $200,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $200,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof). The notice of redemption relating to such Note selected to be redeemed shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed at any time in connection with an optional redemption, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:

(a) if the Notes to be redeemed are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Notes are listed; or

(b) if the Notes to be redeemed are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption.

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

9. Offers to Repurchase . Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Notes, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

A-1-7


10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in fully registered form only, without coupons, in denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A holder shall register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay certain transfer taxes or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith as permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes during a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a redemption notice for any Notes or portions thereof selected for redemption.

11. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

12. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

13. Defaults and Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company) and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and the other notes issued under the Indenture, to the extent affected thereby, voting as a single class, in each case, by notice to the Company, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of the series affected thereby, voting as a single class, may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences.

14. Authentication . This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

15. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes . In addition to the rights provided to holders of 2019 Notes under the Indenture, holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

 

A-1-8


16. GOVERNING LAW . THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

17. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the 2019 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the 2019 Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Stationsplein 45

3013 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

and

Lyondell Chemical Company

1221 McKinney Street

Suite 700 Houston, TX 77010

Facsimile: (713) 309-4631

Attention: General Counsel

 

A-1-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: 

    
   (Insert assignee’s legal name)    

 

(Insert assignee’s Soc. Sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

   

   

   

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                   transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                          

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-1-10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture, check the box below:

[    ] Section 4.06

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                              

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:    

Signature Guarantee*:                                                          

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-1-11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $              . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

 

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

Amount

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal

Amount of

this Global

Note

 

Principal

Amount of

this Global

Note

following

such decrease

or increase

 

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Note

Custodian

 

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-1-12


EXHIBIT A-2

FORM OF NOTE

[Face of Note]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-2-1


CUSIP: 144A: 552081AH4/REG. S: N53745AD2

ISIN: 144A: US552081AH45/REG. S: USN53745AD28

[RULE 144A] [REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

representing up to

$1,000,000,000

5.750% Senior Notes due 2024

 

No.         

   [$                               ]

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES, N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on April 15, 2024.

Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15

Record Dates: April 1 and October 1

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

A-2-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V.

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:

Dated: April      , 2012

 

A-2-3


This is one of the 2024 Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:

   
 

Authorized Signatory

Dated: April      , 2012

 

A-2-4


[Back of 2024 Note]

5.750% Senior Notes due 2024

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. LyondellBasell Industries, N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands, (the “ Company ”) promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this 2024 Note at 5.750% per annum from April 9, 2012 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below and Additional Amounts in respect thereof as set forth in the Indenture. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”). Interest on the 2024 Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be October 15, 2012. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2024 Notes; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the 2024 Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. Method of Payment . The Company will pay interest on the 2024 Notes and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered holders of 2024 Notes at the close of business on April 1 and October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such 2024 Notes are canceled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the register of holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other 2024 Notes the holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. Trustee; Paying Agent and Registrar . Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, will be the Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar (the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture with regard to the Notes.

 

A-2-5


4. Indenture . The Company issued the 2024 Notes under an Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among the Company, the guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This 2024 Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Company designated as its 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “ 2024 Notes ” or “ Notes ”). The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Indenture. The 2024 Notes issued under the Indenture (including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor) shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture, unless otherwise specified in the Indenture. The terms of the 2024 Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). The 2024 Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. Optional Redemption .

(a) The Company may, in whole at any time or in part from time to time prior to the date that is 90 days prior to the scheduled maturity date of the Notes, redeem the Notes (including any additional Notes) at the Company’s option upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

(b) At any time on or after the date which is 90 days prior to the final maturity date of the Notes, the Company may, in whole at any time or in part, redeem the Notes (including any additional Notes) at the Company’s option upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

6. Redemption for Taxation Reasons . In accordance with Section 3.09 of the Indenture, the Company may redeem the Notes in whole, but not in part, at any time upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the holders of the Notes (which notice will be irrevocable) at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (a “ Tax Redemption Date ”) (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive

 

A-2-6


interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date) and all Additional Amounts (as defined in Section 4.11 of the Indenture), if any and further described in Section 3.09 of the Indenture.

7. Mandatory Redemption; Sinking Fund . The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

8. Notice of Redemption . Notice of redemption will be mailed by first-class mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at his, her or its registered address. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable; provided that no Notes of $200,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $200,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $200,000 (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof). The notice of redemption relating to such Note selected to be redeemed shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

If less than all the Notes are to be redeemed at any time in connection with an optional redemption, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:

(a) if the Notes to be redeemed are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which such Notes are listed; or

(b) if the Notes to be redeemed are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate in accordance with industry standards at the time of such redemption.

If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with a Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied on and after such date, interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

9. Offers to Repurchase . Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event with respect to the Notes, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

A-2-7


10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange . The Notes are in fully registered form only, without coupons, in denominations of $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. A holder shall register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay certain transfer taxes or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith as permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes during a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a redemption notice for any Notes or portions thereof selected for redemption.

11. Persons Deemed Owners . The registered holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

12. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver . The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

13. Defaults and Remedies . If an Event of Default occurs (other than an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company) and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes and the other notes issued under the Indenture, to the extent affected thereby, voting as a single class, in each case, by notice to the Company, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of the series affected thereby, voting as a single class, may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes of such series and its consequences.

14. Authentication . This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

15. Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes . In addition to the rights provided to holders of 2024 Notes under the Indenture, holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including the right to receive Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement).

 

A-2-8


16. GOVERNING LAW . THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

17. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the 2024 Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the 2024 Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company will furnish to any holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Stationsplein 45

3013 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

and

Lyondell Chemical Company

1221 McKinney Street

Suite 700

Houston, TX 77010

Facsimile: (713) 309-4631

Attention: General Counsel

 

A-2-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:     
   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

(Insert assignee’s Soc. Sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 
 
 
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                            to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:                                               
   Your Signature:     
     

(Sign exactly as your

name appears on the face

of this Note)

     
Signature Guarantee*:                                                                     

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-2-10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture, check the box below:

[    ] Section 4.06

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                                     

 

Date:                                               
   Your Signature:     
     

(Sign exactly as your

name appears on the face

of this Note)

   Tax Identification No.:                                 
     
Signature Guarantee*:                                                                     

 

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-2-11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $                  . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decrease in

Principal

Amount

  

Amount of

increase in

Principal

Amount of

this Global

Note

  

Principal

Amount of

this Global

Note

following

such decrease

or increase

  

Signature of

authorized

signatory of

Trustee or

Note

Custodian

           
           
           

 

 

* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-2-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC N9303-121

608 2 nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Fax: (866) 969-1290

Email: DAPSReorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re: [5.000% Senior Notes due 2019] [5.750% Senior Notes due 2024]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (the “ Company ”), the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Paying Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                              (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of [$]                          in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to                          (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

B-1


2. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [    ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) [    ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) [    ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

B-2


4. [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                                          

 

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

(i)       [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:    ] [Common [ISIN:    ]), or

(ii)      [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:    ] [ISIN:    ]), or

 

  (b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a) [    ] a beneficial interest in the:

(i)       [    ] 144A Global Note ([CUSIP:    ] [Common [ISIN:    ]), or

(ii)      [    ] Regulation S Global Note ([CUSIP:    ] [Common [ISIN:    ]), or

(iii)     [    ] Unrestricted Global Note ([            ] [            ]); or

 

  (b) [    ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) [    ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC N9303-121

608 2 nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Fax: (866) 969-1290

Email: DAPSReorg@wellsfargo.com

 

Re: [5.000% Senior Notes due 2019] [5.750% Senior Notes due 2024]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012 (the “ Indenture ”), among LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (the “ Company ”), the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Paying Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of [$]              in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private

 

C-1


Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note of the same series, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-2


2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES OF THE SAME SERIES.

(a) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note of the same series with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) [    ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OF THE SAME SERIES. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [    ] 144A Global Note [    ] Regulation S Global Note of the same series, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company and are dated                               .

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                                                  

 

C-4


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE RELATED TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of [            ], among [GUARANTOR] (the “New Guarantor”), a subsidiary of LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands (or its successor) (the “Company”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a company, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Indenture ”) dated as of April 9, 2012, as supplemented, providing for the issuance of the Company’s (i) $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2019 and (ii) $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (collectively, the “ Notes ”);

WHEREAS Section 4.08 of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to a Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and other existing Guarantors, if any, are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Defined Terms . As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “ holders ” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “ holders ” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. The words “ herein ,” “ hereof ” and “ hereby ” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

 

D-1


2. Agreement to Guarantee . The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing guarantors (if any), to unconditionally guarantee the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a guarantor under the Indenture.

3. Notices . All notices or other communications to the New Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 11.02 of the Indenture.

4. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

5. GOVERNING LAW . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

6. Trustee Makes No Representation . The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

7. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not effect the construction thereof.

 

D-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NEW GUARANTOR]
By:    
  Name:
 

Title:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

D-3

Exhibit 4.4

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

the Guarantors

party hereto

and

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

and the other Initial Purchasers

Dated as of April 9, 2012


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 9, 2012, by and among LyondellBasell Industries N.V., a public company with limited liability ( naamloze vennootschap ) in the country of The Netherlands (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined in the Purchase Agreement (as defined below)) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), each of whom has agreed to purchase a portion of the $2,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “2019 Notes”) and a portion of the $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes” and, together with the 2019 Notes, the “Initial Notes”), each of which are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The Initial Notes and the related Guarantees are herein collectively referred to as the “Securities.”

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated March 26, 2012 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (i) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities, including the Initial Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Securities, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5(h) of the Purchase Agreement.

The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1 . Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Interest Payment Date : With respect to the Securities of each series, each Interest Payment Date.

Broker-Dealer : Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

Business Day : Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or required by law to close in New York City, London or The Netherlands.

Commission : The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Consummate: A registered Exchange Offer with respect to a series of Securities shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer with respect to such series, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of such Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount and of the same series as the aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Effectiveness Target Date : A date no later than 365 days after the Issue Date or if such 365th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

Exchange Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Date : As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.

Exchange Offer : The registration by the Company under the Securities Act of a series of Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company offers the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities of such series the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities of such series held by such Holders for Exchange Securities of the same series in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities of the such series tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

 

2


Exchange Offer Registration Statement : A Registration Statement relating to an Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

Exempt Resales : The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose to sell the Securities to certain “qualified institutional buyers,” as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to certain institutional “accredited investors,” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act, and to certain non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Exchange Securities: The 5.000% Senior Notes due 2019 and the 5.750% Senior Notes due 2024, and the related Guarantees, to be issued to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities of the applicable series pursuant to this Agreement.

FINRA: The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Guarantees : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Guarantors : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Holders : As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

Indemnified Holder : As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.

Indenture: The Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2012, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchasers : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Initial Notes : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Initial Placement : The issuance and sale by the Company of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Interest Payment Date : As defined in the Indenture and the applicable Securities.

Issue Date : April 9, 2012.

Person : An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.

Purchase Agreement : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Registration Default : As defined in Section 5 hereof.

Registration Statement : Any registration statement of the Company relating to (a) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

Securities : As defined in the preamble hereto.

Securities Act : The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

3


Shelf Filing Deadline : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement : As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

Transfer Restricted Securities : Each Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Security is exchanged in an Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security of the same series entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, (b) the date on which such Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Security is distributed to the public by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

Trust Indenture Act : The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering: A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

SECTION 2. Securities Subject to this Agreement.

(a) Transfer Restricted Securities . The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

(b) Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities . A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “Holder”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

SECTION 3. Registered Exchange Offer.

(a) With respect to each series of Securities, unless an Exchange Offer with respect to such series shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), or there are no Transfer Restricted Securities of such series outstanding, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed with the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than the Effectiveness Target Date, a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer for such series, (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event no later than the Effectiveness Target Date, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities of such series to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of such Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer for such series. The Exchange Offer for such series shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities of such series to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities of the same series and to permit resales of Securities of such series held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to such series to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer for such series open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate such Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of such Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer for such series to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws with respect to the disposition of all securities of such series covered by the Exchange Offer. No securities other than the Exchange Securities (of either series) shall be included in an Exchange Offer Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer for such series to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for such series has become effective, but in no event later than 45 days after the Effectiveness Target Date (or if such 45th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “Exchange Date”).

 

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(c) The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to such series that any Broker-Dealer who holds Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities of such series and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities of such series acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Securities of such series pursuant to the Exchange Offer for such series; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in such Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for such series. Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission.

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to such series continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for the resale of Securities of such series acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 90 days following the consummation of the Exchange Offer for such series exclusive of any period during which any stop order shall be in effect suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.

The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 90 day period (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

SECTION 4. Shelf Registration.

(a) Shelf Registration . With respect to each series of Securities, if (i) the Company is not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement with respect to such series or permitted to effect an Exchange Offer for such series because such Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer for such series is not Consummated prior to the Effective Target Date, (iii) prior to the 20th Business Day following the Exchange Date for such series, any Initial Purchaser requests from the Company with respect to Transfer Restricted Securities of such series not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in such Exchange Offer or (iv) prior to the 20th Business Day following the Exchange Date for such series, with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, such Holder notifies the Company that (A) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in such Exchange Offer, or (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in such Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus (other than by reason of such Holder’s status as affiliate of the Company) and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Securities of such series acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, then, upon such Holder’s request, the Company and the Guarantors shall (except for a shelf registration required by clause (ii) above if the Exchange Offer for such series has at the relevant time been Consummated)

(x) cause to be filed a shelf registration statement with respect to such Securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for such series within 45 days after such filing obligation arises (or if such 45th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such date being the “Shelf Filing Deadline”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities of such series the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

 

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(y) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 90th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “Shelf Effectiveness Date”).

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for the resale of Securities of such series by the Holders of such Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) one-year following the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement; (ii) the date when all the Securities of such series covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement; (iii) the date when all the Securities of such series covered by such Shelf Registration Statement cease to be outstanding; and (iv) the date when all the Securities of such series covered by such Shelf Registration Statement become eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act without regard to volume, manner of sale or other restrictions contained in Rule 144 (the “Shelf Registration Period”).

(b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement . No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to a series may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities of such series in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement of such series is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not contain an untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statement therein not misleading.

SECTION 5 . Additional Interest. If (i) an Exchange Offer Registration Statement is required pursuant to Section 3(a) with respect to a series of Securities and such Exchange Offer is not Consummated within 45 days after the Effectiveness Target Date; or (ii) following the Effectiveness Target Date, a Shelf Registration Statement is required pursuant to Section 4(a)(x) with respect to Securities of such series and such Shelf Registration Statement (x) is not filed on or prior to the applicable Shelf Filing Deadline, (y) does not become effective on or prior to the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline, or (z) is filed and becomes effective but thereafter ceases to be effective or the corresponding Prospectus fails to be usable for its intended purpose at any time during the Shelf Registration Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 45 days consecutive days and up to 120 days in the aggregate, in each case in any 12-month period (each such event referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series shall be increased by 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default for such series and shall increase by 0.25% per annum at the end of each subsequent 90-day period, but in no event shall such increase exceed 1.00% per annum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, immediately following the earliest of (x) the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities of such series and (y) the date on which there are no outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities of such series; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default for such series occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities of such series shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the amount of Additional Interest payable in respect of a series of Securities shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending in respect of such series and (ii) a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement (because, e.g., such Holder has not elected to include information or has not timely delivered such information to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof) shall not be entitled to Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default for such series that pertains to the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

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All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security of a series at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

SECTION 6. Registration Procedures.

(a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement . In connection with an Exchange Offer with respect to a series, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

(i) If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer for such series is permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Securities of such series. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer for such series should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

(ii) As a condition to its participation in an Exchange Offer for such series pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for such series) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Securities of such series to be issued in such Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities of such series in its ordinary course of business. In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer for such series. Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer of such series to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in such Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities of a series obtained by such Holder in exchange for Securities of such series acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

(b) Shelf Registration Statement . In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement with respect to a series, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration (unless automatically declared effective) to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Company and the Guarantors will as soon as commercially reasonable prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.

 

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(c) General Provisions . In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities of a series (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Securities of such series by Broker-Dealers), each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

(i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective during the period of this Agreement and provide all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable); upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective (unless automatically declared effective) and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities of such series covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities of such series covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

(iv) furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers upon request of a majority of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities

 

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covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period). The objection of an Initial Purchaser or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission. Notwithstanding the last two sentences, the Company shall not be prohibited from making any filing that is, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, necessary to comply with applicable law;

(v) [Reserved.];

(vi) make available, subject to customary confidentiality agreements, at reasonable times for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information, in each case as shall be reasonably necessary to enable any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant to exercise any applicable responsibilities in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any;

(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

(viii) cause the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;

(ix) if requested, furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);

(x) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

(xi) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other commercially reasonable actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series then outstanding or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, each of the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

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(A) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder of at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities of a series then outstanding and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of an Exchange Offer for such series or, if applicable, the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement for such series:

(1) a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of such Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by one of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Legal Officer or Treasurer of each of the Guarantors, and signed by any member of the Management Board of the Company or any person who has been appointed an attorney or an attorney-in-fact by resolution of the Management Board of the Company so long as the power of attorney grant by such resolution remains in effect on behalf of the Company, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(g) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;

(2) if requested by Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series then outstanding, an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of such Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, covering the matters set forth in the opinions and letter delivered pursuant to Sections 5(c) and 5(d) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for such series, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer of such series, as of the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which were made, not misleading. Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Registration Statement of such series contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

(3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement for such series, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;

(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(xi), if any.

 

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If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

(xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement for such series; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to such Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(xiii) shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Securities of such series covered by the Shelf Registration Statement for such series, Exchange Securities of such series having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the same series surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Securities of such series held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

(xiv) cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities of such series to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of such Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

(xv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series covered by a Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;

(xvi) if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading;

(xvii) provide a CUSIP number for all Securities of such series not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

(xviii) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

(xix) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated

 

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earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities of such series are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement for such series;

(xx) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement for such series required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities of such series to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

(xxi) cause all Securities of such series covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of such series or the managing underwriter(s), if any; and

(xxii) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security of a series that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement for such series until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement for such series set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement for such series shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest with respect to such series is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement for such series pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof.

SECTION 7. Registration Expenses.

(a) All reasonable and documented expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantor’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and one counsel to such person, that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in an Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b) hereof, all reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel to the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities of a series; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Securities on a securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).

 

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Each of the Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, an Exchange Offer Registration Statement and a Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered in such Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or registered pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.

SECTION 8. Indemnification.

(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder of a series and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any such Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of any such Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and reasonable expenses, as incurred, (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or several, directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any (x) Registration Statement for such series (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein or (y) Prospectus for such series (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of such Holders, its directors, officers, employees or controlling persons furnished in writing to the Company by any of such Holders expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any Guarantor may otherwise have.

In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company and the Guarantors in writing; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve any of the Company or the Guarantors of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company and the Guarantors (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification hereunder). The Company and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld

 

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unreasonably, and each of the Company and the Guarantors agree to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of a series agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors and their respective directors, officers of the Company and the Guarantors who sign a Registration Statement for such series, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company or any of the Guarantors, and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of the Company, the Guarantors and any such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement for such series. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the Guarantors or their respective directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Company and the Guarantors, and the Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.

(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of the applicable series, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of such series, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders of the applicable series were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection

 

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with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Securities of the applicable series held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

SECTION 9 . Rule 144A. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities of a series remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities of such series in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

SECTION 10 . Participation in Underwritten Registrations. No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

SECTION 11 . Selection of Underwriters. The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities of a series covered by a Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities of such series included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

SECTION 12. Miscellaneous.

(a) Remedies. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Each of the Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

(c) Adjustments Affecting the Securities. The Company will not effect any change, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the term of the Securities of a series that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer for such series.

(d) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of each series of Transfer Restricted Securities affected by the amendment, modification or supplement, voting as a single class (excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose

 

15


securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered; provided, however, that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.

(e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted here under shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and

(ii) if to the Company or any Guarantor:

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

Stationsplein 45

3013 AK Rotterdam

The Netherlands

Facsimile: +31 10 713 6259

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Lyondell Chemical Company

1221 McKinney Street

Suite 700

Houston, TX 77010

Facsimile: (713) 309-4631

Attention: General Counsel

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT (AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

 

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(j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby .

(k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

[Signature page to follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

LyondellBasell Industries N.V.

By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:     Attorney

Guarantors
LYONDELLBASELL FINANCE COMPANY
LYONDELLBASELL ACETYLS, LLC
HOUSTON REFINING LP
LYONDELLBASELL F&F HOLDCO, LLC
LYONDELLBASELL ACETYLS HOLDCO, LLC
LYONDELL REFINING I LLC
LYONDELL REFINING COMPANY LLC
LYONDELL EUROPE HOLDINGS INC.
LYONDELL CHIMIE FRANCE LLC
LYONDELL CHEMICAL COMPANY
LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, L.P.
LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC.
LYONDELL CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY 1 INC.
LYONDELL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES, L.P.
LYONDELL CHEMICAL OVERSEAS SERVICES, INC.
LYONDELL CHEMICAL INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
EQUISTAR CHEMICALS, LP
BASELL NORTH AMERICA INC.
EQUISTAR GP, LLC
EQUISTAR LP, LLC

 

All By:

   
 

Name:

 

Title:     Authorized Person

 

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The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

Acting on behalf of itself

and as the Representative of

the several Initial Purchasers

By:

  J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
By:    
 

Name:

 

Title:     Managing Director

 

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